Madrid (AFP) – With Spanish champions Real Madrid and their arch-rivals Barcelona in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, Atletico Madrid’s sights are firmly set on top spot in La Liga.
Atletico can seize La Liga lead as Osasuna visit
Navalny lawyers face long sentences in Russian 'extremism' trial
Petushki (Russia) (AFP) – A Russian court will next week issue verdicts against three of Alexei Navalny’s former lawyers, being tried for “extremism” as part of an escalating crackdown on the Kremlin critic’s allies even after his death.
India's Kumbh Mela, world's largest religious gathering
Prayagraj (India) (AFP) – Organisers of India’s Kumbh Mela have prepared to host a staggering 400 million devotees at the six-week Hindu festival that starts Monday and is expected to be the largest human gathering in history.
India readies for mammoth Hindu festival of 400 million pilgrims
New Delhi (AFP) – The world’s largest gathering of humanity begins in India on Monday with the opening of the Kumbh Mela, a six-week Hindu festival organisers expect to attract up to 400 million pilgrims.
Uruguay bucks 2024 global warming trend
Montevideo (AFP) – The world experienced its hottest year in 2024 since records began, but in the small South American country of Uruguay, global warming was counteracted by bouts of “near-historic” cold.
Last 2 years crossed 1.5C global warming limit: EU monitor
Paris (AFP) – The last two years exceeded on average a critical warming limit for the first time as global temperatures soar “beyond what modern humans have ever experienced”, an EU agency said Friday.
Asian markets drift lower as US jobs data looms
Hong Kong (AFP) – Equities fell again in Asia on Friday as traders prepared for the release of US jobs data that could play a key role in the Federal Reserve’s decision-making on interest rate, with several officials indicating the cutting has finished for now.
Sabalenka has 'target on her back' in pursuit of Australian Open 'history'
Melbourne (AFP) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka said Friday she wants to “put my name into history” by winning a third straight Australian Open title, but is aware she “has a target on her back”.
Croatia's populist president tipped for re
Zagreb (AFP) – Croatia votes in a presidential runoff on Sunday, with the opposition-backed incumbent Zoran Milanovic expected to win a second term, in a fresh blow to the scandal-hit ruling party.
Veteran Monfils powers past teenager to reach 35th final
Auckland (AFP) – The 38-year-old Gael Monfils swept aside an opponent half his age on Friday to reach the final of the Auckland Classic, setting up a shot at his 13th title.
