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Political storm clouds Macron's Notre Dame glory
"We can do it!" President Emmanuel Macron told France on the night of April 16, 2019, the day after the fire that ravaged Notre Dame, as he set a target of five years to rebuild the great mediaeval edifice in the heart of Paris to its former glory.
Defiant Macron seeks new French PM and way out of crisis
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday was holding talks with French political leaders on the left and right as he seeks to name a new prime minister and find a way out of France's political crisis.
S. Korean democracy faces 'most critical moment', opposition leader tells AFP
Lawmakers camping out in parliament, hundreds of thousands of protestors expected outside, a landmark vote to impeach the president over martial law -- South Korean democracy faces its "most critical moment", opposition leader Lee Jae-myung told AFP Friday.
Shanghai to remain on F1 calendar until at least 2030
The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai will remain on the Formula One calendar until at least 2030 after a new five-year deal, officials said on Friday.
Old boys' club? S Korea plotters' high school links in spotlight
Key figures in South Korea's failed martial law bid share one key connection: they are all graduates of a prestigious, all-boys school in Seoul.
Indonesia, Philippines agree on repatriation of Filipina on death row
Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement Friday to repatriate Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row for drug charges in Indonesia since 2015, with officials saying she could return to the Philippines before Christmas.
EU chief meeting South American leaders to try to close trade deal
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet leaders of South America's Mercosur bloc on Friday, aiming to push through a controversial pact to create the world's biggest free trade zone despite last-minute resistance.
NBA to return to China for first time since 2019 fallout
The NBA will stage two pre-season games in Macau next October, its deputy commissioner said on Friday, marking its return to China after being frozen out for more than five years.
Syria rebel leader says goal is to overthrow Assad
Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on Friday.
Brook smashes century to put England on top in 2nd NZ Test
Harry Brook smashed a century and England then took five New Zealand wickets in the final session to put the visitors on top after the first day of the second Test on Friday.
Rare Roman coin featuring Brutus up for auction in Geneva
A Roman gold coin bearing the image of Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar, will go to auction in Geneva on Monday, with bids set to start above $850,000.
Artists abandon Abidjan for Ivory Coast beachside haven
Far from the hustle and bustle of Ivory Coast's biggest city, the tropical climes, sea air and history of Grand-Bassam have made the sleepy UNESCO-listed town a magnet for artists.
Ugly or awesome? Kosovo national library stirs never-ending debate
Smack in the middle of Kosovo's capital Pristina, the national library is all but impossible to miss.
Copenhagen takes on its biggest climate threat -- water
In low-lying Copenhagen where rising sea levels, groundwater and rainfall pose a risk to infrastructure, the Danish capital is trying to adapt and protect urban areas from climate change.
'People want change': inside Romania's far-right stronghold
In the Romanian village of Mihai Viteazu, where far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu performed particularly well in the first-round election in which he stormed to a surprise lead, businessman Ciprian Gavrila explained why.
NBA to return to China after six years with pre-season games: reports
The NBA will return to China for the first time in six years with two pre-season games in Macau between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns next October, reports said Friday.
Starc on fire as Australia rattle India in second Test
Mitchell Starc gave Australia a dream start Friday with a wicket from the first ball of the day-night second Test, then he took two more to put India on the ropes during an intimidating opening session.
New Zealand 86-5 as Brook ton puts England in charge
New Zealand lost five wickets to be on the ropes in response to England's 280 after Harry Brook smashed a century on the first day of the second Test on Friday.
Lions clinch NFL playoff berth with gutsy 34-31 win over Packers
Jake Bates kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired to give Detroit a gutsy 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers and clinch the Lions a playoff berth Thursday.
Harrison Ford gets de-aged again for 'Indiana Jones' video game
Harrison Ford was de-aged last year for "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" on the big screen, and video game makers are pulling the same trick for the whip-cracking hero's latest outing on the small screen.
Taiwan's Lai says 'confident' of deeper cooperation with Trump
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Friday he was "confident" of deeper cooperation with the next Donald Trump administration, a day after his call with US Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson that angered China.
Strikes on key bridge linking Syria's Homs, Hama: war monitor
Air strikes targeted a bridge on the highway linking the Syrian cities of Homs and Hama, a war monitor said Friday, as government forces scramble to secure Homs after Islamist-led rebels captured Hama and commercial hub Aleppo.
All Blacks reunited as Hansen, Foster eye Japan success
Steve Hansen said Friday it was "wonderful" to be reunited in Japan with former All Blacks coaching colleague Ian Foster, the pair having won the World Cup together.
Bing Crosby dreaming of a BTS Christmas
BTS member V and Bing Crosby sing together in an "era-bending" new version of the late US crooner's classic "White Christmas" set for release Friday -- thanks to the power of technology, South Korean media reported.
Arsonists set Melbourne synagogue ablaze
Mask-wearing arsonists set a synagogue ablaze in a pre-dawn attack Friday in the Australian city of Melbourne, police said, sparking widespread condemnation.
England all out for 280 after sizzling Brook century
Harry Brook smashed a century before England were dismissed for 280 on day one of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday.
Sizzling Brook century rescues England in second NZ Test
Harry Brook was run out for 123 on the last ball before tea after powering England out of trouble to 259-7 in the second Test against New Zealand on Friday.
Not a pipe dream: Notre Dame's organ to be 'revived'
Notre Dame's famed 8,000-pipe organ, known as the voice and soul of the beloved cathedral, will be "revived" after a five-year absence in one of the highlights of this weekend's reopening ceremony at the landmark.
'Modern slavery': Indonesians in clutches of scam syndicates
Indonesian fruit seller Budi was seeking better prospects when he signed up for an IT job in Cambodia. But he found himself detained in a heavily guarded compound where he was forced to carry out online scams.
South Korean ruling party says 'dangerous' president must go
South Korea's ruling party chief demanded Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol be removed from office after his abortive attempt to impose martial law, warning there was a "significant risk" he could try to subvert civilian rule again.
Most markets down as traders assess crises in S.Korea, France
Asian markets mostly fell Friday at the end of a volatile week, with South Korean stocks and the won still under pressure with the president's job hanging by a thread as he faces impeachment.
World Bank announces record $100 bn support for world's poorest countries
The World Bank announced Thursday that it has raised close to $24 billion to provide loans and grants for some of the world's poorest nations, which it can leverage to generate a record $100 billion in total spending power.