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Economy
Stocks gain on AI optimism, US rate-cut hopes
Stock markets mostly rose Friday driven by investor optimism over AI and US rate-cut hopes, which overshadowed concerns about a government shutdown dragging on.
Sports
France captain Dupont bemoans 'restrictive' Top 14 salary cap
France captain Antoine Dupont has launched a broadside at French rugby bosses, claiming that salary cap controls in the Top 14 are "too invasive" for the players.
Sports
Maresca denies Chelsea 'discipline problem' after spate of red cards
Enzo Maresca said Friday he does not believe his Chelsea team have a "discipline problem" following a spate of red cards as he prepares for the visit of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Sports
Aston Martin's Alonso quickest in first practice for Singapore GP
Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso was fastest in first practice for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc second and Red Bull's Max Verstappen third.
Taylor Swift strides into 'Showgirl' era with sparkling new album
Taylor Swift is in a sparkling new era.
Munich airport closure 'wake-up call' over drone danger: govt
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Friday that the temporary closure of Munich airport after drone sightings was a "wake-up call" about the threat from drones, which have caused a string of similar aviation disruptions across Europe.
Things to know
EU-member Luxembourg enthrones monarch, drawing hundreds
Hundreds of people, including European royalty, thronged Luxembourg Friday to witness the enthronement of Grand Duke Guillaume as monarch after his father, Henri, officially abdicated ending a 25-year reign in the tiny EU nation.
Sports
Bellingham left out of England squad for October games
Jude Bellingham was a notable omission from Thomas Tuchel's England squad announced on Friday for this month's double-header against Wales and Latvia.
Boulevard
Sarah Mullally appointed first woman to lead Church of England
Sarah Mullally was on Friday named the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England -- which can trace its origins to the Roman empire -- and the global Anglican community.
Economy
Carrefour name disappears from Arab stores as Israel boycotters claim victory
The Carrefour name has disappeared from storefronts in some Arab countries, with pro-Palestinian shoppers and activists hailing the shift as a victory for their boycott of brands perceived as being linked to Israel.
Sports
Brignone will give her all to be ready for Winter Olympics
World Cup champion Federica Brignone, who suffered a horror injury at the end of last season, doesn't know if she will be able to ski this winter but the Italian wants to "give her all" to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics on home soil.
Organisers say last Gaza flotilla boat intercepted by Israel
The organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said Israel intercepted its last remaining boat on Friday, after the interceptions of its fellow vessels drew protests worldwide.
Sports
Jurel, Jadeja power India's lead to 164 against West Indies
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja hit half-centuries to stretch India's lead to 164 against the West Indies on day two of the first Test on Friday.
Politics
Philippine military chief says rejected calls to oust Marcos
The Philippine military chief said Friday he rejected calls for the armed forces to topple President Ferdinand Marcos as Manila was rocked by street protests last month against government corruption.
Politics
Hamas says still needs time to study Trump's Gaza plan
A Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the group still needed time to study a plan put forward by US President Donald Trump to end nearly two years of devastating war in Gaza.
Sports
World champion Marquez crashes twice in Indonesia MotoGP practice
Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez fell twice on Friday in a crash-filled practice for the Indonesia MotoGP as Marco Bezzecchi clocked a blistering fastest time.
Politics
UK on 'high alert' following synagogue terror attack
Britain was on heightened alert Friday to ensure the Jewish community's safety following an attack outside a Manchester synagogue on a Jewish holiday that killed two people and seriously injured three.
Boulevard
Finland dismisses case over Baltic cable cuts
A Helsinki court on Friday dismissed a case against three members of a ship from Russia's "shadow fleet" suspected of cutting Baltic Sea cables, saying it was beyond its jurisdiction.
Sports
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson ruled out until after international break
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out until after this month's international break after injuring his hamstring in the Champions League defeat at Galatasaray.
Economy
Russia-linked tanker stopped by France resumes voyage: vessel trackers
A tanker from Russia's "shadow fleet" detained by the French navy was heading towards the Suez Canal Friday with its captain back on board, according to data from maritime websites and a source close to the case.
Politics
Hamas official says group still needs time to study Trump's Gaza plan
A Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the group still needed time to study a plan for Gaza put forward by US President Donald Trump and backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sports
Goffin beats Shelton in first Shanghai Masters shock
The United States' Ben Shelton on Friday became the first top-10 seed to be booted out of the Shanghai Masters, beaten by 83rd-ranked David Goffin in straight sets.
Sports
Ton-up Rahul, Gill steer India into lead in West Indies Test
Opener KL Rahul hit an unbeaten century and together with skipper Shubman Gill steered a dominant India into a 56-run lead over the West Indies on day two of the first Test on Friday.
Economy
Spain's Benidorm embraces its Franco-era mass tourism model
Fifty years after General Francisco Franco's death, Benidorm still clings to the mass tourism model it pioneered under his dictatorship, even as protests against overtourism sweep other Spanish holiday hotspots.
Politics
Not all 'A's: Unconventional paths that led to Nobels
Some Nobel laureates were straight-A students from the get-go. But others AFP spoke to recounted how they cut class, got expelled, and had doubts about their future.
Boulevard
New York judge to sentence Sean 'Diddy' Combs after blockbuster trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs will be sentenced Friday for his conviction on two prostitution-related counts, crimes prosecutors say deserve more than a decade behind bars as the music mogul seeks "mercy" and a swift release.
Taylor Swift strides into 'Showgirl' era with sparkly new album
Taylor Swift is in a sparkling new era.
Nature
Typhoon Bualoi death toll in Vietnam tops 50
The death toll from Typhoon Bualoi in Vietnam rose above 50, the government said Friday, with more than a dozen people still missing days after the storm triggered widespread flooding.
Education
Indonesia free meals programme under fire after thousands sickened
Indonesian families whose children were offered free school meals are joining non-profit groups calling for the flagship government programme to be suspended after thousands of students fell ill from the food.
Sports
South Korea's Hwang charges into Hawaii LPGA lead
South Korean Hwang You-min fired a career-best 10-under-par 62 to surge into a three-stroke lead on Thursday after 36 holes in the LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii.
Economy
Munich airport resumes flights after drone sightings trigger closure
Germany's Munich airport restarted flights on Friday after several drone sightings forced its closure overnight, the latest in a string of similar aviation disruptions across Europe.
Sports
Wallabies vow to send Slipper off on a high against All Blacks
Captain Harry Wilson on Friday told Australia to send off "ultimate team man" James Slipper with a performance to be proud of in their must-win Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand.