World Cup yellow card suspension warning list: These players are in danger of missing Round of 32 game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.With the group stage reaching its final round, a single misplaced challenge could cost some of the World Cup's biggest names the chance to play in the Round of 32.Goals and clean sheets decide who reaches the knockout phase, but so does the referee's notebook. A booking in the wrong moment can rule a key player out of the next round before a ball is even kicked in it.Heading into the final round of group matches, a long list of players are sitting on a single yellow card, one caution away from a ban. Here is how the rules work this time around, and who needs to keep their name out of the book.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsHow do yellow cards work at World Cup 2026?The basics have not changed. Yellow cards are shown to players for offences such as repeated or reckless fouls, deliberately stopping an attacking move, time-wasting, or simulation, e.g. attempting to win a free-kick or penalty by pretending to have been fouled.If a player receives two yellow cards in the same match, those combine into a red card, and they are sent off and suspended for their team's next game. The same automatic one-match ban applies to a straight red card, although a longer suspension can be applied in some cases.Yellow cards collected in separate matches also add up. Two cautions across different games trigger an automatic one-match suspension, the punishment that most often catches players out during a tournament.What has changed for 2026 is when those accumulated cards are wiped. To accommodate the expanded 48-team format, FIFA now resets all yellow cards after the group stage, and then resets them again after the quarterfinals. Under the old system, single cautions carried through until the quarterfinals, meaning a group-stage booking could still cost a player a place in the last 16.FIFA has also added a couple of new ways to see red. Players can now be dismissed for covering their mouths to hide what they are saying during a confrontation, or for deliberately leaving the field to protest a referee's decision. On the flip side, VAR can now step in to review and overturn certain mistaken send-offs, including incorrect second yellows and wrongful red cards.Can players be suspended for World Cup Round of 32 because of yellow cards?Yes, but the new reset rule narrows the window. Because cautions are wiped at the end of the group stage, a single yellow card picked up earlier in the group will not, on its own, carry into the Round of 32.The danger is the second booking. A player who already has one yellow and is cautioned again in their final group match reaches two within the group stage, and that triggers the automatic one-match ban, which is served in the first knockout game. In other words, the players at risk are those carrying a booking into the last round of group fixtures: stay clean, and the slate is wiped; get carded again, and the Round of 32 is off-limits.The same applies to anyone shown a red card, or a second yellow, in that final group game. Whatever happens before the group stage ends, every player starts the knockout rounds on zero.List of players at risk of yellow-card suspension for World Cup Round of 32The following players have each received one yellow card in the group stage. A second caution in their final group fixture would rule them out of the Round of 32. The list reflects bookings after the first two rounds of group matches.TeamPlayer(s) at risk of suspensionUSAChris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler AdamsNetherlandsMicky van de Ven, Crysencio Summerville, Memphis DepayPortugalNelson Semedo, Bernardo SilvaScotlandAndy Robertson, Aaron Hickey, Kenny McLeanSwedenYasin Ayari, Lucas BergvallBelgiumTimothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper, Romelu LukakuSwitzerlandNico Elvedi, Denis ZakariaBrazilCasemiroAustraliaHarry SouttarSouth KoreaPaik Seung-hoParaguayMiguel Almiron*MoroccoIssa DiopHaitiJean-Ricner BellegardeAustriaMarcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, Stefan PoschArgentinaFacundo MedinaNew ZealandSarpreet Singh, Callum McCowattUruguayMathias Olivera, Rodrigo BentancurCape VerdeDiney, Sidny Lopes CabralIranSaeid Ezatolahi, Ehsan HajsafiSaudi ArabiaAbdulelah Al Amri, Salem Aldawsari, Mohamed KannoSpainPedriBosnia and HerzegovinaTarik Muharemovic, Amar Dedic, Nikola Katic, Jovo Lukic, Ermedin DemirovicCuracaoJuninho Bacuna, Jurien Gaari, Livano Comenencia, Leandro BacunaIvory CoastSeko Fofana, Franck Kessie, Guela DoueCanadaDerek Cornelius, Luc de Fougerolles, Alistair JohnstonEgyptAhmed Fatouh, Marwan AteyaQatarJassem Gaber, Mahmoud AbunadaTurkeyEren Elmali, Yunus AkgunEcuadorJordy Alcivar, Jackson PorozoPanamaCesar Blackman, Carlos HarveyMexicoBrian GutierrezColombiaJohan MojicaTunisiaRani KhediraCzech RepublicLadislav KrejciDR CongoChancel MbembaGhanaCaleb YirenkyiUzbekistanAbdukodir KhusanovIraqZaid Tahseen*Almiron was sent off in Paraguay's second match and is therefore banned for their third group gameOne name deliberately left off this list is South Africa's Teboho Mokoena, who has already collected two yellow cards. Crucially, that does not put his Round of 32 place in danger: his suspension is served in Bafana Bafana's final group game, and because all cards reset at the end of the group stage, he would return with a clean slate should South Africa advance. The players above are the ones with a knockout spot to lose, each a single booking away from missing the first round of the knockouts.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsFull 2026 World Cup schedule and fixturesExplaining the expanded World Cup bracket

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is second among all MLB players in WAR (5.4) this season. The designated hitter is third in on-base percentage (.418) and sixth in OPS (.969), plus, on the mound, he's posting the lowest ERA (1.47) of his major-league career.So perhaps it's no shock that he's still on track to lead all players in fan votes (2,310,735) for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. What might come as a surprise, though, is that Ohtani's never accomplished that feat in his career, which gleams with four MLB league MVP honors.Phase 1 of All-Star fan voting is mowing along, with Ohtani maintaining his hold as the top vote-getter through the second ballot update that MLB released on Monday. While Ohtani headlines the NL, Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement now has the most fan votes (2,054,130) in the AL. After tallying the most hits in an MLB postseason last year, Clement is now poised to reach his first All-Star Game during his sixth season in the bigs. He’s slashing .292/.311/.440 with seven home runs and 28 RBI, and he’s tied for the AL lead with 20 doubles so far. Remember, fans don’t vote for pitchers. Pitchers and backup position players are chosen via player ballot and the commissioner's office.Ohtani’s votes are coming in for the DH spot, although he could of course pitch in the midsummer classic amid his latest MVP campaign and Cy Young Award bid. The top overall vote-getter in each league after Phase 1 automatically earns a starting spot in this year’s All-Star Game, an exhibition that will be played on July 14 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Phase 1 ends on Thursday at noon ET.Phase 2 of voting will start on June 29. At that point, the ballot will be narrowed down to Phase 1’s top-two vote-getters at every position and the top six outfielders. Here's where the voting stands as of Sunday, according to MLB:American LeagueFirst base1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays: 1,458,461 2. Ben Rice, Yankees: 882,772 3. Munetaka Murakami, White Sox: 741,065 4. Nick Kurtz, Athletics: 595,412 5. Pete Alonso, Orioles: 380,136Second base1. Ernie Clement, Blue Jays: 2,054,130 2. Ezequiel Duran, Rangers: 531,182 3. Jose Altuve, Astros: 456,242 4. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees: 419,777 5. Travis Bazzana, Guardians: 388,507Shortstop1. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals: 1,701,407 2. Andrés Giménez, Blue Jays: 894,926 3. Kevin McGonigle, Tigers: 460,075 4. Jeremy Peña, Astros: 357,049 5. Colson Montgomery, White Sox: 352,828Third base1. Junior Caminero, Rays: 1,310,879 2. Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays: 1,282,884 3. Miguel Vargas, White Sox: 633,675 4. Josh Jung, Rangers: 471,452 5. José Ramírez, Guardians: 415,813Catcher1. Shea Langeliers, Athletics: 1,414,697 2. Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays: 837,289 3. Dillon Dingler, Tigers: 484,290 4. Adley Rutschman, Orioles: 434,433 5. Ryan Jeffers, Twins: 386,486Outfield 1. Aaron Judge, Yankees: 1,788,499 2. Mike Trout, Angels: 1,735,051 3. Byron Buxton, Twins: 1,106,264 4. Cody Bellinger, Yankees: 1,067,622 5. Julio Rodríguez, Mariners: 819,514 6. Randy Arozarena, Mariners: 793,017 7. Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays, 782,016 8. Jesús Sánchez, Blue Jays: 764,037 9. Riley Greene, Tigers: 751,512Designated hitter1. Yordan Alvarez, Astros: 1,974,459 2. George Springer, Blue Jays: 806,225 3. Yandy Díaz, Rays: 459,371 4. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees: 290,711 5. Samuel Basallo, Orioles: 211,232National LeagueFirst base1. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers: 1,779,538 2. Matt Olson, Braves: 1,421,095 3. Bryce Harper, Phillies: 1,143,481 4. Jake Bauers, Brewers: 446,051 5. Alec Burleson, Cardinals: 365,251Second base1. Ozzie Albies, Braves: 972,537 2. Bryson Stott, Phillies: 801,006 3. Brice Turang, Brewers: 739,111 4. Hyeseong Kim, Dodgers: 659,500 5. Luis Arraez, Giants: 614,164Shortstop1. CJ Abrams, Nationals: 1,192,774 2. Mookie Betts, Dodgers: 1,161,221 3. Elly De La Cruz, Reds: 879,876 4. Trea Turner, Phillies: 736,372 5. Otto Lopez, Marlins: 445,451Third base1. Max Muncy, Dodgers: 1,933,390 2. Alec Bohm, Phillies: 804,309 3. Austin Riley, Braves: 572,816 4. Nolan Arenado, D-backs: 556,009 5. Nick Gonzales, Pirates: 439,412Catcher1. Drake Baldwin, Braves: 1,755,768 2. Will Smith, Dodgers: 1,290,090 3. J.T. Realmuto, Phillies: 829,868 4. William Contreras, Brewers: 667,752 5. Hunter Goodman, Rockies: 224,944Outfield1. Andy Pages, Dodgers: 1,518,451 2. Brandon Marsh, Phillies: 1,256,874 3. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves: 1,216,288 4. Michael Harris II, Braves: 1,059,921 5. Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers: 1,043,541 6. Juan Soto, Mets: 947,033 7. James Wood, Nationals: 915,287 8. Jordan Walker, Cardinals: 860,670 9. Kyle Tucker, Dodgers: 766,071 Designated hitter1. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: 2,310,735 2. Kyle Schwarber, Phillies: 1,540,202 3. Dominic Smith, Braves: 599,893 4. Christian Yelich, Brewers: 378,996 5. Iván Herrera, Cardinals: 232,891

Nature, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01949-zA successful rescue of the Swift space observatory could be a good omen for the Hubble Space Telescope.

Chiefs Tabbed As Potential Landing Spot For Patriots Pass Catcher In Trade originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New England Patriots added two new star receivers this offseason, and one of their best receivers from last season could be expendable now.Kayshon Boutte was a key pass catcher for the Patriots last season, and when the team moved on from Stefon Diggs, he seemed destined for an expanded role. However, the Patriots replaced Diggs with Romeo Doubs and then traded for A.J. Brown. Boutte figures to be the No. 3 receiver, and his name has been mentioned in trade reports.He is one year away from free agency, and trading him may make sense for the Patriots. Doubs and Brown are under contract for multiple seasons, and Boutte may be better suited in an offense where he will have more opportunities. Even though it's late in the offseason, teams could still show interest in a player like Boutte.The Kansas City Chiefs were called a potential landing spot for Boutte by Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox. Rashee Rice has looked good when healthy, but has also shown he is not reliable to stay on the field, whether it be for injuries or other reasons. Xavier Worthy has not proven he can consistently use his speed to make plays for Patrick Mahomes.Mahomes favorite target, Travis Kelce, is nearing retirement and is not the same player he once was. Boutte could be a breath of fresh air for the Chiefs. He had 551 yards and six touchdowns last season. He added nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs as well.More NFL: Troy Brown Shows Love To Forgotten Third-Rounder

