The Denver Broncos gave coach Sean Payton a new five-year contract on Thursday, team owner and CEO Greg Penner announced."Sean Payton has led an impressive turnaround over the past three seasons, instilling a winning culture with high expectations," Penner said in a statement. "I appreciate the close partnership he shares with George Paton along with the alignment and stability across our football operations."We're thrilled for Sean to continue leading our team as head coach, building on our progress during such an exciting time for the Broncos."Payton had two years remaining on his existing deal before the new contract. The club also recently gave a new five-year deal to general manager George Paton. The coach and GM are now both signed through the 2030 NFL season. The Broncos have 32 wins since Payton joined the team in 2023, tied for sixth-most in the NFL and third-most in the AFC. They have reached the playoffs in each of the last two years, including a trip to the AFC Championship game last season.Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Greg Penner comments on Sean Payton's new contract

The Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes are all tied up in the Stanley Cup Final. Game 5 of the 2-2 seriesis scheduled for tonight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. Here's how to watch without cable, the full Stanley Cup Final schedule, free streaming options and more.How to watch the 2026 Stanley Cup Final:Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026Time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PTTV channel: ABCStreaming:DirecTV, YouTube TV, ESPN Unlimited and moreWhen are the 2026 NHL playoffs?The NHL playoffs began on April 18, and the tournament runs through the Stanley Cup Final, which is scheduled for June 3-19 (if all seven games are necessary).What channels are broadcasting Stanley Cup Final games?The final series will air on ABC.How to watch the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final without cable:NHL Final games will air on ABC and also stream on ESPN Unlimited.2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final schedule:Tuesday, June 2Game 1: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)Thursday, June 4Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)Saturday, June 6Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)Tuesday, June 9Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)Thursday, June 11Game 5: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)Sunday, June 14Game 6 (if necessary): Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)Wednesday, June 17Game 7 (if necessary): Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes — 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

For the first time in PIAA history, two Berks County lacrosse teams will meet in a state championship game.Twin Valley (21-2) and Wyomissing (23-2) are more than familiar with one another.The two top squads in Berks County, District 3 and the PIAA will face off for the third time this season in the Class 2A girls lacrosse championship at 10 a.m. Saturday at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium.Both teams have enjoyed exceptional seasons, with Twin Valley winning the BCIAA title and Wyomissing earning a 6-5 victory over the Raiders in the District 3 2A championship game.“I love it. Yes, we battle, and the games that we have are really full of emotion, and they’re tight games, but I love to see us represent the state, and to get that far,” Raiders coach Courtney Kaplan said. “It is a testament to the work that everybody puts in around here.”For the Raiders, it marks their fourth state title appearance in five seasons. They have lost to Archbishop Carroll each time by scores of 16-7, 17-5, and 10-8, and are still searching for their first state championship.After a loss to Wyomissing in the district title game, the Raiders earned wins over Abington Heights and Gwynedd Mercy, outscoring them 32-12 before facing defending champion Villa Maria Academy, who knocked them out in the quarterfinals last season.The Raiders responded with a 13-11 victory, behind senior Ellie Kaplan’s five goals. In the process, she became Berks County’s all-time leading scorer with 310 goals.“We were super excited to get another shot at Villa, because last year they ended our season,” Courtney Kaplan said. “Everything’s coming together at the right time. We knew it’d be a really very competitive game, because they are so strong and the game planning and putting it all together and seeing it actually play out and us coming out on top is exactly what we were looking for and hoping for and to getting back to Penn State.”Ellie Kaplan, a University of Michigan commit, has scored 17 goals in this year’s state playoffs as the Raiders will once again lean on her.Twin Valley knows it will be far from an easy task, as both squads know each other well, including tendencies, game plans, and where each side can capitalize on weaknesses.“We know exactly what we need to do, which is great,” Courtney Kaplan said. “I feel like in the district game there were some other factors that played in, and I’m hoping with being at Penn State with all eyes on the game that it’s going to be on we’re definitely having a different outcome.”Kaplan referred to the physicality of the game, in which the officials had their hands full through the 32-minute affair. She also added that turnovers on the offensive end contributed to the narrow 6-5 loss.“I feel like this solidified our rivalry as two of the top teams in the county and gave each game with Twin Valley its own mental challenge with there being so many emotions invested,” Spartans coach Rachel Shappell said.“This season we’ve split 1-1, but I think that just shows how evenly matched we are. Every time we play Twin Valley we try to see what we can add to our game plan, but it ultimately comes down to who is going to fight harder to win. They are a very talented team with a great coaching staff and we have nothing but respect for them every time we play. This is going to be an awesome game to watch.”Ellie Kaplan had three goals in the game, while Skylar Maggs made 15 saves to help Wyomissing come out with the win.The two squads have combined for the last five district titles dating back to 2022, meeting in the championship twice and in the semifinals once during that span.Earlier this season, on April 21, Maddison Lawrence and Kaplan combined for seven goals in a 12-7 win over the Spartans.So, with the season series sitting at one apiece, it will all come down to one final matchup to decide who will bring home state gold.As for the Spartans, they defeated South Fayette (18-1), Quaker Valley (12-2), and West Chester Rustin (14-12) en route to the championship game.“Coming into this season we felt we had unfinished business and we are just so thrilled to be here right now,” Shappell said. “This is the ultimate goal. We knew we had the talent to get to this point, and it is just very motivating and validating to see the culmination of all the hard work the team puts in day in and day out. The girls have been progressing throughout the season and I feel like we are playing our best lacrosse right now at the perfect time.”Junior Karly Hyde has led the team with 11 goals in the state playoffs, while goalkeeper Skylar Maggs has played exceptional, recording 28 saves over the three games.This will be Wyomissing’s first state championship appearance after falling to eventual champions Villa Maria Academy 10-7 in the semifinals in 2025.“The excitement for this game is not only felt by the girls and coaches, but the parents, families, and the school all around,” Shappell said. “We have a wonderfully supportive crew of fans that want to see these girls achieve their goals.“At the start of the season, we set out with the goal of going one step further than last season, and that brings us to the state finals on Saturday. There’s only one job left to do, and that is to bring the title to Wyomissing and make history. I think the girls feel the weight of this and are mentally and physically ready for this challenge.”With a title run extending past graduation, prom, and other end-of-the-school-year activities, lacrosse remains the top priority for both sides.For any athlete at any level, maintaining focus and commitment can be difficult as outside noise plays a factor. But for Wyomissing and Twin Valley alike, both teams have remained locked in on their main goal.“It’s the hardest thing to do to keep everybody focused and dialed,” Courtney Kaplan said. “We just try to keep things fresh and we try to change things up a little bit, so that it’s not the monotonous day in and day out of the same exact things.”Kaplan added that peer-to-peer motivation has been driving her squad through these final games and practices. The Raiders want to stay locked in and play for each other as they pursue their collective goal.

Jun. 11—CANNON FALLS — Moving between the mound and second base at John Burch Park, Keith Meyers offered advice to his pitchers and assisted with drills during one of the final practices ahead of the state tournament.For the past three decades and then some, the baseball diamond has been home for Meyers, the Cannon Falls pitching/outfield coach, both as a player, a coach and a dad.Meyers, a Cannon Falls graduate, was one of the Bombers' top pitchers during their first state trip in 1997 and was on the coaching staff for the program's other three state tournament appearances, in 2012, 2023 and now 2026. His oldest son, Jack, was on the 2023 team, while his youngest son, Tyler, is a junior infielder/third baseman/pitcher on this year's team."Sharing it on the field is sometimes surreal," Meyers said of coaching his kids.Cannon Falls (20-6) drew the No. 4 seed in the Class 2A tournament and will meet No. 5 Winona Cotter in the state quarterfinals at 6 p.m. today at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud.Thinking back on the 1997 season, Meyers said the section tournament sticks out to him. A couple of his teammates were dealing with injuries and he was unable to pitch one game due to arm soreness."Another one of my teammates stepped up and threw a great game and got us further down the road in that region tournament, so that we could have an opportunity to get to state," Meyers said. "Obviously, the state tournament was fun. It was our first time being there as a school, and that was special."The Bombers finished in third place that season."There are guys that I still touch base with and hang out with today," Meyers said. "(The fact) that we have that memory to share is pretty special."After high school, Meyers played college baseball at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has been an assistant for the Bombers for nearly 15 years, reuniting with longtime Hall of Fame head coach Bucky Lindow. Lindow, who has been coaching on and off for 39 years, was an assistant to Dennis Flom when Meyers and Cannon Falls went to state for the first time in 1997, before taking the head job later on.There is no shortage of family connections when it comes to the Bombers' state baseball appearances. Like Meyers, Lindow coached his sons. The oldest, Braxton Lindow, was a senior on the 2012 state team.Meyers and his wife also have one daughter, their oldest. He has coached all three kids in various sports at the youth and varsity levels as they grew up, including Tyler and the current Cannon Falls juniors in youth baseball from age 9 through 14. His daughter's boyfriend was also on the 2023 state team with Jack."I remember telling my wife early, if we're playing sports for college scholarships, we're playing it for the wrong reasons, so it was always really an emphasis on those learning moments, those lessons from sports that we can get in life," Meyers said. "That's probably the most rewarding thing for me, is really just seeing them grow into people and make their own decisions and try to mentor them through that as best I can."Tyler remembers watching his dad play amateur ball for the Cannon Falls Bears and tagging along to varsity practices."He's been my coach forever," said Tyler, who picked up two wins on the mound on June 4 to help lift Cannon Falls to the Section 2-2A title over Le Sueur-Henderson 6-3 and 9-1. "He's pretty much taught me everything I know about baseball. ... (Jack and I) do a lot of things together. We play video games together, baseball in the backyard."Tyler has also learned plenty from his dad off the field."Do things even when they're hard," Tyler said. "Always do your best, and encourage the person next to you, and just be a leader, someone (to) look up to, just be nice to everyone."In addition to his sons, Keith also coaches his nephew, Grady Meyers, a senior outfielder for the Bombers."He's just a really good mentor for me," Grady said. "He is my godfather, he's my uncle, he's my mentor in church, and so I think the bond that we have, he just knows how to coach me. He can feel what I'm feeling, and I think that helps us work together and get the best for both of us."Grady said being coached by his uncle and playing with his cousins, Jack and Tyler, has been "a surreal feeling" and a rare opportunity that not everyone gets."I'm really close with them," Grady said. "Our grandma has a daycare, so we always went there when we were kids and spent all the summers together, and so I have a really tight bond with those two guys, and being able to play with them is really cool."So, what have all four Cannon Falls state tournament teams had in common?"Good pitching," Lindow said. "When Keith and his teammates were playing, he was very good. We had pitching depth, two, three guys that could really go."With three returning pitchers, Lindow and his coaching staff knew this team had much potential and that they could build around their veterans on the mound. Lindow credits this group for its toughness, battling through multiple injuries."They've lived up to every possible thing that we could ask for," Lindow said.Keith added that a constant for Cannon Falls baseball over the past 30 years has been Lindow."The program Bucky runs is, we're not just here to coach baseball, we're here to coach boys into being men," Keith said. "Sometimes those lessons are easy, and sometimes they're a little more difficult that you have to help (them) work through."Tyler was a part of the 2023 state team as their eighth-grade manager."It just looked fun, they were out there smiling, having fun every play," Tyler said, recalling what he saw during the 2023 state run. "Off the field, too, in the hotel, they were just having fun."Tyler, Grady and the rest of their teammates get to experience that excitement firsthand this week."I remember they're just a fun team to watch," Grady said. "They kind of remind me of our team this year, just with the way they were bonded together and the camaraderie they had. I think we have that again this year, and I think that's a key piece of our success."

