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George Russell on Saturday hailed taking an "amazing" pole position ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen for the Singapore Grand Prix, as the McLarens were outpaced around the Marina Bay Circuit.

The party of billionaire ex-premier Andrej Babis led in the Czech general election on Saturday with over 80 percent of the vote counted, according to official results.

Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx scored two tries apiece as South Africa beat Argentina 29-27 at Twickenham to win successive Rugby Championship titles for the first time in their history.

Australia failed to produce a fairytale finish for stalwart James Slipper on Saturday against New Zealand but the Wallabies' most capped player walked away with plaudits and plenty of admiration.

Thousands rallied in Georgia on Saturday, heeding the opposition's call to protest local elections with a "last chance" demonstration to save democracy.

World number two Jannik Sinner launched his Shanghai Masters title defence Saturday by breezing past Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3 while Alexander Zverev advanced despite toe trouble.

George Russell in a Mercedes took pole position Saturday for the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, as McLaren were outpaced around the Marina Bay Circuit.

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson praised his team's mental resolve after the All Blacks extended their dominance over Australia in damp conditions on Saturday.

Protesters in Pakistan's Kashmir ended days of deadly anti-government demonstrations on Saturday after reaching an agreement with the government, officials said.

Mohammed Kudus' first Tottenham goal lifted Spurs up to second in the Premier League by ending Leeds' long unbeaten home run with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Backers and foes of Madagascar's cornered government staged rival rallies in the capital Antananarivo on Saturday following days of fatal youth-led protests the president has termed a coup bid.

The tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, one of the largest in southern Egypt's Valley of the Kings and Queens, was officially opened to the public Saturday after years of restoration.

Ethiopia on Saturday hit back at Egypt's "false" claim that it had triggered floods in Sudan by opening the gates of its Nile mega-dam, a regional bone of contention.

World number two Jannik Sinner launched his Shanghai Masters title defence in fine form on Saturday, breezing past Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3.

Czechs finished voting Saturday in a general election in which the party of self-described "Trumpist" billionaire Andrej Babis is a frontrunner, triggering concerns about Prague's support for Ukraine and future ties with the European Union.

New Zealand overcame Australia 28-14 in wet conditions on Saturday to keep their Rugby Championship title dream alive and spoil the swansong of Wallaby prop James Slipper.

Smoke billowed over Gaza City on Saturday, yet for the first time in months, residents felt a ceasefire was within reach as they welcomed US President Donald Trump's call for Israel to stop bombing.

Alexander Zverev on Saturday accused tennis authorities of favouring top-ranked rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in their choice of court surfaces, echoing criticisms made by Roger Federer.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday Lamine Yamal's groin injury is not simple to heal from and cast doubt over a potential return date.

Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a "new era" Saturday after becoming head of Japan's ruling party, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister.

Captain Mitchell Marsh scored a sparkling maiden Twenty20 century to steer Australia to a three-wicket win in the third and final match against New Zealand on Saturday, sealing a 2-0 series victory.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen fired a warning on Saturday by going quickest in final practice for the Singapore Grand Prix, just 0.17 seconds ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri.

French air traffic controllers have called off a three-day strike that threatened to disrupt European skies next week, a top union said on Saturday.

Internet blackouts have become a fact of daily life in the Russian city of Sochi, which is coming under increasing threat of retaliatory Ukrainian drone strikes.

Test skipper Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit Sharma as India's ODI captain, the country's cricket board said Saturday, starting with the series in Australia.

Israel said Saturday its troops were still operating in Gaza and warned residents not to return, despite calls from the families of Israeli hostages and US President Donald Trump for an immediate halt to the fighting.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja starred with both bat and ball as India hammered West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days of the first Test on Saturday.

A week after romping to the world title, cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar expects a closer fight at the European road race championships in France on Sunday, with rivals Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel looming.

Minnie Hauk is favourite to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his third victory in Europe's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Croix du Nord, Byzantine Dream and Alohi Alii are the latest equine stars who try to fulfil Japan's dream of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova crushed defending champion Coco Gauff in just 58 minutes on Saturday to reach her first China Open final.

Flights resumed "progressively" on Saturday at Munich airport, but delays were expected after a drone scare caused a second shutdown in as many days, affecting over 6,500 passengers, the operator said.

The families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Saturday said it was "essential" to end the Gaza war immediately, as Israel bombarded the territory even after US President Donald Trump called on it to stop.

Marco Bezzecchi won a thrilling sprint race in Indonesia on Saturday as newly crowned MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez extended the season points record.

Czechs began voting for a second and last day Saturday in a general election in which the party of self-described "Trumpist" billionaire Andrej Babis is a frontrunner -- something that could weaken Prague's support for Ukraine and affect ties with the European Union.

Spinner Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets as India closed in on an innings victory with West Indies in deep trouble on 66-5 at lunch on day three of the first Test on Saturday.

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected and staunchly conservative head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is expected to become Japan's first woman prime minister, but that doesn't mean she's a feminist choice, analysts say.

China hawk Sanae Takaichi won the leadership of Japan's ruling party on Saturday, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister.

Taylor Swift quickly set on Friday several streaming records with "The Life of a Showgirl," her new album of bouncy pop songs about love, sex, success -- and score-settling -- that had fans analyzing every word.