Alibaba shares soar on reports of potential Xi meeting with Jack Ma
Alibaba shares soared by more than six percent on Friday following reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping was poised to meet with the tech juggernaut's co-founder Jack Ma.
Read moreFinancial strain forcing Ukrainians to return home despite risk: Red Cross
Three years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many who fled the conflict are returning home due to financial hardship in their host countries, the Red Cross said Friday.
Read moreJapan to release emergency rice reserves to fight runaway inflation
The Japanese government said Friday it will release a fifth of its emergency rice stockpile after hot weather, poor harvests and panic buying over a "megaquake" warning nearly doubled prices over a year.
Read moreKusal ton steers Sri Lanka to 281 against Australia in Trophy warm-up
Sri Lankan number three Kusal Mendis came out swinging with a century as the hosts made 281-4 in Friday's second ODI against a much-changed Australia ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Read moreRed Cross 'concerned' about hostages ahead of next Israel-Hamas swap
The Red Cross expressed concern Friday for the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, with Hamas expected to free three captives this weekend after a crisis over the ceasefire threatened to plunge the territory back into war.
Read moreRussian drone 'struck' Chernobyl cover, no radiation increase: Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, adding that "radiation levels have not increased".
Read moreWriter Kamel Daoud sued in France over prizewinning book
Acclaimed writer Kamel Daoud is being sued in France for invasion of privacy by an Algerian survivor of a 1990s massacre in the north African country, a source close to the case said on Friday.
Read moreReed sinks wild hole-in-one, but Horsfield leads at LIV Adelaide
American Patrick Reed scored a hole-in-one to spark a wild beer-fuelled crowd celebration on LIV Golf's Adelaide leg Friday, as Britain's Sam Horsfield fired a six-under-par 66 for a one-shot first-round lead.
Read moreChina sends Olympic statement as tropics make Asian Winter Games history
The Asian Winter Games close later Friday in Harbin with hosts China dominating the medals table a year out from the Olympics and the Philippines among the tropical countries making history.
Read moreAfter revolution, Bangladesh textbooks rewrite history
Bangladeshi high schooler Laiba is being educated for the future, but what she learns has been determined by the latest chapter in her country's battle over its past.
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