New York police detained several people near Madison Square Garden (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)New York police said Thursday that 56 people were taken into custody as unrest broke out during game four of the NBA Finals, which saw the Knicks snatch a stunning comeback against the San Antonio Spurs. Ten NYPD officers were injured in the disorder late Wednesday, including one who was struck in the head by a glass bottle, a force spokesperson told AFP. Authorities have brought charges including assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct and possession of a knife. The unrest happened around Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, where the Knicks basketball game was played to a sellout crowd that included US megastar Taylor Swift. Police estimated that some 10,000 fans were gathered around the venue. People climbed onto moving vehicles, tried to flip over a taxi and set off fireworks in the crowd, according to the NYPD. An AFP photographer saw law enforcement use stun grenades to try disperse the crowds near Madison Square Garden."Once again, there were large crowds of people who engaged in incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior last night both during and after the game," the NYPD said. On Monday, during game three of the NBA Finals that US President Donald Trump attended, police detained 21 people in New York. Four police officers were injured. Spurs fans in the city were also targeted during the game, which the Texas team's top player Victor Wembanyama condemned as "unacceptable."Fearing further unrest on Wednesday, authorities had banned planned public screenings near Madison Square Garden -- a break from the first two playoffs.The Knicks now have a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series, which shifts back to San Antonio for game five on Saturday.pel/bjt/msp

A small motorboat passes anchored vessels in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)2026-06-11T17:09:00Z Iran’s Kharg Island, home to a terminal through which the country exports most of its oil, has emerged as a focus of the war launched in late February by the United States and Israel.Strikes on oil infrastructure on Kharg — or a ground invasion — would severely curb Iran’s oil exports, a key source of revenue for the Islamic Republic. An assault would also mark a major escalation that could provoke even heavier retaliatory attacks on Gulf Arab infrastructure and further drive up oil prices. The skyrocketing cost of fuel is already threatening the world economy.U.S. President Donald Trump said strikes in mid-March “obliterated” Kharg’s military assets but did not target the island’s oil infrastructure. He warned that if Iran continued disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, he would reconsider the decision to spare energy targets on the island. Then on Thursday, Trump said in a social media post that the U.S. would “assume total control” of Iran’s oil and gas industries, including the Kharg Island terminal, in the “not too distant future.”The president made the post as escalating attacks between the countries pushed the Middle East closer to the resumption of a full-scale war. His latest threats emerged at a time when efforts to negotiate an end to the war appear to be stuck. The island is on the other side of the Persian Gulf from U.S. bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. A U.S. occupation of it would put American troops in a stationary position just 33 kilometers (21 miles) off Iran’s coast. That’s well within range of Iranian drones and missiles, if the Islamic Republic is willing to inflict damage on its own territory. Read More The small coral island is especially important because Iran’s coastline is mostly too shallow for tanker ships to dock. The U.S. has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, which has impeded Iran’s efforts to export oil, mainly to China, through the Strait of Hormuz, even as Iranian attacks have closed the vital waterway to most traffic. The destruction or loss of the island would deny the government a major revenue source, but it would also remove even more oil from world markets at a time of soaring prices. The destruction of the terminal would further damage Iran’s already weakened economy and undermine any efforts at postwar reconstruction. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Iran has continued to exert control over the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil passed before the war. Meanwhile, the U.S. has sent thousands of soldiers and Marines to the region.Kharg Island has storage tanks and housing for thousands of workers. Gazelles roam freely near the refineries and depots. It also is home to a medieval Portuguese fortress and the ruins of one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the Persian Gulf. SAM METZ Metz covers Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and points beyond for The Associated Press. mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

First lady Melania Trump speaks about Trump Accounts for children in foster care at the Department of Treasury, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)2026-06-11T16:49:43Z WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the launch of Fostering the Future Accounts on Thursday, a spinoff of the Trump Accounts investment funds meant to give $1,000 to every newborn whose parent opens one.Building on her work helping foster children, Melania Trump said the new federal guidance will give child welfare agencies the ability to act as a guardian for children in foster care for the purposes of opening an account. Melania Trump, speaking at a news conference at the Treasury Department, said the move “gives foster children the same chance at asset ownership and long-term wealth as every other child.”The accounts will be open for contributions on July 4. To qualify for an account, a child must also be a U.S. citizen born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028.The White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that a Trump Account balance for a baby born in 2026 will be $5,800 by age 18 and $18,100 by age 28 if no other contributions are made. The first lady said 23 governors have pledged to allow state agencies to begin the process of enrolling children in the program. “I urge every governor and business leader to help fund these accounts,” she said. There are roughly 330,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, according to the National Council for Adoption. One in 5 of them is at risk of homelessness after aging out of foster care, and only half gain employment by the time they are 24, says the National Foster Youth Institute. Read More “Those outcomes are unsettling but we refuse to accept them as inevitable,” Bessent told the news conference. “We are affirming that the American dream belongs to every child.”A provision of Trump’s tax and spending legislation that he signed into law last summer created Trump Accounts. Under them, the Treasury Department gives $1,000 to babies so long as their parents open an account. That money is then invested in the stock market by private firms, and the children can access the money when they turn 18. Employers and billionaires across the country have pledged to make matching Trump Accounts contributions for employee benefits. Among them are Michael and Susan Dell, who announced a $6.25 billion donation, and hedge fund founder Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, who pledged $75 million for kids under 10 in Connecticut, where the Dalios live. FATIMA HUSSEIN Hussein reports on the U.S. Treasury Department for The Associated Press. She covers tax policy, sanctions and any issue that relates to money. twitter mailto

Elon Musk’s rocket company is spending big and losing money. That has raised questions about whether it can justify its valuation for its blockbuster initial public offering.

Justin Fishner-Wolfson, long a minor figure in Elon Musk’s orbit, is at the helm of a multibillion-dollar payout

Some New Yorkers tried their luck at hot spots like Bong, Via Carota and Ha’s Snack Bar.

[BBC]BBC Sport will have full match replays and highlights from every match at the 2026 World Cup.As well as showing a number of live matches across the tournament, the BBC will also have highlights packages of every match - including those not broadcast live on its channels.Highlights packages of all matches will be available to watch shortly after the final whistle.All matches shown live on the BBC will also be available to watch back in their entirety on BBC iPlayer for spectators wanting to view the overnight games at a more social time of the day.And this year, BBC Sport are giving you the option to catch up on overnight action spoiler-free.Highlights and full match replays will be available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.The 2026 Fifa World Cup starts on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa [Getty Images]More questions answered...How are the Fifa world rankings decided?Which clubs have the most players at the 2026 World Cup?Why is Fifa giving clubs $355m during the World Cup?Who are the World Cup's record holders?

COLUMBUS — There were plenty of reasons why it was a memorable weekend at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.For starters, it marked the first time a state track and field meet was held featuring more than three divisions. And the Muskingum Valley showed out, led by the first state title in 32 years at Zanesville after Cam Willett claimed the 300 hurdles in Division II.Blackburn colunn: OHSAA needs to make adjustments to state track format. Will it?Standard setter: Cam Willett wins first state track title at Zanesville in 32 yearsWilling and ableWillett's school-record time of :37.92 was the best of his career in an event considered by most to be his second-best behind the 110 hurdles. His time was the best mark a Muskingum County hurdler has produced in eight years.He was the lone area hurdler to earn All-Ohio, but there were many other impressive showings over the course of four days. One was his sophomore teammate Chloe Wahl, who earned her own spot on the podium with a sixth-place finish in the Division III pole vault.In all there, were 13 individuals — four were runners-up —and four relay teams that sported medals by the end of business on June 7.Bella of the ballMaysville senior Bella Van Wey entered the state with confidence and left with two silver medals around her neck for runner-up finishes in the Division III shot and discus. She trailed only Shelby sophomore Emily Mechenbier for supremacy."It was a really great week of practice," Van Wey said. "We were feeling ready to go, finally feeling better after (the regional) when I was kind of fighting that illness. Mentally, I felt really ready to go. I was so ready to compete."More: Maysville senior Bella Van Wey eyeing 'clean slate' at state meetThe otherworldly Mechenbier, who stands almost 6-4, produced a 154-10 in the discus that ranked as the best throw in the state in 2026, regardless of division. Van Wey's 143-2 was more than eight feet better than third-place Addison Mason, of Sandusky Perkins, and would have been a winning throw in Division I and II.Mechenbier's 48-0 3/4 launch in the shot was six feet better than Van Wey's 42-4 1/2 that would have placed in the top four in every division."I showed up and competed well, and I was really happy with how I finished my career," Van Wey said. "I can't ask for anything more. I threw well. I mean, I wasn't going to throw 49 feet (in the shot) and 160 feet (in the discus). That wasn't going to happen."Meanwhile, teammate Emma Tamasovich made the final flight before failing to clear 5-4 in the high jump, but she was still was an All-Ohio selection in a group of six who cleared 5-2 to place fifth. Freshman Paige Calendine was fifth in the seated shot at 11-4 3/4. Miller TimeHe called it. Morgan’s Braylon Miller didn’t predict victory in the 400 in the days leading to the state, but he did foresee his best race of the year.He proved prophetic.Miller shattered his own personal record and set an even better MVL mark for others to chase with a :48.48. Only Cleveland Glenville’s Jav’ier Kerr, who also eclipsed 24 feet in the long jump, bested him.More: Is it Braylon Miller's time to shine? State track meet is last chance“It felt pretty good," Miller said of his victory. "I was excited to get a PR, and I was kind of unsure how everything would go since it got delayed like over three hours (on Day 3). But I was super happy with the outcome. I just stayed locked in the whole time while everyone was waiting."The latter was a tribute to his experience and maturity as a senior making his second state appearance, He said others were frustrated by the delay."I just tried to think about it positively and look at the positive side, how cool and a once-in-a-lifetime moment it is to run under the lights in the state finals," Miller said. "It definitely feels different (at night). Everything feels louder, too. which doesn't make sense, but it's really cool. ... When you are coming down that final 100, you can just hear everyone screaming and it just makes you push really hard."Big fish in the big pondKuklica and Zell, like Miller, saved their best times for the best moment.While SzolosI gave no quarter as the unquestioned distance ace of the bunch, Kuklica proved she will be primed to make a run at the event 2027 after edging Napoleon's Gwenyth Huddle at the line in a photo finish.She put so much into the event that she had little left to give for the 800 less than a half out later."That time she ran would put her third overall in all divisions," John Glenn coach Doug Joy said. "That was phenomenal."Joy and distance coach Amy Tooms, whose son Christian won a Division II state title before running at Mount Union, admitted some concerns of her strength after running the 3200 a day earlier."But she ran a great race," Joy said. "She held off (Huddle) at the end and that was exciting. ... It was a beautiful night for distance under the lights. (Ashlynn) has always been a gamer, that is why I always bet my money on her. When the lights come on in the brightest moments, she comes to play."As for Zell, who slashed almost four seconds off his 800 time from a month prior, he stayed with the lead group in an 800 race that saw seven break the 1:55 mark.His time would have won the Division IV and Division V races, despite being boxed in throughout the race before finding an opening in the final 50 meters. "Ethan amazes me," Joy said. "He put the work in this year, believed in the system. He let us coach him 100 percent and did what we asked of him and it paid off. A lot of kids want instant gratitude and he believed in the system. You don't want to run your best time at the Jerry Neal or Dan Adams (invitationals), you want to run that at the state."More highlightsTri-Valley's Lydia Ripple was third in the 100 in Division II, breaking her own personal record for the fourth straight week at :24.41. It eclipsed a record that had stood at Tri-Valley since 1993. Teammate Colten Rollison was sixth in the Division II long jump Sheridan's Creed Hill was eighth in the Division II boys shot put with a personal-record throw of 56-3 1/2, which ranks second all-time in program history behind former champion Eli Kiener.West Muskingum's 4x200 relay of 4x100 relay of Tavyn Hains, Aiden Metz, Grant Rogers and Jaxson Prang was fourth in 1:284 in Division IV; Hains, Morgan Pennington, Rogers and Prang were seventh in the 4x100 relay in :43.15.West M's Carter Smith became the first Tornado to place in the high jump in more three decades when he cleared 6-2 to place fifth.sblackbu@usatodayco.com; X: @SamBlackburnTRThis article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Muskingum Valley track and field had a memorable weekend at OHSAA meet

Nick Kyrgios' return to action at the Stuttgart Open ended with a second-round loss to Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro.Kyrgios, 31, secured his first tour-level win since March 2025 by defeating eighth seed Corentin Moutet in his opening match in Germany on Tuesday.That was his first singles match since losing in the first round in Brisbane on 5 January.Wimbledon 2022 runner-up Kyrgios, who has struggled with knee and wrist injuries in recent years, received a wildcard for the grass-court tournament in Stuttgart.He made a promising start, taking the the opening set against Shimabukuro, but his 104th-ranked opponent edged a second-set tie-break and went on to clinch a 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory.There was no play at the Queen's Club in London on Thursday because of bad weather.Also in Stuttgart, Taylor Fritz, Jiri Lehecka and Frances Tiafoe - three of the top six seeds - all progressed.Second seed Fritz, a Wimbledon semi-finalist last year, achieved his first win since the Miami Open in March by battling back against Spanish 20-year-old Martin Landaluce to prevail 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-3). Lehecka also came from behind, beating James Duckworth 6-7 (8-10) 6-4 7-6 (7-3), while American Tiafoe won 6-4 6-4 against Rinky Hijikata.In 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Marton Fucsovics 6-3 6-4 before rain disrupted the schedule.Live scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phone

