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Syria authorities launch operation in Assad stronghold
Syria's new authorities launched an operation in a stronghold of ousted president Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, with a war monitor saying three gunmen affiliated with the former government were killed.
Record number of migrants lost at sea bound for Spain in 2024: NGO
At least 10,457 migrants died or disappeared while trying to reach Spain by sea in 2024, an NGO said Thursday, more than 50 percent more than last year and the most since it began keeping a tally in 2007.
Kohli called out over shoulder bump with Konstas during fourth Test
Virat Kohli was called out by some of the game's greats on Thursday after appearing to deliberately bump shoulders with young Australian batsman Sam Konstas in the fourth Test.
Rural communities urged to flee east Australia bushfire
Australian authorities urged people in dozens of rural communities to leave home "immediately" Thursday to escape an out-of-control bushfire tearing through a national park.
Sri Lanka train memorial honours tsunami tragedy
Just inland from the crashing waves on Sri Lanka's palm-fringed shores, the train slowly came to a stop on Thursday -- marking the moment a deadly tsunami hit 20 years ago.
Australia's top order fires to take charge of 4th Test against India
Australia's top four all slammed 50 or better on Thursday to take a firm grip on day one of the fourth Test against India, with fearless teenage opener Sam Konstas stealing the show.
S. Korea's opposition moves to impeach acting president
South Korea's opposition said Thursday it filed an impeachment motion against acting president Han Duck-soo, after he refused to appoint Constitutional Court judges to complete the process of removing his predecessor from office.
'We couldn't find their bodies': Indonesian tsunami survivors mourn the dead
Under the shade of trees at a mass grave in Indonesia's Aceh province, survivors and mourners recited Islamic prayers, commemorating the deaths of tens of thousands killed when a tsunami decimated the area two decades ago.
Azerbaijan mourns 38 killed in plane crash in Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan began a national day of mourning Thursday after a passenger jet from the flag carrier crashed in western Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38 of the 67 people onboard.
Konstas and Khawaja put Australia on top in 4th Test against India
Australia seized control on the opening day of the fourth Test against India on Thursday on the back of half-centuries from fearless teenage opener Sam Konstas and dogged veteran Usman Khawaja.
Lakers pip Warriors after another LeBron-Curry classic
LeBron James and Steph Curry served up a Christmas Day feast as their rivalry delivered another classic with the Los Angeles Lakers edging the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on Wednesday.
India readies for 400 million pilgrims at mammoth festival
Beside India's holy rivers, a makeshift city is being built for a Hindu religious festival expected to be so vast it will be seen from space, the largest gathering in history.
Nepal hosts hot air balloon festival
With Nepal's snowy Himalayan peaks as a backdrop, the sky above Pokhara transformed into a vibrant canvas of colours for the country's first hot-air balloon festival.
Asia stocks up as 'Santa Rally' persists
Asia's stocks rose in thin Boxing Day trade on Thursday, extending a "Santa Rally" with key markets Hong Kong and Sydney still shut for the holidays.
Tears, prayers as Asia mourns tsunami dead 20 years on
Tearful mourners prayed Thursday as ceremonies began across Asia to remember the 220,000 people who died two decades ago when a tsunami hit coastlines around the Indian Ocean, in one of the world's worst natural disasters.
Sydney-Hobart yacht crews set off on gale-threatened race
Crews of more than 100 yachts set sail Thursday on a "boat-breaking" Sydney-Hobart yacht race, with gale-force winds and high seas forecast for the gruelling bluewater classic.
Key public service makes quiet return in Gaza
The quiet resumption of operations at a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip last month marked a small but significant step toward restoring public services in the Palestinian territory ravaged by more than 14 months of war.
Fearless Konstas slams 60 as Australia take upper hand against India
Fearless young opener Sam Konstas slammed an entertaining 60 on debut for Australia on Thursday, showing little respect for the Indian pace bowlers in the opening session of the fourth Test.
Tsunami memorials begin as Asia mourns disaster 20 years on
Emotional ceremonies began across Asia on Thursday to remember the 220,000 people who died two decades ago when a tsunami devastated coastal areas around the Indian Ocean, in one of the worst natural disasters in human history.
Bridges outduels Wembanyama, Celtics lose again
Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks edged Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a Christmas Day thriller at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
Hungry Sabalenka ready for more Slam success
World number one Aryna Sabalenka says she is "fresh and ready to go" in her bid for a third straight Australian Open title, warning she has plenty of room for improvement.
Mass jailbreak in Mozambique amid post-election unrest
More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a Maputo prison Wednesday, taking advantage of the third day of unrest triggered by the controversial confirmation of the long-ruling Frelimo party as the winner of recent elections.
Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38
An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashed on Wednesday in western Kazakhstan after travelling far off course, killing 38 of the 67 people on board, officials said.
Bridges outduels Wembanyama as Knicks beat Spurs
Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks edged Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a Christmas Day thriller at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: what to know 20 years on
Survivors and victims' relatives will next week mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 220,000 people across more than a dozen countries.
Asia to mourn tsunami dead with ceremonies 20 years on
Emotional ceremonies were expected across Asia on Thursday to remember the 220,000 people who died two decades ago when a tsunami devastated coastal areas around the Indian Ocean, in one of the worst natural disasters in human history.
Syrians protest after video of attack on Alawite shrine
Angry protests broke out Wednesday in the heartland of deposed Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority, a war monitor and witnesses said, after a video circulated showing an attack on a shrine.
Russian state owner says cargo ship blast was 'terrorist attack'
A "terrorist act" sank the cargo ship that went down in international waters in the Mediterranean this week, the Russian state-owned company that owns the vessel said Wednesday.
38 dead as Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan
An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashed on Wednesday in western Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board, officials said.
Crisis-hit Valencia hire West Brom's Corberan as new boss
La Liga's relegation-threatened Valencia have appointed Carlos Corberan as their new manager after prising him from English second-tier side West Bromwich Albion, the clubs announced on Wednesday.
Suriname ex-dictator and fugitive Desi Bouterse dead at 79
Desi Bouterse, the former dictator of Suriname who was a fugitive from justice for the murder of political opponents four decades ago, has died at 79, the government said Wednesday.
35 feared dead as Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan
An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashed on Wednesday in western Kazakhstan, with 35 people feared dead, officials said.