Trap laid, Ukraine walked in
BRICS-Dollar challenge
Al-Qaida’s growing ambitions
Saudi shift shakes Israel
Australia edge ominously within 106 runs of England in second Ashes Test
Markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
McIlroy survives as Min Woo Lee surges into Australian Open hunt
German factory orders rise more than expected
Politics
India's Modi and Russia's Putin talk defence, trade and Ukraine
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, with defence and trade ties centre stage as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying Moscow's oil.
Weather
Flooding kills two as Vietnam hit by dozens of landslides
Heavy rain in Vietnam triggered flooding that killed at least two people and caused more than a dozen landslides, state media said Friday, adding to what authorities called the "most unusual" year of natural disasters in the country's history.
Last news
Things to know
Italy to open Europe's first marine sanctuary for dolphins
The Mediterranean's first sanctuary for dolphins that have lived in captivity will open off Italy next year, as demand for re-homing rises with the closure of marine parks across Europe.
Education
Hong Kong university suspends student union after calls for fire justice
A Hong Kong university has suspended the operations of its student union after a message was posted on campus expressing condolences and urging justice for the victims of a major fire.
Economy
Asian markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Most Asian markets rose going into the weekend Friday following a broadly positive lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did little to change expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.
Culture
Nigerian nightlife finds a new extravagance: cabaret
Scantily clad in a sequin leotard and silver heels, a Nigeria dancer swayed to "Money" by Cardi B in an oversized cocktail glass.
Politics
Tanzania tourism suffers after election killings
Tanzania's white beaches and safari lodges are emptier than usual as the country counts the cost to its crucial tourism sector from the mass killing of protesters during recent election unrest.
Culture
Yo-de-lay-UNESCO? Swiss hope for yodel heritage listing
Switzerland hopes to have yodelling recognised by the United Nations this month to help protect the ancestral sing-song tradition of the Alpine nation's herders and shepherds.
Sports
Weatherald fires up as Australia race to 130-1 in second Ashes Test
Free-flowing opener Jake Weatherald crunched an unbeaten 59 but Australia lost dangerman Travis Head as they chipped away at England's lead on day two of the day-night second Ashes Test on Friday, racing to 130-1 at tea.
Economy
Georgia's street dogs stir affection, fear, national debate
At a bus stop in central Tbilisi, two tagged dogs dozed on a bench as some commuters smiled at them and others cast angry glances.
Boulevard
Survivors pick up pieces in flood-hit Indonesia as more rain predicted
Survivors in Indonesia were piecing back shattered lives Friday after devastating floods killed more than 1,500 people across four countries, with fears of fresh misery as more rain looms.
Sports
Gibbs runs for three TDs as Lions down Cowboys to boost NFL playoff bid
Jahmyr Gibbs ran for three touchdowns and the Detroit Lions never trailed in a 44-30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in a clash crucial to the NFL playoff hopes of both teams.
Economy
Pandas and ping-pong: Macron ending China visit on lighter note
An ancient dam, pandas and ping-pong: French leader Emmanuel Macron concluded his fourth state visit to China on Friday in the southwestern city of Chengdu, striking a more relaxed note after tough discussions on Ukraine and trade with his counterpart Xi Jinping a day earlier.
Economy
TikTok to comply with 'upsetting' Australian under-16 ban
TikTok said Friday it will comply with Australia's imminent ban on under-16s joining social media on the day it comes into force, but told users the changes "may be upsetting".
Sports
Hope's resistance keeps West Indies alive in New Zealand Test
A sparkling century by Shai Hope ably supported by Justin Greaves had the West Indies 212-4 at stumps on Friday and clinging to the remote chance they can save the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Economy
Pentagon endorses Australia submarine pact
The Pentagon said Thursday it has endorsed the tripartite AUKUS security pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, which would involve Canberra's acquisition of at least three Virginia-class nuclear submarines within 15 years.
Politics
India rolls out red carpet for Russia's Putin
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts Russia's President Vladimir Putin at a summit on Friday, with defence and trade ties centre stage as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying Moscow's oil.
Technology
Softbank's Son says super AI could make humans like fish, win Nobel Prize
Softbank CEO and AI investor Masayoshi Son said Friday that advanced artificial intelligence could surpass humans to the extent that "we become fish" and could even win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Sports
LeBron scoring streak ends as Hachimura, Reaves lift Lakers
Rui Hachimura drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-120 NBA victory over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday as LeBron James's incredible streak of double-digit scoring games ended.
Sports
England all out for 334 in second Ashes Test
England were dismissed for 334 in their first innings of the day-night second Ashes Test against Australia in Brisbane on Friday with Joe Root unbeaten on 138.
