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WTO chief urges China to shift on trade surplus
The head of the World Trade Organization on Friday urged China to change its growth model, arguing that its soaring trade surplus was ultimately unsustainable and risked sparking new trade barriers.
Vonn hoping to return to USA after fourth surgery on broken leg
Lindsey Vonn said Friday that she is hoping to return to the United States once she undergoes a planned fourth surgery on the broken leg she suffered in the crash which dashed her hopes of Winter Olympics glory.
Trump sending second aircraft carrier to pile pressure on Iran
US President Donald Trump said Friday he was sending a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East -- warning it would be a "bad day for Iran" if it fails to make a deal on its nuclear program.
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.
Mercedes have 'taken a step back': Russell
George Russell produced the second fastest time in Friday's pre-season testing, behind only his teammate Kimi Antonelli, but the English driver still insisted Mercedes had 'taken a step back' in Sakhir.
Madagascar cyclone death toll rises to 40, water, power still out
The death toll from Cyclone Gezani rose to 40 on Friday, three days after its passage across Madagascar, as officials struggled to restore widespread cuts to power and water supplies.
Earl says England inspired by last year's Calcutta Cup
Ben Earl believes the way England ended their Calcutta Cup drought last year can help them to yet more Six Nations success against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.
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.
USA romp past Dutch in T20 World Cup to keep Super Eight hopes alive
The United States, led by Saiteja Mukkamalla's 79 and Harmeet Singh's 4-21, dominated with bat and ball to thrash the Netherlands by 93 runs in the T20 World Cup on Friday.
De Minaur scraps past local legend van de Zandschulp
Australian Alex de Minaur had to dig deep Friday with a battling performance to sneak past local hero Botic van de Zandschulp and book his place in the Rotterdam Open semi-final.
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.
Ghana rallies round traditional tunic after foreign mockery
Ghanaians have rushed to defend their colourful handwoven "fugu" smocks after President John Mahama's wearing of the loose-fitting traditional garment on a recent state visit to Zambia caused an online storm.
Forest set to hire former Wolves boss Pereira: reports
Nottingham Forest are set to appoint Vitor Pereira as their fourth manager this season, according to reports on Friday.
England rugby captain Itoje slams Ratcliffe's 'ridiculous' immigration comments
England rugby union captain Maro Itoje has labelled Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's controversial comments about immigration as "ridiculous" and "wrong".
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 Congress impasse over immigration set to trigger partial shutdown
A prolonged impasse between US lawmakers over immigration enforcement threatens to ensnare the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a partial government shutdown beginning Saturday, following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
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.
Ubisoft targets new decade of 'Rainbow 6' with China expansion
Troubled French games giant Ubisoft will strive to project confidence this weekend with a massive esports event for its shooter "Rainbow Six Siege", while hoping a reorganisation and expansion to China can keep the money rolling in.
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.
Spurs set to hire Tudor as interim boss until end of season: reports
Tottenham are set to hire Igor Tudor as interim manager until the end of the season after Thomas Frank's dismissal, according to reports on Friday.
International crew en route to space station
Four astronauts were on their way to the International Space Station Friday after they successfully embarked on their research mission to the orbiting laboratory.
Man City's Rodri charged over ref rant
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been charged by the English Football Association after saying referees have to be "neutral" following his side's controversial clash with Tottenham.
Italian biathlete Passler cleared to compete at Olympics despite positive test
Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler has been cleared to compete in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics after a successful appeal to the Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) following a failed drugs test last month.
Macron slams 'antisemitic hydra' as he honours 2006 Jewish murder victim
President Emmanuel Macron Friday denounced what he described as an "antisemitic hydra" that had crept into "every crack" of society two decades after Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old French Jewish man, was tortured to death.
Tuipulotu warns England to beware 'desperate' Scotland in Six Nations
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu believes his "desperate" side can take heart from England's example as they look to revive their fortunes with victory over the 'Auld Enemy' in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.
Cash-starved French hospitals ask public to pitch in
Cash-strapped and running out of options, a public hospital in southwestern France has turned to an unlikely source of rescue: potential patients.
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.
Fresh water leak adds to Louvre museum woes
After a break-in, strikes and a ticket fraud scandal, the beleaguered Louvre museum in Paris said Friday it had suffered a water leak in its most-visited wing, the second flood in three months.
Floods wreak havoc in Morocco farmlands after severe drought
In the Moroccan village of Ouled Salama, 63-year-old farmer Mohamed Reouani waded through his crops, now submerged by floodwaters after days of heavy downpours.
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.