Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin joins Jonathan Toews, Steve Yzerman, more in rare Stanley Cup Final, Olympics history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Carolina Hurricanes made history by winning the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday night, as every member of the team is now forever a part of immortality.For Jaccob Slavin, though, the win allows him to join an even more exclusive list. Slavin is now one of nine players to have won the Stanley Cup Final and the Olympic gold medal in the same year, an exclusive group that includes some of the best players in hockey history.While Canada is well represented, the United States does have a few representatives that make the list even more exclusive. Slavin was now part of two different championship celebrations in a five-month span, a rare feat in this sport.Here's a look at all the players to win a Stanley Cup Final and Olympic gold in the same year.MORE: When is the Hurricanes parade?Players to win both Stanley Cup Final and Olympic gold in same yearKen Morrow, 1980The first person to win both Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup in the same year is also the only other American besides Slavin to do so. Ken Morrow was 24 years old when he won Olympic gold for the iconic 1980 United States team, and immediately joined the New York Islanders once the Olympics ended.Morrow played in 18 games for the Islanders to close out the regular season and played 20 games in the playoffs to help New York win the first of four-straight Stanley Cups.Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, 2002In 2002, NHL players were allowed to play in the Olympics for just the second time, with Canada winning gold and the Detroit Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup Final a few months later. Yzerman and Shanahan were both key members of those teams.Yzerman was more important for the Canadian team than Shanahan, as Yzerman produced six points to Shanahan's one. In the NHL season, though, Shanahan led the Red Wings in points during the regular season, while Yzerman was first in playoff points with 23. Both players were also on the 1998 Red Wings team to win it all and the Canadian Olympic roster, but Canada lost in the bronze medal match that year.MORE: How Brandon Bussi emerged as unlikely Hurricanes heroJonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, 2010The Chicago Blackhawks trio of Toews, Keith and Seabrook were a huge part of the organization's three Stanley Cups in six years. The first of those wins came in 2010 just months after the three won gold in Vancouver for Team Canada.At just 21 years old, Toews led Canada with eight points in the Olympics, while Keith and Seabrook also played in all seven games. In the NHL, these were three of Chicago's best players, with Toews and Keith racking up the points in both the regular season and the playoffs.Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter, 2014Another group of Canadians to win gold months before winning the Stanley Cup, Doughty and Carter represented the Los Angeles Kings for Team Canada. Doughty's six points in the Olympics tied Shea Weber for most on the team, while Carter's five points were alone in third on the squad.The duo combined for 87 points in the NHL regular season, but Carter exploded for 25 more points in the playoffs. Doughty, meanwhile, chipped in 18 points in the postseason and led the defense for a team that won its second title in three years.MORE: Jordan Staal becomes oldest Conn Smythe winnerJaccob Slavin, 2026Slavin now joins Morrow as the second American on this list despite not being as much of an engine in the Olympics as others. Slavin had just one point in six games for a talented Team USA, but he did play in six games to help form a very deep defense group.For the Hurricanes, though, Slavin is crucial to the Hurricanes' success even though he played just 39 games in the regular season. By winning the Stanley Cup, Slavin joins this list instead of Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, who represented Vegas on Team USA.

The coach is the same. The system is the same. The core is the same.That is nothing against Rod Brind'Amour, considered one of the best behind the bench in the NHL, or Jordan Staal, Jaccob Slavin, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, who have been the centerpiece of the Carolina Hurricanes making the playoffs year after year.But the difference this year came from all the new talent general manager Eric Tulsky added over the past 17 months to get over the hump. It added up to the franchise winning the Stanley Cup for the second time and first since 2006.Tulsky took a big swing by acquiring elite winger Mikko Rantanen from Colorado in January 2025 and also got veteran Taylor Hall from Chicago as part of the three-team blockbuster. When Rantanen didn't want to be part of Carolina's long-term future, Tulsky traded him to Dallas and received center Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks, one of which became part of getting defenseman K'Andre Miller on July 1.Two days later, the Hurricanes won the bidding competition to sign top free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, the speedy winger who gave them just what they needed after seven consecutive postseason appearances without a trip to the final. Falling one goal short so many times in key situations, Ehlers, Stankoven, Hall and Miller put an end to the rite of spring of wondering where that would come from.All of them fit in with Brind'Amour, who requires his players to commit to a demanding brand of hockey that isn't for everyone."We've really focused on finding people who fit the way we want to play," Tulsky said. "We ask players to play a very distinctive style, and our scouts have done a great job finding players who can come in and look their best playing the way Rod needs them to play."The Hurricanes' run started with a missTrading for Rantanen was a huge risk. It involved sending talented forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche in a gamble that the big Finnish winger was the missing piece.Rantanen had six points in 13 games with Carolina, and it became clear it was not a good fit. Discussions with Toronto involving Mitch Marner did not lead to him waiving his no-trade clause, and he instead wound up in Las Vegas and was key to the Golden Knights' run to the final.Rather than letting the situation play out with the likelihood he would depart in free agency, Tulsky flipped Rantanen to Dallas for Stankoven and a pair of first-round picks. One went to the New York Rangers for Miller, whose presence shored up depth on the blue line."We never want to get worried about the what ifs," Tulsky said. "That being said, sometimes it doesn't go the way you hoped, and you've got to be ready to figure out how you're going to move forward from there."Stankoven led the team with 11 goals during this dominant run of 16 victories in 19 games.Hurricanes make all the right moves afterIt was the same old story every time. The Hurricanes weren't just a great regular-season team that failed in the playoffs. They won at least one series in six of Brind'Amour's first seven years as coach, including three trips to the East final.Tulsky, a former scientist who got into the sport by blogging about it as a fan and was promoted to succeed Don Waddell two years ago, didn't blow it up. But he didn't stand pat, either.The changes - including claiming goaltender Brandon Bussi off waivers from back-to-back champion Florida just before opening night in October - worked out swimmingly. Playing in the NHL for the first time at 27, Bussi won 31 of 39 starts during the season, then stepped in during the final in place of Frederik Andersen and backstopped them the rest of the way, including a shutout in the Game 6 clincher Sunday night."We have the confidence in Bus," Brind'Amour said. "He makes a ton of big saves. Even when there's breakdowns, we trust him back there, gives us tons of confidence to play our game and just be aggressive all night."Aggressive is the Golden Knights' way, going after every big-name free agent or trade candidate, and it led to the Stanley Cup in 2023 and three runs to the final in their first nine years of existence. But Carolina has also become that team."Fundamentally, we want to be aggressive," Tulsky said. "Rod has the team playing very aggressive on the ice. We want to be aggressive off the ice, too. And when you have a chance to add a really high-end player, we never want to miss out on it."Carolina.did not miss on Ehlers, who turned out to be key and scored the empty-netter that sealed the title. Getting him, Stankoven, Hall, Miller and others also made longtime holdovers like Staal and grinding forward Jordan Martinook believe they could get the job done."When your team is trying to get better all the time, it's something that you can get behind," Martinook said. "Obviously, we took a run of Mikko, it didn't work out, but look what we got from it. Stanks and Key, those are two of the pieces that we got from it. Hallsy was part of that, too. Those are three incredibly important pieces to our team. It just shows that they're ready to take chances all the time."- The Associated Press contributed.

Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 to leave the North African nation’s defensive reputation in tatters and seize control of World Cup Group F as the Mexican city of Guadalupe hosted its first fixture of the tournament.Graham Potter’s men took the lead in the seventh minute of the game on Sunday, courtesy of midfielder Yasin Ayari’s thunderbolt from outside the box, following a mix-up at the back.The celebrations of Ayari, who is of Moroccan and Tunisian descent, were muted, despite his fine finish.Sweden doubled their lead on half an hour after a rapid break freed Alexander Isak on the left.The Liverpool forward raced ahead and cut inside before unleashing a shot, which goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh failed to keep out, even though he got a hand to the ball.Sweden’s fans celebrate after their team’s win [Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP]Tunisia did not concede a single goal in qualifying, becoming the first side to achieve the feat, subsequently matched by Ivory Coast and England.Sweden threatened to overwhelm their opponents, but the match changed complexion minutes before half-time, when Omar Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s teasing cross.However, the Scandinavian nation restored their two-goal cushion in the 59th minute after another defensive calamity for Tunisia.Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri was caught in possession on the edge of the box by Isak, who fed Viktor Gyokeres, and the Arsenal man fired home.Substitute Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 late on after VAR ruled he was onside.And there was still time for another stunning goal from Ayari from outside the penalty box.Sweden reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but did not qualify for the tournament in Qatar four years later.Tunisia were the first African team to win a World Cup match when they beat Mexico in 1978, but they have never progressed beyond the group stages.(Al Jazeera)

🤯 Day of thrashings! As it happened on day four of the 2026 World CupWe waited four years to experience the 2026 World Cup, and it’s flying by. Today, on the fourth day of the World Cup, Groups E and F took to the pitch, with big wins stealing the spotlight.Germany, the national team with the most goals in World Cup historyWith a ruthless seven-goal display against Curaçao, the German side reached the staggering mark of 239 goals in World Cup history, officially becoming the national team with the most goals in the tournament’s history. Group E standingsIvory Coast snatched the win in the dying moments of the match, leaving Ecuador with no points in a result where the South Americans deserved more over the 90 minutes. Sweden’s five-star performanceIn Group F action, Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in a match dominated from start to finish by the Scandinavian attack, led by inspired performances from Gyökeres and Alexander Isak.Group F standingsIn a great match between Japan and the Netherlands, the Japanese and the Dutch had to settle for a point. That means Sweden will go to sleep at the top of the group.Another big day awaits us tomorrow, with the debuts of powerhouses such as Spain, Belgium, and Uruguay. Will we get even more goals in the matchday that’s about to begin?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Nominating Mr. Blanche to be the nation’s top law enforcement officer crosses a red line, and the Senate needs to defeat him.

President Trump sat ringside beside his wife, Melania Trump, for an event that used the trappings of the White House for a U.F.C. brawl.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesMauricio Ruffy produced one of the most emotional moments of UFC Freedom 250, turning a huge win over Michael Chandler into a marriage proposal moments later.The Brazilian lightweight had already delivered inside the cage at the UFC White House event, stopping Chandler in the first round for the biggest victory of his career.Then he used the spotlight for something far more personal.Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCMauricio Ruffy proposes to Nadine after UFC White House winAs UFC on Paramount+ showed, Ruffy explained through his translator why the moment meant so much: “A while ago when I met my wife Nadine, I really wanted to ask her to marry me,” he said via his translator. “But we didn’t have the money and didn’t have the conditions. Now, what better place to ask my wife to get married?”Ruffy then turned the post-fight interview into a proposal, asking Nadine to marry him in front of the crowd after winning on one of the strangest and most high-profile UFC stages ever built.Nadine accepted with a thumbs up, giving the night its sweetest image after a violent finish in the cage.Public details about their relationship are limited. Reports identify Nadine as Ruffy’s girlfriend or partner, while Ruffy himself referred to her as his wife during the emotional speech.What is clear is that they had been together long enough for him to remember wanting to propose when money was tighter. That backstory is why the moment landed so strongly.Ruffy stuns Michael Chandler before emotional proposalThe proposal only worked because Ruffy had just made a serious statement against Chandler.Ruffy finished the former title challenger by first-round TKO, with reports listing the stoppage at 4:29 after he hurt Chandler and closed the show with strikes.Chandler entered as the bigger name, but Ruffy looked sharp, dangerous, and composed under the pressure of the White House setting.The win pushed Ruffy further into the lightweight conversation and gave him the kind of viral night fighters dream about: a highlight finish, a major stage, and a proposal that left fans emotional.For most athletes, one life-changing moment would have been enough. Ruffy managed two in the same interview.Read more:Eric Trump allegedly questions whether UFC White House fights are ‘rigged,’ Daniel Cormier leaks DMs then deletes postProchazka, Gable Steveson and other fighters pick a winner in Pereira vs Ciryl Gane and their answers will surprise youSean Strickland defies ban, sneaks into UFC White House event before security escorts him out

Indian teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was back in action against Sri Lanka A on Monday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.In the first match of the tri-series, Sooryavanshi started brightly and smashed three boundaries. He was dismissed for just 14 runs in 12 balls after trying to loft it over mid-off. The bat turned in his hand and could not generate the elevation and power to clear the fence. Sahan Arachchige, the Sri Lanka A skipper, dived full length and completed the catch to dismiss the teenager. Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceCLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABETMeanwhile, in his second outing against Afghanistan, Sooryavanshi hit top gear, and scored 44 off just 22 balls. The 15-year-old slammed eight fours during his stay at the wicket.However, he could not convert the start into a big innings and was out caught by Ishaq Rahimi off Abdullah Ahmadzai.How many runs did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi score in India A vs Sri Lanka A?Sooryavanshi was dismissed for a paltry 21 runs off 14 balls. It was another blistering start from the youngster, but Arachchige soon doused the fire.He tossed it up, and Sooryavanshi hit through the line. He mistimed the shot, the turn got the better of him, and he was caught at point. Tri-Series ScheduleThe India A vs Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A Tri-Nation series 2026 follows a double round-robin format, where each team plays the other two sides twice.Each team plays four league matches in the 50-over (List A) format, making a total of six games before the final.The top two teams on the points table qualify for the final, with points awarded as 2 for a win, 1 for no result, and 0 for a loss.DateMatchVenueTime (IST)June 9Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 11India A vs Sri Lanka ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 13India A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 15Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 17India A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 19India A vs Sri Lanka ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 21FinalDambulla10:00 a.m.DafabetBEST ODDS AND OFFERSCLICK TO BET

Where to watch Spain vs. Cape Verde live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Group H match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The 2026 FIFA World Cup's Group H will get competition started in Atlanta on June 15 with a matchup between Spain and Cape Verde.Entering this year's global tournament, Spain is considered a heavy favorite to win it all. The Spanish won "El Mundial" in 2010, but then suffered a group stage exit in 2014, and were eliminated in the Round of 16 in both 2018 and 2022. As the most recent European champions, expectations are extremely high for the nation's performance this summer.Meanwhile, Cape Verde will be making history as the country participates in the World Cup for the first time ever, and as the third-least populous nation in the tournament. Cape Verde won five consecutive matches during qualifying in order to clinch a spot in the World Cup, but they will immediately face a global soccer superpower as a result.Who will prove themselves in Atlanta?The Sporting News has all the information you'll need to watch Spain vs. Cape Verde.Spain vs. Cape Verde live stream, TV channelTV channel: FoxLive stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/websiteThis match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)What time does Spain vs. Cape Verde start?This World Cup clash kicks off Monday, June 15, at Noon ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.Here's how that time translates across the United States timezones:DateKickoff timeEastern TimeMon., June 15NoonCentral TimeMon., June 1511 a.m. Mountain TimeMon., June 1510 a.m.Pacific TimeMon., June 159 a.m.World Cup schedule today and tomorrowAll times Eastern.Monday, June 15Spain vs. Cape Verde (Noon)Belgium vs. Egypt (3 p.m.)Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (6 p.m.)Iran vs. New Zealand (9 p.m.)Tuesday, June 16France vs. Senegal (3 p.m.)Iraq vs. Norway (6 p.m.)Argentina vs. Algeria (9 p.m.)MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures{C}%3C!%2D%2D%253Cmeta%2520charset%253D%2522UTF-8%2522%2520%252F%253E%2D%2D%3E2026 FIFA World Cup FAQsWhen is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.When is the 2026 World Cup final?The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.What time do World Cup games start?Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.

