'No matter the faith': east Ukraine marks Epiphany despite war divide
Svyatogirsk (Ukraine) (AFP) – Military medic Natalya carried a jug of water blessed by priests at the Sviatogirsk monastery in east Ukraine as she celebrated Orthodox Epiphany in a Russian-affiliated church, despite the war.
New 'oligarchy' under fire as elites descend on Davos
Davos (Switzerland) (AFP) – A leading NGO warned Monday of an emerging “aristocratic oligarchy” with massive political clout and primed to profit from Donald Trump’s presidency, as global elites descend on Davos for their annual confab.
Straka shakes off nerves to win US PGA American Express
Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Austrian Sepp Straka conquered his nerves to capture his third US PGA Tour title in convincing style Sunday, firing a two-under-par 70 to win the American Express in La Quinta, California, by two strokes.
Goodman out of Inoue title fight after reinjuring eye
Tokyo (AFP) – Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue’s title fight against Sam Goodman this month has been cancelled after the Australian challenger reopened a cut above his eye, his promoters said Saturday.
Alcaraz thriving on Sinner rivalry heading into Australian Open
Melbourne (AFP) – Carlos Alcaraz said Saturday his burgeoning rivalry with Jannik Sinner brought out the best in him, with the Spanish star driven by winning more Grand Slam titles and toppling the Italian as world number one.
More stories
Monfils, 38, becomes oldest ATP Tour champion with Auckland win
Auckland (AFP) – Gael Monfils became the oldest singles champion in ATP Tour history when the 38-year-old Frenchman swept to victory in the final of the Auckland Classic on Saturday.
More stories
UK treasurer says London 'natural home' for Chinese finance
Beijing (AFP) – British treasurer Rachel Reeves said Saturday that London was a “natural home” for Chinese finance as she began a visit to Beijing in the shadow of bond market turmoil back home.
More stories
Russia eyes Libya to replace Syria as Africa launchpad
Paris (AFP) – The fall of Russian ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria has disrupted the Kremlin’s strategy not only for the Mediterranean but also for Africa, pushing it to focus on Libya as a potential foothold, experts say.
More stories
'Education apartheid': schooling in crisis in Pakistan
Abdullah Goth (Pakistan) (AFP) – Aneesa Haroon drops off her tattered school bag at her rural home in Pakistan and hurriedly grabs lunch before joining her father in the fields to pick vegetables.
More stories
Raducanu rejects insect bite treatment over doping fears
Melbourne (AFP) – Doping fears prevented former US Open champion Emma Raducanu from treating insect bites on the eve of the Australian Open, she said, with players increasingly wary about ingesting contaminated substances.
More stories
Two fans who grabbed Betts in World Series banned by MLB
New York (AFP) – Two spectators who grabbed Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he tried to make a catch in last year’s World Series have been indefinitely banned from all MLB stadiums and facilities.
More stories
NBA Pelicans suspend Williamson one game for policy violation
Washington (AFP) – Zion Williamson was suspended one game by the New Orleans Pelicans for a violation of team policy, the NBA club announced on Friday.
More stories
Devastating LA fires expected to push up insurance premiums
New York (AFP) – The fires ravaging upmarket Los Angeles districts Pacific Palisades and Malibu will be the most expensive ever to hit California, according to experts, who expect premiums to rise in a region already abandoned by many insurers.