Politics
Hong Kong university axes student union after calls for fire justice
A Hong Kong university ordered its student union to shut down after a message was posted on campus expressing condolences and urging justice for the victims of a major fire, according to a letter publicly shared on Friday.
Sports
'Annoying' Raphinha pulling Barca towards their best
Forward Raphinha's comeback from injury has helped Barcelona edge back towards their best form and helped the Catalans reclaim top spot in La Liga.
Sports
Prolific Kane and Undav face off as Bayern head to Stuttgart
League leaders Bayern Munich travel to Stuttgart on Saturday, setting the scene for a battle between the Bundesliga's two in-form goal getters: Harry Kane and Deniz Undav.
Sports
Napoli's title defence continues with visit of rivals Juventus
Napoli have a chance to strike a blow against Juventus as the two great Serie A rivals face off on Sunday in another episode of Europe's tightest league title race.
Sports
Nice host Angers with storm clouds gathering over the Riviera
Beleaguered Nice play Angers at home in Ligue 1 on Sunday, looking to end a dire run on the pitch and tensions between the team and supporters off it.
Economy
OpenAI strikes deal on US$4.6 bn AI centre in Australia
ChatGPT maker OpenAI and an Australian data centre operator have agreed to develop a multibillion-dollar AI centre in Sydney.
Weather
Rains hamper Sri Lanka cleanup after deadly floods
Heavy rains lashed Sri Lanka on Friday, hampering a major clean-up operation after severe flooding and landslides last week killed nearly 500 people, officials said.
Health
In India's mining belt, women spark hope with solar lamps
Santosh Devi is proud to have brought light -- and hope -- to her hamlet in western India, taking up solar engineering through a programme for women like her whose husbands suffer chronic disease from mining work.
Boulevard
After 15 years, Dutch anti-blackface group declares victory
Cherished Christmas tradition for some, profoundly insulting for others, the Dutch character "Black Pete", a servant who helps Santa Claus distribute presents, has divided opinion in The Netherlands for decades.
Sports
Eyes of football world fixed on 2026 World Cup draw with Trump presiding
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington on Friday, with Donald Trump set to play a prominent part in a star-studded ceremony that will mark out the path to glory for contenders at the first-ever 48-team finals.
Sports
West Indies on the ropes in record run chase against New Zealand
New Zealand had the West Indies on the ropes at 107-4 chasing an unlikely 531 at tea on day four of the first Test in Christchurch on Friday, with only Shai Hope providing solid resistance.
Politics
'Only a miracle can end this nightmare': Eritreans fear new Ethiopia war
Tewolde has fought multiple times for Eritrea, one of the most closed societies on Earth, and is now praying another war is not about to break out with neighbouring Ethiopia.
Economy
Unchecked mining waste taints DR Congo communities
Carrying her sore-pocked daughter across her decaying field, Helene Mvubu says she is one of thousands to have fallen victim to the toxic waste defiling the Democratic Republic of Congo's mining capital.
Sports
McIntosh swims second-fastest 400m free ever in US Open triumph
Canadian Summer McIntosh clocked the second-fastest 400m freestyle swim in history on Thursday, touching in 3min 55.37sec to win at the US Open long course meeting in Austin, Texas.
Economy
Asian markets mixed ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Asian markets struggled into the weekend on Friday following a bland lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did little to move the needle on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.
Economy
French almond makers revive traditions to counter US dominance
The scent of marzipan wafts through the air as confectioners from a century-old company in southern France prepare calissons, one of Provence's famed sweets made of candied melon and crushed almonds.
Tech tracking to tackle human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe
In the sun-scorched lands bordering Zimbabwe's largest wildlife sanctuary, Takesure Moyo pedals through his village each morning on a mission to help his community coexist with the elephants and predators that roam nearby.
Sports
Olympic swim star Thorpe to race gruelling Sydney-Hobart on top yacht
Olympic swimming great Ian Thorpe on Friday joined the crew of supermaxi LawConnect in its bid to win a third consecutive Sydney-Hobart yacht race, with the Australian bracing for a mental and physical challenge.
Politics
'Land without laws': Israeli settlers force Bedouins from West Bank community
As relentless harassment from Israeli settlers drove his brothers from their Bedouin community in the central occupied West Bank, Ahmed Kaabneh remained determined to stay on the land his family had lived on for generations.
Boulevard
No yolk: police 'recover' Faberge egg swallowed by thief
New Zealand police have recovered a diamond-encrusted green Faberge egg after keeping a six-day watch over the thief accused of swallowing it.
Sports
Liverpool's defensive woes deepen, Arsenal face Villa test
Liverpool travel to Leeds this weekend with mounting questions over whether Arne Slot can stop the rot, while in-form Aston Villa take aim at Premier League leaders Arsenal.