French ex-minister Dati goes on trial in Renault-Nissan corruption case
Almost 8,000 excess deaths in France's scorched summer: statistics
'Being Heumann' captures joy in fight for disability rights
Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca, warns of 'red line'
Politics
Ex-president's lengthy war crimes sentence shocks Kosovo
Kosovo's former president Hashim Thaci was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a tribunal in The Hague on Wednesday for war crimes, in a verdict that sparked shock and anger among many Kosovars.
Sports
Retired great Nadal to play in exhibition matches
Retired Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal will return to the court in front of a crowd for the first time since retirement in October to celebrate his academy's 10th anniversary.
Last news
UK lawmakers to vote again on failed assisted dying bill
British MPs were on Friday set to vote again on an assisted dying bill as protesters both for and against the proposed legislation gathered outside parliament.
Doomsday tech: could AI really kill us all?
Stark warnings from artificial intelligence researchers that advanced forms of the technology could wipe out humanity have raised questions over whether governments are moving fast enough to regulate it.
India welcomes Russia, Iran leaders for BRICS summit overshadowed by war
Leaders from Russia and Iran were in India for talks on Friday, ahead of a BRICS summit dominated by conflict and economic challenges, which Chinese President Xi Jinping will also attend.
Yemen's Houthis complete takeover of Bab al-Mandab area: govt official to AFP
Yemen's Houthis seized on Friday a key Red Sea island in the middle of the Bab al-Mandab strait, completing a push to take control of a waterway crucial to Saudi oil exports, a local government official and eyewitnesses told AFP.
Italian feminist fighter Emma Bonino dies
Italy's Emma Bonino, a long-time radical activist and one of the country's most popular political figures, has died aged 78.
Toronto film festival kicks off with ode to political activism
Toronto rolled out the red carpet for movie stars on Thursday as North America's biggest annual film festival opened with a program of nearly 300 films on topics ranging from political activism to sports.
White blazers, pink ties as North Koreans land in Japan for Asian Games
North Korean athletes wearing white blazers and pink ties received a warm welcome as they began arriving on Friday in Japan for the Asian Games, where they will be cheered on by pro-Pyongyang supporters.
French comedy show 'Call my agent' makes film comeback
French showbiz comedy series "Call My Agent" is back as a feature-length film with cameos from Hollywood stars George Clooney and Eva Longoria, with critics saying that for once, a movie made from a series has hit the mark.
The Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil activists convicted in security trial
A Hong Kong court sentenced three pro-democracy activists on Friday who organised annual vigils to mark China's deadly Tiananmen crackdown on charges of "incitement to subversion".
Stocks tumble as oil and inflation worries fan rate hike bets
Asian stocks sank on Friday after oil prices and bond yields spiked as the Middle East crisis stoked supply concerns and a forecast-topping US inflation report ramped up rate hike bets.
Indonesia seeks to bring back baby orangutans allegedly trafficked to India
Indonesian authorities are working to repatriate five baby orangutans allegedly trafficked to India, where they were found motherless in a forest, Jakarta's forestry ministry told AFP Friday.
Tiny Elversberg 'leave Earth's orbit' as Bayern come to town
Four years after plying their trade in the semi-professional fourth division of German football, newly promoted SV Elversberg welcome defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Sunday.
World Cup winner Juan Mata hangs up boots at Melbourne Victory
Spanish World Cup-winner Juan Mata on Friday opted against playing another season with Australian side Melbourne Victory, but stopped short of calling time on his career.
Indonesia to bring back baby orangutans allegedly trafficked to India
Indonesian authorities are working to repatriate five baby orangutans allegedly trafficked to India, where they were found motherless in a forest, Jakarta's forestry ministry told AFP Friday.
From potato chips to silicon chips: lobbies cover all in Brussels
If there is an industry for it, there will be a lobby group representing its interests in Brussels, home to the European Union's institutions.
Business booms as lobbyists push 'priorities' in EU capital
In the shadow of the EU Parliament in Brussels, under a grand white tent filling a museum garden, hundreds of lobbyists, officials and lawmakers hobnob as the cava flows.
Fast-pace dance takes I.Coast's working-class streets by storm
On the streets of a working-class Abidjan neighbourhood, hundreds of young people gather every week after class to dance the biama, a high-tempo combo of acrobatic twists, frenetic footwork and funny facial expressions.
All Blacks coaching great Steve Hansen joins rugby league side Manly
World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Steve Hansen joined Manly Sea Eagles as football performance director Friday in a coup for the Australian National Rugby League side.
Putin in India for BRICS summit overshadowed by war
Russian President Vladimir Putin was in India on Friday for talks ahead of an 11-member BRICS summit dominated by conflict and economic challenges, with the leaders of China and Iran set to attend.
'Desperate' Sabalenka books US Open title clash with Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka stormed past Jessica Pegula in straight sets on Thursday to keep her bid for a rare US Open three-peat on track, booking a championship showdown with Elena Rybakina.
No jet lag for 49ers as Purdy routs Rams in Australia
The San Francisco 49ers thrashed the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 Friday in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia, quarterback Brock Purdy throwing for three touchdowns to dismantle this season's heavily hyped favorites.
Rybakina rallies to beat Gauff, book US Open final with Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday and book a US Open championship showdown with two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Mourinho seeking 'killer' Vinicius as Real Madrid face Rayo
Many Real Madrid fans were disappointed when the club extended Vinicius Junior's contract this summer, amid speculation he might depart for Arsenal.
Manchester derby poses Maresca's first big test, Chelsea aim to end Hull Honeymoon
Enzo Maresca faces his first major test since stepping into Pep Guardiola's shoes as City visit United in the Manchester derby on Sunday, while Arsenal aim to extend their flawless start at Sunderland.
Vance assails Democratic 'hatred' in fiery US midterm pitch
US Vice President JD Vance called Democrats the "party of hatred" Thursday and urged voters to send them packing in November's midterms, in a prime-time convention speech that showcased him as a possible heir to Donald Trump in 2028.
It's all coming back: Celine Dion fans gear up for Paris return
Fans of Canadian superstar Celine Dion are gearing up for an onstage comeback many feared might never happen, with just a day to go until her opening concert in Paris following a years-long battle with a rare neurological disorder.
Celine Dion: the Quebec star's long and painful road to return
Celine Dion has spent years in intense physical and voice therapy helping her overcome her rare neurological condition that causes muscle spasms so strong they leave her with injuries.
Fans celebrate Celine Dion's Paris return with giant karaoke
Rhinestone-studded microphones in hand and decked out in glittery gowns, thousands of fans packed into a sweltering Paris theatre to belt out Celine Dion's classics ahead of the superstar's long-awaited return.
Stocks tumble as oil and inflation fan rate hike bets
Asian stocks tumbled Friday as oil prices extended gains and bond yields held at multi-year highs as the Middle East crisis stoked supply concerns and a forecast-topping US inflation report ramped up rate hike bets.
'Insane' Sabalenka powers past Pegula into US Open final
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a third consecutive US Open crown on Thursday, storming into the final with a straight sets demolition of American third seed Jessica Pegula.
Philippine Coast Guard battles smoke in search for ferry fire missing
A deadly blaze that swept through a Philippine ferry happened "in seconds", the coast guard said Friday, as rescuers battled heavy smoke in the search for dozens of missing people.
Hong Kong sentences Tiananmen activists to between 5 and 7 years in jail
A Hong Kong court handed three Tiananmen vigil activists jail sentences of between five and seven years on Friday for national security crimes, following a trial that has drawn international condemnation.