“‘You saw us at our best level’: Kane hails second‐half storm as England blitz Croatia 4-2Harry Kane has revealed the half-time message that Thomas Tuchel told his England team after the Three Lions opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia.A strong second-half showing from England ensured a win on opening night, after an open first half had seen four goals evenly shared.Kane opened the scoring with a re-taken penalty after Luka Modric had hacked down Noni Madueke, but Martin Baturina's brilliant effort levelled for Croatia.England showcased their set-piece strength when Kane headed home unmarked from a Declan Rice corner, only for Croatia to level again before half-time. A fine flowing move saw Peter Musa side-foot past Jordan Pickford to equalise before the break.But England came out from the interval with bite. Jude Bellingham charged through to fire England ahead just two minutes after the restart, as part of an early onslaught.Wave after wave of attack saw England pepper the Croatian goal, with Dominik Livakovic forced into seven saves in a 12-minute spell. Two further efforts missed the target.A fourth goal eventually arrived via substitute Marcus Rashford, as a quick counter ended with a calm finish.This was an encouraging performance from England, against a side that has finished as runners-up and in third place at the last twoWorld Cups.Speaking toBBC Sport at full-time, Kane revealed Tuchel's half-time message to lift the tempo and take the game to Croatia."The boss said at half-time to up the tempo, go man for man and completely take the game to them, and that is exactly what happened."You saw us at our best level, both with and without the ball and we could have scored three or four goals in that 20-minute spell in the second half."We did what we needed to do and finished the game off nicely at the end."

Trawlerman Ascot Gold Cup 2026Looking ahead to Thursday’s marquee race at Royal Ascot, the historical trends show that reigning champion Trawlerman is up against a massive age statistic – one that stretches all the way back to 1901.Only One 8-Year-Old (or older) Has Won The Ascot Gold Cup Since 1901Twelve months ago, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Trawlerman powered home to land the Ascot Gold Cup. And, despite facing a few setbacks this season, he’s back to defend his crown.He’s also expected to sport some snazzy ski goggles before the race. Why? He was recently diagnosed with a sensitivity to light, though, of course, he won’t be wearing them during the actual run.More on that quirky story in a moment.Regardless of his new pre-race headgear, the real challenge is his age. Now an 8-year-old, Trawlerman has to defy a Royal Ascot trend that has stood for over a century.Since 1901, only one horse aged 8 or older has ever won the Gold Cup: the mighty Yeats in 2009. That legendary victory capped off his remarkable four-timer in the race between 2006 and 2009.Three 8+ Year-Olds Have Run in the Last Five YearsNaturally, you might wonder how many older horses have actually attempted the race recently. Since 2021, only three horses aged 8 or above have even lined up: Dubai Future (9), who ran a stellar third in 2025; Coltrane (8), who finished fifth that same year; and Twilight Payment (8) back in 2021.Just Four Winners Aged 7+ Since 1930The data gets even tougher when you look at horses aged 7 and up. Yes, Trawlerman won the prize as a 7-year-old in 2025, but since 1930, only three other horses in that age bracket have tasted Gold Cup glory: Drum Taps and Yeats (who did it twice).15 of the last 16 Gold Cup winners were aged between 4-6. So this age range has historically been the best.With nine of those 15 aged 4.Key Ascot Gold Cup Trends22/24 – Had no more than 2 previous runs that season21/24 – Aged 6 or younger21/24 – Had between 1–2 previous runs that season19/24 – Had won over at least 2 miles on the flat before19/24 – Favourites that were placed19/24 – Won their last race15/24 – Previous Group 1 winners14/24 – Won by the favourite11/24 – Aged 4 years old (including 9 of the last 14)10/24 – Irish-trained winners9/24 – Won by trainer Aidan O’Brien6/24 – Ran at Sandown last time out (Henry II Stakes)4/24 – Ridden by Ryan Moore (4 of the last 13)17 of the last 20 winners returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting13 of the last 20 winners returned 7/2 or shorter in the betting11 of the last 20 winners came from stalls 1–5 (while 7 of the last 9 came from stalls 7 or lower)Godolphin won the race in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2012, & 2025Aidan O’Brien trained the winner in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2022, & 2024John Gosden trained the winner in 2018, 2019, 2020, & 2025Since 1949, there have been 16 multiple winners of the raceSince 1930, only 4 winners have been aged 7+ (Trawlerman, Yeats x2, Drum Taps)France has produced 15 Gold Cup winners (most recently Westerner)Why Trawlerman is Wearing “Ski Goggles” Pre-Race?One of the more unusual stories filtering out of Royal Ascot this week surrounds our defending champ. Trawlerman is set to wear a pair of dark ski goggles before Thursday’s big ITV Racing contest.It’s certainly not something you see every day on a racecourse, but trainer John Gosden explained there’s a genuine medical reason behind it. The 8-year-old developed a severe sensitivity to bright light following an eye issue that popped up about 18 months ago.To manage it, he’s been wearing the protective goggles during his morning work at home in Newmarket. He’ll be allowed to keep them on in the paddock and during his canter down to the start, but racing regulations dictate that the Godolphin star must have them removed before the stalls open.The news has quickly become a major talking point of the meeting. Gosden joked that officials wouldn’t let him race in them “for fear he thinks he’s on a ski slope,” but made it clear that once the gates fly back, Trawlerman will be fully focused on the job at hand.Scandinavia Bids To Give Aidan O’Brien a Tenth Gold CupThe staying stars take centre stage on Thursday as the historic Gold Cup headlines Ladies’ Day, serving up a fascinating clash between the established heavyweights and the new generation of stayers. Run over a gruelling two-and-a-half miles, this Group One epic is the ultimate test of stamina and class.Sitting at the top of the market is Scandinavia. The Aidan O’Brien-trained star arrives seeking a sixth consecutive victory. Having already captured the St Leger and the Goodwood Cup, he has looked sharper than ever this season and is a thoroughly deserved favourite, firmly establishing himself as the division’s leading light. Ryan Moore takes the ride as O’Brien bids for a remarkable, record-extending tenth Gold Cup success.The primary threat looks to be Trawlerman. He returns for John and Thady Gosden after a dominant, seven-length victory in last year’s renewal. Even as an 8-year-old, he remains a class act and has dominated the headlines this week with his light-sensitivity goggles.Other live contenders include Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb and the progressive Caballo De Mar.However, Scandinavia boasts the strongest overall profile and looks to have the raw class required to usher in a brand-new era for the staying division.He’ll be a warm order to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a record extending tenth Ascot Gold Cup. Race Info: Ascot Gold Cup 2026Date: Thursday 18th June 2026Time: 4:15pmRacecourse: AscotTrip: 2m 4fWinner’s Prize: £396,970TV: Sky Sports Racing / ITV RacingLatest Ascot Gold Cup Betting OddsScandinavia: 11/8Rahiebb: 7/2Trawlerman: 5/1Caballo De Mar: 6/1Sweet William: 8/1Al Riffa: 12/1Carmers: 20/1Jan Brueghel: 25/1Dubai Future: 25/1Al Nayyir: 25/1Further: 33/1Miss Alpilles: 66/1Dallas Star: 150/1Note: Odds are subject to change.Recent Gold Cup Winners2025 – Trawlerman (85/40 fav)2024 – Kyprios (11/10 fav)2023 – Courage Mon Ami (15/2)2022 – Kyprios (13/8 fav)2021 – Subjectivist (13/2)2020 – Stradivarius (4/5 fav)2019 – Stradivarius (Evs fav)2018 – Stradivarius (7/4 jfav)2017 – Big Orange (5/1)2016 – Order Of St George (10/11 fav)Related HeadlinesOisin Murphy Highlights Best Royal Ascot Chance, Running On Ladies’ Day ThursdayWATCH: Day Three Royal Ascot Tips and Betting Guide on The Final Furlong PodcastDoes King Charles III Have Any More Royal Ascot Runners?

🥐Bernardo, Víctor Muñoz and more... the day's 5️⃣ storiesNot everything is about the World Cup, and there is also big news related to major football storiesBernardo Silva is now a Real Madrid playerThe Portuguese midfielder has signed as the new player for Los Blancos for the next two seasons after joining on a free transfer from Manchester City.Víctor Muñoz, on his way to AnfieldA lightning-fast move to take the Spanish player to Iraola’s Liverpool. The English club reportedly triggered his €40 million release clause and agreed terms with the player.Madrid and the Negreira case, to UEFALos Blancos confirmed their intention to send a document to UEFA stating the "existence of relevant evidence that conclusively reinforces the indications already known from the outset regarding the existence of prolonged payments over time".Cavani, goodbye to BocaEdinson Cavani’s spell at Boca Juniors is coming to an end, as reported in Argentina. The agreement is said to have been verbal, and the Uruguayan intends to keep playing.Tonali, on City's radarWith Anderson unwilling to sign for City, reports from England suggest that Sandro Tonali could be the chosen player. Tottenham are also in the race for the Italian midfielder.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Vice President JD Vance speaks in Bethpage, N.Y., Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)2026-06-18T04:01:13Z WASHINGTON (AP) — JD Vance was supposed to be spending the week promoting his new book, the kind of event a potential presidential candidate like the vice president typically uses to speak to a wide audience about his life and values ahead of a campaign.Instead, the rollout of Vance’s second book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” has been largely crowded out by something else he’s put his name on: the tentative deal to end the Iran war.The Republican vice president has embraced the role of chief defender of the agreement he and President Donald Trump signed with Tehran, giving a series of interviews touting the memorandum of understanding as a success and releasing a video championing it.It’s a striking emergence for a politician who was known for his skepticism of foreign military interventions and who seemed reluctant to speak on the conflict when Trump launched it in late February. The vice president is poised to yoke himself further to the conflict’s outcome on Friday, when he’s expected to travel to Switzerland to kick off a new phase of negotiations with Iran. He was originally expected to attend a formal signing ceremony for the deal, but Trump formally signed it on Wednesday instead. Vance becoming a hype man for the agreement seems to be an all-in gamble that, should he decide to seek the White House in 2028, voters will reward him for being the face of ending an unpopular conflict. Read More It’s also setting Vance up as the presumptive fall-guy should the deal with Iran falter.Trump joked about such a possibility on Wednesday. “If it works out, I’m going to take the credit. If it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming JD,” Trump said. Officials release text of the deal after backlashThe White House in a statement called Vance the president’s “right-hand man and an invaluable member of the President’s talented national security team.”“That’s why the Vice President was trusted to lead these negotiations alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said. “What President Trump and his team achieved on the battlefield and at the negotiating table is nothing short of remarkable and will strengthen American security for years to come.” But backlash, including from conservatives, began growing this week after the U.S. digitally signed the memorandum of understanding with Iran on Sunday.Luke Schroeder, a spokesman for the vice president, said in a statement: “It’s unfortunate that some Republicans are attempting to undermine the President’s efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East and ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon.”Officials gave shifting answers about when they would release the text, but leaked copies of a draft were quickly met with anger and skepticism from Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers, as well as Israel and pro-Israel advocates. Their criticisms included concerns that the deal, meant to open a two-month negotiating period, seemed to offer Iran wins up front while guaranteeing little in return, and that Trump’s stated reason for launching the conflict, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, remains unresolved. Vance has reiterated that Iran must meet its obligations. “If they don’t behave properly, they don’t get any of the benefits of this bargain,” he said Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”In response to the backlash and mounting questions, the U.S. on Wednesday provided the text of the agreement to journalists. The agreement states that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be buried under rubble, must at minimum be diluted under international supervision. It also states that Iran shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons — a commitment it has made previously. But beyond stating that the U.S. and Iran will negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program, other commitments still need to be worked out.Criticism on the right persisted after the text was released.Conservative radio host Erick Erickson, a hawk who has defended the war, said Wednesday: “This is an American surrender.”Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, criticized the agreement and said to reporters, “I think the president, unfortunately, is receiving bad advice.” Trump’s ‘Operation Epic Fury’ has angered wings of his movementThe conflict, which has stretched into its fourth month, has cleaved Trump’s broad Make America Great Again coalition and angered both those who favored a harder line against Iran and those drawn to Trump’s “America First” foreign policy underscored by a message of “no new wars.”Critics, including Republicans, have already started pointing fingers in Vance’s direction, questioning whether the deal resembles the 2015 nuclear agreement struck by Democratic President Barack Obama and whether this new agreement achieves Trump’s stated objectives for launching the war.Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally and Iran hawk, had been skeptical of the agreement and referred to Vance on social media as “the architect of the deal.” After the agreement was released, Graham issued a tepid statement of support, saying, “Whether or not the United States can reach an acceptable, verifiable deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program and other issues is yet to be determined, but I see little downside to trying.”Ben Domenech, The Daily Wire’s opinion editor, said on Fox News that everything he was hearing about the deal “seems bad” and appeared to cast blame on Vance by alluding to his first book, “Hillbilly Elegy.”“Are we going to backslide into being some kind of ‘hillbilly Obama’ kind of GOP?” Domenech said.GOP allies say Vance can navigate the politicsThe Trump administration has not offered formal briefings to Congress on the details of the memorandum, but Vance has quietly started doing outreach to some Republican senators on Capitol Hill.Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, a close ally of Vance’s, said the vice president would be able to assuage even critics within his own party who are skeptical of the deal because “JD is just the president’s messenger, and the president’s going to prove them all wrong.”Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said the deal “certainly adds to the national security and geopolitical chops” of Vance, who spent two years as a U.S. senator for Ohio before ascending to the vice presidency.But Cramer acknowledged the risks if the agreement goes awry.“I guess the nice thing is, if you’re not the No. 1 person, you can take credit and avoid risk, avoid the criticism, but probably not so easily,” Cramer said.Vance argues Iran is not a quagmire like the Iraq warIn interviews this week, Vance has sought to speak directly to the skeptics in his party, a preview of the difficult explanations he may be pressed to make as a candidate on the war.On Megyn Kelly’s show, the vice president said the critics “believe Iranian propaganda” about the deal. But he acknowledged some of the frustrations on the hawkish right while trying to reassure the anti-interventionists that the Iran conflict isn’t the war in Iraq, where he served as a Marine.“We were never going to get the quagmire that a lot of people were worrying about because Donald Trump is just not George W. Bush,” he said.Democrats have stressed that even as Vance becomes the face of the Iran deal, the fate of any administration official who harbors presidential aspirations — particularly hawkish Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has largely been quiet in the agreement’s final phases — will be tied to its outcome.“I think any member of this administration is going to rise or fall on the basis of the Iran war and the handling of the economy, and I don’t think there are exceptions,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii.___Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report. MICHELLE L. PRICE Price covers the White House. She previously covered the 2024 presidential campaign and politics, government and other news in New York, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. She is based in Washington. twitter mailto SEUNG MIN KIM Kim covers the White House for The Associated Press. She joined the AP in 2022 and is based in Washington. Kim is also a political analyst for CNN. twitter mailto

