Mets and Blue Jays get encouraging update on trade deadline addition no one is talking about originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It's not crazy to say that the Toronto Blue Jays are going to add at the trade deadline, though there's still an argument that they've been one of the more disappointing teams in baseball. I hate to say the Blue Jays have been disappointing because of how injured they've been, but Toronto made it to a World Series, and I know fans were expecting a lot more. When it comes to the New York Mets, however, we know exactly how disappointing that team has been at 34-41. I can't imagine a scenario in which they want to add players, but if certain guys have control, the Mets might decide to get in the mix.According to the latest from ESPN's Jeff Passan, that's why we might see the Mets and Blue Jays go after Reid Detmers, causing a bit of a battle between the two teams who were expected to be the best in baseball this year.“Detmers has the fourth most strikeouts in the big leagues behind Misiorowski, Cristopher Sanchez and Dylan Cease, isn't walking hitters or giving up home runs, and is a metric darling on top of that. “Complement all that with an additional two years of club control on top of the season and his value has skyrocketed this year, giving the Angels a genuine opportunity to start a long-needed rebuild the proper way. Of course, it's the Angels, so executives are skeptical that it will happen -- and the same can be said for the next player on the list, as well,” Jeff Passan wrote.Detmers has been absolutely lights out for some of this campaign, and his strikeout numbers continue to impress. He's struck out 100 hitters in 88.0 innings, doing so after striking out 168 in 148.2 innings in 2023. He's also posting the lowest ERA of his career at 3.68, and has a FIP of just 2.81.More MLB news:Yankees, Blue Jays, and Red Sox could battle for Astros World Series champTarik Skubal trade report should interest Yankees, Blue Jays, and DodgersRed Sox will fail at MLB trade deadlineYankees top trade target already shut down by MLB insiderMets ready to make decisions on David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza

NEW DELHI: India's newest batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be travelling alone on his maiden assignment with the senior national team, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealing that the board decided to allow the 15-year-old's parents to accompany him on the upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England to help him settle into an adult environment.The teenage opener, who earned his first India call-up after a sensational run of form, has been named in the squad for two T20Is against Ireland and five matches against England, beginning in Belfast on June 26.'After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav'Explaining the unprecedented move, Saikia said the board had to consider the unique circumstances surrounding a player so young entering a senior dressing room."You see, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi," Saikia told PTI."At one point in time, it was Sachin Tendulkar who made it to the national team at such a young age. When such a young kid is part of the senior team, there are obviously a lot of issues that can crop up," he added.Saikia said the primary objective was to ensure the youngster felt comfortable in an environment dominated by adults."Therefore, to make him comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment, where all the other players are above 18 years of age, and the team management members are also adults, we felt it would be helpful," said the former Assam Ranji Trophy player."We are doing this because we believe it will ease a lot of issues as far as Vaibhav is concerned," he added.'Vaibhav is still a kid'Drawing a parallel with school excursions, Saikia underlined that Sooryavanshi remains a schoolboy despite his extraordinary rise."Even when a school student goes on an excursion, there is usually a senior person accompanying them. Vaibhav is still a kid. He has only just come out of school, or is perhaps in his final year of school.""So, we thought it proper to allow his parents to travel with him. I am very happy that his parents are also taking good care of their kid, who is an asset for Indian cricket not only now but for the next two or three decades," he added.Teen sensation forcing India's handSooryavanshi's rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The explosive opener finished as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026 with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31 and smashed 72 sixes.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted the teenager's performances made his selection unavoidable."He has forced us to pick him with how well he's played. We can see the kind of talent he has and we are hopeful, if he gets the opportunity to play for the country, he will show the same ability," Agarkar had said.Should he feature in Belfast, Sooryavanshi will surpass Sachin Tendulkar and become the youngest player to represent India at the senior level.

Yankees, Blue Jays, and Red Sox could battle for Astros World Series champion, says ESPN’s Jeff Passan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Around the American League East, we definitely see some of the better teams in Major League Baseball. The New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox, when things are going as planned, are typically among the top teams in the American League. Over the last year, the Yankees and Blue Jays have definitely been better than the Red Sox, but that doesn't mean the Red Sox won't add at this year's trade deadline, which could mean these teams are even battling off the field this summer.According to the latest report from ESPN's Jeff Passan, we could see a battle for Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena.“Replenishing a bad farm system with few players close to the big leagues takes a move like trading Pena, and the only question at this point is whether it will be before Aug. 3 or before the Dec. 1 lockout. No longer are the Astros in the position they were when they held onto George Springer, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman all the way to free agency. “This is a Kyle Tucker situation -- only now the Astros aren't good, either, which could precipitate moving their shortstop before the deadline. The one potential drawback from Houston's perspective: There aren't a whole lot of contenders in the market for a shortstop, and it might make more sense to wait until the winter,” Jeff Passan wrote.There's reason to believe that all of these teams could use Pena. The Red Sox have been searching for an infielder since losing Alex Bregman in the offseason, the Yankees have to replace Anthony Volpe at some point, and the Blue Jays allowed Bo Bichette to walk this winter. I'd love to see these three teams go at it to add one of the better shortstops in baseball, as it would be very exciting to see what's going on behind the scenes.More MLB news:Tarik Skubal trade report should interest Yankees, Blue Jays, and DodgersRed Sox will fail at MLB trade deadlineYankees top trade target already shut down by MLB insiderMets ready to make decisions on David Stearns and Carlos MendozaOne team is already off the Red Sox’s list for an Aroldis Chapman trade

The Washington Commanders wrapped up the offseason program on Thursday, completing their three-day mandatory minicamp. The next step for the Commanders is training camp, which begins in around five weeks from Ashburn. After Thursday's practice, head coach Dan Quinn met with the media to discuss the offseason and what lies ahead until training camp. Quinn specifically mentioned eight players who stood out this offseason. "The team’s worked incredibly hard, you know, strength and conditioning-wise, they've made significant gains," Quinn said. "But just a few people I thought jumped out, defensively, [DE] T.J. [Maguranyanga], so I thought he's one that's improved. Jay-Z [DT Jer’Zhan Newton] I thought had great camp linebackers, [LB] Kain [Medrano] and [LB] Jordan [Magee], through this time was big." Some of those names are interesting. Maguranyanga is a member of the NFL's International Player Pathway program and was with the Commanders last season. He's a former rugby player and hails from Zimbabwe. While he faces long odds of making the team, Washington does get a roster exemption if he is back on the practice squad in 2026. Could this be the year for Newton? A second-round pick in 2024, Newton wasn't healthy in his first two offseasons. He's been healthy this offseason, and the Commanders remain high on him. His performance against the Cowboys on Christmas Day gave a glimpse into his potential. Quinn believes new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones can help unlock Newton. Magee and Medrano are essentially competing to be Washington's fourth linebacker. Both probably make the 53-man roster, but the position looks much different in 2026 without Bobby Wagner and the additions of Leo Chenal and Sonny Styles. Magee and Medrano are fast, and the coaches have long praised Magee. Medrano was outstanding on special teams as a rookie last season. Next, he turned to the offense. "Wide receivers. It was good to see [WR Jaden] Bradley. I've seen [WR] Van Jefferson; I've seen others in that spot. I liked finding more out about the running backs and what they can do and what part of teams they have. So, we've had like pretty significant special teams plays to go. And so, looking in, digging in, I'm excited to find that out. And I thought, you know, a few of the new guys who had exceptional offseasons, [RB] Rachaad White was one I thought, you know, jumped out."Quinn singled out Jefferson earlier this week. The veteran is clearly in the mix for one of Washington's final receiver spots. Bradley, a 6-foot-3 undrafted rookie, is another player who faces long odds, but he's stood out throughout the offseason. If nothing else, Bradley can earn himself a spot on Washington's practice squad. He was impressive in OTAs and the minicamp. White could be in store for a big role in David Blough's offense. We know Jacory Croskey-Merritt will likely lead the team in carries, but White will be a significant contributor. He's an impressive receiver and strong in pass protection. Quinn added one more name: Edge K'Lavon Chaisson. "K’Lavon Chaisson was another one, that in camp that doesn't have pads, showed a lot of edge and toughness the way he competes," Quinn said. Chaisson signed a one-year deal in the offseason and is coming off his best NFL season. He's playing for a multi-year deal. The Commanders are clearly excited about his potential across from fellow free-agent edge, Odafe Oweh. Quinn wasn't saying these eight players had the best offseasons of anyone on the team. He just singled these players out. Obviously, some of these players probably aren't making Washington's 53-man roster, but they've certainly raised their stock. It's all about improvement, and Quinn has noticed each of these players has improved. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 8 eight offseason standouts

Mr. Charles, a conservative Republican, had led the field ahead of a ranked-choice runoff. But Ms. Pingree, a former Maine House speaker, had been in a tight race with other Democrats.

Mr. Dunlap, a progressive Democrat, is set to face former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, in a competitive general election in November.

Exeter held off a late Bath surge to win 27-26 in their semi-final last week [Getty Images]Two dressing room scenes less than 14 months apart could not tell more aptly the story of where Exeter have come from as they prepare for Saturday's Prem final.Head back to the end of April last year and there was footage - without any sound - of chief executive Tony Rowe laying down the law in no uncertain terms after a club record 79-17 loss at Gloucester.But fast forward to this month and Exeter's director of rugby Rob Baxter triumphantly walks into the away dressing room at Bath, whips off his shirt and joyously joins the celebrations after his side booked their first Prem final place in five years.So how have those players who looked so sheepishly into the distance or down at their feet at Gloucester become a side that went from second-bottom to Prem finalists in the space of a year?Exeter fight back to stun Bath and reach Prem final'Same players but different men' - Exeter's remarkable turnaround"It's never come down to one thing, it never does," Baxter, with his shirt firmly on, tells BBC Sport."There were lots of things that led to the Gloucester result, just like there's lots of things that have led to us having a better season and getting to the final."On the day I kind of understood what Tony was talking about because it wasn't us losing, Tony's seen us lose plenty of times, he's seen us win plenty of times, but for him it's just more about you just stay in the fight."I think that was the problem is that a multitude of things added up to mean we weren't really competitive in that game, and I think that was the bit that hurt Tony, that was obviously the bit that hurt me."It's one of the first things we addressed right from day one of the off season, let alone the pre-season - if you can't win, you draw, and if you can't draw, you lose by one point, if you can't lose by one point you lose by two, because that's the easiest way for me to wrap it up."You can talk about resilience and all this type of stuff, they're just words - you can put words to anything."'It's not too dissimilar than it was a few years back'Gareth Steenson's extra-time penalty to win Exeter's first Premiership title in 2017 secured his name in club folklore [Shutterstock]"Rob is an emotional guy, very emotional about the club, passionate about it," former Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson tells BBC South West. "I know last year definitely hurt him."I think it's probably just that connection again with the squad, it looks like they're all connected in what they do and they've all bought into what they're trying to achieve."Steenson knows more than most what it means to win with Exeter.The Ulsterman, who is now attack coach for Ireland's women's team, spent 12 years as a Chiefs player and four as a coach until leaving two years ago.He scored the winning points when Exeter won promotion to the Premiership in 2010 before kicking the vital score as he captained the Chiefs to their first title in 2017.He also helped Exeter reach every Prem final from 2016 to his retirement in 2020, winning a league a European double in his final season. "I know that pre-season was meant to be out in the sand dunes, running around, things that we would experience even with Championship level, but it builds bonds that are slightly different, and I think you can see that"That emotion, that's probably just a release of a couple of years."It's been difficult a couple of years, but knowing that he's got a good group around him, they all feel part of it, they look like a team that's fighting for each other, that's the biggest thing that I can see from the outside."Chatting to a couple of lads, they do talk about that it's not too dissimilar than it was a few years back, and that's exactly what you want to see."'Take the opportunity with both hands'Olly Woodburn last played in a Twickenham final for Exeter in 2019 and has scored eight tries in 22 games this season [Getty Images]One of Steenson's former team-mates Olly Woodburn will line up for Exeter on Saturday.The 34-year-old has seen it all before - playing in four of Exeter's previous six Prem finals, including that dramatic game that saw Steenson kick for victory."I would say it's similar to our first final - not a lot of people thought we'd get there. We were a mid-table team, quite scrappy and overlooked."This is is very similar, we entered the season and everyone's been overlooking us"We're back as underdogs and we've reached the final and we've created some huge upsets."Having had a win and three losses, many would have thought Woodburn's chances of returning to a Twickenham final had gone.But he has reinvented himself, moving from the wing to full-back and provided an experienced head in a back three with youthful stars like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Campbell Ridl and Paul Brown-Bampoe on the wings."You kind of take it for granted being at this stage of the season in the mix," he says."This time around it's been six years since I played in a final, so I've been trying to soak up every moment of it and make the most of every opportunity I get."I'm not looking back and thinking 'oh we could have made the final that time and I didn't use up every moment', so for me it means a lot to be back here and I'm going to take the opportunity with both hands."Confidence from Northampton comebackExeter drew with Northampton on the opening weekend of the season and lost narrowly to them at home earlier this year [Getty Images]Exeter's past two seasons have in many ways been shaped by their opening games.In 2024, Tommy Reffell's last-minute try saw the Chiefs lose 17-14 at home to Leicester - a defeat which crushed the side's hopes and set the tone for a poor season.Fast forward 12 months and it looked as though it would be much of the same as Exeter trailed 33-7 at Northampton at half-time.But Baxter's men showed a different mettle as they came back to draw 33-33, and the rest has been history."After a pre-season everyone's the best team in the world and then you get punched in the face in that first half," recalls captain Dafydd Jenkins."We had a massive comeback and it's given us confidence throughout the season for those comebacks."We took a huge amount of confidence coming away from Saints, so getting that three points was huge for us in terms of that belief."We do reference that game a fair bit, especially this week - we know if we get our stuff right then we're going to be there or thereabouts."Now Jenkins and his team-mates will hope their season can end how it began, with a positive result against Northampton, and what many will see as an unlikely Prem title.Exeter's Feyi-Waboso declares himself fit for Prem finalExeter's play-off run forces Hooper 'to grow'

