USA

Lina Hurtig struck the winning spot-kick in Melbourne to cap a madcap shootout in the round of 16 clash, though US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher parried the ball on the line and the result needed to be confirmed by VAR.

Sweden head into a quarter-final against Japan in Auckland on Friday but it was the first exit before the semi-finals in nine World Cups for the Americans, who were bidding for an unprecedented third consecutive title.

Gloomy US coach Vlatko Andonovski was not convinced Hurtig's spot-kick had crossed the line.

The four-time champions were playing with everything on the line but spurned several chances to find the net and the addition of veteran Megan Rapinoe in the second half did little to turn things around against a physical Portugal defence.

They survived a huge scare in stoppage time when Ana Capeta hit the post and another when the striker won a free kick just outside the box a few minutes later but held on in the nerve-searing final minutes of the Group E clash.

Doug Emhoff, the husband of US vice president Kamala Harris, also announced on his visit to Apia that the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will provide extra expertise to the Pacific to assess risks and prepare plans.

This includes committing $US117,000 to strengthen Samoa's National Tsunami Ready Program.

This includes tsunami hazard risk assessment and inundation mapping, community preparedness and response, evacuation mapping and response planning, and tsunami warning.

Doug Emhoff will meet with government officials and community leaders, including female entrepreneurs, on July 23-24.

The White House said the Second Gentleman's visit will underscore the United States' strong relationship with Samoa and the commitment of the US to the Pacific Islands.

The former Barcelona forward is set to reject a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

The Miami deal includes collaboration from brands like Adidas and Apple.

Messi, 35, won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player seven times and is expected to win it later this year after his World Cup success.

This is the first time Barcelona icon Messi has played outside Europe.

He wanted to remain in Europe for another season but, after no satisfactory offers were received, he had the straight choice between Inter Miami or Al-Hilal.

A further 80,000 have been wounded, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, citing newly declassified intelligence.

Half of the dead are from the Wagner mercenary group, the US says.

If accurate, the number of Russian casualties outweighs the city's pre-war population of 70,000.

Moscow has been trying to take Bakhmut since last year in a grinding war of attrition.

The battle for the small city - where only a few thousand civilians remain - has taken on huge symbolic importance for both sides.

Inspector Natia flew out of the country at the weekend.

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti said “Inspector Solomona Natia will be bringing back knowledge and skills to share with other members of SPPCS.”

According to Papalii, the training will be held for three months in Quantico, Virginia, and is scheduled to begin in April.

Inspector Natia has served the police force for over 20 years and is also a qualified lawyer.

He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Samoa earlier this year.

Governor Tate Reeves said significant risks remained in parts of the state.

Hundreds of people have been displaced in the wake of the tornadoes which tore through Mississippi and Alabama on Friday night.

The mayor of one of the worst affected towns said he had lost personal friends in the disaster.

Friday's tornado was the deadliest in the state of Mississippi in more than a decade. At least 25 people have died in the state, with one person confirmed dead in neighbouring Alabama.

The Brian Lima coached side score a try in the first three minutes after Paul Scanlan managed to break through the USA defence line with his brilliant footwork.

Scanlan continued to find his way again through the host’s defence line two minutes later to help Neueli Leitufia score another try for Samoa.

Samoa managed to cross the white line again for a third try before they led 21-7 at halftime.

USA’s lone try of the first half was scored by Malachi Esdale.

Samoa’s last try of the match was scored by Tuna Tuitama after two tries from USA in the second half.

At least six children - including four siblings, aged one to eight, who were reportedly swept from their parents' grip - are among the dead.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the death toll would continue to rise as "hundreds" remained unaccounted for.

More than 12,000 households remain without power, and hundreds of homes and businesses have been flooded.

The damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure will cost millions to repair, the governor said on Monday.