Pirelli has been F1's tyre supplier since 2011 [Getty Images]Pirelli will continue as Formula 1's tyre supplier until 2028.The Italian company, which became F1's sole supplier in 2011, signed its most recent contract for the 2025-27 seasons.It contained an option for either commercial rights holder F1 or governing body the FIA to extend it by a further year. A statement said the FIA had done so by mutual agreement with F1 and Pirelli.FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "Pirelli has been an important partner to the FIA F1 World Championship for many years, providing a consistently high standard of performance, innovation and safety at the highest level of our sport."This extension through to the end of 2028 provides stability for the championship."Antonelli says he still has questions to answerPowell and Pulling to commentate on Barcelona GP for the BBCHow to follow Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix on the BBCF1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said: "We've enjoyed an incredible history and partnership with Pirelli, relying on their technical brilliance and focus on performance, innovation and sustainability for many years, so I'm delighted that the FIA and we will continue that relationship for another year."Pirelli headed off a rival bid by Japan's Bridgestone to win its last contract.At the time, there was talk that the new deal could be Pirelli's last.However, while there is said to be interest from other companies for the next contract, sources say Pirelli is open to the idea of continuing beyond 2028.The FIA has to open a tender process for the new supply deal. Interested companies submit their technical bid to the FIA, which decides whether they are appropriate, after which F1 holds commercial discussions which decide the destiny of the contract.Formula 1 agrees to engine design change after criticismWhy were so many caught out for pit-lane speeding at Monaco? F1 Q&A

Worthing are assembling their squad before their first National League campaign [Getty Images]Worthing goalkeeper Taylor Seymour has signed a new contract with the National League newcomers.Seymour, 24, kept five clean sheets in the final 12 games of the season as the Rebels clinched the National League South title.He made his Worthing debut in the Sussex Senior Cup in October 2025, having overcome two significant knee injuries in the previous two years.Seymour has been on the books of Portsmouth and Crawley Town, but his first-team experience has largely been spent in non-league, with clubs including Burgess Hill Town, Eastbourne Borough, Corinthian-Casuals and Horsham.The length of Seymour's new deal has not been specified.National League

After seven years, sheriff’s deputy Anna Lange and Houston County, Georgia, have reached a settlement in the case over the county’s health insurance excluding gender-affirming services. The legal case and the county’s push to exclude trans health care are estimated to have cost the county over $2 million in legal costs as it fought to avoid covering $10,000 to $20,000 in medical expenses for Lange. While a joint statement was released, lawyers for both parties declined to comment further. However, in 2023, Lange summed up the case saying, “It was a slap in the face, really, to find out how much they had spent. They’re treating it like a political issue, obviously, when it’s a medical issue.” Related Georgia county refuses to stop fighting for the right to deny trans employees healthcare coverage Under the terms of the settlement, the county will maintain its exclusion for gender-affirming surgeries, but will cover non-surgical gender-affirming healthcare. Additionally, Lange, who is still employed with the Sheriff’s department, will still be covered for “any procedures contemplated at the time of and that arise out of Sgt. Lange’s original surgery.” Lange also received $5,000 in reimbursement for out-of-pocket health expenses. According to the statement, the parties agreed to resolve the lawsuit to avoid the costs that would have come with further legal battles. In 2023, it was revealed that the county had already spent nearly $1.2 million in legal fees to private law firms on the case, enough to have covered nearly three years of the county’s physical and mental health budget. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In 2025, Lange had said that after multiple years of litigation, it was “crushing to know I will have to continue to fight.” With one court recently overturning a previous ruling in Lange’s case, citing the Supreme Court’s United States v. Skrmetti ruling, it is possible that Lange and her attorneys felt the case was less of a guaranteed win at this point, making settlement seem more reasonable. Lange began working at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and had already been there for over a decade when she came out as trans in 2017. She was able to start hormone replacement therapy, but ran into problems when it came to getting surgeries. After confirming with her doctors and her insurance company that her Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan would cover the surgeries, she was surprised to receive a notice that coverage would actually be denied, citing “an exclusion specified by her employer.” Houston County had introduced the exclusion in 1998 (using outdated language). When the Affordable Care Act was introduced in 2014, it prohibited discrimination by health insurance issuers on the basis of gender identity. While the county’s insurance administrator recommended in 2016 that the county change the policy to match the federal nondiscrimination rule, the county ignored the suggestion. After appealing the policy through local channels, Lange filed a federal lawsuit against the Houston County Board of Commissioners in 2019 for refusing to allow her health insurance plan to cover her gender-affirmation surgery. Represented by lawyers from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TDLEF), Lange won a permanent injunction in her case in 2022. The district court ruled that officials in Houston County had violated Title VII protections by denying Lange her gender-affirming care under the county’s employee health plan. Throughout those proceedings, the county insisted that the exclusion was necessary to avoid increased health insurance premiums. However, while they spent swathes of money on legal fees, Lange’s attorneys hired an expert who argued that any increase in premiums from the cost of gender-affirming care would be “an amount so low that it would be considered immaterial.” Despite Lange’s 2022 win, after which she was able to get her surgery, in November 2023, the county appealed the ruling and sought to retrieve the $60,000 in damages that had been paid to Lange. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Lange’s favor in May 2024, but a rehearing was requested, which led them to vacate the May ruling in August. In September of 2025, the appeals court reversed the district court’s ruling, in part citing the Supreme Court’s Skrmetti decision as justification. That sent the case back to the District Court for the Middle District of Georgia to be reconsidered in the light of the new decisions. The settlement this month is expected to be the end of the seven-year-long case. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Seahawks receive wild Nick Emmanwori $25.2 million contract prediction 2 years early originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season, and a player like Nick Emmanrowi, who was drafted by the Seahawks in 2025, won a Super Bowl in his first season in the NFL.It was a great start to Emmanwori's career, as not only did he look promising as a young rookie, finishing runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he also played well in the playoffs during his first NFL season.But, ESPN's Bill Barnwell made a wild prediction for the young Seahawks safety that comes two years too early. He's predicting Emmanwori will surpass Derwin James' $25.2 million per-year contract in two years when he's extension eligible.Nick Emmanwori predicted to surpass $25.2M per-year deal"If there's one young safety who really seems likely to budge the market forward, though, it's Emmanwori." Barnwell writes. "... He's still two years away from even being eligible for an extension, but don't be surprised if he is the next safety to break the bank as a cornerstone for the Seahawks."Barnwell believes Emmanwori has a chance to increase the safety contract market in a few years, after the 2027 season, when he's finally extension eligible.MORE: Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori can be an All-Pro if he plays better in pass coverageThe Los Angeles Chargers are paying Derwin James $25.2 million per-year on a three-year extension, which means that the Seahawks would need to beat that mark for their young safety to reset the market.Spending so much on a non-premium position like safety would be a very bold decision from the Seahawks, especially since it would coincide with the team spending a fortune on Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and others.While Emmanwori was impressive in his rookie season and could get even better from here on out, it's still a very bold prediction from Barnwell to say the 2025 second-rounder can break the safety market and become the highest-paid player at the position.More NFL news:Stefon Diggs linked to Rams, Chiefs, Commanders after Patriots releaseHarold Fannin Jr. will need to prove his worth in Todd Monken’s Browns offenseBengals fans should worry about second-year linebackers in 2026Bears need Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to step up with DJ Moore tradedESPN analyst says if Cade Klubnik gets on the field for Jets it would mean something went wrong

The Rams will be wrapping up their offseason program a little earlier than expected. Head coach Sean McVay told the team's players, via multiple reporters, on Thursday that he has canceled the mandatory minicamp that was scheduled for next week. The team was slated to work on Monday and Tuesday before McVay announced the change in plans. While the team will not be holding the minicamp, McVay said that Monday will still be the final day of the program. Once the Rams do report for training camp, eyes will be on how Myles Garrett is settling into his new team. The Rams traded for Garrett this month and the hope is that his presence can help the team make it to another Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

Luka Doncic, Lakers get concerning trade news that would derail offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There’s one thing the Los Angeles Lakers can’t afford to do during the offseason if they want to contend for a championship in 2026-27: retain a significant portion of the contributors from this year’s squad. Assets like Dalton Knecht (limited offensively and a defensive liability), Deandre Ayton (inconsistent on both ends), Jarred Vanderbilt (non-existent perimeter shooting), and Maxi Kleber (simply hasn’t proven he’s worthy of extended playing time) should be looking for new homes this summer.According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, though, Los Angeles may not shake up its roster as fans anticipate, which is concerning news for Luka Doncic and the Lakers.“Word is that the Lakers like a lot of the players they have on hand, and rather than making sweeping changes to the roster, could instead bring back a lot of last season’s players with just one midrange addition worth in the $20 million AAV range, likely for a big man,” Deveney wrote Monday.While it’s great that it appears the Lakers will target a forward/center who will assist Doncic in pick-and-roll situations, it isn’t a good sign that Deveney doesn’t believe the franchise will address another noticeable need: a three-and-D wing or two.Trey Murphy, Lu Dort, Kelly Oubre, and Peyton Watson are all multi-dimensional two-way assets believed to be on the Lakers’ radar heading into the offseason. However, if Los Angeles doesn’t feel the need to pursue contributors who would fit their mold well aggressively, Lakers fans might be forced to watch a flawed version of the 17-time NBA champions again in 2026-27.Nothing is finalized, though, meaning it isn’t time to panic just yet.More NBA news:Rockets predicted to swap ex-Lakers disgruntled forward for $285 million Celtics starLakers rumor is good news for Luka Doncic, bad news for LeBron JamesLakers predicted to cut ties with Dalton Knecht, acquire $175 million two-time MVP