Why does Folarin Balogun play for USA? Explaining USMNT star's citizenship for 2026 World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Folarin Balogun has been one of the USMNT's highest-profile players since he made his debut for the national side in 2023. His presence at the tip of the Americans' attack can be considered something of a godsend for the U.S. Soccer Federation. After all, he spent almost the entirety of his youth in London.Balogun leads a roster filled with dual nationals. His story is perhaps the most intriguing, having been born in Brooklyn but raised almost exclusively in England.Predictably, some could be confused by Balogun's eligibility. On a practical level, he speaks with an English accent and claims London as his hometown. Wouldn't that render his place on the USMNT in jeopardy?Not exactly. With that, here's what you need to know about Balogun's eligibility, background and more.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsWhy does Folarin Balogun play for USA?Balogun announced his intention to play for the USMNT in May 2023, spurning England and Nigeria interest to lock down his future with the Stars and Stripes. Balogun called his decision a "no-brainer", adding that he felt at "home" in the USMNT ranks."When I broke the news to my family they were all just over the moon, especially my mom," Balogun said, per ESPN. "She said, 'What took you so long?'"To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I'm very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful."Balogun had his choice of suitors, shining at youth level with the Three Lions while being eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his parents. Both sides were stocked full of options at the striker position at the time of his declaration: Harry Kane led the line for England, while Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson and Ivan Toney proved capable backups. Nigeria's attack, meanwhile, was helmed by former Serie A and African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen. In other words, there wasn't a clear pathway for Balogun to establish himself as first-choice striker at St. George's Park or Abuja.By tying down his future with the Americans, Balogun stole a march on less prolific striker candidates. He wasn't quite cemented as the USMNT's No. 9 — at least not coming out of the gate. But he did carry the sort of pedigree that would inspire hope that he could lead the line for the U.S. in tournaments to come.MORE USMNT NEWS:Why isn't USA better at soccer by now?Meet USA's 2026 World Cup soccer teamHow far will the USMNT go in World Cup?How USA could play Iran in World CupMauricio Pochettino's flirtation with AC Milan is not his biggest issueFolarin Balogun nationalityBalogun is a U.S. citizen, having been born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents on July 3, 2001. His family moved to the United Kingdom within a month of his birth.As the story goes, Balogun's mother vacationed in the U.S. while seven months pregnant. She was barred from her return flight due to concerns over her pregnancy, so she briefly moved in with her sister-in-law in Brooklyn before giving birth to her son.Balogun is a tri-national, holding U.S. citizenship through jus soli (birth in the territory), U.K. citizenship through naturalization and Nigerian citizenship through his parents, both of whom were born and raised in Nigeria.Where is Folarin Balogun from?Balogun was born in Brooklyn, but moved to London when he was one month old. He grew up a Gooner, joining Arsenal's legendary Hale End academy at eight years old. Balogun would spend 15 years with his boyhood club, making 10 appearances and tallying two goals. Following a successful loan spell at Ligue 1 side Reims in 2022-23, where he finished the league as the fourth top goal-scorer with 21 goals, Balogun returned to Arsenal. He was sold to Monaco in Aug. 2023, netting the Gunners a reported fee of €30 million, which could rise to €40 million with add-ons.Folarin Balogun's parentsBalogun was born to Florence and Ben Balogun on July 3, 2001. His parents were born in Nigeria and lived in London at the time of Folarin's birth. They are of Yoruba heritage.The Baloguns have supported Folarin throughout his career, often making the trek from London to France to see his games. They also felt Folarin's decision to play for the USMNT was written in the stars, citing the dramatic story of his birth as the reason he was destined to play for the Americans."I don't believe things happened by luck," Florence said in a 2023 ESPN profile. "I think for me to have gone to America and for me to have had him there, it is just something that has really stuck with me. Even when he wasn't even thinking of making an international decision, I'd already made up my mind that he is going to play for America."FIFA eligibility rulesFIFA's criteria for turning out for a national team has often been underpinned by nationality. If one holds nationality for a country, they are eligible to play for said country.There is wiggle room within that definition: in 2004, FIFA ruled that players must demonstrate a "clear connection" to a country in order to play for its national team. Players can gain eligibility through their parents or grandparents if they were born in a different country to the one the player was born in, for example.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Cubs and Brewers trade rumor heating up for Cy Young winner as NL Central battle continues originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The National League Central will be one of the more interesting divisions to watch at this year's trade deadline, with some suggesting that nearly every team in the division could be buyers. Sticking with the two contenders from the division, at least with what many people expect in the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, there's reason to believe both of them could be interested in similar players.The Cubs, who have been extremely disappointing, need to do more than Milwaukee does. If history suggests anything, it's that Milwaukee won't be too aggressive at this year's deadline, though it's certainly possible that could change, given that it understands it has a chance to really win this season.According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, those two teams could be battling it out for a potential trade for Sandy Alcantara, who many consider one of the more intriguing right-handers in baseball, with others thinking that he isn't anything that he once was.“Teams are far more bullish on Alcantara this deadline than they were last time around, when the gap between the Marlins' ask and others' willingness to give up significant talent was too large to bridge. With just this year and a club option for less than the qualifying offer remaining, the 30-year-old Alcantara throws hard, eats innings and induces ground balls,” Jeff Passan wrote.It's almost impossible to get a feel for what Alcantara is at this stage of his career. I hate saying this, since he's still relatively young, but it's evident that those injuries have had a major impact on how he looks now. That's one thing the Cubs and Brewers will have to consider this trade deadline, though the low price could make them both interested if that's how things unfold.More MLB news:Blue Jays and Padres put on notice for three-time All-StarBlue Jays and Dodgers trade rumor for Red Sox star is less than ideal for YankeesMets could trade Freddy Peralta, but there seems to be a plan to replace himCubs and Cardinals could battle for expected All-StarMets and Blue Jays get encouraging update on trade deadline addition

Photo by Adam Gray/Getty ImagesThe Knicks’ championship parade was meant to be a day of pure celebration, but one chant directed at Victor Wembanyama quickly divided opinion online.New York’s title parade took place on June 18, with the team and fans moving through Lower Manhattan and the famous Canyon of Heroes. The city was out in force, marking the end of a 53-year wait since the Knicks’ last NBA title in 1973.But footage from the parade showed some fans directing their attention toward Wembanyama, and not everyone saw it as harmless banter.Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty ImagesKnicks fans criticized for Victor Wembanyama chant during paradeDanny B on X posted from Knicks parade day as the celebration took over Lower Manhattan early in the morning.Social media was quick to react after video emerged of Knicks fans chanting an explicit anti-Wembanyama message. One clip even showed a group mocking a doll meant to represent the Spurs star.While some brushed it off as typical parade behavior, one reaction read: “Uncalled for but appropriate,” one fan wrote.Others were less impressed. Another reply simply said: “Classy.”A third fan questioned why Wembanyama remained such a focus, writing: “Knicks won a championship but Wemby is all we keep hearing? He’s the new Knicks Daddy.”Others did not hold back: “Classless as always, Knicks fans.”Another reaction summed up the discomfort around the clip: “How is this fun at all.”Wembanyama rivalry follows Knicks into title celebrationThe Knicks had just beaten San Antonio 4-1 in the NBA Finals, clinching the title with a 94-90 Game 5 win behind Jalen Brunson’s 45-point, Finals MVP performance.That result, and lingering tension from the series, gave fans plenty of reason to focus on Wembanyama. The rivalry had another layer after some criticized Wembanyama and the Spurs for leaving the court without post-series handshakes, a moment even Draymond Green called out.Despite the controversy, the parade itself was a classic New York celebration, with players, celebrities and fans packing the route to City Hall.But the spotlight on the Wembanyama chant added to a growing narrative around Knicks fans. Dave Portnoy had already called out the fan base after the title win, saying the team was likable but the supporters less so.The Knicks had every right to enjoy their moment. The question is whether bringing Wembanyama into it made the celebration sharper, or just smaller.Read more:How Thomas Muller surprisingly became part of the New York Knicks paradeNYPD reveals how many people attended the New York Knicks’ huge paradeDave Portnoy exposes Zohran Mamdani’s Knicks ‘super fan’ act with a professional actor dig

Blue Jays and Padres put on notice for Red Sox’s 87.5M three-time All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.I don't know if the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox would want to make trades during the deadline, but I don't think it's crazy to say we could see it happen. Both teams need multiple things, with the Blue Jays in the mix to land players who can help them win right now. The Red Sox should be looking to move on from some of those guys, including veteran Willson Contreras. Contreras has been a very good player throughout his career, and according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, teams like the Blue Jays and San Diego Padres could be in the mix.“Contreras has been highly productive in Boston, thriving at Fenway Park -- where he has an OPS over 1.000 -- and mashing on the road. Since he has been so good offensively for a team that has been so bad, trading him when he has two very reasonable years left on his deal and when the Red Sox intend to compete in the coming years gives them pause. Compound that with Contreras' no-trade clause and the feeling of other teams is that anything short of a massive overpay will make Contreras difficult to land,” Jeff Passan wrote.The Padres' side is interesting here, as reports had indicated in the past that they were interested in Jarren Duran. I'm unsure if they're still a threat to make a deal in that regard, but Toronto might have to be mindful of that if it wants to add a player of Contreras' caliber, who many consider one of the top infielders possibly available at this deadline.More MLB news:Blue Jays and Dodgers trade rumor for Red Sox star is less than ideal for YankeesMets could trade Freddy Peralta, but there seems to be a plan to replace himCubs and Cardinals could battle for expected All-StarMets and Blue Jays get encouraging update on trade deadline additionYankees, Blue Jays, and Red Sox could battle for Astros World Series champ

Insane Spurs trade pitch ends De’Aaron Fox experiment for two starters and a first-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.If the San Antonio Spurs could walk away with a first-round pick in a trade involving De'Aaron Fox, it feels like the front office would have to make that trade. If they can also get some decent players in return in a trade, it feels like a move that makes sense. I'm unsure if the Spurs are truly looking to make a splash during the offseason, but if one presents itself, it shouldn't be out of the question.The Spurs have to ensure they are in a good position to return to the NBA Finals, and moving on from Fox could help them do so. That's why one recent trade proposal with the Toronto Raptors makes a whole lot of sense. The Spurs would not only be getting Brandon Ingram in return, but they'd also be getting the 19th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.San Antonio Spurs Receive: Brandon Ingram, Ja’Kobe Walter, No. 19 pick in the 2026 NBA DraftToronto Raptors Receive: De’Aaron Fox“The Raptors went 46-36, finished fifth in the East, and lost their first-round series in seven games. Their defense was strong enough to compete, but the offense did not have a reliable lead guard who could control a playoff series. Fox would give them a much faster and more aggressive option,” Fran Leiva wrote.My favorite part here would be getting the 19th pick. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but Ingram isn't exactly the answer that I'd be looking for if I were San Antonio. Not that he's a bad player by any means, but he's just so inconsistent, and I can see many fans getting frustrated with him, much like what we saw with Fox toward the end of the NBA Playoffs.More NBA news:Spurs trade idea moves $229M All-Star to HeatSpurs trade proposal cuts ties with De’Aaron Fox Spurs and Raptors reportedly want to draft the same player one pick apartSpurs reportedly looking to make major NBA Draft tradeLakers trade pitch reunites Klay Thompson with Luka Doncic