This is a locator map of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. (AP Photo)2026-06-17T14:45:11Z DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip have killed 1,005 Palestinians since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and the militant group Hamas last October, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.The enclave has seen near-daily strikes, as well as shelling and gunfire along the boundary that divides Gaza into Israeli and Palestinian-controlled zones. The most recent deaths were recorded after a series of Israeli drone strikes in the past few days on towns and refugee camps in central Gaza and Gaza City.Also Wednesday, an Israeli strike killed two Palestinians and wounded six others in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, health officials at Nasser Hospital said. The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike and said the target was a “terrorist,” but didn’t elaborate. Families at the hospital said the strike targeted a group of people near the beach in the sprawling tent camp of Muwasi, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians live. Israel has said it is continuing to operate against Hamas and allied militants in Gaza and has expanded the amount of territory it controls inside the strip. Both sides have accused the other of violating the ceasefire. In a separate statement Wednesday, the Israeli military said that it killed two militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in strikes over the weekend. Read More Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war had surpassed 73,000 in Gaza. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community. The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage, on Oct. 7, 2023. In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive on the Gaza Strip to annihilate Hamas and free the hostages.

A TV cameraman films the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)2026-06-18T03:22:14Z BANGKOK (AP) — Shares surged Thursday in Asia, with benchmarks in Japan and South Korea setting fresh records, after the U.S. and Iran signed their initial agreement ending the war. The rally in Asia followed a retreat Wednesday on Wall Street driven by speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year to curb inflation. U.S. futures were higher early Thursday, while oil prices fell.Leaders from the U.S. and Iran signed the deal on a permanent end to hostilities that starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program. In the meantime, it calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The deal waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries. The news came after U.S. markets closed. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 resumed its climb, gaining 1.9% to 71,235.78. It topped 70,000 for the first time this week and is still gaining thanks to hopes for an end to the war and buying of high-tech shares due to the artificial intelligence boom. “This is very broad-based rally, I believe it’s actually showing some confidence that the Japanese economy is going to recover further from the ... the end of the war, and presumably the oil prices in the near future,” said Neil Newman, head of strategy at Astris Advisory Japan. Read More South Korea likewise has been setting records, gaining 1.6% to 9,007.95. The Kospi has roughly tripled in the past year, helped by gains for computer chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Samsung’s shares rose 1.9% and those of SK Hynix gained 6%. Taiwan’s Taiex jumped 1.2%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng lost 1.8% to 23,968.66, while the Shanghai Composite index edged less than 0.1% lower.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.6% to 8,916.60. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 slumped 1.2% to 7,420.10 after the Fed released projections showing nearly half its policymakers foresee at least one increase to its main interest rate in 2026. 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. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1% to 51,492.55, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.3% to 26,021.66.Higher interest rates can tap the brakes on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for investments. For much of the past year, the expectation has been that the Fed would be cutting rates. In his first news conference as head of the U.S. central bank, Kevin Warsh, did not give a forecast for where the federal funds rate may end 2026. He said he’s considering a revamp of how the Fed communicates with financial markets and U.S. households and businesses. One of his first moves was to end the inclusion of hints in Fed statements about where interest rates may be heading in the future.Wall Street reacted uneasily to Fed officials’ latest set of projections. Stocks zigzagged up and down several times following the Fed’s announcement that it will keep the federal funds rate steady for now. In the stock market, SpaceX erased an early gain and fell 4.9% for its first loss since its ballyhooed debut on the U.S. stock market last week. Drops of 3.8% for Microsoft, 3.5% for Amazon and 1.3% for Nvidia were three of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500.A report released Wednesday said revenue at retailers across the country grew at a faster pace in May than economists expected, though high inflation has made U.S. shoppers worried over their finances. Oil prices were steadier Wednesday following slides earlier in the week on optimism about the tentative U.S.-Iran deal to get the global flow of oil going again. Iran is set to take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz now that the deal is signed. That would allow oil tankers to deliver crude from the Persian Gulf again and hopefully take pressure off inflation. Early Thursday, the price for a barrel of Brent crude oil fell 2.3% to $77.72. It’s still above its roughly $70 price from before the war, but it’s well below its $100-plus price from a few weeks ago.U.S. benchmark crude slipped 2.7% to $74.01 per barrel.The U.S. dollar fell to 160.61 Japanese yen from 160.65 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1521, up from $1.1501.___Senior Producer Mayuko Ono contributed to this report. ELAINE KURTENBACH Based in Bangkok, Kurtenbach is the AP’s business editor for Asia, helping to improve and expand our coverage of regional economies, climate change and the transition toward carbon-free energy. She has been covering economic, social, environmental and political trends in China, Japan and Southeast Asia throughout her career. twitter mailto

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrives to take part in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Sunday, June 14, 2026 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)2026-06-18T04:07:40Z NEW YORK (AP) — Not long ago, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was demonized by leaders of both political parties. Today, just six months after taking office, the 34-year-old democratic socialist’s political strength is surging. Always a darling of the far left, he has earned praise from both President Donald Trump and former Democratic critics like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. He has emerged as the face of the region’s sports renaissance. And days before New York’s primary elections, Mamdani is testing the limits of his newfound political muscle in a bid to reshape the Democratic Party — in his state capital and in Washington — even if it means challenging his own party’s leadership.Mamdani will join Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. at a get-out-the-vote rally in Brooklyn on Thursday. The event is designed to elevate a slate of candidates aligned with Mamdani’s values, including two running against Democratic incumbents in Tuesday’s primary. “He’s seeing that opportunity — that we can radically change the Democratic Party,” said Faiz Shakir, a senior adviser to Sanders and a friend of Mamdani’s. “Like Bernie, he’s not saying I’m doing this out of spite against you, dear leadership. He’s saying, I am supporting these candidates who have a better vision, and I am prepared to lose if it has to be the case.” The Mamdani slateEstablishment Democrats are not pleased with the mayor’s decisions. Mamdani endorsed political organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier over Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in New York’s 13th District, which includes parts of upper Manhattan and the Bronx. He is also backing former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is running against incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th District. And in New York’s 7th, he’s supporting democratic socialist state Assembly Member Claire Valdez against outgoing Rep. Nydia Velazquez’s handpicked successor. Read More The Mamdani slate, in addition to several state Assembly candidates, will be featured at Thursday’s rally. Valdez says the election is about advancing the political movement Mamdani ignited on his way to City Hall.“Right now there’s really mass dissatisfaction with the way the party leadership has been operating and not standing up strongly enough to Trump,” she told The Associated Press, contrasting the malaise to the way the mayor energized voters last year.She said she hopes to “bring a partner to Zohran to Washington.” Valdez’s primary opponent, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, said he feels like the underdog in the race, even though he was endorsed by the outgoing incumbent. He said Mamdani “has a celebrity status that we haven’t seen the likes of since I’ve been alive.”“He’s going to be our champion for the foreseeable future and he’s doing a great job, and when he says that he’s endorsing someone, it matters,” Reynoso said in an interview. “I believe that this community has seen me work, they know I’m a progressive champion, and in any other circumstance I would be a favorite to win this race, but I’m not because he has tipped the scale.” The candidates are largely aligned on the biggest issues, although there are modest differences.Israel’s war with Gaza has featured heavily among the Mamdani slate, with Lander, Valdez and Avila Chevalier casting their Democratic opponents as too soft on Israel. They’re echoing the mayor’s steadfast criticism of the country’s leaders and harnessing what they believe could be a driving force in this year’s elections.The mayor’s candidates have also sought to replicate much of the platform that sent him to City Hall, focusing on the city’s high cost of living and framing themselves as fresh faces not beholden to powerful business interests. The view from WashingtonOn Capitol Hill, Democrats are pleasantly surprised that Mamdani has become less of a political liability for the party in swing district seats than they once feared.But Mamdani’s endorsements have aggravated intraparty fissures, especially among moderates who worry that Mamdani’s far-left brand may eventually tarnish the entire party. And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New Yorker, has tried to push back against the Mamdani-backed democratic socialist challengers, endorsing and campaigning for the embattled incumbents in a proxy fight with the mayor.But Jeffries and Mamdani have opted to wrestle only in primaries rather than bicker publicly and feed into GOP narratives of Democratic disarray. “Democrats must understand, and both the leader and Mamdani appreciate this, how to yell in areas where we agree and whisper in areas where we diverge,” said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist who works with House Democrats.For now, Jeffries’ allies acknowledge that Mamdani has energized Democratic voters and may be able to reach some Americans who have checked out of the political process. They also prefer that Mamdani is hyper-focused on New York City’s governance rather than traveling across the country nationally. Republicans, however, have plans to elevate Mamdani’s profile whether Washington Democrats want them to or not. The GOP hasn’t made Mamdani a central feature of its broader national messaging as it once threatened, but Republican operatives have sought to link Mamdani to Democratic House candidates in swing districts across California, Colorado and Wisconsin. They also believe the specter of the New York City mayor will loom large in pivotal House races in New York and New Jersey. The Republican bet is that vulnerable Democrats cannot afford to break with Mamdani too cleanly for fear of alienating progressive voters, even as they cast him as a radical.“Zohran Mamdani’s socialist brand is as toxic as it comes,” said Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, House Republicans’ campaign arm. “And during a time when Democrats don’t have a leader or a message, he’s exactly the kind of bogeyman we can use against Democrats to truly show who is leading their party and the crazy policies they all support.”Meanwhile, Sanders’ adviser Shakir encouraged the Republicans to try. He noted that Sanders mentions Mamdani in almost every speech as he tours the nation rallying voters ahead of the midterms.“The crowd just goes nuts,” Shakir said. “He certainly is not a political liability.”___Brown reported in Washington. MATT BROWN Brown covers national politics, federal policy and democracy issues for The Associated Press. twitter instagram mailto