SEATTLE (AP) — Few NHL teams are located in cities farther away from Sunrise, Florida, than Mackie Samoskevich’s new employer.Samoskevich, previously of the Florida Panthers, was traded to the Seattle Kraken for the No. 25 pick this year and a second-rounder next year, which the Panthers then flipped to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk hours later. The Kraken also re-signed fellow forward Bobby McMann to a long-term contract on Sunday.Thankfully for the 23-year-old Samoskevich, his twin sister, Maddy, can give him plenty of tips on how to make the cross-continent move.Maddy, who played college hockey in Connecticut at Quinnipiac, is a defender for the Vancouver Goldeneyes of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.“With her only being a couple hours away, it’s definitely a topic that came up right away,” Samoskevich said on a Zoom call on Monday. “I’ll be able to see her a little more, which will be great.”Having his twin sister close by isn’t the only reason Samoskevich hopes to stick around in Seattle. He will need a new contract first, though, since he is a restricted free agent.“I’ll leave that to the agents, that’s their job,” the one-time Stanley Cup champ said of signing a new contract. “I just got to worry about having a good offseason and making sure my body’s ready come training camp.”When Samoskevich, who has 64 points across 160 NHL regular-season and playoff games, played for the Panthers, he said he disliked facing Seattle because of their skaters’ collective speed and skill.Samoskevich hopes to provide the Kraken with a much-need infusion of talent after they missed the playoffs for the fourth time in their five years of existence. The No. 24 pick in the 2021 NHL draft became a lineup regular for the Panthers because of his skating and playmaking abilities, as well as his penchant for logging shots on goal.The Kraken would benefit from the 5-foot-11 Samoskevich playing like current Montreal Canadiens coach and former Tampa Bay Lightning star Martin St. Louis, who he most closely models his game after. Seattle scored 2.73 goals per game in 2025-26, good for 28th in the NHL.“He was one of those guys who I heard about his work ethic, and that’s something that I definitely cherish myself in,” Samoskevich said of St. Louis, who scored 391 goals in the NHL. “I’m not a big guy, obviously, but I got to find different ways to make an impact, for sure, and he was definitely one of those guys I watched.”Outside of skating like St. Louis, Samoskevich hopes to bring elements of the way the Panthers played during his tenure there to the Emerald City. Admittedly, Samoskevich said, the rigorous game Florida presents to its opponents each night isn’t easy on its players.But, the Panthers’ system was a successful one, and Samoskevich is optimistic the Kraken will find a way to bounce back next season.“It’s something that obviously works at the end of the year, and playoffs and whatnot,” Samoskevich said. “So, it’s definitely something I want to bring over to Seattle, and hopefully win a ton of games for sure.”___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announced it will induct six new members in its 2026 class. They will officially enter the hall at an induction ceremony on September 10 in Pickerington, Ohio.The Hall of Fame class of 2026 includes off-road racer Russell Bobbitt, motocross and supercross racer Damon Bradshaw, Eraldo Ferracci of Fast by Ferracci, dirt track racer Jake Johnson, ABATE founding member Gary Sellers, and drag racer and race engineer Dale Walker.Begin Press Release:AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026Six acclaimed motorcyclists earn motorcycling's highest honor as AMA Motorcycle Hall of FamersThe AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announced the six distinguished motorcyclists that will be inducted into its hallowed halls during the 2026 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sept. 10 in Pickerington, Ohio.The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes Russell Bobbitt, Damon Bradshaw, Eraldo Ferracci, Jake Johnson, Gary Sellers and Dale Walker."Induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is among the highest honors our sport can bestow - a recognition reserved for those who have truly shaped the course of motorcycling," AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. "Russell, Damon, Eraldo, Jake, Gary, and Dale have each done exactly that. Through their achievements, their passion and their lasting contributions to our community, they have moved motorcycling forward for every rider who follows. We look forward to welcoming them into the Hall of Fame and celebrating their legacies at the Induction Ceremony this September."The AMA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was decided by a weekslong voting process, in which thousands of ballots were submitted. The inductees were selected from nine areas of influence within the motorcycle industry: Ambassadors, Industry, Design & Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership & Motorcycle Rights, Motocross & Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be honored at the AMA Induction Ceremony on Sept. 10 at The Event Center at Violet Woods in Pickerington, Ohio, followed by a cocktail ceremony at the AMA Hall of Fame Museum. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony are available for purchase at MotorcycleMuseum.org/events-experiences/induction-ceremony/. For sponsorship opportunities, contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or mkula@ama-cycle.org. RUSSELL BOBBITT - OFF-ROADGeorgia native Russell Bobbitt is an icon of modern AMA off-road racing, renowned for his technical precision in the woods. Representing the factory KTM team, Bobbitt became a dominant force in the AMA National Enduro Series, securing five championships (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2016). His 2016 title was particularly impressive, marking a triumphant comeback following significant injuries. A master of the traditional enduro timekeeping format, Bobbitt was named AMA Athlete of the Year in 2011 and represented the U.S. with distinction at the International Six Days Enduro. Even after retiring from full-time racing, he proved his enduring talent by winning the 2019 National Enduro season opener. Today, he shares his passion through Gnarly Routes, leading adventure tours across the American West.DAMON BRADSHAW - MOTOCROSS & SUPERCROSSFew riders left a mark on American motocross like Damon Bradshaw. Known for his aggressive style and raw speed, the Mooresville, N.C., native - dubbed "The Beast from the East" - signed with Factory Yamaha at just 15. He quickly became the youngest rider to win an AMA Supercross race in 1989.Competing against legends throughout the 1990s, Bradshaw tallied 19 premier-class Supercross wins and six National Motocross victories. His 1992 season remains legendary yet heartbreaking, as he dominated nine rounds but lost the title by only three points. After a shocking early retirement at 21 and a brief 1996 comeback, he transitioned to Monster Jam, winning the 2009 World Finals Freestyle Championship. Today, he remains an influential mentor and industry ambassador.ERALDO FERRACCI - ROAD RACINGBorn in 1938 in Italy, Eraldo Ferracci established himself first as a National Championship-winning road racer and, after moving to the U.S., a record-setting drag racer and producer of go-fast parts through his Fast by Ferracci business, which launched in 1980. Racers of all stripes clamored for his expertise, and the late 1980s Ducati asked him to form the first American-based factory road racing team. The team roared to two FIM World Superbike Championships in '91 and '92 with Doug Polen aboard, and two more AMA Superbike championships, in '93 with Polen and '94 with Troy Corser.Ferracci is a member of the FIM World Superbike Hall of Fame, as well as a founding member of the Ducati North America Hall of Fame. But, perhaps more importantly, Ferracci helped make Ducati a world road racing powerhouse, and one of the world's most successful producers of performance motorcycles.JAKE JOHNSON - DIRT TRACKJake Johnson stands out as one of the most accomplished riders of the modern AMA Pro Flat Track era, and is known for his technical precision and versatility. Born in Camden, N.J., he started out on a Honda Z50, rose through the grassroots dirt track ranks, and turned professional in the early 2000s. He earned AMA Flat Track Rookie of the Year honors in 2002, then captured AMA Grand National Singles Championships in 2006 and 2008. Johnson reached his peak with back-to-back Grand National Championships in 2010 and 2011, including an "Overall" title in 2010.Over his career, he tallied 20 Grand National wins, excelling - and winning - across all track types: TT, Short Track, Half-Mile and Mile. Renowned for adaptability, he won titles on multiple brands and remained competitive well beyond his championship years, later transitioning into a respected mentor and development rider.GARY SELLERS - LEADERSHIP & RIGHTSSince the 1970s, Gary Sellers has given his life to motorcycle education and advocacy in his home state of Ohio and throughout the country. Sellers was one of the founding members of ABATE of Ohio and served as legislative agent for the organization for a decade. He was awarded the honorary Life Membership Award by ABATE of Ohio in 1997.Alongside John "Farmer" Eggers, Sellers built a successful motorcycle safety training program in Ohio; it's estimated the program has saved thousands of lives over the years. Sellers is also a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Freedom Fighters halls of fame.DALE WALKER - DESIGN & ENGINEERINGA lifelong devotion to drag racing led Dale "Holeshot" Walker to become one of the most noteworthy engineers in all of motorcycle racing. Walker not only produced top-tier products for racers, including a clutch-less air shifter and an engine-management system, but also transformed how people tuned their machines. Walker created detailed guides - including illustrations and videos - so those with a basic understanding of mechanics could install and utilize his groundbreaking equipment.Walker was also a successful national-level drag racer with a noteworthy résumé, which included 50 national event wins and four National Drag Racing Championships. He continues to design and build high-level racing equipment with his brand, Dale Walker's Holeshot Performance.Become a Motorcycle.com insider. 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The Sun Belt is better now than it was when Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn, Bryan Harsin, and Blake Anderson were winning conference titles, but Butch Jones has his Red Wolves in the mix every year.It took a few years, but Jones has a consistent winner now with three straight bowl appearances, 21 wins over the span, and with a team returning that should be good enough to challenge for a championship.Can the Red Wolves Do Enough to Be Sun Belt Title Good?Sep 6, 2025; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves running back Devin Spencer (40) rushes during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium.© Nelson Chenault-Imagn ImagesArkansas State Quick HitsHead Coach: Butch Jones (6th year, 26-37; 14th year overall, 110-91)Best Case / Worst Case: Win the Sun Belt title/Just miss out on a bowl gameKey Player: Trey Owens, QB Soph. (or whoever wins the quarterback job)2025 Record: 7-6Biggest Question: Can the defense do more despite the loss of all the top pass rushers?Arkansas State Key 2025 Stats2nd Quarter Points: 101, 3rd Quarter Points: 44Penalties: Opponents 116 for 999 yards, Arkansas State 82 for 752 yardsTackles For Loss: Arkansas State 81 for 345 yards, Opponents 81 for 309 yardsOffenseThe offense kicked it in late in the season, but it needs to be more consistent and explosive.It's a loaded team full of good veterans, but the missing pieces are big. Overall, there needs to be more efficiency, better play from the line, and consistency, but the players are in place to be terrific for new offensive coordinator, Garrett Altman.What’s WorkingThe offensive line returns just about everyone. It needs to be far better - the pass protection needs to show up - and the ground attack has to be much stronger, but four starters are back, there's decent depth, and there are plenty of strong reinforcements coming in from the transfer portal.Top target and star Corey Rucker is gone, but just about every other important receiver returns, starting with 73-grab veteran Chauncy Cobb and No. 3 man Hunter Summers. Landing Boski Barrett from Vanderbilt helps an already strong situation.There needs to be a lot more happening from the ground game, and it starts with giving the 1-2 punch of Kenyon Clay (the thump) and Devin Spencer (the quickness) even more work. There's even more help coming from Corey Reddick Jr., a quick back from Valdosta State who ran for 651 yards and seven scores last year.What Needs WorkThe quarterback situation. Jaylen Raynor threw and completed more passes for more yards than anyone in the Sun Belt last year, and now he's at Iowa State. Now it's a fight for the gig - the Red Wolves don't have it figured out yet.Ethan Crawford is back after seeing minimal action last year. Drew Dickey (Vanderbilt) is a smallish baller, and 6-5 Trey Owens (Texas) and 6-4 Jeremy St-Hilaire (Vanderbilt) are bigger options.Consistent scoring. The Red Wolves failed to score 17 points four times, and went 1-5 when they failed to push past 21. As a program, it didn't get more than 21 in 18 games over the last three years, and it wasn't just against the top teams on the slate.The ground game has to be stronger. The line has to generate a push - the Red Wolves only averaged more than five yards per carry once, and that game against Georgia Southern was the only time it got more than 160 yards.Player to WatchDevin Spencer, RB Jr. Can the 5-10, 175-pound speedster get the ball more? He's not a workhorse, and he'll split time again, but he averaged over five yards per carry and needs to have the ball in his hands at least ten times a game.- Sun Belt Football Win Total PredictionsDefenseThere's plenty of work to do.The offense gets a lot of parts back, but the defensive side doesn't. There's a redo happening, with the portal playing a huge role for a defense that allowed well over 400 yards per game.It wasn't great against the run, and it had a few meltdowns against the better passing teams. As long as it can keep teams to around 24 points, it should be okay.What’s WorkingThe safeties are among the best in the Sun Belt. The main men are back, starting with the combination of AG McGhee and Brandon Barnes, who combined for 151 tackles and seven broken up passes last year. Brandon Greil is also back after making 54 stops. If that wasn't enough ...The coaching staff brought in lots and lots of defensive backs. The safety situation is great, and it's even better with Makai Shahid (Youngstown State) and Jaylen Heyward (UCF) adding depth.The corners are the stronger of the defensive back transfers, with Noah Flores (Utah State) Bryson Ross (Portland State), and Five Hamilton (Kennesaw State) ready to go right away.Good things happen when the run defense holds up. It'll take a village of transfers to transform the line - eight linemen are entering the fun - and if they can be nasty against the run, everything changes on the defense.The Red Wolves were 5-0 when allowing 160 yards or fewer, and 6-1 when giving up fewer than 185 yards. Basically, just don't get gouged.What Needs WorkWhere are the pass rushers? This was one of the best pass rushing teams in America, but the 16.5 sacks from Demarcus Hendricks and Eathan Hassler are done. Cody Sigler left for Auburn, and Drew Collins is off to South Carolina.The portal needs to bring the production, but the new guys don't have any appreciable proven track record.The linebacking corps needs the transfers, too. Top tackler Aaron Alexander left for North Texas, and after being banged up last year, Javante Mackey is gone to Texas State.Joshua Ofor (NC State) and Tre Stevens (Lafayette) join veteran Nigel Nelson - 54 tackles last year - to try piecing things together.The pass defense got torched. There's a reason why so many new players are coming in through the portal. Even with a fantastic pass rush, the Red Wolves got hit for 245 yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks combined to complete 68% of their throws.Player to WatchAG McGhee, S Sr.He's only around 190 pounds, but he works in a hybrid position in the ASU defense - part safety, part linebacker.No matter where he plays, he makes things happen, with 100 tackles in his last two seasons at Marshall before coming up with 83 stops with a pick and five broken up passes last year.Keys to the SeasonFind the pass rushers who can step up right away.Settle the quarterback situation as quickly as possible.Get more pop to the offense with both the downfield passing game and rushing attack.Player Who Needs To ShineDonquarius Parker, EDGE, Sr.The transfers for the pass rush are mostly FBS players who haven't done much yet.The 6-1, 240-pound Parker is one of the few players with plenty of experience, making 39 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss last year for North Carolina Central. He'll get every shot to be the main man on the outside.Biggest ConcernThe defensive lineThe offensive side issues - quarterback, consistency, pass protection - should be helped by experience. The defensive line has to be even stronger against the run and find the same pressure, but with wholesale changes needed up front.Biggest GameTroy, November 28This is hardly a perfect Arkansas State team coming into the season, but it has the talent and upside to win the Sun Belt West - by far the easier of the two divisions. One way or another, a spot in the Sun Belt Championship should come down to the regular season finale when the Trojans come to Jonesboro.Transfer PortalThe Red Wolves needed a lot of players, and they got a lot of players.They totally rebuilt the defensive line and loaded up in the secondary, but the only thing that matters is the quarterback situation. One of the several players coming in has to be an instant star for the veteran offense.Best SigningMakai Shahid, S (Youngstown State)This could be whichever quarterback rises up from the pack - Trey Owens from Texas might be the best signing - but Shahid is right up there with the team's best new guys.The Red Wolves are already good at safety, and they added more to the mix with the 6-0, 190-pound Shahid, who made 125 tackles with six broken up passes over the last two years at Youngstown State.Biggest LossCody Sigler, DT (Auburn)In his one year at Arkansas State, Sigler turned into a whale of an interior pass rusher with five sacks and 35 tackles for loss. And now he'll be a part of the rotation at Auburn.Other Names to KnowJoshua Ofor, LB (NC State)Manasse Itete, OG (Florida State)Noah Flores, CB (Utah State)CFN Season PredictionTo try threading this prediction needle, Arkansas State should be an okay team with an okay record and with strong overall results.The glitches might not easily be fixed. The offense will be fine, but all the veteran offensive linemen have to form a better overall unit. The transfer portal will help the defense, but it has to be better, too.But with the Sun Belt divisional format, it's possible to lose games and still be deep in the mix for the conference title. That's Arkansas State.CFN Prediction: 7-5Can the Red Wolves win the road games? Last year they lost to Kennesaw State away from home and dropped the date to a bad ULM team, but they also won their last three road games against South Alabama, Troy, and App State in close games.This year, they should lose at Memphis and TCU early, and dates at Louisiana and Southern Miss lean loss. It'll all come down to back-to-back road games against Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech late, and then the home game against Troy.It'll be a fourth straight bowl season without too much of a concern, but it'll take a few breaks to play for the Sun Belt title.Related: Sun Belt Football: Ranking All 14 Teams Heading Into Spring 2026

The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up their offseason program earlier this month, and teams now have the next month to rest and prepare for training camp. Over OTAs and minicamp, players got to show off their skills between drills, 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. Every year, we try to get a glimpse at who could stand out and surprise. ESPN's Josh Weinfuss named the Cardinals' biggest surprise of the offseason program. He named receiver Devin Duvernay. Duvernay, who signed a one-year deal in March and is on his fourth team in four years, showcased his speed throughout OTAs and minicamp in drills on offense and special teams. His quickness will add a dynamic element to the Cardinals' return game and if/when he's used as a receiver.Duvernay essentially replaces Greg Dortch for the return game. The two-time Pro Bowl return specialist has been good but hasn't been special for a few seasons. Last year, he averaged 26.7 yards per kick return and 11.0 yards per punt return. Those were similar numbers to Dortch's stats last year, who averaged 26.2 on kick returns and 11.6 on punt returns. But Dortch was used much more on offense, catching 29 passes on 292 offensive snaps. Duvernay played only 40 offensive snaps last season for the Chicago Bears and had two receptions. Duvernay tracks to be the Cardinals' fourth wide receiver, which means little to no role on offense, as they will use at least one tight end almost every play. He will likely be their primary returner, but his impact might not be more than what Dortch has been for the last few seasons. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals' surprise player of offseason program is new addition

England World Cup group scenarios: What Three Lions need to qualify for 2026 Round of 32 knockouts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Football Association has put their chips on Thomas Tuchel ending the England men's national team's now 60 years of hurt.The 1966 World Cup triumph on home soil remains England's only major tournament success.They came close under Gareth Southgate, reaching the final of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 and performing strongly at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.Now, with a Champions League-winning coach at the helm, and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading a talent-stacked team on the field, is this finally the time for England to fulfil weighty expectations?The Sporting News has an overview of the current situation in Group L, who England could play in the knockout stage, and what the rest of the tournament could look like for the Three Lions.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsGroup L standings at 2026 World CupPosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.England3110042+22.Ghana3110010+12.Panama0101001-14.Croatia0101024-2What does England need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts?England made a flying start to the World Cup, winning a thrilling encounter against Croatia 4-2 in Dallas.If Tuchel's side beats Ghana in Boston on June 23, they will go through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare.The way the tournament is shaping up as a whole, it is likely that a draw would be enough for England to at least be guaranteed progress as one of the best third-place finishers, irrespective of what happens in their final Group match against Panama.MORE ENGLAND NEWS:Updated World Cup group scenariosEngland's 2026 World Cup squad in fullEngland 4-2 Croatia as it happenedHow Nico O'Reilly could be England's World Cup difference makerEngland scenarios to win Group LEngland will win Group L if they beat Ghana and Panama does not beat Croatia.Even in the event of an upset Panamanian victory forcing the battle for top spot on to the final day, a draw would be enough for England to finish top.Who will England play in the knockout stage?If England wins Group L, their Round of 32 match will be in Atlanta on July 1, against one of the best third-place qualifiers.Depending on how those rankings shake out, the Three Lions will face the third-placed team from either Group E, H, I, J or K.There is the potential of a mouthwatering Round of 16 clash against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca. El Tri are already assured of progress as Group A winners and will also face a third-placed finisher in the first knockout round.Odds for England to progress in the World Cup knockout stageAccording to DraftKings, England are odds on to win Group L, priced -1400.Tuchel's side are +600 to win the whole tournament.

