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Rights groups expressed alarm on Saturday that Iranian authorities were intensifying a deadly crackdown under cover of an internet blackout on the biggest demonstrations in the Islamic republic in over three years after another night of mass protests.

Reigning Olympic giant slalom champion Marco Odermatt warmed up for next month's Games with his sixth World Cup victory of the season in front of his home crowd at Adelboden on Saturday.

Crystal Palace's defence of the FA Cup came to an embarrassing end as they were beaten 2-1 by sixth-tier Macclesfield in the biggest shock in the competition's history.

Reigning Olympic giant slalom champion Marco Odermatt warmed up for next month's Games with his sixth World Cup victory of the season in front of his home crowd at Abelboden on Saturday.

Poland took revenge on holders the USA to set up a United Cup final against Switzerland in Sydney despite Iga Swiatek suffering defeat to Coco Gauff on Saturday.

Test and ODI skipper Shubman Gill on Saturday said he respected the Indian selectors' shock decision to drop him from the squad for the T20 World Cup on home soil, calling it "destiny".

American ski star Lindsey Vonn stormed to victory in the women's downhill in Zauchensee on Saturday for her 84th World Cup success, and second this season.

The Syrian army said on Saturday that it was halting military operations in an Aleppo neighbourhood following days of clashes, but Kurdish forces there maintained they were still under attack, with an AFP correspondent nearby reporting sporadic gunfire.

Thousands of Irish farmers protested Saturday against the European Union's trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur, a day after EU states approved the treaty despite opposition from Ireland and France.

American ski star Lindsey Vonn stormed to victory in the women's downhill in Zauchensee on Saturday for her 84th World Cup success, and second this season.

Fresh demonstrations were planned across the United States this weekend in the wake of the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer in Minneapolis, as local officials slammed federal agencies for excluding them from the investigation.

Major Iranian cities were gripped overnight by new mass rallies denouncing the Islamic republic, as activists on Saturday expressed fear authorities were intensifying their suppression of the demonstrations under cover of an internet blackout.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said he could take a controlled risk with Kylian Mbappe's fitness ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday against Barcelona, but would not be "kamikaze".

South Africa on Saturday began naval drills with Russia, Iran and China, describing the manoeuvres off its coast as not merely a show of force but a vital response to rising maritime tensions.

Carlos Alcaraz beat great rival Jannik Sinner in a light-hearted sell-out exhibition match in South Korea on Saturday ahead of the Australian Open.

Hard hat-wearing rescue workers and backhoes dug through rubble in search of survivors on Saturday in the shadow of a mountain of garbage that buried dozens of landfill employees in the central Philippines, killing at least six.

Syria's army said it had completed a "security sweep" on Saturday of a neighbourhood in Aleppo where it clashed with Kurdish forces, who denied losing control of the area after defying calls to surrender.

Greenland's political parties said they did not want to be under Washington as US President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory, raising concern worldwide.

Major Iranian cities were gripped overnight by new mass rallies denouncing the Islamic republic, as the son of the ousted shah urged protesters on Saturday to plan to seize city centres.

Greenland's political parties said they did not want to be under Washington as US President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory, raising concern worldwide.

Stan Wawrinka lost in three sets in gruelling Sydney heat of more than 40C but Switzerland beat Belgium on Saturday to reach their first United Cup final.

Syria's army said it had completed a "security sweep" on Saturday of a neighbourhood in Aleppo where it clashed with Kurdish forces, though shelling could still be heard following calls for fighters to surrender themselves and their weapons.

Jalen Williams scored 26 points and Kenrich Williams added 21 as the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 21-point third-quarter deficit to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 117-116 on Friday.

When Jennifer Arnold learned one of her neighbors in the midwestern city of Minneapolis had been arrested by immigration authorities late last year, she reached out to lend a hand.

Amber Glenn powered to a third straight US figure skating title on Friday, holding off world champion Alysa Liu as America's women promised a formidable challenge at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Hard hat-wearing rescue workers and backhoes dug through rubble in search of survivors on Saturday in the shadow of a mountain of garbage that buried dozens of landfill employees in the central Philippines, killing at least four.

Syria's army said its operation in a Kurdish neighbourhood of Aleppo was nearing completion early Saturday and urged fighters from the minority to surrender themselves and their weapons.

Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row on Saturday, a week ahead of the Australian Open.

Almost a decade after China began curbing coal burning to stop thick winter smog, villagers in northern Hebei province are struggling to afford their heating bills with most gas subsidies now phased out.

North Korea accused the South on Saturday of flying another spy drone over its territory this month, a claim that Seoul denied.

Phil Parkinson was delighted Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds witnessed a finish worthy of one of the American actor's Hollywood movies as the Welsh club knocked Premier League Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup.

A church in east China was scaffolded and had its cross removed, AFP reporters saw Friday, with residents and rights groups saying multiple members had been arrested as a national crackdown on unofficial Christian organisations grows.