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Pragmatism, not patriotism, pushes young Lithuanians to military service
Outside a high school classroom in Vilnius, several students look apprehensive as they discuss their looming futures -– university, the job market and, for many of them, serving in the military.
No.2 Korda boosts LPGA Chevron lead to six
Nelly Korda made the best 36-hole major start of her career on Friday, firing a second consecutive seven-under par 65 to seize a six-stroke lead at the LPGA Chevron Championship.
Peru confirms election runoff date, court says no to Lima re-vote
Peru's electoral tribunal on Friday rejected calls for a new election in Lima following irregularities during the April 12 vote and confirmed a presidential runoff will be held June 7.
Venezuela, Colombia pledge military cooperation on first post-Maduro visit
Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez and her Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro pledged military cooperation to combat "mafias" on their shared border, as Petro became the first foreign leader to visit Venezuela since the ouster of strongman Nicolas Maduro.
US hopes for progress, but Iran says not direct talks
Iran's foreign minister arrived in Islamabad on Friday and US envoys headed to the Pakistani capital in a bid to kickstart a new round of peace negotiations amid a fragile ceasefire.
Maine governor nixes data center moratorium in state
The governor of Maine on Friday vetoed a temporary ban on building large data centers that aimed to rein in rampant construction driven by the AI race.
Betis's Bellerin further dents Real Madrid title hopes
Former Barcelona defender Hector Bellerin snatched Real Betis a late point in a 1-1 La Liga draw against Real Madrid on Friday to do his former side a favour in the Spanish title race.
Lens rally but title bid fades after draw at Brest
Lens fought back from three goals down to earn a 3–3 draw at Brest on Friday, but the result all but extinguished their hopes of prising the Ligue 1 title away from Paris Saint‑Germain.
OpenAI CEO apologizes to Canada town for not reporting mass shooter
OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has apologized to a Canadian town devastated by a February mass shooting, saying he was "deeply sorry" the company did not notify police about the killer's troubling ChatGPT account.
UK PM vows legislation to ban Iran Guards: report
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to propose legislation within weeks to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a report said Friday.
Leipzig tighten top-four grip as Union's Eta suffers second loss
RB Leipzig moved closer to a Champions League return after thumping Union Berlin 3-1 at home on Friday and handing coach Marie-Louise Eta her second straight Bundesliga defeat.
Furyk named USA captain for 2027 Ryder Cup
Jim Furyk was named United States captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup on Friday by the PGA of America, tasking him with obtaining the first US triumph in Europe since 1993.
S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as Intel shares surge
Major Wall Street indices closed at fresh records as markets cheered the latest batch of earnings reports and US and Iranian officials headed to Pakistan for expected peace talks.
EU, US sign critical minerals plan to counter China reliance
The European Union and United States signed an agreement Friday to coordinate on the supply of critical minerals needed for key industries including defense, as China's dominance becomes a growing concern.
The 'housewives' did well -- Ukraine takes drone know-how abroad
Like something straight out of a spy movie, lots of cloak and dagger was required before AFP could meet three Ukrainian drone manufacturers on the fringes of a hush-hush defence forum in Paris earlier this month.
Court removes US businessman from managing his Brazilian football team
An arbitration court in Brazil has removed US businessman John Textor from managing Botafogo football team, which he owns, the Brazilian club announced Friday.
'Natural' birth control risks unwanted pregnancy, experts warn
After taking the pill for a decade, Elodie Monnier Legrand decided to try "natural" birth control, an increasingly popular trend that requires tracking fertility to avoid becoming pregnant.
No.2 Korda boosts LPGA Chevron lead to seven
Nelly Korda made the best 36-hole major start of her career on Friday, firing a second consecutive seven-under par 65 to seize a seven-stroke-lead at the LPGA Chevron Championship.
EU trade chief seeks 'positive traction' on US steel tariffs
The EU is seeking more progress in easing the effects of US steel tariffs, its trade chief Maros Sefcovic said Friday, adding that talks are "going in a positive direction."
Anthropic says Google to pump $40 bn into AI startup
Google is planning to invest up to $40 billion in Anthropic, the artificial intelligence firm confirmed Friday, expanding a long-standing alliance between the two companies.
Kohli makes Gujarat pay as Bengaluru cruise to IPL win
Virat Kohli punished Gujarat Titans for dropping him on nought with a blistering half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru breezed to a five-wicket victory In the Indian Premier League on Friday.
One injured in bomb attack on Colombia military base
A bomb attack against a military base in the Colombian city of Cali wounded one person on Friday, health authorities said, amid fears of violence ahead of May 31 presidential elections.
Envoys from Iran, US expected in Pakistan for new talks
Iran's foreign minister and envoys of US President Donald Trump were heading to Pakistan, their respective governments said Friday, in the first concrete sign of movement on renewed peace negotiations in nearly two weeks.
ILO names US official as number two amid grumbling over unpaid dues
After months of delay, the UN labour agency has appointed Trump administration official Sheng Li as its deputy director general, despite Washington's failure to pay its dues for two years.
Son of director Rob Reiner pays tribute to slain parents
Slain Hollywood director Rob Reiner's son Jake paid an emotional tribute Friday to his parents, allegedly slain by his brother Nick, calling it "almost too impossible to process."
AI united Altman and Musk, then drove them apart
Elon Musk and Sam Altman bonded over artificial intelligence in a project that became OpenAI, but a clash of visions will see the polarizing figures face off in court in a trial that opens next week.
Sinner overcomes Bonzi in record hunt at Madrid Open
Jannik Sinner took a first step towards a potential record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the Madrid Open second round on Friday.
Havana property market stirs as investors bet on political change
Havana's real estate market is showing glimmers of revival as investors bet that a political and economic revolution is coming to the Communist-governed island.
Children's lives at risk from US funding cuts to vaccine alliance: CEO
The head of a global vaccine organisation told AFP on Friday that aid cuts by the United States and other donors have forced it to slash its malaria programme in Africa, threatening tens of thousands of children's lives.
Brazil's Lula has surgery to remove skin lesion from scalp
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva underwent surgery Friday that removed a lesion on his scalp, less than six months before the presidential elections.
Defending champion Alcaraz to miss French Open with wrist injury
Two-time reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said on Friday he will not play at this year's tournament as he recovers from a wrist injury.
Battle lines drawn over EU's next big budget
EU leaders had their swords already drawn when they plunged into intense discussions Friday over the 27-country bloc's next seven-year budget, with the usual frugal nations pushing to contain spending.