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Russian-European Mars mission suspended over Ukraine war
A Russian-European mission to land a rover on Mars has been suspended due to the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, the European Space Agency announced Thursday, as Moscow said it regretted the "bitter" decision.
Macron vows tax cuts, benefits shake-up in election manifesto
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged further tax cuts, reforms to the welfare system and major public investments on Thursday as he unveiled his manifesto less than a month from elections.
British-Iranians release helped by nuclear talks, Ukraine: analysts
The deal to release British-Iranian detainees was given vital impetus by nuclear talks in Vienna and the West's evolving energy needs in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine, analysts said on Thursday.
UN votes to secure formal presence in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Thursday to secure a formal presence in Afghanistan, whose Taliban government remains unrecognized by the international community.
Germany's Scholz under fire after Zelensky's fierce appeal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called on Germany to help destroy a new "Wall" Russia was erecting in Europe, as he appealed directly to Chancellor Olaf Scholz to bolster his tentative response to the invasion.
Fleeing Ukrainians recount Mariupol 'hell'
Fleeing Ukrainian families describe the "hell" they left behind in the besieged city of Mariupol, of seeing corpses in the streets and of sleeping in sub-zero temperatures, hiding in cellars.
Ukraine warns of new 'Wall' in Europe as Russian strikes kill 21
Ukraine's leader on Thursdaycharged Moscow with building a new Cold War wall across Europe "between freedom and bondage", as his government said Russian shelling had killed 21 civilians near one city.
Coe not expecting Ukraine-linked 'issues' at world indoor championships
Athletics chiefs are not expecting any disruption to the World Indoor Championships when they kick off Friday in Serbia, a nation which has openly supported Russian President Vladimir Putin and his decision to invade Ukraine.
Irish PM's White House meeting canceled after positive Covid test
A planned Saint Patrick's Day meeting at the White House between Joe Biden and Ireland's prime minister Micheal Martin was canceled Thursday after Martin tested positive for Covid-19, although the US president was said to be in no danger.
Ukraine warns of new 'Wall' in Europe as theatre hit
Ukraine's leader on Thursday said Russia was building a new Cold War wall across Europe "between freedom and bondage", after his government accused invading forces of bombing a theatre sheltering many civilians and marked with the word "children".
Irish PM tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of White House meeting
Ireland's prime minister Micheal Martin tested positive for Covid-19, forcing him to leave a gala event attended by President Joe Biden and upending plans for the two leaders to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day at the White House on Thursday.
War in Ukraine wheat belt hits Egyptian pockets
Soaring bread prices sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine have bitten into the purchasing power of consumers in Egypt, a leading importer of wheat from the former Soviet states.
Moscow stocks crash crushes financial dreams of Russians
The Moscow stock exchange ended 2021 in fine form: a record number of companies were listing their shares, foreign money was flowing in and ordinary Russians were keen on investing.
Federer's Ukrainian conqueror swaps racquet for Kalashnikov
In 2013 he achieved one of the great shocks in tennis history, knocking defending champion Roger Federer out of Wimbledon.
Oil surges on Russia tensions
Oil prices soared Thursday on tensions surrounding key producer Russia, as equities diverged with traders tracking also interest rate decisions and China's pledge to support volatile markets.
East Timor heads to the polls amid political deadlock
East Timor will hold presidential polls on Saturday, with the winner facing a Covid and cyclone-battered economy, as well as a protracted political impasse.
Ukraine denounces new 'Wall' in Europe as theatre hit
Ukraine's leader on Thursday said Russia was building a new Cold War wall across Europe "between freedom and bondage", after his government accused invading forces of bombing a theatre sheltering many civilians and marked with the word "children".
Macron to unveil manifesto, shifting from war to re-election bid
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is riding high in the polls, is to reveal his manifesto on Thursday at his first major campaign event for the election next month.
Zelensky urges Germany to tear down new Russian 'Wall' in Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Germany in an emotional video address before parliament Thursday to help destroy a new "Wall" Russia was erecting in Europe.
Cambodia opposition figures hit with jail terms
A Cambodian court handed out jail terms Thursday to 20 opposition figures including exiled leader Sam Rainsy, who condemned the judgment as a fresh bid by strongman ruler Hun Sen to quash dissent.
