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Israel opened a new aid crossing into Gaza on Friday as key backer the United States urged more restraint in its all-out offensive against Hamas.

EU leaders Friday pledged to find a way around Hungary's veto on a 50-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine, after Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the desperately needed support.

Yemen's Huthi rebels struck a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Friday, causing a fire on deck in the latest of a near-daily series of attacks in the commercially vital waterway.

Erik ten Hag says misfiring Manchester United can show they have learned from last season's 7-0 humbling at Liverpool on Sunday, insisting the future is bright for his beleaguered club.

One person drowned and another was seriously hurt overnight Thursday to Friday when a boat carrying dozens of migrants trying to reach the English coast capsized in the Channel, French maritime authorities said.

World stock markets laboured Friday to build on the previous day's rally as investors recalibrated their outlook for 2024 after the Federal Reserve held rates but indicated it would cut next year.

Global consumption of coal reached an all-time high in 2023, the IEA energy watchdog said Friday, as Earth experienced its hottest recorded year.

Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland is a doubt for the Club World Cup, with the striker set to miss Manchester City's home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp says he remains wary of Manchester United despite the poor form of Liverpool's bitter rivals as the clubs prepare to face each other at Anfield on Sunday.

Vincent Kriechmayr picked up the 17th World Cup victory of his career when he edged home to take the first super-G of the winter in Val Gardena on Friday.

Russia's central bank on Friday raised its key interest rate to 16 percent, announcing a fifth hike since summer in a bid to fight accelerating inflation.

Russia congratulated Hungary on Friday for blocking EU financial aid to Ukraine at a Brussels summit that nonetheless saw EU leaders overcome Budapest's opposition to agree Kyiv starting membership talks.

The departure of title sponsor Alfa Romeo means the Sauber Formula One team will be rebranded 'Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber' in 2024, according to the official lists released by the FIA on Friday.

An "explosion" of multibillion-dollar claims by fossil fuel and extractive firms through shadowy investment tribunals is blocking action on climate and nature, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and Environment has warned, with developing nations increasingly targeted.

Russia's radical conservative turn since it invaded Ukraine is changing life inside the country, with even the long-held right for women to have abortions being questioned.

A UK judge ruled Friday that Prince Harry was a victim of phone hacking by journalists working for Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), and awarded him £140,600 ($179,600) in damages.

Bradley Cooper said transforming into the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein for his new film "Maestro", released on Netflix on December 20, forced him to grow up.

A more precise picture of Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel has emerged from social security data, confirming the unprecedented scale of the violence but also challenging some initial testimonies.

Consulting giant McKinsey & Company sought to place controversial carbon market schemes favoured by its fossil fuel clients at the heart of the Africa Climate Summit, according to internal documents and sources who talked to AFP.

Israel pressed its offensive in Gaza on Friday despite mounting international calls for restraint, with key backer the United States saying the war to crush Hamas must not lead to a long-term Israeli occupation of the territory.

Cannabis smokers in two Dutch cities can light up legally for the first time Friday, as authorities roll out a trial that expands the nation's "tolerance" of marijuana to full legality.

World stock markets attempted Friday to build on the previous day's rally as investors recalibrated their outlook for 2024 after the Federal Reserve held rates but indicated it would cut next year.

Australian spin king Nathan Lyon moved to within three wickets of joining the elite 500 club Friday as Pakistan dug deep to stay in touch on day two of the opening Test in Perth.

"Fake Congolese" or "candidate of the aggressor country" -- some of the accusations being bandied around on social media in a bid to ruin reputations in the run-up to DR Congo's presidential vote.

One person was drowned and another seriously hurt overnight from Thursday to Friday when a boat carrying dozens of migrants trying to reach the English coast capsized in the Channel, French maritime authorities said.

The Netherlands can continue to deliver parts for F-35 fighter jets being used by Israel in the Gaza Strip, after a Dutch court Friday threw out a case brought by a group of human rights organisations.

Microsoft has seized the websites of a Vietnam-based group it alleges sold millions of fake accounts to cybercriminals who used them for ransomware attacks, identity theft and other scams around the world.

Georgia's imprisoned opposition leader and former president Mikheil Saakashvili has warned that Tbilisi's failure to secure European Union membership would put at risk its very existence as an independent nation.

A New Zealand chain store has pulled festive kiwi-shaped canine chew toys from sale, after backlash from conservationists trying to save the endangered bird.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will not be on the ballot in Sunday's parliamentary and local elections, but the contest is nevertheless a referendum on his government amid soaring inflation and months of protests.

France's foreign minister travels to Lebanon on Saturday as part of diplomatic efforts by President Emmanuel Macron's government to help contain the Middle East conflict.

Pakistan weathered a fiery Australian bowling blitz Friday to survive unscathed by tea on day two of the opening Test in Perth as they chase the hosts' first innings 487.