The Irish Press - News from Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Drogheda, Galyway, Ireland and the world

Erling Haaland has feasted on defences throughout the World Cup, and Norway will need their talismanic striker at his ruthless best if they are to topple Brazil in Sunday's last-16 clash.

A punishing heat wave threatened America's July 4th celebrations, World Cup matches and power grids as near-record temperatures scorched the eastern United States on Friday.

Egypt defeated Australia on penalties to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time on Friday as tiny Cape Verde prepared to take on mighty Argentina for a place in the last 16.

Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty as Egypt made history by beating a dogged Australia 4-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday.

With little hope of finding loved ones alive, frustrated families of those affected by Venezuela's double earthquakes clamored for help to recover their loved one's bodies Friday as uncertainty grew over the death toll from the tragedy.

France coach Didier Deschamps promised Friday his team would be able to adapt to the potential impact of extreme weather on their World Cup last-16 tie against Paraguay on Saturday as a brutal heatwave hits the northeastern United States.

Marcus Rashford said England were unfazed by the prospect of facing Mexico at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium despite admitting the World Cup last-16 clash was a tough assignment.

Iranians began to gather on Friday for the funeral ceremonies of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, as officials and international dignitaries paid their last respects to the man who ran the country for three-and-a-half decades.

After months of rumours of a family rift, Brazil's former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro has dropped a political bombshell: an Instagram video detailing her fallout with her stepson Flavio Bolsonaro, who is running for president in October polls.

England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico on Sunday could be moved to an earlier kickoff time due to the risk of storms and flooding, a source close to the arrangements said.

Former Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has joined Al Nassr on a two-year deal, linking up with star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi League champions announced on Friday.

With little hope of finding loved ones alive, frustrated families of those affected by Venezuela's double earthquakes demanded help on Friday to recover their bodies as uncertainty grows over the death toll from the tragedy.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka stepped up her bid for a maiden Wimbledon title with an impressive straight-sets victory over Jelena Ostapenko on Friday.

Serena and Venus Williams team up in the women's doubles at Wimbledon on Saturday for the first time since winning their sixth title 10 years ago, while reigning singles champion Iga Swiatek faces Filipina history-maker Alexandra Eala.

A brutal heatwave hit peak temperatures across the eastern United States on Friday, straining power grids, threatening World Cup matches and playing havoc with celebrations for America's 250th independence anniversary.

A beaming Lewis Hamilton rolled back the years with a vintage display for Ferrari at Silverstone on Friday as he topped every session and took pole position for Saturday's sprint at the British Grand Prix.

Rich Paul, the agent for NBA superstar LeBron James, said Monday his 41-year-old client has 10 realistic destinations next season after saying he will leave the Los Angeles Lakers.

England must confront a fanatical home crowd and the weight of World Cup history when they enter the lion's den of Mexico's Azteca Stadium for one of the ties of the tournament on Sunday.

President Donald Trump kicks off America's 250th birthday weekend on Friday with a trip to a landmark upon which many suspect he would like to see his own face carved in rock -- Mount Rushmore.

Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for Saturday's sprint race at the British Grand Prix with a supreme qualifying lap in his Ferrari to beat Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.011 seconds.

Toulouse, who have just won their fourth straight French title, have been fined 2.88 million euros (3.3mn dollars) for violations of the Top 14 "salary cap", the National Rugby League (LNR) said Friday.

Novak Djokovic earned another slice of Wimbledon history as the seven-time winner advanced to the fourth round, while defending champion Jannik Sinner powered past Jenson Brooksby on Friday.

Novak Djokovic equalled Roger Federer's record for most match wins at Wimbledon as the seven-time champion battled past French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech to reach the fourth round on Friday.

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur on Friday quelled speculation when he confirmed that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would stay with the Italian team next year.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner powered into the Wimbledon fourth round on Friday with a ruthless 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over American Jenson Brooksby.

Global excitement over America's "royal wedding" between pop queen Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce reached fever pitch Friday with reports the couple had already tied the knot ahead of their A-list extravaganza at New York's famed Madison Square Garden.

Harry Kane says he feels "as good as I've ever felt" as he hunts more World Cup goals for England to extend his remarkable season.

Three men were on Friday found not guilty of murdering Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee six years ago, in a high-profile killing that attracted global attention.

Toulouse, who have just won their fourth straight French title, have been fined 2.88 million euros (3.3mn dollars) for violations of the Top 14 "salary cap", the National Rugby League (LNR) said Friday.

Ben Stokes posted one last farewell to international cricket on Friday, thanking fans and team-mates alike for a "mad 15 years".

Several thousands more foreign nationals clamoured to leave South Africa Friday, many of them gathered near the Zimbabwe border after a push that has already seen around 35,000 go home.

Europe is still taking stock of a powerful heatwave in late June but experts are already confident it ranks among the worst ever recorded -- even rivalling a freak 2003 episode.