FIFA World Cup 2026 Official DrawFIFA via Getty ImagesFor the next few weeks, billions of people across the globe—speaking different languages, holding different beliefs, and living under vastly different political systems—will tune in to the same pitches, cheer for their players, and experience the same moments of triumph and heartbreak. The FIFA World Cup is far more than dazzling spectacle or fierce competition. It is a rare cultural phenomenon that transcends borders, languages, and ideologies. Football is more than just a game; it’s a mirror to humanity, revealing the character of players, teams, and fans—for better or worse.Why does this matter to you? Because sport, at its best, inspires goodwill—the social glue that enables communities, institutions, and nations to function. Goodwill fosters trust before certainty exists, assumes positive intent despite differences, and recognizes shared humanity even amid profound conflict. But this isn’t just theoretical. Stories like Leicester City’s fairytale victory in 2016 and the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham show how football can unite communities, inspire hope, and foster goodwill. And unfortunately, the opposite holds true. While football is meant to inspire goodwill, hooliganism reveals what happens when the virtues that sustain healthy competition collapse under the weight of unchecked emotion, tribalism, and ego, revealing that it is not just the character of athletes and teams, but the character of fans that sustain or erode goodwill. Why Goodwill Is Essential for SocietyGoodwill is often dismissed as a soft concept—mistaken for politeness or simple charitable intent. In reality, goodwill is foundational to the functioning of society. Without goodwill, communities fracture under distrust, institutions falter, and nations struggle to cooperate. Research consistently shows that societies marked by higher levels of trust and goodwill are more resilient, collaborative, and equipped to solve collective challenges. Football offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how character shapes our choices, our communities, and even our world.The FIFA World Cup, like all global sporting events, offers a rare moment of collective attention. It’s a space where players, fans, and nations reveal their character through their actions and choices. For example, the goodwill fostered by sport was beautifully captured in the movie Invictus, which highlighted how rugby helped unite South Africa during one of its most divided periods. It underscores that sport can be a catalyst for goodwill—but only if we choose to embrace it.Teams come together to compete fiercely, striving for victory on the pitch, yet they preserve something larger: the integrity, spirit, and communal essence of the sport itself. Football is not just about winning; it’s about honoring the game, respecting opponents, and contributing to a shared tradition that transcends individual rivalries. This is what ensures football remains a unifying force, capable of bringing people together despite differences. The equivalent for organizations, communities and nations lies in elevating character alongside competence to ensure that competition does not erode the goodwill on which the systems is based. For example, it means negotiations to assert interests must still uphold the principles of international cooperation, shared humanity, and mutual respect. Just as teams protect the integrity of the sport while competing, nations must navigate differences while preserving the larger framework of global stability and collective progress that goodwill demands.Goodwill is not sentimentality, nor is it a denial of differences. Rather, it reflects the strength in character that allows us to look beyond our own self-interest to see how we are deeply interconnected with the well-being of those around us. I was deeply moved by Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch’s description of the difference between team and crew, which I captured in my Forbes article “From Teamwork To Crew: What Artemis II Reveals About Character.” She described what it means to be a crew and concluded that “Planet Earth, you are a crew.” As I described in that article, embracing what it means to become a crew requires developing strength of character and the same can be said for sport. The Role of Character in Football and SocietyCharacter is at the heart of football’s ability to inspire goodwill. In my Forbes series on character, I have explored the virtues that enable individuals and organizations to flourish—qualities such as Courage, Humility, Integrity, Humanity and Transcendence. “The Anatomy of Greatness: Character Is the X Factor” article, reveals that “while competence is essential, it alone does not guarantee sustained excellence and can even hinder it when strong competence is paired with unbalanced character, clouding judgment.” Although character is one of the most ancient areas of study dating back to Confucius, Aristotle and Plato, there is significant misunderstanding of what character is and how it can manifest as deficient or excess vices as I describe in my Forbes article “Addressing the Crisis of Character Leadership.” To help people close the gap between their good intentions about character and the reality of how to develop it and embed it in organizations, I offered “From Good to Great: 10 Ways to Elevate Your Character Quotient.” Key insights from this body of work reveal that character is composed of 11 interconnected dimensions, with Judgment—what Aristotle called practical wisdom—acting as the integrating force that ties them together. However, Aristotle also noted that a strength unsupported by other dimensions can manifest as an excess vice, a challenge often seen in sport. For athletes, the virtues tied to Drive, such as striving for excellence and results-oriented focus, can lead to tunnel vision and perfectionism. These tendencies, if not balanced by Humility and Collaboration, can undermine both their own well-being and the collective efforts of their team. For fans, the passion associated with Drive can devolve into fanaticism when it lacks the support of Temperance, Humanity, and Justice. This imbalance is precisely what fuels destructive behaviors like hooliganism, highlighting the importance of character as a stabilizing force in sport and society.The 11 Interconnected Character Dimensions Let’s delve deeper into the 11 interconnected dimensions of character and how they reveal themselves in football:Drive: The relentless pursuit of excellence defines the greatest players and teams. Drive fuels ambition, but in excess, it can lead to tunnel vision or perfectionism. Supported by other dimensions, Drive inspires collective goals, such as Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League victory in 2016, achieved through hard work and collaboration.Collaboration: Football thrives on teamwork, from synchronized player movements to strategic planning by coaches. Deficient collaboration leads to disjointed performances, as seen in the French national team’s struggles during the 2010 World Cup. Goodwill is rooted in collaboration when players and staff work collectively toward shared success.Humanity: Humanity is the foundation of football’s ability to connect people. The Welcome to Wrexham series highlights how football can unite communities and provide hope. Humanity reminds us of the shared experiences—the iconic “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”—that make sport meaningful and relatable as a parallel to life.Humility: Humility ensures that ego doesn’t overshadow collective success. Moments like Lionel Messi crediting his teammates after winning the Ballon d’Or exemplify Humility. Deficient Humility manifests as arrogance, which can fracture teams and alienate fans. It erodes goodwill.Integrity: Integrity sustains football’s ability to inspire trust and respect. When players, managers, and organizations act with transparency and authenticity, they elevate the sport beyond competition. Deficient Integrity leads to scandals like match-fixing, while excessive rigidity can stifle adaptability.Courage: Courage enables players to confront challenges head-on. It’s evident in moments like a player stepping up to take a decisive penalty kick under immense pressure. Courage fosters goodwill when it inspires action for positive change, such as standing against racism.Accountability: Accountability moves beyond self-interest to ever larger entities. This was part of Koch’s message about Planet Earth as a crew. The Wrexham documentary reveals an accountability beyond the players and team to the community. Clubs like FC Bayern Munich, which publicly admitted financial errors and took corrective action, demonstrate accountability. A lack of accountability erodes trust, undermining the sport’s unifying potential.Temperance: Temperance is the virtue of moderation, visible when players maintain composure under pressure. Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in the 2006 World Cup exemplifies a lack of Temperance, while excessive restraint can stifle passion. In fans, the hooliganism that undermines goodwill is revealed in the incredible lack of Temperance.Justice: Justice inspires fairness and equity. Campaigns like Kick It Out combat racism and discrimination, while inequality in investment between men’s and women’s football highlights the need for Justice. Goodwill emerges when Justice ensures accessibility for all.Transcendence: Transcendence elevates football beyond entertainment, turning it into a force for social change as revealed so clearly in the Invictus movie. Initiatives like Street Football World use football to unite communities and educate children, demonstrating transcendence in action.Judgment: Judgment is the practical wisdom that underpins decisions and actions. Nelson Mandela’s intervention with the sports commission, as revealed in the movie Invictus, inviting them to reverse their decision to get rid of the name and the colors (green and gold) of the Springbok Rugby team, which were seen as a symbol of apartheid, is an example of character-based Judgment. It not only reveals strength of Judgment, but Judgment based on the other 10 dimensions including the Transcendence he invoked to “build a nation with every brick available, whether it comes wrapped in green and gold."Goodwill in football is an outward expression of the character embodied by players, teams, fans, and organizations. It is the tangible connection between character and the broader social impact of the sport. In the context of football, goodwill manifests in acts of sportsmanship, community-building efforts, and moments where the game transcends the pitch to inspire unity and hope. When players demonstrate humility by acknowledging their teammates, courage by taking a stand against racism, or humanity by advocating for social change, they create ripples of positive influence that extend far beyond the stadium.The Choice Before UsFootball reminds us of the connection between individual character and collective impact. As fans, players, and communities, we have a choice in how we show up. Will we fuel division, or will we foster goodwill? Just as athletes train for competence, we can cultivate character in our everyday lives. By strengthening character we do our part in building goodwill.At a time of growing polarization, goodwill may seem outdated or naïve. It is neither. Goodwill is the foundation for solving problems that no individual or nation can tackle alone. It strengthens relationships, communities, and institutions. As the World Cup unfolds, it’s a powerful reminder that our greatest achievements depend not just on talent or competition, but on the character that defines us—and the choices we make to foster goodwill.So, as you watch the matches, reflect on the moments of triumph and heartbreak. Consider how character—yours and others’—shapes outcomes both on and off the pitch. And above all, ask yourself: How will you show up?This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The World Cup 2026 begins today and, according to a new poll, many Americans don't really care. More than 4 in 10 American respondents to a new poll from Emerson College said they weren't interested in this year's tournament. The survey was conducted on June 7 and 8 — just days before the starting matches — and found that 45 percent of the 1,200 respondents said they had no interest in the event. A third of respondents said they had some interest, and 22 percent said they were very interested, The Hill reports. Some Scottish fans who've traveled to Boston to watch World Cup matches told BBC News Scotland that some of the Americans they've met don't even know the tournament is happening. One fan said he went to send a letter while wearing his Scotland jersey and the American woman working the counter asked him what had brought him to the states. A pair of Americans walk past a display of World Cup jerseys in Santa Monica, California. More than 4 in 10 Americans said in a recent survey that they were not interested in the 2026 World Cup (Getty)"She didn't even know the World Cup is on," he said. Another Scottish fan said that the “pubs are brilliant, but I don’t think anybody knows that there’s a World Cup on.”The poll found that interest in the tournament also differs depending on the respondent's age. More than 70 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 to 29 said they were either very or somewhat interested in the World Cup, with 19 percent saying they were not interested at all. Of people ages 60 to 69, 58 percent said they are not interested at all in the event, and only 11 percent said they were very interested. The poll also found differing interest levels based on the race of the respondent. Sixty-three percent of Black respondents and six in 10 Hispanic respondents said they either planned to watch the World Cup somewhat or very closely. Only 35 percent of white respondents said they'd watch closely.

A firefighter monitors flames caused by the Hughes Fire along Castaic Lake in Castaic, Calif., Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)2026-06-11T13:01:16Z WASHINGTON (AP) — El Nino, Nature’s chaotic climate agent, has formed in a warmed-up Pacific Ocean and is expected to grow to historic strength, meteorologists announced Thursday.Experts said the El Nino, a natural warming cycle, should further heat a globe already warming from fossil fuel pollution and will likely turbocharge extreme weather across the planet. Meteorologists forecast it will rival — or exceed — a record El Nino that began in 1997 and helped trigger billions of dollars in damage from heat waves, floods, droughts, tornadoes and wildfires. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officially confirmed the existence of the El Nino, which is a warming of the Pacific near the equator that affects weather patterns across the globe. NOAA’s announcement said there’s a 63% chance that the El Nino will get so intense this late fall and early winter that it “would rank among the largest El Nino events in the historical record going back to 1950.” The warm, deep waters of an El Nino affect weather patterns by bringing “a lot of extra heat to the surface, fueling a lot of extreme events for a lot of places around the world,” said Clark University climate scientist Abby Frazier. She said, especially in the Pacific, “it can get dire very quickly.”United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described El Nino as an “urgent climate warning.” “El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,” Guterres said in a video message. Read More El Nino’s impacts spawn winners and losers A person uses a fan during a heat advisory in the Brooklyn borough of New York, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray, File) A person uses a fan during a heat advisory in the Brooklyn borough of New York, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The weather pattern’s effects vary by region. El Nino often dampens — but doesn’t eliminate — Atlantic hurricane season activity, but increases it in the Pacific. So while the U.S. East and Gulf coasts may get a break, Hawaii and other islands are more in danger, Frazier said.The drought-stricken Middle East could benefit, climate scientists said. Other places are looking at more danger. Parts of western South America — where the first El Ninos were noticed decades ago — often get heavy rain and floods, along with an extra warm summer. India faces more intense heat waves, while drought, wildfires and heat threaten Australia. Northeastern Africa is likely going to get weather whiplash from intense drought to dangerously heavy rains, said Columbia University climate scientist and El Nino expert Muhammad Azhar Ehsan.In the U.S., El Ninos can cause more intense storms with heavier rainfall in the South, but they also tend to generally benefit the U.S. agriculture industry, said Jon Gottschalck, operational branch chief at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Michael Ferrari, meteorologist and head of research at the investment research firm Moby, said conditions for grains and seed, especially soybeans, look favorable in 18 major growing states, but are more mixed when it comes to dairy and cattle.The northern Rockies and Southwest — where there’s an “off the charts” snow drought — could get some strong summer rains, Gottschalck said. The biggest effect in the U.S. is often in the winter, when the south can get wetter and the Pacific Northwest warmer and drier. But overall, temperatures raised by the weather pattern can dampen American economic growth, said Stanford climate economist Marshall Burke. Several climate scientists forecast that 2027 will be the hottest year on record because of lagging effects of this El Nino, which is expected to peak in the fall or winter. “We have pretty clear evidence that the U.S. economy grows more slowly when temps are above normal,” Burke said. Strong early signs Drought-stressed wheat plants stand adjacent to parched ground in a field near Macksville, Kan., May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) Drought-stressed wheat plants stand adjacent to parched ground in a field near Macksville, Kan., May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The weather extremes caused by an El Nino also depend on when it develops. Usually El Ninos form in the summer, peak in the late fall or early winter, and peter out the next spring, scientists said. However, Ehsan’s team forecasts that this El Nino will peak a month or two earlier based on strong early signs from recent weeks. Princeton University climate scientist Gabriel Vecchi said large El Ninos like these also tend to last longer.The early indications — including warmer water pushing toward the surface of the Pacific — have been so strong and noticeable that forecasters have all been predicting the same ultra strong El Nino, Vecchi said, adding that El Nino forecasts often are all over the place at this time of year. Scientists predict stronger El Ninos as the world warms from the burning of coal, oil and gas, Frazier and others said. But she said it is too early to say if this El Nino is part of that.Even before it officially formed, this El Nino has gotten nicknames ranging from “super” to “Godzilla.”“Instead of scared, we can ask people to be prepared,” Columbia’s Ehsan said ___The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. SETH BORENSTEIN Borenstein is an Associated Press science writer, covering climate change, disasters, physics and other science topics. He is based in Washington, D.C. twitter mailto

Imagine what Tom Steyer could have done with all the money he wasted on another campaign.

