An explanation of FIFA's stance on players and managers under contract at Ukrainian clubs and how it affects their value in the transfer market

By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Biden administration officials complained on Tuesday about ratings agency Fitch's downgrade of the top U.S.

Russia's defense minister says southeast Ukraine has become the most recent hot spot for battles in the 18-month war as Kyiv’s forces press ahead with their counteroffensive

The results showed that Heuermann's DNA matched a male hair that was recovered on the burlap sack used to transport one of the victims

Luis Rubiales is to resign as president of the Spanish FA (RFEF) after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales was asked by the Spanish football federation to step down, with Hermoso insisting the kiss was not consensual and subsequently filing a complaint to the national prosecutor’s office. Fifa has provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days and opened up disciplinary proceedings against him, but he has now confirmed his intent to resign. “I love so much my daughters, and they love me so much, I’m very happy and proud of them,” Rubiales told Piers Morgan Uncensored. “My resignation? Yes, I'm going to, I cannot continue my work. “My father, my daughters, I spoke with them, they know it’s not a question about me. They say to me, ‘Luis, now you have to focus on your dignity and continue your life, because you will do damage to people you love.’ “When somebody is not thinking only about themself, because I had to in these few weeks, it’s not only a question of me. It can affect third parties, it’s very important, this situation now, it’s the thing I have to do.” Spain’s women’s team claimed they would not play again for their country until Mr Rubiales was removed from his post. Rubiales maintained throughout that the kiss was “mutual” and “consensual”, but did add that he had made “some obvious mistakes”. More to follow... Read More Rubiales could face prison over kiss as prosecutor accuses FA chief of sexual assault Rubiales could face criminal charges after sexual assault filing Sacked Jorge Vilda defends clapping Luis Rubiales’ ‘I will not resign’ speech

Fierce rainstorms battered the Greek island of Skiathos on Tuesday 5 September, triggering flooding and channelling thigh-high torrents through town streets. Olivera Draia, a tourist visiting the island, filmed the water submerging the roads and rushing towards the harbour of Skiathos city at around 5:15pm local time. Police banned traffic on Skiathos following the intense rainfall. Meanwhile, authorities said one man was killed in Volos - on the Greek mainland - when a wall buckled and fell on him, while another man was reported missing, believed to have been swept away by floodwaters.

Gabby Thomas blazed past her competitors, including 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson, in a scintillating performance

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill first met in 1994 at the yearly Country Radio Seminar held in Nashville

A long, emotional day for Australian soccer fans turned into an even longer trip home when severe delays stranded thousands on train platforms at Stadium Australia after the nation's disappointing 3-1 loss to England in the World Cup semifinal.

Megan Rapinoe, 38, burst onto the global stage at the 2011 World Cup in Germany when she scored a screamer against Colombia and celebrated by grabbing an on-field microphone placed near the corner flag and crooning Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”. A star was born. Since then, the iconic 5’6” neon-haired winger has won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, bronze at the Tokyo 2020 games and both the 2015 and 2019 FIFA World Cups as an integral part of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). She was named player of the tournament at her last World Cup in France four years ago after scoring six – including a spotkick in the final against the Netherlands – and picked up both the Golden Boot and that year’s Ballon d’Or Feminin. Rapinoe also caused a major political stir back home when she was caught on tape declaring “I’m not going to the f***ing White House” in the event that her side secured the trophy, expressing her disdain for the divisive policies of then-president Donald Trump and advising her teammates to “think hard” before accepting any honours from his administration. She has since continued to use her celebrity to campaign for LGBT+ rights causes and for equal pay for women, speaking on that issue at 1600 Pennsylvania at the invitation of Trump’s successor, Joe Biden. As a player, this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand marks Megan Rapinoe’s last hurrah as she has announced her retirement at the end of the coming season. She arrives in the southern hemisphere having made 199 appearances for the USWNT, scoring 63. Rapinoe was born in Redding, California, on 5 July 1985, one of five children including a twin sister, Rachael, who was also a professional footballer. Her brother Brian first turned his sisters on to the sport and Megan has since spoken movingly about his subsequent battle with drugs and struggle to stay out of prison. As a teenager in high school, Rapinoe played for Elk Grove Pride in Sacramento before enrolling at the University of Portland in Oregon, where she proved herself a prolific goalscorer for the Portland Pilots. Turning professional thereafter, her club career has taken her from the Chicago Red Stars and Philadelphia Independence to the short-lived MagicJack team in Boca Raton, Florida, to Sydney FC in Australia, the Seattle Sounders and to Olympique Lyonnais in France. Get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here Since 2013, she has played for OL Reign in Tacoma, Washington, favouring the US Pacific Northwest region as her partner Sue Bird, retired basketball superstar, plied her trade nearby for Seattle Storm. Read More FIFA Women’s World Cup fixtures and full schedule Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Orlando’s Wagner brothers combined for 43 points and the Magic dealt the Milwaukee Bucks their second straight loss, 112-97 on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old "Princess of Pop" left her fans in a frenzy after posting a now-deleted Instagram photo on November 21