Baltics Disconnect From Russian Power Grid Without Incident
The three Baltic states on Saturday seamlessly cut ties with Russia's power grid to integrate with the European Union's network, a switch that gained urgency with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Hamas Frees Three Israeli Hostages In Fifth Gaza Exchange
Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday, the fifth group freed under a fragile Gaza ceasefire, with Israel condemning their "cruel" handover and worrying physical appearance.
Baltics Begin Decoupling From Russian Power Grid
The Baltic states on Saturday began cutting ties with Russia's power grid in order to integrate with Europe's system, a years-long process that gained urgency with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Syrians Stuck In Camps After Finding Homes Destroyed
Mehdi al-Shayesh thought he would quickly resettle in his central Syrian home town after Bashar al-Assad was ousted, but like many others stuck in camps, he found his home uninhabitable.
A 50-year Crisis -- Ecuador's Next President Faces A Stern Test
In the throes of a bloody drug war, a shrinking economy and an acute energy crisis, Ecuadorans are remarkably optimistic about their country's future as they prepare to vote in Sunday election.
Sport And Politics Entwine As Trump Makes Historic Super Bowl Visit
Donald Trump will make history on Sunday when he becomes the first sitting US President to attend the Super Bowl, writing a new chapter in an often-strained relationship with the NFL that has been marked by decades of animosity.
Trump Flags Zelensky Meeting As Russia Claims Key Ukraine Town
US President Donald Trump said Friday he would "probably" meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky next week, as Russia said its forces had seized the key mining town of Toretsk in east Ukraine.
'Red Line': Arab-Americans Oppose Trump's Gaza Takeover Plan
In America's largest Arab enclave, where frustration with President Joe Biden's Gaza policy led many to back Donald Trump, anger is now growing over the president's explosive proposal to take control of the Palestinian territory.
Trump Demands US Aid Agency Closure Despite Tumult
President Donald Trump on Friday called for USAID to be shuttered, escalating his unprecedented campaign to dismantle the humanitarian agency.
Flowers In The Sand: Families Mourn Senegal Migrants Lost At Sea
Fatou Fall defiantly faced the ocean and sadly laid a flower on Mbao beach near Senegal's capital Dakar in memory of her husband -- one of many who left on perilous clandestine crossings for Europe but never returned.
DR Congo Conflict Advances As UN Warns Of Regional Escalation
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group was threatening another key town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, as the United Nations top rights body said it would launch an investigation into alleged violations and abuses during the deadly clashes gripping the African nation.
US Envoy Says Hezbollah 'Defeated', Must Not Be In Lebanon Government
A senior US official visiting Beirut warned on Friday against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government, saying the Iran-backed group was "defeated" in its war with Israel.
Trump's Trade Tempest: Week One
In just one week, US President Donald Trump's turbulent trade tussle with rivals and allies triggered tit-for-tat moves, more tariff threats and tense talks, leaving the world bracing for more.
OpenAI Says To Host Some Customers' Data In Europe
ChatGPT developer OpenAI said Thursday that it would allow some European customers to store and process data from conversations with its chatbots within the European Union, rather than on its infrastructure in the United States or elsewhere.
Amazon Profits Double, But Cautious Outlook Disappoints
E-commerce giant Amazon reported Thursday its fourth-quarter net income nearly doubled to $20 billion, driven by strong holiday sales, but its outlook for the coming quarter came in less than hoped for by analysts.
Big Tech's AI Spending Rattles Markets
E-commerce giant Amazon reported strong earnings Thursday but, like its big tech peers Microsoft and Google, saw its stock price fall on concerns over high AI investment costs.
Stock Markets, Dollar Mixed Before Key US Jobs Data
Global stock markets and the dollar diverged Friday as investors awaited US jobs data for signs of possible cuts to interest rates in the world's biggest economy.
'Lottery Ticket': Crypto Investors Brace For Bumpy Ride Under Trump
Nick was enjoying his Saturday off work in Pennsylvania when he received an unexpected and alarming message: cryptocurrencies, buoyed since Donald Trump's November 5 election win, were in freefall.
Taiwan Says Detects Six Chinese Balloons Near Island
Taiwan detected six Chinese balloons off the island, the defence ministry said Friday, as Beijing maintains military pressure to push its claim of sovereignty.
Germany Logs Record US Surplus Amid Trump Tariff Fears
Germany logged a record trade surplus with the United States last year, data showed Friday, news that could stoke tensions with US President Donald Trump as he threatens the EU with tariffs.
Hostage Families Urge Israel To Complete Gaza Truce Deal Ahead Of Swap
An Israeli campaign group urged the government on Friday to stick with the Gaza truce ahead of a fifth hostage-prisoner swap, after explosive comments by US President Donald Trump raised questions over the future of the deal.
Disgraced 'Emilia Perez' Star Vows To Remain 'Silent'
Actor Karla Sofia Gascon appeared to step back Friday from the Oscar campaign for her hit Netflix narco-musical "Emilia Perez" after her offensive past social media posts hit its chances of glory.
Putin Hails Russia's Strong 2024 Economic Growth
Russia reported strong economic growth for 2024 on Friday as record spending on the military offensive against Ukraine outweighed the impact of Western sanctions.
'Existential Threat': What Next For The ICC After US Sanctions?
US President Donald Trump's decision to slap sanctions on the International Criminal Court, set up to rule on humanity's worst crimes, sent shock waves around the world.
'Irresponsible' Or 'Antiwar': US Fighters In Ukraine Grapple With Trump
Tracey, an American fighting in Ukraine, got angry at social media posts from his friends back home calling for Washington to cut its support to Kyiv.
'Social Network' Star Eisenberg Slams Zuckerberg As 'Obsessed With Power'
Hollywood star Jesse Eisenberg, who played Mark Zuckerberg in 2010 hit "The Social Network", told AFP the Facebook owner had evolved from having "a sense of righteousness" into "somebody obsessed with power".
Baghdad's First Skatepark Offers Boarders Rare Respite
Rukaya al-Zubaidi placed a cautious foot on a skateboard and then struggled to find her balance as others glided back and forth at Baghdad's first park dedicated to the sport.
Judge Pauses Musk Plan For Mass Cull Of US Govt Workers
A judge on Thursday suspended a scheme masterminded by billionaire Elon Musk to slash the size of the US government by encouraging federal workers to quit through a mass buyout.
Trump, Swift Join Super Bowl Party As Chiefs Chase 'Three-peat'
The Kansas City Chiefs chase a historic hat-trick of Super Bowl titles when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles here Sunday as New Orleans hosts the NFL showpiece just five weeks after a deadly attack in the city's party district.
Scientists' Conference Kicks Off Global AI Summit In Paris
Global experts began debating the threats and promise of artificial intelligence (AI) at a gathering in Paris on Thursday and Friday, ahead of a summit of world leaders on the fast-moving technology.