The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)2026-06-18T04:10:18Z For months, and sometimes longer, parents of kids with disabilities say they have waited for the Education Department to make progress on their complaints of bullying or other discrimination.Now that the department is offloading civil rights enforcement and special education, some parents and advocates warn a process that has largely been stalled since President Donald Trump took office will see only more chaos and roadblocks. “It’s to the point I don’t even check in anymore with the attorney,” said Nicole May, an Ohio mother. May filed a complaint in spring 2024 with the department’s Office for Civil Rights, alleging her teenage daughter was bullied over her hearing aids and was getting in trouble in class because she couldn’t hear her teachers. More than two years later, the case lacks a resolution.Under the changes announced Tuesday, the Department of Justice will take over civil rights enforcement in schools, and the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education. The moves help fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to dismantle the Education Department. Linda McMahon, the education secretary, pitched the changes as a way to get more help to families of kids with disabilities. Advocates said special education doesn’t belong in a health department, which usually treats disabilities as conditions to manage, instead of differences in how children learn. The top Republican on the Senate education committee agreed, saying he’d pursue legislation to keep special education out of Health and Human Services. Some families already are taking discrimination cases elsewhereFor many, though, the response to the announcement was a sigh of resignation.The Education Department’s civil rights office had long been the last resort for parents who believe their child is facing discrimination at school, with a mandate to review all complaints. Under Trump, the backlog of cases has ballooned, and resolutions have dwindled. Increasingly, attorneys say they are turning elsewhere to try to obtain justice for children. Read More The reaction is a marked change from a year ago, when parents and attorneys were in a panic as Education Department staff and attorneys were slashed. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has shrunk by roughly a third since 2024, and the Office for Civil Rights is roughly 40% smaller. Meanwhile, in the Department of Justice, the Education Opportunities Section has shrunk by half, according to estimates provided by Justice Connection, a network of department alumni.“I think a lot of people are mad, but they are like, ‘What are we going to do?’” said Emily Harvey, the co-legal director at Disability Justice, formerly Disability Law Colorado, who has watched her cases languish.When Trump took office, she had a federal complaint pending, alleging some Colorado schools were illegally rejecting enrollment from kids outside their neighborhood boundaries because they had disabilities. Harvey also has a case pending at the Department of Justice, alleging a district south of Denver restrained and secluded disabled students hundreds of times, even though the practice is supposed to be reserved for emergencies. “I feel like they’re probably collecting dust on a virtual shelf somewhere,” Harvey said. In response to the federal backlog, she helped to push for a new state law that expands the types of civil rights cases Colorado education officials can pursue.States across the U.S. already investigate various special education complaints, including when parents allege schools aren’t following a child’s individualized education program. But the Colorado legislation, signed into law in May, allows the state to pursue the types of cases typically handled at the federal level, such as those involving allegations of discrimination and harassment.Harvey said she didn’t think the federal civil rights office was ever perfect. “But I think it’s become even less help for people who are trying to resolve issues,” said Harvey, who worked as an Education Department civil rights attorney in 2020 and 2021. Boston-area special education advocate Craig Haller said he’s heard nothing on a complaint he filed early last year with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights. Ever since the Trump administration started dismantling the department, he has leaned more on Massachusetts’s state system for resolving special education matters.He recently used that system to help a student whose high school didn’t take into account his special education plan when it suspended him.“I got it fixed for my client,” Haller said. But without the federal Office for Civil Rights, “I can’t get it fixed systematically.” Department workers say the dismantling has made their jobs harderWhile only Congress can close the Education Department, McMahon, a billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has signed 10 additional agreements to give department functions to other federal agencies. So far, those agreements have not reduced the number of employees working on specific programs. But the union that represents department workers says staff have run into issues with equipment and access at their new postings.“It’s hard to describe how inefficient the implementation of the (agreements) has been,” said Rachel Gittleman, the union’s president.Taken together, the fracturing of programs, enforcement and oversight for disabled students across multiple agencies raised questions of what would fall through the cracks, special education advocates said.Robyn Linscott, who directs education and family policy at The Arc of the United States, a major disability rights group, recalled attending a three-hour listening session the Education Department hosted in January. Families, educators and advocates described barriers to accessing proper support and services. Although they acknowledged breaks in the system, not a single parent advocated for moving oversight of special education to Health and Human Services.Still, she isn’t surprised the Trump administration moved the program anyway.“It has only been 24 hours, but I think we anticipated this move for over a year,” she said on Wednesday. In Congress, senators from both sides of the aisle said they would try to stop the move to put special education in Health and Human Services.Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said he would “publicly commit” to working with his Democratic colleague, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, on legislative action that would push the administration to change course. Cassidy, who lost a primary election this spring and has less than six months left in his Senate term, has personal knowledge of the education challenges faced by kids with disabilities: His wife co-founded a network of charter schools for students with dyslexia.If special education is moved, he said Wednesday, it should go to the Labor Department. That agency, he said, is better positioned to support people with disabilities as they learn and work.Ultimately, what matters to parents is whether they can get the services their children need, said Rob Harris, an IEP advocate in Colorado. Families spend an inordinate amount of time navigating systems that should be working together to serve children, but often aren’t. Harris has navigated those systems himself: His 19-year-old daughter is blind.“Families don’t experience the government through organizational charts,” Harris said. “We experience it through the services our children receive.”____Associated Press writers Bianca Vázquez Toness and Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.____The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Hollingsworth has worked for The AP for 25 years, covering stories of interest in the Midwest and beyond. She is based in Kansas City, Missouri. twitter mailto ANNIE MA Ma is an Associated Press national writer who covers K-12 education. twitter mailto MORIAH BALINGIT Balingit is an Associated Press national reporter focused on child care, preschool and the early grades. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Although the agreement finally reopens the Strait of Hormuz, “we threw in a minimum of $300 billion,” Kimmel said. “Right now, Melania’s wondering, ‘How do I get a deal like that?’”

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesFans hoping to nab a last-minute ticket to the USA’s World Cup clash against Australia could be in for a shock.With the two sides set to meet in Seattle on Friday, ticket prices remain sky-high, and there’s little sign they’ll drop before kick-off.According to Sports Business Journal, the cheapest resale ticket for the Group D matchup was listed at $1,932 on Wednesday afternoon, making it one of the most expensive fixtures of the tournament so far.Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty ImagesWorld Cup ticket prices are rising, not fallingIt’s common for resale prices to dip as an event nears, especially when sellers are eager to offload unsold tickets. But that hasn’t happened with USA vs Australia.Keith Pagello, founder of TicketData.com, said that entry-level prices hovered around $1,000 in the month leading up to the World Cup, but demand surged as soon as the tournament got underway.Between last Friday and Sunday, prices doubled, briefly hitting $2,200 before settling just below $2,000 ahead of match week.Pagello noted that this trend has caught many in the resale market off guard, with prices now higher than any previous point, even after the initial spike when the match schedule was released last December.Why experts don’t expect prices to fall before kick-offThe main issue comes down to simple supply and demand. Pagello explained that FIFA has sold out its primary ticket allocation for the match, and resale options are scarce despite strong demand from fans.“Things have softened ever so slightly since then. But given the combination of no primary inventory available from FIFA, very limited resale inventory, and a lot of people who fully intended to attend this match for months and may already be in Seattle without tickets, odds are not in favour of there being a significant decline in price on match day,” he said.That last point could prove crucial. Many supporters have already travelled to Seattle in the hope of attending, and are still searching for tickets, keeping demand high right up to kick-off.So anyone holding out for a late bargain may be left disappointed. Unless there’s a sudden influx of tickets, getting into USA vs Australia looks set to remain a four-figure expense until the very last moment.Read more:Fans roast FC Barcelona after Marcus Rashford outperforms €70 million Anthony GordonFans blast NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith for his World Cup takeFIFA World Cup hydration breaks impacting results in pattern too clear to ignore

Manchester City set to include ‘more achievable’ bonuses in fresh Elliot Anderson bidMan City are reworking the bonus structure of a bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot AndersonThe change would make performance-related bonuses easier for Forest to reachPersonal terms with Anderson in place, midfielder playing for England at the FIFA World CupManchester City are looking to rework the structure of a prospective deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, building in bonuses that would be easier for the Premier League club to achieve.City’s pursuit has been ongoing for several weeks, with two formal offers – including a £106 million package plus £15 million in bonuses – already rejected by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has held out for a total package closer to £130 million, with at least £110 million guaranteed up front.Despite the financial stand-off, personal terms have already been agreed with Anderson himself, who has been granted permission by England manager Thomas Tuchel to undergo a Manchester City medical once the deal is finalised – amid his commitments with England in North America.Thomas Tuchel allows Elliot Anderson to undergo Manchester City medical amid £100M talksCity have also seen one direct competitor fall away during the process, with Manchester United having withdrawn from the race for the 23-year-old midfielder earlier in June, leaving the Blues as the only club still actively negotiating with Forest.With the move still expected to break the British transfer record once completed, attention has now turned to exactly how City might bridge the financial gap that has stalled progress so far.Romano: City exploring ‘more achievable’ bonus structureAs reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are currently looking to work around the structure of a deal for Anderson by building in bonuses that would be more achievable for Forest to unlock.The approach suggests City are aiming to satisfy Marinakis’s valuation of the deal without necessarily increasing the guaranteed fixed fee, instead restructuring the add-ons attached to the package so they are reached through more realistic performance or appearance-based triggers.Romano’s update does not specify whether this represents a fresh, formal bid or simply a change in approach to the existing offer on the table, though it points to City actively trying to find a route through the financial impasse rather than preparing to walk away.What does this mean for City’s pursuit of Anderson?The development will be seen as a sign of intent from City’s recruitment staff, with incoming managerEnzo Maresca eager to have his primary midfield target in place before the squad reports back for pre-season and travels for the club’s summer tour.Manchester City seriously considering double swoop for Elliot Anderson and Sandro TonaliRestructuring bonuses rather than raising the guaranteed fee would also help City manage the deal within their own financial planning, even as Marinakis continues to push for as much of the package as possible to be paid upfront.With personal terms already in place and Manchester United no longer a factor, the only remaining obstacle appears to be the mechanics of how Forest’s valuation is met rather than whether the move happens at all.Whether a more flexible bonus structure proves enough to satisfy Marinakis remains to be seen, but City’s willingness to explore creative solutions suggests neither side views the current stand-off as one that will run much further into the summer.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesNew York Knicks fans waited 53 years for this celebration, so some supporters were not prepared to leave their championship parade view to chance.The Knicks’ first NBA title since 1973 has turned the city into a long-running celebration, with the parade now set to bring the party to Lower Manhattan.The official start was still nearly a day away when fans were already being spotted along the route. For a fanbase that has lived through decades of frustration, the early arrival made perfect sense.Photo by Adam Gray/Getty ImagesNew York Knicks fans arrive nearly 24 hours before championship paradeLegion Hoops shared the scene on X, showing supporters already trying to secure their place before the Knicks’ title parade.“Knicks fans are already getting their spots for the parade nearly 24 hours before it starts. Insane.”The post captured the level of demand around the celebration, with supporters unwilling to risk being stuck too far back once the route fills up.For many Knicks fans, this is not just another city parade, it is the first chance in their lifetime to celebrate an NBA championship in the streets of New York.The early crowd also reflects how large the turnout is expected to be. City officials and local reports have prepared for hundreds of thousands of fans, with some estimates suggesting more than a million could gather for the Knicks’ return to the Canyon of Heroes.When and where is the New York Knicks championship parade?The Knicks’ championship parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026, with the procession beginning at 10 a.m. ET in Lower Manhattan.The route will follow the traditional Canyon of Heroes path, starting near The Battery and Bowling Green before moving north along Broadway toward City Hall. A ceremony is expected at City Hall after the parade, giving the team a formal end point for the celebration.There are also practical reasons to arrive well ahead of time. Security checkpoints, street closures, and packed subway stations can turn the final hours before a major New York parade into a slow-moving scramble.The Knicks ended the drought on the court by beating the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals. Now their fans are making sure they have the best possible view of the celebration they waited half a century to see.Read more:New York Knicks parade will feature largest NYPD deployment in city historyNew York Knicks documentary in the works at HBO and A24, Ben Stiller to directJames Dolan’s New York Knicks set to end White House visit tradition under Donald Trump’s presidency