Spurs trade idea moves $229M All-Star to Heat as Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors slow down originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There's an expectation in the NBA that the Miami Heat will be very interested in some of the top players available during the offseason. We've already heard all the rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo, though it remains unclear whether the Heat will actually have an opportunity to land him.Knowing Miami, it will probably lose out on him because it doesn't want to move on from certain players, and the fan base will be very upset about that. However, other players may be available to San Antonio, with one trade proposal suggesting that De'Aaron Fox of the Spurs could be a fit.San Antonio Spurs Receive: Tyler Herro, Andrew WigginsMiami Heat Receive: De’Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson“The Heat finished 43-39, took the No. 10 spot in the East, and lost their Play-In game against the Hornets. They still need a real point guard who can attack the rim, create easier shots for Bam Adebayo, and control the offense late in games. De’Aaron Fox would give them all three. Fox is not a great three-point shooter, but his speed would change an offense that can become slow and predictable. “A Fox-Adebayo pick-and-roll could force defenses to protect the rim, while Keldon Johnson would give the Heat another strong wing who plays with energy. Johnson won Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds on 51.9% from the field,” Fran Leiva wrote.The only reason it would make sense to bring in Fox is if they landed a player like Antetokounmpo. I don't think it's the cleanest fit in Miami, especially since Erik Spoelstra likes to play high-level team defense, which Fox doesn't. At the same time, I can understand why they'd be intrigued by his offensive upside.More NBA news:Spurs trade proposal cuts ties with De’Aaron Fox Spurs and Raptors reportedly want to draft the same player one pick apartSpurs reportedly looking to make major NBA Draft tradeLakers trade pitch reunites Klay Thompson with Luka DoncicNuggets trade proposal brings in Warriors four-time champion

What channel is Royals vs. Cardinals on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch MLB Friday Night Baseball game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The second installment of the I-70 series continues this weekend with the St. Louis Cardinals visiting the Kansas City Royals.St. Louis took two of three from Kansas City a month ago at Busch Stadium, and the teams are back together at Kauffman for three more games as the Cardinals try to chip away at the Brewers' NL Central lead and the Royals look to climb out of the AL Central basement.Friday's middle game of the series features perhaps the most appealing pitching matchup, with Seth Lugo (3.86 ERA) on the mound for the Royals and Michael McGreevy (2.99 ERA) getting the ball for the Cards.Lugo is back following a brief stint on the concussion injured list after taking a line drive to the head in his most recent start June 10. The veteran has generally been solid this season but the Royals will surely keep a close eye on him in his return. McGreevey doesn't miss many bats (51 strikeouts in 78.1 innings) but he has consistently kept the Cardinals in his starts, working exactly six innings with two runs allowed in each of his last three outings. Who will pick up the win Friday night? Here's everything you need to know to watch. What channel is Royals vs. Cardinals on today?TV channel: NoneLive stream: Apple TVRoyals vs. Cardinals will not air on traditional television Friday. The game will stream live as part of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package. New subscribers get their first week of Apple TV for free. After that, they can subscribe for just $12.99/month. Subscribers can watch "Friday Night Baseball" with the Apple TV app, which is available on select smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles. Royals vs. Cardinals start timeDate: Friday, June 19Time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CTFirst pitch of Royals vs. Cardinals on Friday is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.Apple TV 'Friday Night Baseball' schedule 2026Apple and MLB have announced the "Friday Night Baseball" schedule through the end of July. See every upcoming game below. DateGameTime (ET)June 19Cardinals at Royals8:15 p.m.Twins at Diamondbacks9:45 p.m.June 26Cubs at Brewers7:45 p.m.Dodgers at Padres9:45 p.m.July 3Rays at Astros8:15 p.m.Brewers at Diamondbacks9:45 p.m.July 10Red Sox at Mets7:15 p.m.Braves at Cardinals8:15 p.m.July 17White Sox at Blue Jays7:15 p.m.July 24Yankees at Phillies6:45 p.m.Blue Jays at Red Sox7:15 p.m.July 31Rangers at Astros8:15 p.m.Giants at Padres9:45 p.m.Related LinksLatest MLB news and rumors2026 MLB schedule and scoresMLB standings 2026

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 18: Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino of USA arrives for a press conference one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images Good morning everyone! Your hoddler-in-chief enjoyed his brief return to hoddling duties, but work calls once more. Please be courteous to your substitute hoddler-in-chiefs on Monday and Tuesday! Okay so yesterday we did a little hoddle on the Tartan Army, Scotland’s fan base. You’ve probably seen them in the newspapers (or on this website) wearing their kilts, playing their bag pipes, singing their little hearts out and drinking Boston dry.Well they’re back in action today against HaitiMorocco in New York CityFoxboro.Why not do a Tartan Army hoddle, round 2? Check this out. Did you know Massachusetts became the first state to legalise haggis? I had no idea it wasn’t legal here in the US.Massachusetts becomes first state to legalise haggis.https://t.co/eiz13cAi9h— STV News (@STVNews) June 18, 2026Okay okay, so it turns out it wasn’t actually legalised. Just a little bit of fun. But that’s dumb. For those of you asking, haggis has been illegal to serve in the Us since the 1970s largely because it contains sheep lung.With that whiplash out of the way, let’s turn to another character in the Tartan Army. This duck:The Tartan Army had a new member for their march in Providence earlier 🦆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿#BBCFootball#FifaWorldCuppic.twitter.com/Uv9mQSIEqN— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 18, 2026This is clearly a copycat of the duck wearing a Mexican kit last week. I don’t care though, it’s a duck and it’s wearing a St. Andrew’s cross. That’s pretty cool.And apparently there’s this thing now where the latest trend is showing all these fans and teams cleaning up after themselves whether they’re out at the pub or in the dressing room. I’m just glad people are keeping themselves and their environs clean.And the Boston Red Sox had so much fun hosting the Tartan Army last week that they invited them again on Wednesday and Thursday, offering a free first drink. That’s a pretty sweet deal!Fitzie’s track of the day:Alive And Kicking, by Simple MindsAnd now for your links:The Athletic ($$): “Tottenham interested in Mateus Fernandes deal, remain keen on Sandro Tonali”ESPN: “Full hearts, empty kegs, can’t lose: Scotland’s Tartan Army takes over World Cup”BBC: “Scotland’s Boston love affair one for the ages”The Independent: “How Thomas Tuchel inspired England to throw off nerves of Gareth Southgate era”Yahoo Sports: “Scottish World Cup Fans Drank So Much Beer That Boston’s Samuel Adams Taproom Needed an Emergency Delivery”

Inside Virat Kohli’s injury rehab: How the India star is fast-tracking his return before England ODIs originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Kohli's hamstring injury is healing well, putting him on course for an England comeback.BCCI selection committee will pick the England ODI squad within three to four days.Kohli's last international appearance came against New Zealand in January.Virat Kohli on track to return for India's ODI series in EnglandVirat Kohli appears to be on schedule to return to international cricket for India's upcoming ODI series in England, with reports claiming that his hamstring injury is healing faster than initially expected.According to The Times of India, Kohli has already begun his rehabilitation programme and is due to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence shortly for a fitness assessment that will determine his final clearance. If that process goes according to plan, the veteran batter is expected to make his comeback during the England tour.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the selection committee meeting to pick India's ODI squad for the England tour would take place within the next three to four days.MORE: Rise of Gill: How the 'Prince' of Indian cricket is turning into Men in Blue's new poster boy (getty) Ajit Agarkar had already flagged a possible returnKohli sat out India's ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring problem, with Yashasvi Jaiswal stepping in as his replacement at the top of the order.Kohli has been working closely with Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla, a leading orthopaedic surgeon based at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, who also serves as the BCCI's consultant orthopaedic surgeon.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had hinted at this possibility earlier in the month when announcing India's squads for the Afghanistan series in Mumbai on June 6.At the time, he noted that there was no firm timeline from the team's physio but suggested Kohli could potentially be fit in time for the England assignment."With Virat, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. We don't know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet," Agarkar had said.MORE: Shreyanka Patil ruled out of T20 World Cup; uncapped RCB star named replacementVirat Kohli's recent form in ODIsHaving already stepped away from T20 internationals and Test cricket, Kohli's international career is now confined entirely to the 50-over format.His most recent outing came in India's home series against New Zealand in January, where he was the side's leading run-scorer with 240 runs at an impressive average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26. If he carries that form into England, it would be a timely boost for India ahead of a busy season.For all the latest cricket news, opinion and commentary and to share your voice head to our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

“Trump’s answer to the question, ‘Who did you go to war with?’ and ‘How did it end?’ will be the same answer: ‘Iran,’” Kimmel said.

"I know what I'm capable of" – Felix Nmecha not feeling pressure despite high praiseFelix Nmecha has received plenty of praise lately, with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann describing him as "world class", Joshua Kimmich hailing him as one of the most talented players in the national team and Lothar Matthäus naming him one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world.The Borussia Dortmund midfielder isn't letting those compliments put him under pressure. Instead, he uses the praise as extra motivation.“I wouldn’t call it pressure," Nmecha said in an interview with Sky Germany, adding: "Of course, it’s nice to hear those words from the coach, teammates or a legend. But I try not to focus too much on it, otherwise you can lose your focus. Still, I’m very grateful for the positive comments. It motivates me to keep improving.”The 25-year-old has no doubts about his own abilities.“I know what I'm capable of and what kind of player I am. I have great confidence in myself and in the gift that God has given me. That was even the case during periods when I wasn't playing at the highest level yet. I'm very grateful for the journey I've been on so far. So I'd say: yes, I believe in myself,” he said.After starting and scoring in Germany’s opening 7-1 win over Curaçao, Nmecha is set to retain his place when Julian Nagelsmann’s side face Ivory Coast on Saturday evening at 22:00 CEST.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D - United States v Paraguay - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, U.S. - June 12, 2026 Christian Pulisic of the U.S. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi MioLast, the United States Men’s National Team opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a bang, blasting Paraguay by a final score of 4-1. However, there was one point of concern as USMNT superstar Christian Pulisic was injured and removed from the game at halftime.At the time, it seemed like Pulisic’s injury was nothing serious and would not keep him sidelined for long. But as the team prepares for its second match of the tournament against Australia, he still has not fully returned to practice and it sounds like they are preparing to play without him.Pulisic Suffered InjuryAfter the United States took a 3-0 lead into halftime against Paraguay, head coach Maurico Pochettino removed Pulisic from the lineup sparking concern from fans about a potential injury.After the game, both Pochettino and Pulisic eased those concerns as they seemed to indicate that while it was indeed an injury, it was nothing serious.“I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic said after the game. “Taking a little bit of precaution tonight but I’m hoping I’ll be fine in the next few days.“I’ve had similar things before. I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything.”Pochettino said something similar, as he revealed that Pulisic first “received a kick, a knock” two days earlier during a training session. At halftime, Pulisic “got cold” and “felt it more,” according to Pochettino who called his removal from the game a “last-minute change.”“Now I think it’s better and hope for the next game he will be available,” Pochettino added.Still Not ReadyA week later and just a day before the team’s showdown with Australia, Pulisic has still not returned to the practice field.During a press conference on Friday, Pochettino said that while Pulisic is “much better,” he’s obviously still not fully healthy. The USMNT coach admitted that the team might have to play without him.“I think tonight, or the day before the game, we have a meeting with our medical area and we will assess the whole group, the players, and tomorrow we will communicate and see all the things that [we] can agree [on] tonight,” Pochettino said via ESPN. “He’s evolving. He’s much better from Friday. We’ll see. I think at the moment, if we see he’s not available for tomorrow, he will be available for the next game.“I think he’s doing a massive effort trying to be ready. I think for every single player that love their country it’s an amazing opportunity to know, to enjoy and to help the team to perform and to win games. When this type of thing happens, always is painful, but I think Christian is strong and with great mentality and is doing a fantastic effort to try to be ready as soon as possible.”Preparing to Play Without HimWith Pulisic’s status in doubt, Pochettino is preparing for alternative lineups for Friday afternoon’s showdown with Australia.“We are evaluating all the possibilities, just in case, and then we will decide when we have the confirmation in one or another direction tonight,” Pochettino said.If Pulisic cannot go, his replacements will likely include Brenden Aaronson, Giovanni Reyna, Timothy Weah and Alejandro Zendejas. But USMNT fans likely won’t know his status until just before the game.The post USMNT preparing to play without Christian Pulisic appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

[BBC][Getty Images]Liverpool have signed Spain winger Victor Munoz - and told RB Leipzig that they will pay a package worth about 100m euros (£86m) for Yan Diomande.The Reds confirmed the signing of Munoz from Osasuna after triggering his 40m euro (£34.5m) release clause.Munoz is part of Spain's World Cup squad, with Liverpool sending staff to the United States to conduct his medical on Wednesday.Diomande is also at the World Cup, with Ivory Coast, and although Paris St-Germain are in the race to sign him too, they are yet to make an offer and Liverpool are in pole position for the 19-year-old winger.However, German side Leipzig want more than the package Liverpool are willing to offer, and there is also no desire to see the teenager leave in the transfer window.There is an understanding, though, if Diomande performs well at this summer's tournament, his transfer value could increase, and a package in excess of 130m euros (£112m) would change their stance.Diomande scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season.

