The Irish Press - News from Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Drogheda, Galyway, Ireland and the world

A weaker yen lifted Japanese equities on Friday, while Wall Street's major indices slid in quiet holiday trading.

Arne Slot insists Liverpool's commanding position at the top of the Premier League table has led to no extra strain during his first season in charge at Anfield.

Holidaymakers are returning to Paris for winter holiday magic as the tourism industry rebounds, inspired by the successful Olympic Games and the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral.

The Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan this week suffered physical "external interference", the airline and Azerbaijan's transport minister said Friday, citing preliminary results of an investigation, adding to speculation it was hit by a Russian air defence system.

Under-fire Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on Friday insisted he was joking when he said being a Premier League manager was harder than being Prime Minister.

A man who killed 35 people in a car attack in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai last month was sentenced to death on Friday, state media reported.

Debutant fast bowler Corbin Bosch, batting at number nine, hit an attacking 81 not out and took South Africa to a 90-run first-innings lead on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Friday.

Russia's aviation chief said Friday that an Azerbaijani Airlines plane that eventually crashed in Kazakhstan tried to land in the Chechen city of Grozny as it was being attacked by Ukrainian drones.

French skier Cyprien Sarrazin is "conscious" after being airlifted to hospital following a nasty crash Friday during training for a World Cup downhill race in Bormio, Italy.

NATO will bolster its military presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia this week, the Western military alliance's chief Mark Rutte said on Friday.

Eddie Howe hopes his current Newcastle team have "moved on" from the one which finished fourth in the Premier League two seasons ago.

Global stocks mostly rose on Friday, as European markets returned from the Christmas break tracking Asia gains after a weaker yen lifted Japanese equities.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament on Friday and confirmed the expected February date for an early general election after the collapse of Olaf Scholz's government last month.

South Korean lawmakers impeached acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, sinking the country even deeper into political crisis two weeks after his predecessor was suspended over a martial law declaration that shocked the world.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said it was "too early" to say his side were on course for the Premier League title after a 3-1 win over Leicester extended their lead at the top of the table.

Mayotte has changed beyond recognition since a cyclone devastated the Indian Ocean territory, sparking an environment and biodiversity crisis that could last for a decade or more, scientists say.

Ruben Amorim admitted he had "no idea" how long it will take for him to revive Manchester United, saying his focus was on "survival" after a defeat by Wolves condemned him to the worst start by any Old Trafford boss in nearly 100 years.

Ruben Amorim admitted he had "no idea" how long it will take for him to revive Manchester United, saying his focus was on "survival" after a defeat by Wolves condemned him to the worst start by any Old Trafford boss in nearly 100 years.

Oleksandr deserted from the front line in eastern Ukraine after watching his fellow servicemen being pulverised by Russian bombardments for six months. Then, those remaining were ordered to counterattack.

China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington's approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing said infringed on its "sovereignty and territory".

Asian markets mostly rose on Friday, with Japanese shares gaining on a weaker yen, although Seoul shares plunged as South Korea's political crisis deepened with a second impeachment vote.

A North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine has died of his wounds, South Korea's spy agency said on Friday.

Yemeni rebels claimed a strike against the airport in Israel's commercial hub of Tel Aviv on Friday, after Israeli air strikes hit rebel-held Sanaa's international airport and other targets in Yemen.

World number six Elena Rybakina led Kazakhstan to a 2-1 defeat of Spain on Friday, as the former Wimbledon champion made a winning start to the season at the United Cup mixed-team event.

South Korean lawmakers impeached the acting president on Friday, as the country struggles to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world.

Israeli air strikes hit rebel-held Sanaa's international airport and other targets in Yemen on Thursday as the head of the UN's World Health Organization said he and his team prepared to fly out.

World number two Iga Swiatek said on Friday she was ready to put a drugs scandal behind her, insisting there was no reason for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to appeal against her case.

Two sailors have been killed in separate incidents in the treacherous Sydney to Hobart yacht race, officials said on Friday, as a string of yachts retired in powerful winds and high seas.

Australia's fiery pace attack destroyed India's top order on Friday to put them in the driving seat of the fourth Test after they set a daunting first innings target on the back of Steve Smith's 34th Test century.

From tiny and impoverished Mayotte to oil-rich behemoth Saudi Arabia, prosperous European cities to overcrowded slums in Africa, nowhere was spared the devastating impact of supercharged climate disasters in 2024.

Taylor Fritz said Friday he strategically limited his workload during the brief tennis off-season before heading to Australia to begin 2025, learning that less can sometimes be more.

The growing popularity of Chinese sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks has shaken up Mexico's luxury car market, hitting sales of traditionally dominant brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Alexander Zverev begins his 2025 season this week with the goal of becoming world number one, but he said Friday staying fit and healthy was equally important.

South Korea's spy agency said Friday it had confirmed that a North Korean soldier sent to back Russia's war against Ukraine had been captured by Ukrainian forces.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Friday he will start with a blank mental slate at the season-opening United Cup teams event this week as the two-time Grand Slam finalist renews his quest for an elusive maiden major title.

India announced seven days of state mourning on Friday after the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, one of the architects of the country's economic liberalisation in the early 1990s.

Jason Myers kicked two field goals and the Seattle Seahawks defeated Chicago 6-3 in a defensive-dominated contest on Thursday to lift their NFL playoff hopes.

A resurgent Steve Smith's 34th Test century powered Australia to a hefty 474 on Friday before Pat Cummins removed Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to put them in the driving seat of the fourth Test against India.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career high with 45 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Indiana Pacers 120-114 on Thursday, stretching their NBA win streak to nine games.