Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

Superstar players on new teams and All-Stars sidelined by severe injuries have jumbled expectations, but Oklahoma City remains a championship favorite when when the NBA's 80th season begins Tuesday.

A rampant Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to virtually seal Major League Soccer's Golden Boot award on Saturday as Inter Miami roared into the playoffs with a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an "immediate ceasefire" at talks in Doha, Qatar's foreign ministry said early Sunday, after at least 10 Afghans were killed in Pakistani air strikes that broke an earlier truce.

Lando Norris kept his composure under pressure on Saturday to claim second place on the grid behind Max Verstappen in qualifying for Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen continued to apply pressure on McLaren's duelling title rivals on Saturday when, hours after winning the sprint race, he claimed pole position for Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann on Saturday issued a statement of support for team boss Fred Vasseur in a bid to end speculation about his future.

Barcelona moved top of La Liga on Saturday after Ronald Araujo struck deep in stoppage time to snatch the champions a 2-1 win over Girona.

Mason Greenwood scored four goals as Marseille came from behind to hammer Le Havre 6-2 and storm to the top of the Ligue 1 table, while Nice downed Lyon in a clinical display of finishing.

Thiago Almada earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday in La Liga to climb to fourth with his first goal for the club.

Replacement lock Jimi Maximin scored a last-gasp try to give surprise leaders Pau a thrilling 30-26 victory over champions Toulouse on Saturday.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell and rocker Mick Jagger were among the attendees at the British Museum's inaugural fundraising ball on Saturday, a glitzy event touted by some observers as London's answer to New York's Met Gala.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the war in Gaza would not be over until Hamas was disarmed and the Palestinian territory demilitarised.

Inter Milan moved top of Serie A on goal difference on Saturday after winning 1-0 at Roma, taking advantage of Napoli's shock 1-0 defeat at Torino.

Nigerian authorities on Saturday denied that more than a dozen officers had been arrested over a coup plot, pushing back on local media reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the war in Gaza wouldn't be over until Hamas was disarmed and the Palestinian territory demilitarised.

Shiite Islam may be the official religion in Iran, but entering Tehran's brand-new Maryam Moghaddas metro station, you could be forgiven for feeling as if you're stepping inside a Christian church.

Nadja Rutkowski said protest is her way of life: she immigrated to the US from Germany at 14 and demonstrates for fear fascist history could repeat itself.

Pakistani and Afghan officials began talks in Qatar on Saturday to defuse tensions, a senior Taliban official said, after at least 10 Afghanis were killed in Pakistani airstrikes following a brief truce.

Ange Postecoglou's reign as Nottingham Forest manager was ended after a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday as Arsenal remained on top thanks to Leandro Trossard's winner at Fulham.

Barcelona moved top of La Liga on Saturday after Ronald Araujo struck deep in stoppage time to snatch the champions a 2-1 win over Girona.

Harry Kane scored for the seventh straight game as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at home on Saturday, their 11th win from 11 games in all competitions this season.

Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League as Leandro Trossard sealed a 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday.

Migrants and rights activists protested in Rome Saturday against Italy's migrant deal with Libya, a day after some 20 people were feared dead in the latest boat wreck in the Mediterranean.

Max Verstappen made the most of a first-corner collision between the two McLaren drivers to win Saturday's sprint race at the United States Grand Prix and reduce Oscar Piastri's lead over him by eight points.

Napoli were sunk 1-0 at Torino by old boy Giovanni Simeone on Saturday as they struggled without the injured Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay, who may also both miss out on a Champions League clash at PSV Eindhoven.

Hamas said it will hand over the bodies of two hostages later on Saturday, after Israel warned that the main crossing from Egypt into Gaza would remain shut until the Palestinian group returns the remains of all deceased captives.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said his side are too reliant on Erling Haaland for goals after the Norwegian scored two more in a 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.

Huge crowds took to the streets Saturday in all 50 US states to vent their anger over President Donald Trump's hardline policies at "No Kings" protests that Republicans ridiculed as "Hate America" rallies.

Back row forward Esteban Capilla and wing Mateo Carreras scored two tries each as Bayonne thumped Clermont 44-17 on Saturday to move back to the French Top 14 summit.

Nice produced a clinical 3-2 win at home to Lyon on Saturday as they denied the visitors the chance to go top of Ligue 1.

Migrants and rights activists protested in Rome Saturday against Italy's migrant deal with Libya, a day after some 20 people were feared dead in the latest shipwreck in the Mediterranean.

Israel warned on Saturday the main gateway into Gaza from Egypt would remain shut while Hamas recovered the bodies of former hostages, just as the UN relief chief said the devastated territory needed massive humanitarian support.