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The 2026 World Cup will feature a trilogy of opening ceremonies, with each of the host countries -- Mexico, the United States and Canada -- getting its turn at a star-studded celebration.

Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul pounced late after gusty winds died down to fire a three-under par 69 and take a three-stroke lead in the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open on Friday.

World number two Rory McIlroy questions LIV Golf's ability to find new investors after Saudi backers pull out but said Friday the PGA Tour should be open to players wanting to return.

South Korea's Im Sung-jae fired a two-under par 69 to seize a one-stroke lead over England's Tommy Fleetwood after Friday's second round of the PGA Truist Championship.

The World Health Organization's chief is due in the Spanish island of Tenerife on Saturday to help coordinate the evacuation of passengers hit by the hantavirus, Spanish ministry sources said.

Peru's ultraconservative presidential hopeful Rafael Lopez Aliaga on Friday accused electoral authorities of a "coup," claiming, without providing proof, that they were rigging the results of April 12 elections.

Mexican authorities on Friday announced that the school year would end over a month early as the country gears up to host World Cup matches, prompting broad backlash.

Borussia Dortmund came from a goal down to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 at home on Friday, putting further pressure on visiting coach Albert Riera.

Teenage substitute Mezian Soares gave Lens a 1-0 win over Nantes in Ligue 1 on Friday to give his side direct qualification for next season's Champions League while relegating Nantes to the second tier.

Borussia Dortmund came from a goal down to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 at home on Friday, putting further pressure on visiting coach Albert Riera.

Costa Rica's new President Laura Fernandez vowed a "firm hand" against drug trafficking at her inauguration as leader of the Central American tourism hotspot.

Lionel Messi says Argentina fans are right to dream of a second straight World Cup crown, but warns other contenders, including France and Spain, "are in better shape".

Global stock markets diverged and oil prices rose Friday as fresh US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz jolted hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the crucial waterway.

Russia and Ukraine confirmed on Friday a US-brokered truce and a large prisoner swap over May 9-11, when Moscow celebrates its World War II victory, after trading drone strikes and declaring unilateral ceasefires in the run-up.

Novak Djokovic slumped to an early elimination from the Italian Open on Friday, crumbling to a second-round defeat at the hands of qualifier Dino Prizmic which leaves question marks about his physical condition ahead of Roland Garros.

Costa Rican political scientist Laura Fernandez was sworn in as president on Friday, the latest right-winger to win power in Latin America on a promise to combat drug-related violence.

Keir Starmer vowed Friday to remain as Britain's prime minister after disastrous local elections saw his centre-left Labour party humiliated across the UK with disillusioned Britons backing hard-right and nationalist parties.

Formula One bosses have responded to the criticism of this season's power unit modifications by agreeing to "further evolutionary changes" before a revamp for the 2027 season, the FIA announced on Friday.

US President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia starting Saturday, saying he hoped it could lead to long term deal to end Moscow's war.

Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Italian Open in the second round on Friday by Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

A US fighter jet disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers to enforce a port blockade on Friday, prompting retaliatory attacks and rattling a shaky truce as Tehran weighed Washington's latest proposal to end the Middle East war.

The NFL has reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association to replace a deal expiring at the end of this month, both sides announced on Friday.

Real Madrid announced on Friday they had fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros ($588,000) each after a training ground clash that left the latter needing hospital treatment.

An outbreak of the deadly hantavirus on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship is reviving conspiracy theories about vaccines, alleged depopulation campaigns and miracle cures that flourished during the Covid pandemic.

A report into a fatal airline crash by an independent US government investigative agency has renewed speculation that one of China's biggest aviation disasters was deliberate.

Finn Allen unleashed a blistering maiden IPL century to power a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders to a fourth win on the bounce with an eight-wicket rout of Delhi Capitals on Friday.

Johann Zarco again shone at his home race setting the fastest time Friday in qualifying for the French MotoGP Grand Prix, as reigning world champion Marc Marquez finished 13th.

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick called out NBA officials over their treatment of LeBron James, saying the 41-year-old has the "worst whistle" of any star player.

Julia and Roland Seitre, a French couple aboard the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, said passengers remained calm, called their journey an "unlikely adventure", and urged against unnecessary drama.

Dutch veteran Anna van der Breggen pulled on the overall leader's red jersey after winning stage six of the women's Vuelta on Friday, taking a solo victory atop a steep final climb in driving rain.

The World Health Organization insisted Friday that the hantavirus outbreak posed a minimal risk to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on the cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak.

Stock markets diverged and oil prices rose Friday as fresh US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz jolted hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the crucial waterway.

Alexander Zverev eased into the third round of the Italian Open on Friday after comfortably dealing with fellow German Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill believes his players are thriving on the challenge of chasing down Hearts to extend their dominance of Scottish football.

Carmaker Stellantis announced Friday it is considering selling an underutilised factory in Spain to its Chinese joint venture Leapmotor, which could save jobs in the short term but risks further strengthening Chinese automakers.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a two-day visit to Rome on Friday, where he sought to ease tensions with Pope Leo and urged Europeans to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Paul Magnier won the opening stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia in Bulgaria on Friday in a bunch sprint, after a late crash left most of the peloton out of contention.

The Pentagon on Friday released a first batch of secret files documenting reported sightings of unidentified flying objects -- some dating back to the 1940s -- fanning speculation over whether extraterrestrial life exists.

US employment rose more than expected in April, alleviating some concerns about the health of the world's largest economy even as one measure of consumer confidence came in at its lowest-ever level.