'Not sure India will go very far': R Ashwin not convinced about India's Women's T20 World Cup chances despite Pakistan win originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:India beat Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Deepti Sharma taking 5 for 10.Ashwin warns India lacks power-hitting depth to compete with England and Australia.Mandhana's 68 and Richa Ghosh's cameo helped India post 170/6 after early setbacks.R Ashwin doubts India can go far in Women's T20 World Cup despite 64-run win over PakistanIndia opened their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with an emphatic 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham, but former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has poured cold water on the celebrations, suggesting the Women in Blue may not have enough firepower to make a deep run in the tournament.Opting to bat first, India lost both Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues inside the Powerplay and looked vulnerable early on. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship with a composed 91-run partnership that brought India back into contention.Mandhana was sensational as she struck nine fours and two sixes in a polished 68 off 44 deliveries that set the platform for a blitzkrieg in the death. MORE:India vs Pakistan turns highest-attended group game in Women's T20 World Cup historyWicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh came in and immediately changed the tempo, plundering 23 runs off a single over from Tasmia Rubab before finishing unbeaten on 34 from just 17 balls. Her cameo proved decisive as India reached 170 for 6, a total that would ultimately prove more than enough.Pakistan started their chase with intent as Muneeba Ali got them off to a solid Powerplay with 41 runs on the board. But once India's spinners settled into their work in the middle overs, there was only one winner.Tournament debutant Shree Charani was impressive, as she finished with figures of 3 for 21 on her World Cup debut. However, the match belonged entirely to Deepti Sharma, who produced the best bowling performance of her career, 5 for 10, to rip through the Pakistan batting order. Nine of Pakistan's ten wickets fell to spin as they were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.MORE: 'New normal in IND-PAK matches': No-handshake continues at toss and post-matchAshwin's warning: Power gap could hurt India laterDespite the margin of victory, Ashwin was in no mood to get carried away. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, the former off-spinner argued that while India's spin attack had once again proved its quality, the batting unit lacks the power-hitting depth that sides like England and Australia possess throughout their lineup."I am not sure India will go very far in this T20 World Cup because there is a lack of power in the lineup. While India were excellent against Pakistan and their spin attack once again proved decisive, the team still lacks the depth that sides like England and Australia possess," he opined."India's combination appears slightly short on power-hitting options, which could become a concern in tougher matches against stronger opponents. Compared to the strong lineups of England and Australia, India's overall team depth remains a significant worry."It's all blue in Edgbaston 💙We are away in the mission #T20WorldCup in fine fashion ✌️Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/1tfRc3jcrX#TeamIndia | #WomenInBluepic.twitter.com/slDhUJnXY5— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 14, 2026The Bigger Picture: Ashwin is right to ask the question, even if the timing feels harshBeating Pakistan by 64 runs with five wickets from your number-one spinner is a result that deserves credit, but Ashwin's broader concern is legitimate.India's middle-order power-hitting has been a question mark for some time, and it will not go unnoticed by the coaching teams of England and Australia.Deepti Sharma cannot win every game on her own. If Mandhana fails in a knockout match, the batting can look thin very quickly. The Pakistan win was clinical, but it was also a relatively comfortable draw, with the head-to-head now reading 14-3 in India's favour.The real answers will come in the weeks ahead, and Ashwin knows it. They next face the Netherlands on Wednesday, but a tougher test awaits them next Sunday against South Africa at Old Trafford.To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics, visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Sweden's Aleksander Isak celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium. Heuler Andrey/ZUMA Press Wire/dpaViktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak had a sparkling performance and Yasin Ayari scored a brace as Sweden made a great start at the World Cup with a dominant 5-1 win over Tunisia on Sunday.The Swedish team was on target early as Ayari hit a thunderbolt from distance to break the deadlock in the seventh minute.They doubled their lead in the 30th as Isak, who struggled in an injury-hit club season, was served by Gyokeres before drilling an effort into the far corner.Omar Rekik pulled one back for Tunisia shortly before the break. But Isak returned the favour an assisted Gyokeres, who also added his name to the scoresheet.The win was sealed in the 84th, as Mattias Svanberg found the net after being on the pitch for only 18 seconds. His goal was initially disallowed for offside but it counted after video review.And there was still time for Ayari to finish the game like he started it: firing another rocket into the net from outside the box deep into stoppage time."Fantastic. Great performance, five goals, solid. Could have scored more. All credit to the players, they were fantastic. There's room for improvement but we will enjoy tonight. Then recover and get ready again," coach Graham Potter said.Sweden top Group F after Japan held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw earlier.Next up, the Swedish team faces the Netherlands on June 20, while Tunisia play against Japan.Sweden remain calm after setbackBorn in Sweden to parents from Tunisia and Morocco, Ayari could have lined-up for the opposition. Instead he scored Sweden's opener but didn't celebrate his goal.Gyokeres' attempt was cleared by the Tunisian defence but the rebound was collected by Ayari, who powered a unstoppable shot from distance.The second goal was a combined fine work from the two stars of the Swedish team. After the ball was intercepted near the opponents' area, Gyokeres found Isak who went on a mazy run, cut inside to beat the defender and struck into the far corner in the 30th.Tunisia tried to fight back and Omar Rekik finished off Hannibal Mejbri's cross into the box with a header.They showed up with an improved performance in the second half, but Sweden remained calm, didn't lose control of the match and found a third goal in the 59th.Isak snatched the ball from Ellyes Skhiri, who didn't realize the opponent was closing in after receiving the ball from goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh. Isak then found Gyokeres, who drilled a low effort past the goalkeeper.Sweden celebrated a fourth goal in the 84th as Svanberg needed only 18 seconds on the pitch to find the net. His effort was initially ruled out as he looked a long way offside.However, Isak, who was in an onside position, got a slight touch on the ball at first, meaning Svanberg was also onside.To seal a perfect evening, Ayari completed his brace with another stunner - and this time, he celebrated euphorically."It's a big loss, obviously not the best way to start this competition, but we paid for our mistakes," Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi said."And the quality of the opponent made the difference. With these kind of players, simple mistakes make it difficult."

Fresh off their historic ODI World Cup triumph on home soil last year, India's women will now set their sights on an even more elusive prize, the T20 World Cup, as the 2026 edition gets underway in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.Harmanpreet Kaur retains the captaincy for the tournament, with Smriti Mandhana continuing as her deputy. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABETThe 10th edition of the biennial event is the biggest yet, featuring 12 teams, two more than the previous edition.The sides have been divided evenly into two groups of six, with the top two from each group advancing directly to the semi-finals.Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceWomen's T20 World Cup 2026 points tableGroup 1 StandingsPosTeamPWLPtsNRR1Australia1102+3.2502India1102+3.2003Bangladesh1102+0.4074Netherlands1010-0.4075Pakistan1010-3.2006South Africa1010-3.250 Group 2 StandingsPosTeamPWLPtsNRR1England1102+4.3502Scotland1102+2.0003West Indies1102+0.1184New Zealand1010-0.1185Ireland1010-2.0006Sri Lanka1010-4.350How to watch Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in India: TV channel, live streamTV ChannelLive StreamStar Sports NetworkJioHotstarMatches will be televised across the Star Sports Network in India, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website. Coverage will be offered in multiple languages.DafabetBEST ODDS AND OFFERSCLICK TO BET

Rod Brind'Amour got to lift the Stanley Cup in 2006 as the Carolina Hurricanes captain.Twenty years later, he got to lift it for the first time as a coach."I'm so happy for these guys," he told ABC after a series-clinching 3-0 win against the Golden Knights. "I wanted it as a player. I really wanted it, but I wanted it for these guys as a coach. It means so much to see how happy they are."Brind'Amour's team finally broke through in his eighth year as a Hurricanes head coach and three series losses in the conference final. His hard-forechecking system can be wearing, but Carolina got through the first three rounds in 13 games, so it had plenty of rest. And the coach made adjustments to get the team to rebound from a 2-1 series deficit against the Knights.Here's video of Brind'Amour celebrating as a captain and as a coach:Twenty years later. Just as iconic. pic.twitter.com/iruvDa2bHh— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 15, 2026The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Rod Brind'Amour wins Stanley Cup as Hurricanes captain, coach | Video

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jaccob Slavin tried not to think about the possibility. Now it is a reality.He and the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night put him in an exclusive club. Slavin became the second American and eighth player to hoist the Cup and take home an Olympic gold medal in the same year.Ken Morrow until now was the only U.S. player to accomplish the feat. He was on 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic team and a member of the New York Islanders as it started its dynasty of four titles in a row. “I used to joke I was a trivia question for a lot of years: Who’s the only guy that ever did that? Only player I was at that time, not just American, but the only player,” Morrow told The Associated Press last week.All the other players to do it are Canadian: Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan with Detroit in 2002; Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook with Chicago in 2010; and Drew Doughty with Los Angeles in 2014.William Carrier wins the Cup in Las Vegas againOne of the original Golden Knights, William Carrier was there at the end of their inaugural 2017-18 season when they lost in Game 5 of the final on home ice to Washington. That is better remembered for Alex Ovechkin's primal yell when he lifted the Cup for the first time.Carrier would rather remember 2023, when he was part of Vegas winning it all, beating Florida in five games. Three years later, he was celebrating in the same arena with Carolina. Asked what was different this time around, Carrier acknowledged he's “just older.”“I’m going to enjoy every moment of it,” Carrier said. “Your first win, everything goes fast. You don’t know what’s going on. So I’m going enjoy this one with the family a lot more.”Frederik Andersen honors late agent Claude LemieuxHurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen played late in the Eastern Conference Final and early in the Stanley Cup Final before his agent, Claude Lemieux, died by suicide on May 28 at age 60.Lemieux, a three-time Cup champion from his playing days, was on Andersen's mind after finally reaching hockey's mountaintop at age 36.“He would be so proud and all that,” Andersen said. “He’s a competitor. He always wanted the best for me, and his players, and his family. It’s tough to really describe how much he has meant to me, and how cool it is to have my name on that trophy with him.”Jackson Blake tears up after hugging dadCarolina right wing Jackson Blake was speaking with reporters when his dad rushed up and hugged him closely. Jason Blake played 13 seasons in the NHL beginning in 1998-99, but never won the Cup.“He’s been my right-hand man through it all," Jackson Blake said. "I don’t even know why I’m crying, but it’s just unbelievable. For him to be here and my whole family to be here, so special. I have no words. When I saw him, something just hit me, so emotional. I didn’t think there were going to be any tears for me, but it’s all good. It’s worth it.”___Whyno reported from New York___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

After a video of him making a racist gesture toward a South Korean content creator during the 2026 FIFA World Cup went viral on social media, igniting a firestorm of condemnation and a broader discussion about racism at major sporting events, a Mexican spectator has issued a public apology.On June 11th, at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, during South Korea’s opening match against the Czech Republic (which South Korea won 2-1), a man behind South Korean YouTuber Ino Cat could be seen pulling the skin at the corners of his eyes toward her camera. The gesture has long been considered offensive and an insult toward people of East Asian descent. In the background, others could be heard laughing, while Ino Cat maintained a smile, never breaking eye contact with her camera.She later shared the video clip on social media with a caption that read: “Tell me if I’m just being too sensitive” (translated from Korean). Another caption, in English, said: “POV: When you experienced racism at the World Cup.” The clip quickly went viral, becoming one of the more discussed off-field controversies of the tournament.View this post on InstagramThe man in the video has been identified in Korean news reports as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes. Following the outrage and outcry, he released a video statement in which he took responsibility for his actions and refused to dispute his intent.“Whenever a foreigner visits Mexico, we want them to feel at home, and that is the exact opposite of what I did,” Bernal said in his statement. “I want to make a public apology to Ino Cat, to the Korean woman who suffered this inappropriate gesture on my part a few days ago at the match between Korea at the stadium in Guadalajara. Also to the Korean community and foreign community in general, and to all Mexicans who are ashamed that I don’t represent their actions.”Bernal said he had resigned from his job at the Colegio de Topographic and Geomatic Engineers of Jalisco to keep the institution at arm’s length from this incident, and that the entire situation was “purely personal.”He claimed he had already contacted Ino Cat and intended to offer his apology in person in the upcoming days.“I think it is good to know when one is making a mistake,” he added. “And this is something that really hurts me because of the situation this has caused, but I really wanted to say from my heart that I am very sorry and that it will never happen again.”View this post on InstagramReports had previously identified Bernal as an official at a different engineering organization, the Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles del Estado de Jalisco. This institution, however, immediately issued a statement denying that Bernal was affiliated with them.The video also drew a wave of apologies from Mexican football fans, who assured Ino Cat that his behavior was unrepresentative of Mexico or the spirit of the World Cup.Ino Cat thanked those who reached out to her, adding that most of her interactions with the locals since arriving in Mexico had been overwhelmingly kind and friendly.The scandal is another entry into the growing public discussion about racism in the sport of soccer. Many critics claim that stadiums and governing bodies, particularly during large international competitions like the World Cup, where fans from many nations converge in shared spaces, are not doing enough to weed out the offenders and enforce anti-discrimination policies.FIFA has official tournament protocols that list discrimination as punishable by sanctions against fans, teams, or even federations. There was no comment from FIFA or tournament organizers on this particular incident at the time of this writing.The post Mexican Fan Who Made Racist Gesture at Ino Cat During World Cup Publicly Apologizes and Resigns From Job appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.

Ross Barr-Hoyland has been involved in setting up the Cambridge Yales [Ross Barr-Hoyland]A new gay and inclusive rugby club is being founded in Cambridge.The Cambridge Yales will host their first training session at the city's rugby club, in Grantchester Road, at 10:30 BST on Saturday.Co-founder Ross Barr-Hoyland said the team was launching with an eight-week training programme open to players of all abilities."You don't have to have any experience of playing sport, never mind rugby. Just come along, have fun, and see what you think," he said.The Yales will be the sixth gay rugby club in the East of England, following in the footsteps of the Colchester Kings who became the region's first inclusive side in 2022.Other clubs have since launched in Northampton, Norwich, and, in Essex, in Southend-on-Sea and Rochford.The Colchester Kings became the East of England's first gay rugby club in 2022 [Jamie Niblock/BBC]About 30 people were already interested in joining, according to Barr-Hoyland, a trustee of the organising body International Gay Rugby.He said he had helped set up similar teams across Europe and had the idea to bring gay rugby to Cambridge over a drink with a friend.The 37-year-old said he once thought he could not love rugby and be gay, until he joined an inclusive team in Leeds."When I found them, it was just like coming home, but I think it's more than that," he said."I think it's about people finding a family and a team to bond together and support each other, both on and off the pitch."All sexualities will be welcome at the club, he said, adding that many straight men have joined similar teams because "they love how 'no pressure' it is".There are more than 100 inclusive sides around the world, according to International Gay Rugby.The new club's name is inspired by the yale – a mythical creature which features in heraldry, including on the gates of two of the University of Cambridge's colleges.Cambridge has the fourth largest non-heterosexual population in England and Wales, according to the latest census.Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Inclusive rugby club celebrates 10th birthdayThe LGBTQ+ rugby club breaking down barriersLGBTQ+ rugby club recruiting after 'stonking' 2024 Related internet links International Gay Rugby

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will have been been fascinated by day four of the World Cup [Getty Images]Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola will use the World Cup as a fact-finding mission on the players he has inherited, as well as scouting those he could add to refresh a squad that suffered in a miserable defence of their Premier League title.As he settles in after succeeding sacked Arne Slot, Spaniard Iraola will have had an intriguing day gathering intelligence as he had an interest in all games on day four of the tournament.So what will have caught Iraola's eye as he formulates his plot to revive Liverpool after arriving from Bournemouth?Can Iraola release the real Wirtz?Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer amid great fanfare in a then-British record £116m deal - but remained an enigma as he fell far short of expectations.Liverpool still have huge hopes for a gifted attacking player who has only just turned 23, which means one of Iraola's main tasks is to find a settled position for the German to release the talent he demonstrated before moving to Anfield.This is why Iraola will have been intrigued by what he saw from Wirtz in Germany's 7-1 win against Curacao in their opening World Cup game.The context must be that this was against a side ranked 82nd in the world, but in the colours of his country and in favourable conditions, Wirtz showed some golden touches.Florian Wirtz struggled at Liverpool last season but revelled in his freedom for Germany against Curacao [Getty Images]In his first campaign at Anfield, Wirtz too often appeared a square peg in a round hole, playing in behind the strikers as well on the flanks, but never flourishing.In Houston, Wirtz played on the left, perhaps giving Iraola food for thought, especially as Cody Gakpo had a poor season in that position. He created Germany's opening goal for Felix Nmecha with the sort of delicate touch and quick thinking that eluded him for much of last term.Wirtz had 39 touches in the final third, instrumental as Germany ran riot.Former England striker Chris Sutton, in Houston for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "The mitigation must be that this was Curacao, but the Liverpool fans who watched the game, especially in the first half, would be wondering if it was the same Florian Wirtz who played for them last season."He looked happy in a German jersey, at ease and playing with freedom."Sutton added: "He was sharp off the left, drifting inside to play quick, incisive passes. He was creative and cunning. He looked unburdened. He was a real menace with Jamal Musiala."Iraola will hope to lift the weight off Wirtz's shoulders at Liverpool.Mixed fortunes for Iraola's Dutch trioVirgil van Dijk will remain one of the main pillars of Iraola's new Liverpool era. This impression was only confirmed by his performance for the Netherlands in their 2-2 draw with Japan in Dallas.The result was a disappointment for Ronald Koeman's side, who lost the lead twice, but Van Dijk was voted man of the matchVan Dijk, who will be 35 in July, scored a goal and was the main barrier of resistance in a Dutch defence that occasionally looked uncertain.He put the Netherlands ahead after 51 minutes with a precise header. Then, as Japan pressed late on, it was Van Dijk who almost saw out the win with a succession of towering headers.Ryan Gravenberch, who Iraola will hope to return to the majestic form he displayed as a holding midfielder when Liverpool won the Premier League in Slot's first season, was solid and created Van Dijk's opening goal with an inviting cross.In a statistical quirk, Gravenberch's delivery for Van Dijk is only the second ever World Cup goal scored and assisted by a Liverpool player, after Ian Callaghan set up Roger Hunt for England against France in 1966.Gravenberch also provided the assist for Crysencio Summerville's second goal for the Dutch.Virgil van Dijk will be Andoni Iraola's captain at Liverpool and was voted man of the match in Netherlands' draw against Japan in the World Cup. [Getty Images]Iraola, however, may have wanted to see more from the third member of Liverpool's Dutch contingent as Cody Gakpo had a subdued match.Gakpo's game descended into predictability in Liverpool's struggles last season, too often resorting to simply cutting inside, a ploy easily detected by opponents as his form faded.He fell into similar traps against Japan, although Gakpo's cause was arguably not helped by coach Koeman's selection of Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven at left-back. A central defender by trade, Van de Ven offered little attacking assistance, allowing Japan to crowd Gakpo out.Gakpo also falls into the category of a player Iraola will hope to revive after a dramatic drop in standards last season.Diomande shows Iraola what the fuss is aboutThe task of filling the huge vacancy left by Mohamed Salah will be right at the top of Iraola's tasks when he settles behind his desk at Liverpool.RB Leipzig's 19-year-old Yan Diomande has been the name on the lips of many as the target to take the place of the 'Egyptian king'.Hs is one of Europe's hottest properties and showed exactly why Liverpool are being heavily touted - along with Champions League holders Paris St-Germain - as his next destination with a man-of-the-match performance rich in promise in Ivory Coast's 1-0 win against Ecuador.Diomande operated on the right flank in the first half, where he would play if he arrived at Liverpool to fill Salah's old role, then on the left after the break, creating five chances in total.Ivory coast teenager Yan Diomande showed his rich potential in Ivory Coast's World Cup win against Ecuador [Getty Images]He troubled Arsenal's Piero Hincapie in the opening 45 minutes with one electrifying run, leaving the Ecuador defender trailing to set up a chance for Nicolas Pepe. Diomande also showed power and sleight of foot to escape when Ecuador doubled up on him in an attempt to snuff out his threat.Diomande set up a second-half chance when Elye Wahi hit the woodwork, and his positive approach was reflected in 22 passes in the attacking third.There are, understandably at only 19, elements of rawness and wastefulness about Diomande's game, but there was enough evidence here to see why he will be on Liverpool's radar as they move to strengthen Iraola's new squad.And given Iraola's track record of moulding younger players at Bournemouth, such as 19-year-old Junior Kroupi and another teenager, Brazil forward Rayan, Diomande looks right up his street.Isak masterclass will excite IraolaAlexander Isak's record £125m move to Liverpool from Newcastle United became a nightmare of lost form and injuries in a disappointing campaign, with the Swede scoring only four goals in 22 appearances.The 26-year-old striker arrived short of fitness after a period of self-imposed exile on Tyneside, then broke his leg when scoring Liverpool's goal in a 2-1 win at Spurs in December.Iraola, therefore, will have been thrilled to see Isak showing scintillating form of old as he was instrumental as Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey.Isak may have been the beneficiary of a goalkeeping error for his first-half goal, but the manner in which he ran at the Tunisian defence then showed the confidence to shoot will have heartened Iraola.He demonstrated strength and awareness to rob Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri and set up a goal for strike partner Viktor Gyokeres in the second half. It made Isak and Gyokeres only the second pair of Sweden team-mates to each record a goal and an assist in a World Cup match since 1966.Isak looked fit and in form, being named man of the match before going off in the closing seconds - and with fellow striker Hugo Ekitike out until next year with a Achilles tendon injury, Iraola will want Isak in peak condition next season.Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gameWorld Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

