South Korea to double spending on AI and chips in 2027
Asian stocks mixed as tech sector struggles to rebound from selloff
On All Saints' Day, Philippine mountain town honours dead with fire
India's royals find new power in their past
Politics
Years on from fall of IS, French jihadists face justice in Iraq
A decade ago, the Islamic State group broadcast its crimes as it recruited radicals from around the world and imposed a brutal system of oppression across swathes of Syria and Iraq.
Boulevard
Irish bookshops help meet UK demand for Sally Rooney novels
Irish bookshops are helping readers in Britain and elsewhere obtain novels by Sally Rooney after her publisher halted UK supplies because of complications arising from the author's support for a pro-Palestinian group.
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The France-Niger accords: what happens now Niamey has pulled out?
Niger's new military rulers have pulled out of several military agreements with France, raising questions about where we go from here.
Arteta expects Jesus to return 'soon' after surgery
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Jesus should return to action "soon" after the Brazil forward underwent knee surgery that will sideline him from the start of the Premier League season.
Aleix Espargaro tops Silverstone practice
Aleix Espargaro produced a late flash of magic to top the times of a crash-marred second practice for the British MotoGP at Silverstone on Friday.
US jobs data works to boost stocks
A tepid jobs report that could help the Federal Reserve hold off on further interest rate hikes on Friday boosted equities and pulled the rug out from under the dollar.
Discarded plastic blights Honduran mangrove island
A heron chick flutters clumsily after hatching in a nest on a mangrove island littered with plastic waste in the Gulf of Fonseca, along the Pacific Coast of Central America.
New Ukraine stamp shows F-16 jets 'rubbing out' Kremlin
Ukraine on Friday issued postage stamps featuring US F-16 fighter jets, which it says it urgently needs Western allies to deliver to protect it from Russian attacks.
Hundreds protest as Lebanon marks 3 years since Beirut blast
Lebanon marked three years since one of history's biggest non-nuclear explosions rocked Beirut with hundreds of protesters marching alongside victims' families Friday to demand long-awaited justice.
Otter attacks women floating down Montana river
An aggressive otter attacked three women floating down a river in Montana, with one victim helicoptered to hospital with severe bites to her face and arms, authorities in the western US state said.
Russia jails Navalny for 19 years on extremism charges
Russia on Friday handed jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny 19 years behind bars on extremism charges, cementing a crackdown on voices critical of the ruling elite.
Pollution risk for Olympic open water test in Seine
Persistent heavy rain in Paris has threatened the pre-Olympic swimming open water test events in the Seine this weekend with concerns over pollution from the overflow of sewage.
Rovanpera crashes, Tanak limps out of Rally of Finland
World champion Kalle Rovanpera crashed when leading his home Rally of Finland on Friday.
Putin nemesis Navalny in 10 dates
Russia's top opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, survived a dramatic poisoning attack in 2020 only to be sent to a penal colony, where he has been sentenced to a further 19 years behind bars.
Southgate understands anger over Henderson's Saudi move
England manager Gareth Southgate says he understands the criticism directed at Jordan Henderson, a vocal supporter of the LGBT community, following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
US hiring cooler than expected in July but jobs market still solid
Job growth in the United States was lower than anticipated in July, according to government data released Friday, hovering at the slowest pace since late 2020 in encouraging news for policymakers.
After Spanish ban, dwarf bullfighters take show to France
A Spanish troupe of dwarf bullfighters have taken their act to France after their home country banned such shows on the grounds that they encouraged mockery of disabled people.
Stock markets diverge on mixed US jobs data
Stock markets diverged on Friday, with US stocks pushing higher after positive earnings and a tepid jobs report that could help the Federal Reserve hold off on further interest rate hikes.
Ukraine attack hits Russian warship at Black Sea base
Ukraine carried out a seaborne drone strike on a Russian navy ship at a Black Sea base, a security source told AFP Friday, as Moscow said it had repelled a similar attack over annexed Crimea.
US hiring cooler than expected in July but wage gains hold steady
Job creation in the United States was lower than anticipated in July, according to government data released Friday, hovering at the slowest pace since late 2020 in encouraging news for policymakers.
Gvardiol close to finalising Man City move
Pep Guardiola confirmed defender Josko Gvardiol was undergoing a medical at Manchester City on Friday ahead of a proposed move from RB Leipzig as he prepared his team to face Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Maersk sees weaker demand for shipping
Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping firm, said Friday it expects shipping volumes to fall this year as companies continue to reduce inventories.
Man jailed over murder of boxer Tyson Fury's cousin
A 22-year-old man will serve at least 28 years in jail after being found guilty of murdering the cousin of boxing world champion Tyson Fury, a UK judge ruled Friday.
New Delhi to hide street dogs ahead of G20 summit
India's capital will catch, sterilise and hide thousands of stray dogs roaming its streets as part of a campaign to clean up the megacity before it hosts next month's G20 summit.
Xabi Alonso extends deal at Leverkusen to 2026
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has extended his contract by two years to 2026, the Bundesliga club announced on Friday.
Greta Thunberg pulls out of book festival over fossil fuel ties
Climate activist Greta Thunberg pulled out of a much-anticipated event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Friday, citing a sponsor's "heavy" investments in fossil fuel and accusing them of "greenwashing".
Germany questions footballing future after shock World Cup exit
As the dust settled on Germany's shock group stage exit from the Women's World Cup, officials and media questioned how ingrained the problems in the country's once proud football set-up are.
Ex-ally sues Monaco's ruler in 'Rock Files' scandal
A former confidant of Monaco's ruler Prince Albert II is suing the monarch in an unprecedented and potentially damaging court case triggered by the release of leaks that have rocked the usually placid Mediterranean playground for the rich and famous.
Niger junta breaks off military cooperation with France
A West African delegation has failed to secure the return to power of Niger's elected government despite proposals to resolve the crisis as the junta curtailed military cooperation with former colonial power France.
Stock markets steady before US jobs data
Stock markets steadied Friday before the release of key US jobs data and as positive earnings helped to offset debt concerns in the world's biggest economy.
Armenia funnels US cars to Russia, in sanctions' evasion
A kilometres-long caravan of trailers loaded with used cars meanders on a dusty road leading to a customs terminal in the Armenian city of Gyumri.
Romania court lifts Andrew Tate's house arrest order
A Romanian court Friday lifted a house arrest order on controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother as the men await trial on human trafficking charges.
Ukrainians find 'bit of peace' at Catholic youth festival
At a global Catholic youth festival in Lisbon, Olena Shevchuk said she is getting a welcome break from the pain of the war in her native Ukraine.
India's top court suspends Rahul Gandhi's defamation conviction
India's top court on Friday suspended the defamation conviction of Rahul Gandhi, a decision that could pave the way for the senior opposition politician to return to parliament after his disqualification.