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Culture
Conservative Nigerian city sees women drive rickshaw taxis
Sporting a pink knee-length veil, Umma Hani Yusuf Khalid has recently found financial stability as a rickshaw taxi driver, a trade that was unthinkable for her in Nigeria's conservative Muslim city of Kano two years ago.
Sports
T20 World Cup hero Allen says New Zealand confidence high for final
Semi-final hero Finn Allen said New Zealand's thumping demi-final win over South Africa was a "huge confidence booster" ahead of going for their maiden T20 World Cup title in Sunday's final.
Economy
The silent struggle of an anti-war woman in Russia
When Vladimir Putin launched Russia's large-scale offensive against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Varvara felt "despair and anger" -- and joined an anti-war protest in central Moscow.
Politics
Iran hits Kurdish groups in Iraq as conflict widens
Fresh blasts were reported in Iran's capital on Thursday as Tehran said it had targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq and warned "separatist groups" against action in the widening war.
Economy
China sets lowest growth target in decades as consumption lags
China set its annual growth target at 4.5-5 percent on Thursday, its lowest figure in decades but at the centre of plans to tackle sluggish consumption and a flagging property market.
Politics
Afghans rally against Pakistan and civilian casualties
Decorating their soldiers with colourful garlands, hundreds of Afghans rallied in border provinces to decry Pakistan killing civilians and to show support for their troops battling at the frontier.
Sports
South Korea beat Philippines 3-0 to reach women's quarter-finals
South Korea cruised into the quarter-finals of the Women's Asian Cup with a dominant 3-0 win over an outmatched Philippines at Queensland's Gold Coast on Thursday.
Sports
Mercedes' Russell not fazed by being tipped as pre-season favourite
George Russell said on Thursday that being considered favourite to be world champion this year was a compliment, but the Mercedes star was adamant that anything could happen in a 24-race season.
Sports
Australia beat Taiwan in World Baseball Classic opener
Australia beat a Taiwan team cheered on by thousands of passionate fans 3-0 in Tokyo on Thursday in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic.
Sports
Underdogs Wales could hurt Irish after Scotland display: Popham
Wales will start as huge underdogs in their Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin on Friday but their heartbreaking loss last month to the Scots "provides hope", former Welsh international Alix Popham told AFP.
Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander rules over Knicks again in Thunder win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sank a clutch three-pointer to secure a hard-fought 103-100 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the New York Knicks Wednesday.
Sports
Hamilton reveals sequel in the works to blockbuster 'F1: The Movie'
Lewis Hamilton revealed Thursday he was working on a sequel to the blockbuster Brad Pitt film 'F1: The Movie', with a script being written.
Sports
Alonso, Stroll fear 'permanent nerve damage' from vibrating Aston Martin
Aston Martin chief Adrian Newey on Thursday revealed Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll fear permanent nerve damage from extreme vibration in their cars and are unlikely to complete the Australian Grand Prix.
Politics
China boosts military spending with eyes on US, Taiwan
China announced a seven percent boost to its defence budget for 2026 on Thursday as it steadily increases spending to counter the United States and enforce its claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Economy
Seoul leads rebound across Asian stocks, oil extends gains
Asian equities jumped Thursday after a three-day rout sparked by the Middle East war, but concerns about an extended conflict helped oil extend gains, while analysts warned of more volatility ahead.
Politics
Tourism on hold as Middle East war casts uncertainty
Cancelled flights, postponed trips and a great deal of uncertainty: the war in the Middle East is casting a long shadow over the tourism outlook for a region that has become a prized destination for travellers worldwide.
Sports
Bayern and Kane gambling with house money as Gladbach come to town
With Bayern Munich well on the way to another Bundesliga title, striker Harry Kane has another milestone in sight: Robert Lewandowski's single-season goals record.
Sports
Turkey invests in foreign legion to deliver LA Olympics gold
Turkey is offering long-term financial support to recruit Jamaican and Kenyan track and field stars with the aim of winning a host of gold medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sports
Galthie's France blessed with unprecedented talent: Saint-Andre
Fabien Galthie has more talent at his disposal than any previous France coach, former boss Philippe Saint-Andre told AFP, as Les Bleus prepare for the "toughest" match in their Six Nations Grand Slam quest.
Culture
Voice coach to the stars says Aussie actors nail tricky accents
Geoffrey Rush, Rose Byrne, Cate Blanchett -- voice coach Victoria Mielewska has trained some of Australia's most famous thespians in the delicate art of the accent and says actors from Down Under have a unique talent for getting it right.
Sports
Rahm rejection of DP World Tour deal 'a shame' - McIlroy
Rory McIlroy said Wednesday it's "a shame" Jon Rahm's dispute with the DP World Tour has put his Ryder Cup future in doubt but said the match play tournament can survive without the Spaniard.
Politics
Israel keeps up Lebanon strikes as ground forces advance
Israel's attacks on Lebanon entered a fourth day on Thursday, after Israeli forces pushed into several border towns and conducted air strikes targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Economy
China prioritises energy and diplomacy over Iran support
China has expressed its anger over Israeli-US strikes on Iran but, despite hits to its oil imports, will not risk its interests by confronting Washington and helping its long-standing partner, analysts say.
Politics
Canada PM Carney says can't rule out military participation in Iran war
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that he couldn't rule out his country's military participation in the escalating war in the Middle East.
Sports
Verstappen says new Red Bull car gave him 'goosebumps'
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he does not know how the opening Grand Prix of the season will play out under sweeping new regulations, but he "got goosebumps" when he first saw the new Red Bull car.
Culture
Swiss to vote on creating giant 'climate fund'
The Swiss are expected to snub a call to create a multi-billion-dollar climate fund, aimed at combating global warming and addressing its consequences, with polls indicating voters deem the ambitious project too costly.
Economy
Israel, Iran launch fresh attacks as war spreads
Israel pounded Lebanon early Thursday and said it intercepted missiles from Iran as a widening war launched by the United States and Israel also brought fresh turmoil to Iraq.
Technology
Google to open German centre for 'AI development'
Google will open an AI centre in Berlin on Thursday, the latest sign of Europe's deepening reliance on US firms in cutting edge technologies despite the continent's stated aim to catch up with its rivals.
Politics
Winter Paralympics to start with icy blast as Ukraine lead ceremony boycott
The Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics start on Friday but the atmosphere at the opening ceremony has been dampened by Ukraine leading a boycott against the presence of a handful of Russian competitors in the competition.
Technology
Sci-fi without AI: Oscar nominated 'Arco' director prefers human touch
Oscar-nominated animated film "Arco" tells the story of a young boy in a future where humanity lives in harmony with nature, far from the robots and artificial intelligence shaping our present.
Politics
Ex-guerrillas battle low support in Colombia election
Colombia's bid to bring former guerrillas into the political fold faces a major test at Sunday's legislative elections, as ex-FARC fighters struggle to win over voters.
Sports
'She's coming back': Djokovic predicts Serena return
Novak Djokovic is convinced US tennis great Serena Williams will return to competition, and the 24-time Grand Slam champion is itching to see "one of the greatest athletes" back on court.