The China Mail

Scheffler makes bright British Open start, McIlroy three shots back

World number one Scottie Scheffler made a fine start to the British Open to sit three under par at a rain-swept Royal Portrush on Thursday as home favourite Rory McIlroy was roared on during a rollercoaster one-under par round.

Fraud probe opened into Mbappe payments to police officers

An investigation has been opened into potentially fraudulent payments made by Kylian Mbappe to five police officers assigned to protect the French national football team, the public prosecutor's office told AFP on Thursday.

Pacquiao, 46, eyes comeback upset in Barrios showdown

Thirty years after clambering through the ropes for his first professional fight as a skinny 16-year-old, Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring once more on Saturday for the latest round of his protracted battle with Father Time.

Spain's Bonmati 'grateful' for Euros bid after meningitis scare

Aitana Bonmati is feeling good ahead of Spain's quarter-final clash with hosts Switzerland at Women's Euro 2025 after recovering from a bout of viral meningitis which briefly threatened her tournament.

Soaked Scheffler battles elements to make solid British Open start

World number one Scottie Scheffler blamed wild weather conditions for his wayward driving, but the American still shot a three-under-par first round at the British Open to sit one shot off the lead on Thursday.

Ons Jabeur announces break from tennis 'to rediscover joy of living'

Former world number two Ons Jabeur announced on Thursday she was going to "take a step back and finally put myself first", after two difficult years on the circuit.

Pogacar retakes Tour de France lead in crushing mountain win

Tadej Pogacar reclaimed the leader's yellow jersey at the Tour de France with an imperious stage 12 triumph on the Hautacam mountain in the Pyrenees on Thursday.

Women's marathon world record holder Chepngetich suspended for doping suspicions

Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan who shattered the women's marathon world record last year, has been provisionally suspended on suspicion of doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Thursday.

'Back in love': MotoGP champion Martin stays with Aprilia

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin said on Thursday he would stay with the Aprilia team for the 2026 season, dispelling doubts about his future.

'I'm not an old guy': Usyk says age won't matter in Dubois bout

Oleksandr Usyk has slammed claims that his age could be the decisive factor in Saturday's undisputed world heavyweight title clash with Daniel Dubois.

Fan energy key for Swiss in Euros clash with Spain, says Maritz

Noelle Maritz said Thursday that fervent home support will help Switzerland in their task of beating world champions Spain in the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025.

Scheffler makes bright British Open start before McIlroy takes centre stage

World number one Scottie Scheffler made a fine start to his quest for a first British Open with a three-under par round of 68 to sit one off the lead at a rain-swept Royal Portrush on Thursday.

Napoli sign Dutch international forward Lang

Serie A champions Napoli announced Thursday the signing of Netherlands attacker Noa Lang from PSV Eindhoven.

Westwood rolls back years on British Open return

Lee Westwood said the fact Royal Portrush was the host course inspired him to enter qualifying for this week's British Open, after firing an impressive first-round 69 on Thursday.

Kluivert's Indonesia to face Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifying

Patrick Kuivert's Indonesia were on Thursday handed a tough draw for the final round of Asian qualifying as they try to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.

Wallabies Tupou, Daugunu added to Pasifika squad for Lions clash

Hulking prop Taniela Tupou and winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad Thursday to bolster a First Nations and Pasifika side to face the British and Irish Lions next week.

New Zealand, France make mass changes to sides for third Test

New Zealand and France overhauled their teams Thursday ahead of a third and final Test which both sides are viewing as a chance to build for the future.

Lions leave out Farrell, Pollock for first Australia Test

England flanker Tom Curry and Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu won the race Thursday to start for the British and Irish Lions against Australia, but veteran Owen Farrell and emerging star Henry Pollock missed out.

'Proud' Litton lauds Bangladesh's T20 triumph in Sri Lanka

Bangladesh skipper Litton Das says his team's first ever T20 series win in Sri Lanka has been "huge" for his leadership and made the cricket-crazy fans back home happy.

Farrell, Pollock miss out from Lions team named to face Australia

England flanker Tom Curry and Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu won the race Thursday to start for the British and Irish Lions against Australia, but veteran Owen Farrell and emerging star Henry Pollock missed out.

Schmidt backs 'scavenger' Champion De Crespigny against Lions

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt backed Nick Champion de Crespigny to be the team's "roving scavenger" Thursday after handing him a shock debut in the opening British and Irish Lions Test at Brisbane.

Champion De Crespigny handed surprise Wallabies debut in Lions Test

Flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny was handed a shock debut Thursday by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt for the opening British and Irish Lions Test in Brisbane, with young fly-half Tom Lynagh another surprise pick.

McIlroy on home turf as Scheffler seeks satisfaction at British Open

Rory McIlroy will be roared on in his homeland as the 153rd British Open gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday as world number one Scottie Scheffler seeks his first Claret Jug.

Messi's multi-goal streak ends as Cincinnati beats Miami 3-0

Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer-record streak of multi-goal games ended at five on Wednesday as his Inter Miami squad was blanked 3-0 at FC Cincinnati.

All Blacks roll the dice with 10 changes for third France Test

Damian McKenzie has been handed another chance to prove himself at fly-half in an overhauled All Blacks team featuring 10 starting changes named Thursday for the third Test against France.

Beal agrees to Suns contract buyout with Clippers next: reports

Three-time NBA All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout by the Phoenix Suns that opens the door to joining the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

Swiss manager Weiler named new DC United head coach

Swiss manager Rene Weiler was named head coach of DC United on Wednesday, the Major League Soccer club announced, pending his receipt of a US work visa.

World No.1 Sabalenka pulls out of WTA Montreal event

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the WTA Canadian Open tournament in Montreal due to fatigue, Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday.

Girelli fires Italy past Norway and into Euro 2025 semis

Cristiana Girelli shot Italy into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday with a brace, including a last-gasp winner, in the Azzurre's historic 2-1 triumph over Norway.

Yamal takes iconic Barcelona number 10 shirt

Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal inherited the club's number 10 shirt, previously worn by all-time great Lionel Messi, on Wednesday.

Real Madrid's Bellingham set to miss 12 weeks after shoulder surgery

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to miss up to 12 weeks recovering from a shoulder operation after the Spanish giants said Wednesday he had successfully undergone surgery.

Abrahamsen wins Tour de France stage as Pogacar survives scare

Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen won stage 11 of the Tour de France at Toulouse on Wednesday while defending champion Tadej Pogacar crashed 4km from the line.

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