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Boulevard
What World Cup? New York gripped by Knicks frenzy
It will be Knicks vs. the World Cup in New York on Saturday, and only one winner.
Economy
Iran and US say deal closer than ever
Iranian and US officials said Friday a deal to end the Middle East war was closer than ever, with mediator Pakistan also expressing optimism that an elusive agreement was within reach.
Sports
David Beckham gets Hollywood star as World Cup begins in US
Football idol David Beckham joined the ranks of entertainment royalty on Friday when he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, hours before the United States hosts its first game of the 2026 World Cup.
Politics
Albanian PM rallies support as Trump-linked resort row festers
As Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama appeared at a rally of jubilant supporters on Friday in Tirana, thousands were already filling a nearby boulevard, repeating daily calls for his resignation.
Sports
Spain are World Cup 'favourites' despite knockout woes, says Grimaldo
Alex Grimaldo believes Spain can emulate their Golden Generation by winning the World Cup two years after being crowned European champions.
Sports
Boulter stuns Rybakina to reach Queen's Club semi-finals
Britain's Katie Boulter shocked world number two Elena Rybakina with the most impressive win of her career in the Queen's Club quarter-finals on Friday.
Sports
After historic rally, Knicks aim to subdue Spurs early
The New York Knicks authored the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history to put themselves on the cusp of a title but say they can't keep falling so far behind if they want to lift the trophy for the first time in more than 50 years.
Health
When Hockney told AFP about his lockdown 'blessing' in France
British artist David Hockney, who has died at the age of 88, spoke to AFP in 2021 about spending the months of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in France.
Musk becomes world's first trillionaire as SpaceX shares soar
Shares in Elon Musk's SpaceX closed almost 20 percent higher on their trading debut Friday after the biggest IPO in history, making the polarizing entrepreneur the world's first trillionaire as he vowed to take humanity to Mars.
Boulevard
In partial victory, Blake Lively wins legal fees from Justin Baldoni
US actor Justin Baldoni must pay legal fees but not damages to "It Ends with Us" co-star Blake Lively, a New York judge ruled Friday, settling a years-long legal battle.
Politics
Trump calls US World Cup team before first match
President Donald Trump called the US World Cup squad ahead of their debut match against Paraguay, the team said Friday.
Partey refused entry to Canada for Ghana's World Cup opener
Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama after Canadian authorities denied him a visa, FIFA said on Friday.
Politics
EU says to resume membership talks with Ukraine on Monday
The European Union will resume membership talks with Ukraine on Monday, the bloc announced, after Hungary lifted the veto imposed by its previous pro-Russian leader.
Sports
'We're over it': Wemby says Spurs focused on game five after historic loss
Victor Wembanyama says the San Antonio Spurs have shaken off the biggest single-game collapse in NBA Finals history and are ready to do what needs to be done against the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Politics
Bruce Springsteen music center set to open in New Jersey
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen is one of New Jersey's most famous native sons, and the Garden State is honoring The Boss with a new museum that celebrates his legacy and the history of American music.
Economy
Cuba opens more sectors to private business
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Friday announced greater freedoms for small businesses across the country, as the communist government takes steps to liberalize the island's economy in the face of a crippling US blockade.
Sports
McTominay 'ready to go' for Scotland World Cup opener
Scotland star Scott McTominay is ready for the team's opening World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday after overcoming a stomach bug, coach Steve Clarke has said.
Boulevard
Ghana World Cup player Partey, facing rape trial in UK, denied Canada visa: FIFA
Ghana player Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, has been denied a visa to enter Canada to play in the World Cup, FIFA said on Friday.
Boulevard
Plane trouble delays pope's return after migrant-focused Spain visit
Pope Leo XIV on Friday wrapped up a week-long visit to Spain that highlighted migrant issues, but his return to Rome was held up after his plane experienced a technical problem.
Boulevard
Judge rejects bid to halt removal of Trump name from Kennedy Center
A US federal judge on Friday rejected a bid by the board of the Kennedy Center and the Justice Department to halt the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the performing arts venue.
Sports
Canada's World Cup moment arrives at home
"The moment is now," Canada coach Jesse Marsch declared on the evening before the country's first ever World Cup match on home soil.
Politics
World's first gig economy treaty adopted at the ILO
The first-ever international agreement on safeguarding digital platform workers in the gig economy was adopted on Friday at the UN's International Labour Organization.
Politics
Ireland-Israel football fixture to be played at neutral venue
The Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixture with Israel on October 4 will be held behind closed doors at a neutral venue overseas, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced on Friday.
Things to know
World Cup struggles to ignite US excitement
Fans put off by prices, some denied visas, and locals more fired up about basketball: the 2026 World Cup is kicking off without much enthusiasm in the United States.
Economy
US appellate court upholds Sam Bankman-Fried criminal sentence
A US appeals court on Friday upheld the conviction of disgraced cryptocurrency tycoon Sam Bankman-Fried as part of a sweeping fraud case.
Sports
Premier League changes hair-pulling punishment for new season
Premier League referees will be able to book players for hair-pulling instead of sending them off after a change of emphasis in the rules for the 2026-27 season.
Sports
World amateur No.1 golfer Koivun to turn pro after US Open
American Jackson Koivun, the world's top-ranked amateur golfer, said Friday he will turn professional after competing in next week's US Open.
Sports
McLaren's Norris pips Russell in second Barcelona F1 practice
Lando Norris edged fellow Briton George Russell by just 0.009s to top second practice on Friday for the Barcelona-Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix.
Sports
Fans hope 'Orange Street' guides Dutch to World Cup victory
Danny van Dijk thinks that this time turning his street in The Hague completely orange is going to work, as the Netherlands again target a long-awaited first World Cup title.
Culture
Florence's Giotto frescoes restored to glory after renovation
Giotto's Santa Croce frescoes are receiving the final touches of a four-year restoration in Florence, with scaffolding poised to be removed ahead of an official reveal in September.
Politics
UK faces hard choices over military spending: analysts
The shock resignations of two UK defence ministers has thrown British military resources into the spotlight, after they slammed upcoming spending plans for falling short and lacking innovation.
Sports
Whole England squad must feel 'loved' at World Cup: Bellingham
Jude Bellingham says every member of England's World Cup squad must feel "loved" as he admitted things were not right off the pitch at Euro 2024.