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Racing 92's South African Tristan Tedder welcomes former club Toulouse in the French Top 14 on Sunday with Siya Kolisi offering words of wisdom for the playmaker in his eighth season in France.

The theatre director responsible for the most ambitious Olympics opening ceremony in history in Paris this July was so overwhelmed by the task when first asked to do it that he rang his mother in tears.

Finland's former prime minister Alexander Stubb and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto lead a pack of nine candidates running in the country's presidential election on Sunday.

China's vice foreign minister was in Pyongyang on Friday for a meeting with his North Korean counterpart.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is confident she will have a crucial emotional edge over Zheng Qinwen in Saturday's Australian Open final, but the fast-rising Chinese star believes destiny is on her side.

Concern grew on Friday for civilians trapped by fighting around Khan Yunis in Gaza's south, with the top UN court set to rule in a case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in its campaign against Hamas.

Taiwan veteran Hsieh Su-wei and Polish partner Jan Zielinski were crowned Australian Open mixed doubles champions Friday, outlasting American Desirae Krawczyk and Britain's Neal Skupski 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 11-9.

The first execution using nitrogen gas in the United States has put the spotlight on the country's use of capital punishment.

The Indiana Pacers, fueled by a triple-double from recent arrival Pascal Siakam, snapped the Philadelphia 76ers' six-game NBA winning streak on Thursday as Boston crushed Miami in an Eastern Conference finals rematch.

The cost of the damage wreaked by a huge New Year's Day earthquake that killed at least 236 people in central Japan could reach $17.6 billion, a government official said Friday.

The southern US state of Alabama on Thursday put to death a convicted murderer using nitrogen gas, the first time the controversial method decried by human rights advocates has been used in the country.

Tens of thousands of Australians took to the streets on Friday, protesting a contentious national holiday that also marks the arrival of European colonists more than 200 years ago.

The rally in Asian markets petered out Friday, with profit-takers paring three-day surges in Hong Kong and Shanghai as traders await more guidance on China's plans to support the country's battered economy.

Star batters Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra were named Friday in the New Zealand squad for the two-match home Test series, starting next week, against an inexperienced South Africa side.

Indians queuing in long lines for jobs in Israel as the war with Hamas grinds on say the risks to their safety are preferable to hunger at home.

The Carolina Panthers have agreed terms with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their new head coach, the NFL Team said on Thursday.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will on Friday meet with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Thailand, as the two powers seek to improve relations after years of tensions.

It's just after midday in a quiet studio in Beijing, and Xuan Yi is finally getting the deep sleep she's craved for months.

The top UN court hands down an initial decision Friday in a case against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza, a landmark ruling closely watched in the Middle East and around the world.

If the Detroit Lions are to upset the San Francisco 49ers and earn a place in the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, a large part of the credit will go to their head coach Dan Campbell.

Baltimore's Lamar Jackson expects a "heavyweight fight" when he leads the Ravens against rival quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL playoff showdown on Sunday.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was voted into the NBA All-Star Game for a record 20th time on Thursday, named among 10 starters for next month's 73rd All-Star contest.

Germany's Stephan Jaeger rolled in a 35-foot eagle putt from the fringe at his final hole on Thursday to seize a one-stroke lead over Nicolai Hojgaard after the second round of the US PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Brazilian police raided the home and offices of former president Jair Bolsonaro's ex-intelligence chief Thursday in an investigation into accusations of illegal spying on behalf of the far-right leader and his inner circle.

Reigning Olympic champion Nelly Korda and New Zealand's Lydia Ko each fired a six-under par 65 to share the lead after Thursday's opening round of the LPGA Drive On Championship.

Elfyn Evans began his campaign to capture an elusive maiden world rally title by taking control of the Monte Carlo Rally on Thursday.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou insists he won't be distracted by the involvement of the club's former owner Joe Lewis in an insider trading scandal.

Pep Guardiola took a cheeky swipe at Manchester United as the Manchester City boss claimed his club's bitter rivals should name a stand after Omar Berrada if he revives their fortunes.

Costa Rica will face Trinidad and Tobago in 2026 World Cup qualifying for the CONCACAF (North American) region after FIFA announced the draw for the second round on Thursday.

Venezuela called on Guyana Thursday to reject outside interference in their simmering dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region, as the two sides met in a new bid to de-escalate tensions.

The NFL's Atlanta Falcons plan to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their new head coach, snubbing former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, according to reports Thursday.

Norwegian side Brann qualified for the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League after their 1-0 win at Slavia Prague on Thursday.