Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

Iran's foreign minister was in Turkey on Friday as Ankara led a diplomatic push to mediate between Tehran and Washington, after US President Donald Trump cooled threats of an imminent strike on the Islamic republic.

Ukraine will halt long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities if Russia does the same, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in remarks released Friday, after Donald Trump raised hopes for a pause in attacks during freezing temperatures.

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing and his conglomerate CK Hutchison have been tied up in global US-China rivalry since announcing a controversial $19 billion sale of strategic ports in Panama last year.

Skiing great Lindsey Vonn crashed badly during the women's downhill race at Crans-Montana on Friday, just one week before the start of the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

Arne Slot said Liverpool "cannot afford a lot of mistakes anymore" as his team battle for a top-four Premier League finish following the collapse of their title defence.

The last major exhibition prepared by British photographer Martin Parr before his death last month opened to the public on Friday in Paris, exploring the often overlooked political message in his five-decade career.

An ailing Carlos Alcaraz said "believing" helped him pull through one of the most demanding matches of his career to down Alexander Zverev in five epic sets and reach his first Australian Open final Friday.

The agile robot dog springs up on all fours, takes a step forward and charges at the tense crowd at a Tokyo exhibit, held back by a simple yet strong metal chain.

An ailing Carlos Alcaraz battled past Alexander Zverev on Friday in five epic sets to reach his first Australian Open final and move within a match of becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu forced his budget through parliament without a vote for the third and final time Friday, exposing him to yet another no-confidence motion.

Will the next global hits from Nigeria have a French accent? Perhaps. Nine French rap, pop and urban music composers recently joined forces with Afrobeats artists to produce 60 tracks for international audiences.

The Dutch consumer watchdog Friday launched an investigation into Roblox to see if the popular gaming platform was doing enough to protect children amid reports they are exposed to violent and sexual imagery.

US President Donald Trump walked back his conciliatory tone on Friday after outrage over the killings of two American citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, branding one of them, Alex Pretti, an "agitator."

The Israeli military said on Friday it launched overnight strikes at "eight terrorists" in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, killing three of them, with a fragile ceasefire still in place in the Palestinian territory.

The US-Canada men's hockey Olympic rivalry, born a century ago, has produced plenty of teeth-clenching drama, but after political tension spilled onto the ice last year, the upcoming Winter Games showdown could serve up the fiercest clash yet.

Eileen Gu soared to double Olympic gold as a teenager four years ago but it was the colour of her passport which drew as much scrutiny as her stunning displays.

US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and top administration officials attended the premier Thursday night of the first lady's new movie promising a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her husband's return to power.

The US Senate edged closer to a vote Friday on a funding deal to avert a government shutdown following a bitter standoff over President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown.

Tina and Milo, the ermine and stoat mascots of the upcoming 2026 Olympic Games in Italy, are already everywhere -– smiling on stuffed animals, posters, mugs and T-shirts.

A purple-haired anti-migrant cartoon character featured in a UK government anti-extremism programme has been co-opted by the far right, appearing in AI-generated videos circulating around Europe and the United States.

A ham-fisted attempt to ramp up Malaysia's footballing fortunes with foreign-born players has backfired, critics say, sparking soul-searching and calls to redouble the focus on homegrown talent.

Panama's Supreme Court annulled on Thursday the concession allowing Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate ports at the Panama Canal, a year after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize the crucial passageway claiming China controlled it.

In 1984, Lamine Gueye carved out a piece of Olympic history in Sarajevo by becoming the first Black African to compete in the Winter Games.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba, further increasing pressure on the communist-led island.

An insatiable work ethic and commanding court presence has propelled Aryna Sabalenka to the cusp of a fifth Grand Slam title, a far cry from the talented but mentally fragile player of her younger days.

Montauban head coach Sebastien Tillous-Borde is confident that his basement-sitters can save their Top 14 status despite losing 13 of their 15 league matches this season.

Midfielder Jamal Musiala has made a timely return for a Bayern Munich side who have grown weary in recent weeks as they continue to fight on three fronts.

Born in Moscow but playing for Kazakhstan, Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina once said that "I don't live anywhere, to be honest".

Fire meets fire when hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka clashes with big-serving Elena Rybakina in the women's Australian Open final on Saturday.

Despite his optimism even Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo would not have banked on going five games unbeaten after his appointment, including clashes against champions Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Asian stocks sank Friday amid fresh worries over vast investments in artificial intelligence, gold and silver tumbled after hitting multiple record highs and oil retreated on hopes for an easing of US-Iran tensions.

Kim Jong Un vowed to "transform" North Korea with a drive to build public health facilities, leisure complexes and industrial plants over a third of the country, state media said Friday.

Wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89 when they outlasted French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard on Friday.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday that the UK has a "huge amount to offer" China, after his attempts to forge closer ties prompted warnings from US President Donald Trump.

Kaori Sakamoto is a fun-loving big sister to her Japan team-mates but a stone-cold competitor on the ice, determined to seize her last chance of Olympic figure skating gold.

From his newly built three-storey home outside Hanoi, Trinh Tat Thang has watched the surging global gold price with mounting dread.

Superstars Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga are primed to make history on Sunday in Los Angeles at the 68th Grammy Awards, honoring the best in music.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he hoped to avoid military action against Iran, which has threatened to strike American bases and aircraft carriers in response to any attack.

The US dollar sank to a four-and-a-half-year low against the euro this week after President Donald Trump said the weakened currency was doing "great."