Matheus Cunha: Brazilian media reach verdict on Man United starManchester United’s Matheus Cunha made his World Cup debut on Saturday night.Brazil matchCunha has played 25 times for the Brazilian national team, making his debut in 2021.He has only scored once, against Argentina in World Cup qualification.Cunha started on the bench alongside new United signing Ederson for their match against Morocco but did enter the fray just after the hour mark.Fellow United teammate, Noussair Mazraoui put in a spectacular showing and was widely praised by the Moroccan media.Whilst Cunha had a much quieter match, he was still singled out as one of Brazil’s better performers by the local media.Praise from nationBrazilian outlet Globo commented on their national team’s 1-1 draw with Morocco to open their 2026 World Cup and praised the contribution of United’s number 10.They explained, “With the exception of Matheus Cunha’s efforts to regroup and connect the midfield to the attack, Brazil was practically ineffective from the attacking midfield.”Globo also stated that, “even with the number 9 on his back, he didn’t play as a centre forward, but rather on the left side of the attack.”The media outlet singled out one action in particular when they described, “at 32 minutes, he made a great pass to Vinicius Junior, which resulted in a dangerous play. He was also important without the ball, frequently dropping back to defend.”ESPN Brazil were also quick to praise the efforts of Cunha.The sports network added, “of those who came off the bench, he was the one who performed best. He moved out of the box, helped in marking, and showed enough to deserve more playing time.”Cunha and Brazil will take on Haiti next on Saturday morning at 01:30 BST.Matheus Cunha stats vs MoroccoFeatured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Two-time heavyweight champion Fury has two losses and one draw from his 38 fights [Getty Images]Tyson Fury says he is set to feature in a "massive announcement" from Zuffa Boxing and UFC president Dana White.Former heavyweight champion Fury was a special guest at the UFC's White House show on Sunday, which took place as part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence.During an interview with UFC broadcaster Jon Anik, the 37-year-old Briton was asked if he had an announcement to make involving White."I think I'm going to let Dana do the speaking, but it is a massive, massive announcement," said Fury.When asked if White would be part of the promotion for his long-awaited fight against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, which is targeted for the end of 2026, Fury said: "100% potential, yes."White's assertion that he would be promoting Joshua v Fury has been repeatedly shot down by Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury's promoter Frank Warren."I'm very excited for this fight. It's been over a decade in the making," added Fury."For whatever reason it hasn't happened before. Let's hope it happens right now, very soon."BBC Sport has asked Matchroom and Queensberry for comment.Founded by White and backed by Saudi Arabian funding, Zuffa Boxing is looking to rival the sport's established promoters.It made its first big noise when it signed British welterweight Conor Benn in a dramatic move from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable in February.Zuffa has since signed multiple boxers, including IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, but the signing of Fury would be by far its biggest addition if that happened.Fury enjoyed two reigns as heavyweight world champion and boasts a professional record of 35 wins, two defeats - both against Oleksandr Usyk - and one draw with Deontay Wilder.Queensberry's Warren said in February he was considering legal action over the launch of Zuffa, while White has also had multiple disputes with Hearn.White has said he hopes to change the Muhammad Ali Act - a 2000 US law designed to protect boxers' rights and combat potential monopolies.Adjustments to this could allow him to recognise a Zuffa belt as a legitimate world championship title, and remove the need to work with the other sanctioning bodies.Fury marked his return from retirement with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, and says he has another "potential fight in August" before the Joshua bout can take place.Joshua also must win before a potential bout with Fury, with the 36-year-old facing Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Saudi Arabia.Boxing schedule and results 2026Watch every Born to Brawl episode More boxing from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje strikes Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) What a story.Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) madman Justin Gaethje finally won the undisputed Lightweight title tonight (Sun., June 14, 2026), forcing a corner stoppage against massive favorite Ilia Topuria between the fourth and fifth rounds at UFC Freedom 250 live on Paramount+ on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C., as UFC celebrated America’s 250th anniversary.And he did it in vintage Gaethje fashion.Gaethje came out hot in the first round, completely unafraid of Topuria’s power and immediately started putting damage on “El Matador.” He crushed Topuria with uppercuts off fake single-leg entries, landed stiff power jabs and repeatedly found a home for his right hand.Topuria, though, was not going away that easily.The reigning champion came out like a bat out of hell in the second round, boxing up Gaethje and landing heavy shots of his own. In the middle of the round, Topuria started attacking Gaethje’s body and appeared to badly hurt him, nearly scoring a finish.Instead of letting Gaethje back up, Topuria followed him to the floor and tried to attack submissions. But Gaethje survived, and that decision may have changed the entire fight.The third round was all Gaethje.Topuria looked completely exhausted and appeared to take the round off in hopes of recovering his gas tank. It did not work. Gaethje kept battering him, landing clean shots and even dropping the champion.The fight nearly ended between the third and fourth rounds after Topuria told his corner he could not see. The cage doctor took a close look and appeared ready to stop it, but referee Mark Goddard allowed the fight to continue.Topuria came out much more energized in round four, swinging big and trying to find a fight-changing knockout. He also tried to get the fight to the floor, but Gaethje would not let him off the hook.“The Highlight” continued pouring on punishment, smashing Topuria’s already damaged face and closing his eyes even more.Finally, between the fourth and fifth rounds, the damage was too much.The fight was stopped.Gaethje, after all the wars, heartbreaks, near-misses and violent detours, is finally the undisputed UFC Lightweight champion. And NEW!Check out the highlights below:THE ULTIMATE CAREER HIGHLIGHT 🤯@Justin_Gaethje JUST DID THE UNTHINKABLE AT #UFCWhiteHouse!! pic.twitter.com/EQYfuiwffh— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026THIS FIGHT IS GOING ON TO ROUND 4!!![ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/k6JiBbsvOI— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026JUSTIN GAETHJE JUST DROPPED ILIA TOPURIA IN ROUND 3 🤯[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/LWeh5BdzG0— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026ILIA TOPURIA IS GOING TO WORK AGAINST GAETHJE'S BODY!!! [ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7Y30zZz8oD— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026THESE TWO ARE TRADING EARLY!!! [ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7sHUam8DhH— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026Gaethje (28-5) can now call himself an undisputed UFC champion, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he calls it a career after an epic title win, as being a gigantic underdog yet again. He’s riding a three-fight winning streak.As for Topuria (17-1), the Spanish star sees his undefeated record get destroyed, and will have to rebuild himself back — which won’t take too long.For complete UFC Freedom 250 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Match preview and team newsSaudi Arabia face Uruguay on Monday evening to launch their 2026 World Cup campaigns.Hard Rock Stadium in Miami provides the spectacular venue for this intriguing Group H clash. Both nations expect a fascinating battle to reach the knockout stages this summer. They face tough competition from Spain and Cape Verde in a highly competitive section.Spain are the overwhelming favourites to finish top of the group. However, the battle for the second qualification spot remains completely open. A third-place finish could also secure a knockout spot under the new tournament format.Saudi Arabia have been regulars at the global showpiece since 1994. They have featured in every tournament except 2010 and 2014. That said, their last two World Cups ended in frustrating group-stage exits.The Green Falcons have only reached the round of 16 once, back in 1994. Georgios Donis’ side recently played out a goalless draw with Senegal. They also beat Puerto Rico 3-0 before losing 2-1 to Ecuador.Meanwhile, Uruguay boast a rich history in the prestigious World Cup. La Celeste won the tournament in 1930 and 1950. They also reached the semi-finals relatively recently in 2010.Marcelo Bielsa’s side aim to improve upon their disappointing 2022 group-stage exit. They recently recorded goalless draws against Mexico and Algeria. They also secured a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley.Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Match preview and team newsDate: Monday, 15 June 2026Kick-off: 23:00 BSTVenue: Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiReferee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)Last Meeting: Uruguay 1–0 Saudi Arabia (20 June 2018, FIFA World Cup)Team newsSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia will miss Nawaf Al Aqidi for their opening match due to a muscle injury. In his absence, the Green Falcons arrive in strong physical shape. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari is their leading goalscorer with 34 international goals.The squad will look to their talented number 10 for vital attacking inspiration. Donis has named four players capable of operating as a central striker. Firas Al-Buraikan expects to start through the middle. He boasts 16 goals in 72 appearances for his country.UruguayUruguay face a mounting defensive injury crisis ahead of this crucial fixture. Ronald Araujo is effectively ruled out with a frustrating calf issue. Jose Gimenez also remains a major doubt due to an ankle problem. Matias Vina is managing a muscle injury, while Sebastian Caceres has a head knock.Caceres is the most likely to recover and start alongside Santiago Bueno. Giorgian de Arrascaeta is also doubtful with a calf complaint. Federico Valverde will expertly anchor the midfield alongside Manuel Ugarte. Darwin Nunez will lead the attacking line.FormSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia enter the tournament lacking a clear tactical identity. They have played five friendlies in 2026 with mixed results. A 3-0 win over Puerto Rico and a goalless draw with Senegal stood out.Donis hopes to rely on a settled defensive unit led by Hassan Al-Tambakti. The Green Falcons are clear underdogs against Uruguay. They hope to replicate their famous upset victory over Argentina from 2022.UruguayUruguay sailed through their South American qualifying campaign with relative ease. However, their World Cup preparations have raised several major questions. Bielsa’s squad failed to score against Mexico and Algeria recently.They also suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against the United States. The team must overcome a severe defensive injury crisis to secure victory. They boast enough world-class quality in midfield to dominate possession.Predicted lineupsSaudi Arabia Predicted XI: Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Lajami, Bu; Kanno, Al-Khaibari; N Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwayr, S Al-Dawsari; Al-BuraikanUruguay Predicted XI: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Bueno, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur, M Araujo; Vinas, NunezHow to watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay?In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on ITV1. Viewers in the United States can watch live on Fox Sports.Read more – Iconic Performances: A teenage Pelé conquers the worldSee Also- 10 of the most unforgettable FIFA World Cup momentsFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Los Angeles Dodgers stars Blake Snell and Teoscar Hernandez both worked out on the field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday.Snell has only made one start for the Dodgers this season, missing the beginning of the year with fatigue and landing back on the injured list after just one start with loose bodies in his elbow. Hernandez went on the injured list May 27 with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.Blake Snell and Teoscar Hernandez getting work in at Dodger Stadium today?Snell had the ‘NanoNeedle’ procedure done nearly a month ago to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. The Dodgers are hopeful he'll pitch again this season.Teo was put on the 10-day IL after suffering… pic.twitter.com/2CKpAzsVc9— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 14, 2026Having both players up and partaking in baseball activities is huge for the Dodgers, who are already performing at a high level despite the absence of two of their bigger names. The Dodgers are seven games clear of the second-place San Diego Padres in the NL West, and have only lost one series since May 10.Nov 3, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (left) and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez acknowledge the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn ImagesWhen Will Blake Snell Be Back?Snell underwent surgery in his elbow to remove the loose bodies in his throwing arm, but a recent development could see him return sooner than the regular three-month timeline for the injury.The ‘NanoNeedle’ procedure does less damage to the tissue surrounding the elbow, and therefore reduces recovery time significantly.May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting Blake Snell (7) warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesDetroit Tigers ace and Dodgers trade target Tarik Skubal underwent the same procedure earlier in the year, and returned to the mound less than a month later. He landed on the injured list May 4, and made his first start back for the Tigers on June 13.If Snell follows the same timeline, the Dodgers could have him back sooner rather than later.His return would be a huge boost for the Dodgers as well, as he posted just a 2.35 ERA through 61.1 innings pitched after returning from injury in the 2025 season.When Will Teoscar Hernandez Be Back?Hernandez had a much more manageable injury than Snell, as his didn’t require surgery. The general timeline for recovery from a Grade 1 hamstring strainis about a month, so Hernandez is making good pace in returning from his injury.May 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) scores a run against the Colorado Rockies during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesHernandez had just begun to turn things around for the Dodgers prior to his injury, posting an OPS of nearly .900 in May with three homers and 14 RBIs. Following a slow start to the season, Hernandez had a .276/.348/.436 slash line.

