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US adds 678,000 jobs in February amid pandemic recovery
The US economy saw a hiring surge in February, the government reported Friday, edging the jobless rate closer to the pre-pandemic level as hard hit sectors recover from the impact of Covid-19.

Hintermann and Alexander share surprise Kvitfjell downhill win
Switzerland's Niels Hintermann and Cameron Alexander of Canada shared a surprise victory Friday in the men's World Cup downhill at Kvitfjell.

Microsoft 'suspends' new sales of products, services in Russia
Microsoft is halting new sales of its products and services in Russia, the tech giant announced Friday, in the latest fallout over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

At least 56 dead, 194 injured in suicide attack on Pakistan Shiite mosque
At least 56 people were killed and 194 wounded Friday by a suicide bomb at a Shiite mosque in the northwestern Pakistan city of Peshawar, the deadliest attack in the country since 2018.

Ton-up Imam-ul-Haq punishes faltering Australia in first Test
Recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq said his hundred against Australia was "special" as Pakistan finished the opening day of the first Test against Australia on a commanding 245-1 in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Ukraine: a nuclear-powered nation under fire
The Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine -- the largest in Europe -- has sparked international outrage and fears over the country's 15 operational reactors.

Outrage as Russians attack Ukrainian nuclear plant
Ukraine accused the Kremlin of "nuclear terror" and the West expressed horror on Friday after Europe's largest atomic power plant was attacked and taken over by invading Russian forces.

Kohli proud of playing 100 Tests in IPL era
India's star batsman Virat Kohli on Friday credited his level of fitness for achieving the landmark of 100 Tests in an age of relentless cricket that has included numerous Indian Premier League appearances.

Beijing Winter Paralympics open after athlete ban controversy
Athletes paraded through Beijing's national stadium as the Winter Paralympics opened Friday after a storm of controversy that surrounded the banning of Russian and Belarusian athletes due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Ireland's president isolating with Covid: office
Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins has tested positive for coronavirus and is displaying mild symptoms of Covid-19, a spokesman for his office said on Friday.

Japan's Ryo takes lead in International Series Thai second round
Japanese teenager Ryo Hisatsune took an unexpected halfway lead after a nail-biting second round at the inaugural International Series Thailand on Friday.

Hong Kong suspends court system as virus crisis deepens
Hong Kong on Friday announced it would suspend court services for a month as the city recorded more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day.

UN plan to help 1.6 million displaced by Ethiopia war
The United Nations appealed Friday for $205 million to deliver life-saving assistance to more than 1.6 million people who have fled the fighting in northern Ethiopia.

Russia isolated as UN council votes to probe rights abuses in Ukraine
Russia appeared more isolated than ever following a historic vote at the UN Human Rights Council on Friday to launch an investigation into violations committed in Moscow's Ukraine war.

Andy Murray reunites with former coach Ivan Lendl
Andy Murray has appointed Ivan Lendl as his coach for a third time, reuniting with the man who guided him to all three of his Grand Slam titles.

More than 1.2 million refugees flee Ukraine
More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, United Nations figures showed Friday.

Thai man sentenced to jail for putting sticker on king's portrait at 2020 protest
A Thai man was sentenced to two years in jail on Friday for violating the country's tough royal defamation laws by putting a sticker on a portrait of Thailand's king during 2020's huge democracy rallies.

As Ukraine pushes oil over $100, Nigerians see mixed blessings
Weaving in between the Lagos traffic, hawkers selling plantain snacks and water more recently offer drivers another treat: jerry cans filled with petrol to help with fuel shortages.

Russian invasion drives families into central Ukraine
Viktor and Natalya's apartment building was among the first to be hit by artillery in the city of Volnovakha, eastern Ukraine, on the first day of Russia's invasion.

Tuchel says Chelsea will 'stay strong' despite Abramovich sale
Thomas Tuchel said Friday he was convinced that Chelsea "will stay a strong club" after Roman Abramovich's dramatic announcement he was selling up following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Pant blitz helps India to 357-6 in Kohli's 100th Test
Rishabh Pant smashed 96 to help India to 357 for six on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka after Virat Kohli fell agonisingly short of fifty in his 100th five-day match Friday.

Imam-ul-Haq notches maiden Test century as Australia series opens
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq cracked a maiden Test century Friday to lead Pakistan's solid start in the first match of the series against Australia in Rawalpindi.

Ineos cyclist Sivakov switches from Russian to French flag
Pavel Sivakov, one of the two Russian cyclists to ride in the elite World Tour, will compete under French colours from now on saying he had wanted to "accelerate" the process given Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Polluting drivers may have to pay in all of London
A road-charging scheme targeting more polluting cars in London could be expanded to cover the entire metropolitan area of the British capital, the city's mayor said Friday.

At least 30 dead in suicide attack on Pakistan shiite mosque
At least 30 people were killed and 80 wounded in a suicide attack at a Shiite mosque on Friday in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, where rescuers frantically ferried the dead and wounded from the scene.

Australia and Hungary share Davis Cup spoils
Alex de Minaur got 28-time champions Australia off to a blistering start, but Thanasi Kokkinakis couldn't maintain the momentum Friday as they split their opening Davis Cup singles rubbers with Hungary.

Beijing wary of extending economic lifeline to Russia
An isolated Russia could be driven further into China's arms economically in the wake of sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, but Beijing appears wary of offering a warm embrace.

Sheriff Tiraspol coach Vernydub has gone home to fight for Ukraine: BBC
Sheriff Tiraspol coach Yuriy Vernydub pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history by beating Real Madrid -- months later he is shouldering arms in defence of his native Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

McCartney, Eilish, Lamar to headline Glastonbury
Paul McCartney and US rapper Kendrick Lamar will join Billie Eilish to headline the UK's Glastonbury festival when it returns in June after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus, organisers said on Friday.

More than 400 Nigerians who fled Ukraine return home
A first batch of more than 400 Nigerians who fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion were flown home on Friday.

Russia backs jail time for 'fake' army news, restricts media
Russian lawmakers approved legislation Friday to impose fines and harsh jail terms for publishing "fake news" about the army -- the latest move to silence dissent one week after Moscow launched the invasion of Ukraine.

Support for Macron shown rising amid Ukraine war crisis
A new poll Friday showed a surge in support for French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of presidential elections next month, a day after he confirmed he was running for a second term.