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Sri Lanka ends widely condemned Muslim burial policy
Sri Lanka on Thursday ended a heavily criticised policy that required Muslim Covid-19 victims to be buried at a remote government-designated site in the absence of their families or final religious rites.
Ukraine war sends Western anxiety soaring on back of pandemic
Just as millions of people dared to hope a two-year pandemic was receding, war broke out in Ukraine, triggering a new surge of anxiety in Western Europe and fears about wider conflict -- or worse.
Sri Lanka sacks energy minister as economic crisis deepens
Sri Lanka's president sacked his energy minister on Thursday as fuel shortages left the near-bankrupt island facing its worst blackouts in 26 years and the nation's buses largely sidelined.
Protect Ukraine civilians 'for God's sake', pleads UN aid chief
The United Nations' aid chief pleaded Thursday for the protection of civilians in Ukraine and for unhindered humanitarian access amid the spiralling violence, in an interview with AFP.
Algeria journalist's jail sentence suspended on appeal
Algerian journalist and press freedom activist Khaled Drareni had a two-year jail term reduced on appeal to a six-month suspended sentence on Thursday, a detainees' rights group said.
Putin vows 'uncompromising fight' as Ukraine war enters second week
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed no let-up in his invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, even as the warring sides met for ceasefire talks and Kyiv appealed for relief supplies to reach shattered cities.
Kharkiv's grim fate recalls epic Soviet war movies
Explosions, sirens, ruined homes. Olena Ostaptchenko's only point of reference for what is happening in her home town of Kharkiv is Soviet-era movies about the horrors of World War II.
France seizes Russian oil supremo's yacht as EU sanctions bite
France said Thursday it had seized a superyacht owned by Russia's oil czar Igor Sechin, following through on threats to target sanctioned oligarchs close to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Macron to unveil bid for second term
French President Emmanuel Macron will announce later Thursday that he will seek a second term in office at elections next month, aides said, with Russia's war in Ukraine likely to eclipse the campaign but boost his chances.
Turkey walks a diplomatic tightrope in Russia-Ukraine war
The signs of Russian presence have long been visible in Turkey, from rows of tourists on Antalya beaches to the Russian battleships ploughing their way through the Bosphorus.
Ukraine pounded as Russia seizes key city ahead of talks
Ukraine's leader vowed Thursday that Moscow would be made to pay to rebuild his shattered country, as the warring sides readied for ceasefire talks following the fall of the first major city to Russian forces.
'Not our war': Gulf states resist pressure to raise oil output
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sent energy prices surging, but the oil-rich Gulf monarchies have so far resisted Western pressure to raise output, prioritising their own strategic and economic interests.
Japan plans $3 bn domestic relief package as oil prices surge
Japan plans to help residents and businesses facing difficulty due to a surge in oil prices fuelled by the Ukraine crisis with $3 billion in relief funds, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday.
European equities fall, as oil flirts with $120
European stocks slid and oil flirted with $120 per barrel Thursday as conflict raged in Ukraine.
Punishing Russian judokas unjustified, says international federation
The International Olympic Committee's call for federations to bar Russian athletes due to the invasion of Ukraine has been criticised as "not justified" by the International Judo Federation.
Molotovs and sandbags: Ukraine city braces for Russian attack
Shovelling sand into bags and collecting bottles to make Molotov cocktails, volunteers in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro are preparing for an onslaught from invading Russian troops.
Russian, Belarusian athletes banned from Winter Paralympics
Russian and Belarusian athletes were on Thursday banned from the Beijing Winter Paralympics over the war in Ukraine, with organisers bowing to international pressure and threats of a boycott.
Over one million refugees on the move from Ukraine
More than one million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion just a week ago.
Russian missiles tear civilian lives apart
Oleg Rubak wept for love of his wife Katia, crushed in the rubble of his family home, and for hatred of Vladimir Putin, whom he blames for the missile strike that killed her.
'Welcome to Berlin': Ukrainian refugees pour into Germany
The loudspeaker announcement is nearly drowned out by the hubbub of passengers spilling out of the train from Warsaw, but it's a message many of them have been longing to hear: "Dear passengers from Ukraine, welcome to Berlin!"
