Chris Froome finished near the front of the peloton in Australia

Chris Froome finished sixth on stage one of the Herald Sun Tour as he looks to become the first rider in more than a decade to claim back-to-back titles in the five-day event. Having come 26th in Wednesday’s prologue, the three-time Tour de France winner came home one minute and 11 seconds behind stage winner Damien Howson of Orica-Scott.

James Mattis sworn in as Trump’s defense secretary

James Mattis signs his confirmation letter to be named US Secretary of Defense in Vice President Mike Pence’s Ceremonial Office in the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, January 20, 2017. WASHINGTON, United States Retired Marine general James Mattis was sworn in Friday as US defense secretary, praising intelligence agencies and calling for stronger ties with allies in a break from positions taken by President Donald Trump.

Rattled Europe Debates How Best to Approach Trump

European governments struggled Tuesday to assess whether outspoken remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, made in a weekend interview with two European newspapers, will be translated into new policies. European leaders had hoped that as Trump’s inauguration approached, the president-elect would tone down his campaign-trail criticism of the European Union and NATO, which he has dubbed “obsolete.”

105-year-old Frenchman sets cycling record

Nearly a century ago, Robert Marchand was told by a coach that he should give up cycling because he would never achieve anything on a bike. In a skin-tight yellow and violet jersey, the 105-year-old Frenchman set a world record in the 105-plus age category – created especially for the tireless veteran – by riding 22.547 kilometres in one hour.