- Chad hunts attackers after 40 killed in Boko Haram raid
- Oil prices tumble, global stocks rise as Iran fears ease
- Verstappen controversy, Hamilton happy - Mexico Grand Prix talking points
- Boeing announces stock offering expected to raise up to $19 billion
- UK far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson jailed for 18 months
- Sexual assault trial of French screen legend Depardieu opens without him
- X suspends new account posting on behalf of Iran leader Khamenei
- Lithuania's centre left starts coalition talks after election win
- Manchester United sack manager Ten Hag
- Michelin-starred Thai street food cook hints at retirement
- Crisis-hit VW mulls closing at least three German plants
- Middle East aid workers say rules of war being flouted
- Taijul vows Bangladesh to bounce back in second South Africa Test
- Ship with suspected toxic waste returns to Albania
- Saka regrets Arsenal not showing 'our best selves' against Liverpool
- Global stocks diverge, oil prices tumble as Iran fears ease
- Afghanistan morality ministry spreads 'living things' images ban
- Spanish PM in India seeking to bolster trade ties
- Israel presses Gaza and Lebanon assaults as Egypt touts truce plan
- Carbon cuts 'miles short' of 2030 goal: UN
- Crisis-hit VW eyeing plant closures, deep pay cuts: report
- What next after Japanese election
- Trump, Harris lean on traditional bases eight days before US vote
- Still no snow on Japan's Mount Fuji, breaking record
- Philips lowers sales outlook on drop in China orders
- French screen legend Depardieu asks for delay to sexual assault trial
- Paris show spotlights Afghan women who 'lost hope'
- Climate change-worsened floods wreak havoc in Africa
- French screen legend Depardieu faces sexual assault trial
- Japan PM vows to stay on despite election debacle
- Record number of women win seats in Japan election
- Vinicius favourite for Ballon d'Or in post-Messi/Ronaldo era
- Milan and Inter back on long road towards a new San Siro
- Oil prices tumble as Iran fears ease, yen weakens after Japan polls
- Olympus CEO resigns over alleged illegal drugs purchase
- After disastrous election, what happens to Japan's new PM?
- Bangladesh immunity order sparks fears of justice denied
- North Korea says probe 'proved' Seoul to blame for drones
- Wallabies return to Perth and Townsville for 2025 Tests
- Left, center-right candidates to duel in Uruguay presidential runoff
- Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series
- New storm bears down on Philippines after deadly Trami
- 'Wiped off the face of the Earth': How Russia erased a Ukrainian city
- Teacher vs veterinarian: Uruguay's presidential frontrunners
- Down to the wire: Trump, Harris in final week push
- NFL Chiefs stay unbeaten as Commanders win on miracle catch
- Trump's New York rally attacks Harris, draws criticism
- Maxey scores 45 points to propel 76ers over Pacers
- Left, center-right candidates to duel in Uruguay presidential runoff: estimates
- Debutant Sears shines as US women rally to beat Iceland
Liverpool face Man Utd title test as top four battle heats up
Premier League leaders Liverpool head to Manchester United looking to move a step closer to equalling their bitter rivals' record of 20 English titles.
In a gripping title race, Arsenal and Manchester City will hope for a Liverpool stumble, while the top four battle and relegation survival fight are also heating up.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend's action:
- No 'revenge' mission for Liverpool -
With memories of their painful FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester United still fresh for Alex Mac Allister and his Liverpool team-mates, it would have been no surprise if the Argentine midfielder had branded their return to Old Trafford as a revenge mission.
Jurgen Klopp's side twice blew the lead in a 4-3 defeat that was clinched by Amad Diallo in the final seconds of extra-time.
The end of Liverpool's quadruple bid stung the Merseysiders but they can make amends by defeating Erik ten Hag's men as they bid to move level with United's record 20 top-flight titles.
Mac Allister, whose thunderous strike put Liverpool on course for their 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Thursday, insisted avenging their FA Cup loss was not the primary motivation with so much already at stake.
"I don't know if it's revenge but for sure it will be an important game for us because if we want to win something we have to win every game and that's the aim," said Mac Allister, whose team are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal with eight games left.
Arsenal head to Brighton aiming to keep the pressure on Liverpool, while third-placed City -- three points behind the leaders -- travel to Crystal Palace.
- Top four race heats up -
Tottenham are not the "finished article" according to boss Ange Postecoglou as his top four hopefuls face a vital weekend in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
Postecoglou's side were held to frustrating 1-1 draw at West Ham on Tuesday but Aston Villa's 4-1 defeat at Manchester City 24 hours later kept the north Londoners firmly in contention for a top four berth.
Fifth-placed Tottenham are two points behind fourth-placed Villa with a game in hand.
Struggling Nottingham Forest visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, while Villa host Brentford.
Both sides will be expected to win and a shock slip-up could be a decisive moment, with Postecoglou conceding his team are still a work in progress.
"I would love to have a joystick and put them where I want them but it doesn't work like that. We are not the finished article and we know that," he said.
Villa are aiming to play in the Champions League for the first time since 1983 and boss Unai Emery said his players relish the pressure.
"We will play a lot of matches in the next weeks, starting on Saturday. It's clear we are motivated and excited to try to be competitive," he said.
- 'Only way is up' in survival battle -
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is confident his side will not crack as the tension mounts in the struggle for survival.
Gibbs-White scored as fourth-bottom Forest defeated Fulham 3-1 on Tuesday to improve their hopes of beating the drop with a first win in seven games in all competitions.
"Credit to the whole team. It looks like the only way is up from here, hopefully," Gibbs-White said.
Forest have been deducted four points for breaching the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules, while Everton were hit with a six-point punishment -- reduced from 10 on appeal -- for similar financial offences.
Everton face boss Sean Dyche's former club Burnley in a crucial clash at Goodison Park on Saturday when the Toffees will bid to snap a club record 13-game winless Premier League run.
Dyche's side are seven points above second-bottom Burnley as they chase their first league win since beating the Clarets in December.
Third-bottom Luton host Bournemouth looking to close the three-point gap on Forest.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Crystal Palace v Manchester City (1130), Aston Villa v Brentford, Everton v Burnley, Fulham v Newcastle, Luton v Bournemouth, Wolves v West Ham, Brighton v Arsenal (1630)
Sunday
Manchester United v Liverpool (1430), Sheffield United v Chelsea (1630), Tottenham v Nottingham Forest (1700)
L.Mason--AMWN