🎥 Highlights: Germany's opponents strike in 90th, Japan upset OranjeWhat a World Cup night that was again? The Netherlands and Japan draw 2–2 after a wild exchange of blows. In Germany’s group, Ivory Coast beat Ecuador at the very last second, and Sweden shoot Tunisia out of the stadium.You can find the highlights of all the matches here:Netherlands – JapanIvory Coast – EcuadorSweden – TunisiaDid you expect these results? This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 15: Ilia Topuria is supported by trainers as he leaves the octagon after loosing to Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on his 80th birthday, which the White House is calling "a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit.” (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) | Getty Images Justin Gaethje is the shining star of UFC White House after breaking Ilia Topuria in the main event to finally become undisputed lightweight champion.Words could barely describe Gaethje’s epic battle with Topuria that capped off Sunday’s historic show, but “The Highlight” had social media absolutely buzzing after scoring a massive upset win over the previously undefeated Topuria. Gaethje entered UFC White House as the interim champion, with a pair of failed attempts to claim the undisputed title on his résumé, but this time he would not be denied as he battered Topuria with his trademark striking, survived a couple of scary moments where it looked like Topuria would come out on top, and outlasted “El Matador” until the Spaniard’s corner stopped the bout at the end of the fourth round.Topuria put on a valiant performance, but he wore the accumulating damage on his face as the bout progressed, to the point that it was almost stopped at the end of Round 3 when it sounded like Topuria’s corner told the ringside physician that Topuria couldn’t see. Somehow, the bout was allowed to continue, so Gaethje needed another five minutes to put an exclamation point on a performance for the ages.See how pros reacted on social media to the thrilling UFC White House main event below.Ilia “no mas” Topuria 🤦🏻‍♂️— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) June 15, 2026So we’re giving extra minute to recover now lol?— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) June 15, 2026The Highlight! Just wow.— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) June 15, 2026Real Fighters will fight until they die. Great job by Topuria’s corner on the stoppage. @Justin_Gaethje it’s a beast!! Congrats. #UFCWhiteHouse— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 15, 2026Never count Justin out.Congratulations champ @Justin_Gaethje 🏆 You never let me down 🙏🏾❤️— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 15, 2026Justin is a monster he earned this moment— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 15, 2026That was a crazy fucking fight holy shit— David Michaud (@bulldawg_170) June 15, 2026WHAT FIGHT!!!!! GAETHJE IS A DOG #UFCWHITEHOUSE— Torrez Finney (@punishertorrez) June 15, 2026It’s good to see Gaethje win the title #UFCWhiteHouse— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) June 15, 2026USA USA WHAT A FIGHT— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 15, 2026That was entertaining asf— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) June 15, 2026Justin Gaethje holy shit amazing fight. Congratulations champ!— Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) June 15, 2026Trevor Whitman told @Justin_Gaethje to go forward and Justin listened, Changed the fight ! 🇺🇸— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 15, 2026Wtf— Renato Moicano (@moicanoufc) June 15, 2026Bro!!!! Wow !!!!— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 15, 2026They called it off called it back on. But they both got rest let’s see 👀👀— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 15, 2026Topuria rocked several times that round, face is a mess still throwing bombs though.. what a fight!!!— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 15, 2026Gaethje is taking Ilia to a place he’s never been. What a fight! 2-1 for the challenger— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 15, 2026

There was talk of Alex Pereira becoming the greatest UFC fighter of all time with a victory over Ciryl Gane, giving “Poatan” his third title in as many weight classes. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Gane proved to be the superior fighter in the UFC White House co-main event, smashing Pereira in the second round to recapture the interim heavyweight strap.Former two-division champion Jon Jones, who disposed of Gane with relative ease during their UFC 285 title fight back in early 2023, wasted no time in reacting to the “Freedom 250” bout, congratulating “Bon Gamin” while flaunting his GOAT necklace on Instagram.“Congratulations to the new heavyweight champion Gane,” Jones wrote. “You looked great out there tonight.”Jones signed his tweet with a goat emoji.View this post on InstagramJones, 38, chose retirement over a heavyweight title defense opposite Tom Aspinall, then begged to come back after UFC announced its White House card.Gane, 36, is expected to rematch Aspinall at the end of the year, having previously fought to a “No Contest” following a fight-ending eye poke in their UFC 321 main event last fall in Abu Dhabi.Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who like Jones holds a victory over Gane, had his own reaction to the UFC White House co-main event.“Congratulations Bon Gamin for the wonderful performance,” Ngannou wrote. “Sincerely, LHC.”LHC = Lineal Heavyweight Champion.Ngannou, 39, is clinging to that designation after walking away from UFC following a contract dispute in early 2023, missing out on potential fights against Aspinall and Jones. “The Predator” is currently a free agent after getting released from PFL earlier this year.For more UFC White House results and highlights click here.

📝 2026 World Cup: overnight round-upEvery morning, OneFootball will bring you a full recap of the night at the World Cup. Here’s the one for the night from Sunday June 14 to Monday June 15!The must-see moment of the nightThe first African win of this World Cup goes to... Ivory Coast! After South Africa’s defeat in the opening match and Morocco’s draw against Brazil, it was third time lucky for the continent.Despite a difficult game against an Ecuador side unbeaten in 19 matches, the Ivorians relied on a 90th-minute goal from Amad Diallo to snatch the win. The Elephants are already closing in on the first knockout stage appearance in their World Cup history!The result of the nightIvory Coast 1 - 0 Ecuador. Click here to read the match recap!Sweden 5 - 1 Tunisia. Click here to read the match recap!The standingsGroup E: 1) Germany - 3 pts (+6)2) Ivory Coast - 3 pts (+1)3) Ecuador - 0 pts (-1)4) Curaçao - 0 pts (-6)Group F:1) Sweden - 3 pts (+4)2) Japan - 1 pt (+0)3) Netherlands - 1 pt (+0)4) Tunisia - 0 pts (-4)The 3 players who stood outWhile he is already attracting the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world like PSG and Liverpool, Yan Diomandé delivered his first big statement on the most prestigious stage possible. Unstoppable down the right flank, the 19-year-old wonderkid caused Ecuador all sorts of problems and was named man of the match.For their part, Sweden leaned on their Premier League players, especially Alexander Isak and Yasin Ayari. The latter simply grabbed a brace to open and close the scoring, while the Liverpool striker seems to have his legs fully back.After a season disrupted by injuries, Alexander Isak delivered a top-class display marked by one goal and two assists, one for Viktor Gyökeres, Sweden’s other star scorer.Image of the nightAfter their heroic draw against the Netherlands, Japan’s supporters made sure to celebrate at the iconic Shibuya crossing... but without disrupting traffic. They waited for the light to turn red before gathering in the middle of the crosswalk to celebrate the result, then moved aside once it turned green again.Today’s and tonight’s schedule18:00: Spain vs Cape Verde (Group H)21:00: Belgium vs Egypt (Group G)00:00: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H)03:00: Iran vs New Zealand (Group G)The player to watchHe’s one of the players everyone wants to see: Lamine Yamal. Injured for several weeks, last Ballon d’Or runner-up is now fully fit according to his coach.Now the only question is whether he will start against Cape Verde or only come on during the match.📸 Florencia Tan Jun - 2026 Getty ImagesThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

World Cup 2026: Germany run riot, Dutch pegged back twice, Doku ‘key’ for BelgiumThe 2026 FIFA World Cup has barely settled, yet it’s already producing headlines across every corner of North America.After a goal-shy start to the tournament, some of the leading title contenders dished out a thrilling spectacle of attacking football on Sunday, and all we can do is hope it will continue in the same vein.Read on as we take you through the key moments so far and look ahead to what’s next at the World Cup.Curacao thrown into baptism of fire by rampant GermanyCuracao will want to forget their maiden World Cup fixture in a hurry after being trounced by Germany in their opening Group E outing.Dick Advocaat’s side suffered a chastening 7-1 defeat at Houston’s NRG Stadium as Die Mannschaft launched their title quest in style.Seeking a place in the knockout stages for the first time since winning the tournament in 2014, Julian Nagelsmann’s high-flying team showed no mercy to the North American minnows, with Felix Nmecha breaking the deadlock after just six minutes.However, Curacao replied 15 minutes later through Livano Comenencia. Regrettably, their resistance quickly crumbled as Germany shifted through the gears and ran riot before half-time.Goals from Nico Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz propelled the four-time world champions to a comfortable 3-1 lead at the break. Unfortunately for Pantera Negra, the Germans had no interest in slowing down in the second half.Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav and Havertz were on the scoresheet after half-time to seal Germany’s first 7-1 triumph since their memorable win over Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.As expected, the smallest nation by both size and population ever to participate in a World Cup stood no chance against one of the strongest title contenders, who now turn to a much sterner test in the form of Cote d’Ivoire.Brave Samurai hold Dutch in four-goal thrillerIn stark contrast to Group E’s one-sided opener, the Netherlands and Japan went toe-to-toe in a nerve-shredding Group F curtain-raising clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Fans had little to cheer about in the opening 45 minutes, even though both sides had several decent chances. Indeed, it was a slow-burning contest that started picking up pace in the second half.Ronald Koeman’s charges found the breakthrough six minutes after the break as Liverpool stalwart Virgil van Dijk headed home an inch-perfect out-swinging cross from his teammate Ryan Gravenberch.Japan needed just six minutes to draw level. Keito Nakamura picked up the ball just inside the box and, despite going backwards, he managed to unleash a shot that took a fortunate deflection and caught Bart Verbruggen off guard.Hajime Moriyasu’s celebration was short-lived as Cryscencio Summerville painted his major tournament debut with flying colours, slotting a left-footed curler behind Zion Suzuki to restore the Netherlands’ lead.When it looked like the Dutch would enjoy a dream start to this summer’s event, Koki Ogawa got on the end of Junya Ito’s corner with a thumping header that glanced Daichi Kamada on its way in.Despite extending their unbeaten run in the World Cup group-stage matches to 17, Koeman’s side will feel this was two points dropped rather than one gained, especially after surrendering the lead twice.Cape Verde keen to avoid Curacao fate against European championsFor the first time since becoming an independent nation in 1975, Cape Verde will participate in the most prestigious international tournament. Excitement is at an all-time high, but they may want to hold their breath.Set to test Cape Verde’s credentials in their first-ever World Cup game are reigning European champions Spain. Widely regarded as one of the top candidates to win the trophy, La Furia Roja look primed to make a statement from the outset.Damage limitation is likely to be at the forefront of Bubista’s mind in this ‘David vs Goliath’ showdown at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as the Blue Sharks surely don’t want to see their historic first appearance overshadowed by the scoreline.Given the strength of their opposition, it could prove to be a tall order, yet there’s a silver lining. Bubista’s men won six of their last seven World Cup qualifiers and two warm-up fixtures, boosting their confidence ahead of this encounter.With Spain’s deadly duo, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, set to start on the bench, there is at least some hope for Cape Verde to avoid an early catastrophe and stay within touching distance.Manchester City winger urged to show up ahead of Belgium opener vs EgyptEgypt’s winless record at the World Cup faces another formidable challenge as they prepare to meet Belgium in the opening Group G match at Lumen Field in Seattle.Former Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne gears up for his last major tournament with De Rode Duivels after a mixed season in Serie A with Napoli.Now in the autumn of his illustrious career, the 34-year-old is still dreaming of winning a piece of silverware with his country, and this may well be his last chance to do so.However, Belgium cannot rely on a veteran to carry them through on his own, and De Bruyne seems well aware of that.During his recent interview with FOX Sports, he underlined Jeremy Doku’s importance to Belgium’s tournament aspirations, highlighting the 24-year-old’s quality and notable improvement over the past 12 months.“Defending Jeremy for 90 minutes is impossible,” De Bruyne said. “He has also become more efficient over the past year. He has found more moments where he can choose his situations. To play a top tournament, we need a good Doku.”Let’s see if Doku can rise to the occasion and deliver on the biggest stages of all.Top football storiesAyyoub Bouaddi is a boy wonder in Morocco’s midfieldUruguay blames FIFA for World Cup travel chaos as flight to U.S. delayed several hoursScotland march on towards history but improvement is needed against Morocco | World Cup 2026Football Today featuresWorld Cup 2026: First shock arrives, Brazil rusty at the start, England hit by robbery dramaWorld Cup 2026: Canada still waiting, US run riot, can Morocco upset BrazilNottingham Forest will demand close to £125m for Morgan Gibbs-WhiteWhat to watchAs pointed out by De Bruyne, Doku enjoyed a superb season at the Etihad Stadium, emerging as one of Man City’s headline performers in Pep Guardiola’s farewell campaign.Though he proved his credentials in the Premier League, this will be a different test altogether, especially given the amount of pressure Rudi Garcia’s men are facing after an unceremonious group-stage elimination in Qatar.Keen to end Egypt’s agonisingly long wait for a first win at the World Cup finals, outgoing Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah will be tasked with producing his own version of Doku’s game-changing threat.It promises to be a must-watch contest.

Barcelona see Eli Junior Kroupi as the most viable alternative to Julian AlvarezBarcelona are closely monitoring Eli Junior Kroupi, considering whether to sign the Bournemouth striker.According to Sport, Barcelona are aware that they could miss out on Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. They could turn to the young French prodigy.Kroupi caught the eye last season after bagging 13 Premier League goals to help Bournemouth qualify for the Europa League for the first time.His ball-striking, movement, and technical quality are immense for a 19-year-old and several clubs are taking notice.Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move for Kroupi following his outstanding campaign.However, it won’t be easy for any suitor as Bournemouth do not want to lose the young gem and have slapped an £80 million price tag on the player.Barcelona have him high on their shortlist, but are aware that the operation is risky and likely prefer to wait a year before signing him.Kroupi would undoubtedly score goals in Hansi Flick’s ultra-aggressive Barcelona side. The German coach has built his teams around relentless attacking football, and a striker blessed with Kroupi’s instinct in the box would inevitably find opportunities at Camp Nou.Still, the former Lorient star would be wise to reject any blockbuster move this summer. Regular football should remain the priority. Bournemouth can offer him what these big clubs cannot guarantee – a central role in the starting XI and an environment focused entirely on his development.Another season or two on the south coast would allow him to refine his game without the immense pressure that comes with leading the line for a European giant.New Bournemouth coach Marco Rose has a proven track record of nurturing young attacking talent and helping promising forwards reach an elite level (see Marcus Thuram). Bournemouth will hope he can perform a similar role with Kroupi, guiding him from an exciting Ligue 1 graduate into one of Europe’s most complete attackers. The goals, headlines, and mega-money transfers will still be there. For now, patience is the smartest move. Staying at Bournemouth could ultimately be the quickest route to becoming the world-class striker everyone believes he can be.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images | Getty Images Ilia Topuria came into the UFC Freedom 250 card as a massive favorite, but he left the White House without his belt and ended up on a trip to the hospital. After an entertaining back-and-forth contest, Justin Gaethje won the lightweight title as he pulled off a huge upset and badly battered Topuria over multiple rounds. Topuria came in with a pristine 17-0 record, but the scenes at the UFC White House main event saw him take significant damage for the first time in his career. The now former two-division champion was badly battered by his larger opponent, and lost his belt after he didn’t get off the stool for the fifth round.Topuria looked almost unrecognizable, and photos of his badly swollen and busted up face are also starting to circulate online after the event.THE ULTIMATE CAREER HIGHLIGHT 🤯@Justin_Gaethje JUST DID THE UNTHINKABLE AT #UFCWhiteHouse!! pic.twitter.com/EQYfuiwffh— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026Topuria dropped his overall record to 17-1, and is still just 29 years old. There were previously talks of retirement, but Gaethje has now become an undisputed champion at age 37. FOR COMPLETE UFC FREEDOM 250 RESULTS, COVERAGE AND HIGHLIGHTS CLICK HERE.

