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Kyrylo Budanov, set to become Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's new chief of staff, is a secretive figure who rose from relative obscurity to become head of Kyiv's formidable spy agency.

Stefanos Tsitsipas found his winning touch on his return to action from injury as he led Greece to an unassailable 2-0 lead over Japan on Friday in group play at the ATP-WTA United Cup.

Families endured an agonizing wait for news of their loved ones Friday as Swiss investigators rushed to identify victims of a ski resort fire at a New Year's celebration that killed at least 40 people.

Injury-prone fast bowler Anrich Nortje was on Friday named in South Africa's 15-man squad for next month's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to break their New Year jinx as the Gunners battle for their first Premier League title in more than two decades.

Norway came close to its objective of selling only zero-emission cars in 2025, with electric vehicles accounting for 95.9 percent of new registrations.

Former Barcelona and Brazil right-back Dani Alves, whose rape conviction was overturned last year, has invested in Portuguese third-division side Sporting Clube Sao Joao de Ver, the club announced.

Stock markets rose Friday, the first trading day of 2026, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index reaching 10,000 points for the first time.

President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States is "locked and loaded" to respond if Iran kills protesters, prompting Tehran to warn that intervention would destabilise the region.

Danish offshore wind energy firm Orsted said Friday its US joint venture had filed a lawsuit challenging the suspension of the lease for its nearly-completed project off the coast of New England.

Packed with missile tests, propaganda hailing the great leaders and tirades against the United States, North Korea's top newspaper was long considered so incendiary that South Korea banned its citizens from reading it.

Markets made a bright start to 2026 on Friday but volumes were thin with Tokyo and Shanghai still closed as investors awaited fresh direction from Wall Street.

Seamer Matthew Potts and spinner Shoaib Bashir were included in a 12-man England squad Friday for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia as the tourists look to finish the series on a high.

Sebastian Baez and Solana Sierra led Argentina to an unassailable 2-0 lead over Spain on Friday to begin the ATP-WTA United Cup and clinch only the nation's second win from seven ties played at the mixed-team event.

Tour Down Under champions Jhonatan Narvaez and Noemi Ruegg will be back to defend their titles at the season-opening UCI World Tour race, officials said Friday, heading a stellar field that also boasts Tour de France queen stage winner Ben O'Connor.

Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa started the year with a frantic search for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire tore through a bar in a neighbouring Swiss town.

Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa started the year with a frantic search for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire tore through a bar in a neighbouring Swiss town.

Asian markets made a bright start to 2026 on Friday but volumes were thin with Tokyo and Shanghai still closed as investors awaited fresh direction from Wall Street.

Norman Powell scored a game-high 36 points and the Miami Heat took their fourth consecutive NBA victory with a 118-112 triumph at Eastern Conference leader Detroit on Thursday.

Investigators raced on Friday to identify the victims of a fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year's celebration into one of the country's worst tragedies.

With captain Achraf Hakimi hardly featuring during the Africa Cup of Nations group stage as he recovers from injury, Ayoub El Kaabi has emerged as the hero of the tournament so far for the host country.

The transfer window for Premier League clubs is open with sides ready to splash out to win the title, secure a place in next season's Champions League or just survive in the lucrative English top flight.

President Nicolas Maduro Thursday dodged a question about an alleged US attack on a dock in Venezuela but said he was open to cooperation with Washington after weeks of American military pressure.

Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams was handed a wildcard to the Australian Open aged 45 on Friday, becoming the oldest woman ever to play at the season-opening Grand Slam.

US President Donald Trump blamed aspirin for large bruises on his hand and denied falling asleep while attending public meetings in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Thursday.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's wardrobe is more than a statement of style; it has become known as a canvass for her political message of advancing women's and Indigenous rights.

For years, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia projected geopolitical and economic power across the Gulf and beyond, seemingly in tandem.

Former Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn is showing "positive signs" after being hospitalised in an induced coma with meningitis, ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist said.

The North Korean leader's daughter Kim Ju Ae has made her first visit to a mausoleum housing her grandfather and great-grandfather, state media images showed Friday, further solidifying her place as her father's successor.

The deadly fire that ripped through a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana raises numerous questions.

Dozens were killed and over 100 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana early Thursday as young revellers rang in the New Year.

Usman Khawaja said Friday he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and Ashes clash against England, leaving a legacy as Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer while lashing out at perceived "racial stereotyping" during his 15-year career.

Thomas Frank said the "boring Tottenham" taunts from his own club's fans were understandable after they were held to a dour 0-0 draw by Brentford on Thursday.

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City paid the price for their sloppy finishing in a 0-0 draw against Sunderland that dealt a major blow to their title hopes on Thursday.

Hundreds gathered in silence in the freezing night in Crans-Montana on Thursday evening, laying flowers and lighting candles to remember those killed and injured in a horrific blaze as they celebrated the New Year.

Victor Wembanyama will miss San Antonio's NBA game on Friday at Indiana after suffering a hyper-extended left knee in a Spurs victory over New York, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro left a hospital Thursday to return to prison and resume serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup.

Manchester City trail Arsenal by four points at the top of the Premier League after failing to end Sunderland's unbeaten home record in a 0-0 draw on Thursday, while Liverpool were also held by Leeds.

Manchester City's Premier League title challenge suffered a major setback as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Thursday.