Journal du Club des Cordeliers - News from Marseille, the political, economic and cultural centre of southern France and the whole world

Olympic pole vault gold medallist Nina Kennedy pulled out of the world championships on Friday with a strained muscle in a "brutal" setback having just recovered from a hamstring operation.

The Lebanese government is set to discuss on Friday an army plan to disarm Hezbollah, which the Iran-backed group opposes, accusing the cabinet of playing into the hands of Israel and the United States.

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson said Friday the hot and humid weather will play a big part in their crunch clash against Argentina, with a battle of the fittest on the cards.

Asian markets mostly gained on Friday after an intense selloff of Chinese equities stalled this week, with rumours the country's financial regulators could intervene to slow the dumping.

Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina in emotional scenes in Buenos Aires on Thursday while Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay joined the reigning champions at next year's World Cup.

An Italian teenager dubbed "God's Influencer" for his efforts to spread the Catholic faith online will become the first millennial saint Sunday at a canonisation attended by thousands of pilgrims.

President Donald Trump is changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, the White House announced Thursday, insisting the rebrand will project a more powerful image.

Wildfires are releasing a "witches' brew" of pollutants that can end up wrecking air quality a continent away from the blaze, the UN's weather and climate agency said Friday.

Russia rejected the notion of Western security guarantees for Ukraine on Friday, after more than two dozen countries pledged to join a "reassurance" force to deploy in the wartorn country after any eventual peace deal with Moscow.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday promised security aid to violence-wracked Ecuador as he sought to rally the region behind a force-first anti-crime campaign following a US strike on a boat allegedly linked to Venezuela.

Aryna Sabalenka said she is determined to prove she has learned the "tough lessons" of a challenging season after battling past Jessica Pegula to reach the US Open final on Thursday.

South Africa will chase history at New Zealand's fortress while Australia are out to avenge a record defeat to Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Aryna Sabalenka said she's ready to "kick ass" when she faces volatile Australian star Nick Kyrgios in a "Battle of the Sexes" tennis showdown next year.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un told China's President Xi Jinping that it was his "steadfast will" to "steadily develop" bilateral relations, state media said Friday, after the two leaders met in Beijing.

Harry Brook urged England's multi-format cricketers to press on amid a gruelling schedule following another loss to South Africa.

Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina in emotional scenes in Buenos Aires on Thursday while Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay joined the reigning champions at next year's World Cup.

Reigning French Top 14 champions Toulouse begin their bid for a fourth straight domestic crown on Sunday still as the team to beat in the world's leading club competition.

The French Top 14 season starts on Saturday with several additions to its galaxy of star names, while other players have switched clubs within the league.

England return to World Cup qualifying action this week with Thomas Tuchel under pressure to solve a plethora of issues that threaten to ruin his bid to win next year's tournament.

Tech world executives showered Donald Trump with praise Thursday during a rare dinner that saw the US president host some of the most important players in AI at the White House.

With two months to go, the "COP30 Hotel," spruced up and renamed after the UN climate conference due to take place in the Amazonian city of Belem in November, has zero bookings.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threw his support behind his controversial health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after he was grilled in Congress over decisions to fire scientists and overhaul the nation's vaccine policies.

Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka came from behind to beat American fourth seed Jessica Pegula in three sets to return to the US Open final on Thursday.

The Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on a political note Thursday, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Obamas delivered opening remarks before Hollywood A-listers arrive to take center stage.

Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay qualified for next year's World Cup by beating Peru 3-0 at home on Thursday, while Colombia saw off Bolivia by the same scoreline.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive standout Jalen Carter was ejected from the NFL's season opener on Thursday before playing a snap for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka powered into the final of the US Open on Thursday, rallying from a set down to defeat American fourth seed Jessica Pegula and keep her title defence firmly on track.

Thailand's parliament is set Friday to vote in a right-wing tycoon as prime minister, ousting the nation's dominant political dynasty from office after their leader was sacked by court order.

Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party Reform UK kicks off Britain's annual party conference season Friday, with the Brexit cheerleader and his buoyant supporters increasingly confident he could be Britain's next leader.

New Zealand cricket great Ross Taylor announced Friday he was coming out of retirement, nearly four years after quitting, to help Samoa qualify for next year's Twenty20 World Cup.

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have reached a deal on a potential exhibition fight in 2026, promoter CSI Sports said on Thursday.

Thailand's influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday he has left the country by private jet, hours before his party looks set to be ousted from top office.

New Zealand's military said on Friday it had appealed a two year sentence for a soldier accused of attempted espionage, describing it as "manifestly inadequate".

More than two dozen countries have pledged to join a force to deploy in Ukraine after any eventual peace deal with Russia, aiming to deter Moscow from again attacking its neighbour, leaders announced Thursday.

Powerhouse Australia said it was "up for the challenge" Friday of winning an unprecedented eighth Women's Cricket World Cup, naming a star-studded squad to defend their title in India and Sri Lanka.

South American football's governing body, Conmebol, disqualified Argentine club Independiente on Thursday from the 2025 Copa Sudamericana competition over a bloody brawl during a game against Universidad de Chile last month.

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez, who spat at a Seattle staff member after the Sounders' Leagues Cup final triumph on Sunday, apologized for his "behavior" in a statement on Instagram on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump signed an order Thursday to lower tariffs on Japanese autos, as Washington moves to implement its trade pact negotiated with Tokyo.

Germany went down to a shock 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday, while Spain kicked off their bid to reach next year's finals with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Bulgaria.