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Mosaics by priest accused of abuse must go, women say
The Catholic Church is under pressure to remove hundreds of mosaics by a priest who is a world-renowned artist following a request Friday by five women who have accused of him sexual assault.
Bagnaia sets new lap record in Dutch MotoGP qualifying at the 'Cathedral'
Double world champion Francesco Bagnaia stuck his marker in the sand at the start of the Dutch MotoGP weekend, setting a new track record in qualifying on Friday.
EU questions Shein, Temu over consumer protection
The EU on Friday demanded wildly popular shopping platforms Shein and Temu explain what action they are taking to protect consumers, including children.
Biden debate performance triggers panic, replacement talk
Joe Biden's presidential campaign was in full damage control mode Friday as the president sought to recover from a disastrous debate showing with Donald Trump that triggered panic among Democrats and even murmurs about replacing the 81-year-old on the White House ticket.
Inflation data cheers Wall Street
Wall Street stocks climbed Friday after data showing cooling US inflation raised hopes of an interest-rate cut, while French equities slid before a weekend election predicted to see strong gains for the far right.
Pogacar primed with Tour de France ready to start in Florence
Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard begins his quest for a third consecutive Tour de France title on Saturday when the peloton heads out of Florence in sizzling heat for an opening stage packed with hills.
US Fed's favored inflation measure cools slightly in May
The US Federal Reserve's favored measure of inflation eased slightly in May, according to government data published Friday, as goods prices cooled.
Tour de France: Penpix of the four race favourites
The Tour de France embarks from Florence on Saturday, a 21-day race billed as a four-way battle for the title.
Verstappen on top in Austria after Norris runs off in practice
Defending three-time world champion Max Verstappen topped the times for Red Bull ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri in Friday's opening practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Rudiger back, Eriksen absent before Germany-Denmark Euro clash
Germany defender Antonio Rudiger on Friday returned to training ahead of Saturday's Euro 2024 last 16 clash with Denmark, having missed earlier sessions with a hamstring strain.
LA Olympic chief hopes for French unity ahead of Paris Games
The head of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has called on France to unify behind the Paris Games despite political turmoil that is clouding the build-up to next month's sporting extravaganza.
Stock markets mostly rise before US inflation, amid vote activity
Stock markets mostly climbed and the dollar diverged Friday awaiting key US inflation data and with focus on upcoming global elections and yen weakness.
River Seine unfit for swimming one month from Paris Olympics: tests
The river Seine is still failing water quality tests one month before the Paris Olympics when it is scheduled to host the open-water swimming competition and the swimming leg of the triathlon, results showed Friday.
France's far-right surge risks muddling Paris Olympics message
When the Olympics roll into Paris next month, the country could have a far-right government, risking seriously muddling the message around openness and diversity that organisers have been pushing for years.
Murray, Djokovic cleared for Wimbledon duty
Former champions Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic shrugged off lingering injury concerns on Friday to take their places in the draw for Wimbledon.
Russia says US drone flights over Black Sea risk direct clash
Russia warned the United States on Friday its reconnaissance drone flights over the Black Sea raised the risk of "direct confrontation" between Moscow and NATO, days after the Kremlin blamed Washington for a deadly missile strike on Crimea.
Israeli troops, warplanes strike north Gaza
Israel's military on Friday said it was conducting raids backed by air strikes in northern Gaza, killing "dozens" of militants in an area where it had declared the command structure of Hamas dismantled months ago.
French court to rule whether 'Bolero' was Ravel's work alone
A French court was set to rule Friday on whether "Bolero", one of the best-known classical music pieces in the world, was written by Maurice Ravel alone -- a decision with big financial stakes.
Andy Murray named in Wimbledon singles draw
Andy Murray was Friday named in the Wimbledon singles draw despite undergoing surgery last week.
Meteorites strike Mars far more often than thought, probe finds
Mars is bombarded with basketball-sized meteorites on a nearly daily basis, fives times more often than previously estimated, seismic recordings from a NASA spacecraft have revealed.
Djokovic to play Wimbledon despite injury worry
Novak Djokovic will play at Wimbledon after being named in the draw on Friday, despite concerns over his fitness following his withdrawal from the French Open.
Embezzlement-accused French media scion reinstated as CEO
French media baron Arnaud Lagardere, who resigned from running the sprawling group of the same name in April over embezzlement charges, was reinstated as chief executive Friday after a favourable court decision, the company said.
Malaysia to redesign 'ugly' Olympic kit after fan backlash
Malaysian officials agreed Friday to redesign some of the country's kit for next month's Paris Olympics after fans derided the outfits as "ugly" and "cheap looking".
Japan firm probing 76 more deaths in supplement scare
Japanese health supplement maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said Friday it was probing 76 more deaths possibly linked to its tablets containing red yeast rice, meant to lower cholesterol.
India fans dream of World Cup glory after long wait
Fan frenzy mounted Friday in India after their team reached the T20 World Cup final with a big win over England, putting the country on the brink of a first major title in over a decade.
Reformist hopes for breakthrough as Iran votes
Iranians voted on Friday in a presidential election where a lone reformist aimed for a breakthrough against a divided conservative camp.
Lanvin picks seasoned veteran Peter Copping as artistic director
Historic French fashion label Lanvin has named Britain's Peter Copping, who has worked with Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton, as its new artistic director.
France makes multibillion-euro gamble on Olympic gold
France is facing a bill of almost nine billion euros for hosting the Paris Olympics but top officials say the financial fallout could be more "psychological" than economic.
Nigerians strive to bring mangrove forests back to life
On a riverbank in the Niger Delta, a group of residents in rubber boots has been working to restore one of Nigeria's most precious and damaged ecosystems -- its mangrove forests.
Hard up UK voters driven to political fringes by cost of living
When James Rossi left Britain's armed forces in 2010 -- the same year the Conservatives came to power -- he had high hopes, including of getting on the property ladder.
Bolivia president denies conspiracy after failed coup
Bolivian President Luis Arce on Thursday denied conspiring with his former army chief, who was arrested after deploying troops and tanks to the heart of the capital La Paz, where they tried to break down a door of the presidential palace.
French parties in final push for votes ahead of crunch poll
France's political forces were on Friday to make a final bid for votes in crunch legislative elections that could see the far right take control of the government in a historic first.