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Ships cross Hormuz by alternative route, despite attack
Ships continued to leave the Gulf, some of them braving a route not authorised by Tehran, despite an attack on a freighter that forced the suspension of a UN evacuation, tracking platforms showed Friday.
UK sets new June temperature record for third day in a row: Met Office
The UK broke the record for a June temperature for the third day in a row on Friday, the Met Office weather agency said, as a sweltering heatwave strained schools and hospitals and drove down business.
Germany sees hottest temperature on record of 41.3C: weather service
Germany saw its highest temperature ever recorded on Friday at 41.3C, according to preliminary weather service data, as the country braces for the possibility of even higher temperatures over the weekend.
AI abuse deterring good MPs: incoming IPU chief
The slew of online abuse created by artificial intelligence is deterring good candidates from standing for election, the incoming head of the Inter-Parliamentary Union told AFP on Friday.
Teenager Antonelli dominates practice for Austrian GP
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli fought off the heat to top the times for Mercedes in both practice sessions on Friday ahead of the 'heat hazard' Austrian Grand Prix.
More than 50,000 missing after Venezuela quakes, death toll soars
More than 50,000 people were missing Friday after twin earthquakes in Venezuela, the United Nations' aid chief told AFP as international rescue teams and sniffer dogs arrived to join a desperate search for survivors.
Japan say bring on Brazil at World Cup but wary of revenge mission
Japan will give "everything we've got" and declared they have what it takes to beat Brazil in the last 32 of the World Cup in Houston on Monday.
Caudullo challenges Montpellier to be 'watertight' against Dupont threat
Montpellier head coach Joan Caudullo said on Friday his side have to be "watertight" to stop Toulouse superstar Antoine Dupont having an impact on this weekend's French Top 14 final.
Stocks recover from tech tremors as oil prices fall
Wall Street's main stock indices overcame an early bout of tech jitters Friday thanks to buy-the-dip traders, while oil prices fell sharply.
Venezuela earthquakes toll soars to 589 amid desperate rescue effort
The death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela soared to 589 on Friday, with thousands more unaccounted for as international rescue teams and sniffer dogs arrived to help find survivors.
How heatwaves are dangerous to human health
A punishing heatwave overwhelming hospitals in Europe is just the latest reminder of the deadly threat such scorching temperatures can pose to human health.
Stokes strikes on England return before Duckett runs riot against New Zealand
England captain Ben Stokes stepped up his impressive return to the side by reaching 250 Test wickets before Ben Duckett made New Zealand pay for dropping him with a quickfire fifty on Friday.
Europe heatwave shattering temperature records: UN
Europe's heatwave has smashed several temperature records, the UN's weather and climate agency said Friday, adding that it would determine the full impact once the phenomenon has ended.
UK hottest June day record broken for third day in a row: Met Office
The UK broke the record for its hottest-ever June day for the third day in a row on Friday, the Met Office weather agency said, as a sweltering heatwave strained schools and hospitals and drove down business.
Farm workers wilt in sweltering Italian shanty town
From sun-scorched fields of crops to the corrugated iron shacks of a sprawling shanty town, there is no escaping the heat for migrant labourers in southern Italy's Puglia region.
Tech jitters send stocks lower, oil prices fall
Stock markets retreated Friday, capping a rollercoaster week for technology shares as doubts spread about the huge AI-fuelled gains for technology stocks that have propelled indexes to record territory.
Keys to face Maria in Eastbourne final
Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys will face German veteran Tatjana Maria in the Eastbourne final after the pair benefited from their opponents' retirements on Friday.
Stokes strikes on England return as New Zealand all out for 438
England captain Ben Stokes stepped up his impressive return from international exile with a treble strike that took him to 250 Test wickets before New Zealand's first innings in Nottingham finally came to an end on Friday.
Venezuela earthquakes toll doubles amid desperate rescue efforts
The death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela more than doubled Friday to 589, interim president Delcy Rodriguez said, as rescuers boosted by international teams raced to find survivors beneath collapsed buildings.
Caudullo challenges Montpellier to be 'watertight' against Dupont
Montpellier head coach Joan Caudullo said on Friday his side have to be "watertight" to stop Toulouse superstar Antoine Dupont having an impact on this weekend's French Top 14 final.
Mercedes dominate opening practice at Austrian GP
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli topped the times ahead of his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in Friday’s opening free practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Osaka sinks Wang to reach first grass court final
Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka is into the first grass court final of her career after blasting past China's Wang Xinyu at Bad Homburg on Friday.
Wawrinka announces farewell fete with Federer and Murray
Stan Wawrinka announced Friday he will throw a farewell party for fans on December 19 in Geneva with former tennis stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray on the card of the "One last backhand" event.
UN demands probes into US ICE custody deaths
The United Nations on Friday demanded independent investigations into dozens of deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since last year -- and swift action to prevent more people from dying.
Lukashenko will always be threat to Ukraine: Belarus opposition leader
Belarus will be a threat to Ukraine for as long as President Alexander Lukashenko is in power and relies on the Kremlin, the country's exiled opposition leader told AFP.
Stokes strikes as New Zealand make England feel the heat
England captain Ben Stokes stepped up his impressive return from international exile with a treble strike that took him to 250 Test wickets but New Zealand kept the hosts sweating in Nottingham on Friday.
European heatwave's unlikely accomplice: an ocean 'cold blob'
The heatwave battering Europe may have an unlikely partner-in-crime: a patch of cold ocean water south of Iceland and Greenland that can influence weather patterns over the continent.
Lyles enjoying freedom to focus on speed and stuff off the track
With neither the Olympic Games nor the world championships on the summer schedule —- a first since 2020 —- US sprint star Noah Lyles is seizing the opportunity to "run as fast as possible" without worrying about peaking for a specific event and enjoying life off the track.
Japan's progress paying off at World Cup, says Troussier
Japan believe they can shock Brazil in the World Cup round of 32, and former coach Philippe Troussier thinks it would be a fitting reward for their progress as a football nation.
How the British royal family is funded, and where the money goes
King Charles III became the first UK monarch in history to reveal how much he has paid in taxes since acceding to the throne in 2022 - some £30 million ($39.6 million).
Dozens of international teams rushing to Venezuela: UN
International search and rescue teams from at least 17 countries are being scrambled to Venezuela to help look for survivors of the devastating twin earthquakes, the United Nations said Friday.
Russia-annexed Crimea declares 'emergency' amid Ukraine strikes
Authorities in Russian-annexed Crimea on Friday declared an "emergency situation" in a bid to ease the fallout from increasing Ukrainian aerial attacks on the peninsula.