Warriors $39M fan-favorite being viewed as trade candidate after suffering devastating injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Golden State Warriors are expected to be active during the offseason, with some even suggesting we could see a somewhat different roster beyond Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. As long as the Warriors keep those guys together and add the right supporting pieces, I like what they could build. However, doing so might require making a trade or two, and according to one CBS Sports insider, it might even require moving on from Moses Moody, a young player often viewed as a fan favorite.“Another injury case. He tore his patellar tendon during the season, but he’s also one of the few mid-sized contracts Golden State has to trade with,” Quinn wrote.“The Warriors need a guard who can defend with De’Anthony Melton also potentially leaving in free agency, but we know the priority here will be a star addition, so if Moody is needed to make such a deal possible, he’s a potential casualty of Golden State’s bigger goals.”Moody is sneakily a very decent player, but his injury this past year doesn't help, and if the Warriors want to make a trade or two, they might have no choice but to move on from a player of his caliber.More NBA news:Spurs new trade idea swaps All-Star for NBA ChampionInsane Spurs trade pitch ends De’Aaron Fox experimentSpurs trade idea moves $229M All-Star to HeatSpurs trade proposal cuts ties with De’Aaron Fox Spurs and Raptors reportedly want to draft the same player one pick apart

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty ImagesCaitlin Clark had plenty of attention on her before the Indiana Fever faced Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream, but her restless night had a different explanation.The matchup already carried the usual spotlight because Clark and Reese were sharing the floor again.Every possession between the Indiana Fever guard and the Atlanta Dream forward was going to be watched closely, especially with their games often turning into major social media moments. Clark’s excitement, though, started before the basketball.Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesCaitlin Clark reveals Nike Caitlin 1 excitement before the Indiana Fever gameClark’s shoe reveal comments explained why she struggled to sleep before facing the Dream.“Even yesterday, knowing I was going to post that early in the morning. I didn’t sleep very well. I was just so excited,” Clark said.She added, “And I went to bed late, obviously, because we played the night before, so kind of like a kid on Christmas, you get to show the world what you have been working on for a couple years.”The reason was the Nike Caitlin 1, Clark’s first signature shoe with Nike. The reveal arrived before the Fever’s game against the Dream, turning an already high-profile night into a personal milestone for one of the WNBA’s biggest stars.The debut Racer Blue colorway is scheduled for release on October 1, 2026, with a reported adult price of $140. The shoe includes Clark-specific details, including nods to her initials and No. 22, while Nike built it around her range, pace and movement.Caitlin Clark brought Nike Caitlin 1 spotlight into the Atlanta Dream gameClark still had to move from the emotion of the reveal into a physical WNBA game against Reese and the Dream. She finished with 26 points and seven assists, but Atlanta won 108-101 behind a balanced offensive night and Reese’s 21 points and 11 rebounds.The timing made the day even bigger for Clark because it combined two parts of her growing profile. She was not just leading the Fever on court, she was also stepping into the signature-shoe space that remains rare and valuable in women’s basketball.That is why the Christmas comparison fits. Clark had spent years working toward a moment that was about more than one game, and the chance to finally show the Caitlin 1 to fans clearly hit her before tipoff.The Fever-Dream meeting still delivered the Clark-Reese attention everyone expected. But Clark’s sleepless night was really about a career landmark that started before the opening whistle.Read more:Caitlin Clark fans hit out at Angel Reese for mimicking Indiana Fever starWNBA fans react to Caitlin Clark’s LeBron James-like first signature Nike sneakersCaitlin Clark gets called immature over Dallas Wings star’s 2022 kicking scorer’s table incident

Buildings damaged by Israeli strikes are seen through shattered glass from the Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)2026-06-19T05:10:28Z JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military said Friday that intense fighting in southern Lebanon killed four soldiers.The military identified one of the dead, a lieutenant colonel, and said the three others would be identified later.Lebanon’s state-run news agency says at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the south overnight.The attacks came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed.Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with Hezbollah, reported that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over ongoing Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.Israel maintains it must continue to hold the territory and have a free hand to battle Hezbollah as it has been launching attacks into northern Israel. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military said Friday its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the nascent agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, which the Israeli military said were ongoing. Continued fighting in Lebanon could unravel the newly signed deal, which calls for an immediate halt to military operations “on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” where Israel has been battling the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, and for ensuring Lebanon’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty.” Read More Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, has refused to withdraw, saying Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah has been eliminated.The attacks came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday put off his trip to Switzerland where he had been set to lead the talks. The White House blamed logistical issues, but the announcement came after a report from Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied to Hezbollah, that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. 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. U.S. President Donald Trump signed the initial pact with Iran on Wednesday while dining with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, which took immediate effect.In comments following the signing, Vance offered a blunt warning to Israel, saying Trump was “the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time.”_____Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press reporter David Rising contributed to this story from Bangkok. JON GAMBRELL Gambrell is the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press. He has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. twitter instagram mailto

People gather outside the Adass Israel Synagogue, Dec. 9, 2024, after a firebombing in Melbourne, Australia. (Con Chronis/AAP Image via AP)2026-06-19T06:15:53Z MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Police charged a third suspect on Friday with an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue that was allegedly directed by Iran.The 20-year-old man was one of three masked offenders who broke into the Adass Israel Synagogue, doused the interior with flammable liquid then set it alight in the early hours of Dec. 6, 2024, a police statement alleged.The fire caused extensive damage to the synagogue and a worshipper sustained minor injuries.The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which brings together federal and state police with a spy agency, charged the man, who has not been named, with offenses including arson.He was charged in a Melbourne jail where he was already being held in custody on unrelated offenses. Police declined to elaborate on those offenses.His co-accused Giovanni Laulu, 21, was arrested in July last year and another suspect, Younes Ali Younes, 20, was arrested a month later. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing the synagogue fire and an arson attack two months earlier at a Sydney kosher eatery, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen. Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the nation’s main domestic spy agency, said the Revolutionary Guard used a “complex web of proxies to hide its involvement” in both antisemitic attacks.Iran’s ambassador to Australia and another three Iranian diplomats were expelled. Tehran has denied Australia’s allegations. Read More Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier told reporters on Friday that investigators were working with international partners in the continuing investigation.Police were also investigating whether the three alleged arsonists knew who ordered the attack.“They may not actually be aware of the people who are directing or the principals of these investigations. That remains a key line of inquiry for us,” Crozier said. Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul O’Halloran said police had informed the local Jewish community of the third arrest before the news was made public. 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. “Our heart goes out to them. Again, this brings back this terrible incident,” O’Halloran said.“People deserve the right to feel safe and be safe in their community and particularly at their place of worship. Today’s charges are a strong testament to this,” he added.The latest suspect will make his first court appearance on the new charges next week.The Australian government has established a public inquiry to investigate a rise in antisemitism across the country, including the killing of 15 people when two gunmen opened fire on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December. ROD MCGUIRK McGuirk covers Australian and South Pacific news for The Associated Press. He is based in Melbourne. mailto

Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)2026-06-19T04:04:08Z ZURICH (AP) — The U.S. push to quickly begin high-stakes talks with Iran hit a snag just two days after the signing of an agreement that opens a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding about Iran’s nuclear program while getting oil traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz back to prewar levels.Vice President JD Vance had been prepared to make an overnight flight Friday to meet with his Iranian counterparts at a mountainside resort in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen and begin the technical talks.His staff and a small pack of journalists had even gathered at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington in anticipation of the trip. Meanwhile, dozens of White House officials, advance staffers and more media gathered in Switzerland to prepare for Vance’s anticipated arrival.But then abruptly on Thursday evening the trip was called off — at least for the time being. The White House issued a statement explaining Vance — who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the negotiations — and his delegation were prepared for talks, but they were unable to finalize plans and the vice president would remain in Washington. “The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable,” the statement noted.The announcement followed a report from Al-Mayadeen, a Pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. Read More Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel’s military will stay in a “security zone” of southern Lebanon as long as “Israel’s security needs require it.”Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the agreement. Iran insists Israel must withdraw from the large swath of southern Lebanon it is occupying, but the wording of the interim deal doesn’t explicitly require that and only ensures Lebanon’s “territorial integrity.” Hours before postponing his trip, Vance gave some indication of the state of flux when he told reporters at a White House briefing that he was uncertain if the talks were going to happen this weekend. 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. “Our plan is to go to Switzerland, I don’t know exactly when,” Vance told reporters. “We think these technical negotiations start sometime this weekend. That’s still the plan. But that could change.”Soon after Vance spoke to reporters, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the U.S. in a terse statement read by state media that appeared to signal to the Islamic Republic’s leadership that it could move forward with a first round of talks.“It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion,” Khamenei said in his statement.The messaging seemed to give Khamenei, who was badly wounded in the Feb. 28 U.S. strike that killed his father, some maneuverability. Hard-liners in the Iranian government, including Khamenei’s father, have long opposed direct talks with the White House, especially after Trump, during his first term, pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration.More importantly for the White House, it appeared to create a permission structure for the talks to start. The meeting was initially supposed to be a signing ceremonyVance was initially expected to go to Switzerland to sign the agreement at a formal ceremony. Instead, Trump signed the document Wednesday during a glitzy dinner at the Palace of Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately signed the agreement.The agreement states that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be buried under rubble left by U.S. military strikes last year targeting Tehran’s key nuclear sites, 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 a range of other commitments remain to be worked out. Iran believes it’s in a strong negotiating positionIranians would be going into the talks with a measure of confidence after effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, causing global economic reverberations, said Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities in Washington.She said the U.S. is now “essentially trying to negotiate our way back to the prewar status quo.”Neil Quilliam, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House think tank, said the “buoyant” Iranian leadership feels it has the upper hand. The endorsement of the talks by the Iranian supreme leader “sends a very strong signal domestically: ’We’re now on an equal footing with the U.S.’””‘Trump has gone from calling for regime change on Feb. 28 to this: Now they’re going to sit down with us directly and talk about these big issues,’” Quilliam said of the Iranians’ thinking. “So it’s intended more for the domestic audience, and telling them: ‘We are firmly in control of this. There can be no protests, no revolution: We are a new regime and we’re staying put.’” The president’s tone has also taken a notable shift.For weeks, he’s insisted the financial costs to Americans were less important to him than stamping out Iran’s nuclear program. He irked some of his fellow Republicans when he indicated its potential impact on November’s midterm elections wasn’t a concern.But this week, at the G7 summit in Evian-Les-Bains, France, he acknowledged for the first time that continuing the war could have led to “economic catastrophe” and that oil reserves were on track to run out in about four weeks.“And the one president I did not want to be was the late, great Herbert Hoover,” said Trump, referring to the 31st president whose time in office was defined by the Great Depression.Vance has to negotiate through political division For Vance, a likely 2028 presidential contender, how the negotiations play out could have enormous ramifications for his political fortunes.Vance’s skepticism of foreign wars was a core part of his political identity during his political rise. But now he finds himself the chief defender of negotiating an endgame to Trump’s conflict that Democrats have largely derided as a foolish gambit. Some hawkish Republicans are aghast that Trump is getting behind a settlement that could put billions of dollars into Iran’s coffers.Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday that he’s concerned the agreement “negotiates away the victories” from the U.S. air campaign against Iran and said aspects of it are “completely out of step” with Trump’s goals.Trump had fiercely criticized Obama for the 2015 nuclear agreement, which Trump argued failed to stop Tehran from advancing toward a weapon and funneled billions of dollars to the Islamic Republic.In 2018, Trump exited the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the European Union were also signatories to the pact.Trump has pushed back against comparisons to the JCPOA, saying he had “negotiated from strength” after a massive military campaign while asserting that Obama was paying the Iranians off and not receiving acquiescence. Wicker was particularly concerned about the $300 billion fund for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran mentioned in the 14-point agreement, saying it “would make Iran’s payoff under Obama’s 2015 deal look like a pittance by comparison.” Trump and Vance have said no U.S. taxpayer money would go to such a fund and it would not come without concessions and reforms by Tehran. AAMER MADHANI Madhani is a White House reporter for the Associated Press whose reporting focuses on U.S. foreign policy. Contact him securely on Signal at aamermadhani.39 twitter mailto JAMEY KEATEN Keaten is the chief Associated Press reporter in Geneva. He previously was posted in Paris and has reported from Afghanistan, the Middle East, North Africa and across Europe. twitter