Motorsport photoLewis Hamilton's first win for Fred Vasseur's team didn't come in Barcelona on 14 June 2026. It came more than 20 years ago in Formula 3 Euro Series.Back then, the 20-year-old Hamilton won the opening round at Hockenheim driving for the Frenchman's ASM team, before going on to dominate the season with 15 victories from 20 races. The following year he moved up to GP2, now with the newly formed ART Grand Prix project led by Vasseur, and won another title that helped secure his McLaren Formula 1 drive for 2007.When Lewis Hamilton once again became a driver of a team led by Vasseur, he was already a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, the most successful driver in the history of the sport and one of the most recognisable sporting figures in the world.He was already Sir Lewis Hamilton, after all."We had amazing success in F3, and also in GP2," recalled Hamilton back in the winter of 2024 after signing his Ferrari contract, while still preparing to complete his final season with Mercedes. "That's really where the foundation of our relationship started. We always remained in touch. I thought that was going to be an amazing team manager at some stage and progress to F1, but at the time, he wasn't interested in that."It was really cool to see him step into the Alfa [Romeo] team. Then when he got the job at Ferrari, I was just so happy for him. I think just the stars aligned. I think it really wouldn't have happened without him. So, I'm really grateful and really excited about the work that he's doing there."Yet the Hamilton that Vasseur got at Ferrari was not the one many still regarded as "prime" Hamilton.Ahead of his first year with the Scuderia, Lewis turned 40, and it's fair to say the final couple of seasons with Mercedes weren't his best. Yes, he won at Silverstone and inherited another victory at Spa after George Russell's disqualification, but over those two years it was the younger Brit who came out on top more often.Lewis Hamilton won a lot of races for Frederic Vasseur's teams two decades agoLewis Hamilton won a lot of races for Frederic Vasseur's teams two decades agoPerhaps it wasn't too much of a crime to assume Hamilton had passed his peak. He probably had, anyway. It's just that now a lot of observers may need to reconsider the rate at which he's declining.Would Hamilton, 10 years younger - or perhaps even five - have grabbed pole position in Barcelona instead of missing out by 0.064s? Possibly. You'll never be able to answer that question. What last Sunday proved, however, is that he still has enough speed to deliver a victory with a three-stop strategy, chasing down two drivers in what has been the fastest car of 2026.Last year, though, it all seemed doom and gloom. After a spark in the form of a sprint win in China, there weren't many moments to celebrate. Hamilton struggled with the car, couldn't match Charles Leclerc's pace and became involved in enough tense radio exchanges with Riccardo Adami to make Ferrari's official line that there were no tensions difficult to believe.Vasseur was the one accusing the media of blowing the stories out of proportion based on what was broadcast during races - yet that's exactly what a team principal is supposed to do: defend his team.Be that as it may, Hamilton increasingly resembled a great champion approaching the end of his career. A little like Valentino Rossi during the final years of his MotoGP journey. Or Michael Schumacher during his Mercedes comeback. The raw speed appeared to be fading, and motivation often goes hand in hand with it.In 2025, it was difficult to imagine Hamilton would ever win a race with FerrariIn 2025, it was difficult to imagine Hamilton would ever win a race with FerrariThe honeymoon period of joining the legendary team lasted only a few months before being replaced by the routine of searching for those missing tenths of a second.Those tenths weren't easy to find.The evidence seemed to point to one conclusion: Hamilton was simply too old to really give Ferrari what it needed.At the very same time, he was putting pressure on the team.It was at Spa last July that he spoke about calling meetings with Ferrari chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna and Vasseur. He revealed he had sent documents outlining structural adjustments the team needed to make. He spoke about sitting down with chassis technical director Loic Serra and the heads of other departments, "talking about the engine for next year, talking about the front suspension, the rear suspension". About the "things that I want, issues that I have with this car".For Vasseur, accommodating all the changes Hamilton was asking for probably required more than simply believing Lewis still had it. He needed the team to believe it too.Because, yes, these changes were being requested by a seven-time world champion and the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. But they were also being requested by a 40-year-old driver who may well have been past his peak. And his first season with Ferrari did little to disprove that theory.Carlo Santi was on the podium for Kimi Raikkonen's final Ferrari victory in Austin in 2018Carlo Santi was on the podium for Kimi Raikkonen's final Ferrari victory in Austin in 2018The most visible change this year has perhaps been the appointment of Carlo Santi as Hamilton's race engineer.Vasseur himself played down the significance in his post-race media session on Sunday."I don't want to put Carlo in front or whatever, I think it's a huge effort from everybody," he shrugged. "Carlo is part of the process and the fit between Carlo and Lewis is a good one. But, you know, we have to react as a group in the good and the bad moments."When it's a bad moment, I'm trying to protect the team and to take the blame for myself. Today, I don't want to put a department or someone in front. If we are getting results, it's because collectively we are doing a good job."And that's understandable.Highlighting Santi's role in Hamilton's revival would probably put pressure on the engineer himself while downplaying the contribution of others. As a manager, Vasseur doesn't need that.But the fact it was the 52-year-old from Verona standing alongside Lewis on the podium after his first Ferrari victory speaks volumes.Santi's previous podium in Formula 1 came on 21 October 2018, when he joined Kimi Raikkonen on the rostrum after the Finn's final victory for Ferrari. From 2019 onwards, he moved into a factory role, supporting the race team from Maranello, before returning trackside this season initially to assist Hamilton while Ferrari searched for a permanent replacement for Adami.With the way things are going, and with Lewis already calling Santi his "Italian Bono" even before Barcelona, he is unlikely to be returning to the factory any time soon.Lewis Hamilton and his Lewis Hamilton and his Switching away from Brembo, given Ferrari's long-standing relationship with the company, probably wasn't easy either. But Hamilton clearly likes something about the Carbon Industrie package, and that was likely on his list of requests too.There were potentially dozens of other, less visible things - as he recently put it - that he had "begged" Vasseur to accommodate.Now, Lewis is thanking his old friend for doing exactly that."Well, firstly, I wouldn't be in this team without Fred," he said on Sunday in Barcelona during his first press conference as a Ferrari winner. "Fred is the one that made it happen, of which I'm incredibly grateful to him for. I think last year was really, really tough for him to deal with."Me coming was a big shock to the system because I am very, very vocal. If I see something that I don't think is right, or I push very, very hard. That's at the core of who I am and I'm relentless with it. And I think it's not easy to be on the receiving end of that when you're also juggling a whole organisation, you know, and a culture that in its own is set in a certain way."And also, you know, he's French in an Italian culture. It was a lot for him to juggle and I think very, very tough because obviously he would do media as well. But he continued to believe, continued to be a good friend, continued to be a great team-mate and an ally and really supportive.Lewis Hamilton - now a Ferrari race winnerLewis Hamilton - now a Ferrari race winner"And, you know, ultimately, he really listened at the end and I had to really ask, really ask for some of the changes. And he enabled them to happen, which I'm forever grateful for, because this [victory] wouldn't have happened without those changes. So big, big thank you to him."When those words were put to Vasseur himself just minutes later, he once again downplayed his role."I have zero merit on this," he insisted. "It's more Lewis himself, I think. He was able to come back after a tough moment, a tough journey, tough weekends. He was able to come back, to do a full reset and to continue to push, to continue to come to the factory on Tuesday morning. This commitment is a huge support. Coming from a world champion, it's even more, I would say. It was also a huge motivation for everybody at the factory."And that's understandable too. Because highlighting his own role in Hamilton's revival isn't really what a good manager does.Yet Barcelona's victory must have been a huge relief for him as well.Because bringing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari was an easy decision.Continuing to believe in a 40-year-old driver who may already have been past his peak probably wasn't. Read Also: Who slept the worst last night: George Russell To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Motorsport photoI should be admitting that it was me who slept badly this Monday. After all, I was also one of those who did not believe in Lewis Hamilton's chance of victory. I did not rule out that the record world champion would eventually win a race for Ferrari with a bit of luck, but that he would do it in such convincing fashion was not on my radar.Yes, he had a bit of luck with the virtual safety car. But there can hardly be any doubt that Hamilton absolutely deserved to win this race in Barcelona. Chapeau!A small consolation for me: Numerous experts had actually already written off the now 41-year-old Hamilton before his second Ferrari season. Obviously, that was a misjudgment. Read Also: Lewis Hamilton's Barcelona GP win a "middle finger" to doubters - Lando Norris Conversely, another candidate for this column would have been Charles Leclerc, but he was nominated in this very column just a week ago and everything there is to say on the subject was already covered off. So my choice falls on George Russell. He was already "up" after Suzuka, but since then something fundamental has changed about the Briton's situation. Back then, everyone was still assuming an internal Mercedes duel for the world title.That may have changed by now.Must Mercedes soon back Antonelli?In fact, when looking at the world championship standings right now, you may need a second take, because since Monaco it has no longer been Russell in second place. Instead, it is his former team-mate Hamilton. In Barcelona, the Briton even closed to within 41 points of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.Curiously, for Russell, who also made up 18 points on his team-mate yesterday, that may be a bigger problem than for Antonelli himself. Because for the first time, team boss Toto Wolff also spoke openly after the Barcelona race about a possible team order at the Silver Arrows.For the future, Wolff said on Sunday that he "discussed internally with the two drivers how we want to handle the situation where we risk holding each other up". In such instances, the team may consider letting the faster driver through, and Russell's problem now is that this is usually Antonelli.Of course, one swallow does not make a summer, and Ferrari's victory on Sunday, the first since 2024 by the way, is contrasted by six consecutive Mercedes wins before that. So the favourite's role in the championship is still quite clearly assigned.Mercedes remain the favourites, despite a first win for FerrariMercedes remain the favourites, despite a first win for FerrariBut as fast as Mercedes is this year, the W17 is still just as unreliable. In Canada, the issues hit Russell, and now in Barcelona Antonelli. Wolff also made it clear yesterday that this cannot continue. Otherwise Hamilton will be within striking distance in the championship faster than anyone would like.And that is exactly when things could get really tight for Russell. As long as the fight for race wins, and especially the championship, is only between him and Antonelli, Mercedes has no reason to issue team orders, provided they do not drive into each other.But in Barcelona, the team hurt itself with this approach for the first time. The internal battle cost "four or five or six seconds" on Sunday, Wolff revealed. That was exactly the time Hamilton needed to come back onto the track ahead of the two Silver Arrows after his pit stop.At the latest, from this point on, the fun stops for Wolff and Co. Just ask Valtteri Bottas.Just bad luck? Russell is running out of excusesA colleague in the editorial team remarked on Sunday that Russell probably would not sleep that badly, after all he had made up 18 points in the championship. So things could have gone much worse. Still, there is another reason why I think Russell is a perfect candidate this week.Because the Briton is also slowly running out of explanations for why he has once again finished behind Antonelli - or in this case would have finished behind him if the other Mercedes had not given up the ghost.Kimi Antonelli retired shortly after passing George RussellKimi Antonelli retired shortly after passing George RussellHe still dismissed the first defeat in China as a freak occurrence and blamed it on his technical problem in qualifying. In Japan, in his view, the safety car was to blame, in Canada his failure in the race and most recently in Monaco his unjustified penalty."It's been completely outside of my control, and that is an incredibly difficult pill to swallow," he said after his zero in the principality. That is basically impossible to argue, but it also ignores the fact that Antonelli was simply faster than Russell on many weekends anyway.So, on the one hand, the Briton was unlucky, but on the other hand he also always had an "excuse" for his defeat. In Barcelona, for a long time it also looked as if the tide would finally turn again."I kind of feel like my old self again," he said after his pole on Saturday. He had just put three tenths on Antonelli and, at least for the moment, restored what he considered the correct order at Mercedes.He had oriented himself too much to Antonelli's setup in the previous races, Russell explained, emphasising that in Barcelona he had "gone my own way again." That still worked on Saturday - but on Sunday it did not anymore.Why Barcelona was also a "points win" for AntonelliShortly before his retirement, Antonelli overtook Russell on track, and presumably even his subsequent five-second penalty, which no longer mattered in the end because of his retirement, would not have bothered him, because he would still have pulled out the time against Russell on track in the closing laps.But even if that had not been the case, Antonelli was once again the faster Mercedes driver this Sunday as well. And Russell is slowly running out of explanations.Was Kimi Antonelli the faster Mercedes driver on Sunday? Was Kimi Antonelli the faster Mercedes driver on Sunday? Because in Barcelona, Mercedes did everything not to hurt Russell. It issued no team order even though Antonelli was faster, and during the second pit stop they even gave Russell priority over Antonelli, thereby risking an undercut by Lando Norris on the championship leader, which only just barely did not work. None of it helped."Mercedes was too considerate of George," Nico Rosberg said on Sky, for example. And he should know, because for three years he found himself in a very similar situation at the Silver Arrows with his then team-mate Hamilton.Maybe I am seeing this wrong. And maybe George Russell really had a good night because he is only looking at the championship standings. Or because he really believes that he is simply having a streak of bad luck and that everything will turn out fine again.But it is also clear that I am not the only one who thinks Russell is slowly but surely losing ground - despite P2 in Barcelona. For Ralf Schumacher, Antonelli is already "the clear number 1" at Mercedes, he said yesterday. I would not go that far (yet).But I share his assessment that despite the retirement, Antonelli scored another points win in the internal duel. "The realisation [that he was faster than Russell] was more important than finishing today," Schumacher said after the race.By the way: This same Ralf Schumacher already said before the season opener that Antonelli was his championship favourite. I admittedly laughed that off a bit at the time because on the question of the favourite I was clearly on "Team Russell."Possibly another misjudgment on my part. Read Also: Who slept best last night: Frederic Vasseur To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The 2026 World Cup continues on Monday with Groups G and H in action.Here's what you need to know for Day 5 of the World Cup.Spain vs. Cape VerdeMonday, June 15 | 12 p.m. ET | Atlanta | TV: FoxOdds: Spain (-1250), Cape Verde (+2200), Tie (+1200)At long last, it's here: The World Cup debut of Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old phenom is set to take the field at the World Cup for the first time in his young career, as Spain opens the group stage against Cape Verde.Yamal, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, is likely to sub on rather than start. But hopefully Yamal does make his way into the game to give viewers a glimpse of his brilliance in what is expected to be a pretty easy win for Spain.Cape Verde, the second-smallest country in the tournament, is also set to make its World Cup debut with this game. The archipelago island nation had an unlikely run through World Cup qualification, eventually punching its ticket in October. Though a win on Monday is doubtful, Cape Verde will put its best foot forward behind veteran captain Ryan Mendes, a 36-year-old midfielder with the most caps and goals in the nation's history.Get full coverage of the 2026 World Cup in our soccer hubBelgium vs. EgyptMonday, June 15 | 3 p.m. ET | Seattle | TV: FoxOdds: Belgium (-160), Egypt (+470), Tie (+290)Group stage play for Group G will open with Belgium and Egypt, as Belgium hopes to start the 2026 World Cup on a strong note. Belgium achieved its best result just two cycles ago with a third-place finish in 2018, but suffered an immense disappointment after getting grouped in 2022. This summer will offer a chance to get their World Cup history back on track. Led by veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium also has up-and-coming talents like Man City winger Jérémy Doku who will hope to make a splash in the group stage.Egypt, meanwhile, will be guided by veteran forward Mohamed Salah, who has captained the team since 2019. Egypt has never won a game at the World Cup, going 0-2-5 in three tournament appearances. Salah, 33, is likely heading into his last World Cup, and will hope to lead Egypt to that long-awaited first win — if not against Belgium, then later in the group stage.Saudi Arabia vs. UruguayMonday, June 15 | 6 p.m. ET | Miami Gardens, Fla. | TV: FoxOdds: Saudi Arabia (+650), Uruguay (-240), Tie (+340)Just four years removed from failing to advance to the group stage — despite tying for second on points, but getting grouped based on goals — Uruguay is back to try and create a different ending. That starts with a matchup against Saudi Arabia to open the group stage, with Uruguay hoping to kick things off with a statement win against a theoretically straightforward opponent.For the first time in four World Cups, Uruguay will be playing without veteran striker and notorious upstart Luis Suárez, who retired from international duty two years ago. Without Suárez, who leads the country in goals scored, Uruguay will look to other players to get the ball into the net. Twenty-seven-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde enters the tournament as the team's captain and its best player. Saudi Arabia does not enter this tournament as much of a favorite, but has a surprising amount of experience under its belt. 2026 marks the team's seventh World Cup, and multiple players — including captain Salem Al-Dawsari and vice-captain Mohamed Kanno — are attending their third tournament in a row.Group-wise, Uruguay is currently in line to finish second, while Saudi Arabia enters the tournament with a very slight edge over Cape Verde. But any points that Saudi Arabia can get will not only threaten Uruguay's spot, but will also give Saudi Arabia a chance at that coveted third spot, which could lead to a Round of 32 berth if they win enough tiebreakers.Iran vs. New ZealandMonday, June 15 | 9 p.m. ET | Inglewood, Calif. | TV: FoxOdds: Iran (-120), New Zealand (+370), Tie (+240)Heading into the tournament, Iran hopes to be a disruptor in Group G. That journey will start Monday night, as Iran takes on New Zealand. Veteran defender Ehsan Hajsafi, who has anchored the Iranians for their past two tournament appearances, is back with the team after two years off the national team roster. But it will be forward and captain Mehdi Taremi who will be the one to power Iran through the group stage.New Zealand, meanwhile, is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, taking advantage of the first guaranteed spot for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) with just its third tournament appearance. Captain Chris Wood, just two years removed from a 20-goal season with Nottingham Forest, is coming off an injury, but looks to lead the team to its first-ever World Cup win. (The Kiwis drew all three of their games in 2010, and lost all three in their first appearance in 1982.)Admittedly, this is not quite the marquee matchup of these first group stage games: Both teams are in the bottom half of the standings, and will likely be grappling for third place in a group with Belgium and Egypt. But while a draw won't mean much for knockout implications, a win from either team could complicate the rest of the group going forward.

One of Maccabi Tel Aviv players (in yellow) celebrating and one of Hapoel Tel Aviv players (in red) celebrating. (photo credit: YEHUDA HALICKMAN)Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised past Hapoel Holon 89-61 to complete a 3-0 series sweep, while Hapoel Tel Aviv completed its own sweep with an 89-81 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem.The Israeli Basketball League finals are set after both Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv completed semifinal sweeps to book a highly anticipated best-of-five derby championship series beginning Tuesday at Yad Eliyahu.Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised past Hapoel Holon 89-61 to complete a 3-0 series sweep, using a dominant second half to pull away after leading by just seven points at the break.Jaylen Hoard led the way with 18 points, while Jimmy Clark, returning from injury, and Zach Hankins each added 14. Roman Sorkin chipped in 13 points. Jordan Wright scored 14 points, and Adama Sanogo added 12 for Holon.“I’m happy and proud of how we advanced to the final,” Maccabi coach Oded Katash said. “We continued to improve from game to game despite injuries and other challenges. The players deserve a lot of credit.”Katash highlighted rebounding and defensive intensity as keys to the sweep but acknowledged concerns over injuries heading into the finals, noting that Gur Lavy and TJ Leaf will miss the series while Tamir Blatt is expected to return at some point.TEL AVIV bragging rights will be up for grabs when Maccabi Tel Aviv (in yellow) and Hapoel Tel Aviv (in red) duel in the Israel Basketball League finals after their respective sweeps of Hapoel Holon and Hapoel Jerusalem in the last-four. (credit: JOSHUA HALICKMAN)Hapoel Tel Aviv completes the sweepHolon coach Predrag Krunic praised his players despite the defeat.“We came to play and win, but Maccabi played really well in the second half on both sides of the floor,” Krunic said. “Our players did the best they could, and we achieved our goal of qualifying for the Basketball Champions League.”Clark, who returned to action after an injury layoff, said he is excited for the championship matchup.“It feels great to be back with this group,” he said. “We believe it will be a good matchup. We’ve played them four times this season, but those games don’t matter now. We’re looking forward to it.”Meanwhile, Hapoel Tel Aviv completed its own sweep with an 89-81 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem. Yam Madar and Vasilije Micic starred as Dimitrios Itoudis’s squad pulled away in the fourth quarter after a tightly contested game through three periods.Micic scored 26 points, and Madar added 22, while Nimrod Levi paced Jerusalem with 22 points and Jared Harper chipped in 16.“We were the better team in this series,” Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitrios Itoudis said. “We won the battle on the boards, controlled the 50-50 balls, and limited their transition game. Ultimately, we wanted it more.”Hapoel Jerusalem's season comes to a bittersweet endJerusalem coach Yonatan Alon lamented the end of a difficult season.“You can never be happy after a loss,” Alon said. “This was a tough season and a tough way to finish, but credit to them. They made big plays when it mattered.”Madar emphasized the significance of reaching the finals.“I’m really happy. There was pressure on us, but we got the job done,” he said. “We’re ready for the final and want to do something special.”The best-of-five championship series will mark the latest chapter in the fierce Tel Aviv rivalry, with both clubs now three wins away from claiming the Israeli league title.See more Israeli sports coverage at www.sportsrabbi.com/en

Real Madrid intend to make more signings this summer even after four new additions – RomanoReal Madrid’s summer rebuild under Jose Mourinho is well and truly underway, with the club already securing deals for no less than four players, even though none of them has been officiated yet.Marc Cucurella was the most recent player to reach a verbal agreement with Real Madrid and the move could be officiated as soon as today. Cucurella would become Real Madrid’s fourth signing, after Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva. However, the club are still not done, as far as the transfer market is concerned. More to come at the BernabeuAccording to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid’s work in the market is far from finished. Real Madrid will bring in more players even after the Cucurella deal. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)Despite the volume of business already completed, the club fully intend to make further signings before the window closes.It is a clear statement of intent from a club determined to put two trophyless seasons firmly behind them. With Florentino Perez having promised a marquee Galactico signing during his election campaign, and Mourinho keen to mould the squad to his exact specifications, supporters can expect plenty more activity in the coming weeks.The Cucurella detailsJose Mourinho is keen on further reinforcements. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)On the latest arrival, Romano confirms that the deal for Cucurella has been finalised for a guaranteed fee of €55 million plus €5 million in add-ons, taking the total package to €60 million.The Spanish full-back addresses one of the defensive areas Mourinho was eager to reinforce, and his arrival continues a comprehensive overhaul that spans defence, midfield and the wide areas. Konate, meanwhile, is expected to join the club after the FIFA World Cup. He is currently on international duty with France.Mourinho’s era begins on July 13thRomano also confirms that Mourinho will officially take charge on July 13, having signed a three-year contract. As part of his backroom setup, the Portuguese coach is set to appint former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira as his assistant.

