Chwalinska, the 'tennis freak' making Roland Garros history
Just two weeks ago, few but the most die-hard of tennis fans would have been familiar with the name Maja Chwalinska.
Politics
A sea drone exploded early Friday in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta without causing casualties, officials said, a week after an aerial drone injured two when it crashed into an apartment building in the country.
Economy
The eurozone recorded an unexpected contraction in the first three months of 2026 due to a steep slump in Ireland's economic figures, according to revised data issued on Friday.
Politics
Some 1.47 million people are displaced in gang-ravaged Haiti, the United Nations' migration agency said Friday, warning that its ability to help could dry up within months.
Sports
Ollie Robinson celebrated a five-wicket haul on his return to England Test duty as New Zealand were dismissed for just 113 on day two of the first Test at Lord's on Friday.
Sports
Philippe Saint-Andre told AFP many people had said he "was mad" to coach French second tier rugby side Aix-en-Provence but he has proved them wrong as if they beat Vannes in Saturday's play-off final they will be promoted to the Top 14 for the first time.
Politics
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday distanced himself from an alleged plot to sabotage investigations into his entourage and Socialist party that has intensified pressure on a government already beset by legal woes.
Oil prices slipped and stock markets were mixed Friday as traders reacted to Mideast war developments and concerns over the AI sector.
Boulevard
France's government on Friday grappled with outrage over an 11-year-old girl's killing after it emerged that the main suspect was previously accused of sexually abusing children.
Nature
Tuvalu's prime minister voiced disappointment Friday over the island nation's fossil fuel holdings, after AFP revealed a trust fund for the climate change-threatened state had invested in oil and coal.
Sports
Serena Williams will take part in the women's doubles at June's WTA event in Berlin, organisers announced Friday, the next stop in her comeback after a near four-year absence.
Nature
France's ambition to compete in the global rush to build artifical intelligence data centres is dividing a small village outside Paris, where a massive planned facility stokes both hope for an economic dividend and fears of disruption.
Health
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who suffers from an incurable lung disease and whose health has recently deteriorated, has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant, the royal palace announced Friday.
Politics
Britain's disgraced former prince Andrew earned a private income from subletting cottages while paying a symbolic "peppercorn rent" for a mansion for over two decades, government auditors revealed Friday.
Politics
The US Senate on Friday approved $70 billion in funding for Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, but only after a long day of votes on multiple amendments that highlighted Republican infighting over some of the president's other contentious policy proposals.
Nature
The Dutch climate pressure group that won a landmark court case against Shell has been plunged into turmoil after its boss jumped ship to Tata Steel, only to be sacked a day later over his pro-apartheid past.
Politics
France's government was on Friday assessing possible judicial failings, after allegations investigators could have prevented a 11-year-old girl's disappearance by better dealing with previous sexual abuse complaints.
Sports
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has signed a contract extension that will take him to the end of the 2031 Rugby World Cup, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Friday.
Politics
Israel's air force struck a Lebanese village on Friday following warnings for several areas of imminent attacks against Hezbollah, after the Iran-backed militants rejected a truce brokered by the United States.
Sports
Cam Roigard and Ruben Love gave another glimpse of their potential All Blacks combination on Friday as the Wellington Hurricanes hammered the ACT Brumbies 66-12 to roll into the Super Rugby semi-finals.
Politics
The UN on Friday more than doubled its aid appeal for Lebanon as the country reels from Israel's war against Iran-backed Hezbollah, saying nearly $640 million was needed over six months.
Things to know
The yacht is docked, the paparazzi have arrived, and Dua Lipa and Callum Turner -- the celebrity newlyweds set to party in Sicily this weekend -- have been spotted at their five-star hotel.
Sports
The 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to be named in India's T20 squad while skipper Suryakumar Yadav could get the axe when selectors meet on Saturday, according to reports.
Sports
Japan's World Cup squad had to twice change their training pitches in Mexico because of the poor condition of the fields, Japanese media said, in a turbulent start to preparations.
Nature
As dawn breaks over Nigeria's Okomu National Park, an exhausted wildlife caretaker prepares milk formula for Agbaibor, a months-old orphaned forest elephant rescued after wandering out of the rainforest alone.
Economy
Despite facing up to 10 years in jail on fraud charges for allegedly luring people into putting their savings into an Albania-based cryptocurrency investment scam, Jon shows zero remorse.
Nature
Trainers clad in ornate uniforms and traditional white fur headgear led golden-bedecked stallions round a stage arena at an annual horse beauty pageant in the ultra-closed Central Asian state of Turkmenistan.
Politics
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea next week, state media said Friday, the latest in a series of high-level summits as Beijing asserts its position as a diplomatic superpower on the world stage.
Things to know
An "extremely intelligent" bear that injured four people in northern Japan remains at large as of Friday, after apparently unlatching a window while evading capture and turning on a water tap, officials said.
Sports
Aidan O'Brien saddles four runners in Saturday's Epsom Derby and has a chance of sweeping the first three places, just as he did in last weekend's French equivalent (Prix du Jockey Club).
Sports
With its team already hailed as heroes and under the star guidance of Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan will make its first appearance at the 2026 tournament with no pressure from fans back home.
Things to know
Wildlife officers have busted an illegal cockroach-breeding operation in rural Australia, seizing a skin-crawling haul worth more than $100,000 on the black market for exotic bugs.
Sports
Jennifer Kupcho made a hot start in firing a five-under-par 66 for a one-shot lead in the first round of the US Women's Open at Riviera Country Club on Thursday.
Economy
Asian equities went into reverse Friday on continued worries about the AI trade after disappointing forecasts from chip titan Broadcom, while investors were also keeping a wary eye on stuttering Middle East peace efforts.
Sports
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend game three of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday, saying he accepted an invitation from New York Knicks owner James Dolan.
Culture
Many German families have faced the uncomfortable question: What did grandpa do during the war? Now, the answer may be just a few clicks away -- but it may not be what they wanted to hear.
Sports
Long before the first punch lands at President Donald Trump's unprecedented hosting of a UFC fight on the White House lawn, some in the usually ultra-pro-Trump mixed martial arts community are already throwing political blows.
Politics
Colombia's outgoing President Gustavo Petro tore into his US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday for supporting a hard-right candidate to succeed him, accusing Washington of allying itself with the "narco-traffickers" it professes to combat.
Technology
New York City's first set of rules for the use of artificial intelligence in public schools is being called weak by many parents who favor a stricter approach.
Politics
Russia's Vladimir Putin will address a flagship investment forum in Saint Petersburg on Friday, as the war in Ukraine drags the economy into stagnation and days after brazen Ukrainian drone strikes rocked his home city.