Grok limits AI image editing to paid users after nudes backlash
Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok has turned off its image creation feature for non-paying users following backlash over its use to create sexualized deepfakes of women and children.
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Ski great Hirscher pulls out of Olympics, ends season
Two-time Olympic champion skier Marcel Hirscher announced on Friday that he was pulling out of the rest of the season, including the upcoming Winter Games, due to a lack of form.
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Kyiv mayor calls for temporary evacuation after Russian strikes
Russian strikes cut heating to half of the Ukrainian capital on Friday, prompting the mayor to issue an exceptional call for residents to temporarily leave the city with temperatures at -8C and set to drop further.
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'War is back in vogue,' Pope Leo says
Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that war was "back in vogue" and highlighted the "ambition of belligerents", as his own country the United States flexes its military muscles.
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Storms pummel northern Europe causing travel mayhem and power cuts
Gale-force winds and storms barrelled through northern Europe on Friday, disrupting air and rail travel and cutting power to hundreds of thousands in freezing temperatures.
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France has right to say 'no' to US, Paris says
France has the right to say "no" to its historical ally the United States when it acts in a way deemed unacceptable, the foreign minister said on Friday, warning that the European political order was "in danger".
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TikTok drives 'bizarre' rush to Prague library's book tower
Prague has long been a tourism hub thanks to its Baroque architecture and deep cultural history, but its latest draw -- a statue of thousands of books made famous on TikTok -- has blindsided officials in the Czech capital.
Read moreVenezuela frees political prisoners in move praised by Trump
Venezuela began releasing a "large number" of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in a move praised by US President Donald Trump on Friday as a step toward cooperation after the ouster of ruler Nicolas Maduro.
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EU countries override France to greenlight Mercosur trade deal
The EU gave Friday a long-delayed go ahead to a huge trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur championed by business groups but loathed by many European farmers -- overriding opposition led by France.
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Russia joins Chinese, Iran warships for drills off S.Africa
A Russian warship arrived off South Africa's main naval base Friday to join Chinese and Iranian vessels in military exercises that risk further damaging Pretoria's relations with Washington.
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