New Australian Open coaching 'pods' get mixed reaction
Melbourne (AFP) – The Australian Open has introduced court-side “coaching pods” at this year’s tournament in a Grand Slam first, but they have met with a mixed reaction.
New Lebanon president starts consultations on naming PM
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – New Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will begin parliamentary consultations Monday over designating a prime minister to form a government that will have to face major challenges in the crisis-hit country.
Ukraine's Zelensky offers firefighters to Los Angeles
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered assistance to wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles, saying Ukraine’s firefighters can “help Americans save lives” as the city struggles to combat new blazes.
Demand for Japanese content booms post 'Shogun'
Tokyo (AFP) –
As India's Bollywood shifts, stars and snappers click
Mumbai (AFP) – From riding pillion on zooming motorbikes to round-the-clock airport stakeouts, India’s celebrity-hunting paparazzi photographers have gone from “outcasts” to becoming a key part of Bollywood’s vast film industry machine.
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Djokovic eyes more Slam glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud
Sydney (AFP) – Novak Djokovic is confident he can still win Grand Slams, starting at the Australian Open, with the Serbian kickstarting his bid for an unprecedented 11th title and record 25th major crown in Brisbane this week.
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Australia's in
Melbourne (AFP) – Batsman Travis Head was declared fit for the Boxing Day Test against India on Wednesday in a big boost for Australia while Scott Boland was confirmed as the injured Josh Hazlewood’s replacement.
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Brazilian midfielder Oscar returns to Sao Paulo
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian international midfielder Oscar, who played for Chelsea, is returning to Sao Paulo, where he started his career, the club announced on Tuesday.
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'Wemby' and 'Ant
New York (AFP) – Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards will play Christmas Day games for the first time on Wednesday as the NBA delivers its 77th year of contests on the holiday.
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US agency focused on foreign disinformation shuts down
Washington (AFP) – A leading US government agency that tracks foreign disinformation has terminated its operations, the State Department said Tuesday, after Congress failed to extend its funding following years of Republican criticism.
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On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis launches holy Jubilee year
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis opened the “Holy Door” of St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve on Tuesday, launching the Jubilee year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome.
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Gaza Christians pray for end of 'death and destruction'
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Hundreds of Christians in war-ravaged Gaza City gathered at a church on Tuesday, praying for an end to the war that has devastated much of the Palestinian territory.
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Sombre Christmas in Bethlehem an 'escape' from war for Palestinians
Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – With no Christmas tree or decorations adorning the Church of the Nativity, revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, holiday cheer was absent in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday.
