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Politics
Turkey hosts latest diplomatic push on Middle East war
Turkey on Friday hosts a high‑stakes diplomatic forum bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad steps up efforts to help end the Middle East war.
Economy
Frenchwoman who married GI sweetheart returns home after ICE ordeal
A Frenchwoman who moved to the United States to marry a Vietnam war veteran she first met six decades ago returned to France Friday after she was detained by US immigration authorities, the foreign minister said.
Sports
Renard sacked as Saudi Arabia coach ahead of World Cup
Frenchman Herve Renard told AFP on Friday he has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Sports
If Man City lose 'it's over', says Guardiola ahead of Arsenal title showdown
Pep Guardiola said that an Arsenal victory at Manchester City on Sunday would end the Premier League title race, but that his side would have a lot more work to do even if they beat the Gunners.
Economy
First loaded Iranian oil tankers exit Gulf since US blockade: Kpler
Three Iranian oil tankers carrying a total of five million barrels of crude have become the first such loaded vessels to leave the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since a US blockade came into force, the tracking firm Kpler told AFP on Friday.
Economy
Lebanese civilians head home despite Israel warning on truce
Thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians took to the road on Friday, hoping a 10-day ceasefire with Israel would allow them to return to their homes in southern Beirut and the country's war-torn south.
Politics
Jubilant crowds throng giant papal mass in Cameroon
A jubilant crowd gathered in stifling heat Friday for a giant open-air mass by Pope Leo XIV at a stadium in Cameroon's economic capital Douala, the biggest event of a visit marked by his calls for peace and spat with US President Donald Trump.
Economy
Oil drops, stocks mixed amid US-Iran peace hopes
Stock markets diverged and oil prices fell Friday as investors awaited news of a possible extension to the Iran-US ceasefire, with a first passing of Iranian oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in weeks bolstering hopes.
Boulevard
Myanmar ex-president freed from post-coup detention, Suu Kyi's sentence cut
Myanmar's former president Win Myint, detained since a 2021 military coup, was freed on Friday under a mass amnesty which, according to a source close to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, also reduced her sentence.
Nature
Rescue for whale stranded off German coast in 'decisive phase'
A private rescue attempt for a whale stranded off Germany's Baltic coast has entered a "decisive phase", officials said Friday, with the sea mammal showing more activity than in recent days.
Boulevard
British PM says 'furious' after fresh revelations over sacked US envoy
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday he was "furious" after it emerged his sacked US ambassador Peter Mandelson was appointed despite failing security vetting, as the scandal again threatens his hold on power.
Sports
Djokovic pulls out of Madrid Open
Former three-time winner Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Madrid Open beginning next week as he needs more time to recover from a shoulder injury.
Culture
Japanese fans gather to welcome BTS on world tour
Tens of thousands of excited fans gathered at a landmark Tokyo stadium Friday to watch K-pop megastars BTS, in concert outside South Korea for the first time on their new world tour.
Boulevard
'Gomorrah' author cleared of defaming far-right Italian minister
An Italian court has cleared mafia bestseller "Gomorrah" author and journalist Roberto Saviano of defamation charges brought by far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, his lawyer said Friday.
Sports
Red-hot Bayern could cap memorable week with Bundesliga title
Just days after eliminating Spanish giants Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals, Bayern Munich could round off a perfect week by winning the Bundesliga title on Sunday.
Economy
Video game voice star Troy Baker says 'only humans' can make art
Millions of gamers around the world may not know Troy Baker's face but would recognise his voice -- perhaps as the heartbroken father Joel in "The Last of Us" or an intrepid Indiana Jones in "The Great Circle".
Politics
Pope to lead huge mass in Cameroon city hit by post-vote protest deaths
Tens of thousands of people streamed towards a stadium in Cameroon's economic capital Douala Friday for a huge, open-air mass by Pope Leo XIV, the biggest event of a visit marked by his calls for peace and spat with US President Donald Trump.
Sports
Raucous partying and some rugby as Hong Kong Sevens turns 50
The first Hong Kong Sevens took place in front of a few thousand curious spectators, and some of the players wore gym shoes in the mud instead of rugby boots.
Sports
Slot backs Ekitike to recover from 'devastating' Achilles injury
Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes Hugo Ekitike can come back even stronger from a ruptured Achilles tendon that has ended the French striker's season, and his dreams of playing in the World Cup.
Economy
Lebanese civilians head home as truce with Israel takes effect
Thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians took to the road on Friday, hoping that a 10-day ceasefire with Israel would allow them to return to their homes in southern Beirut and the country's war-torn south.
Culture
Mexican writer Elena Poniatowska's typewriter, photographs go on display
An old Smith Corona typewriter, letters from literary contemporaries and photographs are part of the items spanning the life of renowned Mexican writer and journalist Elena Poniatowska to go on display this week in Mexico City.
Sports
Canada T20 World Cup game under ICC scrutiny after corruption claim
The International Cricket Council said Friday it is investigating Cricket Canada over allegations of match corruption, including the team's loss to New Zealand at the recent T20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Boulevard
Myanmar's ex-president freed after pardon of post-coup convictions
Myanmar's former president Win Myint, detained since a 2021 military coup, was freed on Friday after being pardoned of convictions handed down during the post-putsch period of military rule.
Sports
South Korea unveils plan to bring back Formula One
South Korea wants to host a Formula One race for the first time since 2013 after unveiling a new circuit design that officials say is financially viable.
Boulevard
Depardieu drops lawsuit over report that sped up downfall
French actor Gerard Depardieu on Friday dropped a lawsuit against broadcaster France Televisions over a 2023 television report that portrayed him as making sexual comments about a young girl.
Weather
'Cruelly hot': Japan devises new term for heatwave days
Blistering temperatures rising to 40C and above will now be branded "cruelly hot" or "kokusho-bi" in Japan, the weather agency said Friday, as heatwave days become increasingly frequent in the region.
Politics
British PM again under fire over ex-envoy to US appointment
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced mounting pressure to quit on Friday over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as envoy to Washington, after it emerged the veteran politician had failed security vetting.
Boulevard
Myanmar's ex-president pardoned of post-coup convictions
Myanmar's former president Win Myint, detained since a 2021 coup, was pardoned on Friday of his convictions during the post-putsch period of military rule, a statement said.
Boulevard
Under blackout threat, Wikimedia to hold talks with Indonesia
The Wikimedia Foundation said Friday it will hold talks with the Indonesian government after Jakarta threatened to block Wikipedia over registration rules the firm says "departs from international human rights norms".
Politics
10-day Israel-Lebanon truce begins as Lebanese army warns of 'violations'
A 10-day ceasefire deal struck between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Friday, sending displaced residents streaming south towards their homes, even as the Lebanese army warned of "a number of violations" in the area.
Economy
War with Pakistan halts school for Afghan border children
There are no children in the Afghan border village of Barikot, where the school has been smashed by shells and the playground sits deserted after weeks of war with Pakistan.
Things to know
Famed photographer Joel Meyerowitz embraces camera phones
Photographer Joel Meyerowitz, famous for capturing everyday life on the streets of his native New York and elsewhere, has no qualms about now sharing the stage with hordes of phone-wielding amateurs.