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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday discussed the "possibility" of direct talks with Ukraine in a meeting with a US envoy, the Kremlin said, while President Donald Trump claimed the warring parties were "very close to a deal".

US rookies Kevin Velo and Isaiah Salinda grabbed a one-stroke lead after Friday's alternate-shot second round of the PGA Zurich Classic while defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry charged into contention.

A gathering of global economic leaders in Washington wraps up Saturday with tariff talks between the United States and partners still unresolved -- and anxiety building over the state of the global economy.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he's "relatively optimistic" forward Jimmy Butler will play game three of their NBA playoff series against Houston despite suffering a pelvic contusion in game two.

Ange Postecoglou is hoping the 'Stonecutter's Credo' can help Tottenham salvage a season that has gone "disastrously wrong" by winning the Europa League.

Paris Saint-Germain saw their unbeaten record in Ligue 1 this season finally ended in a 3-1 home defeat against Nice on Friday, just ahead of their Champions League semi-final showdown against Arsenal.

Venezuela's attorney general accused Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele of "human trafficking" and suggested he face international justice for accepting cash to jail deportees from the United States.

Al Ahly defender Yasser Ibrahim conceded a 90th-minute own goal to give Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa a place in the CAF Champions League final, where they will face another Egyptian club, Pyramids.

A shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least 20 people injured, damaged more than 100 buildings and caused widespread power cuts in the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday.

Wall Street stocks overcame early weakness Friday to push higher for a fourth straight positive session, following gains in most overseas equity markets.

The death of Pope Francis drew tributes from mourners around the world -- and with them a wave of disinformation, old and new.

Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera produced a irresistible drive on Friday to win all six special stages and take an impressive lead in the Rally Islas Canarias into the weekend.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday rejected suggestions Ukraine give up Crimea to Russia, as US President Donald Trump's envoy met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the Kremlin said they discussed the "possibility" of direct ceasefire talks.

Fast bowler Harshal Patel grabbed four wickets and Kamindu Mendis showed his allround skill as Sunrisers Hyderabad upstaged Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in Chennai on Friday.

Real Madrid said complaints made by Copa del Rey final referees against pressure from the club's television channel were 'unacceptable' on Friday, after pulling out of planned pre-match activities.

Luigi Mangione, accused of gunning down an insurance executive in cold blood in a slaying that has divided Americans, pleaded not guilty to murder charges Friday, after he was arraigned in court.

Federal agents on Friday arrested a US judge for allegedly shielding an undocumented migrant, escalating a struggle between the White House and courts over President Donald Trump's hardline deportation policies.

Brazil's former president Fernando Collor de Mello was arrested and taken to prison Friday to begin serving a nearly nine-year sentence for corruption and money laundering, the latest former leader to face jail time.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday rejected suggestions Ukraine give up Crimea to Russia, as Donald Trump's envoy met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the Kremlin said they discussed the "possibility" of direct ceasefire talks.

Real Madrid refused to partake in planned Copa del Rey final related activities on Friday because they were angry at complaints made by the match officials earlier in the day, the club told media in Seville.

Trinidad and Tobago votes in parliamentary elections Monday that will determine whether Prime Minister Stuart Young stays in power as the twin-island Caribbean nation battles an economic slump and a rise in gang violence.

The head of the International Monetary Fund said Friday that financial leaders meeting in Washington this week had shown a "remarkably constructive spirit," despite the uncertainty from Donald Trump's tariff plans.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared for fresh nuclear talks with the United States in Oman on Friday after apparent progress in previous rounds.

Some 250,000 people paid their respects to Pope Francis during a three-day lying in state at St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said on Friday, as public viewing ended and world leaders began gathering for his funeral.

A shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least 20 people injured, dozens of buildings damaged and knocked out power in the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick called on his young side to 'enjoy' fighting rivals Real Madrid in Saturday's Copa del Rey final in Seville.

Two months ago, Haider Ali waved goodbye to his wife as she left Pakistan, crossing the border to visit her family in India. Now the couple are not sure when they will see each other again.

Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, recovering from intestinal surgery, was in a stable condition Friday after a health setback that followed a court official serving him a summons in his hospital bed, hospital staff said.

Catholics and others in secular Cuba have been paying tribute to Pope Francis, praising in particular his efforts to reconcile the communist island with its powerful neighbor, the United States.

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin on Friday discussed the "possibility" of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine during a meeting in Moscow, the Kremlin said Friday.

Hundreds of mourners holding white flowers gathered on Friday at the French private school where a student killed a girl in a stabbing spree, as the prime minister suggested metal detectors to prevent future attacks.

German prosecutors asked for jail sentences Friday in the trial of four former Volkswagen managers accused of fraud in the "dieselgate" emissions-cheating scandal.

Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her quest for a third Madrid Open title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Anna Blinkova in second-round action at the Caja Magica on Friday.

The United States and European Union need to "de-escalate" and "negotiate a deal" to help boost lackluster growth on the continent, the International Monetary Fund's Europe director said Friday.

Russia on Friday accused Ukraine of being behind a car bombing that killed a senior general, the latest in a spate of assassinations of figures linked to Moscow's military offensive.

Unai Emery has set his sights on leading Aston Villa to their first FA Cup triumph since 1957 and completing a memorable end to the season by qualifying for the Champions League.

A shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least one person injured, dozens of buildings damaged and knocked out power in the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday.

After President Donald Trump's administration revoked hundreds of student visas and threatened deportation for participants of pro-Palestinian campus protests, international students told AFP they were reconsidering their dreams of earning degrees in the United States.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raised his country's new flag at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, in what he called a "historic" moment.