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UK economy stalls in July
Britain's economy stagnated in July, official data showed Friday, dealing another blow to the Labour government at the end of a turbulent week for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Charlie Kirk's killing: what we know
Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an event in the western US state of Utah. Authorities had failed to locate the gunman on Thursday, more than 30 hours later.

S. Korean workers arrive home after US detention
A specially chartered flight carrying hundreds of South Korean workers detained in a US immigration raid last week landed at Incheon International Airport on Friday, AFP reporters saw.

US tariffs deal stokes 'monster' pick-up fears in Europe
Considered powerful, heavy-duty vehicles by their fans and dangerous gas-guzzling "monsters" by detractors -- could large pick-up trucks, long a staple on US roads, be about to roam in greater numbers across Europe?

Saint Lucia's Alfred says Olympic gold shows talent counts, not your passport
Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred is bidding to add world 100 metres gold in Tokyo to her Olympic title and says her triumph last year shows no matter how small a nation you come from there is no need "to feel inferior".

Springboks hard man Wiese to take the All Blacks head-on
Recalled Springboks forward Jasper Wiese said Friday he was "stupid" to be suspended for a headbutt but is still vowing to play "on the edge" against the All Blacks.

Tinch's journey to be hurdles title contender sparked by stepdad's joke
A joke made at Cordell Tinch's expense by his stepfather sparked the American into returning to the track and could climax with him deposing three-time 110 metres hurdles world champion Grant Holloway in Tokyo.

Russia, Belarus start military drills as West watches warily
Russia and its key ally Belarus began major joint military drills early Friday, putting NATO on edge days after Poland accused Moscow of escalating tensions by firing attack drones through its airspace.

UN General Assembly to vote on a Hamas-free Palestinian state
The UN General Assembly will vote on Friday whether to back the "New York Declaration," a resolution which seeks to breathe new life into the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine -- without the involvement of Hamas.

For theatre legend John Kani, art must 'speak truth to power'
South African stage legend John Kani shuffled between rows of red chairs in the 450-seat theatre named after him, searching for one in particular.

Ukraine's energy strikes hit Russians at the pump
Watching the price tick higher as he filled up his car, Russian pensioner Oleg railed against the recent surge in petrol prices, pushed higher by Ukrainian strikes on Russia's oil infrastructure.

Guinea's Tierno Monenembo: stolen words and diehard critic of military rule
Guinean writer Tierno Monenembo will boycott his country's upcoming constitutional referendum, calling the vote a "farce". Unwaveringly critical of the authoritarian junta in power, he said he is ready to "die for his ideas".

Norman says 'we changed the game' as he officially departs LIV Golf
Greg Norman has officially signed off from LIV Golf, saying he "changed the game globally" while teasing an "exciting next adventure".

From Discord to Bitchat, tech at the heart of Nepal protests
From sparking protests that toppled the prime minister to giving young people a platform to discuss their country's political future, social media was key to Nepal's extraordinary uprising this week.

Crawford chases history in super middleweight title showdown with Alvarez
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez stands in the way of Terence Crawford's bid for boxing history Saturday when they clash in Las Vegas for Alvarez's undisputed super middleweight world title.

'I chose myself': Israeli transgender ref's journey to the top
Israeli referee Sapir Berman beamed as she recalled the moment her "dream came true" earlier this year, when she became the first transgender woman to officiate an international football match.

'No pressure' for teen Lutkenhaus, Team USA's youngest worlds athlete
US teen Cooper Lutkenhaus insists he feels "no pressure" about the coming world championships in Tokyo, where he will rub shoulders with top racers in the highly competitive 800m.

De Minaur vows to 'make life difficult' for Belgium in Davis Cup
World number eight Alex de Minaur pledged Friday to "make life difficult" for Belgium as he strives to put Australia into the Davis Cup finals for a fourth straight year.

Inoue out to prove pound-for-pound credentials against Akhmadaliev
Japan's unbeaten Naoya Inoue said he wants to prove he is boxing's pound-for-pound king against Uzbekistan's Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Sunday, hours after Canelo Alvarez squares off against Terence Crawford.

Manchester derby offers chance to salve wounds, Isak prepares for Liverpool bow
Manchester City will be desperate to avoid a third successive defeat when they face neighbours Manchester United as the Premier League returns this weekend, with Alexander Isak set for his Liverpool debut.

Love, Kraft star as Packers cruise past Commanders 27-18
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers romped to a 27-18 NFL victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday.

Trump's push for peace prize won't sway us, says Nobel committee
Donald Trump's obsession with winning the Nobel Peace Prize next month may have hit a hitch -- the stubborn independence of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which insisted to AFP that it cannot be swayed.

Wallabies skipper says wounded Argentina 'a scary proposition'
Skipper Harry Wilson admitted Friday a fired-up Argentina was a "scary proposition" and Australia must improve their discipline or risk a repeat of the thrashing they were handed last year.

'Your own brother': Student supporters mourn Charlie Kirk
For university student Dave Sanchez, seeing Trump acolyte Charlie Kirk murdered during a campus event was like watching his own brother get shot.

Asian stocks surge into weekend with US rate cut 'seemingly locked in'
Asian markets surged again Friday, tracking record highs across Wall Street, after US inflation and jobs data all but set in stone a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.
Investigators plead for public's help in Charlie Kirk killing
Investigators searching for the man who killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk appealed for the public's help Thursday, with no one in custody more than a day after a murder that has rocked America's fractious politics.

Canada's Hughes seizes one-shot lead in PGA Procore Championship
Mackenzie Hughes fired 11 birdies in a sizzling nine-under par 63 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over Ryder Cup-bound Ben Griffin and Matt McCarty in the US PGA Tour Procore Championship

'Severance' vs. 'The Pitt' at television's Emmy Awards
The Emmy Awards, television's equivalent of the Oscars, will take place this Sunday, and pundits say the race for the highly coveted best drama series prize is too close to call.

Russia, Belarus to stage military drills as West watches warily
Russia and its key ally Belarus are to start major joint military drills on Friday, putting NATO on edge days after Poland accused Moscow of escalating tensions by firing attack drones through its airspace.

S. Korea workers head home after US immigration raid
Hundreds of South Korean workers were headed back to Seoul on Friday after their detention in a US immigration raid that Hyundai warned will delay completion of its battery factory.

Chivu's Inter still a work in progress ahead of Juve clash
Cristian Chivu's Inter Milan have failed to convince ahead of Saturday's grudge match at fierce rivals Juventus, as Serie A returns this weekend with champions Napoli travelling to Fiorentina.

Hamburg visit Bayern as one of Germany's biggest rivalries returns
Newly-promoted Hamburg travel to Bayern Munich on Saturday as the Bundesliga sees the return of one of its most storied clashes -- seven years on from the last 'North-South Summit'.