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European stocks sank and oil rebounded Thursday as key peace talks stalled between Russia and Ukraine in a rollercoaster week before a eurozone interest rate decision and key US inflation data.

With the Ukraine crisis looming over the coming French presidential election, voters appear increasingly willing to stick with Emmanuel Macron and his promise to "protect" the country in turbulent times.

The future of European champions Chelsea has been plunged into doubt after Russian owner Roman Abramovich was hit with UK government sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Roman Abramovich rose from a penniless background in Russia's frozen north to become a multi-billionaire and a celebrity football tycoon, but his empire is teetering on collapse after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the club's sporting director Leonardo launched an angry tirade in the referee's dressing room after PSG's defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Russia and Ukraine on Thursday failed to find a breakthrough on a ceasefire and other humanitarian issues at the first high-level talks between the two sides since Moscow's invasion.

Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse said Thursday that its exposure to Russia totalled over $900 million at the end of last year, with "minimal" links to individuals sanctioned over the Ukraine war.

Australian opener David Warner plans to attend the state funeral of his childhood idol Shane Warne later this month, but he says it will take time to get used to the legendary bowler's passing.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine held their first face-to-face talks Thursday after two weeks of war, amid international outrage over Moscow's bombing of a children's hospital that Kyiv says killed three people, including a young girl.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exposed a once unthinkable divergence between Washington and key Middle East allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the oil giants that are increasingly independent on the international stage.

France play Wales in a Six Nations Test match in Cardiff on Friday on the back of their best winning streak since 2010.

Casual wear giant Uniqlo will suspend operations in Russia, parent company Fast Retailing said Thursday, days after its president defended staying open in the country following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

A private jet flew the body of Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne home to his native Melbourne Thursday, six days after his death at the age of 52 provoked shock and grief around the world.

Sweden's government announced plans Thursday for a major boost in military spending to two percent of GDP "as soon as possible", citing the security threat from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday were holding talks in Turkey in the first such high-level contact since Moscow invaded its neighbour.

Violent clashes broke out between protesters and police overnight Wednesday to Thursday on France's Mediterranean island of Corsica where local anger is growing over the assault in prison of a nationalist figure.

Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel had a Ukraine flag emblazoned on his helmet in protest at Russia's invasion of Ukraine when he drove his Aston Martin in testing in Bahrain on Thursday.

The 16-year-old Johannes Aigner, who comes from a family of competitive alpine skiers, bagged his second gold at the Beijing Winter Paralympics as the Ukraine team honoured their country's fallen Thursday.

Hosts New Zealand inflicted India's first defeat of the Women's Cricket World Cup on Thursday, racing to a 62-run win in Hamilton.

Asian equities rallied Thursday following a strong bounce on Wall Street and a breathtaking surge in Europe sparked by a plunge in oil prices and bargain-buying following a Ukraine-fuelled rout.

Tens of thousands of BTS fans were gathering in Seoul on Thursday for the K-pop superstars' first live concert in South Korea since the pandemic began -- although Covid rules will prevent them from dancing or singing along.

Ukrainian Winter Paralympians wept and pumped their fists in the air in defiance against Russia's invasion of their homeland during a moment's silence at the Athletes' Village on Thursday.

German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer said Thursday it has agreed to sell its pest control unit to British private equity firm Cinven for $2.6 billion (2.4 billion euros).

Asian equities rallied Thursday following a strong bounce on Wall Street and a breathtaking surge in Europe sparked by a plunge in oil prices and bargain-buying following a Ukraine-fuelled rout.

China's President Xi Jinping has his sights on domestic critics' riches as a corruption crackdown gathers pace to consolidate his power and secure an unprecedented third term.

India greats such as Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday welcomed cricket's governing body changing the law on controversial "Mankad" run outs, which will no longer be classed as "unfair play".

Daniil Medvedev, who will contest his first tournament as world number one at the Indian Wells ATP Masters, says he's matured since his loss to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

Russian forces neared Kyiv on Thursday, as international leaders and Ukraine accused Russia of a "barbaric" attack on a children's hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol.

Six people exiled as children under Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship will now play a vital role in Chile's future as part of new president Gabriel Boric's cabinet.

Indonesia's Mount Merapi unleashed a torrent of hot clouds, turning the sky a fiery red, as molten lava flowed down its slopes on Thursday with the eruption forcing over 250 people to flee their homes, authorities said.

Threatening a pre-emptive strike, swiftly responding to missile tests, and telling "rude boy" leader Kim Jong Un to behave: South Korea's next president looks set to get tough on the nuclear-armed North, analysts say.

US President Joe Biden has ordered the federal government to look into creating a digital dollar, a move with the potential to reshape how money is moved and used around the world.