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Women and children who were rescued after being held in a forest after they were abducted from the Woro community by gunmen in February receive medical attention at a hospital in Ilorin, Nigeria, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Abubakar Khadijat)2026-08-08T10:21:58Z ILORIN, Kwara (AP) — Some of the 163 kidnapped Nigerians rescued from jihadi captivity have spoken of the suffering and fear they lived in for six months.The freed captives, mostly women and children, were among over 300 kidnap victims freed by Nigerian forces this week.They were handed over to the authorities by security forces in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state, on Friday for medical attention and routine checks, and were anticipating their return home to reunite with their families.Mary Ishaya recalled days without food, and being asked alongside others to bury other hostages who died in captivity.The 44-year-old, who had never touched a dead body or buried one before, said: “I still cannot find the right words to describe what has happened to us. We saw death and suffering.”The Nigerians were abducted on Feb. 3 when jihadi militants stormed the village of Woro, killing over 160 others. In the hospital where they were receiving medical attention, the freed captives looked emaciated with many laying on the floor, barely able to stand, while others had injuries and emotional scars from their ordeal. Some of the women were informed that their husbands had been among those killed during the February attack.Some told The Associated Press how they had given up on any hope of returning home. Others recounted people falling sick, being beaten by the rain, and told to hide whenever Nigerian military helicopters flew over the forest hideouts where the captors held them. Amira Saliu, a nurse who was among those freed, said she helped about 10 pregnant women deliver their babies in the forests. Read More “I had no choice but to use my bare hands,” she said.Locals in Woro said they suspected the killings and kidnapping were a punishment for their resistance to the preachings of the jihadis. Hauwa Saliu recalled how the captors constantly asked the abductees if they had accepted those preachings. Saliu, whose husband was killed in the attack, said she refused to accept them.“We prayed to God to help us go back home, but it never really crossed our minds that we were going to go back home,” the 30-year-old said. ‘Largest rescue operation ever’February’s attack was one of the deadliest in Nigeria in recent years, and showed how militants who had previously focused their activities in the north are moving south through Africa’s most populous nation, where gangs compete for territory and control of natural resources in villages where they outnumber the country’s overstretched security forces. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. The U.S. is providing military support to Nigeria under an agreement it says aims to protect Nigerian Christians, though much of that support is restricted to logistics and intelligence-gathering at the heart of the violence in the north.Mass kidnappings have come to define Nigeria’s security issues, with schoolchildren also targeted. The victims in the Muslim-majority Woro were rescued this week alongside 145 other victims who had been kidnapped, mostly from the neighboring Niger state. Local authorities did not say how the captives were rescued from the dense, expansive forest of the Kainji Lake National Park. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu described it as the “largest rescue operation ever” undertaken on a single day, and promised to intensify operations against armed gangs. Recruitment drive and pay rises for the militarySome of the jihadi militants in Nigeria have presented themselves as an alternative to the government in areas with limited government and security presence.A key issue in Nigeria is the poor welfare of the country’s overstretched and underpaid security forces, which Tinubu has sought to address by recently announcing pay rises and mass recruitment for the military.The government must find ways to act on intelligence and prevent militant attacks, rather than simply responding to them, according to Sekinat Ojeniyi, a senior analyst at global risk consultancy Africa Practice.“It is time for us to recheck how much our security apparatus does to prevent” attacks, said Ojeniyi.

While the Middle East waits to hear whether a deal can be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Yemeni government’s conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels escalated overnight.

Michigan presents as much a warning as it does an opportunity.

Where does the side of the angels really lie?

A New York Times analysis details the July 20 crackdown on unarmed protesters in New Delhi that has provoked public outrage and accusations of excessive force.