A statue is placed on a bench near monitors showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index, hanging in a business building in Tokyo, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)2026-06-19T04:56:16Z BANGKOK (AP) — Shares retreated Friday in Asia, with markets in Greater China closed for holidays. U.S. futures declined as optimism over the U.S.-Iran deal to end their war was dimmed by the postponement of high-stakes talks on reopening negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and getting oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. markets will be closed Friday for Juneteenth.Investor sentiment has also been hit by expectations that central banks including the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to try to curb inflation. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 wavered between gains and losses and was little changed at 71,082.81. The government reported that consumer prices excluding volatile fresh foods was unchanged, but analysts said it would likely pick up in coming months despite higher fuel costs. Higher inflation was a factor driving the Bank of Japan to raise its benchmark interest rate earlier this week to a three-decade high of 1% as it gradually adjusts its policies after years of near-zero or negative rates. In South Korea, the Kospi lost 0.5% to 9,019.22 and the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia declined 1.1% to 8,818.40. India’s Sensex lost 1%. Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan were closed for the Dragon Boat festival. On Thursday, stocks rose on Wall Street, erasing most of their losses from a day earlier to notch weekly gains thanks to big advances for heavyweight technology companies. The decline on Wednesday was driven by anticipation that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates this year in an effort to fight inflation. Read More The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to 7,500.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% to 51,564.70 and the Nasdaq composite surged 1.9% to 26,517.93. Technology stocks had some of the biggest gains and the most influence on the broader market’s rise. Intel surged 10.6% after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the semiconductor giant will make chips for Apple in the U.S. Other big semiconductor companies gained ground. Nvidia rose 3% and Micron Technology jumped 8.7%. On the losing end, SpaceX fell for the second straight day since its big debut on the U.S. stock market last week. The Elon Musk-led rocket maker and AI company was down 3.6% following a 4.9% loss Wednesday. 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. Oil prices wavered after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Brent crude, the international standard, spent most of the day lower before settling 0.4% higher at $79.85 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude fell 0.2% to $75.85 per barrel.Early Friday, Brent crude was down 0.5% at $79.34 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude lost 0.5% to $75.37 per barrel.Airlines had some of the bigger gains. American Airlines rose 3.7% and United Airlines rose 2.1%. Cruise line company Carnival jumped 3.2%.Energy companies lost ground. Exxon Mobil fell 2.1% and Chevron fell 2.2%.Prices for crude oil are still above roughly $70 per barrel from before the war, but are well below the $100-plus price from a few weeks ago. Higher oil prices have been weighing on markets throughout the U.S. war with Iran. The current deal between the nations waives sanctions against Iran and allows it to sell its oil freely. It also opens up the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil supply is shipped.Rising energy costs have been putting more pressure on already hot inflation. The average price of gasoline in the U.S. has dipped below $4 a gallon, but is still 25% higher than a year ago. Prices have been rising for a wide range of goods because of higher shipping costs.The Federal Reserve kept is key interest rate unchanged this week but hotter inflation means it will likely raise rates by the end of the year. Lower interest rates make borrowing easier for businesses and households, spurring growth, but they also tend to stoke inflation.In other dealings early Friday, the U.S. dollar rose to 161.39 Japanese yen from 161.38 yen. The euro slipped to $1.1441 from $1.1458. ___AP Business Writer Damian J. Troise contributed. 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

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, looks on. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)2026-06-19T00:33:21Z WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, killing three people, as the Trump administration wages a monthslong campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America.The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September.As with most of the military’s statements on strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted the alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. A video posted on X showed a boat speeding through the water before being struck and bursting into flames. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.” Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India. Read More Senators on Thursday demanded that the Pentagon release “unedited video” of the strikes. They have drawn intense scrutiny from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars. The U.S. military’s first strike in early September drew particular concern from some lawmakers and those who study military law. Two men on the boat initially survived the attack that killed nine others, and they were clinging to the wreckage when the vessel was struck again, killing them. The White House confirmed the follow-up strike, insisting it was done “in self-defense” to ensure the boat was destroyed and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. But some legal scholars said a second strike killing survivors would have been illegal under any circumstance, armed conflict or not.The Pentagon’s watchdog said in May that it plans to look into whether the U.S. military followed an established targeting framework when carrying out the strikes. However, the evaluation is focused specifically on what’s known as the six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle and not on the legality of the strikes, the inspector general’s office said.

Andy Burnham,

The announcement raised immediate questions over the fate of the agreement President Trump signed this week, with key details left to be worked out.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 10: Gavi of FC Barcelona celebrates after defeating Real Madrid CF, and winning the LaLiga title, after the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been asked to talk transfers in an interview at the Spain camp ahead of his team’s next game at World Cup 2026.The Catalans have been linked with several players over recent months, with the focus currently on signing a new striker to take over from Robert Lewandowski.The first question put to Gavi by RAC1 was which player from the Spain team would he sign for Barca? He replied: “I like Pubill,” then added: No, look, I’m not going to tell you Pubill, I’m going to tell you Oyarzabal.” Gavi was then asked which World Cup player he would sign for Barça and took little time to make his decision, answering: “Julián Alvarez.”Alvarez is the team’s top target but Barcelona know that it won’t be easy to bring him to Camp Nou. The latest updates have suggested the Catalans will try another offer after World Cup 2026.

Fulham prepare fresh bid for youngster after Bayern reject opening offerBayern Munich have rejected an initial €3 million offer from Fulham for 18-year-old forward Jonas Kusi-Asare, according to Bild podcast Bayern Insider.Nevertheless, Fulham remain interested in signing the youngster permanently after his one-year loan spell in London, with the report suggesting the Premier League side are preparing a second bid.Kusi-Asare made just 10 first-team appearances for Fulham's first team last season without scoring.Bayern signed the striker from Swedish side AIK for €3.5 million in 2024, and he now has one year left on his contract.

🗞️Today’s front pages: criticism, changes and a moment to reactMany protagonists in the national and international sports press with the World Cup in focus.Cristiano remains at the center of criticism after Portugal’s debut, Ancelotti is preparing changes for the clash against Haiti, and Spain is rallying ahead of Saudi Arabia, where it must show a different face.MARCAASCorriere dello SportIl GazzettinoA BolaO JogoThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

The Washington Commanders wrapped up the offseason on Thursday with the completion of their three-day mandatory minicamp. However, for two individuals, their time in Washington and in the NFL has wrapped up. Area scouts Paul Skansi and Chuck Cook are retiring, as the Commanders revealed on social media, and the team wished them well. Congrats to area scouts Paul Skansi and Chuck Cook on their retirement 👏— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 18, 2026Both Skanski and Cook have been with Washington since 2017. This is only part of the personnel movement for the Commanders this offseason. Earlier in the year, Tim Gribble departed the organization in January after over two decades in Washington. Gribble was the Commanders' director of college scouting. Gribble took a similar role with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is where he's from. Washington later hired Ryan Kessenich away from the San Francisco 49ers to replace Gribble as the director of college scouting. The Commanders officially announced that move on Thursday, too. Here is a full list of Washington's moves, which include personnel, player health and performance, and the /football support staff. Some are outside hires, while others are promotions. Here's the full list:PersonnelRyan Kessenich: Director of college scoutingAlberto de la Guardia: Area scoutMiles Turner: Area scoutAndrew Dowell: Scouting assistantJohn Waters: Scouting assistantToby Junker: Scouting and R&D assistantKeenan Guthrie: Scouting associatePlayer health and performanceGeoff Kaplan: Senior director of player health & performanceJon Dignazio: Assistant athletic trainer/physical therapistNick Farrell: Director of performance nutrition Tanner Boro: Performance dietitian Football support staffBryan Porter: Senior director of football operationsGayatri Nambiar: Senior football solutions developerPreston Biro: Senior football data scientistCasesse Basaraba: Video assistantJustin Feinstein: Equipment assistantSam Walsh: Football operations assistantThere has been significant turnover throughout the organization since Josh Harris and his partners bought the team in July 2023, beginning with the hiring of GM Adam Peters in January 2024. Here's this from Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic:In 2022, the Commanders had only 15 people in personnel and scouting, and only 5 full-time staffers on their athletic training/medical staff. Now they have 26 people in personnel/scouting and 15 people in player health and performance.— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 18, 2026The Commanders were notoriously cheap under former owner Dan Snyder. Josh Harris has proven he will spare no expense in helping turn the franchise around, including spending in some of the most important areas. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders announce several personnel changes

Iran’s 2026 World Cup team will lodge a complaint with FIFA claiming they are being subjected to travel restrictions during the tournament in North America, the Iranian football federation spokesperson said on Thursday.“Despite having submitted its preparation schedule for the tournament well in advance, Iran’s national football team has once again encountered restrictions imposed by the organisers, affecting the implementation of its technical staff’s plans,” the spokesperson said, according to AFP news agency.Iran wanted to fly from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States two days before their next group match against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday. But the Iranian federation claims its request was turned down.Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opening World Cup match on Monday in Los Angeles [Patrick T Fallon/AFP]“Given that the game will be played at 12pm local time in Los Angeles, the football federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match,” the spokesman said.“The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalise preparations.“Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied.” After Iran’s first World Cup game on Monday – in which they drew 2-2 with New Zealand in a politically charged encounter – US officials said that the team will have to leave the country within hours of the full-time whistle at their World Cup group games in Los Angeles and Seattle.The response from the World Cup 2026 cohost nation came on Tuesday following criticism of its handling of the Iranian team’s visas and stay in the US after their first game.The Iranian delegation left the US hours after the match in LA ended at about 8pm local time (03:00 GMT) and returned to their base camp in Mexico, prompting criticism of the US handling of their visas, as the team did not get a day to recover at their hotel.Mehdi Taremi #9 and other Iran players walk out of the tunnel for the warm-up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday [Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/AFP]‘Match day minus one,’ says US governmentThe US administration has pushed back against the Iranian claims.Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said on Monday that Iran had been informed in advance that they would be allowed to come into the US only on the day before the game.“The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match,” Giuliani told CBS News.“They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they’ll be able to do that again in Los Angeles.”He added that the procedure would be the same for Iran’s final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.Iran, who are in Group G, kicked off their campaign this week in North America after months of uncertainty over the team’s participation in the World Cup amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George speaks to the crowd after winning D.C. Mayor primary election during an election night party at the Howard Theatre Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)2026-06-19T04:05:37Z WASHINGTON (AP) — As Janeese Lewis George paves a path to the mayor’s office in Washington, D.C., she’s told voters they could have it all.Her unapologetically expansive, left-wing agenda includes subsidized or even free childcare, increased down payment assistance for homebuyers and community resources to reduce crime, plus a promise to aggressively confront President Donald Trump’s attempts to reshape the nation’s capital. “People are tired of hearing what government can’t do. They want to hear what government can do,” Lewis George said in an interview before the city’s primary, where she defeated her Democratic opponents and positioned herself to win the general election in November in a city dominated by Democrats. Lewis George’s victory signals a break with a quarter-century of centrist governance in Washington, and it puts her in the vanguard of democratic socialists who have ascended in urban politics over the last year. Zohran Mamdani toppled Andrew Cuomo, the scion of a political dynasty, on his way to becoming New York City mayor. Katie Wilson won an upset victory to lead Seattle last fall. And this month, Nithya Raman clinched a spot in the November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. All of them are members of the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA. The political organization has seen its membership ranks swell from a few thousand to more than 100,000 nationwide over the last decade after an influx of younger Americans joined following the presidential bids of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, also a self-described democratic socialist. There’s little sign of national coordination among the candidates, and it’s unclear whether voters are gravitating toward their promises of improved government services, their vows to fight the Trump administration or their critiques of capitalism. Read More But from coast to coast, confrontational progressives are advancing in mayoral races. City leaders can draw outsized attention for their successes and failures, and democratic socialists will be under pressure from residents to deliver on their vows for a new kind of governance. Whether that translates to national politics is a next test for their movement. “They are all channeling a displeasure with a status quo and a serious desire for economic populism that the establishment Democratic Party hasn’t been preaching,” said Eric Stern, a Democratic strategist with Fight Agency, a political consulting firm that strategized Mamdani’s mayoral campaign.Stern added that Democratic voters appeared more willing to support the most progressive candidate in mayoral races rather than in contests for the U.S. House. Candidates like Mamdani and Raman, Stern said, are “daring voters to dream and fall in love not just with the individual candidates but also the political process as a whole.” A rising left navigates America’s urban challengesThe trend of progressives surging in urban areas may have limits for its broader impact on Democratic politics. Democratic mayors in cities including Atlanta, Houston, Miami and San Francisco won on relatively moderate platforms in recent years.Progressive have also faced noteworthy challenges. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was endorsed by the city’s DSA chapter during his 2023 mayoral run but has since faced criticism from both moderate and liberal local leaders on issues such as immigration, the local budget and public safety. Recalls and public pressure ousted progressives elected to district attorney offices in multiple jurisdictions over the last five years, when criminal justice reform efforts ran into dissatisfaction over public disorder following the COVID-19 pandemic.Trump’s hardline immigration and law enforcement tactics have also become a challenge for liberal cities. The president’s agenda poses an especially serious threat to Washington, D.C., because of its status as a federal territory. “Maybe we take back Washington and run it on a federal basis,” Trump told reporters this month when asked about the potential election of a democratic socialist as the district’s mayor. “We won’t put up with it.” But progressives hope the current wave of anti-Trump furor in deep blue cities across the country will help buoy the chances of those on the hard left.“It’s not folks looking for the leftmost option so much as looking for a candidate who’s gonna be on their side,” said Ravi Mangla, speaking for the left-wing Working Families Party. The party often endorses the same candidates as the DSA and is readying to target more mayoral offices in the country’s biggest metropolises this fall and in 2028.“It’s less about whether you are on the right or on the left so much as whether you are willing to punch up at the powerful,” he added.Mamdani and Lewis George are both self-described “sewer socialists” who emphasize the need for responsive government services rather than critiques of market economics. The phrase recalls the socialist Gilded Age mayors whom critics derided as too preoccupied with managing public works projects. The term’s revival is partly a strategic move to align leftist ideas with concerns over affordability and the economy, voters’ top concern in the midterm elections, and shift the public perception of democratic socialists from firebrands who support radical policies to independent-minded public servants.“This is absolutely a change election and I’m excited to bring the change that people want, which is really putting people first in the city and having the moral clarity and courage to stand up to Trump,” Lewis George said.For voters the ‘socialist’ label did not seem to matterWhile conservatives have used the “socialist” label to attack Democrats as extreme or incompetent, some D.C. voters appeared ambivalent before Tuesday’s primary.Several lifelong residents said they believed Lewis George was a “fighter” but didn’t think she’d have much of an impact on the local economy, given the city’s status as a federal district.“I go back and forth on my own labels and whether I am supportive of that movement or not, but I am supportive of making D.C. more affordable,” Owen Fitzgerald, a University of Maryland graduate student, said of his support for democratic socialism. Fitzgerald voted for Lewis George because she would stand up to Trump and said he’d first learned of her campaign from friends in his neighborhood. But he didn’t know she was a democratic socialist until he saw news reports describing her with the label.“It sends a cultural message to this administration that the people who are surrounding them in the capital are opposed to their platform, opposed to their political agenda, and I think that it will send a message, both nationally and internationally,” Fitzgerald said. MATT BROWN Brown covers national politics, federal policy and democracy issues for The Associated Press. twitter instagram mailto

