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US economic growth sharply lower than estimated in fourth quarter
The US economy grew at a significantly slower pace than initially estimated for the final months of 2025, government data showed Friday, a major downgrade that comes as fallout from war in the Middle East looms.
Poland vows to ensure EU defence funding after presidential veto
Poland's centrist government on Friday unveiled a "Plan B" for financing the modernisation of its military and arms industry, after nationalist President Karol Nawrocki's veto of nearly 44 billion euros in European loans.
Deadly blast rocks Iran as leaders rally in show of defiance
Deadly explosions rocked Tehran close to a pro-government rally attended by top officials Friday, as Israel and Iran unleashed fresh strikes in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy.
Zelensky meets Macron for talks on pressuring Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday for talks aimed at ramping up pressure on Russia to end its four-year invasion.
EU states back ban on AI generating sexualised deepfakes
EU nations on Friday backed a ban on AI systems generating sexualised deepfakes, after an outcry over such images produced by Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok.
Iran drone kills French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan
An Iranian drone has killed a French soldier in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, his commanding officer said on Friday, after President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the first French military death in the Middle East war.
Iran strikes end Dubai dreams for Pakistani workers
Abdul Malick sat among mourning relatives in his village in southern Pakistan, receiving condolences from neighbours after his nephew, Muzaffar Ali, was killed in Dubai last week.
'Every day I can see missiles, hear explosions': sailor stuck in Gulf
"I am worried," a sailor stuck in the Gulf told AFP on Friday, his vessel unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, blocked for nearly two weeks after US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Sri Lanka to repatriate remains of 84 Iranians killed in US attack
Sri Lanka is repatriating on Friday the remains of 84 Iranian sailors who perished when their frigate was sunk nine days ago by a US submarine, the Foreign Ministry said.
Afghanistan says six civilians killed in Pakistan strikes
Afghan authorities said on Friday that Pakistan attacks on Kabul and border provinces killed four people in the capital and two in the east, the latest deadly clashes in the long-running conflict.
Zelensky arrives in Paris for talks on pressuring Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on Friday, his spokesman said, for talks with President Emmanuel Macron on ramping up pressure on Russia.
Afghan govt says Pakistan strikes Kabul and border provinces
Afghan authorities said on Friday that Pakistan had carried out airstrikes on Kabul and border provinces, killing four people in the capital, in the latest deadly clashes in the long-running conflict.
Fresh wave of Israeli strikes on Iran, Gulf nations also hit
Fresh strikes rocked Iran and several Gulf countries Friday, as Israel and the Islamic republic unleashed a new wave of attacks in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy.
Oil holds above $100, stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
Oil prices held gains above $100 Friday and most equity markets dropped after Iran's leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and the opening up of new fronts in the war against the United States and Israel.
China says vice premier to leave Saturday for US economic talks in France
China's top economic official will leave on Saturday for talks with his US counterpart in France, Beijing said, less than three weeks before President Donald Trump's expected summit with President Xi Jinping.
South Africa's livestock farmers reel from foot-and-mouth disaster
Pointing at a calf lying motionless in a green field in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, farmer Igsahn Felix let out a heavy sigh. "That one is not going to make it," he said.
Strikes target Gulf as French soldier killed in Iraq
New waves of attacks struck Iran and Gulf nations on Friday after Tehran renewed its threats on oil facilities, while France announced its first soldier killed during the Mideast war.
France to elect mayors in run-up to key presidential vote
France is gearing up for municipal elections this month, with a presidential candidate testing his popularity and the far right eyeing gains ahead of a crunch vote for the country's top job next year.
Moscow piles pressure on US over oil sanctions
Moscow said on Friday that the global energy market "cannot remain stable" without its oil, piling pressure on Washington to lift more sanctions as the Middle East war strangles supplies.
Takaichi to be 'candid' with Trump as war hurts Japan
Japan is hurting from the Iran war ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to Washington next week. She has promised to be "candid" with the US president.
Oil holds above $100 and stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
Oil prices held around $100 Friday and most equity markets dropped after Iran's leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and opening up of new fronts in the war against the United States and Israel.
French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan
A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, confirming the first French military death in the Middle East war.
Canadian, German and Norway leaders hold Arctic security talks
Canadian, German and Norwegian leaders will meet in the Norwegian Arctic on Friday to discuss the region's fragile security situation, against the backdrop of a large NATO exercise.
Trump says Iran shouldn't come to World Cup for 'own life and safety'
US President Donald Trump warned Iran's football team Thursday their "life and safety" would be at risk if they took part in the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Venezuela leader's first foreign trip abruptly canceled
The first foreign visit of Venezuela's US-backed interim leader since taking power was abruptly canceled on Thursday, just hours before she was due to arrive in Colombia.
Iran says will make US regret war as oil prices soar
Iran vowed Thursday to make the United States regret attacking the Islamic republic and said it would keep up a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz that has sent oil prices soaring.
Trump says Iran war moving 'very rapidly'
US President Donald Trump said Thursday the war against Iran was moving "very rapidly," even as Tehran's new leader vowed defiance in his first public message.
Polish president vetoes 40-bn-euro EU defence funding plan
Poland's ferocious dispute over EU defence loans reached a fever pitch on Thursday as nationalist president Karol Nawrocki vetoed a multi-billion-euro plan that parliament had already approved.
Israel renews Beirut strikes as Netanyahu vows hard line on Hezbollah
Israel renewed its strikes on Beirut on Thursday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that if the Lebanese government did not disarm Hezbollah, Israel would do the job "on the ground".
Oil surges, stocks retreat on fears of prolonged Iran war
Oil prices jumped Thursday with Brent crude settling above $100 a barrel for the first time since August 2022, as Iran vowed to make the United States regret launching its war against the country.
Israel renews Beirut strikes after threatening to expand Lebanon operations
Israel renewed its strikes on Beirut on Thursday, as it threatened to seize territory in Lebanon if Hezbollah did not stop its attacks.
The Chinese cable that could trip up Chile's new leader
Chile's new president Jose Antonio Kast faces a tough choice in his first weeks in office.