Julian Alvarez has scored 49 goals in two seasons with Atletico Madrid (Thomas COEX)Atletico Madrid will not allow forward Julian Alvarez to leave the club during the current transfer window despite interest from Barcelona, coach Diego Simeone said Saturday.Last month, Atletico filed a complaint to FIFA over Barcelona allegedly tapping up Alvarez.The Argentina international has also been linked with a possible move to Premier League champions Arsenal and was the subject of a rejected 150-million-euro ($173.4m) bid from Real Madrid in June."I think the situation is very clear. The club has made a decision that (CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) has explained very well," Simeone told reporters ahead of a pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Seoul."From a sporting perspective, we're very happy to have a footballer like Julian..."We will help him continue to grow, continue to improve and continue delivering the best -- which has been a tremendous amount -- that he has given us over the last two years."Alvarez is due to rejoin the Atletico squad in two days' time after taking a break following Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain.While on World Cup duty, the 26-year-old said he "believed a transfer is best for everyone", but did not confirm his preferred destination.Alvarez has scored 49 goals for Atletico since signing from Manchester City two years ago."We don't want to transfer him. We didn't accept the 100-million-euro offer, nor will we accept one for 150 million or 200 million," Gil Marin told the club's in-house media channel."I have no doubt that Atletico is the right place for Julian and that Julian is the centre-forward for Atletico Madrid. We want to keep him."When asked about how Alvarez might be received by Atletico fans following the transfer speculation, Simeone pointed to Antoine Griezmann.The Frenchman made a big-money move to Barcelona before returning to Atletico.He was initially met with some hostility, but won the supporters back over and departed last season a club legend."We went through a period with Antoine in recent years where he had to leave, come back, and prove his quality and stature on the pitch," said Simeone."I see no other path than focusing on the sporting side of things, doing our part and helping him (Alvarez), just as we have done over the last few years."Atletico get their La Liga campaign under way on August 19 with a home match against newly-promoted Malaga.The capital club finished fourth last season, 25 points adrift of champions Barcelona.gr/dam/jc/ea

🚨 90m deal finally official: Newcastle star joins ArsenalThe deal is done and has now also been officially announced. Arsenal have signed Bruno Guimarães. The club announced it on Saturday lunchtime.After several months of negotiations, the Gunners and Newcastle have agreed on a transfer fee of around €90 million, according to consistent media reports.The 27-year-old signed a five-year contract until 2031.With Guimarães, the Gunners have now secured the services of one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders.Newcastle, meanwhile, must accept another painful departure this summer.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Jose Fernandez, Paige Bueckers - Image © Imagn ImagesAfter Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings suffered a 94-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Friday, coach Jose Fernandez called out the players for their lack of “accountability.”“I think confidence is great, but we got to take individual accountability,” he told reporters. “Along with that confidence, I mean…they gotta get on each other a little bit more. It can’t just be the coaching staff.”Toward the end of his post-game press conference, Fernandez asked reporters to direct questions to the players about the team’s ability to find the “jolt” to bounce back after a series of losses since the All-Star break.“How do we find it? You guys can ask that question to the players as well,” he said.Fernandez refused to address potential errors from the coaching staff and seemingly blamed the players for the recent stretch of four losses in five games. Wings fans had enough of the first-year coach. Most wanted him to be just as accountable as the players.One fan said:“he needs to get over himself”More reactions followed.Paige Bueckers and the Wings have lost four of their last five gamesThe Wings have lost four of their last five games. They are in a rapid decline, falling to seventh after Friday’s loss. They would face the Las Vegas Aces in round one of the playoffs if the season were to finish today.Dallas can’t let that happen if it aspires to make a deep playoff push. As good as Paige Bueckers and the rest of the core can be, they lack postseason experience. The Wings have the talent and young legs to grind out the regular season and earn a favorable seeding, so that’s something they should focus on.Getting a favorable matchup early can allow Dallas to settle into the playoffs. Despite the recent losing form, the Wings are only 0.5 games behind the Atlanta Dream, who are fourth.It’ll be a tall task for Paige Bueckers and Co. to bounce back on Sunday against the league-best Minnesota Lynx. However, if they can, it would give them the desired momentum they need to finish the regular season.Read more:“She Just Hit a Cartwheel in The Tunnel”: Wings Fans React to Azzi Fudd’s Sudden Injury Absence After Knee Issue Emerges in Warm-Up“Idk How She Made Team USA”: WNBA Fans React As Angel Reese Shoots 1-For-12 in Loss to Mystics, Gets Blocked 4 TimesCollege Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!

Bruno Guimaraes was Newcastle's top goalscorer in the Premier League in 2025-26, scoring nine times in 29 appearances [Getty Images]Arsenal have signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75m.The former Newcastle captain made it clear he wanted to join the Premier League champions earlier this summer. The 28-year-old Brazil midfielder, who has signed a four-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, called the move one of the "toughest decisions" of his life."This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me," he added. "But I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family."Newcastle said they wished Guimaraes and his family well.Guimaraes left Newcastle's training camp in La Manga in Spain earlier this week to finalise his move to Emirates Stadium following a breakthrough in talks.He revealed he received messages from a number of his future team-mates, including countryman Gabriel as well as fellow midfielder Declan Rice, who told him "come here and please no more fights, now we're friends"."I'm at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this," he said. "I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start."Guimaraes joined a Newcastle side in relegation trouble in January 2022 and went on to play a crucial role in their improvement in fortunes under former head coach Eddie Howe.Guimaraes became the first captain in seven decades to lift a major domestic trophy for Newcastle after they defeated Liverpool in the 2025 EFL Cup final.He was also part of the side who qualified for the Champions League in 2023 and 2025, before they slipped to 12th place in the Premier League last season.Why Arsenal are signing Newcastle captain GuimaraesEmotional Guimaraes wanted to join Arsenal - Wilson