A large banner is seen at a campaign event for a proposed "billionaires tax" in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)2026-06-18T15:50:18Z SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A labor union behind a controversial tax on California billionaires significantly scaled back its proposal a day after it qualified for the November ballot, but the offer Thursday wasn’t enough to get the governor on board.The proposal from the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Workers West to impose a one-time, 5% tax on individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 billion faces staunch pushback from a wide swath of critics, including Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. The union said Thursday that it would abandon the 5% tax proposal if Newsom would join them in supporting a 2% levy. The updated proposal would instead have to be passed by the Legislature, given a June 25 deadline for the measure to qualify for the ballot.Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for Newsom, said scaling it back doesn’t change its “fundamental flaws that harm working Californians.” “The Governor supports making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share, but this poorly designed state-only measure will defund teachers, schools, clinics, and public safety,” she said in a statement. The tax, to be paid by those living in the state as of Jan. 1, 2026, is meant to generate $100 billion in revenue, mainly to counter federal cuts to healthcare for low-income people with some money going to food assistance and education programs.“A 2% one-time tax on that accumulated wealth is modest by any objective measure especially if it means keeping emergency rooms open and saving patient lives,” backers wrote in a letter to Newsom. Read More Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, said Wednesday night that petitioners collected more than the roughly 875,000 signatures needed to place the original proposal before voters. States have been debating how to respond to the major tax breaks and spending cuts legislation President Donald Trump signed last year. The proposal has already divided Democrats and major labor unions and triggered an expensive campaign to defeat it. The proposed tax is backed by prominent progressives including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Silicon Valley tech moguls have spent millions to defeat it, and prominent players in Sacramento have opposed it. They include the California Medical Association and California School Boards Association, which helped launch a committee this week urging voters to reject it if it ends up on the ballot in November. Newsom also opposed a ballot measure in 2022 to increase taxes on the wealthy, which would have funded programs that help people buy electric cars or install more chargers. Voters rejected it. 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. Critics say the original measure would decrease state revenue over time by pushing the ultrawealthy to leave, taking the money they would contribute in income taxes with them. That would deal a huge blow to a state that relies on its top 1% of earners for nearly half its personal income tax revenue.“This flawed measure is the wrong approach for California’s small businesses and working families,” said Roger Salazar, a spokesperson for Golden State Promise, a political committee fighting the tax. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that the 5% tax would generate tens of billions of dollars in the first few years, but that income tax revenues could subsequently decline by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.Since the proposal was announced in October, Google co-founder Sergey Brin has donated $82 million to a political committee called Building a Better California that backs a variety of initiatives designed to blunt the billionaire tax proposal. It has raised more than $118 million, counting Brin’s contributions, from fewer than a dozen donors.State lawmakers passed budget bills this week that aim to raise revenue in other ways, including by extending a tax on healthcare providers. Newsom and legislative leaders agree to this approach, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón said.“The budget, as approved by the Legislature and now being negotiated with the Governor, does not include the billionaire’s tax,” the Democrat said in a statement. “Instead, it reflects additional revenues to address our long-term structural deficit.” SOPHIE AUSTIN Austin covers California state government and politics for the Associated Press. She reports on environmental, education and reparations policies. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The West Esplanade Ave. canal in Kenner slowly recedes after over topping during Tropical Storm Arthur in New Orleans, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)2026-06-18T14:31:51Z NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.Severe weather also pummeled parts of the Midwest, where a separate line of strong storms knocked down structures and left tens of thousands of residents without power. Arthur was the first tropical storm of the season in the Atlantic basin, and although it quickly downgraded within a day of forming, the lingering system created dangerous conditions in Louisiana and Mississippi. In one rural Louisiana parish, more than 2 feet of rain fell in 48 hours and most of that soaking came Thursday, said Donald Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.It flooded at least 200 homes in Avoyelles Parish, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of the state capital, Louisiana state Rep. Daryl Deshotel said. “Even by this region’s standards, that’s catastrophic rain,” Jones said.Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a social media post Thursday night that a worker on a county road crew in the southwestern part of the state had been killed while helping with storm cleanup operations. The cause of the death was not disclosed. Thirty homes below the Anchor Lake dam in southern Mississippi were being evacuated as a precaution due to concerns that rising waters could overwhelm the spillways and compromise the structure, Reeves said. Residents in the area were being encouraged to seek higher ground. Read More Coni Dubois said several inches of water flooded her home overnight in Houma, southwest of New Orleans, but others in the community had worse damage. She’s lived through many hurricanes and other storms, but never witnessed thunder and lightning like this.“It was unbelievable, it literally sounded like hell broke open,” Dubois said. “I thought for sure we had a tornado on top of us. The lightning and the thunder was so consistent, the whole house was lit up like daylight for about 20 minutes.” The National Guard and state wildlife officials were working with rescue crews, officials said. 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. One tornado had been confirmed in Avoyelles Parish in central Louisiana, along with three others near New Orleans, the weather service said.Louisana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency for some storm-hit areas, and the town of Cottonport in Avoyelles Parish said it was turning off water service overnight “to manage our resources and allow our system to recover.” It urged residents to limit water use and to fill pots and other containers before the water was shut off.Amid relentless rainfall in central Louisiana, Cody Coco said he rescued stranded workers — waist deep in water —- at a cypress sawmill operation he runs near his home in Avoyelles Parish. He said the water has continued to rise all throughout the day.Coco, 40, said he also used a boat to rescue the four pigs he kept in a pen. Video he shared on his Facebook page shows the hogs swimming out of their enclosure in a torrent of murky water. Coco says they are now safe on higher ground. “If I’d left them in the pen, they’d have drowned,” Coco said. “They were happy to see me.”New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno posted a video on Facebook describing relatively minor damage and cleanup efforts. Ahead of the storm, police prepared boats and set up barricades in flood-prone areas. They also opened sandbag distribution sites across Louisiana.Just across the Mississippi River in Avondale, a tornado wrecked four homes, Jefferson Parish spokeswoman Rachel Strassel said. Two people were hospitalized with minor injuries and later released.The Midwest was also dealing with damage after a strong line of storms. A tornado was reported Wednesday evening near Effingham, Illinois, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of Springfield. Several people suffered minor injuries, officials said.Firefighters responded to damaged homes, collapsed structures, car crashes, downed power lines, gas leaks and blocked roads, Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum said. The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, confirmed two tornadoes, including one Wednesday with maximum winds of 116 mph (186.8 kph) in the Charleston area. The EF2 tornado lifted the roof off a home and flipped a semi-truck, injuring one person.Marla Washburn and her husband, Todd, hunkered down in their basement as a suspected tornado tore through their neighborhood about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north in Blue Mound. They could hear debris smacking into their house and a school across the street lost its roof, which came crashing onto their home.“The whole house shook,” Washburn said in a phone interview, adding that the neighborhood looks like Armageddon.“You don’t know whether to laugh or cry, but we’re OK,” she said. “You look at it and you go, ‘I don’t even know where to start to clean up.’” JACK BROOK Based in New Orleans, Brook covers Louisiana with a focus on state government, environmental issues and infrastructure. He is a Report for America corps member and can be reached on the secure messaging app Signal at jackbrook.88 twitter instagram mailto

RB Leipzig explore move for Everton strikerRB Leipzig have made contact over the possibility of signing Everton forward Thierno Barry, according to The Times.However, Die Roten Bullen have yet to make a formal offer for the 23-year-old, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.Everton paid €30 million to sign the towering French forward from Villarreal in the summer of 2025.He went on to score eight goals in 41 appearances in his first season at the Premier League club.Romulo and Conrad Harder competed for the starting striker role at RB Leipzig during the 2025/26 season, with the former the preferred option under now-sacked head coach Ole Werner.

Barcelona growing increasingly serious about signing Australia’s next superstarBarcelona’s search for exciting young talents appears to have taken them across the Atlantic, with Australian defender Lucas Herrington emerging as a serious target for the Catalan club. The highly-rated teenager has been generating significant attention in recent months, and Barcelona’s interest is now understood to be far more advanced than simple scouting reports.According to SPORT, the Blaugrana have been closely following the Colorado Rapids defender and have already taken concrete steps to assess the possibility of bringing him to Spain. At just 18 years old, Herrington is establishing himself as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in North American football, attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.Barcelona intensify pursuit of Australian wonderkidHerrington has impressed Barcelona’s scouting department with a combination of qualities that are highly valued in modern defenders. Barcelona are interested in Lucas Herrington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)His comfort on the ball, ability to break lines with passes and dominance in aerial situations have reportedly stood out during the club’s evaluations.Notably, the interest has progressed beyond routine monitoring, with the outlet reporting that Barcelona representatives travelled to the United States earlier this year to watch the player firsthand and gather further information about his situation. During that visit, club officials also held discussions with the defender’s representatives to explore the conditions of a potential transfer.Currently, Herrington remains tied to Colorado Rapids until the end of 2029, with the MLS side also holding an option to extend his contract for an additional year.Colorado Rapids’ valuationThe biggest obstacle facing Barcelona appears to be the player’s price tag. Herrington is currently at the World Cup. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)Reports emerging from the United States suggest that the Catalan club have already tested the waters with an opening proposal worth around €10 million.However, that figure was rejected by Colorado Rapids, who believe the defender’s value is more than €20 million.For what it is worth, Herrington’s rapid rise helps explain that valuation. Despite his age, he has already broken into the Australian national team setup and has accumulated four senior international appearances. Right now, the 18-year-old is with the Australian national team at the World Cup and if he delivers a strong performance, Colorado Rapids will have all the reasons to demand more than €20 million.

Mourinho identifies Napoli’s midfield mainstay as surprise Real Madrid targetReal Madrid’s search for midfield reinforcements continues to generate new names, and the latest player being linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is Napoli star Scott McTominay.The Scottish international has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years and is now considered one of the most important figures in Napoli’s midfield setup. However, reports emerging from Italy suggest his future is attracting attention from Real Madrid, with new manager Jose Mourinho playing a key role behind the growing interest.According to Mundo Deportivo, the Portuguese coach is closely following the situation of the midfielder he knows better than most.An old connectionMcTominay’s connection with Mourinho goes back to their time together at Manchester United. It was the Portuguese manager who handed the midfielder his first-team breakthrough and showed considerable faith in him during the early stages of his career.Mourinho is interested in Scott McTominay. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)That relationship appears to remain strong years later.It is stated that Mourinho is an admirer of the Scotland international and views him as a profile capable of strengthening Real Madrid’s midfield options. At 29 years old, McTominay combines experience, physicality and tactical discipline, qualities that have helped him establish himself as one of Napoli’s most influential players since arriving in Italy.Napoli moving to secure his futureThe reports have understandably raised concerns within the Serie A side, where McTominay is viewed as a central piece of both the present and future project.Although his contract runs until 2028, the Italian team is eager to strengthen their position by negotiating a new agreement. Club officials are aware that interest from a team like Real Madrid could complicate matters if discussions are delayed.McTominay is a mainstay in Napoli’s midfield. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)On that note, they have no intention of entertaining offers for the midfielder this summer and consider him non-transferable under normal circumstances.While his current market value is estimated at around €40 million, any potential negotiations would likely start at a significantly higher figure given his importance to the team.Right now, the Italian side’s priority is to secure McTominay’s long-term future before external interest grows further.As things stand, the story appears to be driven largely by Mourinho’s admiration for a player he helped develop at Manchester United. Whether that admiration evolves into a concrete transfer attempt remains to be seen, as Real Madrid are assessing several options for the same position.

