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French police to face trial for 'suffocating' death
Three police officers will be tried in Paris for the involuntary homicide of a man who repeatedly said "I'm suffocating" during his arrest in January 2020, a source close to the case told AFP Friday.
British novelist David Lodge dies aged 89
British novelist David Lodge, who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize twice, has died at the age of 89, his publisher said on Friday.
Indonesia says 2024 was hottest year on record
Indonesia experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, the country's weather agency said Friday, matching several other nations which have reported similar rises in temperature.
South African Lategan wins Dakar Rally prologue
South Africa's Henk Lategan won the Dakar Rally prologue in the cars category Friday, kicking off the sixth edition in Saudi Arabia that will stretch nearly 8,000 kilometres across 12 stages.
Barca coach Flick optimistic but 'not happy' over Olmo situation
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Friday he was unhappy about potentially losing key midfielder Dani Olmo because of the club's dire financial state, but optimistic the situation would be resolved successfully.
Djokovic Australian Open preparations take hit with loss to Opelka
Former world number one Novak Djokovic's Australian Open preparations suffered a blow Friday as he was bundled out of the Brisbane International by towering American Reilly Opelka.
Indian duo self-immolate in Bhopal waste protest
Two people in India set themselves on fire Friday to protest against the disposal of hazardous waste from the decades-old Bhopal industrial disaster, local government officials said.
Indian food delivery app rolls out ambulance service
A popular Indian food delivery app has started offering a private ambulance service, looking to use its logistics know-how to help bolster the country's patchy healthcare system.
Arsenal must 'flip coin' in Premier League title race, says Arteta
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must "flip that coin" as they hunt down Premier League leaders Liverpool in a quest to be crowned champions of England after two agonising near-misses.
European stock markets retreat after positive start to year
European stock markets retreated Friday, as traders booked profits from a positive start to 2025 and awaited a full return to business next week.
World food prices dip 2% in 2024: FAO
World food commodity prices declined by 2.1 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, the FAO said on Friday, but they remain considerably higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The horror of Saydnaya jail, symbol of Assad excesses
Saydnaya prison north of the Syrian capital Damascus has become a symbol of the inhumane abuses of the Assad clan, especially since the country's civil war erupted in 2011.
Sabalenka sets up Brisbane semi against Russian teen Andreeva
World number one Aryna Sabalenka stepped up her Australian Open preparations as she overpowered Marie Bouzkova in straight sets to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals on Friday.
Top European diplomats urge inclusive transition in Syria visit
The European Union backs a peaceful, inclusive transition in Syria, top French and German diplomats said Friday as they visited Damascus to meet with new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Liverpool's Slot says Man Utd 'much better' than league table shows
Arne Slot says crisis-hit Manchester United are "much, much better" than their shocking position in the Premier League suggests as he prepares his Liverpool team for a clash against their fierce rivals on Sunday.
UK electricity cleanest on record in 2024: study
Britain produced its cleanest electricity on record last year with output of fossil fuels at an all-time low and renewables reaching a record-high, a study has showed.
Rampant Czechs set up United Cup semi-final against US
Karolina Muchova dismantled Jasmine Paolini in straight sets to help the Czech Republic beat Italy on Friday and set up a United Cup semi-final against the United States.
Rohit omission from decisive Test 'emotional' says India's Pant
Rohit Sharma's omission from the fifth Australia Test on Friday was "emotional", wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant said, as former India coach Ravi Shastri predicted the skipper will "pull the plug" on his red-ball career.
Beijing slams US over potential Chinese drone ban
China said on Friday it would take "all necessary measures" in response to the United States announcing it was considering restrictions on commercial Chinese drones for national security reasons.
Blinken to visit South Korea with eye on political crisis
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit South Korea for talks next week, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday, with the country mired in political turmoil as its impeached president resists arrest.
Vietnam's capital blanketed by toxic smog
Thick smog blanketed Hanoi on Friday, obscuring buildings and leaving nine million residents choking on toxic air as the Vietnamese capital topped a list of the world's most polluted major cities.
Top European diplomats in Syria for talks with leader Sharaa
Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is due to meet the French and German foreign ministers on Friday, in the highest-level visit by major Western powers under the new authorities in Damascus.
Andreeva, Dimitrov into Brisbane semis in contrasting fashion
Russian teenage talent Mirra Andreeva and men's defending champion Grigor Dimitrov reached the Brisbane International semi-finals in contrasting fashion on Friday.
Australia in charge as Boland rips through Rohit-less India
A relentless Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc sliced through an Indian batting line-up missing Rohit Sharma on Friday to put Australia in a commanding position after day one of the fifth and final Test.
Biden to block US-Japan steel deal: US media
US President Joe Biden has decided to block the proposed $14.9 billion purchase of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel and will announce the move as soon as Friday, according to US media.
Thai PM declares millions in watches and bags among $400 mn assets
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared more than $400 million in assets on Friday, her party said, including more than 200 designer handbags worth over $2 million and at least 75 luxury watches, valued at almost $5 million.
Kim Jong Un's sister seen with children in state media images
South Korea's spy agency said Friday it was analysing rare state media footage showing the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with two children -- saying they could be hers.
South Korean investigators abandon arrest of President Yoon
South Korean investigators abandoned their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence on Friday over a failed martial law bid, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team.
China says 'determined' to open up to world in 2025
China is "determined" to continue opening up its economy to the world in 2025, a top economic planning official said Friday, as Beijing steels itself for potential trade turmoil when US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
South Korea begins lifting Jeju Air wreckage after fatal crash
South Korean investigators on Friday began lifting the wreckage of the Jeju Air plane that crashed five days ago, killing 179 people in the worst aviation disaster on its soil, AFP reporters saw.
Top US Republican fights for future in cliffhanger vote
US Republican leader Mike Johnson was set to face down critics Friday in a vote in Congress that could see him returned as one of the country's top statesmen -- or jettisoned to the back benches and political obscurity.
South Korea investigators call off arrest of President Yoon
South Korean investigators called off their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence Friday over a failed martial law bid, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team.