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Catholic confessions to remain secret under Hong Kong security law: diocese
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong said Friday that confessions by devotees to priests would remain confidential under the city's upcoming national security law.
'Squid Game' star found guilty of sexual misconduct
South Korea's "Squid Game" actor O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual misconduct, a local court said Friday, after he was charged with assaulting a woman in 2017.
Nissan, Honda to explore partnership in electric vehicles
Japanese auto giants Nissan and Honda said Friday they had agreed to explore a strategic partnership in electric vehicles and other areas.
Thai tourist hotspot Chiang Mai tops world's most polluted cities
Thai tourist hotspot Chiang Mai was blanketed by hazy smog Friday, as residents and visitors to the usually picturesque northern city were left wheezing in the toxic air.
Vienna gets first museum on shock 'Actionist' art movement
Vienna's first museum on the shock "Actionist" art movement opens its doors on Friday, aiming to highlight the work of its four key artists who long faced contempt and even persecution for their radical actions.
Missile hits ship off Yemen as rebels threaten wider campaign
A missile strike damaged a merchant ship in the Red Sea off Yemen, marine security monitors said Friday, as the country's Iran-backed Huthi rebels threatened to expand their months-long harassment campaign which has disrupted global trade.
Israel denies Hamas claim troops killed 20 Gazans seeking aid
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said on Friday that Israeli fire killed 20 people and wounded 155 waiting to receive desperately needed aid in the besieged territory, but Israel said the reports were "erroneous".
Marchant backs England to front up to France's physicality in Six Nations finale
Exiled centre Joe Marchant said he is confident England can compete with France's physicality on Saturday to give themselves a chance of lifting the Six Nations.
True Italians: the children left waiting for citizenship
When rapper Ghali sang "I'm a true Italian" to 10 million television viewers last month, he spoke for hundreds of thousands of people born to immigrants in Italy who struggle to obtain citizenship.
Osaka to play Billie Jean King Cup for first time since 2020
Naomi Osaka will play the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time in four years when Japan face Kazakhstan in a qualifier in Tokyo next month, the team said Friday.
Al-Shabaab attack on hotel in Somali capital ongoing
Sporadic explosions and gunfire rang out from a popular hotel in the Somali capital early Friday, an AFP correspondent said, many hours after Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the site near the presidential palace.
Eyes on Bank of Japan as unions announce wage hikes
The results of key wage hike negotiations in Japan will be announced Friday, with a win for workers expected to set the stage for a hotly anticipated shift away from the central bank's ultra-loose monetary policy.
El Salvador stashes $406 million in bitcoin in 'cold wallet': Bukele
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said Thursday that his country has stored more than $400 million in bitcoin in an offline "cold wallet" as the cryptocurrency forges new record highs.
Celtics blow past Suns, Thunder back on top
Jaylen Brown scored 37 points as the Boston Celtics unleashed a dominant offensive performance to blow past the Phoenix Suns 127-112 on Thursday.
Alcaraz makes beeline to Indian Wells semis, to face Sinner
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fought off swarming bees and Alexander Zverev on Thursday to set up a semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells.
Liverpool's quadruple chase faces Man Utd test, Newcastle seek FA Cup shock at Man City
Manchester United are aiming to derail Liverpool's bid for a quadruple and salvage a difficult second season for Erik ten Hag in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.
Scots up against it as Irish eye Six Nations title consolation
Ireland seek to make up for their frustration on missing out on historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams by being crowned tournament champions in beating Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
Scholz and Macron meet in Berlin to mend Ukraine rift
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will receive French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on Friday after tensions between the leaders blew out into the open over differences on how to support Ukraine.
US ambassador says Beijing stance on TikTok ban 'supremely ironic'
The US ambassador to China said Friday that Beijing's position on a potential TikTok ban in the United States was "supremely ironic" given the ruling Communist Party's censorship of online platforms within its borders.
Netherlands to select future attack submarines
The Netherlands was set to announce Friday who it has chosen for a multi-billion-euro contract to build four submarines for its navy, with a consortium headed by France's Naval Group favoured over German and Swedish rivals.
Cancer patients in the Philippines falling for alternative 'cures'
Filipino single mother Mary Ann Eduarte delayed chemotherapy for her breast cancer for several years and instead took food supplements falsely promoted on social media as cures for the deadly disease.
Asian markets sink on rate worries as US inflation surprises
Asian markets sank in line with Wall Street on Friday after a sharper-than-expected jump in US wholesale prices dealt a blow to hopes for interest rate cuts.
Resurgent Dortmund seek consistency in top-four fight
Fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund host Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday hoping to keep their noses in front in their battle to finish in the Champions League placings.
Nice look to find way out of alarming slump
Nice sat second in the Ligue 1 table at the season's halfway stage, but a dramatic drop-off in form since the turn of the year has left them at risk of failing to qualify for Europe.
Celtics blow past Suns, Bucks stop Sixers
Jaylen Brown scored 37 points as the Boston Celtics unleashed a dominant offensive performance to blow past the Phoenix Suns 127-112 on Thursday.
Baseball star Ohtani reveals identity of wife after intense speculation
Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani on Friday posted the first picture of his new wife, who was quickly identified online as a former basketball player named Mamiko Tanaka.
The Gen-Z students at the heart of Vietnam's chip plans
Nguyen Phuong Linh is among a crop of young electronics students crucial to Vietnam's ambitions to become a chips hub.
Patronage or conquest? Saudis move in on Egypt's culture
Saudi largesse is flooding Egypt's cultural scene, but the reception is mixed. Some welcome new "cooperation" between two regional powerhouses, while others fear a hostile takeover by Riyadh.
Senegal opposition figures released 10 days before polls
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and his second-in-command, presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison in Dakar on Thursday, 10 days before the country's election.
Red-hot Pogacar gunning for Milan-San Remo
Tadej Pogacar is once again the man to beat as he makes another attempt to win Milan-San Remo for the first time after already bagging one huge victory this season.
Scots up against it as Irish eye 6Nations title consolation
Ireland seek to make up for their frustration on missing out on historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams by being crowned tournament champions in beating Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
Invigorated England eye unlikely Six Nations title with France trip
England head to an equally resurgent France on Saturday holding an outside chance of pipping Ireland to a Six Nations title not many would have predicted at the start of the campaign.