Mitch Johnson drew up a beauty on Wednesday Night with 1.2 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. But the call the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach made was merely a footnote after New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns made the biggest defensive play of his life to unravel the crafty play design.On the ball, stretching his arms to obstruct the possible passing lanes for an inbounding Dylan Harper, Towns got a piece of a pass that could have set the stage for a comeback-spoiling game-winner. While the deflection was easily overlooked in the moment — particularly as pandemonium erupted in the aftermath of New York’s 107-106, come-from-behind victory — it was clear as day on replay.Multiple angles show Towns’ affecting the flight path of the Harper’s pass.Fans even got a glimpse of Towns’ heroics from this cinematic clip entertainment industry icon and longtime Knicks fan Ben Stiller posted to X:If Towns, affectionally known as “KAT,” didn’t tip Harper’s inbound pass with one of his paws, the ball could have found Spurs guard Stephon Castle right at the rim for a potential game-winner.San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama had set a back screen on Knicks guard Josh Hart. That opened the window for Castle to get a jump on Hart and make a bee-line for the cup. Slowed by the screen, Hart was left stumbling after a wide-open Castle in the paint.But instead of receiving a lob, Castle had to come back to the ball, which Towns had subtly redirected. Castle couldn’t catch the disrupted pass cleanly, and, by the time he corralled the rock, he was walled up by Hart.Castle didn’t even end up getting a shot off, and New York rejoiced after the Knicks rallied from 29 points down to take a commanding 3-1 series lead and revel in the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.Johnson’s play call put Castle in the right position for a tip-in or dunk; however, Towns extended his 7-foot frame to negate the schematic chess move.

Halfway through the 2025 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and he immediately became a favorite target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He was signed to a three-year contract extension in December, and there is an expectation that he will perform even better in 2026, having had more time to learn Liam Coen's offensive scheme.After the third day of minicamp, Meyers spoke to the media about working with both Lawrence and Coen, and what his goals for the future in Jacksonville are.After the end of the 2025 season, Lawrence called Meyers an unsung hero on offense, but Meyers insisted he still has room to improve."Just to learn as much as I can, honestly, so they don't have to sit there and babysit me and hold my hand through the offense," he said of his goals for the offseason. "I just want to learn as much as I can, and honestly, have the other guys play great, so I can just support them through it."And Coen, Meyers said, is the perfect coach to help him through it. "I mean, for me personally, a guy who knows the offense as well as he does, like it's easy for me when I have a mistake, he could just tell me right away. And I can go line up and it don't take too long. I can still kind of understand my job. So, I mean, that's been great for me." That similarly applies to Lawrence, as Meyers explained."The way he throw the ball, he could tell you exactly where he's thinking and we could tell him exactly what we're thinking. So the communication, the help, the leadership, he's been doing a good job this year."Continuity and improved chemistry could be the catalyst behind a Year 2 jump for Meyers, Lawrence, and the Jaguars' offense.This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Next steps for WR Jakobi Meyers in Jaguars' offense

✍🏼It's official: José Mourinho returns to Real MadridThe Portuguese manager returns to Los Blancos and signs for the next three seasons.Once Florentino Pérez had been confirmed as Real Madrid president until 2030, the announcement of José Mourinho as the new coach followed immediately.What was already known is therefore confirmed: Mou returns to Real Madrid for a second spell, signing for the next three seasons.A manager who knows the club inside out and whose mission will be to make the team competitive and committed again. The objective is to win a title again after two straight trophyless years.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

The Arizona Cardinals were bit hard by the injury bug last season, and one player of note who dealt with multiple injuries was defensive lineman Walter Nolen, their first-round pick. He suffered a calf injury before training camp and was out until midseason. He played four games, hurt his knee, missed two games, played two more and then suffered a season-ending knee injury that looked pretty serious. It turned out to be a torn meniscus, but things are going well. He should be ready for training camp. Head coach Mike LaFleur was asked about Nolen's return for training camp when it begins July 22, and the answer was positive and hopeful. "Walter is going to be (ready)," he said. "Again, there could be setbacks, but right now all this is trending great for the 22nd for all these (injured) guys where we feel really good."A healthy return for Nolen would be huge for the defense. His impact when he played was noticeable. Having lost Calais Campbell in free agency, the Cardinals need the production to come from other players. Nolen is a perfect candidate for that. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals DL Walter Nolen expected to be ready for training camp

The Buccaneers didn't practice on Tuesday, by choice. They didn't practice on Wednesday, not by choice."We gave them off Tuesday; Tuesday was their day off," coach Todd Bowles said Thursday, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. "Wednesday was by the league, because at the first practice we had too many guys on the ground, so they took a practice from us. So Wednesday was by their doing, Tuesday was already set in motion by our doing. And they cleaned it up after that. We understand. We aren't trying to get anybody hurt. That was the basis of it."Bowles said "about three or four plays" created the issue."We're trying to practice safety as well," Bowles said. "We've got a lot of new guys trying to learn how to practice, but we cleaned that up and kind of took care of it."It's not easy to get the players to dial it back — especially the ones that are trying to move from the 90-man roster to the final 53-man roster. Still, the team is responsible to keep things from going too far.Even with periodic glitches, it's not as bad as it used to be. Twenty years ago, contact was rampant in offseason workouts. To the point where some offensive linemen wanted to wear pads, since their shoulders were getting banged around by helmets.

A new musical currently playing at London’s National Theatre recounts the extraordinary story of an unlikely alliance between the U.K.’s South Wales coal mining communities and LGBTQ+ activists, a relationship that still holds strong today. A stage adaptation of the Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated 2014 film of the same name, Pride, had its world premiere earlier this year at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff, Wales. Audiences are now flocking to the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre to see it. The show’s current run through September 12 is already sold out. Related UK King’s Speech lays out plan for conversion therapy ban. But will it happen this time? The musical and 2014 film – both directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Matthew Warchus – were inspired by the 1984 events that led to the formation of the activist group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM). At the time, coal miners across Northern England, Scotland, and Wales were staging a massive strike to protest the closure of more than 70 pits proposed by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government – a proposal that would lead to the loss of 20,000 mining jobs in communities across the U.K. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Striking miners were forced to rely on outside fundraising to continue their year-long action and feed themselves and their families. Among those who stepped up to help was Mark Ashton, a gay rights activist and member of the Communist Party of Great Britain. As University of Glasgow lecturer Diarmaid Kelliher notes, Ashton and friends began by collecting donations for striking miners at the 1984 London Pride march. Ashton and other LGBTQ+ activists continued their fundraising efforts under the LGSM banner. While the group initially faced skepticism and prejudice from some rural mining communities, LGSM eventually formed alliances with members of several communities in South Wales, according to The Guardian. The coalition’s biggest fundraiser, December 1984’s “Pits and Perverts” concert, held at London’s Electric Ballroom and headlined by synth-pop band Bronski Beat, raised over £5,000 (more than $27,800 in today’s dollars). In total, LGSM reportedly raised the equivalent of more than $93,300 in today’s money for miners and their families during the 1984–1985 strike. According to Kelliher and historian Lucy Robinson, LGSM activists approached their support for the miners from a socialist perspective and aimed to demonstrate solidarity with miners in their shared struggle against Thatcher’s conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ government. Robinson writes that LGSM offered its support without expecting members of mining communities to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in return. But mining communities did reciprocate. Miners union members led the 1985 London Pride march alongside LGSM. Authors Martin Adeney and John Lloyd write in their 1986 book about the strike that LGSM’s fundraising efforts led directly to the National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) staunch support for LGBTQ+ rights. NUM members were a driving force behind the U.K. Labour Party’s adoption of a resolution in support of LGBTQ+ rights in 1985, and miners’ unions campaigned alongside the LGBTQ+ community against Section 28, a 1988 law introduced by Thatcher’s government that banned the “promotion of homosexuality” in British schools. The alliance between the LGBTQ+ community and British trade unions forged during the 1984–1985 strike continues today. After the Durham County Council withdrew all funding for the city’s 2026 Pride festivities last summer – with one far-right council leader calling the event “political street theatre” – the Durham Miners Association and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) launched a fundraising effort to make up for the loss. According to Chronicle Live, the groups raised more than £15,000 for the event, which took place late last month. “Trade unions and the LGBT+ community have stood side by side for decades, united by the similarities in the challenges we face,” TUC Regional Secretary Dave Pike said in May, according to Chronicle Live. “The battle for a fairer, more equal society is a fight that trade unions and the LGBT+ community know well. At a time when communities are being intentionally divided and pitted against each other, the trade union movement is determined that Durham Pride will go ahead this year. Bigger and better than ever.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

NEW YORK (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs have plenty of company in being on the losing end of a dramatic comeback.The New York Knicks rallied from 29 points down and beat the Spurs 107-106 on OG Anunoby 's tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night.The stunning scene left the Knicks, who have just two titles in their 80-year history and hadn’t even been to the finals since 1999, with a 3-1 lead and three chances to win the best-of-seven series — starting with Game 5 on Saturday night in San Antonio.Jalen Brunson (36 points) and Anunoby (33 points) led the charge and sent the Spurs into sports lore. Here's a look at other memorable meltdowns:Matt Ryan and the Falcons provide a Supersized collapseThe Falcons led 28-3 with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter of Super Bowl 51, a seemingly insurmountable lead even with quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots on the other side of the field. But Brady & Co. scored 25 consecutive points — the largest comeback in Super Bowl history — to send the 2017 finale to overtime. New England sealed the victory by winning the coin toss and scoring a touchdown on the opening drive.Northern Iowa gets pressed into a stunning loss in the NCAA TournamentNorthern Iowa led Texas A&M 69-57 with 44 seconds left in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament before the Aggies turned up the press and sparked the largest final-minute comeback in Division I history. The 11th-seeded Panthers committed four turnovers and failed to get the ball past the half-court line. The Aggies closed with a 14-2 run that forced overtime. They prevailed in double OT.Jordan Spieth melts down on the back nine at the MastersSpieth, then 22, started the back nine with a five-shot lead at Augusta National in 2016, but he bogeyed Nos. 10 and 11 and quadruple-bogeyed the par-3 12th. By the time he got to the 13th tee, he was facing a three-shot deficit.Yankees blow a 3-0 lead against the rival Red SoxThe Red Sox, a gritty group with a “cowboy up” motto, were on the verge of getting swept in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS in Boston. They trailed 4-3 heading into their final at-bat before mounting a rally against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. David Ortiz provided a walk-off home run in the 12th inning. The Red Sox won three more to close out the series, then swept St. Louis in the World Series to secure their first championship since 1918.Jean van de Velde delivers late drama at the British OpenVan de Velde entered the final round of the 1999 Open at Carnoustie, Scotland, with a five-shot lead. He stepped to No. 18 with a three-stroke advantage before one of the biggest meltdowns in golf history. He hit a grandstand, found a creek and ended up with a triple-bogey to join Justin Leonard and Paul Lawrie in a four-hole playoff. Lawrie, 10 shots back entering the final round, won by three.Greg Norman falters in the final round at the MastersNorman took a six-shot lead into the final round at Augusta National in 1996 but stumbled spectacularly by shooting 78 in the final round. Norman lost the lead by the 12th hole and ended up finishing five strokes behind winner Nick Faldo.Knicks get choked out by Reggie Miller and the PacersThe New York Knicks held a 105-99 lead with 18.7 seconds remaining before Indiana star Reggie Miller caught fire and sent the Knicks to one of the more stunning end-game collapses in league lore. Miller scored eight points in nine seconds in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals. He hit a 3-pointer, stole the ensuing inbounds pass and drained another trey to tie the game at 105. The Knicks had chances to close it out, but John Starks missed two free throws and Patrick Ewing missed a 10-footer before Miller was fouled on the rebound. Miller sank both free throws to give the Pacers a 107-105 victory. The Pacers went on to win the series in seven games.Frank Reich and the Bills rally from a 35-3 hole to beat the OilersHouston led 35-3 in the fourth quarter but failed to slow down backup Reich, who was filling in for star quarterback Jim Kelly. Reich ended the day with four TD passes, including three to Andre Reed. Buffalo’s Steve Christie kicked the winning field goal in overtime as the Bills rallied to win 41-38.Maple Leafs stun the Red Wings to make NHL historyAfter losing the first three games in 1942, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the next four to upset the Detroit Red Wings in seven games, winning their fourth Stanley Cup and becoming the first team in North American sports history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win a playoff series.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid says it is signing coach José Mourinho on a three-year contract.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lavished praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the youngster produced another eye-catching innings for India A in the ongoing one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka.Sooryavanshi, who recently earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland, continued to impress in the 50-over format with a blistering knock against Afghanistan A. Opening the batting, the 15-year-old took charge from the very beginning and smashed 44 runs off just 22 deliveries, striking at an incredible rate of 200.Having scored just 14 runs in the opening game of the tournament, Sooryavanshi looked far more settled in his second outing. While his explosive power has already become a hallmark of his batting, this innings showcased another side of his game. The youngster mixed aggression with control, finding gaps regularly and playing several elegant strokes along the ground rather than relying solely on big hits.His 44-run knock featured nine boundaries and underlined why many believe he has the technique and temperament to succeed beyond the T20 format.A half-century looked well within reach before Sooryavanshi's innings came to an end. Attempting to upper-cut a short delivery over the wicketkeeper, he found Mohamed Shiraz in the deep, who completed the catch to deny him a deserved fifty.Despite the dismissal, Ashwin was highly impressed by what he saw from the teenager. Taking to X, the former India off-spinner highlighted the quality of Sooryavanshi's strokeplay and timing, suggesting the innings was about much more than just brute force."Out ! But 44(21) absolutely entertaining innings, punctuated with some well timed cover drives. We have seen his power, but today was anything but brute force. He is some player this kid." Ashwin wrote on X.Earlier in the day, rain interruptions reduced the contest to 49 overs per side. India A posted an imposing 349 for 9, with Prabhsimran Singh leading the way with 84, while captain Tilak Varma and vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad both contributed 66.Afghanistan A's chase was also affected by weather. Their revised target was adjusted to 294 in 38 overs after further rain delays before the second innings. The visitors responded strongly, reaching 177 for 2 in 25.5 overs, with Imran Mir unbeaten on 75 and Bahir Shah unbeaten on 51.When rain returned and halted play once again, Afghanistan A were three runs ahead of the DLS par score. With conditions preventing any further action, the match was called off and Afghanistan A were declared winners by the DLS method. 131661161