OMAHA, Neb. — Freshman left-handed pitcher Jackson Rose will be the starting pitcher for UNC baseball vs. Oklahoma in the 2026 College World Series finale at Charles Schwab Field. Rose and the Tar Heels (54-13-1) are aiming for their first national championship in program history, with a 7 p.m. ET first pitch on Monday, June 22, against the Sooners (42-23). The rookie from Woodstock, Ga., has one win in the CWS but this will be his first start in Omaha. LIVE UPDATES: UNC baseball vs Oklahoma live updates in national championship: College World Series score, highlightsHere are three things to know about Rose ahead of the national championship game in the CWS finals.Jackson Rose stats for UNC baseball in NCAA Tournament, at College World Series Rose has a 5-0 record and 2.15 ERA across 50 ⅓ innings and 22 appearances. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound southpaw is 2-0 with four appearances in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, including a 1-0 mark in Omaha. Through 12 scoreless innings, Rose has allowed three hits, with three walks and 11 strikeouts. He pitched 4 ⅓ scoreless innings and allowed two hits against West Virginia on June 17 to help the Tar Heels clinch a spot in the CWS finals. Rose hasn't allowed an earned run since giving up four runs against Georgia Tech on May 24. Jackson Rose has mainly been a reliever, but he has started for Tar Heels Jackson Rose has primarily been a reliever for the Tar Heels in his debut season, but he has six midweek starts on his resume. Rose's start in the winner-take-all game of the CWS finals will be his seventh start of the season and first since May 12 at UNCW. Across his first six starts, Rose didn't pitch more than five innings and didn't allow more than two runs, logging 18 strikeouts and 10 walks. His season high in innings is six and his season high in pitches is 82. Jackson Rose is from Georgia, went to Etowah High School in Woodstock Jackson Rose, a Georgia native, won a state championship in 2024 at Etowah High School in Woodstock. Ranked as the No. 296 overall prospect in his class and the 32nd-best left-handed pitcher, according to Perfect Game, Rose was a first-team all-state selection in his senior season. Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Jackson Rose, UNC baseball pitcher, player to watch vs Oklahoma in CWS

Mikaela Shiffrin with her late father, Jeff.Credit: Mikaela Shiffrin/InstagramNEED TO KNOWMikaela Shiffrin shared how her father’s death in 2020 deeply impacted her relationship with skiing and lifeShe revealed watching security footage of her dad’s accident in an attempt to understand what happenedShiffrin said her gold medal win at the Milan Olympics in February helped her begin to accept life without her fatherMikaela Shiffrin is opening up about grief.The Olympic gold medalist skier, 31, sat down with Anderson Cooper for the Thursday, June 18 episode of his CNN podcast, All There Is with Anderson Cooper, to discuss the loss of her father, Jeff Shiffrin, and how she coped after his tragic accident in February 2020.Jeff died at the age of 65 at their family home in Edwards, Colo. after he fell from the roof of the house and sustained severe head trauma. Shiffrin told Cooper that she watched the security footage of her dad's accident in an attempt to find signs that he could have survived.Eileen Shiffrin, Mikaela Shiffrin and Jeff Shiffrin pose with the globes for being awarded the overall season ladies' champion and lasies' season slalom champion at the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals at Aspen Mountain on March 19, 2017.Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty"When we found out that he had this accident at home, we have some cameras around the outside of our house... I went into our camera footage and tried to look up the history," Shiffrin shared."I think my goal was to see how much time was he laying there with his brain bleeding until somebody actually found him," she said. "If this was under a minute, then maybe he has a chance of recovering. I think it was about eight and a half minutes.""I went through this whole footage and I kind of saw the whole thing happen, which I don't know if I would suggest people to do that," admitted Shiffrin, who was 24 years old at the time of her dad's death.The Olympian, who considered her dad her biggest champion, recalled a tactic that her father would do when they traveled. As an anesthesiologist, Shiffrin said he was a "stickler" and very aware of blood flow throughout the body.Mikaela Shiffrin with her parents, Eileen and Jeff Shiffrin, after winning the gold medal at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Women's Slalom on Feb. 18, 2017.Credit: Giovanni Auletta/Agence Zoom/Getty"We don't want any blood clotting and we want to make sure that we're keeping our bodies moving," she said of what her dad would say. "He'd like, lay down on the floor, lay down on bed and he'd hold his leg and he'd just like extend his foot up into the air and down, just bend and straighten his leg."Shiffrin recalled her dad doing a similar motion on the security footage after the accident.Take PEOPLE with you! Subscribe to PEOPLE magazine to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more — right to your mailbox. "And when he was laying there, I could see him doing that," she shared. "And I was like, oh, he knows that he needs to like, somehow move his body, but he couldn't get up. And then he was unconscious again when our neighbor found him. I think it was 12 minutes [later] when the ambulance arrived."Elsewhere in the interview, Shiffrin opened up about grief and the challenges she faced after her dad's death. She said it impacted her relationship with the sport she loved the most, as the person who's considered one of the greatest — and most decorated — alpine skier of all time.Mikaela Shiffrin of Team USA celebrates during the prize-giving ceremony after the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Slalom in Sestriere, Italy, on Feb. 23, 2025.Credit: Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty"I experienced this overwhelming sense of apathy," she told Cooper. "I almost dreaded that there would come a point in time where my team and my family and the people around me would ask, like, okay, so when do you want to get back on snow?""I've never struggled with wanting to be alive," she said. "But there were so many points — and I just don't really know the proper wording here — but I think a lot of people feel it it's like, what is the point of my existence?""And that's just been an ongoing question in my head for probably at least the first two years, but especially the immediate few weeks," Shiffrin continued. "Sleep is hard. I don't think I ate. I just felt like it was hard to feel the will to live.""Not that I didn't want to be alive, but just that I really was searching for a reason to get out of bed and didn't really have that," she said. "I didn't feel like ski racing was nearly a good enough reason to want to exist, and I didn't feel like wanting to win ski races had any place in my life anymore."Gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony following the Women's Slalom Run on day twelve of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.Credit: Ezra Shaw/GettyShiffrin said that she could "actually accept" her dad's death after her gold medal win in slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics."This was a moment I have dreamed about. I've also been very scared of this moment,” she told reporters, including PEOPLE, at a press conference after her podium ceremony in February. “Everything in life that you do after you lose someone you love is like a new experience.""It's like being born again, and I still have so many moments where I resist this," she continued. "I don't want to be in life without my dad." Still, Shiffrin's gold medal moment helped her come to terms with that, she said.“Maybe today was the first time I could actually accept this reality. And instead of thinking I would be going in this moment without him, to take the moment to be silent with him,” the Olympian said at the time."And with the whole team who's here with me now, and with my mom, who is here with me now and has been with me since the beginning," she said. "It was just a little more spiritual than I usually am, but I'm really grateful for that."Read the original article on People

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Here's something that very few could have reasonably expected coming into this World Cup: Cape Verde controls its own destiny with one match left in group play.That's right. With a win on Friday against Saudi Arabia, the tiny nation of about 500,000 people and about 15 million new Instagram followers will be headed to the round of 32. Even a draw might be — should be — enough to earn a spot in the knockout round.The Blue Sharks were long shots entering the World Cup; some books had them at no better than 12% to advance from the group stage. They're currently favored to move on.“It's in our hands,” defender Roberto Lopes said. “We have to go and take it.”A pair of draws — first against Spain to begin group play, then rallying for a 2-2 result against Uruguay on Sunday — has Cape Verde still searching for its first win in its initial World Cup appearance. Still, the team is in an ideal position.Spain leads Group H with four points. Uruguay and Cape Verde are next with two points each, while Saudi Arabia is last with one point. The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 32 along with the top eight third-place teams in the 12 groups.A win over Saudi Arabia by Cape Verde would give it five points; it would then be mathematically certain to be no worse than second in the group. A draw would give the team three points; that, combined with a Spain win over Uruguay, would also assure a second-place finish in group play.“One game at a time,” Cape Verde backup goalkeeper CJ dos Santos said. “This is just another challenge for us.”There is a real chance that if Cape Verde beats Saudi Arabia, its reward would be a round of 32 game against Lionel Messi and defending World Cup champion Argentina.And the interest in that game would be overwhelming, if it happened. On one side, there would be Messi, the biggest draw in the sport and possibly the biggest draw right now in any sport. On the other, there would be a team that the world seems to have adopted — the improbable story, replete with a 40-year-old goalkeeper whose mother needed help just to obtain a visa and fly to the U.S. to watch her son play on soccer's grandest stage.More than half of the team was born somewhere other than Cape Verde; Kevin Pina, who scored against Uruguay, spent part of his youth living in Massachusetts, which has the largest concentration of the Cape Verdean diaspora in the U.S.That stems from how in the 1800s, Cape Verdeans found work on American whaling vessels in the Atlantic and eventually settled in port cities in states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island.“We come from a country of immigrants,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said. “We want every child and every young person to feel proud to represent their country. We want our success to make them want to represent Cape Verde.”At Luanda Restaurant in Brockton, Massachusetts, Cape Verde’s first World Cup match became an afternoon of nervous cheering as customers gathered around televisions; some fans even brought laptops so they could work remotely from the restaurant without missing the game against Spain.Every save by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha — whose stardom has risen immeasurably during this tournament — drew louder reactions inside the restaurant. Owner Amélia Goncalves said she tried to work while screaming, laughing and nearly crying, noting that Vozinha's story resonates with the Cape Verdean community.“If you work hard, it's possible,” Goncalves said.The team has worked hard. The round of 32 is very possible now. A tiny country with big hopes is poised for its biggest sports moment.“Now nobody can ask, ‘Where is Cape Verde?’” said 22-year-old Micaelle Nunes, one of the soccer revelers in Brockton. “The whole world will know.”The players are aware of the celebrations. They know that, in some ways, they have become a sentimental favorite all over the globe. Their story is easy to appreciate and the way they play has drawn applause even from fans in opposing jerseys.A 12% chance is on the brink of coming through.“We had a big journey here,” Lopes said. “Now that we're here, we can't change.”___Associated Press writer Leah Willingham in Brockton, Massachusetts, and Zach Pascuzzi in Miami Gardens, Florida, contributed to this story. Pascuzzi is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/FIFA-World-Cup

Dusty May leaving Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks is the talk of the basketball world. There are tons of stories to write and questions to consider in the wake of this move. Here's one: Will Ben McCollum, currently the head coach at Iowa, coach Michigan or Kansas in 2028? Let's talk:Mike BoyntonMike Boynton is essentially auditioning for the permanent Michigan job this coming season. If he does great, Michigan will almost surely retain him. If he stumbles, Michigan will just as surely look for a long-term replacement. This is where the discussion starts: If Boynton blows it, Michigan will be an open job one year from now.Bill SelfBill Self is going to step down from Kansas and go into retirement ... but when? Will Self want two years at Kansas or call it a career after next season? Health is a factor. The outcome of next season could affect Self's choice, too. If he gets back to the Final Four, that might be the perfect way to go out. If KU gets knocked out on the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Self might want one more run in 2028. At any rate, Kansas could easily be an open job next year.Ben McCollum and KansasBen McCollum took Iowa to the Elite Eight in Year 1. He is a rock-star coach who will and should get phone calls from the top programs when their jobs come open. The industry consensus has been that Kansas is the job McCollum would take if it came open. KU's first call will go to McCollum when Bill Self retires. Michigan is the new plot twistWhen the North Carolina job got filled, Kansas became that much more obvious as Ben McCollum's next coaching job. Michigan, with Dusty May leaving for the NBA, now becomes a new option for McCollum in the Big Ten. This gives McCollum something to think about.Pros and cons for KansasIf Ben McCollum is thinking about going to Kansas, the pros are simple: It's Kansas. It's Phog Allen Fieldhouse. It's a blue-blood program steeped in history. The brand name is robust. Coaches such as Bill Self win national championships at Kansas. The school is all-in on basketball.The cons of the Kansas job: Arizona, Houston, Iowa State, and Texas Tech (among others) are all in the same conference. The Big 12 is a beast. The Big Ten is very tough, but the Big 12 wouldn't be any easier.Pros and cons for MichiganBen McCollum, if considering the Michigan job, would know that the pro-Michigan components of the situation would include Big Ten membership. McCollum wouldn't have to change conferences. Michigan has top-tier resources. The Tom Izzo era at Michigan State is winding down. Bluebloods Indiana and UCLA are struggling. Michigan is in position to remain the Big Ten's top basketball power, with Illinois being the primary competitor.The cons about Michigan: A move from Iowa to Michigan might be emotionally uncomfortable for McCollum, who previously coached at Drake and is therefore hugely popular within the state of Iowa. Another drawback: Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel is not well-liked by a large percentage of the fan base. He might not be an ideal boss.Contact/Follow@College_Wire on X and@College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Michigan and Kansas could battle for Iowa's Ben McCollum in future

After Representative Dan Goldman visited a left-leaning coffee shop chain, the shop owner posted caustic remarks on Instagram that made it clear the congressman shouldn’t come back.

The city’s high-drama, high-spending primaries will offer clues of progressive momentum and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s influence.

The economic impact of A.I. is less concerning than consumers’ fear-based reactions to it.

