- Wildlife populations plunge 73% since 1970: WWF
- 'Sleeper agent' bots on X fuel US election misinformation, study says
- Death toll rises to 109 after Haiti gang attack, official says
- Tigers beat Guardians and on brink of advancing in MLB playoffs
- Argentina MPs back Milei's veto of university funding
- Man City sink Barca in Women's Champions League as Bayern outgun Arsenal
- Greek international Baldock, 31, found dead in pool: state agency
- Florida seaside haven a ghost town as hurricane nears
- Pharrell Williams to co-chair Met Gala exploring Black dandyism
- Wall Street indices hit fresh records as Chinese shares tumble
- Taiwan's president to deliver key speech for National Day
- Sea row on the menu as ASEAN leaders meet China's Li
- Injured Kane won't start England's Nations League clash with Greece
- Discord seen as online home for renegades
- US forecasts severe solar storm starting Thursday
- Mozambique starts tallying votes in tense election
- Zelensky moves to court European leaders in drive for military aid
- Ratan Tata: Indian mogul who built a global powerhouse
- Rodgers rejects 'false' suggestions of role in Saleh dismissal
- One dead as storm Kirk tears through Spain, Portugal, France
- Indian business titan Ratan Tata dead at 86
- Lebanon facing 'catastrophic' situation as 600,000 displaced: UN
- US warns Israel not to repeat Gaza destruction in Lebanon
- Musk's X returns in Brazil after 40-day showdown with judge
- Call her savvy? Harris unleashes unconventional media blitz
- Lucian Freud 'masterpiece' fetches £13.9 million at London sale
- SoFi Stadium to hold next two CONCACAF Nations League finals
- McIlroy and DeChambeau set for PGA-LIV 'Showdown' in Vegas
- Fed minutes highlight divisions over rate cut decision
- Steve McQueen debuts new WWII film at London festival
- Run blitz edges India and South Africa closer to World Cup semi-finals
- Zelensky to court European leaders in drive for military aid
- Israel captain says 'difficult' to focus on football in time of war
- Macron to host Ukraine's Zelensky after meeting Ukrainian troops
- Root says 'many more to get' after England Test runs landmark
- India pile up World Cup high to rout Sri Lanka
- One year later, Israeli hostage family learns of loss
- Texans receiver Collins, Pats' safety Peppers out for NFL clash
- Biden-Netanyahu talk as Hezbollah, Israeli forces clash
- Musk's X available again in Brazil after 40-day ban
- Reddy stars as India crush Bangladesh to clinch T20 series
- Nobel winners hope protein work will spur 'incredible' breakthroughs
- What are proteins again? Nobel-winning chemistry explained
- Arch rivals Ghana, Nigeria drawn together in CHAN qualifying
- AI steps into science limelight with Nobel wins
- Trump lauds India's Modi as 'total killer'
- Wall Street, Europe rise as Chinese shares tumble
- Hunkering down for Hurricane Milton at Disney -- but first, a few rides
- Reddy, Rinku power India to 221-9 in second Bangladesh T20
- Overshooting 1.5C risks 'irreversible' climate impact: study
France beat Wales 13-9 to stay on course for Six Nations Grand Slam
France kept their bid for a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2010 on track after edging Wales 13-9 in a thoroughly absorbing Test in Cardiff on Friday.
Fabien Galthie's side arrived in the Welsh capital on the back of three convincing wins over Italy (37-10), Ireland (30-24) and Scotland (36-17) and now have a tilt at the Grand Slam when they play England in Paris on March 19.
Wales did well to close down their play-making captain Antoine Dupont and posed a threat right to the end of an often-frantic encounter at a Principality Stadium 11,000 supporters short of its full 74,500 capacity.
France led 10-9 at half-time, Anthony Jelonch scoring the only try, full-back Melvyn Jaminet kicking the conversion and penalty, while Dan Biggar kicked three penalties for the home side.
A sole Jaminet penalty in the second-half sealed victory.
France didn't have to wait too long before getting on the scoreboard, Jaminet knocking over a second-minute penalty after Josh Navidi strayed offside.
Biggar levelled the scores with his own penalty minutes later as France obstructed the fly-half's kick-chase.
The visitors then showed the attacking prowess that has been a feature of their play, stretching Wales on the right before quickly recycling to the left flank.
The ball was moved simply through the hands, the overlap beautifully exploited for Jelonch to cross for a try Jaminet converted.
A great tackle by the impressive Taulupe Faletau on Jaminet led to a second Biggar penalty as Wales rallied, successfully attacking Cameron Woki in the line-out.
But the French, led by backrowers Jelonch, Francois Cros and Gregory Alldritt were quick to nullify the Welsh attack, outjackling isolated players throughout the match.
A booming, spiralled 50-22 kick by Biggar pushed Wales deep into French territory, with the throw-in for an attacking line-out.
Whilst the French dealt with the maul, Biggar hit a third, simple penalty after a ruck offence to keep the home side well and truly in the game at 10-9 at half-time.
French frustrations at not having pulled away by more than a point were best summed up by a 55-metre drop-goal from Jaminet that fell well short.
Jaminet opened the second period with a penalty after Adam Beard was caught offside, but it was far from plain sailing for the unbeaten side.
Romain Ntamack, like Dupont, well closed down by the Welsh defence, went wide with a drop-goal as a raft of replacements added to the disjointed nature of a tight second-half.
Wales, who came into the match with just a solitary win over Scotland (20-17) in three games, having lost to Ireland (29-7) and England (23-19), boldly opted for a scrum over a kick to the corner with 10 minutes to play.
Desperate French defence repelled phase after phase of attack, Ntamack eventually intercepting a forced Biggar pass.
France cleared long up the pitch and won a penalty which Jaminet sliced from 49 metres out.
They then camped out in Welsh territory, awaiting a mistake, which duly came, heralding the end of a breath-taking game.
F.Schneider--AMWN