Mexico vs. South Africa box score: Full stats from World Cup Group A match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The FIFA World Cup has finally arrived for its newest edition: 2026 in North America, with Mexico, the United States and Canada joining together as co-hosts.It's going to be the biggest World Cup ever, up to 48 teams for the first time, and it all starts on Thursday when Mexico hosts South Africa. Usually, the host nation plays the first game, but with three hosts, only one could do so, and the Mexican side got the honor.This is actually the second time these teams have met in an opening match. Back in 2010 in South Africa, the hosts of that tournament were heavy underdogs but scored first. Mexico needed a 79th-minute equalizer from Rafa Marquez to escape with a 1-1 draw.The Mexican squad will be hoping for a better result this time.South Africa is in its fourth World Cup and still looking for its first appearance in a knockout round, so getting any kind of result against a partisan crowd would be huge for the South Africans.Below, we'll keep track of the main events of the match to keep you up to date. The match is slated to kick at 3 p.m. ET.MORE: Germany fan Freddy is going viral for his journey through the American SouthMexico vs. South Africa box scoreRefresh for the latest team stats.MexicoSouth AfricaPossessionShots on goalShotsFouls committedYellow cardsRed cardsCornersSavesMexico vs. South Africa goalsRefresh for the latest scoring summary.This section will be updated if and when a goal is scored.MORE: These are the 12 Manchester United stars playing at the World CupWho are the goalies in Mexico vs. South Africa?The expectation is that Mexico will start Raul Rangel in goal.South Africa's top goalie is Ronwen Williams.We're keeping track of their save totals in the box above.MORE: Why Gilberto Mora didn't start Mexico's World Cup openerMore FIFA World Cup news:Pope Leo XIV shares an inspiring message on sport, life before World CupItaly is on a nightmare path through recent World Cup historyHarry Kane reveals blunt feelings about potential England issues in U.S. heatLawrence, Kansas has fallen in love with the Algerian national team

Brian Callahan | Getty Images Brian Callahan was running out of options when he had the chance to interview for the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator job. He had interviewed for a couple of other coordinator jobs without luck.When he saw the report that Matt Nagy had gotten the Giants’ coordinator gig, Callahan figured he might end up taking a year off from coaching, something he had never done since starting his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCLA in 2006.Then, Giants coach John Harbaugh called. Would Callahan, offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019-2023, and head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2024 and part of 2025 until being fired, be interested in returning to his roots as a quarterbacks coach?Callahan asked Harbaugh for a night to consider it. He ultimately decided that coaching quarterbacks was better than not coaching at all, and that working for Harbaugh could be a beneficial experience.Callahan is glad he said yes.“It’s been awesome,” Callahan said Wednesday afternoon after the conclusion of mandatory minicamp. “Talk about growth and being stimulated and being excited to come to work every morning.“I’ve always been a fan of Coach Nagy and what they’ve done in Kansas City in that system of offense. I think everybody in the league studies that team every year. We studied that offense for years.”There have been questions about lines of authority and how things would work with Callahan and Nagy having both been head coaches and offensive coordinators, Tim Kelly and Greg Roman having called plays, and Willie Taggart and Mike Bloomgren having experience as college head coaches.“We’ve got some really, really smart coaches,” Callahan said. “It’s probably the most experienced from top to bottom offensive staff I’ve been around. It’s stimulating. It’s exciting.”Callahan admitted they don’t always see things the same way, but they have a common goal of building the best offense they can.“I’ve got a unique perspective from some of the places I’ve been that’s different than his. You add in G-Ro [Greg Roman], and TK [Tim Kelly]. We’ve got a really, really experienced coaching staff, and the best part about it is there’s no ego. I really mean that, and that’s what’s made it so fun,” Callahan said. “We get all these different ideas. How do we make it ours, and what do our players do best?“I think we’ve put together a pretty sweet starting point to our system, and I’m really excited about it. I think the players are, too.”Callahan will now be directly responsible for Jaxson Dart’s development. Among quarterbacks he has worked with are Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. He won’t compare.“Every quarterback’s unique. They have their own strengths, they have their own weaknesses, they have their own things they need to work on,” Callahan said. “They all have perspectives that are different, they see the game differently.“Try really hard to let Jaxson be Jaxson.”

President Donald Trump talks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, early Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2026-06-11T18:16:52Z WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he plans to nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, as director of national intelligence.Trump announced the nomination on social media amid pressure from Congress to name a permanent replacement for Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. Trump faced intense pushback over his decision to name Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director.The situation has led to a standoff in Congress as Democrats said they would refuse to renew a foreign intelligence powers unless Trump pulled Pulte’s nomination and named a permanent nominee.“Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay,” Trump wrote. “I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible.”

The MV Hondius cruise ship arrives at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)2026-06-11T18:16:04Z WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration put up $750,000 to charter a private yacht to evacuate a single American citizen from a remote South Pacific island after she had been aboard a cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak, a move that has further strained the State Department’s emergency budget.The woman, who may have been exposed to the virus while aboard the Dutch MV Hondius cruise liner in April, had gotten off the ship and then flown to San Francisco before traveling to the isolated British territory of Pitcairn Island through Tahiti, according to two U.S. officials and an internal government document obtained by The Associated Press. The exact amount of the total evacuation payment is still being assessed because the operation is still underway. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a medical case covered by U.S. privacy laws. The costly effort to pick up the woman has added to the expense of rapid evacuations for diplomats and private U.S. citizens from the Middle East since the start of the Iran war as well as preparations for possible evacuations from Ebola-stricken countries. All have stressed the State Department budget for unforeseen emergencies, known as the “K Fund,” and brought its balance to the lowest level in seven years. State Department emergency budget strained by multiple evacuationsAnother internal document said the State Department is looking at transferring as much as $50 million into that emergency fund from other accounts — $35 million from the budget for embassy security, construction and maintenance and an additional $15 million from an account that pays for broader diplomatic programming. No decision on the transfers has yet been made.One of the officials said the State Department has another option, to ask Congress to replenish the fund. However, the official said the department is expected to be able to handle payments for both ongoing and “emerging contingency needs.” The official would not say what the potential shortfall is but insisted that the department is “well positioned” to support diplomats, other U.S. government employees and private Americans who have been forced to leave the Middle East because of the Iran confict, as well as U.S. citizens who may need assistance due to developments such as the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Read More How the US is evacuating an American exposed to hantavirus from a remote islandThe State Department declined to comment on the specifics of the woman’s case on Pitcairn Island but said that “when an American is at risk abroad and unable to access commercial transportation, the Department of State seeks to provide appropriate assistance to get them home to the United States or to another safe location.”After the woman departed the cruise liner where the hantavirus outbreak occurred, the ship continued to other destinations in the South Atlantic, with some passengers falling ill and at least three dying. The unidentified American woman was stuck on Pitcairn, an island with only about 50 inhabitants, no airport and infrequent maritime options to depart. Pitcairn is well-known as the island on which Fletcher Christian and other British mutineers from the HMS Bounty took refuge after the 1789 events that toppled Capt. William Bligh, which have entered into the public lexicon with books and films about the “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Their descendants make up most of the island’s current population. Complicating matters, British authorities had sought urgent American assistance in evacuating the woman from the island, which is their territory, according to the government document about the cost of the evacuation and the second U.S. official.But initial attempts to send her to Tahiti, a French dependency, about 1,350 miles (2,160 kilometers) — or a 30-hour sea journey — from Pitcairn, were rejected by French Polynesian authorities. They did not want to allow her in because she had not disclosed her exposure when she transited the island on her way to Pitcairn. The U.S. is transporting the woman, who was not symptomatic, from Pitcairn to Easter Island, another remote location in the Pacific about 1,400 miles (2,253 km) away, which is a territory of Chile and has direct flights to Santiago, so she can return to the United States for any necessary treatment. All of those factors mean the process of getting her moved from Pitcairn to Easter Island took many weeks to arrange, the officials said. The government document, which was confirmed as accurate by the two officials, said moving the woman from Pitcairn eventually was arranged via the “Titaina Explorer” trimaran yacht owned by a wealthy Frenchman, who uses it for personal exploration in the South Pacific. Pitcairn has no airport and only limited sea access.The officials said the woman had no political or celebrity connections and they did not know exactly when she will return to the U.S. Maritime tracking sites show that the Titaina Explorer departed Pitcairn Island on June 5. The voyage to Easter Island can take up to 10 days depending on the speed of the boat and the weather. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Lawmakers had pressed the president to find someone besides Bill Pulte, the Trump ally who was the president’s interim choice but lacked experience.

The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place this weekend, with Ferrari looking to continue its modern dominance at the world's most famous endurance race.This year's event runs from June 10-14 and serves as the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. As usual, Le Mans carries extra weight in the championship, with double points available.Ferrari arrives as the team to beat after winning the last three editions of the race. Last year, Robert Kubica claimed his first Le Mans victory with AF Corse, sharing the winning Ferrari with Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson.The Italian manufacturer will face a deep Hypercar field this weekend, including entries from Toyota, Cadillac, BMW, Aston Martin, Alpine, Peugeot, and Genesis. This will also mark Genesis' first appearance at Le Mans as part of its debut WEC season. Porsche, however, will be absent from the top class after ending its WEC Hypercar program following last season.Three classes will compete at Le Mans this year: Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGT3. LMP2 returns for its annual appearance at the French endurance classic.When Does The 2026 24 Hours Of Le Mans Start?The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans begins with practice and qualifying on Wednesday, June 10. Hyperpole takes place Thursday, June 11, while the race starts Saturday, June 13 and finishes Sunday, June 14.2026 24 Hours of Le Mans racing officially begins on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. BST (10:00 a.m. ET) and runs through Sunday.How To Watch The 2026 24 Hours Of Le MansThe full race will be available through FIAWEC+, the FIA World Endurance Championship's official streaming platform. For fans who don't want to miss a single lap, FIAWEC+ remains the most comprehensive viewing option.A dedicated 24 Hours of Le Mans Pass is available for €19.99 ($24.99), while the full-season FIA World Endurance Championship package costs €49.99 ($59.99). FIAWEC+ is available through its website as well as mobile apps on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.The Le Mans package includes:Every practice session liveFull qualifying and Hyperpole coverageLive race coverage from start to finishOnboard camera feeds during the raceFull race replaysRoad to Le Mans support racesFIA WEC race archive contentTelevision and streaming coverage of the 24 Hours of Le Mans varies by region, with several broadcasters carrying the event live:United StatesAmerican viewers can watch the entire race live on TruTV. All practice sessions and qualifying rounds will also be available through HBO Max.United KingdomUK fans can tune into TNT Sports for comprehensive race coverage throughout the week. Portions of the race will also be available free-to-air on Quest, including the race start, overnight coverage, and the closing hours on Sunday.FranceIn Le Mans' home country, Eurosport will broadcast all practice and qualifying sessions. Free-to-air coverage will be available on L'Équipe, including Thursday's Hyperpole sessions.EuropeEurosport remains the primary broadcaster across much of Europe, with additional coverage available through:RTL Nitro (Germany)Discovery Turbo (Italy)TNT Sports (United Kingdom)Asia-PacificSeveral broadcasters will carry the race throughout the region:SPO TV and SPO TV Now (South Korea)beIN Sports (Asia-Pacific and New Zealand)J Sports and ABEMA (Japan)Tencent (China)Follow Live TimingIf you're tracking strategy battles, pit stops, and class positions, official Live Timing provides real-time updates throughout the event.The service includes:Lap timesClass standingsPit stop informationGap trackingDriver changesFor endurance racing fans, Live Timing is often the best way to keep up with the race's countless storylines as they unfold.Follow Along on Social MediaLe Mans' official social channels will provide highlights, behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and breaking news throughout the week.Official accounts include:Facebook: 24 Heures du MansInstagram: @ 24heuresdumansX: @ 24hoursoflemansYouTube: 24 Heures du MansFans can also follow the event using the official hashtag #LeMans24.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletterhere.

