Portugal Colonial - The latest news from Lisbon, Portugal and Europe, in six languages, around the clock every day

The Russian invasion has so far destroyed about $100 billion in roads, bridges and businesses in Ukraine, dealing a huge hit to its economy, a Kyiv government official said Thursday.

World champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he was relishing more fun times with Red Bull after being rewarded with a five-year contract extension after last season's thrilling Formula One victory.

Five shivering Ukrainian soldiers and a Javelin anti-tank missile stood by the last checkpoint separating the northeastern edge of Kyiv from advancing Russian armoured vehicles.

European and US stocks sank Thursday as key peace talks stalled between Russia and Ukraine, compounded by a worsening inflation and growth outlook.

The European Central Bank on Thursday sped up its plans to wind down its bond-buying programme but gave itself time before raising interest rates, as the conflict in Ukraine clouded the outlook for the eurozone.

Chelsea Football Club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich was on Thursday hit with a UK assets freeze and travel ban, throwing his plans to sell the European and world club champions into disarray.

Kyiv City Ballet is used to being away from home, often touring for nine months of the year.

A Paris court on Thursday rejected a bid by Gerard Depardieu to have rape charges against him dropped, the chief prosecutor in the case said, raising the prospect of a trial for the iconic French actor.

Tens of thousands of dogs and their owners -- minus Russians -- flocked to the world's biggest dog show on Thursday, as Crufts made a comeback after a two-year absence.

England coach Eddie Jones insisted his side were ready to "go after" Ireland in a Six Nations Championship "semi-final" at Twickenham on Saturday.

Besieging cities, shelling civilian infrastructure and arranging "safe corridors": the tactics used by Russia in its war on Ukraine mirror those it tested and fine-tuned to drain resistance in Syria's conflict.

Russia and Ukraine failed to make a breakthrough Thursday in their first top-level talks since Moscow's invasion two weeks ago, amid international outrage over the bombing of a children's hospital that Kyiv said killed three people, including a young girl.

Elephants in Tanzania's famed Ngorongoro conservation area have killed a Maasai man who had gone there hunting for firewood, police said Thursday.

The European Central Bank on Thursday sped up its plans to wind down its bond-buying programme but gave itself time before raising interest rates, as the conflict in Ukraine clouded the outlook for the eurozone.

EU leaders will scramble Thursday to find ways to urgently address the fallout of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and carefully tell Kyiv that joining the bloc remains years away.

A French court on Thursday rejected a bid by star actor Gerard Depardieu to have rape charges against him dropped, the chief prosecutor in the case said.

The Hungarian parliament Thursday elected Katalin Novak, a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as the EU member's first ever woman president.

Sam Simmonds will start at No 8 for England in their key Six Nations Championship clash against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday, with Alex Dombrandt on the bench following a bout of coronavirus.

Ireland talisman Johnny Sexton is restored to the fly-half starting berth for Saturday's crucial Six Nations match with England where victory would ensure the Irish maintain hopes of the title.

Masters of their own downfall once more, Paris Saint-Germain's latest Champions League collapse is likely to set in motion sweeping changes after the club again fell short of its ultimate goal.

A firebrand monk and poster boy of Hindu nationalism was set to retain power in India's most populous state, partial vote counts showed Thursday, in a triumph for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party.

German auto manufacturer BMW shook off the supply chain issues that plagued the industry in 2021 to post a record high net profit figure, the group said Thursday.

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.