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Chinese Catholics flocked to Mongolia's capital to see Pope Francis this weekend, getting a glimpse of grand public expressions of religious faith unthinkable back home, and visitors expressed hope that the pontiff could one day visit them.

South Sudan qualified for the Paris Olympics on Saturday after finishing as the highest-placed African team at the Basketball World Cup.

A chain of buoys blocks a river in northern France, the latest costly measure the authorities have deployed in their almost impossible mission to stop Britain-bound migrants crossing the Channel.

World champion Francesco Bagnaia claimed pole for the Catalunya MotoGP with a new track record at Montmelo on Saturday.

Thousands of Pakistan traders shuttered their shops on Saturday, striking over soaring energy and fuel bills stirring widespread discontent ahead of national elections.

Roman Polanski and Bradley Cooper headline the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, though controversy and a Hollywood strike mean neither is attending.

Country Garden creditors have approved postponing the repayment of a key loan, narrowly avoiding a potential default, Bloomberg reported Saturday.

Typhoon Saola swept across southern China on Saturday after tearing down trees and smashing windows in Hong Kong, although the megacity avoided a feared direct hit from one of the region's strongest storms in decades.

Chinese developer Country Garden has won approval from creditors to extend a deadline for a key bond repayment, narrowly avoiding a potential default, Bloomberg reported Saturday.

The latest mission in India's ambitious space programme blasted off Saturday on a voyage towards the centre of the solar system, a week after the country's successful unmanned Moon landing.

Typhoon Saola swept across southern China on Saturday after tearing down trees and smashing windows in Hong Kong, although the megacity avoided a feared direct hit from one of the region's strongest storms in decades.

Pope Francis invoked the "wisdom" of the Mongolian people Saturday, in harmony with nature and embracing spirituality, while warning the young democracy of such modern-day risks as corruption and environmental ruin.

A towering figure of 20th-century classical music, Leonard Bernstein is the subject of Bradley Cooper's much-anticipated biopic "Maestro", premiering at Venice.

Novak Djokovic rallied from two sets down against compatriot Laslo Djere to avoid his earliest US Open exit since 2006 on Friday, while Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff closed in on a blockbuster clash.

Novak Djokovic conjured a trademark comeback from two sets down to defeat Serbian compatriot Laslo Djere in a five-set thriller and seal his place in the US Open last 16.

While the Greek government has been quick to blame global warming for the summer's devastating wildfires, some experts argue that poor planning is at least as much to blame.

The patients don't have addresses, phone numbers or in many cases even last names. But the addicts and homeless people of this Rio de Janeiro wasteland can count one blessing amid the misery: health care.

Local faithful in Mongolia are hoping a historic visit by Pope Francis to the Buddhist minority nation this week will shine a light on the country's small but vibrant Catholic community.

Pope Francis celebrated Mongolia's rich and ancient culture Saturday during the first papal visit to the country, while warning the young democracy of risks from corruption and destruction of the environment.

Perrine Delacour fired five birdies in a five-under par 67 on Friday to maintain her lead midway through the Portland Classic in pursuit of a first LPGA title.

Seamer Lockie Ferguson will captain New Zealand for the first time on the international stage during their three-match 50-overs tour of Bangladesh, his team was announced Saturday.

Should you get a leg up on your university application just because Mom or Dad had studied at that school?

Joanna Schlosser found refuge from advancing wildfires at a winery where she works, but is now dealing with a tourism downturn and other wide-ranging fallout on the business -- and Canada's economy.

Home favourite Coco Gauff clawed closer towards a potential US Open showdown with defending champion Iga Swiatek as 23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic targeted his place in the last 16 on Friday.

Typhoon Saola swept across southern China on Saturday after tearing down trees and smashing windows in Hong Kong, although the megacity avoided a feared direct hit from one of the region's strongest storms in decades.

Pope Francis is due to meet the tiny but vibrant community of Catholics in Mongolia on Saturday, part of his first papal visit to the Buddhist-majority nation strategically located between China and Russia.

Caroline Wozniacki said she always believed she could return to the top level after reaching the last 16 of the US Open on Friday in her first Grand Slam appearance in over three years.

Frances Tiafoe is eyeing another deep run at the US Open after surging into the last 16 on Friday with victory over French veteran Adrian Mannarino.

Paris Saint-Germain completed the signing of France striker Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt in the biggest deal to go through on transfer deadline day in Europe on Friday.

Manchester United signed Sofyan Amrabat on loan as part of a hat-trick of arrivals at Old Trafford in the hectic final hours before Friday's transfer deadline, while Liverpool reportedly turned down a £150 million ($190 million) offer from Saudi Arabia for Mohamed Salah.

Inmates in six Ecuadoran prisons have released the 50 guards and seven police officers who had been taken hostage in the country's latest spasm of narcotics-related mayhem, the state prison institute said Friday.

Spanish team Getafe signed striker Mason Greenwood from Manchester United on loan on Friday, they said in a statement, despite him having faced allegations of abuse involving a young woman.