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A decade after jihadists ransacked Iraq’s famed Nimrud site, archaeologists have been painstakingly putting together its ancient treasures, shattered into tens of thousands of tiny fragments.Once the crown jewel of the ancient Assyrian empire, the archaeological site was ravaged by Islamic State (IS) fighters after they seized large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in …

Iraqi archaeologists piece together ancient treasures ravaged by IS Read More »

France’s 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 finals.”It will be 2026,” Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1. “I have been there since 2012, it is planned that I will be there until 2026… the next World Cup. “It will end there because it has to end …

France coach Deschamps says will leave after 2026 World Cup Read More »

A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb, home to many Hollywood celebrities, devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations Tuesday, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region.Frightened residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the almost 3,000-acre (1,200-hectare) blaze …

Wildfire sparks panicked evacuations in Los Angeles suburb Read More »

Doubts are still lingering over the future participation of the three South African teams in the Champions Cup as clubs continue to send weakened sides to Europe.Only the Sharks tasted victory in the opening two matchdays, with the Bulls and the Stormers pointless and on the verge on missing out on the last 16 ahead …

Questions remain over South African involvement in Champions Cup Read More »

Venezuela is on tenterhooks as it braces for pro- and anti-government protests Thursday — the eve of President Nicolas Maduro’s swearing-in for a third term rejected by the opposition and much of the international community as illegitimate.With exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia vowing to return home to claim the presidency he insists he won …

Venezuela on tenterhooks ahead of rival protests, Maduro swearing-in Read More »

The body of late US president Jimmy Carter was transferred Tuesday in a grand and solemn military ceremony to the US Capitol, where it will lie in state until a national funeral later this week.Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100, served a single term from 1977-1981 and was widely praised …

Former US president Carter lies in state after somber Washington procession Read More »

In the frigid night of China’s Qinling mountains, hunters with huge social media followings scour the landscape in pursuit of wild boars menacing local farmers’ livelihoods.China’s wild boars — today numbering two million — were a protected species from 2000 until 2023, but emerged from safeguarding last year with a hell-raising reputation for devastating crops.Some …

China’s viral wild boar hunters attract fame and concern Read More »

Tech leaders continue to fall in line around Donald Trump, with Facebook’s announcement that it would end its US fact-checking program the latest victory for the president-elect and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk.Facebook parent Meta’s move into fact-checking came in the wake of Trump’s shock election in 2016, which critics said was enabled by rampant …

Big Tech rolls out the red carpet for Trump Read More »

France head coach Didier Deschamps will step down from the role when his current contract ends after the 2026 World Cup, a source close to the team said on Tuesday.Deschamps led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title, becoming only the third man to win the tournament as a player and a manager.He took …

Deschamps to step down as France coach after 2026 World Cup: team source Read More »

Newcastle took a giant stride towards the League Cup final as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned a 2-0 semi-final, first leg lead at Arsenal on Tuesday.The Magpies have never previously won the competition and have had to wait since 1969 to celebrate any major trophy.But in Isak they have the form striker …

Newcastle win at Arsenal to put one foot in League Cup final Read More »