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EU parliament lifts immunity of two MEPs in graft probe
The European Parliament on Thursday lifted the immunity of two lawmakers targeted in a Belgian probe into suspected bribery linked to Qatar and Morocco.
Russia evokes WWII to blast EU ahead of summit in Kyiv
Russia accused the West of wanting to inflict a lasting defeat against Moscow and lashed out against EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who is in Kyiv ahead of a Ukraine summit.
White starts at scrum-half for Scotland in Six Nations clash against England
Ben White was a notable inclusion in Scotland's starting side to face England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday after coach Gregor Townsend left regular scrum-half Ali Price out of his matchday 23.
Pope urges Congolese youth to build better future
Pope Francis on Thursday urged tens of thousands of young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo to work towards a better future and shun corruption in the deeply Catholic country, which is plagued by violence in its east.
Burkina urges 'federation' with Mali for joint clout
Burkina Faso's prime minister, in a visit to neighbouring Mali this week, has suggested the two countries form a "federation" to boost their economic clout, his office said.
Netanyahu in Paris to press Macron on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday, hoping to gain support against Iran's nuclear programme but shadowed by an upsurge of violence in the region.
Hong Kong offers free flights after Covid isolation
Hong Kong is ready to welcome the world back, its leader said Thursday, as he pitched free flights and positive publicity to resurrect the once-vibrant global hub after three years of Covid-enforced isolation.
Shell logs record 2022 profit on soaring energy prices
Shell's net profit surged to a record $42.3 billion last year, the British energy giant said Thursday, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent oil and gas prices soaring.
Santander bank posts record profit as rates rise
Spanish banking giant Banco Santander reported on Thursday record profits for 2022, becoming the latest European lender to get a boost from higher interest rates.
White starts at scrum-half for Scotland in Calcutta Cup
Ben White was a notable inclusion in Scotland's starting side to face England in the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham on Saturday after coach Gregor Townsend left regular scrum-half Ali Price out of his matchday 23.
Pope meets young people in landmark DR Congo visit
Young people packing a stadium in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa erupted in joy on Thursday as Pope Francis entered in his popemobile, on the third day of his trip to the country.
'Smoothman' Gill: India's new run machine
Shubman Gill's prowess as an opener was never in doubt, but his first Twenty20 ton has got people talking about him as the next Virat Kohli, an all-format run machine for India.
Markets mixed as early Fed-fuelled rally peters out
Markets were mixed Thursday, with investors unable to maintain an early rally despite a strong lead from Wall Street fuelled by hopes the Federal Reserve's campaign of interest rate hikes could be close to an end.
Israeli warplanes strike Gaza following rocket fire
Israeli warplanes struck Gaza early Thursday, drawing retaliatory rocket fire from Palestinian militants, as violence flared despite US calls for "urgent steps" to restore calm.
India's Adani empire loses more than $100 bn after fraud claims
Under-fire Indian tycoon Gautam Adani's empire has lost more than $100 billion in value over the past week as shares in several firms plunged again Thursday, a day after the group cancelled a multi-billion-dollar public offering.
ANA, JAL see profits soar on travel recovery
Japan's leading air carriers ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines posted net profits for the nine months to December, turning around losses as domestic and international travel resume, the companies said Thursday.
Sony hikes net profit forecasts as weak yen boosts gaming
Sony upgraded its annual net profit forecasts on Thursday, saying it expects strong results in its key gaming sector as the weak yen inflates profits on products sold abroad.
Asian markets track Wall St higher after softer Fed tone
Most Asian markets rose Thursday and the dollar weakened further on hopes the Federal Reserve's campaign of interest rate hikes could be close to an end after it acknowledged progress in its long-running battle against inflation.
After 102 children, Ugandan villager says enough is enough
Musa Hasahya Kasera has so many children he can't remember most of their names.
Sony hikes net profit forecast as weak yen boosts gaming
Sony upgraded its annual net profit forecast on Thursday, saying it expects strong results in its key gaming sector as the weak yen inflates profits on products sold abroad.
UK schools fight misogynism peddled by online influencer Tate
When Nick Hewlett, head of a London school, was told about controversial online influencer Andrew Tate by a parent, he had never heard the name.
Russia strikes Ukraine residential building, Kyiv warns of fresh offensive
Rescuers searched for survivors in the rubble of an apartment building in eastern Ukraine on Thursday after a Russian strike destroyed it, as Kyiv said it expected a major offensive on the first anniversary of Moscow's invasion.
Pandemic to paradise: Chinese tourists return to Bali after three years
Donning yellow "Bali" hats featuring a surfer as the last letter, Chinese tourists walked along the Indonesian backpacker hotspot's pristine blue waters, forgetting three years of Covid-19 misery.
Australia to remove British monarch from banknotes
Australia will erase the British monarch from its banknotes, replacing the late Queen Elizabeth II's image on its $5 note with a design honouring Indigenous culture, the central bank said Thursday.
Fiji head coach Cotter quits seven months before Rugby World Cup
Fiji are looking for a new head coach seven months before the Rugby World Cup after New Zealander Vern Cotter resigned on Thursday because of "personal reasons".
Pope set to meet youth in landmark DR Congo visit
Pope Francis was set to address thousands of youngsters in Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday after holding an open-air mass that drew an estimated million faithful, as he pursues a landmark trip to central Africa.
India's Adani shares plunge again after stock sale cancelled
Under-fire Indian tycoon Gautam Adani insisted Thursday that the fundamentals of his conglomerate were "strong" even as shares in its companies plunged again after the group cancelled a multi-billion-dollar stock sale.
Hosts want 'urgent' answers over Saudi sponsorship of Women's World Cup
Co-hosts New Zealand and Australia said Thursday they "urgently" want answers from FIFA over reports Saudi Arabia's tourist board will sponsor the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Despite improving outlook, ECB to hike rates again
The European Central Bank is set to hike interest rates again Thursday as it pursues its inflation fight, despite tentative signs the eurozone has weathered shocks from the Ukraine war better than feared.
Bakhmut's last residents brace for Russian advance
As Moscow's forces push to encircle the frontline hotspot of Bakhmut, the battle-scarred town's last residents say they will not budge if the Russians arrive.
Philippines expands US access to military bases
The United States and the Philippines announced a deal Thursday to give US troops access to another four bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to counter China's military rise.
Israeli air strikes hit Gaza Strip
Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip early Thursday, which Palestinian fighters reacted to by firing rockets in the latest bout of unrest in the region.