Brilliant news: International striker expected to sign Liverpool contract shortlyIt's expected that an international striker will sign his Liverpool contract imminently.Liverpool confirmed their retained list this week, and there were of course some notable absences. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departed the club, as did Ibrahima Konate.We also saw some high-profile youngsters leave, such as Oakley Cannonier. Cannonier was once heralded as the next-big-thing coming out of Liverpool’s academy but a series of injuries robbed him of opportunities to progress.There is one particularly interesting name there, too. Keyrol Figueroa has been offered a new contract by Liverpool, despite some incredibly strong reports linking him with a move away from Anfield.Figueroa has never actually played for Liverpool’s first team but his reputation has grown regardless. Enough so that he made his international debut for Honduras this month, despite never appearing in a senior game prior.His lack of football for the Reds won’t put him off signing a new contract, however. Deportes TVC claim that Figueroa is expected to sign his deal shortly in what’s a massive win for Liverpool.Figueroa is a real talent, even if he hasn’t been allowed to show it at senior level just yet. Liverpool can expect a decent fee for him down the line at the very least, but there is still the potential for him to break into the first-team setup.A massive summer for him, then.Keyrol Figueroa: Situation SummaryCareer Status and International BreakthroughAs of 11 June 2026, Keyrol Figueroa remains a player for the Liverpool Under-21 squad. The 19-year-old striker, son of former Honduran international Maynor Figueroa, enjoyed a productive 2025/26 season, recording 12 goals in 15 Premier League 2 appearances. He recently achieved a significant milestone by committing his international future to Honduras, with FIFA approving his switch of allegiance from the United States in mid-May 2026. On 6 June 2026, he made his senior international debut for Honduras, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 friendly defeat against Argentina. He is the first Liverpool player ever to represent the Honduran national team.Contract SituationFigueroa’s current contract at Anfield is scheduled to expire on 30 June 2026. While reports indicate that the club has been in negotiations with the forward regarding an extension to continue his development at the Academy, no official confirmation of a new deal has been made. With his current terms nearing their conclusion, his future remains a point of focus as the club manages its end-of-season retained lists and squad planning.

Phil Mickelson has only played once this year while dealing with he has termed a private family health situation.Michael Miller/ISI Photos via Getty ImagesPhil Mickelson, once one of America’s most popular and notable athletes, has been accused of inappropriate conduct at a San Diego area golf club, and has been removed from the club, according to a report in Golf Digest. Mickelson is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club near San Diego, according to Golf Digest, after an alleged incident this past spring. A female employee accused Mickelson of, in Golf Digest’s words, “nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact” prior to a round. The employee reported the incident to supervisors, according to the report, and club officials confronted Mickelson in the middle of his golf round. He was asked to leave and departed the club before finishing his round, per the report.The Farms provided a statement to Golf Digest that included the following: “Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the Club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.” Multiple Golf Digest sources indicated that the “individual” was Mickelson. A spokesman for Mickelson gave the following statement to Golf Digest: “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.”According to the report, Mickelson has retained noted defamation attorney Tom Clare, who told Golf Digest the description of events is “squarely contradicted by objective, video evidence.” However, Golf Digest reports that, according to The Farms, there is no camera footage of the alleged incident.Clare later provided Golf Digest with the following statement:“There is a great deal of misinformation circulating and, while Phil’s full attention is devoted to a private family health matter, he has retained defamation counsel and is determined to hold accountable any publication or individual trafficking in speculation or false rumors."Mickelson, 55, has only played in one tournament on the LIV Golf tour this year because of what he and his camp have repeatedly termed a private health matter involving a family member. He did not play in either the Masters or the PGA Championship, for which he retains eligibility, and is not in the field for next week’s U.S. Open, the only major tournament he has not won. He would need a special exemption to play, since his exemption for his 2021 PGA Championship win has run out. The arc of Mickelson’s career has been a strange and fascinating one. Once the game’s most popular player and a favorite in the gallery, the six-time major winner’s presence and aura have diminished significantly in the wake of his 2022 defection to LIV Golf. While he still plays in the majors where he’s eligible, he’s virtually invisible, walking with small galleries. He’s missed the cut at nine of the 14 majors he’s played since joining LIV, including three of four last year.

Real Madrid has officially announced Jose Mourinho as its new head coach through a communicado released on Thursday evening in Spain.AFP via Getty ImagesReal Madrid has officially announced Jose Mourinho as its new head coach through a communicado released on Thursday evening in Spain.“The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C. F., meeting today, Thursday, June 11 and chaired by Florentino Pérez, has agreed to appoint José Mourinho as coach of the first team for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029,” a statement began on the matter.“José Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day that the preseason will begin.” the statement then added.Mourinho’s appointment by Real Madrid is no surpriseMourinho had been expected to become Madrid’s manager for a second time after Florentino Perez won re-election on Sunday.Perez had promised Mourinho as part of three new signings. The others are strongly suspected to be defenders Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.While Konate would join on a free transfer from Liverpool, Madrid needs to activate Dumfries’ $22 million (€20 million) release clause at Inter Milan.Another signing could be on its way, with Bernardo Silva reported as being “very close” to joining Los Blancos by MARCA after Fabrizio Romano revealed that Madrid had made him an offer.Silva’s Manchester City contract expires on June 30, as does Konate’s at Liverpool.Silva is said to be Mourinho’s “preferred appointment” after he was allegedly left “very upset” by a $175 million (€150 million) surprise bid for Julian Alvarez which Perez also teased.Originally manning the Bernabeu dugout from 2010 to 2013, Mourinho has a similar mission this time.Back then, he was charged with ending FC Barcelona dominance led by Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi, which he partly-achieved by winning La Liga in 2012 with a 100-point season.This time round, it is Hansi Flick and Lamine Yamal that run Spain, with the German clinching five out of six trophies on offer domestically across the last two seasons.Real Madrid have finished those trophyless. In addition to bringing silverware back to the Spanish capital, Mourinho has to bring harmony to a troubled changing room and also get the best out of start players such as Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Real Madrid announced the return of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho on Thursday after 13 years away from the Santiago Bernabeu (FILIPE AMORIM)Real Madrid appointed Jose Mourinho as their coach on Thursday on a three-year deal, with the Portuguese veteran making a sensational return to the Spanish capital after 13 years away.The 63-year-old replaces Alvaro Arbeloa after Madrid finished a second consecutive season without a major trophy, falling behind domestic rivals Barcelona."(Real Madrid have) agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as the first team's head coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029," said the 15-time European champions in a statement."Jose Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason begins."One of football's most successful yet divisive managers, Mourinho arrives from Benfica, where the Lisbon club completed an unbeaten league campaign but finished third.Benfica said Wednesday Real Madrid were paying 15 million euros ($17.25m) for the Portuguese coach.Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during an intense period of rivalry with Pep Guardiola's golden era Barcelona side.Real Madrid became the first club to reach 100 points in a La Liga season under Mourinho in the 2011-12 campaign, although Barcelona did the same in the subsequent season before Mourinho departed.Mourinho divided the Real Madrid dressing room, with some players -- including predecessor Arbeloa -- fiercely loyal to him, while others were at loggerheads with the coach.Known to rule with an iron fist, Mourinho is charged with bringing Real Madrid's dressing room egos in check, after multiple conflicts and problems marked a troubled season.Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde was treated in hospital after a row with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni in May, among other flashpoints.Coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa also could not find a way to successfully deploy star players Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham together without destabilising the balance of the team.In an appearance on Spanish television earlier in May, Madrid president Florentino Perez credited Mourinho with laying the groundwork for Real Madrid's last six Champions League titles, achieved in the years after the Portuguese departed.The chief said he would bring back Mourinho if he was reelected president earlier in June, which he was.- Back on top -Mourinho's return to Madrid also signifies a jump back to the European elite after several years away from the game's peak.The coach burst into the limelight as he won the Champions League with Porto in 2004, before helping Chelsea claim back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.Mourinho labelled himself a "special one" as his team dominated the English top flight, before guiding Inter Milan to Champions League glory in 2010 as part of a unique treble for an Italian side.Madrid chief Perez appointed him to try and stop Guardiola's powerful Barca team, which he achieved to an extent, in a fractious spell which also disrupted the harmony in the Spanish national team.Mourinho returned to Chelsea, winning the Premier League in 2015, before modest spells at Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma among other clubs.He won the EFL Cup and Europa League with Manchester United in 2017 and since then has only lifted the Conference League trophy with Roma in 2022.The coach was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahce in August 2025 after failing to guide them past Benfica in a Champions League qualification play-off, before he was appointed by the Portuguese side the following month.rbs/jc

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has joined the growing trend of red states bucking Pride Month to celebrate “traditional” families. The anti-LGBTQ+ governor – who branded his state “the place where woke goes to die” – released a proclamation declaring June as Faith and Family Month. The proclamation claims that “Christian faith has played a vital role in constructing our constitution, laws, and ideals” and that “the Biblical family unit became the initial God-ordained earthly institution providing the model for a thriving society.” Related Straight Pride Month would finally help cishet people feel like they belong DeSantis’s message also focuses on the “influential and irreplaceable role” of fatherhood and says initiatives throughout June will “encourage churches, faith-based organizations, businesses, and community partners to support families by creating events and opportunities that educate, inform, and strengthen relationships among husbands and wives, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren.” An organization centered on Faith and Family Month provides a series of relevant events. DeSantis is known for signing Florida’s infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law as well as numerous other anti-LGBTQ+ laws. He has spent a large portion of his tenure attacking “woke indoctrination” in schools and has taken control of the state’s education system with handpicked administrators and the power of the bully pulpit. His staff has regularly smeared LGBTQ+ people and allies on social media with vile slurs and insinuations of sexual abuse. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today DeSantis has ranted against “woke gender ideology” and once claimed, “In the state of Florida, we are not going to allow them to inject transgenderism into kindergarten.” In 2021, DeSantis signed a bill banning trans students from participating in school sports. Several other red states have already declared June as something other than Pride Month to make a statement about their states’ opposition to LGBTQ+ people. Tennessee kicked off the “rename June” trend this year by designating the month as “Nuclear Family Month.” The declaration said that nuclear families are “one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children” and “God’s design for familial structure.” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) declared June “Fidelity Month” to celebrate “Cultivating fidelity to God, family, community, and country.” Sanders then shared a Daily Wire story explaining that she made this declaration specifically for the purpose of “Counter-Programming Pride Month.” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a proclamation declaring June “Strong Families Month.” The proclamation makes it clear that “strong families” do not include families headed by same-sex couples: “Homes led by stable parents, a father and a mother, provide children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed.” Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) copied Tennessee’s wording and designated June “Nuclear Family Month”, saying that families “consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children” are “God’s design for the family structure.” And in Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) declared last week that June is “Fidelity Month” and says that the U.S. Constitution was “made only for moral and religious people.” Conservatives generally oppose celebrations of LGBTQ+ Pride and have gone so far as to argue before the Supreme Court that they have a constitutional right to ignore the existence of LGBTQ+ people. The idea of having “pride” in being LGBTQ+ is a rejoinder to conservatives’ insistence that LGBTQ+ people should feel shame. The declarations about June do nothing to diminish Pride Month, though. They don’t have any legal consequences and can’t forbid anyone from celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride. Moreover, a month can have multiple designations. The point is to show Republicans’ opposition to LGBTQ+ equality, a message that many on the right are hearing loud and clear. The Family Research Council (FRC) said that Pride Month “is off to a faltering start again this year,” highlighting Gov. Sanders’ opposition to “LGBT depravity.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Nature, Published online: 11 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01857-2Softening of the cells on the outermost suface of the trap lets the plant move at a breakneck pace.

