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

Fiji's Olympic gold medallist Masivesi Dakuwaqa opened his account for the season as Top 14 champions Montpellier beat Pau 43-17 on Saturday.

The White House on Saturday blasted a court ruling in Arizona that imposes a near-complete ban on abortions in the southwestern US state as "catastrophic, dangerous and unacceptable."

What had been a lightning push by Ukraine to drive Moscow's forces from the eastern Kharkiv region slowed to a brutal slog Saturday, stalled by heavy rain and Russian resistance.

China on Saturday at the United Nations urged Russia and Ukraine not to let effects of their war "spill over" and called for a diplomatic resolution.

A stream of Russians flocking to Istanbul on Saturday expressed personal relief but concern for the safety of loved ones after the Kremlin announced a partial mobilisation for the war in Ukraine.

Activists blocked a quayside on the French Riviera on Saturday to protest against what they called ultra-rich "climate criminals".

Twelve more bodies were recovered Saturday after a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon sunk off Syria's coast, raising the overall toll to 89, Syrian state media said, in one of the eastern Mediterranean's deadliest such shipwrecks.

NASA has called off the scheduled Tuesday launch of its historic uncrewed mission to the Moon due to a tropical storm that is forecast to strengthen as it approaches Florida.

Adoring crowds gathered in Milan on Saturday to catch a glimpse of Kim Kardashian ahead of a showcase of her new collaboration with designer Dolce and Gabbana.

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth remained undefeated and the United States moved closer to a ninth consecutive Presidents Cup triumph early Saturday, grabbing a 10-4 lead over the Internationals.

Russia on Saturday toughened penalties for voluntary surrender and refusal to fight with up to 10 years imprisonment and replaced its top logistics general after a series of setbacks to its seven-month war in Ukraine.

South African fly-half Tristan Tedder kicked 14 points as Perpignan claimed their fist win of the Top 14 season with a 19-13 victory over Toulon.

Mali's military-appointed prime minister on Saturday lashed out at France as well as the United Nations in a grievance-filled address over his nation's deteriorating security.

Italians on Saturday braced for seismic change, on the eve of an election forecast to hand Italy the most right-wing government since World War II.

Team Europe's Matteo Berrettini defeated Team World's Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Laver Cup on Saturday as the tennis world dealt with the hangover from Roger Federer's emotional farewell party.

Powerful storm Fiona knocked out electricity to more than 500,000 homes Saturday as it lashed east Canada with strong winds and heavy rains in conditions that police said were "like nothing we've ever seen."

France's TotalEnergies on Saturday signed a new $1.5 billion deal to help expand Qatar's natural gas production as Europe scrambles to find new energy sources to replace Russian supplies.

Pharoah Sanders, one of the most wildly inventive figures in jazz who wrestled his saxophone to its limits and felt equally at home in Indian and African music, died Saturday. He was 81.

In a makeshift changing room swathed with black fabric, South African Luke Andalis transforms into the burly Aratak, preparing to perform at Comic-Con Africa, the continent's largest pop culture, fantasy and gaming festival.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo suffered a thigh-muscle tear while on international duty, his club said Saturday, while confirming Jules Kounde also had a thigh issue.

Moscow replaced its top logistics general on Saturday after a series of setbacks as Kremlin-held regions of eastern and southern Ukraine voted for a second day on becoming part of Russia.

Holders the United States surged into the women's basketball World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday with a comfortable 77-63 victory over China in Sydney, as Belgium survived a scare against Puerto Rico.

Spain's prestigious San Sebastian film festival wrapped up on Saturday with the international premiere of "Marlowe" starring Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson.

The official death toll has nearly doubled to 35 in a crackdown by Iran's security forces on more than a week of protests that erupted after the death of a young woman in custody.

Gareth Southgate claimed England have taken a "step in the right direction", but relegation from the top tier of the Nations League suggests the Three Lions' are sliding.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu retired hurt during the third set of her Korea Open semi-final on Saturday against Jelena Ostapenko.

Fast-rising Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen powered into her first WTA final on Saturday at the Pan Pacific Open after a battling 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win over Veronika Kudermetova.

New Zealand put one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy after romping to a 40-14 win over Australia with a bonus-point victory in Auckland on Saturday.

Ghana coach Otto Addo acknowledged the "danger" of integrating a number of new players into the squad ahead of the World Cup, but he does not believe it will have a destabilising effect.

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in eastern Canada's Nova Scotia on Saturday, the US National Hurricane Center said, with maximum winds of 90 miles (144 kilometers) per hour and heavy rainfall.

New Zealand put one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy after romping to a 40-14 win over Australia with a bonus-point victory in Auckland on Saturday.

The official death toll has nearly doubled to 35 in a crackdown by Iran's security forces on more than a week of protests that erupted after the death of a young woman in custody.