Eric Trump (left) is the son of US President Donald Trump [Getty Images]Eric Trump says screenshots showing an alleged conversation with UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, which appeared to show Trump asking whether any fights at the White House event would be rigged, were fabricated.In a now-deleted post on X, Cormier shared a screenshot of an exchange where an account, claiming to belong to Trump, asked if any of the fighters on the card were injured and if any of the fights would be "rigged".In the post, Cormier wrote: "I'm probably going to get a lot of flak for bringing this to light, however I refuse to stay silent. Shame on anyone trying to ruin this beautiful event."Trump, 42, who is the son of US President Donald Trump, said the screenshots were "AI-generated" and "fake"."This is completely fake! I have never reached out to Daniel. In fact, this is scary," Trump wrote on X."We are aware of the fake, AI generated screenshots being circulated online. I have never spoken to Daniel. He has since deleted his post, which confirms it was clearly fabricated."Cormier, 47, also appeared to deny the authenticity of the posts, writing "are people this dumb?", with Trump replying "thanks Daniel".BBC Sport has asked the UFC for comment.The posts came before the unprecedented UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on Sunday, taking place on President Trump's 80th birthday as part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence.Eric Trump, who is the executive vice-president of his father's administration, was in Washington DC to watch the event on the White House's South Lawn.Cormier is a former UFC light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion and provided analysis on commentary throughout the event.MMA schedule and results 2026Watch every Born to Brawl episode More MMA from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Players of Germany and Curacao huddle after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images Day 4 may not have been as entertaining as all the goals may lead us to believe — an average of nearly five scored per game, 19 total — but the Netherlands vs. Japan game lived up to its billing, certainly in the second half.And for a brief, hot minute, Curaçao had history in their sights when they equalized against Germany. Alas, the “(Sponsored) hydration break” cooled their momentum, adding that to FIFA’s latest list of crimes. In the end, Germany had little trouble with the debutants, winning 7-1 thanks in part to a couple goals from Kai Havertz.It was a similar story for (Graham Potter’s) Sweden, romping eventually to a 5-1 win over Tunisia. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres both scored, though the spectacular brace from Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yasin Ayari — who’s half-Tunisian, as it turns out — were the pick(s) of the bunch. And now there’s probably a hole burning in BlueCo’s checkbook.Oh, and speaking of ex-Brighton men, Moisés Caicedo’s Ecuador fell to Côte d’Ivoire, 1-0, in what was the first involvement of an actual Chelsea player at the World Cup. We should have our second today, at least by official accounting, with Marc Cucurella’s Spain starting their campaign the day after the left back’s move to Real Madrid was agreed. Now he can indeed fully focus on the Cup, ey.SPAIN vs. CAPE VERDEThe Champions of Europe taking on yet another newcomer on this stage. Spain have won the Euros three out of the last five times (reaching the finals four times), though surprisingly they’ve not made it beyond the Round of 16 since becoming World Champions in 2010, winning just three of the eleven games they’ve played at the tournament since.But obviously they’re still one of the major favorites for the title — sorry, Cape Verde! — especially if Lamine Yamal can be at his best. He will be limited for this game, but should be fully fit by the business end of the tournament.Date / Time: Monday, June 15, 2026, 12pm EDT; 5pm BSTVenue: Mercedes-Benzh Stadium, Atlanta, GA, USAReferee: Adham Makhadmek (Jordan)On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)Chelsea interest: Technically, Cucurella is still a Chelsea player, but unless something drastic happens, he’s joining Real Madrid in a €55+5m deal after the World Cup. Nico Williams and Ferran Torres are among players who had links with Chelsea in years past, but these days, these guys are all way too consistent and experienced to catch the eye of our sporting directors.A good portion of Cape Verde’s team play in Portugal (not necessarily the top league), though a couple of them have made stops in random Central European leagues as well, including goalkeeper Vozinha, who played a couple seasons in Slovakia, and left back Stopira, who’s a certified legend at Hungarian club Fehérvár.BELGIUM vs. EGYPTTwo fading golden generations try to find their last sparkle. Belgium didn’t even make it out of the group stage four years ago while Egypt have never even won a game in their three tournament appearances (seven games total), the last one coming in 2018.Date / Time: Monday, June 15, 2026, 3pm EDT; 8pm BSTVenue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA, USAReferee: Ramon Abatti (Brazil)On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)Chelsea interest: No current Chelsea interest, but certainly plenty of the ex-Chelsea kind, with Mo Salah, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Thibaut Courtoisssss all kicking it still for their national teams (470 caps among them four).Eden Hazard meanwhile kicking his feet up on a cooler full of beer, living his bestest life (possibly in the new Chelsea kit).And there’s a bit of future Chelsea interest as well, with Mike Penders going along as the third goalkeeper. It’s unlikely that he will get to collect his first ever senior international cap, but what a great experience for the 20-year-old, before his expected arrival at Cobham back from his loan at RC Strasbourg.Oh, and I suppose Diego Moreira should be mentioned as well. “Diegzy” had a cup of tea with us in 2023-24 before going on loan and then shifted to RCSA in an accounting exercise. Along the way, he switched from Portugal to Belgium, and now look at him; who would’ve thought.SAUDI ARABIA vs. URUGUAYSaudi Arabia caused a bit of a shock back in 1994, the last time the World Cup was in the US, reaching the Round of 16, beating Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before getting knocked out by Sweden. They’ve been to most World Cups since (missing only 2010 and 2014), but have not made it out of the group stages again, winning just two games in total.Uruguay meanwhile are one of the tournament’s OGs, winning it all in 1930 and 1950 and making the final four three other times, most recently in 2010. Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez are both still active (playing for Boca Juniors and Inter Miami, respectively), but Cavani retired from the national team a couple years ago while Suárez was not selected by head coach Marcelo Bielsa. And that’s probably good: Bielsa and Bitey on the same team might’ve unlocked a new level of football-craziness.Date / Time: Monday, June 15, 2026, 6pm EDT; 11pm BSTVenue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL, USAReferee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)Chelsea interest: All but one of Saudi Arabia’s players are based in the Saudi Pro League, and the one who isn’t, is called Saud, so he’s good to go by default.Speaking of SPL-based players, Darwin Núñez was briefly linked with Chelsea this year, but thankfully those stories have gone away despite his agent’s best attempts. Now if they’d want to link Fede Valverde with us, that’d be perfectly fine. He wouldn’t need to play right back for us, right, Xabi? And as a bonus, no one would throw punches at him in training.IRAN vs. NEW ZEALANDIran’s participation, and the logistics of that participation are perhaps the most politically charged issue of this World Cup, but they’re here and they’re set to play, and that’s good.New Zealand meanwhile have the meme-king of the World Cup build-up, so they’ve got that going for them, and that’s nice, too.Date / Time: Monday, June 15, 2026, 9pm EDT; 2am BSTVenue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, USAReferee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhereStreaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)Chelsea interest: Alireza Jahanbakhsh once scored an absolutely ridiculous goal against Chelsea.And if that wasn’t enough, a year later, during lockdown, Mehdi Taremi would score an even more ridiculous goal against us, which would end up winning UEFA Goal of the Season before being nominated for the Puskás Award as well. (Though we would then win the Champions League, so I consider this a very fair trade.)

A woman walks past an anti-American mural on the wall of the former U.S. Embassy, now a museum, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)2026-06-15T04:53:15Z The United States and Iran have reached an interim deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.There are plans for a signing of the deal on Friday in Switzerland. However, previous announcements fell through, and what the deal contained remained in dispute Monday.Here’s a timeline of the tensions over Iran’s atomic program:Early days1967 — Iran takes possession of the Tehran Research Reactor supplied by America under the “Atoms for Peace” program.1979 — U.S. ally Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against him surge. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Iran’s nuclear program goes fallow under international pressure.August 2002 — Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Iran’s secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. June 2003 — Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. October 2003 — Iran suspends uranium enrichment under international pressure.February 2006 — Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. June 2009 — Iran’s disputed presidential election sees Ahmadinejad reelected despite fraud allegations, sparking protests known as the Green Movement and a violent government crackdown. Read More October 2009 — Under U.S. President Barack Obama, the U.S. and Iran open a secret back-channel for messages in the sultanate of Oman.July 2012 — U.S. and Iranian officials hold secret face-to-face talks in Oman.July 2015 — World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limits Tehran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The nuclear deal collapsesMay 8, 2018 — U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdraws the U.S. from the nuclear agreement, calling it the “worst deal ever.” He says he’ll get better terms in new negotiations to stop Iran’s missile development and support for regional militias. Those talks don’t happen in his first term. 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. May 8, 2019 — Iran announces it will begin backing away from the accord. A series of regional attacks on land and at sea blamed on Tehran follow. Jan. 3, 2020 — A U.S. drone strike in Baghdad kills Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Tehran’s proxy wars in the Middle East.Jan. 8, 2020 — In retaliation for Soleimani’s killing, Iran launches a barrage of missiles at military bases in Iraq that are home to thousands of American and Iraqi troops. More than 100 U.S. service members suffer traumatic brain injuries, according to the Pentagon. As Iran braces for a counterattack, the Revolutionary Guard shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s international airport, reportedly mistaking it for a U.S. cruise missile. All 176 people on board are killed.July 2, 2020 — A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on Israel. April 6, 2021 — Iran and the U.S. under President Joe Biden begin indirect negotiations in Vienna over how to restore the nuclear deal. Those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, fail to reach any agreement.April 11, 2021 — A second attack within a year targets Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, again likely carried out by Israel.April 16, 2021 — Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60% — its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.Feb. 24, 2022 — Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow ultimately will come to rely on Iranian bomb-carrying drones in the conflict, as well as missiles. July 17, 2022 — An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Kamal Kharrazi, says Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb, but has not decided whether to build one. Mideast wars rageOct. 7, 2023 — Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage, beginning the most intense war ever between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants. Regional tensions spike.Nov. 19, 2023 — Yemen’s Houthi rebels, long supported by Iran, seize the ship Galaxy Leader, beginning a monthslong campaign of attacks on shipping through the Red Sea corridor that the U.S. Navy describes as the most intense combat it has seen since World War II. The attacks mirror tactics earlier used by Iran.April 14, 2024 — Iran launches an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, firing over 300 missiles and attack drones. Israel, working with a U.S.-led international coalition, intercepts much of the incoming fire.April 19, 2024 — A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defense system by an airport in Isfahan, Iran. July 31, 2024 — Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, is assassinated during a visit to Tehran after the inauguration of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel later takes responsibility for the assassination.Sept. 27, 2024 — An Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.Oct. 1, 2024 — Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a U.S.-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles.Oct. 16, 2024 — Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip. Oct. 26, 2024 — Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program. Trump returns and reaches outJan. 20, 2025 — Trump is inaugurated for his second term as president.Feb. 7, 2025 — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says proposed talks with the U.S. are “not intelligent, wise or honorable.”March 7, 2025 — Trump says he sent a letter to Khamenei seeking a new nuclear deal with Tehran. March 15, 2025 — Trump launches intense airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, the last members of Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” capable of daily attacks.April 7, 2025 — Trump announces the U.S. and Iran will hold direct talks in Oman. Iran says they’ll be indirect talks.April 12, 2025 — The first round of talks between Iran and the U.S. take place in Oman, ending with a promise to hold more talks after U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “briefly spoke” together. April 19, 2025 — The second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran are held in Rome. April 26, 2025 — Iran and the U.S. meet in Oman a third time, but the negotiations include talks at the expert level for the first time.May 11, 2025 — Iran and the U.S. meet in Oman for a fourth round of negotiations ahead of Trump’s trip to the Mideast.May 23, 2025 — Iran and the U.S. meet in Rome for a fifth round of talks, with Oman saying the negotiations made “some but not conclusive progress.”The Iran-Israel war beginsJune 9, 2025 — Iran signals it won’t accept a U.S. proposal over the nuclear program.June 12, 2025 — The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency finds Iran in noncompliance with its nuclear obligations. Iran responds by announcing it has built and will activate a third nuclear enrichment facility. June 13, 2025 — Israel launches its war against Iran. Over 12 days, it hits nuclear and military sites, as well as other government installations. June 22, 2025 — The U.S. intervenes in the war, attacking three Iranian nuclear sites. June 23, 2025 — Iran responds to the U.S. attack by targeting a military base in Qatar used by American troops, causing limited damage.June 24, 2025 — Trump announces a ceasefire in the war. July 25, 2025 — Iranian and European diplomats hold talks in Istanbul over Iran’s nuclear program.Aug. 8, 2025 — France, Germany and the United Kingdom warn Iran in a letter that it will reimplement U.N. sanctions if there is no “satisfactory solution” to the nuclear standoff by Aug. 31.Aug. 28, 2025 — France, Germany and the United Kingdom say they’ve started the process to “snapback” U.N. sanctions on Iran.Sept. 9, 2025 — Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency reach a deal over potentially starting inspections, but questions remain over its implementation. Sept. 19, 2025 — U.N. Security Council declines to stop “snapback” sanctions on Iran.Sept. 26, 2025 — U.N. Security Council rejects China and Russia’s last-minute effort to stop “snapback.”Sept. 28, 2025 — U.N. reimposes “snapback” sanctions on Iran barring any last-minute diplomacy.New protests roil IranDec. 28, 2025: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran after the Iranian rial plunges to a record low — 1.42 million rials to one U.S. dollar — compounding inflationary pressure and pushing up the prices of food and other daily necessities.Jan. 3, 2026: Khamenei says “rioters must be put in their place,” in what is seen as a green light for security forces to begin more aggressively putting down the demonstrations.Jan. 8, 2026: Following a call from Iran’s exiled crown prince, a mass of people shout from their windows and take to the streets in nationwide protests. The government responds by blocking the internet and international telephone calls to cut off the country from outside influence. An ensuing security force crackdown kills thousands and sees tens of thousands detained. Jan. 13, 2026: Trump says he has called off any meetings with the Iranians and promises that unspecified “help is on its way.”Jan. 26, 2026: The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three accompanying warships arrive in the Middle East amid Trump’s threats to attack.Feb. 3, 2026: A U.S. Navy fighter jet shoots down an Iranian drone approaching the Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Iranian fast-attack boats attempt to stop a U.S.-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Feb. 6, 2026: Iran and the U.S. hold indirect nuclear talks in Oman, with the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command also coming. Feb. 17, 2026: Iran and the U.S. hold talks in Geneva while Tehran says it has temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. Feb. 26, 2026: Iran and the U.S. hold another round of talks in Geneva as America assembles the largest fleet of warplanes and aircraft in the Mideast in decades.The Iran warFeb. 28, 2026: Israel and the United States launch a war on Iran, killing Khamenei in the conflict’s first moments. March 9, 2026: Iran names Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the late supreme leader’s son, as country’s new paramount ruler.April 7, 2026: A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war is announced, with talks to continue. Israel is not included in negotiations.April 8, 2026: Israel bombards Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, killing over 300 people in a 10-minute attack.April 11, 2026: U.S. Vice President JD Vance leads an American delegation to Islamabad, meeting with Iranian team led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the highest-level direct talks between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The talks end after 21 hours without a deal. May 31, 2026: Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon makes its deepest incursion in over a quarter century.June 15, 2026: The United States and Iran reach an initial agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz and further extend a shaky ceasefire in the Iran war.