Markets rally again as Hong Kong extends surge
Asian and European markets rallied further Thursday with another blistering surge in tech firms helping Hong Kong extend its recovery from the recent rout, while traders also cheered soothing comments on the US economy by the Federal Reserve after it lifted interest rates.
Thailand faces early election as coalition cracks widen
Thailand's embattled prime minister will hold talks with party leaders in his ruling coalition Thursday as he seeks to control growing divisions that could lead to early elections later this year.
Federer's Ukranian conqueror swaps racquet for Kalashnikov
In 2013 he achieved one of the great shocks in tennis history, knocking defending champion Roger Federer out of Wimbledon.
British-Iranians reunited with family in UK after Tehran release
Two British-Iranians imprisoned for years in Iran were reunited with their families in the early hours of Thursday, tears of joy and long hugs marking the culmination of years of campaigning and earlier false hopes.
Macron to unveil programme as election looms
French President Emmanuel Macron, riding high in the polls ahead of elections next month, is to reveal his programme for a second term on Thursday in his first major campaign event.
Honduran judge grants extradition of ex-president Hernandez to US
A judge in Honduras on Wednesday granted the extradition of former president Juan Orlando Hernandez to the United States where he is wanted for alleged drug trafficking, the Central American country's Supreme Court of Justice said on Twitter.
Lonely passengers ride ghost trains back to Ukraine
The station in the west Ukraine city of Lviv teems with outgoing passengers, vying for seats on trains leaving the war-torn nation.
Theatre bombed in Ukraine, Biden slams 'war criminal' Putin
Ukraine accused Russia Thursday of bombing a theatre that was sheltering more than 1,000 civilians in the city of Mariupol, after US President Joe Biden branded Vladimir Putin a "war criminal".
North Korea silent after missile explodes over Pyongyang
North Korea's state media was silent Thursday after a suspected missile test ended in what Seoul said was total failure, exploding mid-air in the skies above the capital Pyongyang almost immediately after launch.
Asian markets rally again as Hong Kong extends surge
Asian markets rallied again Thursday with another blistering surge in tech firms helping Hong Kong extend its recovery from the recent rout, while traders also cheered soothing comments on the US economy by the Federal Reserve after it lifted interest rates.
Yemen war turns nature reserve back into waste dump
Yemen's Al-Heswa nature reserve was once hailed as a beacon of conservation efforts by the United Nations, but civil war has turned it into a rubbish-strewn wasteland reeking of sewage.
Two British Iranians arrive in UK after Tehran release
Two British-Iranians landed back in the United Kingdom in the early hours of Thursday morning after being freed from years of detention in Iran.
'My life's at risk': Mexican journalists fear death every day
Each time Maria Martinez leaves home, she fears it will be the last. Only her bodyguards prevent her from joining the eight journalists murdered already this year in Mexico, she believes.
Canadian leaves a life behind to go help Ukraine
Vartan Davtian bought a ticket to Ukraine, on Wednesday leaving behind a job and a safe, quiet life in Canada to go defend the country in which he grew up.
Biden slams 'war criminal' Putin as Ukraine civilian horror grows
US President Joe Biden branded Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" Wednesday as the Russian leader's onslaught in Ukraine claimed more civilian lives, and a theatre where "hundreds" were sheltering was destroyed by bombing.
Global stocks rally as Fed hikes interest rates
Global stocks rallied Wednesday, bolstered by China's pledge to help stabilize markets and another pullback in oil prices as the US Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate hike since 2018.
Iran nuclear deal 'close', Tehran frees captives as obstacles narrow
Washington said Wednesday it was "close" to a deal with Iran on reviving a 2015 pact that saw Western powers provide sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme, the latest sign of advancement following prolonged deadlock.
Zelensky urges US help against Russia -- and gets $1 bn more weaponry
Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky made a desperate appeal for help against Russia to the US Congress on Wednesday, and within hours of the speech, President Joe Biden responded by promising $1 billion in new weapons to fight "war criminal" Vladimir Putin's invading army.
Zelensky urges US help against Russia -- and gets $1 bln more weaponry
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky invoked September 11 and Pearl Harbor in an impassioned address to the US Congress on Wednesday pleading for weapons to fight Russia -- and earning a promise from President Joe Biden just hours later for $1 billion in new arms.