Last news

Russian central bank cuts interest rate as economy slows
Russia's central bank on Friday cut its key interest rate, but warned inflation was still too high, amid growing concerns over an economic slowdown amid the Ukraine offensive.

India hardliners give Nepal protests baseless religious twist
Protesters in Nepal ousted the prime minister and set parliament ablaze over the government's ban on social media and corruption allegations -- but in neighbouring India, the violence is being misrepresented online as something else entirely: a religious uprising.

Chelsea's Delap out for up to three months: Maresca
Chelsea striker Liam Delap could be sidelined until December after injuring his hamstring before the international break, manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.

Microsoft avoids EU antitrust fine with Teams commitments
The EU said Friday it had accepted Microsoft's commitment to more clearly separate the Teams communications app from its Office products -- sparing the US tech giant a hefty antitrust fine.

Stocks, dollar diverge with focus on rates
European stock markets mostly retreated Friday after gains among Asia's main indices, ahead of a likely cut to US interest rates next week.

Norway sovereign wealth fund drops French miner over environmental fears
Norway's sovereign wealth fund said Friday it was excluding French mining company Eramet from its portfolio, citing risks that the company was contributing to human rights violations and environmental damage at a nickel mine in Indonesia.

Ukrainian athletes show true grit to be at world championships, says federation chief
War-torn Ukraine's athletes will be happy with a medal of any colour at the world athletics championships as "every step toward the podium is harder" than for their rivals, federation president Olha Saladukha told AFP.

S. Koreans greeted with applause at home after US detention
Hundreds of South Korean workers were greeted by applause and tearful relatives Friday when they returned home after being tangled in a US immigration row that cast a shadow over massive Korean investments in the United States.

Newcastle's Howe says Isak relationship was 'difficult' before Liverpool move
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has revealed his relationship with Alexander Isak deteriorated after the Sweden star went on strike in a bid to force through his British record transfer to Liverpool.

South Africa jailbreak fugitive loses bid to block Netflix documentary
A South African court on Friday rejected an attempt to block the release of a Netflix documentary about a man convicted of rape and murder who faked his own death to escape prison.

Rojas targets fifth world triple jump title on injury return
Yulimar Rojas is back after a 17-month injury lay-off and has fired a warning to her triple jump rivals at the world championships in Tokyo as she seeks a fifth title.

Japan athletics chief fights back tears over memory of Covid-hit Olympics
The head of Japanese athletics fought back tears Friday as she described how the world championships in Tokyo can "wipe away" the painful memory of empty stands at the Olympics four years ago.

Pacific leaders agree new summit rules after China, Taiwan bans
Pacific Island leaders agreed on Friday to a new framework that would allow nations to join a key regional forum as strategic partners, after accusations that China was influencing regional decision-making.

Nepalis assess damage after terror of deadly protests
Retired Nepali civil servant Dhruba Shrestha has lived through decades of turmoil, from civil war to political upheaval, but the 76-year-old says nothing compared to the violence that engulfed the Himalayan nation this week.

Newcastle's Wissa to see specialist over knee injury
Newcastle's new forward Yoane Wissa will see a specialist over the knee injury he suffered in DR Congo's World Cup qualifier defeat by Senegal this week.

Jackson happy to be 'where I'm wanted' after joining Bayern
New Bayern Munich signing Nicolas Jackson said Friday he was happy to be "where I'm wanted" after joining the German giants from Premier League club Chelsea on a season-long loan.

Liverpool's Slot urges patience with 'best striker' Isak after record move
Arne Slot on Friday described new signing Alexander Isak as "maybe the best striker in the world" but warned he would be eased into action gradually after a disrupted pre-season.

Board of Spain's Sabadell bank rejects BBVA takeover bid
Spanish bank Sabadell on Friday said its board had rejected larger national rival BBVA's hostile takeover bid and urged shareholders to shun it as the clock ticked down on their final decision.

Hunt for shooter of Charlie Kirk enters third day in US
The vast manhunt for the shooter who killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk stretched into a third day on Friday, after police released fresh images in an effort to crack a case that has raised tensions in the United States.

'Volatile': Londoners and asylum seekers on edge due to protests
Near London's historic heart, steel barricades and plywood boards block the entrance to a hotel housing some 600 asylum seekers that has recently been targeted by protests.

New David Bowie museum unmasks the man behind the make up
A moving letter written by David Bowie's father and fan mail from Lady Gaga are among 90,000 items at a new London museum offering intimate insights into the man behind the Ziggy Stardust make up.

Man Utd keeper Onana joins Trabzonspor on loan
Manchester United's Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has completed a season-long loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

UK economy stalls in July in fresh government setback
Britain's economy stagnated in July, official data showed Friday, dealing another blow to the Labour government after a turbulent week for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Nepal seeks new leader as army reclaims streets after protest violence
Nepal's president and army sought on Friday to find a consensus interim leader to fill a political vacuum after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government and left parliament in flames.

Indonesia seizes part of nickel site over forest violations
Indonesian authorities have seized a small section of the world's largest nickel mine for encroaching on forest areas without permission, authorities said Friday.

Stocks rally into weekend with US rate cut 'seemingly locked in'
Most markets extended gains Friday, tracking record highs across Wall Street, after US inflation and jobs data all but set in stone a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.

Springboks, Pumas out to keep Rugby Championship hopes alive
South Africa will showcase their young backline talent while Argentina need an 80-minute performance as both teams attempt to keep their Rugby Championship title hopes alive on Saturday.

Scrutiny on Thai zoo grows after lion attack
A Thai zoo has temporarily closed its predator zone after lions mauled a zookeeper to death, wildlife officials said Friday, as scrutiny on the park's animal treatment intensified.

UK economy stalls in July
Britain's economy stagnated in July, official data showed Friday, dealing another blow to the Labour government at the end of a turbulent week for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Charlie Kirk's killing: what we know
Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an event in the western US state of Utah. Authorities had failed to locate the gunman on Thursday, more than 30 hours later.

S. Korean workers arrive home after US detention
A specially chartered flight carrying hundreds of South Korean workers detained in a US immigration raid last week landed at Incheon International Airport on Friday, AFP reporters saw.

US tariffs deal stokes 'monster' pick-up fears in Europe
Considered powerful, heavy-duty vehicles by their fans and dangerous gas-guzzling "monsters" by detractors -- could large pick-up trucks, long a staple on US roads, be about to roam in greater numbers across Europe?