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The head of Japanese athletics fought back tears Friday as she described how the world championships in Tokyo can "wipe away" the painful memory of empty stands at the Olympics four years ago.

Pacific Island leaders agreed on Friday to a new framework that would allow nations to join a key regional forum as strategic partners, after accusations that China was influencing regional decision-making.

Retired Nepali civil servant Dhruba Shrestha has lived through decades of turmoil, from civil war to political upheaval, but the 76-year-old says nothing compared to the violence that engulfed the Himalayan nation this week.

Newcastle's new forward Yoane Wissa will see a specialist over the knee injury he suffered in DR Congo's World Cup qualifier defeat by Senegal this week.

New Bayern Munich signing Nicolas Jackson said Friday he was happy to be "where I'm wanted" after joining the German giants from Premier League club Chelsea on a season-long loan.

Arne Slot on Friday described new signing Alexander Isak as "maybe the best striker in the world" but warned he would be eased into action gradually after a disrupted pre-season.

Spanish bank Sabadell on Friday said its board had rejected larger national rival BBVA's hostile takeover bid and urged shareholders to shun it as the clock ticked down on their final decision.

The vast manhunt for the shooter who killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk stretched into a third day on Friday, after police released fresh images in an effort to crack a case that has raised tensions in the United States.

Near London's historic heart, steel barricades and plywood boards block the entrance to a hotel housing some 600 asylum seekers that has recently been targeted by protests.

A moving letter written by David Bowie's father and fan mail from Lady Gaga are among 90,000 items at a new London museum offering intimate insights into the man behind the Ziggy Stardust make up.

Manchester United's Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has completed a season-long loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

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

Nepal's president and army sought on Friday to find a consensus interim leader to fill a political vacuum after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government and left parliament in flames.

Indonesian authorities have seized a small section of the world's largest nickel mine for encroaching on forest areas without permission, authorities said Friday.

Most markets extended gains 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.

South Africa will showcase their young backline talent while Argentina need an 80-minute performance as both teams attempt to keep their Rugby Championship title hopes alive on Saturday.

A Thai zoo has temporarily closed its predator zone after lions mauled a zookeeper to death, wildlife officials said Friday, as scrutiny on the park's animal treatment intensified.

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, 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.

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.

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 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".

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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

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.

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.