France beat Japan 42-15 on Saturday to wrap up their Nations Championship southern hemisphere series with a comfortable win in humid Tokyo.
Laos authorities said on Saturday they could not determine blame or the cause of the deaths in 2024 of six tourists previously linked to methanol-tainted alcohol because their families had refused to allow autopsies.
Andy Burnham, who is set to become Britain's prime minister Monday, will face a roster of challenges when he steps into the office as the UK's seventh leader in a decade.
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Sports
There are rooftops draped in blue and white and murals of Lionel Messi everywhere -- but this is not Argentina, it is Bangladesh where football-crazy fans are again celebrating their unique bond with the South American giants.
July 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Bombing intensified in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive night, with Iran reporting three deaths from US strikes and retaliating with attacks on several US military sites in Kuwait and Jordan.
July 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Aston Villa announced the signing of Switzerland World Cup star Johan Manzambi from German side Freiburg on Friday for a reported club record fee of just over £50 million ($67 million).
July 18, 2026
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said Friday that thinking about his team's success in recent years sometimes brings him to tears as they attempt to retain the World Cup trophy in the final against Spain.
July 18, 2026
Luis de la Fuente said Spain planned to pay "special attention" to Lionel Messi in Sunday's World Cup final but ruled out trying to man-mark the Argentina captain.
July 17, 2026
Economy
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States and Tehran continued to trade drone and missile strikes.
July 17, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Spain captain Rodri is bracing for a "physical" battle with reigning champions Argentina when the two sides collide in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his ban for criticising a referee downgraded to one Test, with the Argentinian saying Saturday he "deeply regrets" the outburst.
A black leather jacket sported by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sold for $960,000 at a New York auction on Friday, 16 times higher than the estimated value of $60,000, according to Sotheby's.
The late Garry Sobers "stood out" even among cricket's greats but remained humble despite his standing in the game, former West Indies bowler Michael Holding told AFP on Friday.
July 17, 2026
Sports
Lucas Herbert stormed into a two-shot lead at the British Open on Friday after the Australian and American Sam Burns equalled the record for the lowest round in major golf history on Friday with eight-under par 62s.
July 17, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Bryson DeChambeau's charge towards the top of the British Open leaderboard was dealt a huge blow by a two-shot penalty after the conclusion of Friday's second round.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge's rib injury is healing, but he's still not ready to resume baseball activities, the Major League Baseball club said Friday.
Wall Street stocks fell decisively Friday, joining most global markets in retreating on continued weakness in artificial intelligence shares and rebounding oil prices.
If Lionel Messi and Argentina are to clinch back-to-back World Cup titles on Sunday, they will have to find a way past one of the meanest defences in tournament history.
July 17, 2026
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