Ben Pritchard had triathlon ambitions before suffering serious injuries in a 2026 cycling accident [Getty Images]Welsh Para-rower Ben Pritchard hopes his successful European title defence can be the springboard to retain his world title later this month.The 34-year-old from will head to Amsterdam having overcome a freak pre-event injury to beat Italian Giacomo Perini in the PR1 men's single sculls at the European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy last weekend."When I landed in Italy, there was a malfunction on the hoist that got me on to the coach and the cable snapped, so it dropped me from the top of the hoist to the bottom, which obviously causes a bit of an injury, which I was managing throughout the championships," Pritchard told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.Pritchard, from Mumbles, Swansea, added: "I actually thought I may not have come out on top given the injury that I was coping with, but I'm glad I did. It was a great race though. "It's probably one of the best races we've had in in a couple of years because it was neck and neck until the last 250m."Pritchard named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2025Pritchard, the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2025, and his team-mates have stayed at Varese to complete their preparations for the World Rowing Championships, that take place from 24-30 August at Amsterdam's Bosbaan venue."I always feel that this this camp is where we get the most speed," said Pritchard."We do a load of speed work in this last block now for the world championships, so I'm hoping that that'll set me in good stead for the future."I have just seen my competitor Erik Horrie from Australia training this morning, and he looks really fast as well. So hopefully we can get a good race but it's an outdoor sport - anything could happen."But it's going to be nice to be out on the Bosbaan in Amsterdam because the Welsh men's hockey team and ladies' team have got their World champs as well, so I'm going to hopefully get across and watch some of their games too."Pritchard is one of Para-rowing's dominant forces. Since winning gold at the 2024 Paralympics he has set multiple world records in his event and added the 2025 European and world crowns to his tally.He says he went to Italy with added desire to succeed after his Swansea coach Andrew Williams lost his father."It was a big one and an emotional one, but gave you the actual motivation when the going got tough in the race, that's for sure," he said.However, Pritchard was comfortable facing and beating Perini on his home waters, saying: "I think it's more my home water than his. "You know, we're in his home country, but as a team, we come here twice a year to train and spend two weeks of time here, so I've been coming here now for nine years. "It feels like a home to me, and the club members know me and all that kind of stuff, so I feel that actually I had a good share of the support in the stands."

2026-08-08T11:09:21Z SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — A drone entered Bulgarian airspace on Saturday and exploded close to an international gas pipeline shortly after crossing the border from Romania.Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the drone exploded just after 5 a.m. about 100 meters (330 feet) inside Bulgarian territory. It was not detected or identified while flying through either Romanian or Bulgarian airspace.“There are no casualties or damage to buildings. The area has been cordoned off. We continue to monitor the situation,” Radev said following a government emergency meeting.Radev said the unmanned aerial vehicle exploded around 200 meters from a Romanian compressor station, and about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from Bulgaria’s compressor station on the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline.“We will continue to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance. Following this incident, we will also redeploy border police anti-drone detection and countermeasure capabilities from the border with Turkey to the border with Romania,” Radev said. It was unclear where the drone had originated or whether it was linked to Russia or Ukraine.The incident would be raised at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council early next week, Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said. The drone appeared to have carried a significant amount of explosives given the strength of the blast and the column of black smoke, Stoyanov said, adding that such drones are difficult to detect because of their small size and low flight altitude.Bulgaria and Romania are both members of NATO and the European Union.

Bruno Guimarães joins Arsenal from NewcastleArsenal have confirmed the signing of Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United.In an official statement, the London club welcomed the 28-year-old with reports suggesting that the transfer was completed for a fixed fee of £75 million. The Brazilian player has signed a contract valid until the summer of 2030, with the option to extend for a further year.It should also be noted that Lyon will receive between £5 million and £6 million following the completion of this transfer, as the French side holds a percentage (20 per cent) of the profit from a future sale, according to The Athletic.The midfielder leaves Newcastle after 195 appearances, having scored 31 goals and provided 31 assists. A new chapter now begins with the current English champions, with the move expected to be officially announced in the coming days.

