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Germany's shock exit and the United States' plodding performances were just two of the surprises of a wild Women's World Cup group stage, with England and Japan now leading the charge when the knockouts begin on Saturday.

Niger's newly installed junta has threatened an immediate response to any "aggression or attempted aggression", as the clock ticks down on a deadline given by its neighbours to reverse last week's coup.

Simone Biles makes her long-awaited return to gymnastics in Chicago on Saturday, with the dreaded "twisties" firmly behind her in what could be the first step on the road towards next year's Olympic games.

Mikel Arteta has challenged big-spending Arsenal to deliver a statement of intent ahead of the Premier League season when they face treble winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Armed with a long blowgun and darts laced with poison extracted from plants, Kominta walks naked through the thick Ecuadorian jungle, where oil exploration is threatening his way of life.

Up to nine starters and four replacements will be desperate to impress South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber in a Rugby World Cup warm-up against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

MotoGP returns at Silverstone this weekend after its mid-term break. AFP Sport looks at five talking points ahead of the British MotoGP, the ninth round of the 20-race season:

At least 18 people were killed and at least 23 injured Thursday when a bus carrying foreign migrants and locals plummeted into a ravine in northwestern Mexico, authorities said.

Cardi B will not face criminal charges over an incident in which she threw her microphone at a member of her audience, police in Las Vegas said Thursday.

Amazon and Apple on Thursday reported earnings that topped market expectations, aiming for even better days ahead with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

Russell Henley had six birdies and an eagle in an eight-under par 62 on Thursday to grab the first round lead at the Wyndham Championship, where Adam Scott started strong in his bid to earn a PGA Tour playoffs berth.

The United States is preparing to deploy Marines and Navy personnel aboard commercial tankers transiting the Gulf as part of efforts to deter Iran from seizing ships, a US official said Thursday.

Injury-plagued Dominic Thiem on Thursday moved to within just one victory of reaching a first ATP final in three years when he battled into the last-four of the Kitzbuehel clay-court tournament.

The United States is preparing to deploy sailors and Marines aboard commercial tankers transiting the Gulf as part of efforts to deter Iran from seizing ships, a US official said Thursday.

London's mayor announced Thursday increased financial support for owners of more polluting vehicles impacted by his contentious extension of a daily charge when driving them in the British capital.

Apple reported modestly higher quarterly profits Thursday despite another dip in revenues, as a record performance in services offset lower iPhone sales.

A married couple from New York dubbed "Bitcoin Bonnie and Crypto Clyde" pleaded guilty on Thursday to laundering billions of dollars in stolen bitcoin, prosecutors announced.

Marcus Rashford on Thursday predicted he could hit 40 goals this season, buoyed by hearing Wayne Rooney is backing him to break his Manchester United scoring record.

Amazon on Thursday reported a quarterly profit that trounced market expectations, driven by strong sales helped by its annual Prime discount event.

Adam Scott boosted his hopes of securing a place in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs on Thursday after carding a five-under-par 65 to grab the early lead at the Wyndham Championship.

Former president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to historic charges of leading a criminal conspiracy that sought to defraud the American people by overturning the 2020 election.

Germany retained their women's team sprint title and shattered their own world record at the cycling world championships on Thursday.

NBA legend Michael Jordan's tenure as a majority owner in the league officially ended Thursday as the sale of his stake of the Charlotte Hornets was approved by league governors.

Half a million young people chanted, cheered and shouted on Thursday as they packed a Lisbon park to give Pope Francis a rock star welcome at the official opening ceremony of a global Catholic youth festival.

Former president Donald Trump arrived in federal court in the US capital on Thursday to answer historic charges of leading a criminal conspiracy that sought to defraud the American people by overturning the 2020 election.

At least 17 people were killed and 22 injured Thursday when a bus carrying locals and migrants plummeted into a ravine in northwestern Mexico, authorities said.

West Indies stunned India by four runs to capture the opening Twenty20 International on Thursday as the tourists flopped in pursuit of a modest 150-run target.

US superstar Taylor Swift announced Thursday several Toronto dates for her much-hyped world tour after a plea from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not to skip Canada.

Among the trove of items are Freddie Mercury's signature crown and cloak ensemble, worn throughout Queen's 1986 'Magic' TourFrom fanciful costumes and working drafts of "Bohemian Rhapsody" to ashtrays and art, hundreds of items Freddie Mercury owned go on show in Britain on Friday before being sold next month.

Nigeria's president on Thursday told delegations from a West African bloc to do "whatever it takes" to reach an "amicable resolution" in Niger, as they embarked on talks in Niamey and the region to resolve the standoff following last week's coup.

Tamim Iqbal stepped down on Thursday as captain of Bangladesh's one-day international side and pulled his name out of the Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in August and September.

Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja says his team's defeat to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami on Wednesday was a "circus" and said that the Argentine should have been sent off.