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Stock markets steady before US inflation data
Europe's main stock markets steadied Friday as traders reacted to more earnings updates from top companies, while awaiting revisions to US inflation data.
First Russian tourists post-Covid arrive in Pyongyang
A group of Russian tourists arrived in Pyongyang on Friday, AFP reporters saw, the first known foreign tour group to visit nuclear-armed North Korea since before pandemic-linked border closures.
Magic touch: Japan's star conductor Seiji Ozawa
Two broken fingers in a rugby match changed everything for Seiji Ozawa, the celebrated Japanese conductor who blazed a trail in classical music, connecting Eastern traditions with the West.
Hermes celebrates record profit with staff bonuses
French luxury giant Hermes posted on Friday record annual sales and net profit, with plans to reward all employees worldwide with a bonus following strong growth in every region last year.
'Born of suffering': Jordan's Asian Cup heroics mask deeper issues
Jordan's run to Saturday's Asian Cup final is all the more remarkable for the decrepit state of football infrastructure at home and the financial struggles of domestic teams and players.
S.African Olympic champion Semenya asks for funds for legal fight
Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya on Friday appealed for help funding her legal battle against regulations requiring female athletes with high testosterone to take medication as she prepares for a May hearing at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Strikes on Gaza's Rafah as Biden calls Israel actions excessive
Israel launched new air strikes Friday on the city of Rafah in Gaza's far south, after US President Joe Biden said its response to Hamas's October 7 attack has been "over the top".
AI game trains young Chinese to face nosy relatives at New Year
Young Chinese flocking home for Lunar New Year this weekend have turned to an AI chatbot game to help train for the most dreaded social interaction of the year -- the dinner table interrogation by nosy relatives.
Shields fills Savea's Hurricanes boots after Wasps heartache
Ex-England flanker Brad Shields is embracing the challenge of replacing All Blacks star Ardie Savea as captain of the Wellington Hurricanes after turbulent times at his former club Wasps.
Jailed Khan's allies surprise in early Pakistan poll results
Candidates loyal to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan were edging ahead in Pakistan's election, in front of the two dynastic parties believed to be favoured by the military, as delayed results trickled in.
Qatar captain says reaching Asian Cup final proved critics wrong
Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos said the Asian Cup hosts and defending champions have proved their critics wrong by reaching Saturday's final against Jordan.
EU states, parliament seek to seal deal on spending rules
EU states and lawmakers will hold final-stretch talks on Friday to try and strike a deal on budget reforms aimed at boosting investment while keeping spending under control.
'Verses like dynamite': anti-Nazi magazine trove resurfaces
A Nazi henchman as a drooling gorilla with a swastika armband. Adolf Hitler as a dancing clown. Cheeky send-ups of Joseph Goebbels's lies.
Quiet revolution? UK sees new breed of 'green' narrowboats
Motoring down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in England's West Midlands, Neil Cocksedge's narrowboat at first sight looks like most other vessels plying the country's famous network of scenic inland waterways.
'Silver Pride': Singapore launches elderly lion dance troupe
The colourful lion blinks and bobs up and down to the beat of a drum, appearing like any other traditional Lunar New Year performance with one difference –- it is operated by an 80-year-old man sitting in a wheelchair.
Rumours swirl over bitcoin inventor Nakamoto's identity
An Australian man went on trial in London this week over his claims of inventing bitcoin -- not the first time someone has been linked to being the cryptocurrency's enigmatic creator.
Strikes on Gaza's Rafah as US warns of potential 'disaster'
Israel conducted fresh strikes on southern Gaza's overcrowded border town of Rafah on Friday, where more than a million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, with key backer the United States warning of a looming "disaster".
NBA Lakers unveil Kobe Bryant statue then fall to Nuggets
Jamal Murray sparked the Denver Nuggets in the final minutes to a 114-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday after the Lakers unveiled a statue in tribute to the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Euthanasia, a final journey from France to Belgium
Born hemiplegic, nearly blind, 43-year-old Lydie Imhoff was gradually losing the use of her limbs. Last year, she made the decision to travel from her native France to Belgium to undergo euthanasia -- for "fear of living in a dead body."
Indonesia candidates battle for Gen-Z votes on social media
Indonesia's presidential candidates are posting light content on social media in a push to appeal to young voters, dressing up like Tom Cruise in "Top Gun", organising dance contests or forgetting to turn off a livestream.
Jailed Khan's allies running close race in Pakistan poll
Candidates linked to jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan were running a close race with the party of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif on Friday as election results trickled in after a long delay that added to accusations of poll rigging.
'One-sided war': Indonesians join forces to bust election disinfo
On a typical workday, Vinanda Febriani starts her morning in Indonesia scrolling on her phone. But her goal is slightly different than most Gen Zers -- she is scanning for disinformation posts.
Crisis Group president fears 'major miscalculation' in Middle East
The risk of a "major miscalculation" in the Middle East is growing by the day as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, Comfort Ero, president of the Crisis Group NGO, told AFP.
World's biggest flying lab comes to Asia on air pollution mission
NASA has kicked off a series of marathon flights in Asia with the world's biggest flying laboratory, in an ambitious mission to improve the models that help to forecast and fight air pollution.
George wants England to show 'passion and emotion' against Wales
England captain Jamie George is happy to let patriotic pride fuel his side when they face Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.
Messi Hong Kong no-show sparks wave of outrage in China
Lionel Messi's no-show at a match in Hong Kong has triggered a surge of online outrage in the city and in mainland China, with the football superstar accused of seeking to embarrass Beijing -- or even engaging in a sinister foreign plot.
Jailed Khan's allies in early strong show in Pakistan poll
Independent candidates linked to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan were outperforming expectations Friday in early tallies from Pakistan's election, after a long delay in results added to accusations of poll rigging.
Ravens quarterback Jackson earns second NFL MVP award
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was crowned the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the second time on Thursday.
Schmidt's Australia to face Wales in Sydney in his first match
Joe Schmidt will get his reign as Wallabies coach underway against Wales in Sydney, their 2024 home schedule showed Friday, with Australia also hosting world champions South Africa twice this year.
OpenAI chief looking to raise trillions to reshape semiconductor sector: WSJ
OpenAI chief Sam Altman is seeking to raise trillions of dollars to reshape the global semiconductor industry, and has held talks with potential investors including the UAE government, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
'Miracle' rescue nearly 60 hours after Philippine landslide
The rescue of a child on Friday nearly 60 hours after a landslide hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines has been hailed as a "miracle" after searchers had given up hope of finding anyone alive.
Niners coach Shanahan out to lift Super Bowl curse
After seeing his teams snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on his two previous visits to the Super Bowl, Kyle Shanahan is hoping to strike it third time lucky in Las Vegas.