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Crisis-hit Sri Lanka deploys troops to quell protests
Troops armed with sweeping powers to detain suspects were deployed in Sri Lanka Saturday, hours after the president declared a state of emergency as protests against him escalated.
Thousands flee Mariupol as Red Cross prepares fresh rescue effort
More than 3,000 people have escaped the besieged region of Mariupol in a convoy of buses and private cars, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday as the Red Cross prepared a fresh evacuation effort for the devastated southern port.
Buses carrying Mariupol residents arrive in Zaporizhzhia
Dozens of buses tightly packed with exhausted evacuees from Mariupol and other Russian-occupied cities in southeast Ukraine arrived in Zaporizhzhia Friday to the relief of waiting relatives, according to an AFP reporter on the scene.
Australia tip injured Perry to make final against England
Australia's star all-rounder Ellyse Perry was tipped Saturday to take her place in the Women's World Cup final against England despite a nagging back injury, but was unlikely to bowl.
Stranded Ukrainians find comfort in crisis-hit Sri Lanka
As the sun dips below the Indian Ocean waves, Ukrainian tourist Viktoria Makarenko and her daughter light incense every evening at a temple in a Sri Lankan beach resort to pray for a return home.
Veteran French climber seeks new Everest route and record
A 70-year-old French climber is aiming to become the oldest person to climb Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and at the same time find a new, safer route.
Tiger sanctuary: Woods has special bond with Augusta National
From his greatest triumphs to his darkest hours, Tiger Woods has been able to count on Augusta National as a sanctuary where he can focus on golf before supportive spectators.
Matsuyama nervous at joining Masters champions club
Defending Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama says he will start feeling nervous long before he tees off at Augusta National next week, notably at Tuesday's Masters Champions Dinner.
Golf's new world number one doesn't want anything to change
Scottie Scheffler hadn't won a title two months ago, but the American will arrive at the Masters as world number one and the planet's hottest golfer.
Families of Cuban protesters left devastated by harsh sentences
Luis Frometa Compte, 59, had been back in the land of his birth for just 40 days when unprecedented anti-government protests broke out all over the country in July 2021.
Bolsonaro, Lula already in campaign mode in Brazil
There are more than four months to go until the campaign officially starts for Brazil's October elections, but far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are already in candidate mode.
Five things to watch for at the Grammys
Las Vegas will host the Grammys for the first time ever Sunday, one year after the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to shake up the broadcast with a cabaret-style show heavy on performances.
Tiger stirs Masters talk but several in hunt for green jacket
Injured Tiger Woods thrilled golf fans with a mere practice round at Augusta National, but other elite golfers who have competed since November 2020 definitely will try to win the 86th Masters.
Ruud powers past Cerundolo to set Miami title clash with Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from creating Miami Open history after defeating defending champion Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets to book a final date on Sunday with Norway’s Casper Ruud.
US judge denies Ghislaine Maxwell request for new trial
A request for a new trial by Ghislaine Maxwell, the former Jeffrey Epstein associate who was convicted of child sex trafficking late last year, was denied Friday by a federal judge in New York.
Will Smith resigns from Oscars Academy over Rock slap
Will Smith resigned from the body that awards the Oscars on Friday, five days after he assaulted comedian Chris Rock during a live global broadcast.
Kyiv silent on airstrike in Russia, 3,000 flee Mariupol
Ukraine's president refused Friday to say whether he had ordered an airstrike on Russian soil, as a bus convoy navigated a tortuous evacuation to help thousands flee the besieged city of Mariupol.
'Punishment from above': Hobby pilots build Ukraine's drone fleet
At a secret location in the Ukraine city of Lviv, the windows taped up to ward off unwanted attention, underground hobbyists improvise deadly drones bound for the front line of the war against Russia.
Apocalyptic price of Ukraine's victory in Irpin
The last survivors in the ruins of Irpin have just one word to describe the Russians who have retreated after one of the pivotal battles of the war in Ukraine.
US could have done more to limit civilian toll in Raqqa battle: study
The US military could have done more to limit civilian casualties and damage during the battle for the Syrian city of Raqqa that marked the Islamic State's fall in 2017, according to a report commissioned by the Pentagon.
Kyiv silent on airstrike in Russia, some residents flee Mariupol
Kyiv refused Friday to deny it had carried out an airstrike on Russian soil, as a convoy of buses navigated a tortuous civilian evacuation passage out of the devastated Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Stocks edge higher on solid US jobs data, oil prices retreat
Wall Street stocks finished modestly higher Friday as solid US jobs data boosted expectations for more Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, while oil prices retreated after US allies agreed to tap their emergency stockpiles.
2022 World Cup draw - who said what
Who said what at the draw for the 2022 World Cup on Friday:
Qatar 2022 World Cup draw: Group guide
AFP Sport examines each group following Friday's draw in Doha for the 2022 Qatar World Cup:
Kyiv silent on airstrike in Russia, Mariupol rescue op fails
Ukraine refused Friday to deny it had carried out an airstrike on Russian soil, as hopes of de-escalation faded in President Vladimir Putin's war and evacuation operations for besieged Mariupol failed.
First aid convoy in three months reaches Ethiopia's Tigray: UN
The first aid convoy in three months reached Ethiopia's war-stricken Tigray region on Friday, the UN said, a week after the government and Tigrayan rebels agreed to a conditional humanitarian truce.
USA and Iran renew World Cup rivalry with geopolitical backdrop
The United States and Iran go into the World Cup with political and football grudges that their coaches, Gregg Berhalter and Dragan Skocic, are keen to defuse before the teams meet in November.
UN: Yemen's warring parties agree to two-month truce starting Saturday
The UN said Yemen's warring parties have agreed to a two-month extendable truce starting Saturday, the first day of Ramadan for many Muslims, and an accord on fuel shipments and Sanaa airport.
UN official heads to Moscow seeking 'humanitarian ceasefire'
A top United Nations official will visit Moscow this weekend to try to secure a "humanitarian ceasefire" in Ukraine, UN chief Antonio Guterres said Friday.
Warriors confirm Curry won't return before NBA playoffs
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, sidelined by a sprained ligament in his left foot, won't return to action before the playoffs, the NBA team said Friday.
Brazil's Tite glad for extra time to prepare World Cup opener
Brazil coach Tite said he was happy to have been placed in Group G following Friday's World Cup draw in Doha as it will give his team more time to prepare.
Assault fine threatens Liang Wenbo's snooker tour spot
Liang Wenbo's position on the world snooker tour is under review after the Chinese cueman was fined for assaulting a woman in the northern English city of Sheffield, officials said.