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

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Kyiv on Friday to launch "a major new package of support" for Ukraine and increase military funding for this financial year to £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), his office said.

Third seed Sebastian Korda was dismantled 6-2, 6-1 on Friday as Jiri Lehecka reached the Adelaide International final, while Jelena Ostapenko battled into the women's decider.

A Greek crooner is showered in red and pink carnations by customers in an Athens taverna as they sway to his songs of love and passion.

Takefusa Kubo was tipped for stardom after joining Barcelona's academy aged 10 and the Japanese attacking midfielder now looks poised to realise his potential by taking the Asian Cup by storm.

Burst riverbanks are causing turmoil in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa, with dark and foul-smelling water pouring into homes across working-class neighbourhoods in the central African megacity.

In real life he's a prince of an Islamic sultanate steeped in centuries-old traditions, but on Instagram Brunei's Abdul Mateen is more Hollywood than royalty as he flies in fighter jets, drives speed boats and poses bare-chested after workouts.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu says her level is "just too good not to come through" as she looks to get her career back on track at the Australian Open.

Coco Gauff says she will try and use the "mental fire" that propelled her to US Open glory at Melbourne Park as she set her sights on winning multiple Grand Slam titles.

Jannik Sinner credited master coach Darren Cahill Friday with helping him rise up the rankings, saying the Australian gave him a different perspective on tennis.

A French actor has accused a director 25 years her senior of manipulating her into a relationship as a teenager, contributing to criticism that the arts have provided cover for abuse.

Aryna Sabalenka said Friday she felt "really great" heading into the defence of her Australian Open title, with a hard grind during the pre-season making her "as ready as I can be".

China's exports fell last year for the first time in seven years, data showed Friday, as tensions with the United States and a stuttering global economic recovery compound Beijing's struggles to kickstart growth at home.

Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces acting in solidarity with Hamas.

Daniil Medvedev says he is trying to "mature" and do fewer "stupid things" on court to shake off his reputation as a tennis villain.

Oscar-winning "Parasite" filmmaker Bong Joon-ho and other South Korean stars called for an investigation on Friday into police and media conduct in the days leading to actor Lee Sun-kyun's death.

Australian Cam Davis nabbed nine birdies in an eight-under par 62 on Thursday to seize a two-stroke lead in the suspended first round of the Sony Open, the first full-field event of the US PGA Tour season.

The world's political and business elites will convene in Davos next week, with wars in Gaza and Ukraine set to dominate the annual gabfest in the Swiss Alps.

Naomi Osaka said Friday she can "feel the nostalgia" at the Australian Open as the two-time former champion prepares to make her return to Grand Slam tennis after becoming a mother.

Israel will on Friday hit back at what it describes as "atrocious" allegations it is committing "genocide" in Gaza, in a closely watched landmark case before the UN's top court.

Troops patrolled the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital on Friday, under a state of emergency following riots that killed 16 across the country's two largest cities.

Things to know about the Africa Cup of Nations before the 2024 tournament kicks off on Saturday with a Group A clash between hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau:

Trade between China and Russia hit a record high in 2023, official data from Beijing showed on Friday, as commerce with the United States fell for the first time in four years on the back of geopolitical tensions.

World number one Iga Swiatek said Friday a "peaceful" off-season had left her more focused heading into the Australian Open as she targets her first Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park.

Caroline Wozniacki admits ultimately she will "never be cool" to her two young children even as they watch her pursue more Grand Slam glory at the Australian Open.

Oil prices surged Friday after US and UK forces launched strikes against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen following attacks on ships in the Red Sea, fuelling worries about a wider conflict in the crude-rich region.

President Joe Biden said Thursday that US and British air strikes against Yemen's Huthis were "defensive" and warned of further measures if the Iran-backed rebels keep attacking ships in the Red Sea.

Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet a senior Chinese official in Washington on Friday on the eve of Taiwan's elections, as the United States seeks to discourage Beijing from taking action against Taipei.

Paris Saint-Germain resume their Ligue 1 title bid after the winter break against last season's runners-up Lens as the focus sharpens increasingly on the future of France captain Kylian Mbappe.

League leaders Bayer Leverkusen's bid for a debut Bundesliga title is likely to hinge on how well Xabi Alonso's side account for their Africa Cup of Nations absences.

Manchester City appear ominously poised to strike in the Premier League title race as Pep Guardiola welcomes back key players for Saturday's trip to Newcastle, while Manchester United can ill-afford another damaging defeat when Tottenham visit Old Trafford.

Dramatic drone footage showing Indian commandos hunting pirates after an attack in the Arabian Sea illustrates New Delhi's "significant" expansion of a muscular maritime force reflecting global ambitions, analysts say.