Global shares mostly declined Monday, as in Asia Japan's benchmark took a tumble after the yen surged against the U.S. dollar.

France's CAC 40 dipped nearly 0.2% in early trading to 8,127.93, while the German DAX added less than 0.1% to 24,881.34. Britain's FTSE 100 edged down less than 0.1% to 10,138.76.

Europe "will not tolerate" online abuses against women and children, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday, as the bloc opened a probe into sexualized deepfakes created by Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok.

"The harm caused by illegal images is very real. In Europe, we will not tolerate unthinkable behaviour, such as digital undressing of women and children," the European Commission chief said in a statement sent to AFP.

State Minister at the Qatari Foreign Ministry Mohammad al-Khulaifi held talks Monday in Lebanon with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Deputy PM Tarek Mitri, after which he announced a major aid package for Lebanon.

“We announce an economic project to support the electricity sector worth $360 million,” Khulaifi said in a press conference at the Grand Serail.

A conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates said Monday it will take legal action against Lebanese authorities over a dispute regarding its investments in the crisis-hit country, saying it has suffered $1.7 billion in investment losses.

The Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group's businesses in Lebanon were hit hard by the country's historic economic meltdown that broke out in late 2019. The country also suffered from the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war for which the World Bank estimates the costs of reconstruction and recovery at $11 billion.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels threatened new attacks on ships traveling through the Red Sea corridor, likely trying to back Iran as it worried Monday about an approaching U.S. aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump threatened military action over its crackdown on nationwide protests.

A short video by the Houthis included previously published images of a ship on fire, with the caption: "Soon." The rebels did not elaborate, but their campaign in the Red Sea saw over 100 ships attacked as part of a campaign the Houthis said pressured Israel over its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis halted their fire after a ceasefire in the conflict, though they've repeatedly warned they could resume fire if needed.

The Kremlin on Monday said the US-brokered trilateral talks in the UAE between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had been held in a "constructive spirit" but that there was still "significant work ahead".

"It would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts... But the very fact that these contacts have begun in a constructive spirit can be viewed positively. However, there is significant work ahead," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

Israel said its military was conducting a "large-scale operation" to locate the last hostage in Gaza, as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire.

The statement came Sunday as Israel's Cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening Gaza's key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and a day after top U.S. envoys met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about next steps.

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a force which was key in putting down recent nationwide protests in a crackdown that left thousands dead, is "more ready than ever, finger on the trigger," its commander said Saturday, as U.S. warships headed toward the Middle East.

Oscar voters have spoken. They served up 16 nominations to "Sinners" and 13 to "One Battle After Another" on Thursday.

Ryan Coogler was nominated for best director and best screenplay of "Sinners," a lush vampire tale, and double-duty star Michael B. Jordan was rewarded with his first Oscar nomination, for best actor.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended his team's walkoff during the Africa Cup of Nations final, saying it was an emotional decision taken in the chaos of the moment.

Last Sunday, Senegal left the field in stoppage time when Morocco was awarded a penalty, just moments after a potential trophy-winning Senegal goal was ruled out.