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UN warns of strong looming El Nino
El Nino will quickly develop into a strong event between July and September, fuelling the likelihood of extreme weather, the United Nations' weather and climate agency warned Friday.
France deaths rose by 30% during heatwave
France endured a rise of nearly 30 percent in the number of deaths recorded during the week starting June 22, the peak of a record-breaking heatwave that battered the country, the public health authority said Friday.
Hunt for last signs of life in Venezuela quake zone
In the Venezuelan resort town of La Guaira, a group of rescuers watched as sensors that once detected life under the rubble now showed nothing, as silence gave way to resignation.
Drones spot sharks 73 times in two days off Sydney beaches
New dawn-to-dusk drone patrols of Sydney's beaches spotted sharks 73 times in the first two days, forcing multiple closures, data obtained by AFP showed on Friday.
Asian markets rise as beaten-down tech stocks enjoy bounce
Asian stocks rose Friday as tech firms enjoyed a much-needed rebound from the heavy selling of recent weeks, with a big miss on US jobs creation soothing worries over a Federal Reserve interest rate hike.
Supreme leader's body arrives at Tehran religious complex for funeral
The body of Iran's supreme leader, killed in US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Friday ahead of his funeral, state media reported.
David v Goliath as Cape Verde face Messi's Argentina at World Cup
A classic David versus Goliath encounter will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as tiny Cape Verde face Lionel Messi and Argentina with a place in the last 16 at stake.
Mbappe's French juggernaut face Paraguay, eye World Cup quarter-finals
Kylian Mbappe's France have been the outstanding team so far at this World Cup and will be expected to get the better of Paraguay on Saturday and extend their run to the quarter-finals.
Nagelsmann quits as Germany coach after World Cup exit: reports
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has resigned following his team's shock last-32 exit from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay, several media reported on Friday.
Wallabies riding wave of patriotic support against Ireland
Skipper Harry Wilson said Friday Australia will look to feed off a wave of patriotic sporting fever sweeping the country when they face Ireland in the Nations Championship.
All Blacks return to Christchurch 'a blessing', says Savea
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea said Friday it was a "blessing" to see how Christchurch has recovered 15 years after a deadly earthquake, as New Zealand prepare to play France at the new Te Kaha stadium.
Belgium opens up Congo archives amid global minerals race
From century-old maps to meticulous field notes, Belgium is sitting on a trove of geological records on colonial-era Congo -- a coveted archive it is working to open up amid a global scramble for critical minerals.
'Not a museum': Slovak UNESCO village strains under tourism
"Private property. No entry", "No photography" read the signs on a gate set up in front of a traditional log house in Vlkolinec, a UNESCO-listed Slovak village visited by tens of thousands of tourists a year.
Wimbledon clings onto fashion traditions, with a twist
Amid fast-changing fashion trends, Wimbledon has remained a bastion of "classy" style, with players and attendees donning their finest whites at the London tennis tournament which some say is reminiscent of traditional British high society.
DR Congo opposition builds against presidential third-term bid
The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called demonstrations in the capital and other cities on Wednesday to demand the resignation of the president, who it says is trying to cling on to power by changing the constitution.
Death toll from massive strikes on Kyiv rises to 30
Ukraine said on Friday that the death toll from a massive barrage on its capital had risen to at least 30 people, as both Kyiv and Moscow vowed fresh assaults.
China sports brands score NBA stars to assist global ambitions
NBA star Kyrie Irving walked out onto a basketball court in southwest China to rapturous applause, his brightly coloured Chinese-made sneakers a vivid statement of domestic sportswear brands' increasing global reach.
El Nino set to be strong, UN warns
El Nino will quickly develop into a strong event between July and September, fuelling the likelihood of extreme weather, the United Nations' weather and climate agency warned Friday.
Man dies after setting self ablaze outside UN in New York: police
A man died after setting himself on fire outside the UN's headquarters in New York on Thursday, police said, with activists and reports identifying him as a pro-Tibet campaigner.
'Inspired millions': Modric praised as World Cup career appears at end
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and Portugal's Roberto Martinez paid tribute on Thursday to Luka Modric, who almost certainly played his last World Cup match.
VAR 'taking joy' from football says Croatia coach Dalic after loss
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said VAR is taking "the joy out of football" after seeing his team have a stoppage time equaliser disallowed in their 2-1 World Cup defeat to Portugal on Thursday.
Death toll hits 10 in Thai monk procession crash
The number of monks killed has risen to 10 after an 11-year-old boy drove a pickup truck into a Buddhist procession in Thailand, officials said Friday.
Afghans come home but risk exclusion without any ID
Lugging suitcases across the border after packing up in Pakistan, Afghans are returning home with their worldly possessions but often lack one key item to restart their lives: an identity card.
Asian markets rise as beaten tech stocks enjoy respite from selling
Asian stocks rose Friday as tech firms enjoyed a much-needed reprieve from the heavy selling of recent weeks, with a big miss on US jobs creation soothing worries over a Federal Reserve interest rate hike.
'Coincidence of life' says Ronaldo after Jota tribute a year from death
Cristiano Ronaldo said it was a "coincidence of life" that Portgual's World Cup last-16 win against Croatia on Thursday came almost a year since the death of his late teammate Diogo Jota.
'Royal wedding': Swift and Kelce kick off star-studded celebrations
The main act of pop sensation Taylor Swift's wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce was due to get underway Friday, as celebrities flooded New York for the A-lister extravaganza at the storied Madison Square Garden.
Japan face Italy without banned coach Jones
Banned Japan coach Eddie Jones will be absent as his team begin their Nations Championship campaign in Tokyo on Saturday against an Italy side looking to build on Six Nations success.
Tajik names for Tajik babies: strict rules leave parents stranded
After giving birth, Shakhnoza Nazarova thought registering her daughter's name would be a mere formality. Instead, her chosen name was rejected -- deemed not Tajik enough by authorities of the Central Asian country.
Ronaldo, Portugal advance after VAR drama to set up Spain showdown
Portugal battled into the last 16 of the World Cup with a drama-filled 2-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday to set up a titanic showdown with European champions Spain.
From ketchup to car parts, Cuba gets private sector makeover
From grocery stores to restaurants and fuel, Cuba's burgeoning private sector is filling the vacuum left by a collapsing communist-run state.
AI romance scam impersonating Dubai prince ensnares victims
Maria believed she was romancing a prince from Dubai, captivated by his flirtatious smile and declarations of affection he showered on her during live video calls. But the suitor was an AI deepfake, making her yet another victim of an online romance scam.
'Not easy, but not impossible': Iraq's film industry sees slow revival
In the heart of old Baghdad, legendary movie theatres stand abandoned and shrouded in dust, bearing witness to Iraq's once-vibrant cultural scene.