One of the things Hong Kong superstar Tony Leung Chiu-wai likes about acting is the novelty -- "you will never repeat the same role".
Much of Western Europe was sweltering in a gruelling heatwave on Friday with the mercury expected to continue rising in the coming days, shattering temperature records.
From the corridors of power in Washington to a Swiss mountaintop resort, via Tehran and a French spa, it has been a dizzying week of diplomacy on Iran -- marked by surprise twists and a last-ditch hunt for a printer in the Palace of Versailles.
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Education
More than half of France's population was dealing with scorching temperatures on Friday, according to AFP's calculations, with hundreds of schools adapting their timetables to keep students out of broiling classrooms.
June 19, 2026
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Moutet fined over x-rated Queen's Club rant
Sports
June 19, 2026
Need some good news on a Friday after a long week?
June 19, 2026
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American Wyndham Clark seized a three-stroke lead early in Friday's second round of the US Open with fellow major winners Dustin Johnson, Gary Woodland and Matt Fitzpatrick in hot pursuit.
June 19, 2026
Russia's central bank on Friday cut its benchmark interest rate to 14.25 percent from 14.5 percent, less than analysts expected, and signalled a more cautious approach to further monetary policy easing as the Ukraine war takes a growing toll on Moscow's finances.
June 19, 2026
American Taylor Fritz battled past Ben Shelton in three sets on Friday to reach the semi-finals in Halle five days after losing the title match to his countryman in Stuttgart.
June 19, 2026
Sports
Matt Henry took five wickets as New Zealand strengthened their grip on the second Test against England on Friday by establishing a first-innings lead of 100 runs.
June 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
More than half of France's population were dealing with scorching temperatures on Friday, according to AFP's calculations, with hundreds of schools adapting their timetables to keep students out of boiling classrooms.
Inflammatory social media posts -- including of men brandishing a machete or calling foreigners "leeches" -- are stoking emotions around an unofficial demand for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa by the end of the month, fuelling a volatile situation, analysts say.
Deadly exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon put a newly signed deal to end the Middle East war under further strain on Friday, after the postponement of planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland.
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps announced on Friday she has agreed to join Women's Super League club London City Lionesses after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
June 19, 2026
Sports
Wyndham Clark finished his darkness-halted first round of the 126th US Open with two pars on Friday morning, completing a six-under par 64 to hold a two-stroke lead at windy Shinnecock.
June 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
French hurdler Dimitri Bascou, an Olympic medallist in 2016, was banned for four years on Friday for a positive test for steroids.
Italy's foreign minister on Friday cancelled a visit to the United States over reported comments by US President Donald Trump that appeared to mock Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
American world number four Jessica Pegula reached the semi-finals of the WTA event in Berlin after a straight sets win over countrywoman Madison Keys on Friday.
Oil prices and stock markets stabilised Friday after postponement of Mideast peace deal talks and following big movements for markets this week on hopes of an end to the US-Iran conflict.
June 19, 2026
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