Nicolas Raskin has made clear his intention to leave Rangers this summer in search of the next step in his career amid interest from Atalanta and other clubs in the 25-year-old Belgium midfielder. (TeamTalk)PSV Eindhoven are preparing to follow up their interest in 22-year-old striker Youssef Chermiti but have yet to weigh up their signing shortlist with Rangers likely to cash in if offered £25m. (Ed via Record)Besiktas pitched Chermiti as one of four potential striker targets this summer, but head coach Vincenzo Italiano is not keen on a deal for Rangers' forward. (Yanpas via Record)Kelechi Iheanacho, who is waiting to see if Celtic will trigger a contract extension, was offered to Vasco da Gama, but the Brazilian club did not find the Nigeria striker appealing. (Atencao Vascainos via Sun)Plymouth Argyle are not planning on selling any of their top players, including 24-year-old Celtic-linked striker Lorent Tolaj, despite forecasting operating losses of £10.6m for the 2025-26 season. (Plymouth Herald)Reports that former Celtic midfielder Efrain Juarez was in the mix to be Martin O'Neill's assistant with the Scottish champions proved premature when the 38-year-old was named the new head coach of Hungarian champions ETO Gyori. (National - subscription required)Hearts paid a six-figure transfer fee exceeding £700,000 to York City for their latest signing, 24-year-old defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)Former Utrecht, Go Ahead Eagles and Twente head coach Rene Hake, who was most recently Robin van Persie's assistant at Feyenoord, was one of the candidates Hearts spoke to in London as they look to appoint a new manager. (Herald - subscription required)Friday's English & European transfer rumoursThursday's Scottish GossipHearts have interviewed Hake, was also in the running for the recent Leicester City vacancy that was filled by ex-Rangers boss Russell Martin, for their managerial vacancy and plan to speak to further candidates in the coming days. (Scotsman - subscription required)Midfielder Callum Wright has joined Hibernian's list of targets after the 26-year-old was released by Plymouth having ended the season on loan to Wigan Athletic in League One. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)Kilmarnock have agreed a transfer deal to sign 27-year-old goalkeeper Calum Ferrie from Queen's Park. (Daily Record)Ruari Paton has negotiated his release from Port Vale and the 25-year-old striker is poised to return to St Johnstone after last season's loan, while 26-year-old winger Logan Chalmers should soon complete his transfer from Partick Thistle. (Courier - subscription required)Falkirk have made an offer to sign Nottingham Forest attacker Joe Gardner on a permanent transfer, but the 21-year-old is also wanted by a number of League One and League Two clubs, including Oldham Athletic. (Football Insider)Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain has revealed he effectively volunteered for a deadline-day transfer to Celtic while on loan to Hibernian from Dundee after seeing the Glasgow club linked with Trevor Carson on Sky Sports News. (Herald - subscription required)

World Cup 2026: Canada end draught in style, Mexico through to R32, USMNT chase 1930 featThe drama has already reached another level at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with knockout places already being secured and several nations facing defining moments.Some teams have taken a giant step towards the next round, while others are already running out of room for error.Read on as we break down the biggest stories from the latest round of action and look ahead to what’s still to come.Canada find World Cup breakthrough in dominant fashionCanada had to wait eight matches for their first World Cup victory, but Jesse Marsch’s side made the wait worthwhile last night.After being held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia & Herzegovina on matchday one, the Canucks cruised to a 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver.Juventus striker Jonathan David inspired his country to a long-awaited triumph over the lowest-ranked nation in Group B, scoring a hat-trick against Julen Lopetegui’s ill-disciplined side.In doing so, he became the second player at this World Cup to score three goals in one game after Argentina icon Lionel Messi. He has also entered the race for the Golden Boot, just like his teammate Cyle Larin.After scoring an equaliser against Bosnia, the Southampton centre-forward returned to the scoresheet with a simple tap-in to open the scoring.Meanwhile, Qatar couldn’t replicate their heroics from round one, when they held Switzerland to a late draw, as they received two red cards.Chilean referee Cristian Garay sent off the likes of Homam Al-Amin and Assim Omer Madibo on either side of half-time, with both players receiving straight reds for cynical fouls on Tajon Buchanan and Ismael Kone, respectively.Despite a heavy loss, Qatar’s hopes of progressing as one of the best-ranked third-placed teams are not entirely gone, though they’d have to pull off an epic win over Bosnia, who slumped to a 4-1 defeat to the Swiss yesterday.Mexico book knockout placeCo-hosts Mexico squeezed past South Korea in Group A’s top-table six-pointer to secure a place in the round of 16, avenging a heartbreaking group-stage exit in Qatar four years ago.Buoyed by a 2-0 win over South Africa on the opening day, Javier Aguirre’s side knew they were in for a much more complicated contest this time around, with the Taegeuk Warriors standing on the other side.Following a disappointing first half that produced just a single shot on target, El Tri drew first blood early in the second half as Chivas Guadalajara midfielder Luis Romo scored the winning goal at his home stadium.With 40 minutes left on the clock, Mexico had to dig deep to protect their slender lead and uphold their 100% win rate over Asian opposition at World Cups, having now won all six such matches.Most importantly, they’ve secured a knockout berth with a game to spare.As for South Korea, they’ll have to avoid defeat against South Africa in their final group-stage outing to lock in second place, provided the Czech Republic fail to beat Mexico in the other fixture.USMNT & Australia both seeking history in SeattleAfter a 4-1 rout of Paraguay on day one, the United States are in pole position to join Mexico in the knockouts, as they face Asian qualifiers Australia in Seattle later in the evening.Mauricio Pochettino oversaw the USMNT’s joint-largest World Cup victory last time out, with the co-hosts also finding the net four times in a single World Cup match for the first time.On that basis, confidence should be sky-high for the home team as they seek back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1930.Achieving that feat would also see them register multiple triumphs at one World Cup for the first time since going all the way to the quarter-finals in 2002.Seattle may provide a perfect backdrop, given that they’ve won seven consecutive games in this city, yet there’s no room for complacency as they face a high-flying Australia side.The Socceroos defied the odds to beat Turkey 2-0 in their Group D opener, marking their first day-one win at World Cups since 2006. As a result, they could move on to the next stage with a win here.It would be an unprecedented success for Australia, as they could reach the knockouts twice in a row for the first time after qualifying for the round of 16 in Qatar.Top football storiesMarcus Rashford’s battle with ‘enemy’ Anthony Gordon could determine club futureIsmaël Koné’s injury has rocked Canada, but they are determined to ‘make him proud’Iran to lodge complaint with Fifa over ‘restrictions imposed’ on team at World CupFootball Today featuresWorld Cup 2026: Golden Boot battle heats up, Ronaldo off to frustrating start, Spain call for calmEngland beat Kansas City 5-0 in a friendly game ahead of Ghana clashMourinho will help Real Madrid overhaul Barcelona againWhat to watchFolarin Balogun set the tone for the United States’ thrashing of Paraguay with a first-half brace and is now halfway to becoming the second USMNT star to score four goals at a single World Cup.It has been almost a century since Bert Patenaude struck four times at a single World Cup in 1930, and Balogun now stands on the verge of ending that wait and writing his own chapter in USMNT history.Elsewhere, Brazil will look to bounce back from a lacklustre day-one performance against Morocco when they take on Group C minnows Haiti overnight, hoping to get their faltering World Cup campaign back on track.Another upset, no matter how unlikely it may feel, would significantly derail the Selecao’s chances of extending their proud record of topping their World Cup group in every tournament since 1982.Not since 1978 have Brazil failed to win their opening two World Cup matches, and there’s little doubt that veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti will expect nothing less than a statement victory here.

What channel is Diamondbacks vs. Twins on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch MLB Friday baseball game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Two teams sitting in the middle of their respective divisions face off this weekend, with the Arizona Diamondbacks hosting the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series beginning Friday.The D'backs are looking up at the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West as they sit just above .500 entering this series. Arizona has looked solid recently, winning its last two series against the Angels and Reds on the heels of a tough stretch. The Twins also have won two consecutive series, theirs against the Rangers and Cardinals, to build some positive momentum as they try to make up ground on the Guardians and White Sox in the AL Central. Who will open the weekend with a win Friday night? Here's everything you need to know to watch. What channel is Diamondbacks vs. Twins on today?TV channel: NoneLive stream: Apple TVDiamondbacks vs. Twins will not air on traditional television Friday. The game will stream live as part of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package. New subscribers get their first week of Apple TV for free. After that, they can subscribe for just $12.99/month. Subscribers can watch "Friday Night Baseball" with the Apple TV app, which is available on select smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles. Diamondbacks vs. Twins start timeDate: Friday, June 19Time: 9:45 p.m. ET | 8:45 p.m. CT | 6:45 p.m. PTFirst pitch of Diamondbacks vs. Twins on Friday is set for 9:45 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix.Apple TV 'Friday Night Baseball' schedule 2026Apple and MLB have announced the "Friday Night Baseball" schedule through the end of July. See every upcoming game below. DateGameTime (ET)June 19Cardinals at Royals8:15 p.m.Twins at Diamondbacks9:45 p.m.June 26Cubs at Brewers7:45 p.m.Dodgers at Padres9:45 p.m.July 3Rays at Astros8:15 p.m.Brewers at Diamondbacks9:45 p.m.July 10Red Sox at Mets7:15 p.m.Braves at Cardinals8:15 p.m.July 17White Sox at Blue Jays7:15 p.m.July 24Yankees at Phillies6:45 p.m.Blue Jays at Red Sox7:15 p.m.July 31Rangers at Astros8:15 p.m.Giants at Padres9:45 p.m.Related LinksLatest MLB news and rumors2026 MLB schedule and scoresMLB standings 2026

Inside Australia's soccer team: A complete roster and more about 2026 World Cup squad originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The ghosts of Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell still linger on the soccer fields that litter Australia's landscape more than a decade after they last laced their cleats.The Socceroos have been one of the region's most successful sides, emerging as a titan of Asian and Oceanian soccer in the 21st century. Now, they're setting their sights at a new pinnacle — securing a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second-straight trip. Armed with a gaggle of talented youngsters and wily veterans, they look well-equipped to compete for a spot in the business end of the competition.The Group D outfit isn't quite faultless. But it is enticing, particularly in the attacking areas of the pitch. It proved as much in its 2-0 triumph over Turkey in its first match, showcasing all the typical tenets of Australian soccer — speed, dynamism and creativity.With that, here's a look at the Socceroos' roster for the 2026 World Cup.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | World Cup draw results | World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsAustralia 2026 World Cup rosterAustralia has rolled out a 26-man roster ahead of this year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos' roster features talent spanning as far as Cyprus and as nearby as Melbourne City.Here's a look at Australia's full roster for the 2026 World Cup.Caps and stats are correct as of June 1.PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCapsGK1Mathew RyanLevante UD (La Liga, Spain)34104GK12Paul IzzoRanders FC (Superliga, Denmark)314GK18Patrick BeachMelbourne City (A-League, Australia)221DEF16Aziz BehichMelbourne City (A-League, Australia)3583DEF5Jordan BosFeyenoord (Eredivisie, Netherlands)223DEF21Cameron BurgessSwansea City (Championship, England)3026DEF3Alessandro CircatiParma (Serie A, Italy)2212DEF2Milos DegenekApoel FC (First Division, Cyprus)3256DEF6Jason GeriaAlbirex Niigata (J-League, Japan)3313DEF25Lucas HerringtonColorado Rapids (MLS, USA)183DEF4Jacob ItalianoGrazer AK (Bundesliga, Austria)244DEF19Harry SouttarLeicester City (Championship, England)2737DEF15Kai TrewinNew York City (MLS, USA)255MID14Cameron DevlinHearts (Premiership, Scotland)274MID10Ajdin HrusticHeracles Almelo (Eredivisie, Netherlands)2937MID22Jackson IrvineSt Pauli (Bundesliga, Germany)3381MID8Connor MetcalfeSt Pauli (Bundesliga, Germany)2635MID24Paul Okon-EngstlerSydney FC (A-League, Australia)215MID13Aidan O'NeillNew York City (MLS, USA)2730FWD17Nestory IrankundaWatford (Championship, England)2014FWD7Mathew LeckieMelbourne City (A-League, Australia)3580FWD11Awer MabilCD Castellon (Segunda, Spain)3038FWD9Mohamed ToureNorwich City (Championship, England)229FWD23Nishan VelupillayMelbourne Victory (A-League, Australia)257FWD20Cristian VolpatoSassuolo (Serie A, Italy)220FWD26Tete YengiMachida Zelvia (J-League, Japan)250Australia players to watch in 2026 World CupAustralia is quietly blessed with a handful of gifted young stars. Nestory Irankunda earned rave reviews for his performances at Watford and, at 20 years old, is already being tipped for greatness. He found the target in Australia's shock 2-0 win over Turkey in the Socceroos' group stage opener. He's joined in Australia's attacking corps by Norwich winger Mohamed Toure, who tallied nine goals in 11 appearances for Championship side Norwich City upon his arrival in Feb. 2026.Christian Volpato got the nod, having made his bones at Sassuolo in Serie A. He'll look to add pace and dynamism into an attacking unit teeming with it already.Captain Mathew Ryan has spent more than a decade in Europe, plying his trade for powerhouses like Club Brugge, Valencia, Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, Lens and, most recently, Levante.Other noteworthy talents include St. Pauli pairing Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe and hulking Leicester City defender Harry Souttar.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Ranking World Cup groups from hardest to easiest10 World Cup teams with best chance to winRanking 7 best matches of the World CupWho is coaching Team Australia in the 2026 World Cup?Australian soccer legend Tony Popovic holds the reins for the Socceroos. The Sydney native starred at the domestic and international level, playing more than 100 times for Crystal Palace during the early 2000s. Popovic was a fully fledged Australian international, earning 58 caps with his home nation from 1995-2006.After retiring from the sport in 2008, Popovic got into coaching. He was named the head coach of Western Sydney Wanderers in May 2012. Popovic led Wanderers to an A-League title in his first season with the club. In his second, they triumphed in the AFC Champions League, besting Al-Hilal in the final.Popovic has remained a coaching star in the years since his coaching debut. He lent his services to Karabukspor, Perth Glory, Xanthi and Melbourne Victory before agreeing terms to become Australia's head coach in Sept. 2024.Under Popovic’s tutelage, the Socceroos have shined. They are 11-4-4 in 19 appearances, cementing themselves as one of Asia’s finest sides.Australia World Cup historyThe Socceroos are one of Asian soccer's most decorated outfits, having appeared in seven World Cups in their history.Formerly a member on the Oceania Football Confederation, Australia made its first World Cup appearance in 1974. The Socceroos' deepest run saw them qualify for the Round of 16 in 2006 and 2022, respectively.Here's a look at the Aussies' history in soccer's grandest international competition.YearResultFinal game2022Round of 16Argentina 2-Australia 12018Group stageAustralia 0-Peru 22014Group stageAustralia 0-Spain 32010Group stageAustralia 2-Serbia 12006Round of 16Italy 1-0 Australia1974Group stageAustralia 0-0 ChileAustralia World Cup 2026 scheduleAustralia will play in Group D at this year's World Cup. It will be joined by Paraguay, Turkey and the United States. Here's a look at their slate of games during the group stage of the 2026 tournament:DateTime (ET)MatchLocationSun., June 149 p.m.Australia 2, Turkey 0BC Place (Vancouver, British Columbia, CN)Fri, June 193 p.m.United States vs. AustraliaLumen Field (Seattle, WA)Thu, June 2510 p.m.Paraguay vs. AustraliaLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

