A church in east China was scaffolded and had its cross removed, AFP reporters saw Friday, with residents and rights groups saying multiple members had been arrested as a national crackdown on unofficial Christian organisations grows.
Wrexham's fairytale ride under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continued as they knocked Premier League Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win on Friday.
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis has ligament damage in his left hand and is consulting doctors to determine whether he needs surgery that could sideline him several months, ESPN reported on Friday.
- Mavs' Davis has ligament damaged in left hand: report
- Australia declares state of disaster as bushfires rage
Sports
Morocco coach Walid Regragui hailed a "historic" achievement in seeing his side reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, but warned that the hosts have not yet achieved anything at the tournament.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Brazilian striker Endrick said Friday he has found the "ideal club" in Ligue 1 side Lyon to revive his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Iranians took to the streets in new protests Friday to press the biggest movement against the Islamic republic in over three years, as authorities sustained an internet blackout as part of a crackdown that has left dozens dead.
January 09, 2026
AI took over CES 2026, powering coffee machines to brew the perfect espresso, a device to create your perfect scent, and ball-hitting tennis robots that make you forget it's human against machine.
January 09, 2026
Four-time NBA All-Star guard Trae Young said Friday on social media that he was "ecstatic" over being traded after eight seasons with the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards.
January 09, 2026
Politics
US President Donald Trump met with the heads of major oil companies on Friday after saying the world's biggest producers have pledged $100 billion to revive Venezuela's oil sector.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
European officials and tech campaigners on Friday slammed Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok after its controversial image creation feature was restricted to paying subscribers, saying the change failed to address concerns about sexualized deepfakes.
Venezuela said Friday it launched talks with the United States on restoring diplomatic ties, days after US forces deposed Nicolas Maduro as its president.
South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk hammered 20 runs in the final over for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's thrilling last-ball win over defending champions Mumbai Indians Friday to kick off the season's Women's Premier League.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, the reigning Chicago Marathon champion, will attempt to win his third consecutive men's crown at the World Cross Country Championships on Saturday in Tallahassee, Florida.
January 09, 2026
Sports
The Winter Olympics main ice hockey rink will be ready for the start of competition next month, the IOC's sport director said on Friday, ahead of a key test event for the arena.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday vowed the Islamic republic would not back down in the face of the biggest protests in years, as authorities pressed an internet blackout as part of a crackdown that has left dozens dead.
Recalled striker Iliman Ndiaye scored in the first half to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over 10-man Mali in Tangiers on Friday in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.
Switzerland held a national day of mourning Friday for the 40 mostly young people killed when fire ravaged a ski resort bar filled with New Year partygoers.
A man pleaded guilty Friday to sending "totally abhorrent" social media messages to England women's defender Jess Carter during last year's European Championships.
January 09, 2026
- PGA Tour unveils fall slate with Japan, Mexico, Bermuda stops
- 'Unhappy' Putin sends message to West with Ukraine strike on EU border
- Fletcher defends United academy after Amorim criticism
- Stocks shrug off mixed US jobs data to advance
- Kyiv mayor calls for temporary evacuation over heating outages
- Families wait in anguish for prisoners' release in Venezuela
- Littler signs reported record £20 million darts deal
- 'Devastated' Switzerland grieves deadly New Year fire