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Culture
Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin dies aged 92: Bolshoi
Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin, whose work included famed ballets such as "Anna Karenina" and "Carmen Suite", has died at the age of 92, Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre said Friday, calling his passing an "enormous tragedy".
Boulevard
Thai court to rule on PM's fate after Cambodia phone call row
Thailand's Constitutional Court began delivering its verdict Friday on suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who could be thrown out of office over her handling of the country's border row with Cambodia.
Technology
Last French survivor of key WWII desert battle dies aged 103
The last surviving member of the French resistance force that withstood a German advance in a key battle in the north African desert in World War II has died aged 103, authorities announced.
Boulevard
NZ police say CCTV shows father on the run for four years
New Zealand police released rare images Friday apparently showing a fugitive father whose nearly four years on the run with his children have gripped the country.
Politics
Vandalism hobbles Nigeria's mobile telephone services
When cell phone and internet networks went down across nine states in Nigeria earlier this summer, leaving millions without service, telecoms officials pointed to an increasingly familiar culprit: vandalism.
Politics
Indonesia leader orders investigation into driver's protest death
Indonesia's president promised Friday to investigate the death of a motorcycle taxi driver in clashes between protesters and police, as discontent grows over the government's handling of the economy.
Economy
At 81, DJ Gloria fills Sweden's dancefloors
She drops the beat and gets her groove on, spinning discs like a pro as her head-to-toe sequins twinkle under the lights: 81-year-old DJ Gloria is filling dancefloors across Sweden.
Politics
Japan seeks record defence budget, to triple drone spending
Japan's defence ministry is aiming for a major boost to its drone arsenal as part of another record spending request made Friday to deal with a "severely intensifying security environment".
Sports
Late-night Paul battles through at US Open in 1:46 am finish
Tommy Paul survived a brutal five-set epic that finished at 1:46 am to fight his way past Nuno Borges and into the third round of the US Open early Friday.
Boulevard
Jury finds Australian croc wrangler lied about air crash
An Australian celebrity crocodile wrangler was found guilty Friday of lying to police and seeking to falsify flight records after a fatal helicopter crash.
Health
Mistrust undermines Ivory Coast's universal healthcare dream
As patients enter a major Abidjan hospital, a large sign informs them that Ivory Coast's universal health insurance will cover some of their medical expenses.
Sports
Sinner on the march as Swiatek, tearful Gauff toil at US Open
Reigning men's champion Jannik Sinner charged into the third round of the US Open on Thursday as Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek battled to keep their title bids intact.
Boulevard
Australian police urge gunman to surrender after officers killed
Australian police told an on-the-run gunman accused of killing two officers to "lay down your firearms" Friday, as they hunted him for a fourth day in rugged, forested bushland.
Politics
Nanjing massacre film set becomes China school holiday hotspot
The sound of machine gun fire rattled around collapsed buildings as schoolchildren eagerly explored the ravaged streets of 1930s Nanjing, delighted to be visiting the set of a Chinese blockbuster about a historic massacre.
Sports
Celtic and Rangers seek Old Firm tonic for Champions League trauma
Celtic and Rangers head into Sunday's Old Firm clash still licking their wounds from humiliating Champions League exits that have left fans of both Scottish giants venting their anger.
Sports
Aussie Rules player latest found with concussion-linked brain disease
A former Australian Rules player has posthumously been diagnosed with a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, his mother saying Friday she hoped some good would come out of the finding.
Zelensky urges more Western pressure on Putin after deadly Russian attack
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies on Thursday to send a "strong joint signal" to Vladimir Putin, after Russia killed 23 people in one of its deadliest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the war.
Economy
US ends tariff exemption for small packages shipped globally
The United States on Friday ended tariff exemptions on small packages entering the country from abroad, in a move that has sparked concern among small businesses and warnings of consumer price hikes.
Economy
Asia stocks mixed after Wall St hits new highs
Asian markets were mixed on Friday following recent strong gains and after the Dow and the S&P 500 hit new records.
Politics
Cash-strapped Taliban look to airspace for windfall
Far above Kabul, the cash-strapped Taliban government has located a potentially lucrative revenue stream: Afghanistan's airspace.
Sports
Biles' presence helps Gauff win US Open crying game
Coco Gauff said the presence of Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles at courtside helped her through the worst experience of her tennis career as she battled to a tearful US Open victory over Donna Vekic on Thursday.
Culture
'Female power': Japan erotic art destigmatised in new exhibit
Graphic depictions of enormous phalluses and acrobatic sex positions have long rendered centuries-old Japanese "shunga" art taboo, but a rare exhibition aims to prove the genre is a world apart from male-centred porn.
Sports
Olympic marathon champion Hassan opts for Sydney ahead of worlds
Reigning Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan plans to skip the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, instead preferring to be part of history in Sydney.
Sports
Atletico already playing catch-up after poor La Liga start
Atletico Madrid overhauled their squad this summer in the hope of being able to compete with giants Barcelona and Real Madrid for the Spanish title but have started La Liga with one point from a possible six.
Sports
Lyon find cause for optimism after turbulent summer
Condemned to relegation two months ago before being handed a reprieve on appeal, Lyon have emerged from the most turbulent period in their modern history with some cause for optimism after enjoying a strong start to the season in France.
Sports
Sinner on the march as tearful Gauff, Swiatek toil at US Open
Reigning men's champion Jannik Sinner charged into the third round of the US Open on Thursday as Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek battled to keep their title bids intact.
Culture
Julia Roberts to make Venice debut in cancel culture drama
Julia Roberts is due to walk the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival Friday for the first time after stepping into a new role as a college professor grappling with tense US campus politics.
Sports
Big numbers set to remain a feature of Women's Rugby World Cup
The Women's Rugby World Cup heads into its second week on the back of impressive off-field numbers, with organisers adamant the tournament's momentum can be maintained despite several mismatches in the first round of pool matches.
Boulevard
Families lose hope for Salvadorans held in gang crackdown
Ana Mercedes Garcia has barely slept since her son was taken away three years ago, one of tens of thousands of men to have disappeared inside El Salvador's grim prisons since 2022.
Trump thumbs nose at decades of India courtship
India once united US policymakers like few issues. For nearly three decades, US presidents of both parties courted New Delhi as an emerging ally, politely overlooking disagreements for the sake of larger goals.
Sports
Gauff wins crying game to reach US Open third round
A tearful Coco Gauff battled through another shaky performance to defeat Croatia's Donna Vekic and reach the third round of the US Open on Thursday.
Sports
Arsenal seek statement win at Liverpool, Amorim faces Burnley must-win
Liverpool and Arsenal aim to strike first blood in the Premier League title race as last season's top two face off at Anfield after a summer of heavy spending.