The National Times - News around the clock from Sydney, Australia and around the world

Norway coach Stale Solbakken says star striker Erling Haaland is poised to make a "very big impact" as his country returns to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Argentina begin their World Cup defence in Kansas City, the self-styled global barbecue capital, but their fans insist the South American nation is already the king of the grill.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, seeking a career Grand Slam with a victory in this week's 126th US Open, tested himself in windy afternoon conditions Monday as practice began at Shinnecock.

The whole world is waiting to see Lionel Messi, said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, when the defending champions begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on Tuesday.

Defending champion JJ Spaun plans to use the same formula to win the US Open this week at Shinnecock as he did to capture his first major title last year at Oakmont.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that ships were again moving through the Strait of Hormuz and the vital oil route would be "completely open" by Friday, after Washington and Tehran announced a deal to end the Middle East war.

Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener on Monday after a second-half Belgian equalizer spoiled Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday.

France come into this year's World Cup as one of the leading contenders for the trophy having reached the final of the last two editions, but Tuesday's opponents in their opening game, Senegal, serve as a warning of the dangers of over-confidence.

Matt Fitzpatrick missed the cut at Shinnecock in the 2018 US Open, but the world number four wants to see the course play even harder at this week's US Open.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said he is still convinced La Roja will go far at the World Cup despite failing to break down debutants Cape Verde in a 0-0 draw to open their tournament.

Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener on Monday after a second-half Belgian equalizer spoiled Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday.

The NBA title secured by the New York Knicks on Saturday could help salvage the legacy of franchise owner James Dolan, who has been accused of incompetence, personal vendettas and egocentrism for almost 30 years.

An overnight Russian barrage of missiles killed at least 11 people across Ukraine and sparked a fire at one of the most important Orthodox monasteries in the capital Kyiv.

Wyndham Clark, who smashed his locker in frustration after missing the cut at last year's US Open, arrived at Shinnecock for this year's Open seeking redemption and better results.

In his early sixties, Rob Kaufman suffered a medical emergency that caused him to faint and hit his head on a wood floor, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

Spain failed to find a way past inspired Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha as the 40-year-old secured a stunning 0-0 draw for the World Cup debutants and was reduced to tears at his heroics.

Bukayo Saka says England have the "talent, passion and confidence" to finally win the World Cup after a series of agonising near-misses in major tournaments.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday the Strait of Hormuz would be fully open later in the week, after Washington and Tehran announced a deal to end the Middle East war.

The secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation has told AFP he is confident his country can have a big impact at this year's World Cup despite the "regrettable" decision of US authorities to refuse to issue visas to their supporters.

European champions Spain were held to a shock 0-0 draw by tiny World Cup debutants Cape Verde on Monday as Iran prepared to make their long-awaited entrance at the tournament after a build-up engulfed by uncertainty.

President Donald Trump on Monday told allies the US would not need "much help" in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as he attended a G7 summit meeting of leading powers in France dominated by questions over his deal with Iran to end the Middle East war.

Spain's ghosts of recent World Cup horror shows reappeared in Atlanta as the European champions were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in their opening game on Monday.

To the beat of drums and other traditional instruments, a Senegal football fan group dances and sings in Wolof "Victory belongs to whom? Senegal!" at a Dakar plaza ahead of the World Cup.

Crystal Palace hired Pierre Sage as their new manager on Monday to replace Oliver Glasner after the Austrian left the UEFA Conference League winners at the end of the season.

The Strait of Hormuz will be "completely open" from Friday after a deal between Iran and the US to end the Middle East war that limited shipping in the critical bottleneck, President Donald Trump said on Monday.

Tiago Splitter, who guided Portland into this year's NBA playoffs as an interim coach, will be hired as the new coach of the Chicago Bulls, according to multiple reports on Monday.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday the Strait of Hormuz would be fully open later in the week, after Washington and Tehran announced a deal to end the Middle East war.

Virgil van Dijk does not like them, fans have started booing them and the many critics say they are ruining the World Cup.

Fox Corporation will acquire streaming platform provider Roku in a cash and stock deal worth $22 billion, the companies announced Monday.

San Juan's once-sparkling rivers have shriveled due to drought, and residents in the rugged, western Argentine province fear that prospective mining projects in the Andes will make matters worse.

Pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim, who died Monday aged 91, escaped apartheid-era South Africa to be discovered by jazz great Duke Ellington, becoming highly influential with a distinct musical style and touring the world into his nineties.

US President Donald Trump announced plans Monday for a major "rally" in Washington on the July 4 Independence Day, further imposing his political brand on celebrations of America's 250th anniversary.

France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday Spain are the team to beat at the World Cup, seeking to temper expectations for a squad that includes several tournament debutants.

Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi's job is in the balance as federation chiefs are holding talks following the humiliating 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their opening World Cup match, a source told AFP Monday.

Protests have swept Albania for more than two weeks over plans for a luxury hotel project linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Rachin Ravindra admits it will take a collective effort from New Zealand's batsmen to replace Kane Williamson after his shock decision to retire from international cricket.

The International Monetary Fund chief on Monday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, but warned it would take time for energy and other supply disruptions to dissipate.

When Kamal Kamal heard a ceasefire deal had been agreed between Iran and the United States, he rushed back to the southern city of Nabatieh only to find an Israeli strike had reduced his life's work to rubble.

Brazilian Indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire, a celebrated defender of the Amazon rainforest, has been admitted to intensive care after his health deteriorated, his doctors said Monday.