President Donald Trump departs at the conclusion of the UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2026-06-15T04:01:12Z EVIAN-LES-Bains, France (AP) — President Donald Trump is heading to the French Alps on Monday to meet with fellow world leaders at the Group of Seven summit after announcing an agreement that he says will bring an end to the U.S. war with Iran.Trump and Iranian officials had been saying for days they were making progress toward reaching a deal, but even on Sunday, things appeared to be on shaky ground after a new round of strikes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.With the agreement, Trump is due to arrive in Evian-les-Bains on Monday afternoon with some wind at his back for talks with G7 leaders, including some who have been sharply critical of his managing of the roughly 15-week conflict that has led to a surge in global energy prices. The conflict, which polls show American voters largely disapproved of, had made some Republicans nervous about the political impacts it could have on the November midterm election. “Ships of the World, start your engines,” Trump said in a social media post celebrating the deal that he said would lead to the U.S. ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s crude had flowed before the conflict. “Let the oil flow!” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, however, said the Iranian closure of the strait would continue until the agreement is officially signed. Read More Neither the White House nor Iran published the final agreement or revealed many details. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country served as a mediator in the negotiations, said there would be “pre-implementation discussions” this week to lay the ground for 60 days of technical talks on Iran’s nuclear program. The deal could change the G7 dynamicSealing an agreement before jetting off to the summit could certainly change the dynamic of the gathering for Trump. He has had friction with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over failing to consult them before the decision to go to war.Meanwhile, Trump has pushed back on the four European leaders — all members of the NATO military alliance — for their lack of support for the U.S. in the conflict.Trump is expected to discuss with leaders the demining of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the White House. Britain and France have expressed interest in assisting with the demining once the conflict is paused. Fear of potential mines is among the reasons that tanker traffic has come to a halt during the war, and quickly clearing them will be crucial to regaining the confidence of commercial vessels. 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. Macron, this year’s summit host, invited the leaders of three nations that aren’t part of the G7 — Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — to take part in a session on the Middle East on Tuesday where Iran is expected to be a central focus.“The aim will be to assess the implications of this agreement, support for Lebanon, the long-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, of course, reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic (missile) programs,” Macron said in a video posted on social media on Sunday evening. Trump faces questions about financial incentives for TehranTrump had fiercely criticized former President Barack Obama for the 2015 nuclear agreement that Trump argued failed to stop Tehran from advancing toward a weapon and funneled billions into the Islamic Republic’s coffers. In 2018, Trump exited the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the European Union were also signatories to the pact.But Trump hasn’t detailed how his agreement will address some key issues about Iran’s nuclear program, including who will be in charge of verifying that Iran is complying with the agreement and who will destroy or remove 972 pounds (441 kilograms) of highly enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites that were badly damaged by U.S. strikes last summer.The deal is also expected to include some sanctions relief and economic incentives for Tehran as it meets certain benchmarks aimed at assuaging White House concerns, senior administration officials said ahead of the two sides reaching an agreement. Some Democrats and hawkish critics say Trump has failed to explain how the financial relief in his agreement will differ from what Obama did in the 2015 nuclear deal.“For all his critique of JCPOA, we had international observers, we actually had an alliance there that included the Europeans, and Russia and China were all signatories,” Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “Now it is America going alone or going with Israel only, and that does not make us safer.”Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump and an Iran hawk, expressed skepticism, saying that Congress will need to review and vote on any nuclear deal with Iran, and said he expects Vice President JD Vance — “the architect of the deal” — to present it. “I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,” Graham said on social media. Trump makes calls to Putin, Zelenskyy ahead of G7Macron also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a working session with G7 leaders on Tuesday to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war.At the moment, Zelenskyy is not scheduled to hold one-on-one talks with Trump while they’re both in France, but Trump on Sunday held separate phone calls with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Putin’s call with Trump lasted just under an hour, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters afterward.On Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized the need to end hostilities and stated his readiness to influence European allies and Kyiv toward that goal, including at the G7.According to Ushakov, Trump also said that recent strikes on civilian targets in Russia complicate a settlement. The White House did not comment on the call.U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Russia soon, Ushakov said.Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on Telegram that he told Trump about how Ukraine’s position along the eastern frontline has improved and strengthened.“We agreed to discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit,” he said.Trump and Zelenskyy last met in December, when the Ukrainian leader visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.The war with Iran and the resulting global energy disruptions have overshadowed the conflict in Ukraine and pulled much of Trump’s attention away from the conflict in Europe that he vowed to quickly bring to an end during his 2024 White House run.___Madhani reported from Geneva and Superville from Washington. SYLVIE CORBET Corbet is an Associated Press reporter based in Paris. She covers French politics, diplomacy and defense as well as gender issues and breaking news. twitter AAMER MADHANI Madhani is a White House reporter for the Associated Press whose reporting focuses on U.S. foreign policy. Contact him securely on Signal at aamermadhani.39 twitter mailto DARLENE SUPERVILLE Superville covers the White House for The Associated Press, with a special emphasis on first ladies and first families.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent is seen in Park Ridge, Ill., Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)2026-06-15T04:10:02Z Many Asian American and Pacific Islander adults have experienced or witnessed some degree of upheaval because of the Trump administration’s heightened immigration policies, a new AP-NORC/AAPI Data poll finds, while most say the U.S. is no longer the land of opportunity for immigrants. A new poll released Monday from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows about half of AAPI adults say they — or someone they know — have been detained or deported within the last year, started carrying proof of immigration status or U.S. citizenship, upended travel plans or significantly changed their routines because of immigration status. The findings come after more than a year of immigration crackdowns. The poll indicates that the Trump administration’s aggressive approach, which has resulted in multiple clashes between protesters and enforcement officers and led to the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year, may be changing the way some people in immigrant-heavy communities see the U.S. itself. AAPI adults are one of the country’s fastest-growing demographic, and most AAPI adults in the U.S. were born outside the country. The survey found a majority of AAPI adults — about 6 in 10 — believe the U.S. used to be a great country for immigrants but is not anymore. Only about 3 in 10 AAPI adults say America is a great place for immigrants, while a few, 5%, say it was never a great place for immigrants. At the same time, AAPI adults are more likely than Americans overall to see the mixing of culture and values from around the world as central to the country’s identity. Read More “America’s success story has depended critically on the role of Asian Americans, but also immigrants in general,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data. “When you have people who are already in this country, have been here for decades saying, ‘I’m not really sure that this is the best country anymore,’ that’s a warning sign.” ‘Better safe than sorry’ approachEven some immigrants with legal status have been affected by the Trump administration’s policies. One policy that would have hiked fees for certain types of visas was shot down in federal court this month. Another judge struck down a policy that “categorically barred” immigrants from 39 Asian, African, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries from receiving final decisions on asylum, work permit, green card and citizenship applications. Khoa Tran, 27, of San Antonio, Texas, came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 2015 at age 15. He gained citizenship four years later. In 2023, he sponsored his wife from Vietnam.Last year, Tran became concerned when his social media feed kept bringing up posts about how essential it was that even legal immigrants carry documentation. It had not occurred to the couple that his wife should have her green card with her at all times. “It seemed like we needed to do it. It’s literally become like a second form of identification in addition to the driver’s license,” Tran said. He has also seen how international students in his community have put off trips to visit family in Asia due to concerns about student visas. “They’re just scared. They don’t know the law around that,” Tran said. “Better safe than sorry.”About half of South Asian adults — compared to about 4 in 10 AAPI adults overall — know someone who started carrying proof of legal status or citizenship over the last year. South Asian adults are much more likely than East Asian or Southeast Asian American adults to have been born outside the U.S., according to the survey. Many of those immigrants may have green cards or be naturalized citizens, Ramakrishnan said, yet feel “like their presence and their status in this country is under question.” Cultural identity matters as much as American identityAAPI adults are likelier to say their family’s ancestry or country of origin is “extremely” or “very” important to their personal identity, compared to being an American.Just over half of AAPI adults say their family’s ancestry or country of origin is important to who they are, while 44% say this about their American identity. That extends to AAPI adults who were born in the U.S. About 6 in 10, 59%, U.S.-born AAPI adults say their family’s heritage is important to their personal identity, while 47% say this about being an American. A separate AP-NORC survey conducted in April found that 55% of U.S. adults say being an American is important to who they are, while only 37% said that about their family’s ancestry.Abigail Jeyaraj, 22, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, was born in Texas. Her Indian parents’ decision to build a new life in the U.S. is something she never takes for granted. When she describes her nationality, she identifies herself as not just “American” but South Asian American.“Especially as a South Asian woman, I’m very sensitive to the fact that I have opportunities that my mother and my grandmother, all the women before that didn’t,” Jeyaraj said. “I really try to honor that culture. I try to maintain really strong connections to my family in India.” Soonho Kwon, 30, of La Mirada, California, was born in Korea. His family settled in New Jersey when he was 8 years old.“I think I still feel more Korean. I came right around the age where I had very solid memories from growing up in Korea. My immediate family’s back there now,” Kwon said. “I’m a naturalized citizen. I’m committed to living here, but identity is a different question.”Ambivalence around America’s 250th anniversary The vast majority, 73%, of AAPI adults say the mixing of cultures and values from around the world is “extremely” or “very” important to the U.S.'s identity as a nation, compared to only 55% of U.S. adults in the April AP-NORC poll.Jeyaraj grew up around Dallas and Houston — cities where she was “able to interact with people of so many different races and different cultures that weren’t my own.” She credits that experience with making her more empathetic. Restrictions on immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives leave her feeling conflicted about celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary this year. “I’m proud we made it this far as a country,” Jeyaraj said. “You have recent actors who are trying to undo that progress. They maybe view it as restoring an ideal, but it’s removing so much work that powerful and influential people made to bring us toward an ideal of equality and justice.”The anniversary feels arbitrary to Tran, a math teacher.“I don’t think this country is ‘founded’ at some point in time. It just changes from one form to another,” Tran said. “Even the Native Americans (were) a long time here. I’m pretty sure that was more than 250 years.”___The poll of 1,075 U.S. adults who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders was conducted April 20-28, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based Amplify AAPI Panel, designed to be representative of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. This poll is part of an ongoing project exploring the views of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, which are usually not highlighted in other surveys because of small sample sizes and lack of linguistic representation. TERRY TANG Tang reports on race and ethnicity issues, including Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, for The Associated Press. She is based in Phoenix and previously covered breaking news in the Southwest. twitter mailto LINLEY SANDERS Sanders is a polls and surveys analyst for The Associated Press. She develops and writes about AP-NORC polls, works on the AP Voter Poll and covers shifts in public opinion. twitter mailto

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, not pictured, attend a business roundtable meeting in Downing Street in London, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (Toby Shepheard/Pool Photo via AP)2026-06-15T04:03:35Z LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a social media ban for young teenagers Monday, designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.Britain would join a growing global movement to tighten online safety for children. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced legislation or announced age-based restrictions or requirements for children’s access to social media. France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are among others studying or developing similar approaches.“How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time,” Starmer said in a statement released Sunday. “This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”Starmer, who is under pressure to step down from members of his own party over what they see as poor leadership, said he would be announcing a “world-leading” action to protect children. He suggested it be more prohibitive than the Australian-style ban on social media for children under 16. The Sunday Times reported that the U.K. would also restrict chatbots, features on some gaming apps and place a curfew aimed at preventing older teens from late-night scrolling. The under-16 ban would apply to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, Kick and Reddit, the Times reported. Read More The decision follows a public comment period in which the government got 116,000 responses from parents, the tech industry and children. The number of responses was second only to one seeking input about equal marriage in 2012.The vast majority of respondents wanted an under-16 ban, including youths, said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who added that a ban should be part of other measures.“I don’t think banning social media on its own is the silver bullet solution, but I do think Australia has shown very clearly that it has a significant role to play,” Nandy told BBC on Sunday. The ban could further inflame tensions with the U.S., which has warned that regulations should be narrow and not violate free speech protections, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in London. It said it was also concerned that regulations would place greater burdens on American technology companies. 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. Jon Crowcroft, a communications systems professor at University of Cambridge, said people supporting social bans are well-meaning but probably misguided, and changes could prevent children from accessing sites they need.“There is a real risk this will drive some users to worse sites and policing devices is close to impossible technically,” Crowcroft said. “Policing platforms is far easier, if only regulators would bother.”

Deal looks on: Liverpool in initial talks for sensational €100m transferLiverpool may have a deal ready to go here. A sensational €100m transfer is on the cards.Liverpool are underway with their transfer business. It will be slow going, however, as the World Cup delays the usual domino effect of a transfer window.Still, the Reds are trying to make some things happen and they’ve got a lot to do. High-profile exits coming on the back of a very disappointing campaign under Arne Slot necessitate plenty of arrivals.One area of concern is unquestionably the wing. Liverpool struggled to produce from wide positions after losing Luis Diaz in 2025, while Mohamed Salah’s departure creates further need for an elite new face.So that’ll be why Bradley Barcola is such a target. Anfield Watch exclusively revealed back in April that Liverpool viewed the Frenchman as a genuine opportunity this summer.Now TeamTalk reports that there have been initial talks between Liverpool and Barcola’s camp. This comes shortly after claims that Barcola has told Paris Saint-Germain that he does indeed want to leave the club in search of regular first-team football.Now, Barcola won’t come cheap, with prices quoted around €100m. He is, however, the kind of calibre that Liverpool need and available to buy. The latter is something that may not be true of Yan Diomande, for instance.Bradley Barcola: Situation SummaryPSG Career and PerformanceAs of 14 June 2026, Bradley Barcola is a 23-year-old winger for Paris Saint-Germain. Since his transfer from Lyon in 2023, the dynamic forward has cemented his status as a key attacking catalyst in France. The 2025/26 campaign proved to be his most prolific yet, with Barcola registering 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring 14 goals, and providing 11 assists. His clinical performances on the left flank were instrumental in guiding PSG to another Ligue 1 championship and a deep run into the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, earning him a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.International Status and World Cup InvolvementBarcola is currently in North America with the France national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a spectacular domestic season, manager Didier Deschamps named the winger in his final 26-man tournament squad. Barcola featured prominently in Les Bleus' recent warm-up fixtures, scoring a brilliant individual goal in a friendly against Chile. He enters the tournament expected to challenge for a starting role on the wing, with elite European clubs monitoring his progress despite a PSG contract running until June 2028.

Donald Trump hosted a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on his 80th birthday, which the White House called ‘a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit.’Photograph: Getty ImagesFor most of its 250-year history, the White House South Lawn has been reserved for state dinners, diplomatic ceremonies, Easter egg rolls, turkey pardons and carefully choreographed displays of presidential power.On Sunday night it hosted cage fights.Beneath a giant steel canopy known as the Claw, with military flyovers overhead and thousands of spectators spread across the South Lawn and nearby Ellipse, Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday and the forthcoming 250th anniversary of US independence by staging the first professional sporting event in White House history.Related: UFC Freedom 250: White House hosts MMA card for Trump’s 80th birthday amid dismal Canada and Obama jibes – live updatesThe night also defied one of the day’s biggest concerns. Forecasts had warned that thunderstorms could disrupt the outdoor event, prompting organizers to delay the start by an hour. But not a single drop of rain fell on the grounds.The spectacle ended shortly after 1am on Monday with one of the bigger upsets in UFC history as Justin Gaethje rallied from several perilous moments to stop the previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria after four brutal rounds and claim the undisputed lightweight championship.“I’m from America,” Gaethje said afterwards. “Two hundred and fifty years ago, we were way bigger than six-to-one underdogs, and look at this country now.”It was a fitting conclusion to an evening that often felt less like a sporting event than a demonstration of American power.Trump and UFC chief executive Dana White emerged from the White House at dusk to a military color guard and a rare combined flyover by the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. Later, a B-1 bomber thundered over the South Lawn. A recruitment advertisement from the newly renamed Department of War aired during the broadcast. Chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” echoed throughout the purpose-built grandstands all night.The guest list reflected the unusual collision of politics, technology and combat sports. Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg watched from seats not far from the Winklevoss twins, while cabinet officials, foreign dignitaries and political allies drifted through the ringside area throughout the evening.Yet if the event was intended as a celebration of American strength and exceptionalism, it also repeatedly descended into something cruder. The most striking example came after prospect Josh Hokit stopped Derrick Lewis in the second round of their heavyweight bout. After exiting the cage to present Trump with a necklace at ringside, Hokit delivered a rambling post-fight interview that veered from praise for the president to religion before concluding with the false conspiracy claim that “Michelle Obama is a man.”The remark, one of the oldest and most persistent smears directed at the former first lady, drew cheers from some sections of the crowd and bewilderment from others. Even on a night that had already blurred the line between civic ceremony, political rally and pay-per-view entertainment, Hokit still found a way to lower the level of discourse.Hokit’s comments were not the evening’s only political barb. When former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley faced Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi, the bout took on a nationalistic fervor. Trump donned a white “USA” hat cageside while chants of “U-S-A!” rang out from sections of the crowd. At various points spectators shouted “Canada is the 51st state!” – echoing Trump’s repeated taunts about annexing America’s northern neighbor – while others urged O’Malley to “eat” his opponent.The crowd erupted when O’Malley finished Zahabi by second-round TKO, celebrating the first victory by an American fighter over a foreign-born opponent on the card. Before leaving the cage, O’Malley thanked the fans gathered on the Ellipse and paid tribute to White.“Dana’s a fucking gangster,” he said.The fights themselves rarely lacked entertainment. Every bout on the seven-fight card ended by knockout or technical knockout, the first time that has happened in the UFC’s 33-year history. Ciryl Gane stopped Alex Pereira to claim the interim heavyweight title, while Hokit, O’Malley and Bo Nickal all delivered emphatic victories in front of the president. But the night belonged to Gaethje.The 37-year-old American entered as a heavy underdog against Topuria, the unbeaten Georgian-Spanish champion who many regard as the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter. Topuria appeared in control early and repeatedly hurt Gaethje with body shots and combinations. The second round ended with Topuria pinning Gaethje against the cage directly in front of Trump, appearing firmly in control. Yet the American weathered the storm.By the third round, Topuria’s face was swollen and bloodied. By the fourth, the champion was struggling to see. After a ringside doctor examined him between rounds, Topuria’s corner ultimately stopped the fight before the fifth.“That guy had me in trouble,” Gaethje said. “He had me rocked. He smoked my liver. But I stuck in it.”The victory completed a career-long pursuit of the undisputed lightweight championship and provided the home crowd with an American winner in the main event.As fireworks exploded above the White House to John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever past 1am on Monday morning, Trump entered the cage to congratulate Gaethje and greet his mother. The evening ended as it had begun: with a display of patriotic pageantry on a scale rarely seen in American sports.