One million refugees fled Ukraine in week: UNHCR
One million refugees have fled Ukraine in the week since Russia's invasion, the United Nations said Thursday, warning that unless the conflict ended immediately, millions more were likely to flee.
Ukraine rallies UN allies to isolate Russia on international stage
From standing ovations for Ukrainian speakers to a diplomatic walkout as Russia's foreign minister begins to speak, Moscow has found itself very publicly isolated at the United Nations this week.
On Taiwan visit Pompeo says island must not suffer Ukraine's fate
Taiwan must not be allowed to go the same way as Ukraine, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday during a meeting with the island's president.
US experts: militarily, the Russian invasion is a disaster so far
The Russian military's initial invasion of Ukraine has been a surprising strategic and tactical blunder marked by food and fuel shortages, abandoned armored vehicles, aircraft losses and troop deaths, US experts say.
Russia seizes key southern Ukraine city after week of war
Russian troops have seized Kherson, the first major Ukrainian city to fall in a devastating week-old war that has already created one million refugees.
Germany begins slow move away from Russian gas after Ukraine invasion
The invasion of Ukraine has thrown Germany's problematic dependence on Russian gas into stark relief, forcing Europe's largest economy to urgently reshape its energy mix.
Committee investigating Capitol assault believes Trump broke law
The legislative panel probing the assault on the US Capitol by a mob of then-president Donald Trump's supporters alleged in a court filing Wednesday that he and his allies took part in a criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election.
China's Congress to focus on boosting slowing economy
A property downturn, slowing economy and war in Ukraine loom large over this week's annual convening of China's legislature, with policymakers expected to focus on shoring up faltering growth.
'Heavy hearts' as foreign players and coaches quit Russian clubs
As the invasion of Ukraine continues, foreign players and coaches are fleeing Russian football, handball and basketball clubs.
ICC to start 'active' probe into war crimes in Ukraine
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor said Wednesday an active probe into possible war crimes in Ukraine "will immediately proceed" after his office received the backing of 39 countries.
Japan's Toyota suspends operations at Russia plant
Toyota said Thursday it would suspend operations at its only factory in Russia and stop shipping vehicles to the country, citing "supply chain disruptions" linked to Moscow's assault on Ukraine.
Venezuela's Maduro slams sanctions against Russia as 'madness'
President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela criticized Wednesday the barrage of Western sanctions slapped on Russia, bucking the global chorus of condemnation of its invasion of Ukraine.
Alarm at civilian toll on Russian assault's 'cruellest day'
The United States raised the alarm Wednesday over the "staggering" human cost of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as the apparent deployment of cluster bombs and other treaty-violating weapons raised fears of a brutal escalation in the week-old conflict.
Designer Rousteing sends love to Ukraine at Paris Fashion Week
French designer Olivier Rousteing admitted he felt uncomfortable presenting his latest collection for Balmain at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday in view of the war in Ukraine.
Roman Abramovich: the Russian tycoon who transformed Chelsea
Roman Abramovich rose from a penniless background in Russia's frozen north to become a multi-billionaire and a celebrity football tycoon who transformed the fortunes of one of England's most famous clubs.
Signings, sackings and success: How Abramovich transformed Chelsea
Roman Abramovich's decision to sell Chelsea has sent shockwaves throughout English football but he leaves with the club firmly established as one of the giants of the European game.
US fears for civilians as 'staggering' Ukraine toll grows
The United States raised fears Wednesday that civilians are being targeted by Russia in Ukraine, warning that Moscow is moving cluster munitions and other lethal weaponry into the country in a potentially dangerous new phase of the conflict.
Georgia to apply 'immediately' for EU membership
Georgia will "immediately" apply for EU membership, the Black Sea nation's ruling party said Wednesday, a day after the European Parliament backed war-torn Ukraine's bid to apply for EU membership.
Blinken calls Putin's nuclear rhetoric the 'height of irresponsibility'
Top US diplomat Antony Blinken called President Vladimir Putin's "provocative" nuclear rhetoric "the height of irresponsibility" Wednesday, days after the Russian leader put his strategic forces on alert after invading Ukraine.