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Hamas to free three Israeli hostages in latest Gaza swap
Hamas said it would release three Israelis on Saturday in the fifth hostage-prisoner swap between the militants and Israel as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal, in exchange for 183 prisoners to be freed from Israeli jails.
Despite Trump, Mexico avocado farmers see no end of Super Bowl demand
Despite Donald Trump's tariff threats, Mexican farmers working flat out to meet Super Bowl fans' appetite for guacamole believe that, as long as they keep growing avocados, people will keep buying them.
'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 hosts Japan PM, threatens tariffs
President Donald Trump on Friday threatened tariffs on Japanese goods if the US trade deficit with Tokyo is not equalized, as he met Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Washington.
Macron says AI should not be 'Wild West'
Development of artificial intelligence (AI) should not be an unregulated "Wild West", French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday ahead of a global summit on the technology in Paris.
Trump demands US aid agency closure despite tumult
President Donald Trump on Friday called for USAID to be shut down, in an escalation of his unprecedented campaign to dismantle the massive government aid agency that has prompted confusion and chaos among its global network.
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.
India PM Modi to meet Trump in US visit next week: foreign ministry
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet President Donald Trump during a trip to the United States next week, the foreign ministry in New Delhi said on Friday.
Venezuela brands Rubio a 'thief' over US jet seizure
Venezuela on Friday slammed the US seizure of one of its government planes as "brazen theft" and branded President Donald Trump's top diplomat a "thief" as Washington renewed its hard line on Nicolas Maduro's regime.
UN rights council launches probe of abuses in east DRC
The UN Human Rights Council launched an investigation Friday into alleged violations and abuses committed in the deadly clashes gripping the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Russia says captured key mining town of Toretsk in east Ukraine
Russia said Friday its forces had seized the mining town of Toretsk in east Ukraine after months of heavy fighting, the biggest town Moscow claims to have taken in recent months.
US envoy says Hezbollah 'defeated', must not be in Lebanon government
A senior US official visiting Beirut warned Friday against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government, saying the Iran-backed group was "defeated" in its war with Israel.
Hamas and Israel set for next Gaza truce exchange
Israel and Hamas are due to exchange more hostages and prisoners Saturday, but the backlash over President Donald Trump's proposal for a US Gaza takeover casts doubt over the fragile truce's future.
Campaigning ends as violence-weary Ecuadorans eye Sunday vote
Ecuador's dueling presidential campaigns fell silent Friday, as a ban entered into force ahead of Sunday's keenly fought election.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
'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.
Emigration and war hit once-booming Belarus tech sector
A project manager in Belarus's once-flourishing tech industry, Andrei Dorin admits his sector is in "crisis".
Trump's Gaza plan derails Saudi-Israel ties: analysts
US President Donald Trump's plan to take over Gaza will imperil attempts to forge landmark ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel and fuel anti-American sentiment in the oil-rich kingdom, analysts said.
AI starts to help India's struggling farms
Each morning Indian farmer R Murali opens an app on his phone to check if his pomegranate trees need watering, fertiliser or are at risk from pests.
Asian markets mixed ahead of key US jobs data
Asian equities were mixed on Friday as investors headed into the weekend awaiting the release of US jobs data, while traders kept a nervous eye on Washington where the Trump administration is pressing ahead with a hardball trade agenda.
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.
Kenya deploys additional 144 police to Haiti
A new contingent of Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on Thursday to bolster a UN-backed security mission, AFP journalists observed, as the United States reiterated its support but called for a "new direction."
Judge pauses Musk plan for mass cull of US govt workers
A judge on Thursday paused 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.
Rubio renews US hard line with Venezuela plane seizure
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday supervised the seizure of a second aircraft belonging to Venezuela's leftist government in less than a year, showing a hard line despite nascent diplomacy.
Judge pauses Musk plan for mass US govt cull
A judge paused a scheme masterminded by billionaire Elon Musk to slash the US government by encouraging federal workers to quit through a mass buyout by midnight Thursday.
Mexican troop deployment met with skepticism on US border
Mexican armed troops guard the fence snaking along the US border as part of a deal with President Donald Trump, who delayed tariffs on Mexico in exchange for increased efforts against illegal migration and fentanyl smuggling.
DR Congo conflict advances as UN calls for peace
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group continued its advance Thursday through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and looked poised to seize a strategic town, as United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called for peace.
Ecuador presidential candidates sprint to campaign finish
Ecuador's dueling presidential hopefuls made a last-ditch pitch to late-deciding voters Thursday, wrapping a bitter campaign dominated by surging cartel violence and economic crisis.
We will not be bullied, says S.Africa president after US barbs
South Africa will not be bullied, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a national address Thursday, after criticism this week of his government from senior US officials including President Donald Trump.