NewsAFP NewsThree Iraq protesters killed in clashes as security forces clear streets
Three protesters were shot dead in Iraq on Saturday in clashes with security forces clearing out streets and squares occupied for months by anti-government demonstrators, stoking fears of a wider crackdown. The fresh violence came a day after populist cleric Moqtada Sadr announced he would no longer
SportsAFP NewsZidane defends Bale after latest injury set-back
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane defended Gareth Bale on Saturday after the Welshman picking up another injury and also said Eden Hazard is close to a return. Bale will miss Madrid's La Liga game against Real Valladolid on Sunday after he sprained his ankle during Madrid's Copa del Rey win
NewsAFP NewsRescuers scramble to find survivors after Turkey quake kills 22
Rescue workers raced against time Saturday to find survivors under the rubble after a powerful earthquake claimed 22 lives and left more than 1,200 injured in eastern Turkey. The magnitude 6.8 quake struck on Friday evening, with its epicentre in the small lakeside town of Sivrice in Elazig province
SportsIheanacho fires Leicester into FA Cup fifth round
Leicester edged into the FA Cup fifth round as Kelechi Iheanacho's early goal sealed a 1-0 win at second tier Brentford on Saturday. Brendan Rodgers' side are chasing a trip to Wembley on two fronts and they took the next step in the FA Cup after surviving a hard-fought fourth round clash in
SportsAFP NewsKyrgios says 'layer of respect' with Nadal despite feud
Australia's Nick Kyrgios said he had "respect" for Rafael Nadal despite their personal differences after he set up a last-16 match with the top seed at the Australian Open on Saturday. "Regardless, if we don't like each other or whatever, I think there's a layer of respect
NewsAFP NewsXi warns of 'grave' situation as China rushes to build virus hospitals
President Xi Jinping warned Saturday that China was facing a "grave" situation as authorities took urgent action to halt the spread of a virus that has killed 41 people and is overwhelming hospitals at the epicentre of the health emergency. The world's most populous country scrambled to
- FinanceAssociated Press
China deal might not bail out lobster industry this New Year
American seafood exporters are optimistic that a new trade deal with China will allow them to claw back into one of the world's biggest markets for lobster, but help might not have arrived in time for the biggest day on the calendar. The busiest season for lobster exports to China is around Chinese
SportsAFP NewsAlpine skiing: Italian Peter Fill to retire
Just hours after crashing out of Kitzbuehel's fabled Hahnenkamm downhill on Saturday, Italian Peter Fill announced he would retire after one more race, in Garmisch on February 1. The 37-year-old will bring to an end a 17-year World Cup career that saw the likeable Italian claim three victories,
SportsAFP NewsTanak says 'everything fine' after crash, targets Sweden
Ott Tanak said he was eager to get back behind the wheel for the next leg of the championship as he was released from hospital on Saturday following his spectacular Monte Carlo Rally crash. "The safety devices really did their job." On Friday, Tanak and co-driver Martin Jarveoja flew off the
NewsAFP NewsVirus silences Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing
A woman praying alone in front of shut temple gates was one of the only signs of Lunar New Year observances at Beijing's Lama Temple on Saturday, as fears over a deadly new virus mount in China. "There's definitely an impact (from the virus)," he said.
