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Mercedes' George Russell produced a superb performance in qualifying on Friday to take pole position for this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix but his teammate in world championship leader Kimi Antonelli, crashed and will start down in 16th.

Enthusiastic crowds started to gather in France's capital on Friday to see Pope Leo XIV, after he warned against losing humanity in a "paradise of machines" as concern grows about artificial intelligence.

Team boss James Vowles hailed Jamie Chadwick as an inspiration to millions after the Briton became only the second woman to drive a Williams car during a test in Portugal this week.

Pope Leo XIV on Friday warned against losing humanity in a "paradise of machines", after church bells rang and thousands gathered to welcome him to France amid worldwide concern over the dangers of artificial intelligence.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner delayed his return to the courts when he withdrew from next week's China Open in Beijing on Friday having been out of action since his Wimbledon title in July due to a right knee injury.

When two FBI agents showed up on the doorstep of Roman Badanin's California home in the autumn of 2025, they were smiling but the message they delivered was troubling.

In southern Lebanon, eight-year-old Yara Ajami started the academic year this week in a doorless, windowless classroom after her school was destroyed by an Israeli strike.

Towering teenager Zhang Zhanshuo became the first swimmer in history to win seven golds at a single Asian Games on Friday, as North Korea's women set yet more world records in weightlifting.

The main Jewish community group in Germany urged the far-left Die Linke to tackle antisemitism in its ranks as the party seeks to take power in Berlin following an election victory, in an interview with AFP.

The organisers of France's top literary prize, the Prix Goncourt, on Friday said they had removed a widely praised novel by a Canadian-Haitian writer from its longlist following online claims that artificial intelligence was used to write it.

Europe's main stock markets climbed Friday, as oil prices retreated after a volatile week's trading in reaction to Middle East war developments.

Chinese teenager Zhang Zhanshuo won a record seventh swimming gold at the Asian Games on Friday and said it had been the "perfect conclusion" to his week in Tokyo.

American journalist and writer E. Jean Carroll, the only person to successfully sue Donald Trump for sexual assault, told AFP she is finally free to spend the damages awarded to her from the US president.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen topped the times for Red Bull ahead of Mercedes' George Russell in Friday's third and final free practice ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala have been ruled out of Germany's Nations League game with Greece this weekend with injury, the German football federation (DFB) said on Friday.

The four main European football leagues -- the English Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga -- called on Friday for a reform of FIFA.

No Irish supporters in the stadium, no home match in Ireland and no pundits or Irish commentary on television: the country's strong support for the Palestinian cause is increasingly reshaping its sporting and cultural calendar.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday for the Vatican's first official visit to the European nation in 18 years, with artificial intelligence, young believers and the continent's future near the top of his agenda.

Mongolian athletes dig into a buffet including mozzarella made by an expert, an aroma steam bath awaits its next visitor and competitors saunter across the carpeted floor.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday for the Vatican's first state visit to the European nation in 18 years, with artificial intelligence, young believers and the continent's future near the top of his agenda.

Asian markets were mixed Friday after recent oil price surges, as US and Japanese bond yields hit multi-year highs with no clear end in sight for the Middle East war.

Ethiopian forces battled overnight to repel an assault by Tigray rebels in the Afar region, a humanitarian source said Friday, with reports of an internet blackout in the north of the country.

On the paradise island of Principe, a lush jungle haven in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Guinea, a South African multimillionaire is offering locals a financial dividend to preserve the natural beauty on which his luxury tourism business depends.

In sweltering heat, gaunt Elton Raimundo Joaquim scavenged the streets near the largest drug den in Mozambique's capital for scraps of metal to sell.

Geologists from US mining company KoBold Metals are pushing deep into the Congolese bush, hoping a cutting-edge army of "explorers" directed by AI will help give them an edge in the race for critical minerals.

Chicago's White Sox and Cubs both grabbed post-season berths with wins Thursday, as did the Cleveland Guardians and San Diego Padres, as the Major League Baseball playoff brackets began to take their final shape.

The internet was disrupted in northern Ethiopia on Friday, online monitor Netblocks said, as conflict raged between the federal government and Tigray rebels, while AFP confirmed connection difficulties.

Star running back Bijan Robinson rushed for an explosive 194 yards and two touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons thrashed the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday.

Asian markets were mixed Friday after recent oil price surges and as US and Japanese bond yields hit multi-year highs with no end in sight for the Middle East war.

Tomokazu Harimoto said Japan had overcome their inferiority complex after ending table tennis powerhouse China's 32-year run as Asian Games men's team champions in a nail-biting final.

Japanese teenager Shin Ohashi moved closer to a hat-trick of Asian Games breaststroke golds after qualifying for the 50m final on Friday, the morning after smashing the 200m world record.

A string of rape cases in India has reignited debate over women's safety and raised questions about why sweeping legal reforms and tougher punishments have failed to curb sexual violence.