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'Graft probes and power games': Xi's corruption drive turns to cash trail
China's President Xi Jinping has his sights on domestic critics' riches as a corruption crackdown gathers pace to consolidate his power and secure an unprecedented third term.
India cricket greats welcome 'Mankad' run out law change
India greats such as Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday welcomed cricket's governing body changing the law on controversial "Mankad" run outs, which will no longer be classed as "unfair play".
Medvedev feels pressure, motivation as No. 1
Daniil Medvedev, who will contest his first tournament as world number one at the Indian Wells ATP Masters, says he's matured since his loss to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.
Russians near Kyiv after attack on children's hospital sparks fury
Russian forces neared Kyiv on Thursday, as international leaders and Ukraine accused Russia of a "barbaric" attack on a children's hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol.
Children of exile bring fresh vision to Chile cabinet
Six people exiled as children under Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship will now play a vital role in Chile's future as part of new president Gabriel Boric's cabinet.
Hundreds flee their homes as Indonesian volcano erupts
Indonesia's Mount Merapi unleashed a torrent of hot clouds, turning the sky a fiery red, as molten lava flowed down its slopes on Thursday with the eruption forcing over 250 people to flee their homes, authorities said.
S. Korea's new president to teach 'rude boy' Kim Jong Un some manners
Threatening a pre-emptive strike, swiftly responding to missile tests, and telling "rude boy" leader Kim Jong Un to behave: South Korea's next president looks set to get tough on the nuclear-armed North, analysts say.
What would be the impact of a US 'digital dollar'?
US President Joe Biden has ordered the federal government to look into creating a digital dollar, a move with the potential to reshape how money is moved and used around the world.
'We understand': Refugees pray for Ukraine at Bosnian pilgrimage site
Far from home, Mariana Sova could only pray for Ukraine and an end to the war from a Catholic pilgrimage site in southern Bosnia where she had found safe haven from the fighting.
Crufts dog show returns after Covid break and Brexit
Tens of thousands of dogs and their owners are expected for the return of the world's biggest dog show on Thursday, as Crufts makes a comeback after a two-year absence.
K-Pop's BTS back on stage for first Seoul gig since pandemic
Tens of thousands of BTS fans were gathering in Seoul on Thursday for the K-Pop superstars' first live concert in South Korea since the pandemic -- although Covid regulations will prevent them from dancing or singing along.
India pursue Sri Lanka sweep in pink ball second Test
India will be strong favourites to stay unbeaten in pink-ball Tests at home as new captain Rohit Sharma eyes a clean sweep of Sri Lanka in the second Test starting Saturday.
Top Russia, Ukraine diplomats arrive in Turkey for talks
The foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine have arrived in Turkey for face-to-face talks set for Thursday morning, officials said, in the first high-level contact between the two sides since Moscow invaded its ex-Soviet neighbour.
Australia look to second spinner after Rawalpindi stalemate
Australia are likely to play two spinners as they go in search of a win in Saturday's second Test in Karachi after Pakistan batted their seamers into the ground in the draw at Rawalpindi.
Revolution blanks Pumas in CONCACAF Champions League
Adam Buksa scored two second-half goals to power the New England Revolution over Mexico's Pumas UNAM 3-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Germany in a quandary over Russian energy
Germany has rejected a complete ban on Russian gas and oil imports over Russia invading Ukraine, but voices are growing louder for Berlin to ditch its economic imperative to take a moral stand.
Booker stars as Suns beat Heat to seal NBA playoff berth
Devin Booker returned from a four-game absence to power Phoenix over Miami 111-90 on Wednesday in a matchup of conference leaders, clinching an NBA playoff berth for the Suns.
Ukraine crisis to dominate EU leaders' Versailles summit
EU leaders will scramble Thursday to find ways to urgently address the fallout of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has imperilled the bloc's economy and exposed a dire need for a stronger defence.
Letting state TV dominate, Russia chokes free media
Russia has moved to throttle independent media after its invasion of Ukraine, allowing state television to dominate the airwaves with broadcasting that relentlessly promotes Russian successes and carefully toes the Kremlin line.
Covid proves to be 'El Dorado' for matchfixers: expert
The Covid-19 pandemic has been an "El Dorado" for match fixers due to the negative impact the virus has had on the finances of individual sports, a leading sports technology company has told AFP.
Paralympic chief left waiting after Beijing censored anti-war speech
The International Paralympic Committee president said Thursday he is still waiting for China's state broadcaster to explain the apparent censorship of his forceful anti-war speech at the opening of the Beijing Winter Games, nearly a week on.
Invasion of Ukraine threatens to scramble ECB's plans
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and spiralling energy prices have upended the economic outlook and left European Central Bank policymakers with the task of navigating the eurozone through a fresh crisis at their meeting on Thursday.
Old habits kick in as Benzema-led Madrid comeback stuns PSG
"Real Madrid are still alive," said Karim Benzema, the 34-year-old striker who scored a second-half hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain again self-destructed in the Champions League knockout stages.
Turkmenistan readies for father-son succession during polls
Authoritarian Turkmenistan is quietly preparing for a father-son power transition during a presidential election on Saturday as the world reels and markets jangle over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
World clamours to air Ukrainian president's hit TV series
First one, then two, then 20: a small Stockholm agency has in recent days been deluged with bids for the rights to air the hit comedy series starring Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former actor turned wartime hero.
Asia stocks track US, European surge, oil extends losses
Asian equities rallied Thursday following a strong bounce on Wall Street and a breathtaking surge in Europe sparked by a plunge in oil prices and bargain-buying following a Ukraine-fuelled rout.
Thailand makes green push with floating hydro-solar power project
A vast array of solar panels floats on the shimmering waters of a reservoir in northeast Thailand, symbolising the kingdom's drive towards clean energy as it seeks carbon neutrality by 2050.
Music icon Caetano Veloso urges Brazil to stop Bolsonaro
Singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso, a living legend of Brazilian music, was jailed and exiled by his country's military dictatorship in the 1960s.
Chernobyl power cut, transmission lost at Europe's largest atomic plant: IAEA
Power has been cut to the Chernobyl nuclear plant, Ukraine said Wednesday, but the UN's atomic watchdog said there was "no critical impact on safety".
Tiger recalls parents and racism fight in Hall of Fame entry
A tearful Tiger Woods recalled fighting racism as a youth and the support of his parents on Wednesday in an emotional induction ceremony to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Shane Warne's body en route back to Australia
The body of Shane Warne left Thailand early Thursday, flying back to Australia where the cricket superstar will receive a state funeral.
Fury at 'barbaric' attack on Ukraine children's hospital
International leaders and Ukraine accused Russia of a "barbaric" attack on a children's hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol, as civilians continued to bear the brunt of the conflict two weeks into Moscow's invasion.