Jayden Daniels is tired.At the Washington Commanders' mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, starting quarterback Jayden Daniels said he is done talking about last year. One thing is certain: Daniels is tired of talking about the 5-12, 2025 season. He was asked about it again on Wednesday, and he frankly shed light, revealing his feelings. He doesn't want to talk about it anymore.It's tough to say what the right answer was to the question asked of Daniels. Once again, as is so often the case in life, there are two sides to each coin. The media have had so little opportunity to speak with Daniels directly since the completion of the dreadful 2025 season. Consequently, I fully understand why Daniels was asked about his struggles in 2025.#Commanders QB Jayden Daniels on the struggles from last season: “I’m done talking about last year. Last year was last year, moving onto this season. Whatever happened last year, is what happened last year…”On his goals this year: “Win football games” pic.twitter.com/hMQaGck2ia— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 17, 2026On the other hand, though Daniels has only spoken with the media at an earlier Organized Team Activity (OTA), Daniels has talked with many others in the national media, many friends, many family members, teammates, coaches, and the front office. He has relived last season repeatedly in his own mind. He watched his offensive coordinator lose his job over the 2025 season performance, the same week, Daniels' mom had spoken out about how she and Jayden loved former OC Kliff Kingsbury.I don't know where you draw the line. Certainly, Daniels should expect to be asked about last season. He should expect questions about his missing 10 games, the many injuries to skill position players, his own injuries, and the team losing 12 games the very next season after they won 12 regular-season games. Each of those is fair game.But for how long? Certainly, once this season begins, absolutely no one in the media should expect Daniels to be forced to talk about the disappointments of the 2025 season. When should Daniels say, 'Enough is enough, 2025 is in the past, we are moving on to 2026 now.'Perhaps Daniels could have told the media something like, "Tell you what, guys, I will answer your questions today about 2025. But I think you should know going forward, when I am back here next month for training camp, I am only talking about this year, this season, this team, and moving forward. Everybody understand? Now, to your question about last season's struggles..."Last Sunday, our pastor preached from the book of Proverbs. He reminded us that in our day-by-day journey, we will often find ourselves uncertain of what the right thing to do is. He then told us not to ask ourselves, 'What is the right thing to do? But rather ask ourselves, "What would be a wise thing to do?"Perhaps that is a better way to look at this situation for Daniels. Seek to understand that the media is trying to do their job, provide them sufficient notice of when you are finished talking about last season, and then wisely, keep the boundary you have set with the media. Oh, it is so much easier to sit out here and come up with a helpful solution when we are not the ones under the lights, isn't it?This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels made himself clear about 2025

NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill revealed that he had a double century in his sights after producing a scintillating 154 against Afghanistan in the second ODI on Wednesday, saying he had set himself a target before the series to bat deep and convert starts into match-defining scores.Gill overcame oppressive conditions and severe cramps to anchor India's mammoth total of 402 before the hosts completed a crushing 170-run victory in Lucknow to seal the three-match series.Asked whether he was eyeing the 200-mark, Gill admitted he had begun thinking about it."Yes, I was, but I knew that I'll have to keep hitting my shots, keep 430, 440, 450 in mind," said the Player of the Match.The India skipper added that he was currently enjoying one of the best phases of his career."Honestly, in a pretty good space. The ball is going exactly where I want it to go and I'm feeling very confident from the first ball," he said.Gill and Kishan power India to 402Gill's 154 off 110 balls, laced with 22 boundaries and two sixes, combined with Ishan Kishan's explosive 125 off 79 deliveries to put Afghanistan's bowlers to the sword. The duo shared a blistering 224-run stand for the third wicket after Rohit Sharma had contributed 48.Gill revealed that he had set himself a specific objective ahead of the series."I had a target for myself that I want to be there, finish matches and bat till 40-45 overs and build that habit. Whenever I get a start, I want to convert those into big ones," he said.His innings eventually ended in unusual fashion."I actually think I middled it too well," Gill joked about the reverse sweep that found a fielder at deep cover.— BCCI (@BCCI) Heat takes toll but India dominateThe scorching conditions in Lucknow proved challenging, with several players battling cramps. Gill himself batted with an ice collar and did not return to the field after being dismissed."A little sore, got a lot of cramps when I went out, but it's much better now," he said after spending nearly 45 overs at the crease.Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted his side had been outplayed."You can't put all things on toss. Our bowling wasn't good. We gave them momentum in the first 20 overs," he said.Arshdeep Singh, who claimed 3/45, praised India's young pace unit, saying debutant Prince Yadav and fellow rookie Gurnoor Brar were "hungry for success and take wickets for fun."With Chennai set to host the final ODI on Saturday, Gill's remarkable knock not only sealed the series but also highlighted his growing appetite for truly monumental scores.

Andy Burnham gives a thumbs up to supporters during a campaign visit to Ashton-in-Makerfield before the forthcoming by-election, in Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. CORRECTION: corrects family name to Burnham instead of Bunham (AP Photo/Jon Super)2026-06-18T04:00:46Z LONDON (AP) — Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot, but the U.K. prime minister’s future is on the line in a special election on Thursday.Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker, and the leading contender is Andy Burnham of the governing Labour Party, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and oddsmakers’ favorite to be the next prime minister.If Burnham defeats a candidate from the anti-immigration party Reform UK and wins the seat for Labour, he’s almost certain to challenge the embattled Starmer for leadership of the party, and the country.Burnham has pledged that “if people put their trust in me, I will change politics” — a big promise for a politician who, if he wins, will be just one of 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons. But the scores of journalists from around the world who have flocked to Makerfield during the campaign are evidence that this is no normal by-election, the results of which are due early Friday. Starmer struggles since landslide winAbout 75,000 people are eligible to vote in Makerfield, a constituency that encompasses several towns and villages on the edge of Greater Manchester, 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of London.They hold in their hands the fate of Starmer, whose popularity has cratered since he led the center-left Labour Party to a landslide election victory in July 2024.Starmer’s government has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living, and been hamstrung by repeated missteps, including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as the U.K. ambassador to the United States. A dismal performance in May’s local elections spurred scores of Labour lawmakers to demand Starmer’s resignation. He has refused to budge, but senior colleagues are trying to force a change. Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary in May, saying that “where we need vision, we have a vacuum.” Read More Then Josh Simons, the Labour lawmaker for Makerfield, stepped down to trigger a special election and give Burnham the chance to return to Parliament. Britain’s parliamentary system allows governing parties to change leader midterm, with the winner becoming prime minister without the need for a national election. Under Labour rules, a lawmaker can challenge the leader if they have backing from a fifth of the party’s House of Commons lawmakers — a number that stands at 81.Streeting said Tuesday that he hopes Starmer will agree to step down, but that if he doesn’t, “there will need to be a contest, and I would be prepared to do that.” 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. A Burnham victory will pile pressure on Starmer to quitStreeting is an assured communicator with a base of support among parliamentary colleagues, but Burnham is considered the more likely successor.The 56-year-old politician nicknamed the “King of the North” has led Manchester since 2017, overseeing rapid regeneration for the city where the Industrial Revolution was forged. Burnham is pledging to repeat his signature brand of “Manchesterism” on a national scale.“It’s not right, the way the country has been run,” Burnham said on the campaign trail last week, claiming “London-centric politics” has failed other regions of the U.K. Starmer, meanwhile, has tried to keep calm and carry on, insisting during a G7 summit in France this week that he has no intention of leaving his post.“I will fight if there’s a challenge,” he said. “We won a significant general election result in 2024, with a mandate to bring about change. I’m not going to walk away from that.”Starmer suggested that he could offer Burnham a Cabinet post if he wins, telling Sky News on Wednesday that “I want him to have a big role in government.” Allies of Burnham indicated that he wasn’t interested.Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester, said that if Burnham wins convincingly, “the pressure on Starmer will be very hard to resist.“Starmer can say all that he likes that he wants to carry on,” Ford said. “But if the entire Cabinet turns around and says, ‘We’re not going to serve under you and we think you should go,’ then either he’ll go with dignity or go without dignity, but he’ll end up having to go quite quickly.” Reform UK poses a challenge to LabourBurnham’s victory isn’t a given. The Makerfield area has elected Labour lawmakers for more than a century, but Reform UK has rapidly gained ground in post-industrial northern England, winning big in local elections last month.Reform candidate Rob Kenyon, a local plumber, is hoping to tap into concerns about immigration — frequently expressed by voters despite relatively low numbers of immigrants in Makerfield. But Reform faces a challenge from Restore, an even more hard-line, anti-immigration and ethnonationalist party to its right.A Burnham victory would be bad news for Starmer. But Ford said that a Reform win in Makerfield would spell “Gotterdammerung, apocalypse, disaster, chaos” for the Labour Party. “Andy Burnham is miles more popular than every other (leadership) candidate available. Miles better known, miles better liked,” he said. “If Reform take him out, then simultaneously you have a situation where the Reform threat looks much graver, and the best person available to combat the Reform threat has failed.” JILL LAWLESS Lawless is based in London, covering British politics, diplomacy and culture and top stories from the UK and beyond. She has reported for the AP from two dozen countries on four continents. twitter mailto

Ian Machado Garry (right) has won 17 of his 18 professional fights [Getty Images]Ian Machado Garry is set to become the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to fight for a UFC title when he faces Islam Makhachev for the welterweight belt in Philadelphia on 15 August.The 28-year-old, who is first in the promotion's welterweight rankings, will attempt to thwart Russian Makhachev's first defence of his belt at UFC 330 at the XFinity Mobile Arena.Machado Garry, who has long been predicted to follow in McGregor's footsteps in becoming a UFC champion, last fought in November, beating former title holder Belal Muhammad.Since joining the UFC in 2021 after winning the welterweight belt in UK-based promotion Cage Warriors, he has won 10 of his 11 fights.Not since McGregor's defeat by Makhachev's coach Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 has an Irishman fought for a title in the UFC.Makhachev beat Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt last year to become a two-division champion after vacating the lightweight championship.A win over Machado Garry for the 34-year-old will see him break Anderson Silva's record 16-fight UFC win streak.Machado Garry has fought off competition from second-ranked Carlos Prates and third-ranked Michael Morales to secure the title shot.Brazil's Prates has knocked out his last three opponents, although lost to Machado Garry in April last year, while Ecuador's Morales has won all 19 of his fights.In 2024, Machado Garry lost a number one contender bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov but the Kazakh fighter has not fought since after struggling with injury.In February, he was removed from the UFC's welterweight rankings, which promoted Machado Garry.The last fighter from Ireland to compete for a belt in a major MMA promotion was Karl Moore when he lost a Bellator light-heavyweight title fight against Corey Anderson in 2024.In the co-main event in Philadelphia, American-Brazilian Mackenzie Dern will make the first defence of her strawweight title against Canada's Gillian Robertson. Dern, 33, beat Virna Jandiroba for the belt in October for her third straight victory, while 31-year-old Robertson comes into the bout on a five-fight win streak.MMA schedule and results 2026Watch every Born to Brawl episode More MMA from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesA potential agreement between the United States and Iran could have an impact on the Iranian national team’s logistics at the FIFA World Cup, though no immediate changes have been confirmed.The issue came to light after Iran expressed concerns over their travel schedule during the tournament, with current visa rules limiting how long players and staff can remain in the United States between matches.Those arrangements drew renewed attention this week after reports of a possible diplomatic agreement between the U.S. and Iran, prompting questions about whether Iran’s World Cup delegation could receive additional flexibility later in the tournament.Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesAndrew Giuliani was asked whether Iran’s World Cup arrangements could changeSpeaking to Front Office Sports, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the U.S. administration’s World Cup task force, was asked whether any change in U.S.-Iran relations could lead to Iran’s visas being reconsidered or extended.Giuliani said Iran’s players and coaches had been granted visas to take part in the tournament and explained that the current timing arrangement had already been agreed before the match.“Their players have all had visas to come and play. All 31 had their visas. All coaches, so everybody who was on the pitch or on the bench for the match had the opportunity to access that.”He also outlined the terms of the existing arrangement.“We’ve agreed a long time ago that they would be able to come in one day before the match, and leave right after the match ended.”Asked whether a possible agreement between the two governments could affect those conditions, Giuliani avoided making a firm prediction.“Look, fantastic to see obviously the progress [on a deal]. We’ll see ultimately what conversations, I don’t want to talk about hypotheticals.”Iran’s travel schedule has become part of the wider World Cup discussionThe discussion follows Iran’s concerns about its travel schedule, with visa restrictions reportedly limiting the amount of time the team can spend in the United States between matches.The issue is one of several off-field logistical and policy questions surrounding the tournament, even as the opening week has largely been judged successful on the field.After the interview, the White House told Front Office Sports that “every visa decision is a national security decision,” underlining that any future change would remain subject to government review.For now, Iran’s players and coaching staff remain eligible to compete under the existing arrangements. Whether those conditions change could depend on further diplomatic and administrative developments during the tournament.Read more:US visa for Iran’s Mehdi Torabi looks like an olive branch at the World CupIran star may miss next two World Cup games over terrible US visa fiasco after World Cup opener‘I know what you’re going through’ – watch the moment FIFA president addresses Iran World Cup team in locker room

Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesDan Patrick tried to turn Lionel Messi and Eli Manning into a career debate, but soccer fans were not willing to treat the comparison as a serious one.The question came during a World Cup week in which Messi had just reminded viewers why his career is viewed on a completely different scale.Argentina’s captain scored a hat-trick against Algeria, pushing his World Cup total to 16 goals and adding another layer to a resume already built around the sport’s biggest trophies. That made the Manning comparison land badly online.Photo by John Nacion/FilmMagicDan Patrick asks fans to choose Lionel Messi or Eli ManningThe Dan Patrick Show posted the question on X, asking followers to pick between two very different careers.The post read: “Whose career would you want: Eli Manning or Lionel Messi?”Manning’s career is respected for clear reasons. He won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, earned MVP honors in both games and built his NFL legacy around two famous postseason runs against Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.Messi’s career sits in another kind of conversation. He has won a World Cup, multiple Copa America titles, four Champions League trophies and a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, while spending much of his career at the center of the greatest-player-ever debate in the world’s most popular sport.The comparison was framed as a hypothetical, but fans saw it as uneven. Manning is a Giants legend and a two-time Super Bowl hero, while Messi is one of the defining athletes in modern sports history.Soccer fans rip Eli Manning and Lionel Messi comparisonThe reaction was furious, with many fans arguing that the question should never have been asked because the gap in global status and individual achievement is too wide.One fan wrote, “This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen.” Another begged the show to take it down, saying, “Remove this post, please, y’all should not even entertain this question, please.”Others were more direct about the names involved. One response read, “Don’t ever put Eli Manning and Lionel Messi in the same conversation.” Another added, “My god, that might be the stupidest question I’ve ever heard.”The anger came from the feeling that Messi’s career does not need an American football comparison to be understood. His trophies, records and global reach already place him in a rare sporting tier.Manning’s resume deserves respect, especially in New York and across the NFL. But the reaction showed how quickly soccer fans will push back when Messi is placed into a debate they believe should not exist.Read more:Lionel Messi’s record at Arrowhead Stadium is something Derek Carr could only dream ofLionel Messi VAR controversy sparks South Africa head coach criticism amid Themba Zwane’s banDavid Beckham sends ‘GOAT’ message to Lionel Messi after World Cup hat-trick

England manager Thomas Tuchel reacts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L soccer match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium. Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpaEngland head coach Thomas Tuchel has complained he could not see his players singing the national anthem because of a scrum of photographers blocking his view and has urged FIFA to intervene.The German led England to a 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening World Cup game at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Wednesday, with Harry Kane grabbing a brace and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford netting one apiece.He was unhappy that for his first finals match as England boss, he could not see his players during the rendition of God Save The King.“I have to tell you something, I am begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem because I could not see my team in the national anthem,” he said.“I was waiting for this moment. It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of a wall of 50 photographers, half a metre away, and I could not see one single player. It ruined a little bit my experience.“It is very emotional. When I was young and when I started coaching, this was too big to dream of this kind of occasion.”FIFA has been contacted for comment.

Bruno Fernandes: Graeme Souness performs U-turn on United aceManchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has forced Liverpool legend Graeme Souness into a U-turn after a historic campaign. The former Scottish midfielder was famously critical of the Portuguese following the Red Devils’ 7-0 defeat to Liverpool in March 2023. Speaking after the game, Souness said: “He is obviously not a leader, it’s as plain as the nose on the end of your face he is not a leader. His attitude when they went 3-0 down at Liverpool was appalling.”“Fernandes you’ll see be a star when they are on top, when they are on the front foot and he is creative, he’s a real talent, but he showed a side to him [during the 7-0 defeat by Liverpool] that day at Anfield which was very unattractive.”Fernandes’ tendency to wear his heart on his sleeve has been heavily scrutinised in recent times as well, but there is no denying that he remains one of the world’s crème de la crème. The Portuguese Magnifico further established that fact last season, when he was at his creative best. Fernandes was crucial to United’s third-place finishFernandes operated in two different positions in the two halves of last season, but still managed to register the most assists (21) in a Premier League campaign. Having operated as a deep-lying playmaker under former head coach Ruben Amorim, the 31 year old was reinstated in the No. 10 position by Michael Carrick in mid-January.The Portuguese proceeded to inspire United to a third-place finish in the Premier League, helping bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford next season. Fernandes finished the campaign with nine goals and 22 assists across all competitions. Bruno Fernandes Stats: 2025/26 SeasonSource: Transfermarkt. Fernandes’ on-the-pitch behaviour has drawn criticism for ages, and he was recently embroiled in a war of words with United legend Roy Keane. However, the Irishman has since revealed that the two have resolved the feud over a chat. The Premier League Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year was recently hailed by club legend Sammy McIlroy. It now appears that Fernandes has managed to win over a former foe as well. Souness performs Fernandes U-turnIn his column for The Telegraph, where he assessed Portugal’s World Cup chances and hailed United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Souness also reserved special praise for Fernandes. He wrote: “Then you move on to Rúben Dias, Rafael Leão, Matheus Nunes – top, top players. Bruno Fernandes is in there, too.”“I remember watching him when Liverpool spanked Manchester United 7-0 in March 2023 and I wondered how on earth he could ever be viewed as a leader, as he just gave up.”“I hated seeing his histrionics and the gesturing he did to his own team-mates but, fair is fair, he is coming off a season in which he dragged his team into the Champions League – his 21 assists were worth 24 points, the difference between United finishing third and 14th. His quality is incredible.”Souness even went on to claim that the Portuguese maestro would not have looked out of place at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. He added: “Fernandes would have been right at home in a Manchester City managed by Pep Guardiola, he’s a difference-maker and he accepts responsibility.”Fernandes, though, had a quiet day at the office on Wednesday, 17 June, when Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Congo in the 2026 World Cup.Final ThoughtsSouness’ assessment is further proof of what a special player United have in their locker room. Fernandes’ contract, though, expires at the end of next season, but a recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that the club are already working to hand him a new deal. Featured 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

The Knicks’ parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Thursday is expected to attract legions of fans celebrating the team’s first championship in 53 years.

The Georgia Bulldogs historic baseball season came to an end on Wednesday night with another loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in Omaha.The Sooners advanced to face North Carolina in the Men’s College World Series championship with 11-4 run of Georgia. The Bulldogs will return to Athens on Thursday without a national championship.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Georgia’s offense had been outstanding all season long and it led the nation with 178 home runs. But the lineup cooled off at the worst time. Georgia scored a combined seven runs to Oklahoma’s 15 in the two games they played.“This was just one of the weirder times for us to kinda be off. We kinda lost our mojo,” Tre Phelps told Channel 2’s Alison Mastrangelo. “I hate it had to be when we were in Omaha. But couldn’t be more proud of all the guys in the lineup.”Catcher Daniel Jackson, the Dick Howser Trophy winner and Golden Spikes finalist, says the team believed in their chances to win the program’s first title since 1990.“Honestly, I just couldn’t believe we didn’t win it all. I really wanted to bring a national championship back to Athens. I felt like we were the team to do it. We kinda of just didn’t play our best baseball,” Jackson told Mastrangelo. The team will return to Athens without a championship. But Phelps says a new standard has been set for the Bulldogs program. He expects the team to make it back to Omaha next season. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Jude Bellingham said playing with a “chip on my shoulder” brought the best out of him in England’s opening World Cup win over Croatia. The 22-year-old scored the vital third goal as Thomas Tuchel’s side opened their campaign with an impressive 4-2 win in the Group L clash in Dallas.Bellingham missed the September and October camps due to injury and there had been questions over his inclusion in the squad for this summer’s tournament as a result of that absence.Those were further fuelled by Tuchel’s viral comments last summer that his mother found the midfielder’s behaviour “repulsive”. But the Real Madrid star was nonetheless included in the squad and he justified his selection, beginning his tournament with an impressive turn on Wednesday. He told BBC Sport: “It has been a tough season for me but I am feeling fresh and sharp and stronger.“I have got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. That helps me a lot to find that focus early in the game and to find that intensity.“I know that it’s part of being a footballer and I don’t hold a grudge against anyone who says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it.Bellingham scored the third goal against Croatia (Getty)“Today, it was nice to try to show people and remind people what I’m about.”Bellingham’s ability to buy into Tuchel’s “brotherhood” also came under scrutiny in the lead-up to the tournament.There had been significant discussion before kick-off in Dallas of which of Bellingham and good friend Morgan Rogers would start as England’s number 10, with the former preferred, before he switched to a deeper role.He continued: “For me personally, it was nice to put some of the noise aside and just show my country and my team-mates how committed I am to help us try to win football matches.“It was a great team performance. Second half, we got things right, first half we got the intensity right, but not quite with the ball and second half we put it all together nicely.“To contribute, to help my team and help my country is one of the biggest honours and regardless of the noise outside, that honour doesn’t change for me at all.”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 15: Marc Cucurella #24 of Spain reacts after the 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) | Getty Images Former Barcelona star Marc Cucurella has explained why he has decided to join Real Madrid from Chelsea and says he has had “no doubts” about making the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.Cucurella has previously admitted he could find it hard to turn down the chance to return to Barcelona if it came up but has since signed on at Madrid for the next six seasons.The left-back has now given an interview and discussed why he’s agreed to sign for Los Blancos.“Well, in the end there were different options, but when the Madrid team came I didn’t think about it, I think it’s a unique opportunity,” he told El Mundo. “In the end playing for Real Madrid is an honour and not many players can say it, so I had no doubts. I think that both I and my environment, my family, were clear, that it is an opportunity that we could not refuse and I am very happy with the decision we have made.”Cucurella was also asked what he would tell fans who might not be able to understand why a player who previously featured for Barcelona could sign for their bitter rivals.“I tell you that life has different stages. In this case, I have had to make an important decision and I have no doubt, I think it is a big step for me,” he added. “When you’re a kid, you dream of playing in big teams and I think Real Madrid is one of them, it’s the team with the most Champions League in the world and I hope I can win titles with them and have a very nice time.”Cucurella will join up with his new team after featuring for Spain at World Cup 2026.

🎥 England fans signing Wonderwall is the best World Cup video you'll see todayEvery right-thinking person agrees that 'God Save The King' is a terrible national anthem.And that's why England fans, after their win over Croatia on Wednesday ,belted out the nation's unofficial anthem instead.Thomas Tuchel's side were serenaded by thousands of supporters in Dallas with a rendition of Wonderwall and, quite frankly, it's enough to make you wonder if it is really coming home after all.God Save The Gallagher Brothers.

Bayern star Alphonso Davies "available" for Canada's World Cup clash with QatarAfter missing Canada’s 1-1 opening World Cup draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina due to a muscle injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich last month, Alphonso Davies could potentially return against Qatar on Thursday at 00:00 CEST.Ahead of his team's second group-stage match, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Davies is available for selection.“He’s been in training this week, and he’ll be available tomorrow, and we’ll see how the match goes and then make a decision on how we would choose to use him,” Marsch told reporters.However, Marsch did not guarantee that the 25-year-old captain will feature.“We’ve worked really well through this, and Alphonso is looking really good,” he said. “So it’s just a matter of, OK, what kind of game is it, what kind of moment is it, and how do we feel Alphonso can contribute right now? But he’s ready, he’ll be available.”

Liverpool target Yan Diomande put in record-breaking World Cup performanceDiomande World Cup Statement Gives Liverpool Plenty to Think AboutDiomande Sends Transfer MessageThere are World Cup performances that pass by quietly, and there are those that make recruitment departments sit up a little straighter. Yan Diomande’s display for Ivory Coast against Ecuador falls firmly into the second category.The Liverpool target helped his country begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win, and while he was not directly involved in the decisive goal, his all-round contribution was difficult to ignore. For Liverpool supporters watching with one eye on potential summer business, this was a performance loaded with clues.Diomande, already linked with a move to Anfield, showed pace, aggression, confidence and tactical discipline. That combination matters. Modern wide players are not judged purely on moments in the final third. They are expected to press, duel, recover, create and carry threat across 90 minutes. Diomande did all of that.Record-Breaking NumbersOpta’s numbers captured the scale of his impact. As per Opta: “Yan Diomande became the first player Opta has on record since 1966 to create 5+ chances (5), make 5+ tackles (5), win 10+ duels (11) and have 10+ touches in the opposition’s box (12) in a FIFA World Cup match.”That is not a normal statistical mix. It speaks to a player who was not merely waiting for service, he was shaping the game in several different ways. Creating five chances shows quality and composure. Making five tackles shows appetite and defensive responsibility. Winning 11 duels suggests physical resilience. Having 12 touches in the opposition box points to constant penalty-area involvement.For Liverpool, those numbers will matter because they fit the profile of a high-energy attacker who can influence both sides of the ball.Liverpool Interest May Get ComplicatedThere is an obvious complication here. A strong World Cup rarely makes a transfer cheaper. Diomande has already been mentioned in connection with Liverpool, with PSG also reportedly in the race. If performances like this continue, other clubs may not remain passive for long.A fee of £87m has already been mooted, and RB Leipzig will know exactly what a major tournament can do to a player’s market value. For Liverpool, the challenge is timing. Move too slowly and the auction grows. Move too early and the fee may already reflect his rising status.That is the difficult calculation. Liverpool will want to avoid paying for World Cup hype, but Diomande’s profile looks deeper than one eye-catching evening.Germany Test Could Define MomentumIvory Coast face Germany next on Saturday, June 20, in a Group E fixture that could provide an even sharper measure of Diomande’s level. With Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz likely to feature for Germany, it will be a game with obvious Anfield relevance.Photo: IMAGOCuracao follow on June 25, and Ivory Coast will sense an opportunity to reach the Round of 32. For Diomande, the platform is growing. For Liverpool, the watching brief may soon become something more urgent.