With machine learning and a high-resolution imaging robot, scientists measured and mapped the extent of Earth’s carbon circulatory system.

Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo’s showing in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Nigeria last Wednesday has already sparked debate among fans.While Roberto Martinez is still likely to start the 41-year-old at the World Cup, his role now seems far less straightforward than his reputation might suggest. Portugal keep picking up results, but Ronaldo’s influence is clearly waning.One recent statistic should give Martinez pause for thought. If the Al-Nassr superstar remains this isolated, Portugal might end up relying on a finisher who is not involved enough to make a difference.Alarming Cristiano Ronaldo touch stat raises Portugal concernPhoto by Diogo Cardoso – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesAccording to Kalshi’s database, Ronaldo has now had fewer touches than the opposing goalkeeper in eight straight matches.Against Nigeria, he managed just 25 touches in 65 minutes, compared to Maduka Okoye’s 44. In the previous friendly against Chile, SofaScore recorded only 12 touches for Ronaldo in 45 minutes, while Lawrence Vigouroux had 43.This trend dates back to his final games with Al-Nassr, suggesting it is more than just a recent dip. It looks like a late-career pattern.Ronaldo appears to have evolved into a pure penalty-box striker, but that role only works if Portugal can consistently supply him with chances.That is where the concern grows. He had four shots against Nigeria, missed several clear chances and finished the match without a goal, which suggests his reduced involvement may be contributing to the loss of sharpness seen in these warm-up games.Portugal have enough attacking talent to go deep in the tournament, but Martinez needs to find a way to keep Ronaldo better connected to the play. If not, the team risks turning a legendary figure into a tactical liability.Read more:Pentagon locked down and evacuated day before first World Cup game in the USWhat ‘Dai Dai’ actually means as Shakira kicks off World Cup 2026World Cup 2026 Group K guide: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan players, fixtures and rankings

With fantasy football drafts ramping up and NFL training camps just over a month away, the time has come to narrow down which players could be this year’s breakout stars. It seems easy in hindsight, but identifying young talent on the verge of making a major leap is often what propels fantasy managers to championships. Over the next week, I’ll highlight my favorite breakout candidates at every key fantasy position. Today, we’re taking a look at wide receivers. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season2026 Breakout Candidates: QB | RB | WR | TELuther Burden III, Bears2026 Fantasy ProjectionReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsCarriesRushing YardsLuther Burden III731,0495846The Bears’ offense was an obvious target for fantasy managers last season, with the arrival of Ben Johnson helping to get more out of the talented unit. That remains the case in 2026, as the team will be even more comfortable in this system and young pass-catchers like Burden and TE Colston Loveland have a chance to develop further. Loveland, Chicago’s first-round pick from a year ago, broke out as a top-five fantasy tight end in the second half of the season and will be a huge piece of their attack moving forward. Burden’s outlook requires a bit more of a projection. The second-round wideout flashed high-end potential early in his rookie campaign, but was limited to less than 30% of the snaps in every contest during the first two months. However, from Week 10 on his playing time increased and he averaged nearly 64 yards per outing, which is a 1,000-yard pace over an entire 17-game schedule. Burden’s numbers were good enough to make him the WR28 in fantasy points per game over the final eight weeks of the season. That stretch included some notable performances in the fantasy playoffs, with stat lines of 4-67-0 in Week 15, 6-84-0 in Week 16 and a season-high 8-138-1 in Week 17. The 22-year-old also posted the third-best yards per route run among all wideouts, behind only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He even finished top-20 at the position in both targets per route run and yards after the catch, with the latter being particularly impressive considering he caught far fewer passes (47) than the receivers ahead of him in that category. The only player with more yards after the catch per reception was Chiefs WR Rashee Rice. While Burden won’t soak up all of the 150 combined targets left behind by the departures of DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus, the burgeoning sophomore will certainly see his involvement in the offense grow. His teammate, Rome Odunze, has yet to break out through two years in the NFL and is also recovering from a foot injury that he’s still dealing with. Aside from him, there isn’t much competition in Chicago’s receiver room. Whether Burden or Loveland lead the Bears in targets this season might not matter, since both players are poised for significant statistical leaps in Year 2 — and fantasy managers should be aggressively drafting both soon-to-be stars.Boone’s redraft rank: WR17 (Fantasy WR2 with legitimate WR1 ceiling if development continues) Christian Watson, Packers2026 Fantasy ProjectionReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsChristian Watson591,0128For the first time in several seasons, the Packers’ receiver depth chart appears to be simple to decipher, with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks no longer on the roster. That leaves a clear top trio of Watson, Jayden Reed and last year’s first-round pick Matthew Golden. While Reed (WR39, ADP) and Golden (WR49, ADP) are intriguing as wideouts the fantasy community might be undervaluing, Watson has the best chance to emerge as a difference-maker in Green Bay. Last season, Watson finally stayed healthy long enough to showcase his upside, which led to 611 yards and six touchdowns in 10 appearances. That was good enough to make him the WR16 in fppg. Between the routine splash plays or his affinity for the end zone, Watson is the kind of spike-week fantasy WR2 you want in your lineup. Boone’s redraft rank: WR22 (Fantasy WR2 with WR1 upside if he stays healthy) Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentEmeka Egbuka, Buccaneers2026 Fantasy ProjectionReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsEmeka Egbuka699946Egbuka had one of the strangest rookie years I can remember. He earned endless praise from everyone around the Buccaneers organization prior to the season before bursting onto the scene by averaging the third-most fantasy points per game over the first five weeks — trailing only Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Sadly, that was the high-point of his debut campaign. From Week 6 on, Egbuka was the WR57. He was held under 45 yards in seven of his last eight outings and failed to score a touchdown during that stretch. Injuries can take some of the blame since both Egbuka and several members of the Bucs’ offense — including Baker Mayfield — dealt with a variety of ailments throughout the season. The good news is that the key pieces of the passing attack are entering the summer healthy and Mike Evans is no longer in Tampa Bay, which will open up opportunities for Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. The Bucs also face the ninth-easiest fantasy WR schedule this season, providing another feather in the cap for Egbuka’s outlook. While drafting Egbuka doesn’t come without risk, it’s hard to forget that hot start in 2025 when he averaged 89 yards and a touchdown per game. With better injury luck and less target competition, I’m willing to chase that upside once again. Boone’s redraft rank: WR25 (Fantasy WR3 with WR1 upside) Parker Washington, Jaguars2026 Fantasy ProjectionReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsParker Washington669385The Jaguars’ receiving room was a moving target in 2025 that was hard to pin down in 2025. Brian Thomas Jr. failed to recapture the magic of his rookie campaign, first-rounder Travis Hunter got hurt midseason and Jakobi Meyers joined the mix around the trade deadline. However, following the team’s Week 8 bye, it was Washington who led the group the rest of the way. Washington put up 90 yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last seven games, which included a Week 13 contest where he left early due to a hip strain. Even so, Washington was the WR19 in fppg over the final nine weeks of the fantasy season, ahead of Meyers (WR31) and Thomas (WR44). Though Hunter will return to the field this season, he’s expected to play a part-time role on offense. Meanwhile, Washington has already gained the trust of the coaching staff who have continuously heaped praise on him since last year. He also projects to play in two-receiver sets, with Meyers being viewed as more of a slot option, according to beat writers. Even if Washington can’t match his top-20 production down the stretch, he has a defined path to WR3 numbers — making him a solid pick as the WR34 in ADP. The Jags wideouts will face the sixth-easiest schedule for the position and I have him projected to lead the team in receiving yards. Boone’s redraft rank: WR32 (Rising fantasy WR3 with WR2 upside)

Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty ImagesIan Wright completely changed his mind on Anthony Gordon following England’s 3-0 victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday night.Wright and Roy Keane discussed Thomas Tuchel’s biggest selection dilemmas before the game kicked off in Orlando.They both agreed that Marcus Rashford should start over Gordon on the left wing in England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.Gordon’s latest performance convinced Wright to make a U-turn on his previous comments.Ian Wright was left impressed by Anthony GordonAnthony Gordon was the best player on the pitch in England’s 3-0 win against Costa Rica and must have impressed Thomas Tuchel’s coaching staff.He had the better of Costa Rica’s right-back from the first whistle and dribbled past him for England’s opening goal.Gordon set up Declan Rice within 10 minutes, while he also doubled England’s lead by scoring a penalty in the second half.He almost won another penalty when he was brought down inside the area, but the VAR overturned the referee’s original decision.Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesNot only did Gordon excite with the ball at his feet, but his direct runs behind the opposition defence made him an ideal target for Harry Kane’s through balls.Wright admitted after the game that Gordon now deserves to start the Croatia game, with Rashford coming off the bench.“I’ve got to say, with Gordon, I agree with what Roy said at half-time. [He was] taking his [defender] on the outside,” he told ITV.“I thought he looked very sharp and really purposeful tonight. He’s put himself in with a shout of a start now. I thought he was very good… I’d probably start Gordon.”Meanwhile, Wright was also convinced by England’s three-man midfield of Rice, Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham.“I think Rice, Anderson and Bellingham looked pretty nailed-on,” he added, which would be bad news for Kobbie Mainoo and Morgan Rogers.However, there is no doubt that Tuchel will make the most of his 26-man squad throughout the tournament, especially if England reach the latter stages.Read more:Rihanna and ASAP Rocky spotted playing basketball in NYC streets after Knicks’ historic comebackNovak Djokovic names surprise 2026 World Cup final predictionNASCAR Cup Series Great American Getaway 400 preview and where to watch

UCF has landed a basketball big man transfer from Campbell, but he's not going to play hoops.Instead, 6-foot-11 former Camels center Daniel Marcellinus is joining the Knights to play football. He will be an offensive tackle for coach Scott Frost's team.Marcellinus is originally from Nigeria, and as a true freshman at Campbell this past season, he saw action in just two games, totaling a pair of rebounds and a steal in six total minutes. He ultimately took a medical redshirt in December due to a "serious health issue" before entering the transfer portal in April.Listed at 275 pounds, Marcellinus moved to the United States at the age of 16 and attended high school in California, New York and New Jersey. It's not clear if he has any experience playing football.Welcome to UCF, @MarcellinusDan4 ⚔️6’11” joining the trenches 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/VfYC6W9xyo— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) June 11, 2026Marcellinus likely projects as a developmental prospect at UCF and isn't likely to see the field in Year 1. However, given his size and athleticism, he's an intriguing project player as Frost looks to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 finish in his first year back in Orlando.Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: UCF football adds former Campbell basketball player Daniel Marcellinus

Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty ImagesScotland are gearing up for the first World Cup game the country will have played in over ten thousand days, so the fact that Scott McTominay missed training on Thursday is a slight concern. McTominay, of course, is generally considered Scotland’s very best player.To say that the midfielder’s 2024 move from Manchester United to Napoli has agreed with him would clearly be quite the understatement.The 29-year-old has established himself as one of Europe’s leading midfielders and, as such, is seen as vital to Scotland’s chances of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.Any potential setbacks along the way, then, are most unwelcome.McTominay expected to be fit for Haiti vs Scotland A stomach complaint kept McTominay out of training at the Atrium Health Training Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina before the Tartan Army play Haiti in Boston on Saturday night.McTominay wasn’t the only Scotland player to miss training, with defender Scott McKenna also sitting out of the session because of a recent knock.However, according to The Independent, both players are expected to be fit for Saturday’s huge game.The Scots are under pressure to beat Haiti, there’s little doubt about it. With Morocco and Brazil also in Group C, Saturday’s clash takes on an added importance.Photo by Ron Smits/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesWith all due respect to Haiti, Scotland will be heavy favourites for that game and that game alone.As such, winning their opening game of the tournament is the most realistic way of securing safe progression into the knockout rounds.Indeed, finishing third in Group C could well be enough for Scotland. The eight best third-placed finishers across the tournament will qualify for the round of 32.They will be ranked on points, goal difference, goals scored, team discipline and FIFA ranking.Read more:Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony won’t be held in the USScotland’s potential route to the 2026 World Cup final as Steve Clarke looks to make historyUEFA confirm Omar Artan will referee Super Cup final after World Cup Visa rejection