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Hopes are growing that a long-closed Greek Orthodox seminary on an island off Istanbul could reopen soon, with formulas for its new status under discussion, Bishop Aravissu Kassianos Nikolar told AFP.

England face Mexico in a World Cup blockbuster at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday while Erling Haaland and Norway bid to ambush Brazil as the battle for quarter-final places heats up.

US President Donald Trump hailed America on its 250th birthday Saturday as the "crowning achievement" of human history, even as he used the event to renew his attack on domestic opponents he branded communists.

People in Guam and the Northern Marianas moved to emergency evacuation centers and made last-minute preparations on Sunday, hours before a "super typhoon" was projected to bulldoze through the US Pacific territories.

In a dimly lit red-brick house in central Taiwan, film hunter Wang Wei and his team haul out ageing film reels, salvaging the fragile remnants of a cinema boom that nearly vanished from history.

Football Australia have thrown their support behind under-fire coach Tony Popovic despite some questionable decisions in their World Cup penalty shootout loss to Egypt that saw them again fail to clear a knockout round.

US President Donald Trump arrived hours late Saturday for his much-hyped speech on America's 250th birthday, after severe weather forced the temporary evacuation of thousands of spectators.

In Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, a once-thriving business of trading car parts from far-flung places has screeched to a halt due to conflicts at the country's borders.

New Zealand's newest wing, Fehi Fineanganofo, admitted he was so nervous ahead of his debut against France on Saturday that he vomited in the changing room.

The headquarters of the Bangladesh Surf Girls and Boys Club is a weather-beaten white shack but, like the seemingly endless beach on which it sits, its members' ambitions stretch far.

Switzerland's World Cup captain Granit Xhaka says leadership is a role he learned aged four when he was handed the house keys as his Albanian parents worked overtime to make ends meet in their adopted country.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said the Three Lions can banish memories of World Cup pain at the Estadio Azteca by rising to the challenge of eliminating Mexico on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump said he would deliver a much-hyped speech in Washington on Saturday to mark America's 250th birthday "no matter what" after severe weather forced the temporary evacuation of huge crowds of spectators.

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said his side had "fought like lions" in their 1-0 World Cup defeat at the hands of France on Saturday.

Coach Joe Schmidt says Australia must be better at taking their opportunities as players rallied around Ben Donaldson after he missed a crucial late penalty against Ireland.

In the four years since her father was fatally stabbed near the entrance of their home in northern Israel, 10-year-old Shireen has carried the burden of grief on her tiny shoulders.

France coach Didier Deschamps hailed his side for keeping their cool against an aggressive Paraguay team in heatwave conditions Saturday as the favourites reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Severe weather disrupted the marquee celebration of America's 250th birthday Saturday, threatening a much-hyped rally and speech in Washington by President Donald Trump who has sought to stamp his mark on the anniversary.

Japan believe they have made "a big statement" by beating Italy in their Nations Championship opener and are confident they can take that momentum into next weekend's clash with Ireland.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Angeles star Mike Trout were among those named as starters on Saturday for the 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

France captain Kylian Mbappe said his side were happy to do whatever it takes to advance in the World Cup after they battled through a bad-tempered last-16 tie with Paraguay to win 1-0 on Saturday.

World and Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall's latest long jump triumph at the Eugene Diamond League athletics meeting was a triumph of will as much as skill.

France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappe penalty to break down a stubborn Paraguay side on Saturday, winning a niggly World Cup last-16 clash 1-0 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Morocco.

Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot as France overcame searing heat and stubborn defence to beat Paraguay 1-0 and set up a World Cup quarter-final against Morocco on Saturday.

Ukraine denied Saturday Moscow's announcement that Russian forces had captured the strategic Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, a stronghold for Kyiv's troops in the eastern Donetsk region and a key target for the Kremlin.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden edged Sha'Carri Richardson at the line to win a scintillating women's 100m Saturday at a Eugene Diamond League athletics meeting otherwise marked by upsets.

Sonal Dinusha missed out on a maiden Test century but Sri Lanka continued to pile on the runs in reaching an impressive 549 for nine declared after tea on the second day of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said his defenders need no guidance on how to contain Erling Haaland ahead of Sunday's World Cup last-16 tie with Norway.

When England do battle with Mexico in the World Cup last 16 on Sunday, they will be wary of Julian Quinones, a forward with little international profile who has shown in this tournament he knows the way to goal.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said "we're no longer a surprise" after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and hit back at "bold" claims by Canada's Jesse Marsch.

Rassie Erasmus celebrated his record-equalling 54th match as South Africa coach when his weakened side beat England 45-21 on Saturday in a Rugby Championship first-round match.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu scored a try and set-up another as they hammered Argentina with a record score of 47-38 in the Nations Championship in Cordoba on Saturday.

For Victor Colivert, only one thing matters now.

Coach Jesse Marsch said his Canada side had been the better team and hopes this is just the start after the co-hosts bowed out of the World Cup in the last 16 to Morocco on Saturday.

Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes have killed nearly 3,000, official figures showed on Saturday, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken urged his players not to be overawed by the occasion when they face five-time World Cup winners Brazil in the last 16 on Sunday.

England are annoyed their bowlers' usual pre-game routines will be altered changed by the appearance of Rita Ora ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup final against Australia at Lord's on Sunday.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his international debut for India on Saturday but England young gun Jacob Bethell ensured the "unbelievable talent" finished on the losing side in the second T20 at Old Trafford.

Morocco snuffed out co-host Canada's World Cup dream to book their place in the quarter-finals on Saturday as France braced for furnace-like temperatures in their last-16 clash against Paraguay.