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

India's star batsman Virat Kohli on Friday credited his level of fitness for achieving the landmark of 100 Tests in an age of relentless cricket that has included numerous Indian Premier League appearances.

Athletes paraded through Beijing's national stadium as the Winter Paralympics opened Friday after a storm of controversy that surrounded the banning of Russian and Belarusian athletes due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins has tested positive for coronavirus and is displaying mild symptoms of Covid-19, a spokesman for his office said on Friday.

Japanese teenager Ryo Hisatsune took an unexpected halfway lead after a nail-biting second round at the inaugural International Series Thailand on Friday.

Hong Kong on Friday announced it would suspend court services for a month as the city recorded more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day.

The United Nations appealed Friday for $205 million to deliver life-saving assistance to more than 1.6 million people who have fled the fighting in northern Ethiopia.

Russia appeared more isolated than ever following a historic vote at the UN Human Rights Council on Friday to launch an investigation into violations committed in Moscow's Ukraine war.

Andy Murray has appointed Ivan Lendl as his coach for a third time, reuniting with the man who guided him to all three of his Grand Slam titles.

More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, United Nations figures showed Friday.

A Thai man was sentenced to two years in jail on Friday for violating the country's tough royal defamation laws by putting a sticker on a portrait of Thailand's king during 2020's huge democracy rallies.

Weaving in between the Lagos traffic, hawkers selling plantain snacks and water more recently offer drivers another treat: jerry cans filled with petrol to help with fuel shortages.

Viktor and Natalya's apartment building was among the first to be hit by artillery in the city of Volnovakha, eastern Ukraine, on the first day of Russia's invasion.

Thomas Tuchel said Friday he was convinced that Chelsea "will stay a strong club" after Roman Abramovich's dramatic announcement he was selling up following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Rishabh Pant smashed 96 to help India to 357 for six on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka after Virat Kohli fell agonisingly short of fifty in his 100th five-day match Friday.

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq cracked a maiden Test century Friday to lead Pakistan's solid start in the first match of the series against Australia in Rawalpindi.

Pavel Sivakov, one of the two Russian cyclists to ride in the elite World Tour, will compete under French colours from now on saying he had wanted to "accelerate" the process given Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A road-charging scheme targeting more polluting cars in London could be expanded to cover the entire metropolitan area of the British capital, the city's mayor said Friday.

At least 30 people were killed and 80 wounded in a suicide attack at a Shiite mosque on Friday in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, where rescuers frantically ferried the dead and wounded from the scene.

Alex de Minaur got 28-time champions Australia off to a blistering start, but Thanasi Kokkinakis couldn't maintain the momentum Friday as they split their opening Davis Cup singles rubbers with Hungary.

An isolated Russia could be driven further into China's arms economically in the wake of sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, but Beijing appears wary of offering a warm embrace.

Sheriff Tiraspol coach Yuriy Vernydub pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history by beating Real Madrid -- months later he is shouldering arms in defence of his native Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Paul McCartney and US rapper Kendrick Lamar will join Billie Eilish to headline the UK's Glastonbury festival when it returns in June after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus, organisers said on Friday.

A first batch of more than 400 Nigerians who fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion were flown home on Friday.

Russian lawmakers approved legislation Friday to impose fines and harsh jail terms for publishing "fake news" about the army -- the latest move to silence dissent one week after Moscow launched the invasion of Ukraine.

A new poll Friday showed a surge in support for French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of presidential elections next month, a day after he confirmed he was running for a second term.

Sony is teaming up with automaker Honda to start a new company that will develop and sell electric vehicles, as the Japanese tech and electronics giant leaps into the rapidly growing sector.

Ukraine accused the Kremlin of "nuclear terror" on Friday, after Europe's largest atomic power plant was attacked and taken over by invading forces, sparking Western horror at the threat of Russia's war contaminating all of Europe.

Russia's media watchdog said Friday it had restricted access to the BBC and other independent media websites, tightening controls over the internet more than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine.

World number one Ko Jin-young of South Korea fired a five-under-par 67 to share the second-round lead with compatriot Amy Yang on Friday at the HSBC Women's World Championship.

Host nation New Zealand lost the opening match of the Women's Cricket World Cup in dramatic fashion Friday when the West Indies claimed three wickets in the final over.

Brazil and Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos will get a taste of English grassroots football when he turns out for a pub team on Friday.

India's cricketing hero Virat Kohli fell for 45 in his 100th Test as Sri Lankan bowlers rattled the hosts' top-order in the opening match on Friday.