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Heraskevych loses Olympics disqualification appeal, Malinin eyes second gold
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych on Friday lost his appeal against his ban from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet depicting Ukraine's war dead, while US figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin eyes double gold glory.
Stocks sluggish as AI disruption worries move to fore
World stock indexes struggled for inspiration Friday as investors remained cautious after heavy selling of companies seen vulnerable to AI deployment and concerns about tech sector valuations more broadly.
Ukrainian Heraskevych loses appeal against Olympics disqualification
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych on Friday lost his appeal against his disqualification from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet adorned with pictures of the Ukrainian war dead.
Europe should speak to Russia with 'one voice', Putin foe says
Europe could be facing a period of prolonged tensions with Russia reminiscent of the Cold War, and should speak to Moscow with "one voice" to get its interests heard, Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky told AFP on Friday.
US to deploy new aircraft carrier to Middle East as Trump warns Iran
The United States was preparing on Friday to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East after President Donald Trump warned of "traumatic" consequences if Tehran failed to agree a deal over its nuclear programme.
Stocks trend lower as AI disruption worries move to fore
Stock indexes were mostly lower Friday as investors remained cautious after heavy selling of companies seen vulnerable to AI deployment and concerns about tech sector valuations more broadly.
US consumer inflation eases more than expected to lowest since May
Consumer inflation in the United States cooled slightly more than expected in January, government data showed Friday, as energy prices dipped.
Germany's Merz urges US to repair ties with Europe
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged Friday a rift had opened up between Europe and the United States but issued an appeal to Washington: "Let's repair and revive transatlantic trust together."
Europe seeks new 'partnership' with US at security gathering
German leader Friedrich Merz called Friday for "a new transatlantic partnership" between the United States and Europe, as he rallied officials at a top security conference under heavy pressure from US President Donald Trump.
Russia, Ukraine to hold talks in Geneva on February 17-18
Russia and Ukraine will hold US-brokered talks on February 17-18 in Geneva, both countries said Friday, announcing the next leg in fraught negotiations seeking to end the four-year war.
Stocks mostly drop after Wall Street slide
European and Asian stock markets mostly fell Friday following another tech-led plunge on Wall Street as investors reassess their vast AI investments.
Activist group Palestine Action wins legal challenge against UK ban
London's high court on Friday upheld a challenge to a government ban on activist group Palestine Action, saying the proscription had interfered with the right to freedom of speech.
Europe defends NATO, US ties at security gathering
European leaders strove to shore up relations with the United States and insisted they were strengthening their defences as they gathered for a security conference on Friday under heavy pressure from President Donald Trump.
Bangladesh nationalists celebrate landslide win, Islamists cry foul
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) celebrated a landslide victory on Friday in the first elections held since a deadly 2024 uprising, with leader Tarique Rahman to become prime minister.
Thai PM agrees coalition with Thaksin-backed party
Thai caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's conservative party, which won a stunning election victory at the weekend, agreed to form a coalition with jailed ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's party, both announced on Friday.
Merz, Macron to address first day of Munich security meet
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will Friday address the first day of the Munich Security Conference at a time of strained ties between Europe and the United States.
Asian stocks track Wall St down as traders rethink tech bets
Asian stock markets fell Friday following another tech-led plunge on Wall Street as investors reassess their vast AI investments, while attention was also turning to US inflation data later in the day.
Tourists empty out of Cuba as US fuel blockade bites
With rolling power cuts, hotel closures, and flight routes suspended for lack of fuel, tourists are gradually emptying out of Cuba, deepening a severe crisis on the cash-strapped island.
Bangladesh political heir Tarique Rahman poised for PM
Long overshadowed by his parents and heir to one of Bangladesh's most powerful political dynasties, Tarique Rahman has finally stepped into the spotlight.
Asian stocks track Wall St down but AI shift tempers losses
Most Asian stock markets fell Friday following another tech-led plunge on Wall Street as investors reassess their vast AI investments, while attention was also turning to US inflation data later in the day.
Bangladesh's BNP claim 'sweeping' election win
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday claimed a thumping win in the first elections held since a deadly 2024 uprising, with leader Tarique Rahman poised to become prime minister.
Drones, sirens, army posters: How four years of war changed a Russian city
A drone whirred through a shopping centre in the Russian city of Voronezh as Shaman, an operator for the Russian army, showed shoppers one of the devices that have dominated the battlefield in Ukraine.
North Korea warns of 'terrible response' if South sends more drones
North Korea on Friday threatened a "terrible response" if it detects any more drones buzzing across the border from the South.
Diplomacy, nukes and parades: what to watch at North Korea's next party congress
North Korea will hold a landmark party congress at the end of February, a political showcase that will lay out the nation's foreign policy, war planning and nuclear ambitions for the next five years.
Bangladesh's BNP heading for 'sweeping' election win
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman is heading for a thumping win in the first elections held since a deadly 2024 uprising, Bangladeshi TV stations projected Friday.
Venezuela amnesty bill postponed amid row over application
Venezuelan lawmakers on Thursday postponed the adoption of a landmark amnesty bill designed to end the use of courts to crack down on dissent after failing to reach an agreement on how to apply it.
Australia's Liberals elect net zero opponent as new leader
Australia's centre-right opposition Liberal Party on Friday elected as leader a conservative who lobbied to drop its commitment to net zero emissions, local media reported.
N. Korea warns of 'terrible response' if more drone incursions from South
North Korea on Friday threatened a "terrible response" in the event of another drone incursion from the South, after Seoul announced a probe into a cross-border incident reported last month.
Tech shares pull back ahead of US inflation data
Wall Street stocks tumbled Thursday following another pullback in tech shares as markets look ahead to a key inflation reading.
Rubio heads to Munich to heap pressure on Europeans
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to the Munich Security Conference, which opens Friday, with the aim of keeping the pressure on Europe, though the tone is expected to be less confrontational than last year.
Less glamour, more content, says Wim Wenders of Berlin Film Fest
Berlin Film Festival jury president Wim Wenders said Thursday that this year's 76th edition of the festival would have "less glamour" but "more content" in its eclectic selection.
What is going on with Iran-US talks?
Iran and the United States have yet to set a date for a new round of talks after an initial encounter last week on the contested Iranian nuclear programme but, for now, US President Donald Trump is not rushing to launch military action against the Islamic republic.