SportsAFP NewsHighway to Hell: Mayer wins famed Kitzbuehel downhill
Austrian Matthias Mayer delighted home fans and achieved "every skier's dream" by streaking to a classy victory in Saturday's fabled downhill in Kitzbuehel, the most prestigious and testing on the World Cup circuit. Norway's reigning world downhill champion Kjetil Jansrud, winner
SportsAFP NewsTail-end assault puts England on course for series win
England took a big stride towards securing a series win when they posted a first innings total of 400 on the second day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday. South Africa, needing a win to level the series, were 11 for no wicket in reply at tea. England
NewsAFP NewsIndian government ends internet blackout in restive Kashmir
Indian authorities on Saturday restored internet in Indian Kashmir after a five-and-a half-month blackout but maintained a block on social media sites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government imposed a communications blackout in early August when it stripped the portion of Kashmir it controls
NewsAFP NewsKyrgios into Nadal grudge match as shocks rattle Australian Open
Home favourite Nick Kyrgios went five sets to ensure an Australian Open showdown with Rafael Nadal on Saturday as a series of shocks caused carnage in the women's draw. Kyrgios survived the longest match of his career to beat Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6
SportsAFP NewsOpening eagle inspires Wu into Dubai lead
An opening eagle and four birdies lifted China's Wu Ashun into a one shot lead after Saturday's Dubai Desert Classic third round. Leading the chasing pack was France's Victor Perez, who matched Wu's 67 to follow up his rounds of 73 and 66. A further shot behind in a tie for third were
SportsAFP NewsShiffrin fourth as Curtoni leads Italian sweep of second Bansko downhill
Late starter Elena Curtoni led an Italian podium sweep of the second women's World Cup downhill in Bansko on Saturday, with American Mikaela Shiffrin fourth. Shiffrin, winner of Friday's first downhill, finished behind Curtoni, who started with bib number 28 for her maiden World Cup victory
- SportsAFP News
Kyrgios sets up Nadal showdown after five-set thriller
Firebrand Nick Kyrgios scraped past Karen Khachanov Saturday in five thrilling sets to set up a grudge match against top seed Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open fourth round. "Mate, it was crazy, I don't even know what to say right now, it was insane, I have no words for how I'm feeling
- SportsAFP News
Highway to Hell: Mayer wins famed Kitzbuehel downhill
Austrian Matthias Mayer delighted home fans by streaking to a classy victory in Saturday's fabled downhill in Kitzbuehel, the most prestigious and testing on the World Cup circuit. Mayer, gold medallist in downhill at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and in the super-G in 2018, clocked 1min 56.59sec down
SportsAFP NewsMedvedev cruises to set up Wawrinka last-16 clash
World number four Daniil Medvedev eased past Alexei Popyrin in straight sets Saturday to set up a last-16 clash with former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka. The tall Russian had few problems dispatching the unseeded Australian 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena as he steps up his quest for a maiden
SportsAFP NewsEvans takes Monte Carlo lead from Toyota teammate Ogier
Welsh driver Elfyn Evans took over the Monte Carlo lead from his Toyota teammate Sebastien Ogier at the midway point of the world championship's season opener on Saturday. Ogier, going for his eighth Monte Carlo win, led overnight but after clocking the quickest time in the 10th stage Evans held
- FinanceAssociated Press
US Treasury chief says trade deal possible with UK in a year
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested Saturday that Britain and America would be able to conclude a trade deal this year, despite lingering disagreements on a digital services tax and whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to build aspects of a new high-speed mobile network. Huawei is
NewsAFP News'Nobody can leave': trapped Wuhan residents stock up
Police at a roadblock on the outskirts of Wuhan turned away cars trying to leave the virus-stricken city on Saturday, as other anxious residents trapped inside spent the Lunar New Year stocking up on masks and medical supplies or in long hospital queues. Authorities have prevented anyone from leaving
SportsAFP NewsPrix d'Amerique, France's tribute to American soldiers, celebrates centenary
The Prix d'Amerique, founded as a tribute to the American soldiers who fought in World War I, celebrates its centenary on Sunday with last year's winner Belina Josselyn facing 17 rivals in pursuit of trotting's most prestigious prize. First run in 1920 at Vincennes, the hippodrome on the
NewsAFP NewsHong Kong declares Wuhan virus outbreak an 'emergency'
Hong Kong on Saturday declared a new coronavirus outbreak as an "emergency" -- the city's highest warning tier -- as authorities ramped up measures to reduce the risk of further infections. Of the five people who have tested positive for the virus in Hong Kong so far, four arrived via
NewsAFP NewsIraq security forces clear streets stoking protester fears
Iraqi security forces cleared anti-government protesters from streets and squares in Baghdad and the south on Saturday, AFP journalists reported, stoking protester fears their long-running campaign risks being sidelined. It came a day after populist politician Moqtada Sadr organised his own mass rally