The CDC reports an estimated 31 million people in the United States are bitten by a tick annually. The Onion examines the myths and facts surrounding the common parasites. MYTH: Ticks only live in the woods. FACT: Many ticks enjoy the more cosmopolitan feel of a park or garden. MYTH: You can easily feel a tick bite. FACT: You didn’t notice that popcorn kernel in your teeth for a whole day. MYTH: Only deer ticks are dangerous. FACT: By far the most dangerous species of tick is the Northern Deviously Clever Tick Who Covets Your Family Fortune. MYTH: Ticks survive solely on blood. FACT: They also enjoy tapas. MYTH: Tweezers are the best way to remove ticks. FACT: Tweezers are a last resort and should only be used if diplomacy fails. MYTH: You should dispose of a tick by flushing it down the toilet. FACT: Ticks should be cremated and their ashes scattered over the Grand Canyon per their burial wishes. MYTH: One tick bite can put a person off eating red meat. FACT: True but one bite from a cow can put them right back on. The post Ticks: Myth Vs. Fact appeared first on The Onion.

👀Exodus at River: the outcasts returned to trainingWhile head coach Eduardo Coudet leads River Plate’s preseason in Alicante, Spain, the reality in Buenos Aires is very different. The large group of professional footballers who will not be part of “Chacho’s” plans returned to training at the club’s facilities this Monday, with the sole aim of sorting out their respective departures.The names on an uncomfortable listAmong the players called up to undergo the usual medical tests and train separately are high-profile figures such as Germán Pezzella, Fabricio Bustos, Paulo Díaz, and Maximiliano Meza. They are joined by youth players and recent signings such as Ian Subiabre, Alex Woiski, Giuliano Galoppo, Santiago Lencina, and Maximiliano Salas, who no longer have any room to change the coaching staff’s stance.A transfer market under pressureThe main priority of the club’s board is to complete permanent transfers in order to reduce the wage bill, although so far no sale has been made official.Meanwhile, the club’s leadership is working against the clock to secure the reinforcements requested by Coudet, after finalizing the signings of Nicolás Otamendi and Uruguayan Mauro Arambarri.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith may be in some serious trouble after he was hit with a huge allegation.Smith has been accused of domestic violence, and now the police are getting involved. On Father's Day, Smith's girlfriend and the father of one of his children accused him of hitting her. She filmed the whole thing, claiming that Smith just "beat my ass", as he is seen in the background calling the police.According to reports, the police department said officers arrived at Smith’s residence at 4:40 p.m. ET on Sunday. The spokesperson said no one was taken into custody at the scene.Neither Smith nor the Jets has yet to comment on this incident, but this is just the latest domestic abuse case in the NFL. Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, and now Smith have all been accused of domestic abuse.None of the cases have been resolved so far, and they are still under investigation. Smith just resigned with the Jets during the offseason, but now he may have caused a dilemma.Smith may have opened a Pandora's Box without realizing it. The team may have to look for another quarterback if this case goes further.This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Police now investigating Geno Smith abuse allegations

Left to right: Doriane Pin, Don McGuire, Gabby George, Carmelo Anthony —Kym Illman—Getty Images; Paul Devlin—Sportsfile/Web Summit/Getty Images; Poppy Townson—MUFC/Manchester United/Getty Images; Dia Dipasupil—Tribeca Festival/Getty ImagesFour athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs convened at a TIME100 Talk in Cannes, France, on Monday to discuss how sports has become one of the world's most powerful engines of culture and connection—and why athletes are increasingly extending their influence as entrepreneurs, storytellers, and leaders.The panel on June 22 featured Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Qualcomm Inc. Don McGuire, Manchester United defender Gabby George, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Development Driver Doriane Pin, and Olympic gold medalist Carmelo Anthony. It was moderated by Emma Barker Bonomo, Senior Editorial Director at TIME.Read more:Watch the Full TIME100 Talks SeriesAfter retiring from the NBA, Anthony now oversees a portfolio of business ventures, including a venture capital firm, media production company, and fashion brand. He found that the skills he honed as an athlete were transferable to his entrepreneurship endeavors. As a professional athlete, “there’s no way you cannot deal with the business side” of the sport, he explained.“I just took my experience of how to put teams together—and how the organizations put these teams together, and what they look for in point guards and centers—and I can apply that to my businesses,” Anthony said.But when he was representing brands as an athlete, he realized there was a difference between “visibility” and “access.” The visibility of being a star athlete allowed him to be “in front of the brands,” he said. “But the access allows you to sit at the table and have real conversations and allows you to have the impact that you really need.”He said he now seeks partnerships with brands that let him sit at those decision-making tables—and those that respect the messages that he wants to champion. “If that brand understands that, and sees that vision as well, then we can go out and we can tell a powerful story, as opposed to the brand just telling me to go out there and be a face,” he said.Read more:The 3 Best Words to Say to Someone Whose Sports Team Just LostFor George, the intersection of business and sports is especially important when it comes to sustaining the rapid growth of women's sports. The WNBA has been described by industry analysts as the fastest-growing brand in professional sports, and the World Economic Forum last year found that sponsorships are growing 50% faster for women’s leagues than men’s leagues.George said that in order to make these women’s leagues “sustainable,” brands need to focus on athletes on a personal level—especially since many women’s soccer fans follow both the clubs and the individual players. “You see on TikTok and Instagram, [athletes] are giving you a little delve into their lives, which is away from football, and I think that's how you kind of grow your audience, because we get to know you on a personal level,” she said. She pointed to how she loves makeup and likes to post videos that show her getting ready for games. “It's about giving them the right little pockets of our lives, so they still feel connected,” she added.McGuire, of Qualcomm, which sponsored the event, discussed how his company utilizes high-profile sports sponsorships to build global awareness. Its processor brand, Snapdragon, has invested in sponsorships across both established and emerging sports, he said, from Major League Baseball to professional golf. McGuire said diving into women’s sports reflects that strategy.“Collaboration has driven amazing storytelling that has helped these people—as brands and as people—kind of tell their stories,” he said, pointing to the athletes beside him on the panel. “It doesn't matter if you're male, doesn't matter if you’re female: They're athletes, they perform at a very high level, they put their lives and their health in danger every day to do what they love, and so we're just profoundly proud of that.”Pin, who made motorsport history by becoming the first female driver to pilot a Mercedes-AMG F1 car, said brands and sponsors play a fundamental role in helping athletes tell their stories.“Sport is very expensive and not reachable for everyone, and it's also a very difficult sport to get in—and even more for women,” Pin said. “So we need those people to come together, so you're not alone, and also to show that we can be part of this world—and have an impact beyond.”TIME100 Talks: Built for Impact: Partnerships, Creativity, and the Future of Sports was presented by Snapdragon.

Trae Young has agreed to a four-year extension with the Washington Wizards, one that would be worth about $212 million if he picks up the final year of the deal, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Monday.The fourth year of the agreement is at Young's option, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Wizards had not revealed the terms. Young will make around $49 million this coming season.The deal is part of what could be a big week for the Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft that starts Tuesday night.Young is a four-time All-Star who was sidelined by injuries for most of this past season, averaging just 17.9 points — more than seven points per game below his career average — in only 15 games with Atlanta and Washington. He made five appearances with the Wizards after getting traded to them by the Hawks, who had Young for his first 7 1/2 NBA seasons.The dollar total that the sides agreed upon for this extension essentially matches the most that Young could have made on the free agent market if he signed somewhere other than Washington.Young is averaging 25.1 points and 9.8 assists per game for his career. The only other player to average at least 25 points and nine assists for the entirety of an NBA career is Oscar Robertson.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Club World Cup: Mbappé sets a record from kick-off 🔥A new record on the clock.This Monday evening, Kylian Mbappé will experience a special moment against Iraq during the second matchday of the 2026 World Cup group stage.Starting up front in attack, the captain of Les Bleus will earn his 100th cap for the French national team.At 27, the all-time top scorer in France’s history will also set a new record, as he will become the first player under 30 to reach 100 appearances for the French national team.Patrick Vieira had held that record until now, having earned his 100th cap at the age of 30 years and 145 days.How many goals will Kylian Mbappé score tonight to celebrate the occasion?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Voting booths are set up at a polling location inside St. Luke's Methodist Church, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)2026-06-22T20:39:28Z WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s election integrity strategy is unlawful and can no longer be used.U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls.“All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” Sooknanan said in an order explaining the decision. “This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens.”She said Congress had expressly prohibited the government from centralizing Americans’ personal identifying information and that the federal agencies that created the SAVE program “knew that the database violates those statutory protections.” The decision is a major legal setback for President Donald Trump in his efforts to use federal agencies to encourage a nationwide crackdown on noncitizens illegally on state voter rolls. The modified SAVE system, which critics had referred to as an unlawful centralized federal database of voter information, had been a key pillar of the second election executive order the Republican president signed earlier this year. The ruling leaves its future uncertain. “It’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist,” James Percival, general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security, said of the ruling in a social media post. Read More The department referred to his post as its comment on the ruling. The Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment.The SAVE program was created under an immigration law mandating that DHS help federal, state and local agencies prevent government benefits from going to noncitizens. At least 25 states used it to check their voter rolls since April 2025, after the Trump administration significantly expanded its search abilities. Since then, at least 67 million registrations have been scanned through the program, but critics worry it could end up purging valid voters from the rolls. The plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and five unnamed U.S. citizens, had alleged the revamped SAVE program violated Americans’ privacy and voting rights. The groups also alleged the Trump administration violated federal privacy laws by ignoring transparency requirements about the changes to the system.“The agencies were scrambling to comply with an Executive Order aimed at reshaping federal elections, which directed them to create a system for mass voter verification,” the judge wrote. “So they haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of Americans, including citizenship data that they knew to be unreliable.” Plaintiffs attorney Nikhel Sus told the court during the October hearing that naturalized citizens face a greater risk of unlawfully being purged from voter rolls.“They are uniquely vulnerable to errors in the database,” said Sus, an attorney for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.Sus said Monday he sees Sooknanan’s ruling as an “across the board victory” and noted the plaintiffs were pleased the judge’s ruling reinforced their argument that the federal government doesn’t have implied authority to freely share sensitive data across agencies.___Swenson reported from New York. ALI SWENSON Swenson covers politics and the information landscape for The Associated Press. She is based in New York. twitter FATIMA HUSSEIN Hussein reports on the U.S. Treasury Department for The Associated Press. She covers tax policy, sanctions and any issue that relates to money. twitter mailto

England captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into a nightclub incident that occurred after their team's victory over New Zealand earlier this month. The pair had already been handed written warnings by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching a team curfew and were omitted from the second Test against New Zealand. However, both players are expected to return for the series-deciding third Test, which begins on Thursday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. On Monday, the independent Cricket Regulator confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against either player after completing its review of the matter. The controversy stemmed from events following England's win in the opening Test, when Stokes and Atkinson stayed out beyond the team's midnight curfew and visited a London nightclub. During the same evening, a team security official was reportedly struck by a rugby player from Premiership club Saracens. The Cricket Regulator launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and said it examined a range of evidence before reaching its conclusion. “Having carefully reviewed all currently available information, the Cricket Regulator has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred,” the body said in a statement. According to the regulator, investigators pursued “multiple lines of inquiry to gather and assess evidence” before deciding that the case did not warrant further action. The episode reignited debate around the culture within the England men's setup, particularly after criticism that followed the team's unsuccessful Ashes tour of Australia, where reports of excessive drinking and unprofessional behaviour had attracted widespread attention. While the off-field issue has now been resolved, attention will quickly shift back to cricket. England and New Zealand head into the third and final Test with the series level at 1-1, setting up a decisive showdown at Trent Bridge.

Spain's midfielder #11 Alexia Putellas celebrates scoring her team's third goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Europe Zone Qualifiers, group C, football match between Spain and England at Mallorca Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, on June 5, 2026. (Photo by JAIME REINA / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images According to Begoña Villarrubia of Mundo Deportivo that football megastar Alexia Putellas will make an announcement in regards to her club football future later this week. The reporter has also shared the former FC Barcelona player midfielder has drawn interest from WSL, NWSL, and Liga MX Femenil. 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐌𝐃🤝 En Inglaterra dan por hecho un acuerdo London-Alexia pero siguen abiertas las opciones de México y Estados Unidos✍️ @bvillarrubiahttps://t.co/bE831LWbXd— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) June 8, 2026On June 8, it was reported by The Guardian that Alexia Putellas had agreed to personal terms with London City Lionesses.Excl. The Guardian understands that Alexia Putellas has agreed personal terms with London City Lionesses. More online here, on this quite remarkable move. #BarclayWSLhttps://t.co/V5DUKsSzsg— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) June 8, 2026Although, London City remains the favorite, Villarrubia reports it’s not quite a done deal, even though the club remain the favorites. Alexia Putellas is expected to address her club future this week, per @mundodeportivo. The 2x Ballon d'Or winner reportedly has offers from Boston Legacy, Gotham FC, & London City Lionesses.Where would you like to see the superstar go next? 👀📸: @FCBfemenipic.twitter.com/lP8W9CpM2d— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) June 22, 2026Could the NWSL be an option? Gotham FC and Boston Legacy were also listed as potential destinations.The announcement will remains the biggest storyline in women’s football with every top league aiming to secure her signature. Where will she end up?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 01: Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook/Meta, poses with UFC president Dana White during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 01, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) The day has finally arrived.After years of complaints from fans, fighters, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White, the promotion has officially started rolling out its brand new rankings system powered by Meta AI.For years, UFC’s rankings have been a constant source of frustration. Whether it was inconsistency, fighters remaining ranked despite inactivity, bizarre movement from week to week, or perceived bias from the media panel, White has made it very clear that he has never been a fan of the current system.So, a few years ago, White vowed to change it with AI.And now, that day has finally come.“I’ve been unhappy with the rankings and always believed there had to be a better way,” White said. “We’ve always been a company that runs toward technology and innovation, and now we’ve worked with Meta to integrate it directly into our rankings system. I’m excited to see how this innovation can help change the sport for both the fans and the athletes.”Today (Mon., June 22, 2026), UFC released its new Meta rankings (check them here) and announced that it “will begin the transition of its official rankings from the traditional media panel toward Meta UFC Rankings, offering an innovative new approach to rankings determined entirely by fight data.”In a press release, UFC explained how the new system will work:“Meta UFC Rankings will be automatically calculated and updated by Monday following every official UFC event. To determine individual athlete ranks, the system combines statistical modeling and machine learning with the deep domain expertise of the UFC. It evaluates a comprehensive set of objective metrics, including outcome probability, win type, fighter trajectory, and weight-class sensitivities.”In other words, not all wins and losses will be treated equally.Under the new ranking system: The always-debated pound-for-pound category is gone.Finishes will apply a small bonus to fighter ratingsDecisions will not factor in.Beating a higher-ranked opponent will carry more weight than defeating a lower-ranked one. A dominant finish over a Top 5 contender will matter more than a close decision over an unranked opponent. The system will also account for recency, with more recent fights carrying greater weight, while inactivity penalties will be applied to fighters who go extended periods without competing.UFC claims that by relying on measurable fight data, the Meta UFC Rankings will better reflect a fighter’s true competitive performance inside the Octagon.Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg also weighed in on the launch.“I’m excited to work with Dana and the UFC to build a system that analyzes fighter performance at a much deeper level, helping create more transparent and accurate rankings,” Zuckerberg said.Of course, because this is UFC, the rollout was not exactly flawless.When the brand new rankings launched, the website was a complete mess, with several random fighters appearing in the wrong spots and the rankings looking more broken than revolutionary.Thankfully, UFC has since fixed the rankings website.Still, the era of Meta UFC Rankings has officially begun. Whether it actually solves the promotion’s longtime rankings problem — or just creates a brand new one — remains to be seen.View this post on Instagram

