Entain will use excess cash on acquisitions this year rather than shareholder payouts, the British gambling firm said on Thursday, as it reported higher annual earnings boosted by the popularity of online betting during lockdowns.

Casino companies in Macau will have their licences extended by six months, the city's Economy and Finance Secretary said on Thursday, allowing more time for a highly anticipated rebidding process in the world's biggest casino hub.

U.S. stock index futures eased on Thursday as worries of higher inflation due to surging commodity prices kept investors on edge, while attention shifted to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's second day of testimony before Congress.

IKEA, the world's biggest furniture brand, is closing its stores in Russia and pausing all sourcing in the country and ally Belarus, joining the wave of Western firms curbing business with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

Japan Airlines Co Ltd and ANA Holdings Inc cancelled all flights to and from Europe on Thursday and cancelled or rerouted flights on Friday as well, citing safety concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

IKEA, the world's biggest furniture brand, is closing all its stores in Russia, and pausing all its sourcing in Russia and Belarus, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.