As Champions Cup opens on mournful note, holders Bordeaux-Begles draw
UN climate panel fails to agree date for global warming update: envoy
Figueroa loses title at weigh-in but Kameda can win it
Macron calls for calm amid fears of violence at France protests
Economy
Stocks struggle to bounce back from AI angst-fueled rout
The Nasdaq tumbled more than two percent Friday as a rebound in tech shares sputtered amid angst over AI investments, while most European and Asian exchanges had solid trading sessions.
Nature
Deforestation in Brazil Amazon hits nearly four-decade low
Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 40 years, according to figures released Friday, in welcome news for leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva days before a presidential runoff.
Last news
Mourinho on warpath as derby day enflames Roman passions
Roma and Lazio will try to put themselves back in the Champions League picture on Sunday when they face off in this season's first Rome derby, a fiery fixture which has already set Jose Mourinho on the warpath.
Why France can't get enough of Gatsby
It's an American classic but a Gallic obsession -- France can't stop re-translating "The Great Gatsby" whose 11th version hit the stores on Thursday.
French star Isabelle Adjani on battling shyness for new pop album
She may be one of France's biggest film stars, but Isabelle Adjani admits she was too shy to record in the same room as celebrity collaborators like Seal and Simon Le Bon as she returned to music with her first album in 40 years.
PSG kid Zaire-Emery is French football's next big thing
France's never-ending conveyor belt of footballing talent appears to have thrown up its next superstar in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield prodigy Warren Zaire-Emery, who earned a call-up to the full national team on Thursday.
UK minister condemned for unapproved comments on 'pro-Palestinian mobs'
UK interior minister Suella Braverman's position looked increasingly precarious on Thursday after she criticised policing of pro-Palestinian marches in comments made without Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's approval.
'Never again' is now: Scholz vows to protect Germany's Jews
Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Thursday to protect Germany's Jews against a "shameful" upsurge in anti-Semitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, on the anniversary of the Nazi Kristallnacht pogrom that began the Holocaust.
Australia coach says big-hitter Maxwell has key World Cup bowling role
Glenn Maxwell's extraordinary batting exploits may have made headlines but coach Andrew McDonald believes the all-rounder's bowling could be just as vital to Australia's hopes of winning the World Cup.
Stuttgart striker Guirassy credits Kane for record-breaking start
Record-breaking Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy said England captain Harry Kane's arrival in Germany has "pushed a lot of strikers in the Bundesliga to raise their level to try and compete with him".
Germany unveils huge electricity price relief for industry
Germany announced on Thursday a huge relief package including tax cuts on electricity for the manufacturing sector, in a bid to shore up an economy that many fear could end the year in recession.
8 Palestinians killed in Israeli raid on Jenin: ministry
Eight Palestinians were killed Thursday in an Israeli raid on Jenin in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said as AFP journalists reported intense fighting.
Putin, Erdogan and Raisi in Central Asia diplomatic push
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kazakhstan on Thursday to cement Moscow's ties with its old ally, while Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised the West over the Israel-Hamas war during a separate trip to Uzbekistan.
Spain PM offers amnesty to Catalan separatists in controversial deal
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has clinched a controversial deal to remain in power by offering amnesty to Catalan separatists, raising tensions across the country.
Gazans bury their dead in orchards and football fields
Before he fled his home in northern Gaza, where intense fighting now rages between Israel and Hamas, Mahmud al-Masri had a grim job to do: bury his three brothers and their five children in a nearby citrus orchard.
Europe stocks climb as traders await Fed guidance
European stock markets rose Thursday as investors awaited fresh signals from the Federal Reserve about the direction of US interest rates, but Hong Kong dipped and Shanghai flatlined on renewed concerns over the Chinese economy.
EU opens probe into TikTok, YouTube over child protection
The EU announced investigations on Thursday into YouTube and TikTok to find out what action the US and Chinese-owned platforms are taking to ensure the safety of minors on their platforms.
New Zealand bowl out Sri Lanka for 171 in key World Cup clash
Fast bowler Trent Boult led an inspired attack as New Zealand bundled out Sri Lanka for 171 on Thursday as the Kiwis look to earn a semi-final spot at the World Cup.
Gaza aid conference presses for ceasefire
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday opened a conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza by calling for a "ceasefire", echoed by other delegates looking to support the Palestinian territory under bombardment by Israel since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
UK minister condemned for attacking policing of pro-Palestinian protests
British interior minister Suella Braverman sparked outrage on Thursday for accusing police of double standards before a politically charged pro-Palestinian rally on Armistice Day, the latest incendiary rhetoric from the hardline Conservative.
Fierce street-by-street combat rages in Gaza City
Israeli troops and Hamas were locked in heavy, close quarters fighting in Gaza City on Thursday, including a 10-hour battle that Israel said toppled one of the Palestinian militants' "strongholds".
Girona visit Rayo aiming to extend surprise Liga lead
Surprise La Liga leaders Girona face Rayo Vallecano on Saturday looking to accomplish what giants Real Madrid could not.
Macron calls for 'ceasefire' at Gaza aid conference
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for a "ceasefire" in Gaza when he opened a conference on aid for the Palestinian territory, under bombardment by Israel since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Miller says Afghanistan 'World Cup joy' with one eye on Maxwell and Australia
South Africa's David Miller hailed Afghanistan as "one of the joys of the World Cup" on Thursday but admitted thoughts were already turning towards their semi-final clash with Australia.
Iceland's iconic Blue Lagoon closes over eruption fears
Iceland's famed Blue Lagoon geothermal spa said on Thursday it was temporarily closing as a precaution, after thousands of small recent tremors raised fears of a potential volcanic eruption.
EU court advisor recommends new ruling in Apple tax case
The European Court of Justice's top legal advisor recommended on Thursday that an EU court make a new ruling in the long-running 13-billion-euro ($14-billion) tax case between Apple and Brussels.
Cameron Smith sizzles to share of Hong Kong Open lead
Major winner Cameron Smith fired a seven-under-par 63 to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday.
Spain PM strikes key deal with Catalan separatists: source
Spain's prime minister has clinched agreement with Catalan separatists, a source told AFP on Thursday, in a deal that will enable him to remain in power but that has raised tensions and sparked protests in the country.
Five things to know about the blockbuster GTA games
Rockstar Games, the studio behind the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto series, has said it will release the trailer for the next instalment in December, setting the gaming world abuzz.
Best of enemies: England-Pakistan cricket flashpoints
Cricket matches between England and Pakistan have often been fraught affairs, with rows over umpiring, allegations of ball-tampering, abandoned fixtures, court cases and a spot-fixing scandal all contributing to a tense relationship.
Sony raises annual forecast despite Hollywood strikes, PS5 woes
Japanese electronics titan Sony lifted its full-year net profit and sales forecasts on Thursday, citing strength in the company's gaming, music and image-sensor sectors.
Sony hikes annual outlook on strong game, music performance
Japanese electronics titan Sony lifted its full-year net profit and sales forecasts on Thursday, citing strength in the company's gaming, music and image-sensor sectors.
Indonesia inaugurates Southeast Asia's largest floating solar farm
Indonesia inaugurated a $100 million floating solar farm on Thursday, the largest in Southeast Asia, as it seeks more opportunities to transition to green, renewable energy.
Blinken warns N. Korea, Russia military ties 'growing and dangerous'
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Thursday that military ties between North Korea and Russia are "growing and dangerous", and called on China to restrain Pyongyang.