#KLUpod | World Cup Special Episode 3: Korea 2-1 Czechia Recap & Mexico PreviewSouth Korea began their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A campaign with a 2-1 win over Czechia, putting the Taeguk Warriors in a great position to reach the knockout stages. But up next is the group decider against Mexico, one of the host nations. In this third World Cup Special episode of the K League United Podcast, Paul, Nathan and Matt look back at Korea's 2-1 come-from-behind win over Czechia in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including where the game was won and who the standout performers were.They then look ahead to the crunch clash with Mexico by assessing what changes should or could be made/Plus, there's the return of The Back Post with Paul looking at the latest news and the media reaction to Korea's World Cup opener win, plus TNT Corner!Where to Listen

By Angelica Medina MEXICO CITY, June 17 (Reuters) - Hours before Colombia's World Cup opener, Mexico City was already awash in yellow as thousands of visiting fans transformed the ‌capital into a temporary slice of South America. Colombian supporters draped in national team colours ‌packed restaurants and streets across the city, feasting on Bandeja Paisa, sausages, eggs and beans with classic empanadas while singing ​and preparing for what would become a memorable 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Group K at the Estadio Azteca. At Comedor de los Milagros, a Latin American food hall in Roma whose name means "Dining Room of Miracles", the atmosphere reached fever pitch when Colombian singer Carlos Vives appeared, drawing loud applause ‌from fans who saw his presence ⁠as a good omen. The venue, which brands itself as a "House of Latinos" with bright colours, murals and Catholic-inspired imagery, felt more like a Colombian supporters' ⁠club on match day. "Mexico is more of a football country, but we are going to the United States too," said Pablo Calderon, who travelled from Medellin with his brother. "We wanted to follow Colombia through the ​group ​stage, but everything is too expensive. Our ticket alone ​cost around $1,000." The cultural connection ran deeper than ‌just football economics. "There is common ground between Mexicans and Colombians," said his brother Ricardo Calderon. "We like football, music, food and noise. That is why we feel good here." Inside the Azteca, Colombia's yellow-shirted army dominated the stands, creating an atmosphere that felt almost like a home venue. Daniel Munoz opened the scoring in the 40th minute from a Luis Diaz pass. Uzbekistan briefly levelled through Abbosbek ‌Fayzullaev's first World Cup goal before Diaz and Jaminton ​Campaz sealed the victory. Even Colombian restaurants were riding the wave. "The ​most Colombian house in Mexico," declared Andrea, ​manager of SalchiParce, a social media favourite. "Since the celebrations kicked off yesterday ‌and today, we have seen a lot ​of Colombians here, although not ​only Colombians - Mexicans too. "We are interested in making them feel at home, with a big enough plate of food and some authentic Colombian beer," she added. By the final whistle, ​Mexico City belonged to Colombia, ‌at least for one night, with hundreds of "Los Cafeteros" supporters gathering again at the ​Angel de la Independencia, a regular venue where Mexicans celebrate their team's victories. (Reporting by Angelica ​Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

Tuchel praises Kane’s “complete” performance after Croatia braceBayern Munich star Harry Kane made a strong start to the World Cup, scoring a first-half brace as England opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia on Thursday.After the match, England coach Thomas Tuchel praised his captain’s all-round display, highlighting not only his goals but also his leadership, mentality and defensive work rate."If you see the commitment of our captain, of our No 9 in the extra time, to block a crucial shot after a set-piece with all his body and his commitment to buy into a defensive action like this then you know everything about his performance today," said Tuchel, according to Sky.“A complete performance. Absolute leader. He's all in. Physically, mentally. It's the full package at the moment. He wants it and he leads by example, so we're very happy.”Kane, 32, has now scored 81 goals in 115 appearances for England. He’s coming off a remarkable 2025/26 campaign with Bayern Munich, in which he found the net 61 times in 51 games.

🎥 World Cup highlights: Díaz outstanding as Colombia beat UzbekistanIn an intense match, Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in Group K of the preliminary round.Unsurprisingly, the key man was Luis Díaz. The Bayern star provided a goal and an assist.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press statement on arrival for a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)2026-06-18T06:55:23Z BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that America’s allies in Europe must take the lead on the defense of their own continent and help turn NATO into “a read hard-line military alliance.”At a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Hegseth called for a reboot of the 32-nation organization to turn it into a “NATO 3.0” capable of deterring any threat.His remarks came a few weeks after the United States told its allies that it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft if one of them comes under attack. European allies and Canada are trying to work out how to plug the gaps.“NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that (NATO) needs to go back to a real hard-line military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense of Europe,” Hegseth said. As part of that, he told reporters, the United States would be investing $1.5 trillion in its own defense in 2027, sending “a message to the world” that America is building an “arsenal of freedom.”Hegseth said that this arsenal “first and foremost protects America and American interests but also backstops the strength of NATO and our allies.” He said he would tell U.S. allies they “have to be willing to stand up and do something in a strong way about” the defense of their own continent.NATO’s supreme allied commander, an American, is working on backup plans to defend Europe after the U.S. signaled on June 3 that it would no longer supply an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes and dozens of fighter jets, among other military assets, in a crisis. Read More The Trump administration insists that it needs to be able to plan for two simultaneous conflicts and wants more military resources at hand should a conflict break out with China in the Indo-Pacific region. Under NATO’s collective security guarantee – Article 5 of its founding treaty – the 32 allies pledge that an attack on one of them will be considered an attack on all. It does not oblige them to provide military support, although many likely would.In essence, the United States is scaling back how it might help should an ally trigger Article 5. The U.S. has by far NATO’s biggest armed forces. It does not intend to withdraw its nuclear weapons in Europe, which are key to NATO’s deterrence.

Chelsea’s Malo Gusto sustains injury in France trainingChelsea defender Malo Gusto (23) sustained an injury during a training game that mixed the players not involved in France’s FIFA World Cup opener against Senegal (3-1) and youth players from New England Revolution.Gusto sustained an involuntary hit on his foot from teammate Lucas Digne, L’Équipe understands. It forced the Olympique Lyonnais academy product to withdraw from the game. However, the publication adds that there is no concern among France’s medical staff.He may, therefore, be involved in Les Bleus’ training session on Thursday. Iraq are France’s next opponents.In any case, Gusto will not necessarily be expected to start in the upcoming fixture. The Chelsea defender is second choice, behind Barcelona’s Jules Koundé, whilst Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery is also an option in this position for Didier Deschamps.Currently, France are second in Group I on goal difference. They are behind Norway, who beat Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Phil Jones: Former Man United defender secures new Championship roleFormer Manchester United player Phil Jones has already secured a new coaching role.Man United careerJones started his football career with Blackburn Rovers before transferring to Manchester United in 2011.He won the league title in 2013 and also lifted the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League during his time at Old Trafford.Jones also represented England a total of 27 times.The defender played 229 times for the Old Trafford club but rarely featured in any of his final four seasons, making just 13 appearances.He finally left the club in the 2022-2023 season before retiring.Post-playing careerJones began a coaching role at Manchester United in the 2023-2024 season, working with the club’s under-14s and under-18s.In February of this year, he joined Blackburn Rovers’ coaching staff under Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.O’Neill left the role at the end of the season to focus on his international job, and Jones also recently announced his departure from his former club.It had already been reported by The Peoples Person that he was likely to take up a role with Sheffield United, and this has now come to pass.Sheffield United roleThe Yorkshire Post reports, “former Manchester United defender and Blackburn Rovers coach Phil Jones has been added to Chris Wilder’s coaching staff for next season – following last season’s disappointing Championship finish.”Commenting on the changes, manager Wilder stated, “after stabilising last season, we are now looking to inject some fresh ideas into the group, and a collective decision has been made to make some changes behind the scenes.”Talking specifically on Jones he said, Phil is a young coach who has played under some of the very best and is now forging his own pathway in coaching. He’s coming in tasked with helping throughout the team and he’s already gained some great experience coaching in the academy at Manchester United and with the first team at Blackburn last season. He is highly thought of at both clubs.”online 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

Manchester United keen to sign £39m-rated Serie A midfielderManchester United are keen to sign Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer, per Corriere dello Sport. The Old Lady missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing sixth in the Serie A last season, putting them under pressure to generate capital to balance the books. Juventus are open to offers for key midfielder Thuram, as they require a capital gain of £10-11 million by the end of June. The Italian giants want a fee around £35m and £39m for their prized asset. Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are willing to meet their valuation, but Thuram is not yet ready to leave Europe. The France international prefers a move to the Premier League, with United among his admirers. The Red Devils focused on bolstering their attack last summer, adding Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to the squad. The midfield is the area now in need of a major revamp. Casemiro will leave at the end of this month as a free agent, while Manuel Ugarte could be sold following his underwhelming spell in Manchester.United have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta. Their interest in Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is well documented, but the financial costs for a deal are too prohibitive. United reportedly have interest in Thuram, but their current focus appears on signing West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes. The Hammers are holding out for a fee around £85m but Michael Carrick’s side hope to negotiate a lower amount.

The Tennessee Titans were back on the field at minicamp, and after practice, star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons met with the media to discuss his offseason.While he was at the podium, he talked about working on the side instead of going full throughout the open sessions, and he revealed that he underwent a cleanup procedure on his elbow earlier in the offseason, which has his right elbow feeling great as the team takes a break before training camp.Jeffery Simmons had his right elbow cleaned up. #Titanspic.twitter.com/ofVJireJfz— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) June 17, 2026“Yeah, I’ve been dealing with - not to get too much into that, but I mean, I’ve been doing that. That’s the reason I have been wearing a brace, in probably what? Two and a half years to where I wasn’t even able to straighten out my right arm.” Simmons said, “So just to be able to get that cleaned up is one of those things where I feel good. I don’t think there will be a big difference from last year, because, like I said, or the years in the past, with the brace this year, who knows? But at the same time, I feel great.”As Simmons pointed out, the injury prevented him from straightening his right arm, making his incredible 2025 performance even more impressive. Simmons had a career year in 2025 and was arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL. Now healthy, with even more talent around him, there is no doubt he could make a bigger impact in 2026.This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons reveals offseason medical procedure

WEST LAFAYETTE − The question two seasons ago for Purdue basketball was whether or not to redshirt the versatile frontcourt presence Raleigh Burgess.Boilermaker coach Matt Painter opted to utilize Burgess' ability to stretch defenses and add depth to the frontcourt.There was no such dilemma last season.Burgess was returning from offseason surgery for a stress fracture and with Purdue feeling good about its options at both power forward and center, preserving a year of eligibility while Burgess could get back to full strength made sense.The decision seems to be paying off for the Boilermakers now, who need depth at the 4 and 5 positions. Burgess can help with both."We have a lot of options, a lot of flexibility to play different lineups, to play smaller, to play bigger," Painter said after a June 9 practice. "Raleigh is kind of that piece in there. He’s the one who can play both."After spending a full season as a headache for the Boilermakers during practices as a scout team player, Burgess now brings something of a rarity among redshirt returnees.He has 31 games of experience, albeit averaging less than seven minutes per game as a true freshman during the 2024-25 season.Despite the limited experience, Burgess showed his abilities shooting 53.5%, including 40% from 3-point range.Last season's role as a practice player who wasn't going to see the floor on game days eased the stress on a young player."You just went into the games with a different mindset. It gave me a new perspective last year," Burgess said. "I thought that was really good. I think I learned a lot. Knowing I wasn’t going to play was kind of fun to be honest, knowing exactly what I was going to do and get my guys ready to go."Already emerging as one of Purdue's few vocal presences during early summer workouts, Burgess now will factor much more than he has over two seasons into game plans."He had a great past year of working hard," Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen said of Burgess. "His mentality is one of the best, and his energy that he brings every day, positivity and how hard he works."With Jacobsen and freshman Sinan Huan as the team's lone centers as of now, Burgess will be relied upon heavily as an under-the-basket force at times.He'll also challenge Princeton transfer Caden Pierce, along with returnee Jack Benter and freshman Rivers Knight for playing time at forward, given Burgess ability to shoot while measuring in at 6-11 and 245 pounds.It's a role Burgess envisioned having when he committed to Purdue from Sycamore High School in Cincinnati. Knowing the departures of Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff and Liam Murphy would come following Burgess' redshirt season, it's also something he was prepping for during a full season where he didn't play a single game."Sometimes you get guys that sit out and they don’t benefit from that year quite like they should. It’s hard," Painter said. "It is hard to stay motivated when there’s no game in front of you. He worked really hard defensively. "He got a lot of reps on the defensive end. Offensively he was doing regular scout team stuff. He would be the biggest guy on the court where he could stretch teams out. He’s going to have a good opportunity."Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Raleigh Burgess ready for bigger role at Purdue

