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Sports
Russell leads Mercedes one-two in China GP sprint qualifying
Championship pacesetter George Russell took pole position on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, leading a Mercedes one-two ahead of Kimi Antonelli.
Sports
Wales boss Bellamy 'feels a responsibility' with World Cup on line
Manager Craig Bellamy told AFP on Friday that he "feels a responsibility" to take Wales to this summer's World Cup, ahead of a crunch home play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina this month.
Politics
Zelensky arrives in Paris for talks on pressuring Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on Friday, his spokesman said, for talks with President Emmanuel Macron on ramping up pressure on Russia.
Politics
Afghan govt says Pakistan strikes Kabul and border provinces
Afghan authorities said on Friday that Pakistan had carried out airstrikes on Kabul and border provinces, killing four people in the capital, in the latest deadly clashes in the long-running conflict.
Politics
Fresh wave of Israeli strikes on Iran, Gulf nations also hit
Fresh strikes rocked Iran and several Gulf countries Friday, as Israel and the Islamic republic unleashed a new wave of attacks in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy.
Politics
Oil holds above $100, stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
Oil prices held gains above $100 Friday and most equity markets dropped after Iran's leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and the opening up of new fronts in the war against the United States and Israel.
Sports
China coach tells players to stay 'calm' in Taiwan clash
China coach Ante Milicic urged his players on Friday to remain "calm and confident" in a charged Women's Asian Cup quarter-final against Taiwan.
Politics
China says vice premier to leave Saturday for US economic talks in France
China's top economic official will leave on Saturday for talks with his US counterpart in France, Beijing said, less than three weeks before President Donald Trump's expected summit with President Xi Jinping.
Politics
South Africa's livestock farmers reel from foot-and-mouth disaster
Pointing at a calf lying motionless in a green field in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, farmer Igsahn Felix let out a heavy sigh. "That one is not going to make it," he said.
Culture
South Sudan models dominate global catwalks but visas a problem
Heels click on cracked paving stones as fantastically long-limbed men and women practice moves they hope will whisk them away from South Sudan, one of the fashion world's favourite scouting locations.
Strikes target Gulf as French soldier killed in Iraq
New waves of attacks struck Iran and Gulf nations on Friday after Tehran renewed its threats on oil facilities, while France announced its first soldier killed during the Mideast war.
Nature
In sea-change, UK may abandon homes to coastal erosion
In an English seaside village, researchers discuss options for relocating a graveyard threatened with slipping into the sea, or moving back a car park perilously close to a cliff edge.
Economy
AI agent 'lobster fever' grips China despite risks
Chinese entrepreneur Frank Gao used to spend long hours running his social media accounts but now outsources the chore to AI agent tool OpenClaw, which is taking the country by storm despite official warnings over cybersecurity.
Politics
France to elect mayors in run-up to key presidential vote
France is gearing up for municipal elections this month, with a presidential candidate testing his popularity and the far right eyeing gains ahead of a crunch vote for the country's top job next year.
Politics
Moscow piles pressure on US over oil sanctions
Moscow said on Friday that the global energy market "cannot remain stable" without its oil, piling pressure on Washington to lift more sanctions as the Middle East war strangles supplies.
Sports
Alcaraz gains Norrie revenge to set up Medvedev semi at Indian Wells
Carlos Alcaraz extended his unbeaten season and got revenge over Cameron Norrie on Thursday to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells for a fifth straight year.
Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander 'completely different man' since record streak began
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he is a totally different player and man compared to 17 months ago when he began what Thursday became the longest streak of 20-point games in NBA history.
Sports
Russell fastest in only practice session for Chinese Grand Prix
George Russell was quickest ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli and the McLaren of world champion Lando Norris on Friday in the only practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai.
Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander breaks Chamberlain's NBA record 20-point streak
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke the NBA record for consecutive 20-point games by delivering his 127th in a row on Thursday in Oklahoma City's 104-102 home win over the Boston Celtics.
Health
'We're not wombs': Japan women seek rights to sterilisation
When Kazane Kajiya voluntarily sterilised herself in the United States aged 27, she essentially "flipped the middle finger" at Japan's patriarchal society that had long pushed her towards motherhood.
Economy
Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questions
Thousands of Chinese fishing boats have been massing in geometric formations in the East China Sea, in coordinated actions that experts believe are part of Beijing's preparations for a potential regional crisis or conflict.
Boulevard
Singapore turns tide in evolving fight against scams
Building his cryptocurrency holdings over eight years and helping out defrauded traders, Singaporean investor Mark Koh had thought he was savvy enough to spot a scam. Until he fell prey to one.
Politics
Takaichi to be 'candid' with Trump as war hurts Japan
Japan is hurting from the Iran war ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to Washington next week. She has promised to be "candid" with the US president.
Economy
Saudi forces down drones, French soldier killed in Iraq
Saudi forces intercepted more than two dozen drones on Friday after renewed Iranian threats against oil facilities, as the regional conflict killed a French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander sets NBA record with 127th consecutive 20-point game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke the NBA record for consecutive 20-point games by recording his 127th in a row on Thursday in an Oklahoma City Thunder home match against the Boston Celtics.
Sports
France fired up by chance to retain Six Nations
Head coach Fabien Galthie says France have a Six Nations to win and that is motivation enough for their clash with fierce rivals England in the tournament finale on Saturday.
Sports
Cool 'cat' Irish wing Baloucoune making up for lost time
Robert Baloucoune is nicknamed the 'Cat' and the Ireland wing thought he had used up his nine lives with regard to Test rugby until Andy Farrell gave him another chance in this season's Six Nations match with Italy.
Sports
Election draws spotlight as Barca host Sevilla
Barcelona welcome Sevilla on Sunday aiming to maintain their La Liga lead on Real Madrid, but the stakes are even higher off the field with the club's next president to be named that night.
Sports
Wales seek end to Six Nations woe against resurgent Italy
Wales may be on a 15-game losing streak in the Six Nations but it would sum up an unpredictable 2026 Championship were they to beat Italy in their tournament finale.
Politics
Oil holds above $100 and stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
Oil prices held around $100 Friday and most equity markets dropped after Iran's leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and opening up of new fronts in the war against the United States and Israel.
Sports
Lens eye top spot in Ligue 1 as they take title fight to PSG
Lens are enjoying a remarkable season in France and can seize top spot in Ligue 1 this weekend as they look to take the title fight to a Paris Saint-Germain side whose main focus is the Champions League.
Sports
Leverkusen wrestle with inconsistency as brilliant Bayern await
Unpredictable Bayer Leverkusen host Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday, still battling the inconsistency which threatens to derail their top-four hopes.