Cristante and Mancini to sign lifetime deals with RomaGianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to sign lifetime contract extensions with Roma. Both players are considered by Gian Piero Gasperini to be crucial to his coaching project, following their third-place finish and Champions League qualification in his first year as Roma coach. The contract extensions for Gasperini’s two loyalists seemed a done deal, but after the heavy defeat against Inter (5-2), the Giallorossi decided to put the deal on hold.Now, Mancini and Cristante are close to renewing their respective contracts until 2030. Tony D’Amico has recently resumed discussions with the players to extend, with the necessary adjustments, their agreements with Roma. As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, the Giallorossi club has increased its offer for Mancini, considering his excellent end to the season with decisive goals, such as those in the derby, and the interest of Inter. The defender from Rome will earn €3.5 million plus bonuses that could bring his salary up to €4 million. Cristante will have a similar agreement, starting with a slightly lower salary, but he too will receive bonuses to increase his starting salary.

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — After he opened the scoring in Sweden’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia in the World Cup on Sunday night, Yasin Ayari chose not to celebrate. Instead, he raised his hands in apology.The gesture was a way of paying respect to his heritage.The 22-year-old Ayari was born in Solna, Sweden, to a Tunisian father, Azzouz Ayari.Ayari, who represented Sweden at the youth level, was given the chance to switch allegiances and play for Tunisia ahead of the 2022 World Cup, but he declined.When asked about his son’s choice to represent Sweden, Azzouz Ayari told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet earlier this year that he agreed with the decision.“No, I wanted him to play for Sweden,” Azzouz Ayari said. “He must feel like he’s giving back to the country that took care of him.”On Saturday, Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi also offered support to Ayari.“I know him and his brother,” Lamouchi said. “He made a choice, I have a lot of respect, and he’s a very good player. We wish him after the game best of luck, but that is after the game.”In the final seconds, Ayari scored a second goal with a long-range shot to the left corner. He celebrated more enthusiastically, sliding on his knees while cupping his ear with his hand toward the Sweden fans behind the goal.The fans certainly believe he made the right decision.___Maya Koluder-Ramirez is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.___AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

A key man is set to remain at Manchester City despite Real Madrid’s interestIt seems that any doubt surrounding the future of Josko Gvardiol remaining at Manchester City are set to emphatically be put to bed. Sam Lee reported for The Athletic last week that Gvardiol was expected to sign a contract extension with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. Now, Fabrizio Romano has reported that despite Real Madrid being interested in signing Gvardiol this summer, the Croatian international is set to sign a contract extension with Manchester City. That is a massive boost for City who can now build for the future knowing that a key player will remain in their future plans.Manchester City are confident that Josko Gvardiol will sign a lucrative contract extension.Fabrizio Romano has reported via X that Manchester City are confident that Josko Gvardiol will sign a contract extension. Furthermore, Romano reports that Gvardiol’s contract extension will run until 2031 and include a lucrative pay increase. Lastly, Romano adds that Real Madrid were heavily interested in signing Gvardiol. But it now seems that they’ll have to look elsewhere to strengthen their defence.There isn’t a better environment for Josko Gvardiol to grow as a player than City.It would appear that any chance of Josko Gvardiol leaving Manchester City this summer has now passed. It was understandable that Gvardiol would at least contemplate a move to Real Madrid given their stature in the game. However, it looks like the Croatian international will remain a City player. In truth, Gvardiol will remain in the best environment for him to further grow as a player.Josko Gvardiol is already a key player for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. The Croatian defender is a key part of Manchester City’s defence, whether he is playing at centre-back or at left-back. Now, with his future seemingly secure, Gvardiol can now establish himself as a leader as well as a key player for his team.Playing at City is the best environment for Gvardiol to do exactly that. The next step for Gvardiol as a player it to become a leader. With John Stones having now left City, Gvardiol has an opportunity to establish as a leader in Manchester City’s new era.With his contract extension seemingly close, Gvardiol will now look to establish himself as a player that Manchester City can build their defence around. Gvardiol has the tools to be the centrepiece of City’s defence. He is at the right club to do so and how Gvardiol grows as a player will be fascinating to watch unfold with his future looking to be committed to Manchester City.

Justin Gaethje had a performance for the ages on Sunday. | Getty/UFCJustin Gaethje was the man of the hour at UFC White House. By authoring an all-time upset and being one-half of a “Fight of the Year” candidate, the newly-crowned UFC lightweight champion earned a whopping $825,000 in post-fight bonuses on Sunday. Not only did Gaethje receive a $425,000 “Performance of the Night” award for his fourth-round stoppage of Topuria in the evening’s lightweight headliner, but he and his opponent shared “Fight of the Night” honors and $400,000 apiece. UFC CEO Dana White announced the elevated bonus structure ahead of the landmark event. Gaethje survived some serious adversity in the second stanza when Topuria landed multiple damaging body shots and later threatened with ground-and-pound and submissions after assuming full mount. Gaethje showcased his resolve and took control down the stretch, battering Topuria to a point where his corner waved off the bout after the fourth stanza.French Licks Elsewhere, Ciryl Gane garnered the evening’s other $425,000 “Performance of the Night” award by virtue of his stoppage of Alex Pereira in the co-headliner. After a measured but effective opening round, the Frenchman claimed interim heavyweight gold by rocking “Poatan” with a series of punches to earn a TKO victory 1:27 into Round 2.

📸 He scores a banger at the World Cup... and doesn’t celebrate 😳One of the standout images from the start of this World Cup.During the night from Sunday to Monday, Sweden thrashed Tunisia (5-1) in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.Graham Potter’s players were notably able to rely on a very early opener from Yasin Ayari, who produced a magnificent strike in the seventh minute.While many players would have run around the stadium three times to celebrate their first goal at a World Cup, the 22-year-old Swedish star chose not to celebrate this sublime finish.The reason? Well, it turns out Ayari was born in Sweden to parents of Tunisian origin. A few years ago, he had even come very close to joining the Tunisian national team.📸 JULIO CESAR AGUILAR - AFP or licensors📸 JULIO CESAR AGUILAR - AFP or licensorsBefore the match, he had even told the press: "it was quite easy for me (to choose between the two countries), because I was born in Sweden and I was part of the national teams when I was younger, he said to the press. My father told me: 'It’s your decision' [...] My mother and father are from those countries. When I was little, I spent a lot of time there on vacation."After scoring a brace late in the match, Ayari still ended up celebrating his second goal.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty ImagesCaitlin Clark and Stephanie White have already had their Indiana Fever relationship examined from every angle, so one strange press-conference reaction was enough to send WNBA fans back into detective mode.The latest clip did not come from a heated sideline exchange or a tense in-game huddle. It centered on Clark’s facial reaction after White appeared to cough during a recent media setting, turning a small moment into another viral Fever talking point.Clark and White have both pushed back against wider claims of tension, but social media still treated the clip like fresh evidence to debate.Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesCaitlin Clark makes a viral face after the Stephanie White press conference momentIn a post shared by Yahoo Sports on X, Clark’s reaction to White quickly became the center of the joke.The clip was captioned around the way Clark looked at her coach, with Yahoo Sports writing: “Find yourself a star player that looks at your coach like Caitlin Clark looks at Steph White.”The moment spread because Clark’s expression looked immediate and unfiltered. White’s cough, or at least the sound around the exchange, gave fans enough room to turn a normal press setting into a comedy thread.The Fever have already been dealing with outside readings of Clark and White’s body language. After earlier viral moments, both made clear that competitive interactions were being overanalyzed and that the team’s focus remained on winning games.WNBA fans turn Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White clip into body-language debateFans did not wait long to decide what Clark’s face meant, with some leaning into relationship speculation and others treating the whole thing as bathroom humor.One fan wrote, “Childish, but shows that the relationship is over.” Another added, “Body Language doesn’t whisper.”The jokes got even sharper from there. One response said, “She’ll need some hand sanitizer now!” while another claimed, “White 100% coughed to cover up the sound of her fart.”A separate fan kept the reaction even simpler, writing, “It looks like she smelled a fart.”The comments showed how quickly Clark content can move from harmless facial expression to full WNBA discourse.The clip did not prove anything serious about her relationship with White, but it reminded everyone that every visible reaction from the Fever star is now treated like a story of its own.Read more:What Caitlin Clark immediately did after her first-ever game-winner is winning WNBA fans’ heartsCaitlin Clark blasted as fans brand her “cocky and arrogant” after controversial teammate interactionWNBA faces big decision as rival who wants to quadruple Caitlin Clark’s salary holds fresh talks

UFC Freedom 250 was an MMA event to remember in several different ways, with plenty of scenes we never thought we'd see. Here are the top takeaways from a wild evening on the White House lawn.1. The math told us that Justin Gaethje was headed into an execution. At his age? And with the damage he's taken? There was just no way he could beat Ilia Topuria, a faster, sharper striker at the height of his powers. But the thing about Gaethje is and has always been that he has some attributes that don't show up when you're crunching the numbers and calculating the outcomes on paper. You might call it guts. Or what some of the old-timers used to refer to as "brawlability." He's tough and he's stubborn and he wings punches like a man with nothing to lose. That's not always enough, but some nights it is.This was one of those magical nights for Gaethje. After barely surviving the second round he came out in the third and punched his way right back into this fight. Then all he had to do was pummel Topuria until both his eyes closed and his face took on entirely new shapes, which just so happens to be the thing Gaethje is most suited for. And so now, at 37, Gaethje is the sole owner of the UFC lightweight title, a belt whose one true form seemed determined to elude him. The numbers might have said it would never happen, but math sometimes has a hard time finding its way into a cage fight.Justin Gaethje is the new UFC lightweight champion.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images2. Topuria is probably going to wake up with some regrets on Monday morning. For instance, he might second-guess his decision to grapple with Gaethje when he had him hurt in Round 2, rather than just pouring on the punches. He might also wonder if it was really such a good idea to walk right into the teeth of Gaethje's offense so early and and so often, giving the bigger brawler every opportunity to hit him.Was it arrogance? Did he simply not respect Gaethje's abilities? Did he overestimate his own? At times it looked like Topuria was actively trying to fight in such a way that would give Gaethje the best possible opportunity to beat him. He paid for it, too. He lost his title and took the kind of damage that sometimes changes a fighter forever. There's no questioning his toughness after that fight, but there will be some questions about the strategy. And now it's going to be a while before he's in any condition to get in there again and provide some fresh answers.Aleksandre Topuria (L) assists his brother, Ilia Topuria (R), as they leave after losing Sunday's lightweight title bout.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images3. Stop me if you've heard this one: Ciryl Gane is the interim UFC heavyweight champ. Again. The man who's fought for some version of the title in five of his last eight fights just won't go away. He keeps hanging around and, at the most inconvenient times, reminding us that he's actually a really good heavyweight — at least when he gets to do his stuff.Alex Pereira was, in that sense, a pretty ideal opponent for Gane. He came plodding forward to station himself right there at the end of Gane's jab. He remained slightly too slow and entirely too hittable, which played right into Gane's strengths. After he'd finally walloped Pereira enough to warrant a stoppage, Gane went and laid down in the center of the cage with a look on his face that suggested he wasn't even sure he believed it was real yet. Another interim belt. And likely another chance to unify the title in his future. Another go at righting what has gone wrong in the biggest fights of his career. Maybe this time he'll remember to keep his fingers tucked away.4. For a night that ended with a major upset, this was an event that really played out according to chalk. With the notable exception of the main event, all the big favorites won. The sacrificial lambs all marched off dutifully to the slaughter. Sean O'Malley got his spotlight moment. Josh Hokit got his always regrettable mic time. Bo Nickal got to get back on the blue chip prospect path. Mauricio Ruffy made the most of a showcase designed to make him look good.The fighters on the other end of all those beatings all had one thing in common, and it's that none are anything you could call young, at least for a pro fighter. Aiemann Zahabi, at 38, is the youngest of the bunch. Derrick Lewis and Michael Chandler have both crested the hill into their forties, and they both looked it too.Chandler fought almost one full round before being stopped and was credited with landing just three strikes and attempting only 12. I'm not sure where he thinks things are headed from here, but the fact that the UFC put him in that fight to begin with ought to tell him it might not be anywhere he wants to go.Josh Hokit did plenty of of Josh Hokit things on Sunday.Anadolu via Getty Images5. If you're expecting "Super Bowl numbers" in terms of viewership for this event, as UFC CEO Dana White promised, you're probably in for a disappointment. A delayed start meant an event that didn't really even get going until around 9 p.m. ET on a Sunday night, then stretched into the early morning hours to test the resolve of anyone who has to get up for work in the morning. It was also restricted to Paramount+, which made it all the more ironic when the event was occasionally described as a "gift" to the American people. (Most gifts don't cost the recipient money in the form of a streaming service subscription.)And yet, the actual execution of the event reminded us that the UFC production crew can pull off minor miracles when given a chance. The presentation was genuinely visually stunning at times, and the U.S. Marine Band somehow emerged as the most surprising star of this show.Setting up a fighting cage on the White House grounds is always going to be the kind of thing that forces people to have some kind of opinion, but in terms of propaganda and politics this definitely felt less obnoxious than it could have been. If anything, the pro-Trump agenda the UFC has embraced felt almost toned down compared to past events. Aside from a lengthy entrance that saw a grimacing Trump walk out alongside the UFC CEO White, the U.S. President mostly disappeared into the background, making it easier to focus on the fights.I'm not sure the UFC accomplished its goal of "telling the story of America" using a series of AI vignettes. (LOL at Lewis and Clark walking robotically into a stream with Sacagawea while never looking up from a map.) And for an event where the UFC bragged about its willingness to lose money for the sake of making history, this broadcast sure worked hard to sell everything from Dodge trucks to military contractors to Trump's own social media platform.But honestly — and here's where my own lowered expectations come into play — this could have been a lot weirder. By the time Gaethje and Topuria started slugging it out, it almost felt possible to ignore the trappings of the event and just enjoy the show. That's not me saying they should make "the claw" a permanent part of the Washington D.C. skyline, but maybe it is me admitting that sometimes the drama of this sport is powerful enough to briefly distract us from, well, everything else surrounding it.

Gasperini and Friedkin in close contact with GreenwoodRoma are serious about bringing Mason Greenwood to Trigoria. The Giallorossi are working quietly to sign the English winger and satisfy Gasperini, who has put him at the top of his wish list. The 2001-born player has already opened up to the possibility of moving to the capital but is waiting for the two clubs to reach an agreement: Marseille’s €55 million asking price, including bonuses, doesn’t scare the Friedkins, who are ready for a significant investment.Before reaching an agreement with Marseille, Roma is persuading Mason Greenwood. As Corriere dello Sport reports, Gasperini has contacted the English winger, outlining his technical plan that would see him at the heart of the Giallorossi attack alongside Malen. A dream attack. The owners have also made progress with the 2001-born player. Ryan Friedkin, in fact, has reportedly been in contact with Greenwood’s father, who is also an agent. During these discussions, the owners detailed Roma’s plan, a process that will also span the centenary season. The English winger received an in-depth report on the Trigoria facilities, another sign of how hard the club is pushing to bring him to Gasperini’s side. Greenwood wants Roma and is waiting for the Giallorossi and Marseille to reach an agreement, while awaiting the first offer from the Roman club of around €40 million plus a percentage of the future resale of more than 10%.