AP National Sports

By CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Nouhaila Benzina will make history when she steps onto the field for Morocco’s first match of the Women’s World Cup against Germany — and not just as a player for the first Arab or North African nation ever in the tournament. The 25-year-old defender will be

LONDON (AP) — Newcastle has signed winger Harvey Barnes from relegated Leicester in a deal that could be worth a reported 38 million pounds ($49 million). Barnes has signed a five-year deal with Saudi-controlled Newcastle, which will play in the Champions League this season. Everton signed Netherlands forward Arnaut Danjuma on a season-long loan from

By YOUCEF BOUNAB Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Neighborhoods in northeast Paris have struggled for years with the scourge of crack cocaine and its use in public. The Summer Olympics, kicking off a year from Wednesday, are offering an impetus to tackle the problem. Yet despite a surge in arrests and new promises of tougher

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — Australian Ariarne Titmus has set a new world record on the way to a decisive victory in the women’s 400-meter freestyle on the opening day of the world swimming championships, with silver for American Katie Ledecky and bronze for Erika Fairweather of New Zealand. Sixteen-year-old

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — ‘French 22-year-old Leon Marchand has broken Michael Phelps world record in the men’s 400-meter individual medley in a time of 4 minutes, 02.50 seconds. Phelps set the old record of 4:03.84 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Marchand set the new mark on Sunday on the first day of eight in the

GSTAAD, Switzerland (AP) — Pedro Cachin beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 in the Swiss Open final Sunday to win his first tour-level title. Cachin then shared victory kisses courtside with his pet dog. A tearful Cachin first shared a courtside hug with his partner, then smooches with their French bulldog who also was at

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer SYDNEY (AP) — Jamaica produced one of the biggest surprises of the Women’s World Cup so far by holding France to a 0-0 draw. France’s Kadidiatou Diani struck the bar with a 90th-minute header but one of the tournament favorites had to settle for a point. The draw saw

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — Ariarne Titmus of Australia has broken the world record in the women 400-meter freestyle in a star-studded race that featured three women who have held the mark. Titmus swam the distance in 3 minutes, 55.38 seconds to top the record set four months ago by Summer McIntosh of Canada of 3:56.08.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Alex Telles joined the slew of soccer stars heading to Saudi Arabia by completing a move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr. The Brazil international spent last season on loan at Sevilla and won the Europa League. He has been reunited with his former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The 30-year-old Telles is

By JENNA FRYER AP National Writer AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Brazil starts its ninth appearance in the Women’s World Cup trying to remain undefeated in opening matches. It shouldn’t be difficult for the Selecao, who start Group F play on Monday against tournament newcomer Panama in Adelaide, Australia. Brazil has qualified for all nine

By STEVE McMORRAN AP Sports Writer WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Amanda Ilestedt scored in the 89th minute to give Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in its Group G opener at the Women’s World Cup Sunday. The late goal denied South Africa, which scored first and won the hearts of the crowd for

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Endy Rodríguez hit his first major league homer, five Pittsburgh pitchers combined on a five-hitter and the Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 to snap their four-game winning streak. Rodríguez sent a full-count slider from Gerardo Reyes into the elevated stands in right-center leading

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Baseball Writer OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jace Peterson hit a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth, Zack Gelof hit his first major league home run in the seventh and the Oakland Athletics snapped a nine-game losing streak to Houston by beating the Astros 4-1. Seth Brown connected for his 10th homer

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs are about to get a new practice home just in time for No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama’s rookie season. And what they’re building might be among the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world. The Spurs went to

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer SYDNEY (AP) — At least England’s campaign got off to a winning start at the Women’s World Cup. That was important for the European champions and one of the title contenders. Beyond that there were few positives to take from an unconvincing 1-0 win over Haiti, which was making

SEATTLE (AP) — Kahleah Copper matched her career-high with 29 points, making all 11 of her free throw attempts, to help the Chicago Sky beat Seattle 90-75 on Saturday night, extending the Storm’s losing streak to a franchise record nine games. Marina Mabrey added 22 points, including hitting four 3-pointers. Alanna Smith had nine points,

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — A man has been charged with arson after several small fires broke out Saturday night at the downtown hotel where New Zealand’s national team is staying for the Women’s World Cup. The Football Ferns were evacuated briefly from the Pullman Hotel after the