The wait for a career-capping milestone will continue for Rod Brind'Amour.The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its new class of inductees on Monday, and the Carolina Hurricanes coach and former player was snubbed again.Brind'Amour has been eligible for the Hall since 2013, making this 13 years and waiting for induction.Brind'Amour has been excellent as a coach, having changed the fortunes of the Carolina franchise and guiding the team to the 2025-26 Stanley Cup title. He's the only coach ever to win a playoff series in his first five seasons.But that's not why he should be in the Hall of Fame. What he did on the ice, specifically for the Carolina franchise, is simply remarkable.In addition to being the captain on the Hurricanes' first Stanley Cup championship team in 2006, he's 25th all-time in games played, 62nd in goals, and 53rd in assists and total points.Yet that resume hasn't landed him in the Hall of Fame.The snub prompted the Canes to tweet this:What else does he have to do? pic.twitter.com/lrFV5oZ0Eo— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 22, 2026Across North Carolina and the hockey world, a lot of people are wondering the same thing.Former Hurricanes player Eric Staal, the brother of current captain Jordan Staal, also did not hear his name called.So who got in? Keith Tkachuk, for one. He waited more than a decade and a half from the end of his NHL playing career to get the call from the Hall of Fame.Rod Brind'Amour snubbed, again. https://t.co/3nr1USKgRM— Kate Rogerson (@KateRogersonTV) June 22, 2026When it finally came, the timing only gave his family more reason to celebrate.Tkachuk was elected to the Hall of Fame less than 24 hours after his sons became teammates when Brady was traded from Ottawa to Florida, joining his older brother Matthew.Keith Tkachuk is part of a player class that includes center Patrice Bergeron, who won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward six times, and goaltenders Carey Price from Montreal and Pekka Rinne from Nashville.U.S. women's hockey pioneer Cindy Curley and executive Brian Burke also are set to be inducted on Nov. 9 at a ceremony in Toronto.For Brind'Amour and Eric Staal, the wait will continue for at least one more year.Images from the Carolina Hurricanes victory celebration- The Associated Press contributed.Download the ABC11 App for breaking news and weather alerts

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is the golden goose of the 2026 NBA offseason. While rumors regarding a trade continue to swirl, the talk has intensified as the June 23-24 draft approaches.The Milwaukee Bucks have narrowed their trade options between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on June 22.Wherever Antetokounmpo lands could prove consequential to a potential Ja Morant trade and the Memphis Grizzlies' future.What it means for the GrizzliesAs one star moves, the process of getting trades to the finish line accelerates. The Grizzlies have an intriguing star at the forefront of those conversations. When Antetokounmpo is traded, a Morant trade is likely to follow suit.For one, wherever Antetokounmpo lands would effectively eliminate that team from considering trading for the Grizzlies' star.The Heat already have been rumored to be interested in Morant. If they are left out of the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, they are likely to turn their eyes to Morant.While Morant is not likely to garner much trade value based on contract length, recent injury history and off-court concerns, there could be some opportunity for the bidding price to be driven up.Reach Commercial Appeal sports intern Said Bravo at snonoal@gannett.com.This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What happens to Grizzlies' Ja Morant when Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded?

The Toronto Blue Jays are making changes to their MLB roster, this time giving a former elite prospect another opportunity at the major league level. Toronto announced Monday that it has selected the contract of infielder Luis Urías, just days after acquiring him from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. To make room on the active roster, the club optioned outfielder Yohendrick Piñango to Triple-A Buffalo.RELATED: Blue Jays make trade, acquire former top prospectUrías Earns Another MLB OpportunitySep 8, 2019; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Luis Urias (9) fields a ground ball before throwing to first base to retire Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY SportsWhile Urías may not carry the same prospect hype he once did, his journey back to the majors has been fueled by an impressive stretch at Triple-A Reno.The 28-year-old was hitting a remarkable .361/.393/.546 prior to the promotion. Those numbers certainly stand out, although some evaluators will point to his .367 batting average on balls in play as a sign that some regression could be coming.Regardless, the Blue Jays clearly liked what they saw. Toronto’s front office has been searching for additional infield depth and offensive production, and Urías provides both experience and versatility as the club prepares for an important series against the Houston Astros.From Elite Prospect to Baseball JourneymanSep 20, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Luis Urias (2) during the game against the New York Yankees at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsThere was a time when Urías was viewed as one of the brightest young talents in baseball. During his days in the San Diego Padres system, he was considered a top-20 prospect in all of Major League Baseball. Expectations were sky-high as he worked his way through the minors.After being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, Urías enjoyed the most productive stretch of his major league career and appeared poised to become a long-term fixture in an everyday lineup. Things haven’t gone quite as planned since then. The infielder has spent recent years bouncing between organizations before landing with Arizona on a minor league contract.Fresh Start in TorontoNow, Urías gets another chance to prove he belongs. For the Blue Jays, this is a relatively low-risk move with potentially meaningful upside. If his strong Triple-A production translates to the major league level, Toronto could find itself with a valuable contributor as the season moves deeper into the summer.At the very least, the former top prospect has earned another opportunity to show he still has something left to offer.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors tracker: Latest news on Celtics, Heat, other potential destinations for Bucks star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.By now, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are over a year in the making.Because the Milwaukee Bucks have stagnated as a franchise, failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs since 2021-22, Antetokounmpo's name has continually come up in trade conversations — but until the past 2025-26 season, the legitimacy of a potential deal was in question.Heading into the 2026 offseason, however, expectations have changed. Milwaukee is heavily anticipated to move on from its longtime superstar; barring a surprising change of heart, Antetokounmpo is set to join the second team of his career. The question is: who will win the "Greek Freak" sweepstakes?Here are the latest rumors and rumblings on a potential Antetokounmpo trade. MORE:Ranking Heat, Celtics, more as potential Giannis Antetokounmpo destinationsGiannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors tracker'Increasing sense' Jaylen Brown is comfortable being tradedDate: June 22Source: Kelly IkoAs Jaylen Brown's name continues to be floated in Antetokounmpo trade talks, Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko reports Brown would be willing to play for the Bucks."There's an increasing sense that not only is Brown comfortable with the idea of leaving Boston and being traded to Milwaukee, but is hoping to find a resolution over the next 48 hours, league sources said," Iko wrote.'Growing belief' Antetokounmpo will land with CelticsDate: June 22Source: Gery WoelfelThere is a "growing belief" Antetokounmpo will be traded to the Celtics, longtime Bucks insider Gery Woelfel reports, after Boston increased its offer over the weekend.Celtics 'all-in' on Giannis tradeDate: June 22Source: Brian WindhorstESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Monday that the Celtics are "all-in" on Antetokounmpo, and confirmed that the Heat and the Celtics are the "finalists." Windhorst said Boston was hesitant to include Jaylen Brown previously, but he is now on the table. Celtics have 'real shot' to win Giannis with Jaylen Brown-centric offerDate: June 22Source: Marc SteinThe Celtics remain in the hunt for Antetokounmpo, and after this weekend, Boston is considered to have a "real shot" to pull off the move — that is, if they part ways with Jaylen Brown. It's still unclear if the Bucks would take Brown, or if the Celtics star would be moved to a third-party team involved. Bucks 'very much aware' Antetokounmpo wants to play for HeatDate: June 20Source: Barry JacksonThe Bucks are "very much aware" of Antetokounmpo's desire to play for the Heat, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports, and they are using that desire for leverage. Jackson reports the Bucks want to leave Miami in a "compromised" position when it comes to competing for a championship.Bucks still waiting for offer deemed 'acceptable' for AntetokounmpoDate: June 18Source: Brian WindhorstAs expected, the Bucks are still hoping to deal Antetokounmpo before Tuesday's draft. However, Windhorst reports that Milwaukee hasn't yet received a package deemed substantial enough for it to consider parting ways with the two-time MVP winner. The Heat are believed to be most interested in seeking out Antetokounmpo's services, although the pieces they have to complete the deal leave something to be desired.Antetokounmpo deal may not come until JulyDate: June 17Source: Chris HaynesAn Antetokounmpo trade has been anticipated to happen before the NBA Draft, but Haynes reports that while he's confident in the Bucks eventually trading their star, he's "not as certain" that it will happen before the draft.Jaylen Brown wouldn't want to play in Milwaukee Date: June 17Source: Marc SpearsWhile Brown is viewed as a likely trade chip if Antetokounmpo would be heading to Boston, Spears reported that the Celtics wing "wouldn't want to play for Milwaukee."There has been some rumors about a third team getting involved in a Brown-Antetokounmpo deal — with Brown likely heading to that third team if it happens.Celtics on Antetokounmpo's list of preferred teamsDate: June 16Source: Brian WindhorstWhile Antetokounmpo has been clear about his desire to play for the Heat, the Celtics are also on his "list" and he would be willing to sign an extension in Boston, Brian Windhorst reports. Bucks hesitant about Heat offerDate: June 16Source: Brian WindhorstThe Bucks "seem to not be in love" with Miami's offer for Antetokounmpo and continue to hold talks with other teams, according to Brian Windhorst. While the Heat have improved their offer, Windhorst says, the Bucks are "well aware this move could define the next decade in Milwaukee" and are taking their time.Giannis 'focused on' playing for HeatDate: June 15Source: Brian WindhorstMaking an appearance on "Get Up," NBA insider Brian Windhorst said the Heat and Bucks have been talking about Antetokounmpo for months — but more notably, the star forward is considered to be "focused on" joining Miami.Windhorst said that talks between the two sides have "intensified" over the past week. He also said on "SportsCenter" that Antetokounmpo "still could remain with the Bucks," but "the Bucks do not love what the Heat are offering and they are out looking for other options."Heat have most momentum for deal, with 'presumed certainties' in packageDate: June 15Source: Marc SteinPer Stein, the Heat are the team with momentum for a potential Antetokounmpo trade. Should that deal happen, he reports that the "presumed certainties" in a return package would include Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the No. 13 pick in the upcoming draft.Additionally, Stein reports that the Celtics are "increasingly projected" to be the other landing spot Antetokounmpo prefers.Giannis-Heat noise 'loud,' but Bucks seeking clarity from Celtics, Timberwolves, MagicDate: June 12Source: Sam AmickThe Athletic's Sam Amick reports that Miami is seen as the front-runner for Antetokounmpo, but the reason for any hold-up is that the Bucks want to receive final offers from teams like the Celtics, Timberwolves and Magic before making a decision. Portland is also "interested" in acquiring Antetokounmpo, but the Trail Blazers are more likely to be involved as a third team as the Bucks attempt to recoup some of their own draft capital from the 2023 Damian Lillard deal.MORE: Way-too-early NBA Power Rankings for 2026-27 seasonGiannis Antetokounmpo landing spotsMiami HeatSince the Heat expressed interest in Antetokounmpo at the 2026 trade deadline, they've been viewed as a front-runner. Miami is no stranger to chasing star players — but since Jimmy Butler's departure, Pat Riley hasn't taken a big swing for one.With reports indicating that Antetokounmpo would have interest in signing an extension in Miami, hypothetically, he would make an elite two-way pairing in the Heat frontcourt with Bam Adebayo. But part of the concern for a potential deal between the Bucks and Heat is what Miami would be left with after completing a trade.Considering players like Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. would likely be included in an Antetokounmpo trade, the Heat would be left thin, needing to complement their roster with shooting around their new star.Still, the Heat should be in the mix as Antetokounmpo talks ramp up.Boston CelticsA year ago, it would have seemed preposterous for the Celtics, who won a championship with their current core in 2024, to be considering a massive shake-up like acquiring Antetokounmpo. But with the way things have played out in Boston, there's a real shot that Jayson Tatum will have a new co-star.Tatum's Achilles tear moved Boston into cost-cutting measures last offseason, parting with starting talent in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. And even though Jaylen Brown put forth a career year in 2025-26 and the Celtics remained title contenders, they flamed out in the first round of the playoffs, blowing a 3-1 lead to the 76ers before they even got a chance at the eventual-champion Knicks.Since then, speculation around Brown's future has been rampant. He and Tatum have made an elite wing duo for years, but Boston's philosophies of living and dying by the 3-pointer are also growing stale. Acquiring Antetokounmpo could allow the team to enter a new era with a star big man to match up against the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo in the East — the kind of size advantage that the Celtics lacked last season.Any Antetokounmpo-Celtics trade would be expected to include Brown in some fashion, potentially going to a third team. It would be a massive blockbuster, but it might just be the move that can push Boston back to the NBA's throne.Minnesota TimberwolvesSince they opted to send Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for a plethora of high-level rotation players, the Timberwolves have been lurking as a potential Antetkounmpo destination. They haven't made a ton of noise on the trade market, but pairing Anthony Edwards with a star-level forward would make sense after Minnesota has continued dropping out of the Western Conference playoffs before the Finals.Whether Antetokounmpo would sign an extension in Minnesota is unknown, but at the least, he and Edwards would make for an elite one-two punch that could allow the Timberwolves to rival the Spurs and Thunder in the conference.With Minnesota able to offer Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and more, the team could still hold onto a core of Edwards, Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert, a trio that could prove deadly on both ends of the floor.It's feasible that Antetokounmpo could wind up in Minnesota, but not as likely as other destinations — especially considering the lack of reporting connecting the Bucks and Timberwolves.Trail BlazersPortland is a bit of a wild-card team in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. While the Trail Blazers don't appear super close to title contention, they are coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign, making a return to the playoffs — and the path is there to improve again next year. With Antetokounmpo in the fold, they could hit another level.Like Minnesota, the idea of Antetokounmpo signing an extension in Portland appears murky at best, but there's two reasons it could work. For one, the Trail Blazers can offer a collection of young talent to the Bucks while keeping an elite core in place; Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen could be appealing to Milwaukee as young prospects, and the Blazers could still pair Antetokounmpo with past teammates in Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, an All-Star in Deni Avdija and an elite defender in Toumani Camara.The other reason this could make sense for Milwaukee to pursue is the fact that the Trail Blazers still control a significant chunk of Bucks draft capital from the 2023 Lillard trade. By making another deal with Portland, the Bucks could recoup some of their own draft picks while likely making themselves worse in those seasons to come.It's more likely Portland functions as a third team in any Antetokounmpo deal for that reason, but the idea of him playing alongside Lillard again can't be ruled out.Orlando MagicFinally, another potential sleeper candidate for Antetokounmpo also comes in the Eastern Conference. The Magic have struggled more than anticipated with their Paolo Banchero-Franz Wagner duo, enough so that it may be worth it to start fresh.Either one of those stars may be the best possible player the Bucks can get back for Antetokounmpo. Orlando would still be left with an elite wing to place alongside its new star, with Desmond Bane also offering the kind of shooting that would complement Antetokounmpo perfectly.There's also the aspect of the Magic recently hiring a head coach who Antetkounmpo is familiar with; Sean Sweeney previously spent time with the Bucks as an assistant.It's not considered likely, but with the Magic eyeing contention yet disappointing again in 2025-26, they could go star-chasing, with either Banchero or Wagner becoming the new centerpiece in Milwaukee in return.Giannis Antetokounmpo contractPart of the calculus in trading for Antetokounmpo is also his contract situation — because he has a player option for the the 2027-28 season, he can be a free agent as soon as next summer. Any team trading for the Bucks star will also have to feel confident about Antetokounmpo's interest in signing a long-term extension.Antetokounmpo has been playing on a three year, $175.37 million deal he signed with the Bucks that would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2028 if he opts into a 2027 player option. But he's likely to receive an extension soon as part of his future outlook, whether from the Bucks or a new destination.

