EU, US thaw trade tensions further with mollusc sales
The European Union and the United States signalled Friday a further thawing of trade tension as they agreed to resume trade in mussels, clams, oysters and scallops after a decade-long halt.
Read moreBeijing Olympics opens under shadow of rights fears and Covid
President Xi Jinping declared the Beijing Winter Olympics open Friday as China tried to turn the page on a build-up overshadowed by human rights concerns, Covid and a US-led diplomatic boycott.
Read moreBlinken to Australia next week for Quad group meeting
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Australia next week for a Quad group ministerial meeting also involving his counterparts from India and Japan to discuss maritime security and cooperation against Covid, the State Department said Friday.
Read more'Bruised' Root to captain England in West Indies despite Ashes flop
Joe Root was confirmed as England's Test captain for next month's tour of the West Indies on Friday despite the team's embarrassing flop in Australia as assistant coach Graham Thorpe became the latest Ashes casualty.
Read moreMosque-goers pray for rain in drought-scorched Morocco
Mosques held prayers for rain on Friday across the parched North African kingdom of Morocco where farmers are battling an acute drought.
Read moreNew Zealand-born Halafihi to make Italy debut in France Six Nations opener
Former Hurricanes back-rower Toa Halafihi will make his Italy debut in this weekend's Six Nations trip to France, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) said on Friday.
Read moreStoltenberg to leave NATO after battle to keep US in and Russia out
NATO's outgoing leader Jens Stoltenberg will leave the alliance late this year after a diplomatic battle to hold it together against outside threats and the clashing egos of its national leaders.
Read moreNATO chief Stoltenberg to head Norway central bank
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will take over as Norway's central bank governor at the end of the year, officials said Friday, a controversial choice that has already raised concerns about the bank's independence.
Read moreFrance prop Haouas given suspended jail sentence for theft
France prop Mohamed Haouas was convicted on Friday for his role in burglaries worth tens of thousands of euros at tobacco vendors in France in 2014.
Read moreMacron the mediator wades into Russia-Ukraine crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron will fly to Russia and Ukraine next week in an attempt to avert conflict between the neighbours, reprising his role as a crisis mediator that has produced limited results in the past.
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