Gauff, Swiatek off to flyers as Djokovic, Sinner launch Open quests
Melbourne (AFP) – Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff launched their Australian Open title bids with straight-sets wins on Monday but former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first big casualty of the tournament.
'It sucks': Tsitsipas first big name to fall at Australian Open
Melbourne (AFP) – Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas said “it sucks” after being on the end of the first big upset of the Australian Open on Monday, with the worst part having to hang around before his next tournament.
Chinese artist cashes in on Buddha
Xiamen (China) (AFP) – Donald Trump is not typically known for his calm or reserve, but in a craftsman’s workshop in rural China the US president-elect sits in divine contemplation.
Man City pay penalty for Haaland miss in Everton draw
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved as Manchester City’s astonishing slump continued with a 1-1 draw against lowly Everton at the Etihad Stadium.
India readies for 400 million pilgrims at mammoth festival
Prayagraj (India) (AFP) – Beside India’s holy rivers, a makeshift city is being built for a Hindu religious festival expected to be so vast it will be seen from space, the largest gathering in history.
More stories
Nepal hosts hot air balloon festival
Pokhara (Nepal) (AFP) – With Nepal’s snowy Himalayan peaks as a backdrop, the sky above Pokhara transformed into a vibrant canvas of colours for the country’s first hot-air balloon festival.
More stories
Asia stocks up as 'Santa Rally' persists
Hong Kong (AFP) – Asia’s stocks rose in thin Boxing Day trade on Thursday, extending a “Santa Rally” with key markets Hong Kong and Sydney still shut for the holidays.
More stories
Sydney
Sydney (AFP) – Crews of more than 100 yachts set sail Thursday on a “boat-breaking” Sydney-Hobart yacht race, with gale-force winds and high seas forecast for the gruelling bluewater classic.
More stories
Key public service makes quiet return in Gaza
Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – The quiet resumption of operations at a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip last month marked a small but significant step toward restoring public services in the Palestinian territory ravaged by more than 14 months of war.
More stories
Fearless Konstas slams 60 as Australia take upper hand against India
Melbourne (AFP) – Fearless young opener Sam Konstas slammed an entertaining 60 on debut for Australia on Thursday, showing little respect for the Indian pace bowlers in the opening session of the fourth Test.
More stories
Hungry Sabalenka ready for more Slam success
Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka says she is “fresh and ready to go” in her bid for a third straight Australian Open title, warning she has plenty of room for improvement.
More stories
Mass jailbreak in Mozambique amid post
Maputo (AFP) – More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a Maputo prison Wednesday, taking advantage of the third day of unrest triggered by the controversial confirmation of the long-ruling Frelimo party as the winner of recent elections.
More stories
Bridges outduels Wembanyama, Celtics lose again
New York (AFP) – Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks edged Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a Christmas Day thriller at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
