Pakistan captain Babar Azam returns against England '90 percent fit'
Bill Gates warns world unprepared for AI upheaval
Stocks mixed as oil drops, inflation stays high
Prince Harry and family arrive back in Britain: UK media
Sports
Improving standards transform pole vault as spectacle, says Duplantis
Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis said Wednesday that improving standards in pole vaulting had transformed the event from a demonstration to a proper competition that fans crave.
Politics
German plan for sugar tax on Coke Zero fizzles out
German government proposals to include Coke Zero and other artificially-sweetened drinks in its new sugar tax fizzled out Wednesday after pushback within the ruling coalition and from businesses.
Last news
Leveraging Trump win, embattled Macron eyes diplomatic comeback
Hamstrung by troubles at home, French President Emmanuel Macron has been firing on all cylinders since Donald Trump's re-election -- seemingly looking to leverage the Republican's return to make a diplomatic comeback of his own.
England cricket great Botham hails Hughes for Aussie croc rescue
England cricket great Ian Botham said he was "nearly catch of the day" after being pulled out of crocodile infested waters by his former Ashes rival Merv Hughes while on a fishing trip in Australia.
Mbappe 'down but not out' says Real Madrid coach Ancelotti
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his troubled French striker Kylian Mbappe was as down as the rest of the team over recent setbacks but remained motivated ahead of Saturday's Liga clash with Osasuna.
Arsenal ready to rebound after troubled spell: Arteta
Mikel Arteta expects Arsenal to bounce back from their nightmare spell in Sunday's crucial clash with Chelsea after sensing his players' hunger during a team meeting this week.
Cartier owner's profit sinks as China sales slump
Cartier owner Richemont posted Friday a hefty drop in net profit for the first half of the year as watch sales sank in China, where weak consumer spending has hit the luxury sector.
UN aims to set standards for scandal-hit carbon markets
Governments could finally approve new UN standards for countries and companies wanting to trade carbon credits, a long-awaited decision some hope can bring credibility to a scandal-ridden sector.
Australia rugby captain Wilson aiming to hit England for six
Harry Wilson is determined to do his bit to rebalance the Anglo-Australian rugby rivalry when the cricket enthusiast leads the Wallabies against England in their tour opener at Twickenham on Saturday.
Amsterdam mayor 'ashamed' by 'unbearable' attacks on Israel football fans
Amsterdam's mayor said Friday the city had been "deeply damaged" by "hateful anti-Semitic rioters" who hunted down and attacked fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in a night of "unbearable" violence.
UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
The UN on Friday condemned the staggering number of civilians killed in Israel's war in Gaza, with women and children comprising nearly 70 percent of the thousands of fatalities it had managed to verify.
England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
Ollie Lawrence is relishing the prospect of confronting Australia debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii when England face the Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday.
Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham are "making progress" but says any judgements on his work should wait until the end of the season.
Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
Fly de Vesquerie, the horse which helped Elodie Clouvel to a silver medal in the modern pentathlon in the Paris Olympics, is to be awarded France's Bronze Medal of National Defence, AFP learned on Friday from the gendarmerie.
Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
Spain was soaked in its wettest October on record last month which culminated in catastrophic floods that have killed 219 people and left dozens missing, the government said on Friday.
Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on Friday named uncapped trio Aitor Paredes, Marc Casado and Samu Omorodion in his squad for Nations League matches against Switzerland and Denmark.
INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
INEOS Britannia has been accepted as the Challenger of Record for the next edition of the America's Cup sailing competition, organisers announced on Friday.
Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
New Zealand-born wing Blair Murray is set for a Wales debut following just six games for regional side Scarlets after being named in Warren Gatland's side to face Fiji in Cardiff on Sunday.
Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
European and Asian stock markets mostly retreated Friday as US and China policy updates cause concern about growth outlooks in the world's two biggest economies.
Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
Catherine, Princess of Wales, takes a significant step in her recovery from cancer this weekend, as she attends formal events alongside her father-in-law King Charles III to remember Britain's war dead.
After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
Reforming Europe's economy is all the more urgent following Donald Trump's US election win, warned the author of a blockbuster report, Mario Draghi, ahead of talks Friday with EU leaders in Budapest on tackling the challenge.
France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
Unfavourable weather has likely slashed France's 2024 wine harvest by 23 percent compared to the previous year, the agriculture ministry said in an estimate published Friday.
Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
Israeli, Dutch and European leaders on Friday condemned "anti-Semitic" clashes that erupted in Amsterdam overnight after a Europa League football match, with Israel sending rescue planes for their citizens.
China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
China on Friday passed a new energy law to promote carbon neutrality, state media reported, as Beijing moves ahead with its pledge to decarbonise its economy by 2060.
Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
Arne Slot said he is not shocked by a stunning start to life in charge of Liverpool as the Reds have stormed to the top of the Premier League and Champions League.
Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
Japan's Olympic silver medallist Yuma Kagiyama took the lead after the NHK Trophy short programme on Friday, with countryman Kao Miura snapping at his heels after a personal-best performance.
China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
China on Friday unveiled some of its most ambitious plans in years to lift local government debt and boost its economy, following a meeting of lawmakers eyeing the possibility of intensified trade tensions with US president-elect Donald Trump.
Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
The UN condemned on Friday the staggering number of civilians killed in Israel's war in Gaza, with women and children comprising nearly 70 percent of the thousands of fatalities it had managed to verify.
'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
Missing samosas sparked a police probe in India with five officers facing disciplinary action for allegedly eating a plate of the savoury treats intended for a senior politician, media reports said Friday.
Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
A Qantas plane made an emergency landing Friday due to engine failure soon after taking off from Australia's Sydney Airport, sparking a grassfire on a nearby runway and causing several flights to be diverted.
Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
Saim Ayub slammed a swashbuckling 82 and Abdullah Shafique an unbeaten 64 as Pakistan demolished Australia by nine wickets to level their one-day series on Friday at the Adelaide Oval.
Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
Russian attacks overnight wounded more than two dozen people in the Ukrainian border city of Kharkiv and killed one in the southern city of Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday, as Moscow's bombardments escalated.
First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
A portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching more than $1.0 million on Thursday.
China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
China said on Friday lawmakers had agreed to raise the local government debt ceiling by $840 billion, opening up new funds for its ailing economy as they eye the possibility of intensified trade tensions with US president-elect Donald Trump.