Where is USMNT playing in World Cup? Full schedule for USA's group games and potential knockouts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As the United States Men's National Team continues its journey as a home World Cup team, it will travel throughout the country.The team begins its quest out west for all three of its group stage matches, which is why those games are scheduled for late at night in many parts of the country. Depending on where the USMNT is placed in the knockout stage, however, it could make its way to other parts of the country in hopes of making a championship run.The key to the USMNT making a legitimate run is its path through the knockout stage, and the team should benefit from always playing on home soil. Certain locations should also provide the team with a more raucous home-field advantage than others.Here's a look at where the USMNT could play its World Cup matches.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsWhere is USMNT playing in World Cup?DateOpponentTime (ET)LocationStadiumJune 12Paraguay9:00 p.m.Inglewood, CASoFi Stadium/Los Angeles StadiumJune 19Australia3:00 p.m.Seattle, WALumen Field/Seattle StadiumJune 25Turkiye10:00 p.m.Inglewood, CASoFi Stadium/Los Angeles StadiumWhat stadium is USA playing in today?June 12: SoFi Stadium/Los Angeles StadiumThe USMNT opened its World Cup campaign at SoFi Stadium, known as Los Angeles Stadium for this tournament, with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay. The home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers provided a fitting stage as the United States played a World Cup match on home soil for the first time since 1994.SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and has since hosted a Super Bowl and a College Football Playoff National Championship before becoming one of the primary venues for the 2026 World Cup.June 19: Lumen Field/Seattle StadiumFor their second matchup, the United States will travel north to Seattle to take on Australia on June 19. This game will take place at Lumen Field, the home of the Seattle Seahawks, and it will be the second match at the stadium after Belgium and Egypt played earlier in the tournament.Lumen Field opened in 2002 and has gone through multiple names, including Seahawks Stadium, Qwest Field and CenturyLink Field.June 25: SoFi Stadium/Los Angeles StadiumThe United States will return to Los Angeles for its third and final group stage match against Turkiye on June 25. The game will take place at 10:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. local time, as the USMNT looks to secure a a good seed in the knockout stage.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World CupWhere will USA play in World Cup knockouts?Round of 32Depending on where the United States finishes in the group stage standings, the team has five potential options for its round of 32 match.Levi's Stadium/San Francisco Bay Area StadiumThe United States has a great opportunity to win Group D, which would send it to Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., for its Round of 32 match. The match would take place on Wednesday, July 1.AT&T Stadium/Dallas StadiumIf the United States finishes as the runner up in Group D, then they would travel to Dallas to play the round of 32 game at AT&T Stadium, which is where the Dallas Cowboys play their home games. If this is the USMNT's path, this game would be played on Friday, July 3.Gillette Stadium/Boston StadiumIf the United States finishes third in Group D, the team has three possible stadium options for the knockout stage. First, the USMNT could play at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, on Monday, June 29.MetLife Stadium/New York New Jersey StadiumAnother possibility is that the USMNT could travel to New Jersey to play its Round of 32 match at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30.Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City StadiumFinally, the United States could also play a round of 32 match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, which is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. This would mean the USMNT plays on Friday, July 3.Round of 16Lumen Field/Seattle StadiumThe path in which the United States wins its group includes a round of 16 match at Lumen Field in Seattle on Saturday, July 4.Mercedes-Benz Stadium/Atlanta StadiumIf the USMNT finishes in second in their group, that path would have the team heading to the Atlanta Falcons Stadium in the round of 16. This match at Mercedes-Benx Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7.Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia StadiumA third place finish in the group stage would likely but the United States on the path that includes playing in Philadelphia for the round of 16. Lincoln Financial Field, which is where the Philadelphia Eagles play their home games, is the host stadium, This match will occure on Saturday, July 4.BC Place/Vancouver StadiumThere is one unlikely scenario that would have the United States playing a game in Canada. The USMNT would have to not only third in their group, but would also have to be placed on a path that would lead to game in Vancouver. This match will take place on Tuesday, July 7.QuarterfinalsSoFi Stadium/Los Angeles StadiumThe United States could return to Los Angeles for a quarterfinal match if they make it this far after winning Group D. This quarterfinal match is scheduled for Friday, July 10.Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City StadiumThere is also a path that would have the United States playing a quarterfinal match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 11.Gillette Stadium/Boston StadiumAnother possible match in Boston for the United States could be in play, as this stadium will host a quarterfinal match on Thursday, July 9.SemifinalsAT&T Stadium/Dallas StadiumThere are two designated stadiums for the semifinal round. First, the USMNT could find itself playing in Dallas at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, July 14.Mercedes-Benz Stadium/Atlanta StadiumIf the United States makes it to the second semifinal game, it would take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15.Third place matchHard Rock Stadium/Miami StadiumThe United States would welcome a possibility to play in the third-place match, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.FinalsMetLife Stadium/New York New Jersey StadiumIt's unlikely that the United States makes it all the way to the World Cup final, but if they do, the game is set for Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

PREVIEW: USA look to end 24-year wait for consecutive World Cup victoriesAfter a convincing 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opening game, the United States are looking to move closer to the knockout stages and secure consecutive World Cup wins for the first time since 2002 as they face Australia.The hosts started the tournament in impressive fashion by beating Paraguay 4-1 last Saturday. An own goal, a brace from Folarin Balogun and a wonder strike from Giovanni Reyna meant the United States recorded their joint biggest-ever World Cup win.Australia also started the tournament with a bang after a shock 2-0 victory over Türkiye, with Nestroy Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe finding the net for the Socceroos.Both nations reached the Round of 16 in Qatar four years ago and are now aiming to secure a place in the expanded World Cup’s Round of 32. A win for either side would almost guarantee top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stages.It was an impressive display from the United States, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino could name an unchanged side. Captain Christian Pulisic did go off at half-time against Paraguay after picking up a knock, but he is expected to be fit.Meanwhile, Australia come into the game with no injuries and are expected to name the starting XI after their stunning victory. Speaking ahead of the game, Australian defender Cameron Burgess stated that the United States must be ready for the Socceroos.“We’re playing against a host nation with some tremendous talent in their squad. We faced them only a few months ago. We’re going to have to be ready for what they can bring, and the same goes for them. They’re going to have to be ready for what we can bring, so it’s going to be a hard-fought game.”The fixture will take place at the Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field, kicking off at 20:00 (BST). In the UK, it will be televised on BBC One with coverage starting at 19:30 (BST).

🎥 Security refuses entry: Spain star barred from training campBizarre scenes in Tennessee. As a video posted by the Spanish X account 'El Chiringuito TV' shows, Spain striker Borja Iglesias was denied entry to his teammates’ training camp by the security staff there. Apparently, the security employees simply did not recognize the former Leverkusen striker. Even Iglesias’ words, “I’m a striker for the national team, I need to get in,” did not help at first. So the 33-year-old had to make a few phone calls before he was finally allowed to join his teammates. After all the escapades the World Cup has already caused when it comes to entries into the country, this is of course one of the funny and harmless stories. At least this problem was resolved fairly quickly.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesDianna Russini’s situation with The Athletic has received another update, and the latest detail narrows what the ongoing investigation is actually examining after the Mike Vrabel controversy.The former Senior NFL Insider left The Athletic earlier in 2026 after photos involving New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel led to scrutiny across sports media.The story has continued because the internal review has not disappeared with her exit. The new update puts the focus back on the work itself.Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesDianna Russini’s investigation at The Athletic remains ongoingMichael McCarthy’s update said the investigation has not yet reached a public conclusion.“Update on The Athletic’s Dianna Russini investigation. Sources say investigation is still ongoing,” McCarthy tweeted.He added, “And a reminder: The investigation is limited to the former Senior NFL Insider ‘s journalism for The Athletic, not her conduct.”That distinction matters because much of the conversation around Russini and Vrabel has centered on the personal nature of the controversy. The latest update frames the inquiry as narrower, with the focus on whether her journalism for The Athletic was affected or needs further review.Russini resigned from The Athletic in April 2026 after the controversy became public. The investigation continuing into June shows that the outlet has still been reviewing the matter even after her departure.Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel’s controversy raised questions for The AthleticThe controversy began after photos of Russini and Vrabel surfaced, creating questions about professional boundaries and access in NFL reporting. Vrabel was the New England Patriots head coach, while Russini was one of The Athletic’s most prominent NFL reporters.Those roles made the issue bigger than a normal media dispute. Sports reporters rely on access, sources and trust, so any perceived conflict involving a league insider and a head coach was always going to draw scrutiny.The latest update does not say The Athletic has made any finding against Russini. It also does not say the investigation is examining her conduct generally, which is why the wording around the scope is important.For now, the major detail is that the review remains unfinished and is limited to her journalism for the outlet. Until The Athletic releases a final conclusion, the story stays in the same unresolved position it has occupied for weeks.Read more:Jason Whitlock labels reporter as ‘original Dianna Russini’ over Caitlin Clark trade rumor criticismFired journalist raises fresh questions about Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini with new revelation teaseNew England Patriots star answers if Mike Vrabel has changed after the Dianna Russini controversy

Tottenham shut door on Micky van de Ven exit as Liverpool and Barcelona circle, with De Zerbi adamant he staysMicky van de Ven is not expected to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer despite reported transfer interest from Liverpool and Barcelona.Liverpool and Barcelona have been linked with a move to sign the Dutch defender, after Spurs failed to secure European football for next season.Ibrahima Konate's exit for Real Madrid has seen Liverpool assess the market for central defenders, while Barcelona are pursuing a long-term partner for Pau Cubrasi.Tottenham's transfer business has also led to suggestions that Van de Ven could exit. The North Londoners have signed centre-backs Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer, while Croatian teenager Luka Vuskovic will also return to Spurs after an impressive loan spell with Hamburg.Despite those options, Van de Ven is viewed as a key part of the project.Fabrizio Romano is reporting that no exit is planned for the 25-year-old, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to keep the defender at the club.Van de Ven joined Tottenham from Wolfsburg for a fee of £34.5m in 2023 and was named the club's Player of the Season in his debut campaign.He helped Spurs to Europa League success in 2024/25, but has been part of a side that has struggled in successivePremier League campaigns. Spurs have ended each of the last two seasons 17th in the table, just one place above the relegation zone.

Joe Brady got promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach after the Bills fired Sean McDermott, but that doesn't mean he was happy about it.Brady said that when he learned McDermott had been fired after the Bills' playoff loss five months ago, he was devastated, and thought his own time in Buffalo was coming to an end as well."I didn't see that and think, 'I want to be the head coach.' I was broken," Brady said on the Shout Buffalo Bills Podcast. "I was broken for a guy that I worked for. I was also broken for the rest of the coaching staff that is sitting there, like, we're all out of jobs right now. There was a lot of emotion going on."Brady, whom McDermott hired as the Bills' quarterbacks coach in 2022 and then promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023, credited McDermott for getting him where he is in his career."I'm only in Buffalo because of Sean and the opportunities that he gave me," Brady said.Brady says he will take a lot of the lessons that he learned from McDermott but will also be a different head coach."This organization is in a much better spot than when he took it over. I'm not walking into the same situation that he's walking into, and there's so much good that comes from that," Brady said. "Sean was an extremely successful head football coach. I hope as I'm coaching I can accumulate the wins he had and the success he had. . . . I don't want to be Coach McDermott — not in any negative way, but I want to be Joe Brady."