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Piastri takes pole for Belgian GP sprint race ahead of Verstappen
Series leader Oscar Piastri secured pole position for Saturday's sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix when he beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.477 seconds with a devastating record lap in his McLaren.
UK, France, Germany say Gaza 'humanitarian catastrophe must end now'
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany said Friday the "humanitarian catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip "must end now", as the war-ravaged Palestinian territory faces a deepening crisis.
Stock markets mark time as Trump puts EU-US trade deal at 50/50
Stock markets marked time Friday as the latest trade-related rally lost steam as US President Donald Trump rated the chances of Washington striking a trade deal with the European Union at barely 50/50.
Pogacar exits Alps with Tour stranglehold as Arensman takes stage
Dutch rider Thymen Arensman picked up a second stage win at the Tour de France on Friday winning stage 19 at La Plagne ski resort as defending champion Tadej Pogacar closed in on a fourth title.
France defends move to recognise Palestinian state
France defended its decision to recognise Palestinian statehood amid domestic and international criticism on Friday, including against the charge that the move plays into the hands of militant group Hamas.
Trade on agenda as Trump heads to Scotland for diplomacy and golf
US President Donald Trump departed for Scotland on Friday for a mix of diplomacy, business and leisure, as a huge UK security operation swung into place amid planned protests near his family-owned golf resorts.
France's top court annuls arrest warrant against Syria's Assad
France's highest court Friday annulled a French arrest warrant against Syria's ex-president Bashar al-Assad -- issued before his ouster -- over 2013 deadly chemical attacks.
How might Trump's tariffs hurt Brazil?
With Donald Trump's punitive tariffs against Brazil poised to take effect within days, Latin America's largest economy is bracing for a virtual embargo on its planes, grains, and crude oil.
Rubiales forced kiss could drive Spain on in Euro 2025 final: England's Toone
England's Ella Toone admits Spain may have extra motivation going into Sunday's final of the Women's Euro 2025 after their World Cup triumph two years ago was overshadowed by events at the end of the game in Sydney.
Trump says Hamas 'didn't want' Gaza deal as talks break down
US President Donald Trump accused Hamas on Friday of not wanting to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza as Israel said it would explore "alternative options" to rescue hostages after negotiations had collapsed.
Tour de France prankster gets eight-month suspended term for crossing finish line
A man has been handed an eight-month suspended jail term for trying to cycle cross the Tour de France finish line on stage 17 this week, the public prosecutor told AFP on Friday.
Root climbs to second on all-time Test list as England dominate India
Joe Root climbed to second on the all-time list of Test run-scorers after hitting a sparkling 38th century on Friday as England hunted a series-clinching win against India.
Stock markets stall as Trump puts EU-US trade deal at 50/50
Stock markets stalled Friday as the latest trade-related rally lost steam and US President Donald Trump rated the chances of Washington striking a trade deal with the European Union at barely 50/50.
Iran says it held 'frank' nuclear talks with European powers
Iranian diplomats said they held "frank and detailed" nuclear talks on Friday with counterparts from Germany, Britain and France, who have threatened to trigger sanctions if Tehran fails to agree a deal on uranium enrichment and cooperation with UN inspectors.
UK starts online checks to stop children accessing harmful content
New UK age verification measures to prevent children accessing harmful online content came into force on Friday, with campaigners hailing them a "milestone" in their years-long battle for stronger regulations.
Root up to third on all-time Test list as England dominate India
Joe Root climbed to third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers on Friday as England tightened their grip on the fourth match of the series against India.
Piastri outpaces Verstappen in opening practice at Belgian GP
Series leader Oscar Piastri outpaced defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull to top the times for McLaren in Friday's opening free practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Cambodian evacuees sheltering in temple pray for end to Thai clashes
In the leafy grounds of a Buddhist pagoda, hundreds of Cambodians fleeing deadly clashes with Thailand take refuge in the open air, most sitting on the ground while a lucky few doze in hammocks.
French car dealer charged over Takata air bag injury
A car dealer has been charged over failures that led to a driver being injured when a faulty Takata airbag sprayed him with metal fragments, a source said Friday, the first criminal charges in France in a massive recall scandal.
Iran meets European powers amid threats of UN sanctions snapback
Iranian diplomats met counterparts from Germany, Britain and France on Friday for renewed nuclear talks, amid warnings that the three European powers could trigger "snapback" sanctions outlined under the 2015 deal.
Meta to ban political ads in EU due to bloc's 'unworkable' rules
Meta on Friday said it will be forced to ban political advertising on its platforms in the European Union from October because of rules the Facebook and Instagram owner called "unworkable".
UN urges UK to repeal 'disproportionate' Palestine Action ban
The United Nationd rights chief on Friday slammed Britain's ban on activist group Palestine Action as a "disturbing" misuse of UK counter-terrorism legislation and urged the government to rescind its move.
Stock markets turn lower as trade deal rally fades
Stock markets mostly fell Friday as the latest trade-related rally lost momentum, with investors also digesting a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Tight security as Trump heads to Scotland for diplomacy and golf
US President Donald Trump was due to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a mix of diplomacy, business and leisure, with a huge security operation swinging into place and protests planned near his family-owned golf resorts.
Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash
Special prayers were held across Bangladesh on Friday, as the death toll from a fighter jet crash into a school building in Dhaka rose to 32.
Thai woman herds cats under fire in Cambodia clashes
When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman.
African armies turn to drones with devastating civilian impact
The Easter period usually offers a rare respite in Gedeb, in Ethiopia's deeply troubled north, but on April 17 death rained from the skies in this sleepy town caught up in a war between rebels and the army.
New cryptocurrency may be aiding Russia to dodge sanctions
Russia could be turning to a new cryptocurrency called A7A5 to allow money to flow in and out of the country and avoid Western sanctions, experts have told AFP.
French anger over bee-killing pesticide piles pressure on Macron
A student-initiated petition against a chemical deadly to bees has sparked a grass-roots movement in France that commentators say might be a sign of people's growing frustration with political elites.
Philippine Supreme Court blocks VP Duterte's impeachment trial
The Philippines' top court blocked the impending Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, saying it violated a constitutional provision against multiple impeachment proceedings within a single year.
Aid groups warn of starving children as European powers discuss Gaza
Aid groups warned of surging numbers of malnourished children in war-ravaged Gaza as a trio of European powers prepared to hold an "emergency call" Friday on the deepening humanitarian crisis.
Markets turn lower as trade war rally fades
Stock markets fell Friday as their latest rally ran out of legs, with sentiment weighed by strong US jobs data that saw investors row back their expectations for interest rate cuts.