🚨Official: Rayo Vallecano have a new managerFollowing the departure of Íñigo Pérez, Beñat San José will take charge of the Vallecano side.There is a new man in charge at Rayo Vallecano: Beñat San José takes over the team following the departure of Íñigo Pérez. A self-made coach, he arrives in Vallecas with years of experience behind him.Developed through Real Sociedad’s youth ranks, he has spent much of his career in Chile and Mexico. His most recent spell was at Eibar, where he managed 60 matches.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

It's a celebration 53 years in the making, and millions of New York Knicks fans are expected to turn out for the ticker-tape parade to honor the team in lower Manhattan on Thursday, June 18.The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs on June 13 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, clinching their first championship since 1973. Knicks captain Jalen Brunson set a franchise record in an NBA finals game with 45 points, scoring 15 of the team’s 29 fourth-quarter points.The win followed a historic franchise postseason run of 16-3, including a 12-game winning streak.Story continues below photo gallery.The team also made NBA history, pulling off the biggest playoff comeback against the Spurs in Game 4 of the finals, overcoming a 29-point deficit.Now, the Knickerbockers will celebrate with their loyal fans in New York City in what will be one of the most anticipated championship parades in recent sports history.The Knicks are the first New York team in the four North American professional sports (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL) since the New York Giants in the 2011-12 season to win a championship. The WNBA's New York Liberty also captured a title in 2024.Despite their two previous championships, this will also be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks franchise history.When will the parade start?The parade is expected to begin at 10 a.m. near Battery Park and go through Lower Manhattan to City Hall.It will travel north along Broadway through the "Canyon of Heroes" before ending at City Hall for a ceremony where the team will be awarded Keys to the City.For watching along the route, the parade is free to all attendees, with tickets required for the City Hall portion of the event.What to expectNew York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said during a press conference that millions of people are expected to attend the parade."Tomorrow will mark the largest deployment for a planned event in NYPD history with more than 10,000 officers assigned to lower Manhattan," Tisch said on Wednesday, June 17.Everyone entering the parade area will be screened by security beginning at 6 a.m. at 23 locations along the parade route. Story continues below photo gallery.Tisch warned that attendance is expected to exceed capacity, and people will be turned away.Those attending are not permitted to bring bags, backpacks, bottles or umbrellas."We want people to enjoy this moment," Tisch said. "We want this to be safe and memorable for Knicks fans and New York City, but public safety comes first and we are planning accordingly."Tisch also said the best way to get to the parade will be public transportation. How to get to the parade?There are multiple ways to attend Thursday’s ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan.Ferry: NY Waterway offers ferries from eight locations in New Jersey that will take parade-goers to Pier 11/Wall Street and ferries from six New Jersey locations to Brookfield Place/Battery Park City. Both options are about a 10-15 minute walk to Broadway.PATH: The Hoboken and Newark PATH lines take riders into the Oculus at World Trade Center, which is about two blocks away from Broadway at the southern tip of City Hall Park. If that’s too crowded, riders can walk through the Oculus and follow signs for the Fulton Street subway station and walk underground to the other side of Broadway.Subway: There are a lot of subway connections in the Financial District that will get you close to the parade route. For those who take NJ Transit trains to New York Penn Station or NJ Transit buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, you can take the A-C to Fulton Street or the E to World Trade Center, or the 2-3 to Park Place or the 1 to WTC Cortlandt. From the GW Bridge Bus Terminal, you can walk north two blocks to the 181 Street station and take the A downtown to Fulton Street.Keep in mind that City Hall (R, W) and Wall Street (4, 5) subway stations are closed starting at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday and will reopen after the parade and City Hall ceremony.This story will be updated during the parade. Check back often for the latest news.Additional reporting by Colleen WilsonThis article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Knicks parade in NYC is here after a 53-year wait

Lille line up Thomas Meunier replacementLille OSC are anticipating the departure of Thomas Meunier, whose contract at the club is up this summer. There has been talk of a renewal for the Belgium international, but he now looks more likely to depart the Ligue 1 club.LOSC already have the talented Tiago Santos in that position, although they are looking to add more depth in this position ahead of a UEFA Champions League campaign. As per a report from RMC Sport, Lille want to sign ESTAC Troyes’ Yvann Titi (20). Last season, the right-back made 22 appearances in all competitions for L’ESTAC. The France youth international’s contract with the newly promoted side runs until the summer of 2027.One year before the expiry of his deal, Titi could depart. Lille have made the France youth international their priority target in this position, as per RMC Sport. The club are looking to build Davide Ancelotti a squad that can fight on all fronts.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Colombia opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on Wednesday, although coach Nestor Lorenzo said the vocal presence of a large Colombian contingent in the stands “emotionally weighed” on his players.His side moved top of Group K with the win in Mexico City’s famous Azteca stadium, with Portugal and DR Congo drawing 1-1 earlier in the day.Lorenzo’s outfit were in control for much of the match after Daniel Munoz scored the opener, but were forced to work harder than initially expected as Uzbekistan fought back and equalised, before star man Luis Diaz put Colombia back in front and substitute Jaminton Campaz scored in added time. Lorenzo told reporters later: “It is a beautiful energy, but emotionally it weighed on some of the players.“I think it had to do with the emotional burden of the ​first ⁠game and also with the ‌responsibility of being (match) favourites.”The Argentine manager said the atmosphere created by a largely Colombian crowd at the Azteca added to the occasion, while his team also ‌struggled to maintain its first-half level after Uzbekistan began ‌playing more directly after the break.He added: “We had a very good first half. Then they started playing a more direct game and forced us deeper. It became a very physical match.“In the first half we could have built a bigger advantage. We lacked finishing. We keep working on that constantly.”Colombia dominated much of the game but were given a scare as Uzbekistan equalised (AP)Lorenzo said his players became overly focused on retaining possession instead of taking risks in attacking areas.“Sometimes there was too much possession and too much fear of losing the ball,” he said. “Nobody ‌was finishing the moves.”The coach was also asked about captain James ​Rodriguez, who struggled to impose himself against Uzbekistan's compact defensive shape.He said: “It wasn't ‌his best match, but he didn't ⁠have a bad game. They closed the spaces where James ⁠usually operates. He wasn't the protagonist, but in possession he gave us a lot.”Colombia next face DR ‌Congo in Guadalajara as ​they seek to move closer to securing ‌a place in the knockout stage ​and strengthen their grip on top spot in Group K.

🌟The best and worst of the opening World Cup matchdayA total of 24 matches and several goals later, today marks the start of the second round of this World Cup group stage.It’s only been a week since the World Cup began, and today the second round of the group stage already gets underway. It’s time to take stock of what we’ve seen so far and put some names on the table.Which teams have played the best?This World Cup featured several title contenders, but after the opening round, teams like England, Argentina and France have shown that they are very serious about winning this World Cup.What have been the disappointments of the round?Among the teams that have disappointed so far, several big sides make the list. Without a doubt, the one at the top is Spain, who were unable to do better than a goalless draw against Cape Verde.Cristiano’s Portugal also disappointed in their debut against Congo, and Brazil did the same, although against Morocco the challenge was greater than it was for Spain and Portugal.Who has been the breakout player?Without a doubt, there is one name that stands out above the rest. Vozinha, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, has seen his life change radically after his match against Spain. The best match so farTastes differ, but after the opening round and 24 matches played, England vs Croatia was without a doubt one of the best matches, if not the best, of this World Cup so far.Chances for both teams, the goalkeepers taking center stage, and six goals — you can’t ask for much more.Has the surprise team been...?📸 Dean Mouhtaropoulos - 2026 Getty ImagesNot because they are playing at home, but because they have earned it on the pitch, the United States have so far been the team that has surprised the most, despite not being among the clear title favorites.The best player of the World Cup so farThe years go by, the World Cups come and go, and Leo Messi is still there. He certainly could not have had a better start to this World Cup. Three goals against Algeria, an Argentina win, and equalling Klose’s record with 16 World Cup goals as the tournament’s all-time top scorer — simply Leo.The best matches still to comeStarting from the idea that it is unforgivable to miss any match, it is true that you should keep a particularly close eye on the following games.Brazil-HaitiNetherlands-SwedenSpain-Saudi ArabiaArgentina-AustriaFrance-IraqNorway-SenegalPortugal-UzbekistanEngland-GhanaThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

2026-06-18T07:24:36Z Ukraine hit a Moscow oil refinery for a second time in a week and disrupted commercial flights at Moscow airports in one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s invasion more than four years ago, Russian officials said Thursday.The Russian Defense Ministry said that its air defenses overnight shot down 555 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions, with almost 200 intercepted as they were approaching the Russian capital.Several drones hit the Moscow Oil Refinery on the southeastern outskirts of the city, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.The Russian Transport Ministry said that flights from four Moscow airports were halted.The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held “an important coordination call” with U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron that may “bring about significant change.” Zelenskyy said Wednesday his country had won key pledges of further support from world leaders attending the G7 summit in France.″These last few days were very important for Ukraine because it is the reunification of the G7 around Ukraine,″ Macron told reporters as he and Trump left the Palace of Versailles near Paris. ″And now we will continue to advance to help Ukraine to resist″ and to build up its ″capacity to defend itself and capacity to counterattack,” Macron said. The attack comes as President Vladimir Putin is in Kazan, 700 kilometers (430 miles) east of Moscow, hosting leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as Russia seeks to bolster business and other ties. The two-day meeting is set to consider ways to expand Russia’s “strategic partnership” with ASEAN nations that include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam, according to Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Drivers are enjoying some relief at the pump after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Ryan and Troy chat with longtime friend Rennie Scaysbrook about life as a motojournalist, his travels, and adventures, including winning the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and racing in the Isle of Man TT.Rennie talks about starting his career with Australian Motorcycle News and how he made the move across the ocean to the U.S. to join Cycle News as Road Test Editor. He shares his experience racing at Pikes Peak, and how the momentary thrill of setting a new record time turned to heartbreak with the news of Carlin Dunne. He also talks about racing in the Isle of Man TT, which has its own share of dangers.Bore and Stoke Ep 28: Tales from Pikes Peak and the TT with Rennie ScaysbrookWe'd like to extend a special thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Honda CRF450R. So good, the only competition is yourself. Learn more about the CRF450R here.Listen to 😴 Bore & Stoke 🤙 on your favorite platform:SpotifyAppleiHeartRadioAmazon MusicPandoraBecome a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Girls teamLucy Arps, Chatham*; Gianna Benfatti, Roxbury*; Daniela Bracken, Parsippany Hills; Eliana Chavarria, Butler; Nicole Driscoll, Madison; Blythe Dudley, Villa Walsh; Addison Emge, Morristown; Kayla Ewing, Morristown; Sophia Ingargiola, Kinnelon; Fiona Jackson, Chatham*; Tahiyah Janvier, Morristown; Leah Johnson, Roxbury*; Georgia Hostler, West Morris; Nawel Ibazatene Lefebvre, Morristown*; Kelly Kaasmann, West Morris; Gianna Ledford, Morris Hills; Emma Liberato, West Morris*; Gianna Mancuso, Roxbury*; Sarah Nacinovich, Chatham*; Johanna Olsen, West Morris; Adair Para, Morris Knolls; Alanna Parkes, West Morris; Seannah Parsons, Randolph; Gabriella Pelov, Montville; Emily Piskadlo, Chatham*; Katherine Powers, Morristown; Jacqueline Reid, Parsippany*; Carly Renna, Randolph; Caroline Sardeira, West Morris*; Julia Suttile, Morristown; Lahari Thata, Montville; Kaylee Vieira, West Morris*; Lyla Wills, Mountain Lakes*; Riley Wright-Phillips, Whippany Park*Boys teamAnthony Agnoli, Montville*; Lajohn Alexis, Morris Hills; Ilario Badalamenti, Kinnelon*; Caden Blaise, Mendham*; James Castanon, Madison; Bryce David, Mount Olive; Matthew Donnelly, Roxbury; Nathan Enelamah, Morristown; Nicholas Falcone, Morris Hills*; Nicholas Foley, Mount Olive; Ryan Foley, Mount Olive; Kevin Grundy, Chatham; Walter Hedblom-Green, Boonton; Martin Hindelong, Delbarton; Kevin Janosy, Morristown; Matthew Kot, Morristown; Anthony Murray, Mount Olive; Cadence Rupprecht, Mount Olive; Stephen Shih, Morris Hills; Rohan Tucker, Madison*; Marcus Valenzuela, Chatham; Ben Wans, Morris Hills; Sean Wemmlinger, Morris Knolls*; Andrew Zuccala, PequannockNote: Morris County champions are automatic selections, as are those who meet the coaches' A standard or win at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. Additional nominees must surpass the Morris County champion's winning mark and/or meet the B standard. Those marked with asterisks met the super standard.This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County Track Coaches Association spring postseason honors