Leeds United Get Response To Their Opening £20m Bid For Championship Player: Why Must They Dig In?Leeds United have kicked off their summer recruitment with a bold £20 million move for Southampton’s Northern Ireland international Shea Charles.Leeds United launch £20m bid for Southampton midfielder Shea CharlesThe opening gambit did not land.Journalist Jacob Tanswell broke the news on X, confirming the South Coast club instantly rebuffed the initial financial package. Southampton are digging their heels in. They want a significantly higher premium for the 22-year-old before they even consider opening the exit door. Yet, the deal is not dead. Dialogue continues between the two clubs.Charles, a former Manchester City academy graduate, has seen his stock soar after a stellar individual campaign. That form has pushed his realistic market value well north of the baseline figure proposed by Elland Road officials.Daniel Farke is driving this chase. Having steered Leeds to top-flight stability, the German manager wants genuine steel in his engine room. He wants to avoid any future relegation dogfights. Charles is his primary target.Why the Whites must pay up for Farke’s top target?LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Shea Charles of Southampton celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammate Ross Stewart during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Walking away from the negotiating table now would be a massive mistake for Leeds.Elite domestic depth costs serious money. Paying a premium over the initial valuation is just the tax you pay for quality in the modern market. Charles ticks every single box for the Elland Road scouting department. He has tactical awareness, physical presence, and maturity even at this age.Southampton actually hold a weaker hand than they let on. Failing to secure an immediate, lucrative return to the top flight hurts the finances. Leeds United have the leverage here. They just need to stretch the package to £25 million.Chasing alternative targets will waste valuable time. Why look elsewhere when a proven, modern defensive anchor sits right within their financial grasp? Farke needs to pull the trigger on an improved bid immediately. Rival clubs are watching. If Leeds United dither, someone else will hijack the deal.

Most goals in one World Cup: How Messi, Mbappe's pace in 2026 compares to all-time scoring records originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.What Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have done for soccer is nothing short of incredible. The goal-scoring abilities the two have are a gift for fans to watch, and not to ruin the recent moments, but it's been done before and even bested.The all-time goal-scoring record at a World Cup is 13, set by Just Fontaine in 1958. While two other players have gone above the double-digit goal threshold, it hasn't been done since 1970.Mbappe's (eight) and Messi's (seven) highest-scoring tournaments thus far have given fans a treat to watch in front of their eyes, but both are still vying to inch closer to Fontaine's mark.Here's how Messi and Mbappe stack up against the World Cup's highest-scoring showings.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsWhat is the most goals in a single World Cup?The current record for the most goals in a single World Cup was set by Just Fontaine with 13. During the 1958 World Cup, Fontaine broke Sandor Kocsis' record of 11, which was set in the tournament prior. West Germany's Gerd Muller came close to breaking the Hungarian's second-best spot on the table, but fell one goal short in 1970 with 10 goals.Since Muller, the closest a player has gotten to eclipsing Kocsis came in 2022. During the World Cup in Qatar, Mbappe scored a hat trick during the final match that skyrocketed his goal tally to seven during the tournament. Despite one of the greatest final match performances in World Cup history, Mbappe's France fell short to Messi's Argentina in a penalty shootout.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 CupWorld Cup single tournament goal recordWhile many current soccer fans may not have heard of Fontaine's 1958 World Cup, his individual tournament was an all-timer that still stands today in terms of goals. In 2026, the record has stood for 68 years, and only one player has risen above the double-digit mark since Fontaine. Here is highlights of Fontaine's 1958 World Cup in Sweden:Most goals in a World Cup by playerFontaine's 13-goal tournament in 1958 still stands alone as the highest-scoring individual tournament. Here are the players who have had the highest-scoring single World Cup tournaments:RankPlayer (team)GoalsYear1.Just Fontaine (France)1319582.Sandor Kocsis (Hungary)1119543.Gerd Muller (West Germany)1019704.Eusebio (Portugal)91966T5Kylian Mbappe (France)82022T5Ronaldo (Brazil)82002T5Ademir (Brazil)81950T5Guillermo Stabile (Argentina)81930T9Lionel Messi (Argentina)72022T9Grzegorz Lato (Poland)71974T9Jairzinho (Brazil)71970T9Leonidas (Brazil)71938MORE: Where Messi's World Cup career goal total ranks on the all-time listMost goals in 2026 World CupAfter Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria, Messi topped the charts for the top scorers at the 2026 World Cup. Here are the top five scorers at this year's competition as of June 22:RankPlayerTeamGoals (Penalties)1.Lionel MessiArgentina5 (0)2. Deniz UndavGermany3 (0)3. Jonathan DavidCanada3 (0)=Kylian MbappeFrance3 (0)4. Crysencio SummervilleNetherlands2 (0)=Mikel OyarzabalSpain2 (0)=Maxi AraujoUruguay2 (0)=Ayase UedaJapan2 (0)=Cody GakpoNetherlands2 (0)=Vinicius JuniorBrazil2 (0)Most goals in a World Cup, by teamHere are the countries that have had the highest-scoring World Cups in a single tournament. Since the new millennium, only two teams have cracked this list.RankTeam (year)Goals1.Hungary (1954)272.West Germany (1954)253.France (1958)234.Brazil (1950)225.Brazil (1970)19T6Argentina (1930)18T6Brazil (2002)18T6Germany (2014)18T9Austria (1954)17T9Portugal (1966)17T9West Germany (1970)17Top goal-scorers for every 2026 World Cup teamGoals and caps correct as of June 22, 2026.*Denotes playing at the 2026 FIFA World CupNationTop scorerGoalsCapsAlgeriaIslam Slimani45104ArgentinaLionel Messi*119200AustraliaTim Cahill50108AustriaMarko Arnautovic*47134BelgiumRomelu Lukaku*90127Bosnia and HerzegovinaEdin Dzeko*73148BrazilNeymar*79128CanadaJonathan David*3977Cape VerdeRyan Mendes*2299ColombiaRadamel Falcao36104CroatiaDavor Suker4568CuracaoRangelo Janga2143CzechiaJan Koller5591DR CongoDieumerci Mbokani2249EcuadorEnner Valencia*49106EgyptHossam Hassan69177EnglandHarry Kane*79113FranceKylian Mbappe*59100GermanyMiroslav Klose71137GhanaAsamoah Gyan51109HaitiDuckens Nazon*4482IranAli Daei108148IraqHussein Saeed78137Ivory CoastDidier Drogba65105JapanKunishige Kamamoto7576JordanHamza Al-Dardour34122MexicoJavier Hernandez52109MoroccoAhmed Faras3694NetherlandsMemphis Depay *55110New ZealandChris Wood*4591NorwayErling Haaland*5550PanamaLuis Tejada43108ParaguayRoque Santa Cruz32112PortugalCristiano Ronaldo*143228QatarAlmoez Ali*60128Saudi ArabiaMajed Abdullah72117ScotlandKenny Dalglish/Denis Law30102/55SenegalSadio Mane*55129South AfricaBenni McCarthy3179South KoreaCha Bum-kun58136SpainDavid Villa5998SwedenZlatan Ibrahimovic62122SwitzerlandAlexander Frei4284TunisiaIssam Jemaa3684TurkeyHakan Sukur51112United StatesClint Dempsey/Landon Donovan57141/157UruguayLuis Suarez69143UzbekistanEidor Shomurodov*44128Most team goals in World Cup historyGoals correct as of June 22, 2026.RankTeamGoals1.Brazil2422.Germany2413.Argentina1574.France1405.Italy1286.Spain1127.England1088.Netherlands1039.Uruguay9210.Hungary87

The Texas sunlight beamed through the glass windows of the Dallas Stadium to bring a divine backdrop to Lionel Messi’s latest two-goal masterpiece. A glorious 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record, became his latest act to bolster immortal status back home in Argentina and across the world.After a first hat-trick on this stage to swat Algeria aside, a typically delightful finish with his left instep sent the world champions on their way to a 2-0 victory over the terrier-like Austria. And a second, his 18th in the tournament’s history, came through brute force in stoppage time to extend this relentless start from the world champions, who top Group J and have a place in the last 32 sewn up. A 201st cap for the Albiceleste and a 28th World Cup appearance, Messi continues to endure on this grand stage, but before the ecstasy came a gasp in disbelief at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. For all of Messi’s superpowers, a ruthless streak from the spot has evaded him occasionally; a rare weakness with 33 missed spot kicks from 149 taken leaves him at a respectable, if not spectacular 78.4 per cent success. But in a world where Messi has reimagined what is possible, it remains a puzzling blemish in his arsenal. A hushed expectation fell across this stadium in the ninth minute, while Austria humbly stood back and allowed Messi time and space to prepare. But Messi’s run-up lacked the intensity of the moment and a casual sweep of his left boot sent the ball curling wide of Alexander Schlager’s post.But on a lonely walk back to midfield as play resumed back towards Argentina’s goal, an underrated quality in Messi’s legendary career shone brightly. Argentina celebrate with Lionel Messi after clinching the game with a second goal (AP)Across the remainder of the game Messi displayed a resilience to shrug off the disappointment of his misstep and make a vital adjustment to slice Austria apart. With each curious stroll into his own half, vacating the space around the Austrian centre-backs, Argentina started to confuse the Europeans and enable blue and white shirts to flood beyond the ball.A delicate ball inside to Thiago Almada set the champions on their way, and when it reached Facundo Medina there were four Argentine players ahead of their talisman. Almada cleverly left the ball, in a moment worthy of an assist and in stark contrast to Cristiano Ronaldo’s reluctance to do so for Bruno Fernandes earlier in the tournament. Waiting, unmarked, was Messi. Primed and ready, he cushioned the ball back across goal and inside the left corner with Schlager already committed.The serenity of the celebration, with two fingers pointing to the stands, quickly descended into a chaotic outpouring of relief to send his team on their way.But Argentina met an organised Ralf Rangnick outfit, whose gegenpressing lit the fuse to a compelling contest. Enzo Fernandez and Messi exchanged passes like a pinball machine in the opening minutes, with Lautaro Martinez sent through on goal as red shirts descended on him in a panic. Stefan Posch from one side, Xaver Schlager on another, with the pair bundling Martinez to the ground. Martinez lay motionless, but a belated call from VAR ensured a penalty would eventually be given, as Posch grazed the Inter forward’s boot a fraction of a second before Schlager cleanly took the ball.Messi reacts after missing a penalty against Austria (Reuters)Yet after Messi’s shocking miscue, he turned playmaker to reshape the contest. Martinez outmuscled Kevin Danso to release Messi inside the box and his quick feet sent Paul Wanner flying. But David Alaba poked the ball away from Messi and towards his own goal, with Schlager’s outstretched leg preventing an own-goal.The 38-year-old’s deeper role was causing havoc by this point, with his delicate throughball almost finding Fernandez. Schlager raced off his line to clear, but the ball fell kindly to Messi, who arrowed it towards the empty goal, only for Alaba to scramble back and make the goalline clearance.The pattern had been set, though, with Messi knitting everything together, including that slick move to break the deadlock.Austria refused to wilt though as Konrad Laimer outsmarted the clumsy Cristian Romero. Marcel Sabitzer curled the free-kick beautifully towards the top right corner, only for Emi Martinez’s left glove to deflect it away. Messi celebrates against Austria with Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister (Reuters)Danso’s chest then rebounded Fernandez’s thudding strike with the game still delicately poised. But the match was gathering pace and opening up space; Sabitzer wrestled free and chipped to the back post, but despite brushing off Medina, Michael Gregoritsch failed to control his header on target.Argentina gladly opted for a direct approach, too, with Nicolas Tagliafico’s bending ball finding Nicolas Gonzalez in behind, only for Danso’s desperate recovery to prevent a decisive second. The Spurs defender’s flick-on almost saw a shock Austrian equaliser, but Patrick Wimmer’s header drifted wide.Messi celebrates after his double earns a 2-0 win over Austria (Reuters)And just as Austria sniffed a famous draw, Messi ruthlessly dashed their hopes as he was sent clear down the right on the break. The Inter Miami star saw Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez galloping free to his left. The ball was perfect for Alvarez, who failed to finish, but Paredes squared to Messi inside the box.After a magnetic first touch, and a rather more familiar quality, Messi’s first effort was blocked, but his second – bludgeoned towards goal and through red shirts – sealed it. An 18th World Cup goal for Messi has Argentina in dreamland and into the last 32. Two wins from two games, five goals scored and zero conceded. But in Dallas, it needed the tenacity to shake off a moment of adversity. A precious quality on the road to back-to-back titles.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., asks questions following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's testimony before the Senate Committee on Finance hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)2026-06-22T20:21:46Z WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is set to pass a bipartisan housing bill on Monday that aims to bring down prices and increase supply in one of the most sweeping efforts in recent decades to reduce federal regulations and increase local control.The bill has been the focus of intense House-Senate negotiations in recent weeks as lawmakers in both parties try to address housing costs in an election year. The final version of the legislation bans corporate investors from buying single family homes but doesn’t include a Senate provision that would have required investors to sell newly constructed homes within seven years.The measure was the result of years of work to “lower costs, expand housing supply, cut red tape, protect taxpayers, and help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership,” said Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., who worked with Democrats to get the bill passed. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Banking panel, told The Associated Press that she believes the bill is significant “because it acknowledges that the federal government has a role to play in lowering housing prices and because for the first time ever, private equity will be blocked from buying up single family homes and trying to turn housing into one more Wall Street investment.” Senate passage of the bill shapes up as a rare bipartisan legislative achievement when much of Republicans’ agenda has stalled. The House is expected to give final approval later this week and send the bill to President Donald Trump, who has signaled his support. Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of California, who helped negotiate the legislation, said it was a “huge step toward finally addressing the affordable housing and homelessness crises in this country.” Read More Housing costs are a concern for both partiesRepublicans and Democrats have embraced the bill as a way to show they are addressing the nation’s affordability crisis, driven in part by rising home prices due to a shortage of affordable housing. The U.S. housing market has been in a slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows.Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes have been hovering close to a 4-million annual pace going back to 2023 — well short of the 5.2-million annual pace that’s historically been the norm. Sales slowed last year to a 30-year low and have remained sluggish so far this year, declining in January and February versus a year earlier. The Economic Report of the President in April found a shortage of 10 million homes, while a report this month from the Joint Center For Housing Studies at Harvard University found sales of existing homes were at three-decade lows and inventories were rising due to high home buying costs. “Cost burdens for both renters and owners continue to climb, while assistance remains profoundly underfunded,” the report said.While the median U.S. monthly rent has been declining for nearly three years, it was still 17.2% higher in May than it was before the pandemic, according to data from Realtor.com. Changes for grants, Section 8 and manufactured housingTo increase the supply of housing, the bill would streamline environmental reviews and speed up the construction process. It would offer funding to local governments that build more housing, including Community Development Block Grant money to places exceeding the median rate of homebuilding. It would also provide money for communities to turn abandoned infrastructure into housing, and offers a framework for communities that want to reform outdated zoning regulations, which often limit larger housing developments.The legislation would allow banks to invest more in affordable housing and raise limits on the number of public housing units that can receive private financing through Section 8 funding to rehabilitate properties. And it would remove outdated requirements and expand federal financing to make manufactured homes more affordable. “Manufactured housing produces some of the most cost-effective housing in America, but access to financing has been tightly restricted,” Warren said. “This creates the opportunity for more manufactured housing and, at the same time, creates a structure for people living in manufactured housing communities to organize and protect their investment in their homes.” Lawmakers compromised on a disaster programOne of the sticking points between the two chambers was over a federal disaster recovery program.An earlier Senate bill had permanently authorized block grant recovery funds, a change intended to ensure that funding requests aren’t needed after every disaster. House lawmakers opposed that provision because of concerns over how the program was run, so they agreed on a three-year authorization instead. The final bill has received widespread support in the housing community, both from organizations representing landlords and large property owners as well as groups that advocate for tenants and low-income renters. “There is no magic wand that will fix this crisis overnight, and no single piece of legislation is perfect,” said David Dworkin, chief executive of the National Housing Conference, the nation’s oldest housing coalition. “Compromise demands that. But this bill is a significant down payment on a long-term effort to make housing more affordable for all Americans.” MICHAEL CASEY Casey writes about the environment, housing and inequality for The Associated Press. He lives in Boston. twitter mailto

Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Julián Álvarez wants to leave Atlético Madrid. After weeks of silence amid heavy speculation surrounding his future with reported interest from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, the forward decided to speak to ESPN Argentina after the Albiceleste‘s World Cup win over Austria on Monday and made his intentions clear.“The best thing for everyone is a transfer, and I want to fulfill my dream. I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about this, but I can’t hide either. I have to be honest, and I spoke with the people at [Atlético Madrid], the ones I needed to speak with.”Source: ESPN ArgentinaJulián does not mention the club he wants to join, but his desire to play for Barça is the worst-kept secret in the market right now. Álvarez’s bombshell statement was something that Barça felt they needed to strengthen their position in the negotiations, and we should see the club take their next steps soon now that Julián’s request has been made public.Atlético have been very angry at the possibility of Julián’s departure and made strong statements and wild social media posts mocking the very notion of Álvarez joining another club, and especially Barça. But his request is public knowledge now, and the Colchoneros have to decide whether or not to honor it.The next few days should be fascinating.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kylian Mbappé of France scored his 15th career World Cup goal on Monday, moving into a tie for third most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi.Mbappé scored in the 14th minute against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game.Playing in his third World Cup, the 27-year-old Mbappé matched Brazil great Ronaldo on the goals list and moved past Gerd Müller of West Germany. Miroslav Klose of Germany is second with 16.Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at 18. He had equaled Klose with his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.Mbappé scored with a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out that got past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after captain Jalal Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq’s 4-1 loss to Norway.Mbappé helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022, when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front by Désiré Doué and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, France entered this year's tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France’s 3-1 tournament-opening victory over Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the most in France's rich history.His 15 World Cup goals include three this year; eight in 2022, when he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

📊 Kylian Mbappé remains in touching distance of Leo Messi with latest goalSome might say Kylian Mbappé took Lionel Messi's performance for Argentina earlier today personally.We were treated to a stellar display by one of the game's all-time greats a matter of hours ago, and less than 15 minutes into France's Group I match against Iraq, the French forward is already producing a performance to rival it.Mbappé picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled a delightful effort into the net, scoring his 15th World Cup goal for Les Bleus.In doing so, he moves past Gerd Müller and draws level with Brazilian legend Ronaldo in the all-time World Cup scoring charts (15).Only Miroslav Klose (16) and Messi (17) have scored more World Cup goals.Mbappé also continues a remarkable run of goal contributions on the world stage, registering 17 goals and assists in his last 16 World Cup matches.Considering the Frenchman is only 27, just how many more World Cup goals will he score?

The Dallas Cowboys added UFL standout Ameer Speed, formerly of the Houston Gamblers, to their stable of defensive backs, continuing their trend of signing UFL talent. This strategy has proven successful in the past with players such as All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey and All-Pro returner Kavontae Turpin. Could Speed be yet another hidden gem from the UFL?Speed's playing style for the Houston Gamblers was characterized by his exceptional physical attributes, measuring 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, coupled with impressive 4.34 speed. After joining the team midseason, he leveraged his large frame and long arms to thrive in press-man coverage, effectively disrupting wide receivers at the line of scrimmage while utilizing his straight-line recovery speed to negate any vertical advantages. In just 5 games, Speed delivered outstanding defensive statistics, accumulating 16.0 total tackles (11 solo, 5 assisted) and two pass breakups, all while showcasing the aggressive, block-shedding mentality typical of a hybrid safety against the run. His readiness to play downhill and make solid tackles in open space established him as a prominent boundary defender, revealing a versatile skill set that quickly attracted the attention of the Cowboys.Ameer Speed 2023 pro day measurementHT: 6-foot-3WT: 215 poundsArm length:32 5/8"Vertical jump: 32 1/2 inch 40-yard dash: 4.34 seconds10-yard split: 1.56 seconds20-yard- shuttle: 4.26 seconds Three cone drill: 6.99 seconds Before joining the UFL, Speed was a 6th-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan State (having also played at Georgia). He spent time in the NFL with the Patriots, Colts, Bears, and Texans, primarily playing a special teams role before making the jump to the spring league. In his three seasons in the NFL recorded 11 tackles (9 solo tackles) and a tackle for loss in seventeen games.Where does he fit on the Cowboys?Ameer showcases impressive size, physicality, and straight-line speed under 4.4 seconds, along with the versatility to play both in the box and on the boundary, making a significant impact in run defense. However, his size results in less fluid hips, which could make him vulnerable against quick, agile receivers; he is better suited to cover larger receivers or the occasional tight end. Additionally, his ball production has been minimal, as he has yet to record an interception at any level, struggling with ball tracking and locating the football when his back is turned to the quarterback. To secure a spot on the Cowboys' 53-man roster, his best chance would be to excel primarily as a special teamer and run support player. He will face competition from safeties Markquese Bell and Julius Wood, as well as cornerbacks Derion Kendrick and Trikweze Bridges, all vying for the CB 5/6 or safety 5 positions. Ameer must make his presence felt and capitalize on his recent experience from spring ball, ensuring he is in peak football shape.This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Scouting report on new Cowboys DB Ameer Speed

England fans travelling to their World Cup clash against Ghana on Tuesday are bracing themselves for costly journeys and significant delays before and after the game. Boston has faced widespread criticism for transport ticket prices during the World Cup – with trains now costing fans 80 dollars (£60.40) rather than the usual 20 dollars (£15.10). Supporters have also said the price of parking has left many with an "expensive day out" – as one fan described paying 180 dollars (£135.89) to park near the Gillette Stadium in the nearby town of Foxborough. Anticipating extensive road queues and huge crowds at train stations, many fans are starting their match day journeys early.Scotland fans who have experienced the long waits have told the Three Lions to expect to be delayed for hours after the final whistle.Barnsley fan Adam Parkinson, 32, said: “We’ve got the train booked so we’ll see how that goes. We’ve been advised to go early.“One Scottish guy told us to get there a good four hours in advance.”Leigham Stone, 38, from Essex, added: “He said it could be anything – when you leave the ground and you get the train it could take you nine hours, so they better win.England face Ghana on Tuesday (Getty)Mr Parkinson added: “It’s just pot luck.”Another England fan, Matthew Maidment, 23, from south-east London, said he had also secured a place on the dedicated train service despite the cost.“We’re doing the 80-dollar train,” he told the Press Association.“I know there’s a lot of talk… but it is what it is, we’re staying a bit outside of Boston, so we’ll come to Boston, go to the city centre, soak up the atmosphere – that’s what it’s all about really.“We booked it in advance before it sells out – it is what it is.”Mr Maidment said he expected to begin his day early, adding: “We’ll head to Boston city centre for about 9am… and I think we’re heading to the stadium at about 12pm.”Others have decided to avoid the rail network altogether – with Uber announcing a 45-dollar rideshare from the stadium back into Boston after the match or fans could elect to choose a shuttle bus for a return fare of 95 dollars.Joe Bernacki, 43, who grew up in London but now lives in Massachusetts, said he would be driving to the stadium and taking part in the American tradition of tailgating before kick-off.England fans Joe Bernacki, 43, Matty Peacock ,52, and Helen Bernacki, 38, in Boston (PA)“We’re quite lucky… our cousin lives in Boston so he’s local,” he said.“It’s going to cost an arm and a leg to get to the ground on the train so we’re going to drive there and do a bit of drinking in the car park. What can go wrong?”His sister, Helen Bernacki, 38, added: “We’re going with the flow, I don’t think we’ve planned a single thing.”Jordan Womack, 45, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said his family were fortunate to have relatives living close to the venue, but that attending matches in the United States was proving far more expensive than previous World Cups.“It was Father’s Day yesterday so this is his treat,” he said of his trip with his 81-year-old father Paul and seven-year-old son Joey.“I’ve been to a few World Cups and I’ve never paid more than £80 or 100 dollars.“It’s not just the ticket itself – the parking, the transportation, the hotels.“It’s definitely not a working class man’s sport any more.”Mr Womack said parking alone would cost his family about 180 dollars for the Ghana match.“So it’s expensive – for a family of four or five it’s an expensive day out,” he added.The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which is operating special event trains to the match, has urged supporters to arrive at their designated queue times and buy tickets in advance.They said additional signage and revised pedestrian routes had been introduced after previous matches, when some passengers were directed towards the regular commuter rail entrance rather than the dedicated World Cup queue.The MBTA said nearly 70% of tickets for the England v Ghana train service had already been sold and advised supporters to book as soon as possible.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s providing federal data to states to check and purge their voter rolls violated several laws prohibiting the disclosure.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have taken their expected starring roles so far in the World Cup.Cristiano Ronaldo is getting some unexpected criticism.Portugal's 41-year-old star arrived in North America hoping to to make history by scoring in his sixth straight World Cup. He ended up frustrated after a forgettable opening performance in Portugal's surprising 1-1 draw against Congo, missing on a couple of good scoring chances in the second half.Ronaldo and Portugal get a chance to get back on track against Uzbekistan Tuesday in Houston.One of the pre-tournament favorites to win the World Cup, Portugal could use a win to keep pace in Group K following Colombia's opening win and Congo's tie in its first World Cup in 52 years.Colombia and Congo play in Guadalajara, Mexico, in Tuesday's late match, with England and Harry Kane facing Ghana. Panama also plays Croatia in a critical Group L match after both teams lost their openers.What to watch on June 22— Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, 1 p.m. EDT in Houston (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)— England vs. Ghana, 4 p.m. EDT in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)— Panama vs. Croatia, 7 p.m. EDT in Toronto (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)— Colombia vs. Congo, 10 p.m. EDT in Guadalajara, Mexico (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)Kane's record pursuitHarry Kane scored two goals in England's opening 4-2 win over Croatia, giving him 10 in World Cup play to match Gary Lineker's English record. It also pushed Kane into a seven-way tie for seventh in tournament history.Kane gets a chance to add to that total when England faces surprising Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday.Should he score, Kane would move into a tie for sixth with Germany's Jürgen Klinsmann and Hungary's Sándor Kocsis. A win would send England to the knockout stage for the third straight World Cup.Ghana is tied with England atop Group L following its opening 1-0 win over Panama on Brandon Thomas-Asante's goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Ghana is looking for its first trip to the knockout stage since reaching the quarterfinals in 2010.England is unbeaten against African teams at the World Cup, with five wins and three draws.Elimination game?Panama and Croatia will play a game in Toronto that neither can afford to lose.With opening losses, the countries are at the bottom of Group L behind England and Ghana. A win keeps alive the hopes of reaching the knockout stage, while a loss all but ends those hopes.Panama was in line for its first World Cup point against Ghana before Thomas-Asante's late goal broke a scoreless tie.Croatia finished third in Qatar in 2022 and was runner-up to France four years earlier in Russia, but is in trouble after losing 4-2 to England in this year's opener.Colombia aiming for knockout stage Colombia can lock up its spot in the knockout stage against surprising Congo in Guadalajara.It would be a big step after the Colombians didn't even get into the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.Luis Diaz got Colombia off to a strong start in its opener, finishing with a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.The Colombians could face a difficult task against a disciplined Congo side that frustrated Portugal.Keep an eye on Congo's Yoane Wissa. The Newcastle United forward scored Congo's first goal in two World Cup appearances with a header in stoppage time just before halftime against Portugal.More World Cup news— Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to knockout stage— Christian Pulisic returns to training with US after missing last World Cup match with injury— World Cup concessions: $75 caviar-topped tots in Miami, a day’s pay worth of beer in Mexico City— Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck out for the rest of the World Cup with ankle injury— World Cup goal frenzy: 121 goals in 40 games. Premier League players lead the way— A win over Saudi Arabia would send Cape Verde to the round of 32 at the World Cup— World Cup Day 12 photo galleryStats of the dayMessi scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in a 2-0 over Austria, breaking the record of 16 set by Germany's Miroslav Klos. The Argentina star also set another, less-desirable record, missing his third career non-shootout penalty kick in the first half. That's one more than Ghana's Asamoah Gyan for such misses in the World Cup. Messi also has taken a record seven penalty kicks.___AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this report.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Padres slide in latest power rankings ahead of a grueling week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Despite losing some big pieces over the offseason, the San Diego Padres have been playing well this season. They got off to a solid start, putting together an 18-7 stretch in April. They were able to keep things up in May, but lately, things have been a different story. The offense has been extremely cold, ranking last in team batting average, OBP, and slugging. That has led to a flood of losses, and now they only hold a .5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for second place in the NL East. MORE: Padres face big Mason Miller problem that might not have an easy fixPadres slide in latest power rankings ahead of a grueling weekLast week was a tough one for an offense that has been struggling. They had two road series, one against the St. Louis Cardinals and then one against the Texas Rangers. Both teams have been playing well, and showed that against the Padres. The Cardinals took the series 2-1, and so did the Rangers, leading to a 2-4 week for San Diego. With this, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has bumped the Padres down a few spots in his latest power rankings from No. 12 last week to No. 15. "The Padres spent much of the first two months of the season overperforming relative to what a patchwork rotation and a stagnant offense might have otherwise suggested, but things seem to be catching up to them now. They are 8-17 in their last 25 games with a minus-19 run differential, and things don't get any easier this week as the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers come to town."The Padres now have a real test coming this week. While they return home for two series, these series are against the Braves and Dodgers, the two best teams across MLB. If things keep going like they are going, it's going to be tough for this team to take any games from these two teams. These power rankings may look a lot worse next week if the Padres don't find some magic. More MLB news:Astros jump multiple spots in power rankings after consecutive series winsMets took a hit in the power rankings after another losing weekGiants continue to bring up the rear in latest power rankingsDiamondbacks' frontline starter is giving up hits at an alarming rate

