Star Democrat

ATLANTA (AP) — It was another game-changing moment at the World Cup that had more to do with television replays in a room far away than a moment of brilliance on the field. The sending off of Switzerland's Breel Embolo in Saturday's quarterfinal game against Argentina was the latest call that may have left fans scratching their heads, not least because of the confusing name of the newly implemented law that swung the match. It is called the “mistaken identity” rule.

ATLANTA (AP) — It's a World Cup semifinal lineup for the ages. Four previous champions and the four top-ranking teams in the world. Five of the six top scorers, one GOAT and one of the bitterest rivalries in soccer. Argentina, Spain, France and England went into the tournament as the top four in FIFA’s rankings and are two wins away from being crowned champion of the world again.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ashley Landis is an AP photographer based in Houston, Texas. She has been with The Associated Press the last six years of her 21-year career. Landis specializes in sports, news, and features. Why this photo After Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez scored in overtime against Switzerland, he jumped over the LED boards to celebrate with fans. That doesn’t happen every match, so I stayed on him.

Support for Israel is a key component of the religious identity of many Jewish adults ages 45 and older in the United States, but younger Jewish adults are more likely to prioritize other forms of connection, like celebrating Jewish holidays, according to a new AP-NORC poll. That suggests the generational divide on Israel’s actions since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war in Gaza extends beyond politics to religious identity. “I pray for people in the land of Israel.

LONDON (AP) — A perfectly-placed topspin lob winner that sailed beyond reach of his 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) opponent and landed on the outside of the baseline in the second game. A delicate drop shot which made Alexander Zverev change direction so suddenly that the German player over-extended his right knee at a crucial point of the third set. Sure, there were plenty of the usual whizzing, missile-like baseline winners from Jannik Sinner in his victory over Zverev in the Wimbledon final.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Thai authorities are investigating a Bangkok bar fire that killed at least 27 people and injured dozens more, the latest in a long history of catastrophic fires at bars, clubs, and other nightlife venues worldwide. Experts say the high death toll may reflect factors common to past entertainment venue fires, including inadequate safety measures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due in Paris on Monday for talks with two dozen European leaders helping Kyiv fight Russia’s invasion, with the war now in its fifth year. European foreign ministers were also meeting separately in Brussels where they were expected to discuss Ukraine’s needs and Russia’s threats to the continent.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona has reached a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, according to club president Joan Laporta. Laporta spoke about the transfer on Sunday after arriving in Dallas to watch Tuesday's World Cup semifinal between Spain and France. The transfer has not been made official yet but Barcelona's president told reporters that the deal was in place. He did not provide financial information or any other detail about the agreement.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Police said Monday they are investigating the death of South Africa World Cup soccer player Jayden Adams, after his body was discovered this weekend at a property in the city of Cape Town. The 25-year-old Adams died two weeks after helping South Africa reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time. Authorities have not released a cause of death.

LONDON (AP) — A series of arson and vandalism attacks on Jewish sites in Britain were the work of a proxy group backed by Iran, the U.K. government said Monday. The government said it is banning the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, or IMCR, also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia. It also banned Iran’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a threat to national security.