For two panicked hours as a freshman, Katie Adams believed she hadn’t made varsity.The verdict came in after Day 3 of tryouts, when coaches sent an email blast around Ridgewood to let players know if they were selected.Phones buzzed. Group chats exploded. Everyone celebrated or commiserated. Everyone except Katie, who didn’t get anything.Sitting in the car with her mom, she replayed tryouts in her head, wondering what she’d done wrong, wondering if the message went to a parent’s inbox instead.Then she reached out to girls lacrosse coach Jim Montegari and found out why. She was accidentally left off the email.“I was freaking out,” Adams said. “That was the scariest moment of my life.”Four years later, she made sure her name was everywhere else − on the scoresheet, in the record book and in Ridgewood lore after scoring a hat trick in a 12-4 win over Cherokee in the Group 4 state final. It was her second state title after winning as a freshman.Since then, Adams became a captain, an All‑American and a spark behind a Ridgewood program that went 70-21 during her career. She exits the stage as the North Jersey Female Athlete of the Week, presented by HSS.Yet her defining moment came in this year’s North Group 4 sectional final against Morristown, where the Colonials sent the game to overtime on a goal with four seconds left. Ridgewood forced a turnover in OT, then called timeout to draw up a play.“We wanted Katie to have the ball at the end,” Montegari said. “She's born for that situation with four years on varsity.”The plan was to use a screen from Lindsay LaBier and roll to the middle, but Adams saw something different as she drifted toward her teammate. She cut hard to the right, switched hands and found enough daylight for her first career overtime goal."It was posted on Instagram a few times and there was one really good video that I watched over," Adams said. "I just had to see what my reaction was at the end because I don't remember much of that play, but I just love seeing my whole entire team run at me."View this post on InstagramBefore the storybook ending came a rocky start. Adams was held to one point or fewer in five of Ridgewood’s first eight games, weighed down by expectations she admits she created for herself. She’d spent the offseason imagining what her senior year would look like and found it hard to let go of mistakes.As the season went on, her coaches stepped in – Montegari, Liz Heydt, Jayne Manzelli, Dana Meehan – and helped rebuild her confidence, reminding her they were proud of her regardless of how much she scored. With that weight lifted, her game opened up. She notched eight hat tricks in the last 13 games, including one in the playoffs against Westfield, the same opponent that beat Ridgewood in last year’s sectional final.“Almost every single game when I walked onto the field, I thought about Westfield," Adams said. "I told [my teammates] at the beginning of the huddle: if you can't find it in yourself to give your all, find it in each other. And I think everyone found it in each other to give their all.”Adams delivered in almost every big moment. She scored five goals in this year’s Bergen County championship and six in last year’s county final – both wins. She led Ridgewood this season with 63 goals and tied for the team lead with 72 points, all while fueling the midfield with her pesky defense and unmatched endurance.“It's her tenacity on ground balls,” Montegari said. “She could just scoop up balls that I didn't know were possible. She just has amazing stick skills.”Adams started playing lacrosse in first grade, the first challenge being keeping up with her older sister Meaghan in backyard games. Katie chose No. 18 at Ridgewood because her sister wore it.Now, she is headed to William & Mary, drawn to the coaching staff, the academics, and a campus she first visited on a tour with her older sister. She finished her Ridgewood career with 182 goals, seventh all‑time in one of New Jersey’s most decorated programs.Not bad for someone who once thought she didn’t make the team.“Such an amazing experience,” Adams said. “And I'm so grateful to have done it with these groups of girls.”Katie AdamsSport: LacrosseSchool: RidgewoodClass: Senior Age: 18Accomplishment: Adams led Ridgewood to wins in the sectional and state finals with a combined five goals, one assist and four forced turnovers.Also nominated: Abby Kiem of DePaul for softball.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen Record Female Athlete of the Week: Katie Adams, Ridgewood

[Getty Images]Relaxing with his team-mates in their hotel in uptown Charlotte, Ryan Christie watched the Lionel Messi show on Tuesday evening. Agog, like the rest of us. An international footballer, yes, but in those moments of magic from the great man, just another mortal."When you chill out a bit, you turn back into a spectator," said the Bournemouth and Scotland midfielder."Watching Messi [scoring a hat-trick against Algeria] and stuff like that, it's incredible to watch that happen. It's immense and pretty surreal, to be honest."When I was younger, I idolised Messi, so to think you're playing on the same kind of stage as him now is pretty cool, especially the age he's at. Watching him do his thing was unbelievable."Tuesday was moving day in America, to an extent. A treble for Messi and doubles for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland - the big boys came out to play. The tournament seemed to find another gear in the process.For Christie, there was never any thought in his young head that he would ever make it to a stage like this. "Non-existent," he said. "I don't know if it sounds bad to say that."I had aspirations of playing for Scotland when I was growing up - that was my pinnacle - but you didn't ever think further than that. I never, ever envisioned playing at a Euros, never mind the World Cup."I didn't watch Scotland in a major tournament, so in my head that just wasn't really a possibility at that point - and probably why, all those years down the line, when we had that night in Serbia [qualifying for the first Euros under Steve Clarke] it hit home so much."Christie has just signed a new deal with Bournemouth and will remain at the club until 2029. He is, as they say, in a good place. Messi's exploits at 38 - he will be 39 this month - offers Christie a world of encouragement that this World Cup doesn't necessarily have to be his last.In England, he sees players getting better with age, guys in their mid-30s who are still operating well at the top level. "Some are pushing for the high-30s and still churning out unbelievable performances week in, week out," he said.Read more about Christie's World Cup dream here

After compiling two of the most prolific careers in state history, Smyrna's Aaliyah Turpin and Padua's Anna Bockius have been named Delaware's most outstanding female track and field athletes.Turpin and Bockius each received the Bill Thomson Award, the state's top track and field award, at the N5CTA All-State banquet on June 15 and lead the All-State team composed of the event winners at the May 21 Meet of Champions.The two seniors are the fourth co-winners of the award, which was first disseminated by the state's coaches in 1985.Turpin is committed to compete at Texas Tech and Bockius is committed to compete at Notre Dame. Turpin was also named girls indoor track and field MVP.In a season she described as life altering, Turpin accumulated several rare achievements. Turpin reset Delaware's girls 100 hurdles record, which had been held by Glasgow's Jernail Hayes since 2006. Turpin first surpassed Hayes' 14.13 at a meet in Columbia, South Carolina on April 11. She ran faster in both the prelims and finals of the state meet on May 15-16 at Dover High, ultimately lowering the record to 13.57.At a postseason meet in Forestville, Maryland, Turpin ran 13.17. It is the second-fastest time in the country this year, considering all conditions, according to Athletic.net.Smyrna's 4x100 twice ran under the state record of 47.70 set by Tatnall in 2024 and surpassed Delcastle's No. 1 all-time performance of 47.28 from 2010. Angel Marfo, Micahlena Cotton, Krista Byrd and Turpin combined to run 47.21 in winning the Division I race at the state meet.STATE MEET: In D-I track, state records fall as Smyrna senior dominates; Padua winsAt the Art Madric Hall of Fame Invitational at Caravel on April 18, Turpin ran 11.51 in the 100 dash to surpass the state record of 11.59 set by Middletown's Daija Lampkin in 2017. Moments after winning the 100 hurdles in D-I at the state meet, Turpin doubled back to win the 100. She also won the event at the Meet of Champions.Her 200 personal best of 23.66 from the Madric meet ranks second all-time behind Lampkin's 23.36.Turpin is a nine-time individual state champion between Division I outdoors and the single-division indoor state meet and a state record holder in four events between the indoor and outdoor seasons.Bockius won 31 championship races over the past four years between the indoor and outdoor state meets, the New Castle County championships and the Meet of Champions.She won every 800, 1,600 and 3,200 race she entered in Delaware over the last two outdoor track and field seasons.As a senior, Bockius lowered her own 800 state record, running as fast as 2:05.84 at NYC Track Night on New York's Randall's Island on May 1. A week earlier, she placed third in the Penn Relays mile in 4:45.71.In May, the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association selected Bockius, a state record holder in seven events across the indoor and outdoor seasons, as the top high school senior female athlete in Delaware.Bockius was also named the top female cross-country runner in the fall and won the top honor of the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons last year.Here is the complete All-State girls outdoor track and field team.All-State girls outdoor track and field teamPaige Ballinger, so., Padua (3,200, 4x400)Addison Barker, jr., Odessa (4x200)Anna Bockius, sr., Padua (1,600, 4x400)Jada Boothe, fr., Tatnall (100 hurdles)Audrey Burris, fr., Padua (4x800)Vera Cincilla, so., Padua (4x800)Micahlena Cotton, so., Smyrna (400)Devon Craig, so., Dover (200)Teresina DeAscanis, sr., Padua (4x400)Mary Drost, sr., Padua (4x800)Alyse Edouard, fr., Padua (4x100)Katya Geyer, sr., Sussex Academy (high jump)Marlise Harris, jr., Archmere (300 hurdles)Annamay Hendrixson, sr., Padua (high jump)Audrey Howard, fr., Odessa (4x200)Amirah Laster, sr., Padua (discus, shot put, 4x100)Shea Lowman, jr., Padua (4x100, 4x400)Arianna Montgomery, sr., Tatnall (long jump)Kaprice Pointer, jr., Dover (triple jump)Aziza Prince, sr., Tatnall (pole vault)Malia Thomas, fr., Padua (4x100)Aaliyah Turpin, sr., Smyrna (100)Lea Wentworth, fr., Padua (4x800)Ryleigh White, jr., Odessa (4x200)Makayla Wilkins, sr., Odessa (4x200)Krissa Woods, so., Tatnall (800)Brandon Holveck reports on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at bholveck@delawareonline.com.This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Turpin, Bockius win Delaware track and field girls MVP, lead All-State

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in a new offense in 2026. With Kliff Kingsbury gone as offensive coordinator, the Commanders replaced him with Daniels' former assistant quarterbacks coach, David Blough. The most significant change in Washington's new offense will feature more of Daniels playing under center, something he rarely did under Kingsbury. Blough has downplayed any significant changes for Daniels. "I think, you know, just trying to open his eyes maybe under center to some of the play action concepts and different things we want to stretch, you know, stretch people horizontally and vertically, and you know, it's, we're not creating essentially new concepts," Blough said last week. "Just asking them to do different things."What Blough is saying is that they're not trying to reinvent anything with this new offense. It's more about giving Daniels more options, which playing under center will do. As for Daniels, how is his transition going?"I still got a long way to go," Daniels said about the new offense. "I mean, we only just installed how many of our practices? I know we got a lot more to go, but [we] just built the foundation, man. You just continue to build off of it."Most quarterbacks would answer that things were going great. And maybe they are for Daniels, but that's exactly the answer you want to hear. He's acknowledging that there is plenty of work remaining for him to master Blough's offense. What about playing under center?"It's just giving different variations and variety, you know, different formations, run, play-action, either that's in the gun, you know, wide zone, inside zone, mid zone, things like that," Daniels said. "So, man, I would just open up a lot more things that we have to go out there and give, and then from there, you know, we just keep learning, keep building from there."Playing under center opens up everything for Daniels. It will also make him more dangerous as a runner. While playing out of the shotgun allows him to see things better pre-snap, playing under center is much more unpredictable. It's quite possible that Daniels will have more rushing yards and fewer designed runs in 2026. Daniels loved playing in Kliff Kingsbury's fast-break, no-huddle offense, but it's quite possible that he'll be even happier in Blough's offense moving forward. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: How is Jayden Daniels' offensive transition?