IRVINE, Calif. — The U.S. World Cup team — Group D winners, “Country Roads” revelers, nation healers — resumed training Monday at Great Park Sports Complex, freed from the anxiety that most sides carry into their opening-stage finales.One compulsory exercise remains, Thursday against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium. No matter what occurs, the Americans know they will play in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.Who they’ll play, however, remains unresolved. It will be a third-place team from one of five groups, to be determined this week.Aside from last-place Türkiye, the U.S. has turned its attention to Annex E of the FIFA Rules and Regulations, which, through 495 scenarios, spells out the eight matchups between group winners and third-place teams.“I don't really understand mathematically … who we play,” striker Folarin Balogun said. “Whoever I get told to prepare for, I'm just going to go out there and prepare for that stuff. I just focus on the present.”World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | StandingsThe complicated equation became necessary when FIFA expanded the field this year to 48 from 32. Two finishers from each of the 12 groups will advance, and eight third-place teams will move on. While the bracket is set for most advancing teams, the FIFA formula will determine specific matchups for the third-placers.So the Americans will juggle the mostly meaningless match against Türkiye — a game that is sure to feature many usual substitutes — with how they’d like to position themselves for a knockout game six days later at Levi’s Stadium. Possible candidates include Bosnia, Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal.Tyler Adams, Matt Turner, Chris Richards, Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson of the United States participate during a training session at Great Park Sports Complex on June 22, 2026 in Irvine, California.Jamie Squire via Getty ImagesWinger Alex Zendejas said that even though Thursday’s match doesn’t carry much weight, “it still does because it gives us the confidence for what is coming next. We were talking in the group: Just because we are through doesn’t mean we have to let our foot off the pedal. We have to keep on going with that same confidence, same rhythm and keep showing each other and the world what this team is made of.”It’s been quite a start. Never in the modern era has the U.S. won its group after two matches. It’s been eliminated after two, gotten to the cusp of advancing and the precipice of going home, but never been in this stress-free situation.No matter who they play in the Round of 32, the Americans will enter as clear favorites. That, too, is uncommon for the knockout stage. They were given decent chances of winning their first elimination match in 2002 against Mexico (they won) and in 2010 against Ghana (they lost), but were notable underdogs in losing in 1994 (to Brazil), 2014 (to Belgium) and 2022 (to the Netherlands).“The objective and the aim is to go out there and win” the group finale, Balogun said. “Three wins from three games, it’s an opportunity to create history and put a positive message out there, not just for ourselves, but towards other teams.”With no serious consequences, though, Pochettino is certain to rotate personnel for three reasons:Center back Chris Richards, left wing back Antonee Robinson, defensive midfielder Tyler Adams and Balogun have received yellow cards, meaning another would disqualify them from playing in the Round of 32. There is no incentive for Pochettino to play them even a minute.To avoid injury and overexertion, other starters probably will play limited minutes or sit out entirely.Pochettino will want to keep his reserves sharp and engaged after using almost the same starting lineup the first two matches.Midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna would be prime candidates after coming off the bench in the first two matches. Center backs Auston Trusty (10 minutes) and Mark McKenzie (none), outside back Joe Scally (10), wingers Tim Weah (18) and Alex Zendejas (none) and forward Haji Wright (stoppage time of the Australia match) also could figure into Pochettino’s plans.Midfielder Cristian Roldan would be the obvious replacement for Adams, but he missed training Monday with an unspecified muscle strain and is listed as day to day. Without another natural defensive midfielder, Pochettino would need to improvise.Then there is the matter of Christian Pulisic, who, because of a calf injury, has not played since the first half of the June 12 opener against Paraguay.For the first time since the diagnosis, the star forward participated in preliminary team exercises Monday, including running. (Most of the session was closed to reporters.)It was a positive development for Pulisic, who last week, for the most part, worked with athletic trainers apart from his teammates. So the question becomes: If close to full strength, does he play at all Thursday? Common sense suggests he watches from the bench, as he did against Australia on Friday in Seattle.But not playing would mean no competitive minutes in 19 days between the opener and Round of 32 and and just 45 minutes over 3½ weeks.Pulisic has not been available to answer questions since the Paraguay match and Pochettino won’t address reporters again until his scheduled news conference Wednesday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.“It’s a tough situation where you are going through a small little knock during an important tournament and everyone obviously wants to be 100 percent,” Zendejas said. “It’s not so much to talk about the injury or talk about the moment he’s going through. Talk about other stuff and get his mind off it. I think that helps him out a lot.”With first place locked up, Pulisic is not a vital concern for the next few days.While Pochettino will want to involve others, he will also want to maintain momentum and rhythm spurred by a humming attack that has put opponents under so much duress from the opening whistle that it has forced two own goals. The U.S. has scored six goals, one fewer than it posted over five matches during the 2002 quarterfinal run.Another victory would also maintain the happy vibe around not only the team but the country. The players aren’t out in public much; they consume their time at the seaside team hotel, at the training facility located about 30 minutes inland and on a bus or plane.Nevertheless, they are quite aware of the buzz they’ve created.“I've been trying to comprehend it, but America is such a big country,” said Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn, bred in England and spent his entire career in Europe. “Weston [McKennie] has been showing me videos, because I sit next to him on the plane. He's been showing me videos of fans in different parts. … It's not something any of us can really comprehend because we're in it, but once we're out of it and getting on with our daily lives, we’ll be able to see the impact we've made. It's a beautiful thing.”

Rockets linked to trade for $229 million Spurs veteran disappointment again originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The San Antonio Spurs couldn’t have asked for a better NBA Finals opportunity this season. San Antonio held a double-digit advantage in five consecutive contests, but finished the series with a disappointing 1-4 record. The Spurs- 28-year-old veteran guard De’Aaron Fox was easily the franchise’s biggest disappointment, as he shrank in moments that required him to rise to the occasion and put the Spurs in the best possible position to win.Last Friday, CBS Sports’ Brad Botkin suggested that the Spurs could work their magic to offload Fox and his gigantic $229 million contract via a trade with the Houston Rockets. On Monday, USA Today’s/For the Win’s Wajih AlBaroudi echoed a similar sentiment in his recent article.“Fox had a brutal NBA Finals while Dylan Harper, the franchise's future at point guard, outplayed him for much of San Antonio's playoff run," AlBaroudi wrote. “The former Sacramento Kings star is under contract for the next four seasons with an average salary of $55.4 million, so moving him won't be easy. However, the two-time All-Star is only 28 and has elite athletic traits, so perhaps a team like the Houston Rockets could covet him.”Acquiring Fox, an 18.6-point and 6.2 assist contributor with the Spurs this season, wouldn't be the home run acquisition many would think for the Rockets.While the Kentucky product does bring elite end-to-end speed and captivating off-the-dribble playmaking to the table, he’s shown he can’t be trusted to serve as the head of the snack for a franchise with serious title aspirations. Would the Rockets remain in the mix for postseason births with Fox? Absolutely, as they would still possess too much talent to be on the outside looking in come playoff time.That said, Fox still has a long way to go before he’s regarded as a dependable lead guard on a championship contender.More NBA news:Spurs predicted to cut ties with $56 million rising star, acquire ex-Bulls All-Rookie forwardSpurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA championLuka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore

The 2002 Olympic cauldron at the Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron Plaza at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News There’s a new look for the next Winter Games, coming to the French Alps in 2030.A pair of abstract images said to draw inspiration from “a mountain revealed by light” will serve as emblems for the 2030 Winter Games, set to be held in multiple locations throughout France and even the Netherlands.The mountain-like image, filled in with bright blue stripes tinged with reds for the Olympics, is reversed for the Paralympics that follow for athletes with disabilities. Both “Alpes 2030″ emblems use the French name for the country’s portion of Europe’s iconic peaks.“The same mountain will unite the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2030,” said Edgar Grospiron, president of the French Alps organizing committee, calling the two emblems “complementary expressions of the same vision.” View this post on InstagramWhat do Utah’s Olympic logos look like?It was nearly 29 years ago that organizers of Utah’s first Olympics rolled out their logo for the 2002 Winter Games, a stylized gold, orange and purple snowflake embodying snow-capped mountains, crossed skis and a high desert sunset.The snowflake can still be seen in places ranging from manhole covers to venue signage, even though a controversial new interim logo with rock-like lettering for the 2034 Winter Games was unveiled late last year.Officials from the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have said the new Utah 2034 logo, described by critics as hard to read and something better suited to a “Flintstones” cartoon, could be revised or even replaced in a few years.“It’s a journey. We’ll continue to be creative and listen to feedback,” Fraser Bullock, the Utah 2034 organizing committee’s president and executive chair, said last December as complaints piled up.With no change anticipated before the end of the next Olympics in the U.S., the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Bullock said there’s time “to look at all the opportunities we have in front of us, whether we continue with that logo or whether we do something different.”New look, new venues for French Alps GamesThe new emblem for the French Alps comes as the locations of venues for 2030 are changing. Monday, International Olympic Committee leaders approved moving ice sports from Nice to Lyon, France, with the exception of long-track speedskating.Those events are headed to the Thialf arena in the Netherlands, one of that nation’s more than a dozen speedskating ovals. France, which does not have a modern speedskating oval, also considered the track built for the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy.Nice, located on the sunny French Riviera in the south of France, had been scheduled to hold ice sports in 2030. But plans to turn Nice’s main soccer stadium into a temporary ice hockey arena were opposed by the city’s recently elected far-right mayor, Eric Ciotti.The mayor’s issues with that and other venues led organizers to look for alternative locations, including Paris, the site of the 2024 Summer Games. The IOC Executive Board decision relocates curling, figure skating, ice hockey and short-track speedskating to Lyon.The IOC said in a news release the “adjustments are aimed at preserving the overall vision of the Alpes 2030 Games while ensuring a balanced approach across athlete experience, operational delivery, financial sustainability and territorial coherence.”

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The Egyptian FIFA World Cup team’s plan to fly directly from Vancouver to Seattle ahead of their final group match against Iran was declined by local security officials, coach Hossam Hassan has said.“The security authorities refused the team’s request to stay in the city of Seattle as planned after the New Zealand match in the World Cup, and therefore the team’s delegation will return to the city of Spokane,” Hossam said in a statement released by the Egyptian Football Association on Monday.The Egyptian team had submitted a request to remain in Seattle this week, but will now return to their training base in Spokane, about 450km (280 miles) east of Seattle, according to a report by the Daily Mail.Egypt posted their first-ever World Cup victory on Sunday over New Zealand in Vancouver. Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt rallied from a goal down to win 3-1.

Mason Greenwood: last-minute twist threatens Man United’s bumper transfer windfall Over the weekend, some interesting reports emerged from Italy about Mason Greenwood, putting INEOS on alert.Indeed, it was suggested that Greenwood’s move to AS Roma was at an advanced stage, with Roma attempting to negotiate terms with Marseille and agree on a transfer fee, the Ligue 1 side reportedly wanting around €55 million (£47m).That deal going through was always going to come in handy for Manchester United’s transfer activity, with the 20-time English champions due to receive a portion of that transfer fee.In the £26.7 million deal INEOS struck with Marseille for Greenwood to move to the Velodrome in 2024, United’s chiefs inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause. Therefore, whatever Roma pay for the attacker, United stand to receive a reasonable share, so there is every reason to closely follow that deal.However, just as the 20-time English champions were bracing to receive their sizeable windfall, an interesting development has occurred.Fans threaten Mason Greenwood to Roma dealA petition aiming to stop Roma from signing Greenwood has now been launched online by the club’s own fans.The controversy that cost Greenwood his place at United is no secret, nor is the fact that he never got the chance to reclaim it, despite being cleared of all charges. That same controversy is now driving some Roma supporters to fight against this deal.The petition, which had already gathered over 500 signatures within 24 hours of its launch, argues:“We oppose the signing of Mason Greenwood by AS Roma.“This position is not based on personal hostility or a belief that people cannot rebuild their careers. It is based on the conviction that every football club has the right — and the responsibility — to choose who represents its badge.”Should the deal go through, the petition’s signatories argue it “would create an unavoidable conflict between the club’s public commitments and its actions.”“We respectfully urge AS Roma to abandon any pursuit of Mason Greenwood and to remain faithful to the principles that have earned the respect of supporters around the world.”Whether more fans join the online protest, and whether Roma ultimately bow to the pressure and pull the plug, remains to be seen.Greenwood deal for Roma might be a game changerHopefully, it does not come to that, and not merely because United have something to benefit. Greenwood could genuinely elevate Roma’s attack.After all, the United academy graduate showed his quality in France. Over two seasons, he played in 66 league games, scoring 37 goals and providing 12 assists.Moreover, a combination of Donyel Malen and Greenwood could be a frightening prospect. Given everything the 24-year-old offers on the pitch, he is a player worth taking a chance on and one who, surely, has learned from his past.Featured image Juan Manuel Serrano Arce via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

NEW DELHI: England have announced a 17-member squad for the five-match T20I series against India starting on July 1, with 22-year-old all-rounder James Coles receiving his first international call-up. Harry Brook will captain the side, while Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Saqib Mahmood return after missing the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton are unavailable because of injuries.Coles, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, has impressed in domestic cricket, the SA20 and with the England Lions. He was also the most expensive signing in the 2026 Men's Hundred and has scored over 1,300 runs in T20 cricket while taking 53 wickets.National selector Marcus North said the youngster had earned his opportunity through consistent performances over the last year.“James Coles is an exciting addition and has earned his place following his performances with the England Lions and in T20 competitions here and abroad during the past 12 months," said North.“We have selected a larger squad to accommodate for the fact that this series will begin shortly after the Test series against New Zealand is due to conclude which allows us to be flexible."England will have little time to rest before the India series, with Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell potentially playing the first T20I less than 48 hours after the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand.The five-match series begins in Durham on July 1 before moving to Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and Southampton. Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid are among the key names included in the squad.England squad vs India T20Is: Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood

The start of the second half in Monday's World Cup game in Philadelphia Stadium is delayed by inclement weather.France leads Iraq, 1-0, at halftime.As the first half ended, fans were asked to leave their seats, seek shelter, and move to covered areas on the concourse.Soon after, FIFA announced that the start of the second half would be delayed 15 minutes, though that time period could be extended if the weather doesn't improve.Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Severe weather pauses France vs Iraq match in Philadelphia at halftime