🚨 Can't find the net, goals flood in & red: the worst start ever?FC Magdeburg had surely imagined things very differently. The club is currently experiencing an absolute nightmare start to the new 2. Bundesliga season.After both clubs had only just stayed above the line last season, FCM and Eintracht Braunschweig wanted to do everything better this year. The Lower Saxony side are currently doing that really well away from home. Magdeburg, on the other hand, are putting in a truly dreadful performance. At first, kick-off was delayed because of a damaged goal net. The net had to be patched up temporarily with cable ties. Luckily that happened, because it was the very goal Braunschweig charged toward shortly afterward. It didn’t take long at all before the net had to prove its strength for the first time. In the 15th minute, a simple move overwhelmed the home defense, and in the end Aaron Opoku made it 1–0 for the visitors from Braunschweig. Just six minutes later came the next counterattack; this time Jan Urbich found the net, and he repeated the trick again only five minutes later (26'). Not even 30 minutes played and Magdeburg had already conceded three goals. Incredibly bitter, and an absolute nightmare start to a second-division season in which everything was actually supposed to get better. And just when it seemed things could hardly get any worse, they did. Before halftime, Herbert Bockhorn was sent off with a red card for a bad foul. So the halftime verdict from FCM’s point of view: three goals behind, one man down, and a shockingly weak performance. You could hardly start a new season any worse than this, could you?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

The Chicago Bears came into training camp thin at the safety position, and through the first eight practices of training camp it's only gotten worse.The Bears lost their top safety Coby Bryant to a knee injury, which is reportedly expected to sideline him 8-10 weeks (although Chicago is still information gathering), and Elijah Hicks remains on the physically unable to perform list. That caused some shuffling at safety with veteran free-agent addition Cam Lewis shifting from the competition at nickel to filling that starting safety role in Bryant's absence.“At first I was just splitting time from nickel and safety and then a little portion at dime as well, so [it’s] trying to learn everything,” Lewis said. “What happened with Coby a couple of days ago, [I] got told to focus a little more on safety so I’ve just been studying that. It’s been going good. I’ve been playing safety for four or five years now. I like the position but just learning the defense here, the communication, running the show back there, just getting adjusted to it.”Lewis spent the past six years with the Buffalo Bills. He was known for his versatility on their roster, being able to play at safety and cornerback. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen highly values players that can be used in multiple positions and Lewis’ ability to play any position in the secondary is really coming in handy for Chicago right now.Despite having been in the league since 2020 and played in every regular season game for the Bills the past three seasons, Lewis has never been a regular starter. He played only 38 percent of the defensive snaps last year while also contributing on special teams.Lewis' history would suggest that he is not a long-term solution at safety although he is a useful depth piece. Therefore, Chicago should still be looking to add a safety to their roster before the regular season begins.Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramThis article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Cam Lewis reacts to switch to safety amid Coby Bryant injury

Chicago held a tryout for nine defensive backs during training camp, according to Friday's NFL transactions. Former Tennessee defensive back William Wright was included in the Bears' workout.He played for the Vols from 2020-25 and appeared in 45 games. The former Vol totaled 28 tackles, two interceptions, three pass deflections, one touchdown and 26 kick return yards.In 2025, Wright played in 13 games, including one start. His first career start was in the final game of his career during the Music City Bowl versus Illinois. Wright returned an interception 35 yards against New Mexico State on Nov. 15, 2025.Chicago also worked out Beanie Bishop, Isaiah Bolden, Brandon Hill, Jaylen Mahoney, Michael Ojemudia, Deantre Prince, Eli Ricks and D.Q. Smith.The Bears will play their first preseason game on Aug. 15 versus Cleveland. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.More: Giants have tryout for former Tennessee defensive back in NFL campFollow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Bears hold tryout for former Tennessee defensive back in NFL camp

Celtic first to test Kilmarnock’s new £1.4m Rugby Park pitchKilmarnock’s new £1.4million Rugby Park surface has been tipped to rank among the finest in Scottish football ahead of Celtic becoming the first visiting side to experience it this weekend.15th February 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Alex Oxlade Chamberlain of Celtic puts a corner into the boxThe Hoops travel to Ayrshire on Sunday for their opening away fixture of the Premiership campaign, with the occasion bringing an end to more than a decade of top-flight football being played on an artificial pitch at the venue.Rugby Park’s plastic surface has been a familiar feature since 2014 and Celtic have endured their share of difficult afternoons there over the years, particularly during Steve Clarke’s successful spell in charge of Killie.However, a significant transformation has now been completed as Kilmarnock look to move in a different direction under Neil McCann.The club have invested more than £1.4m in installing a new hybrid surface, a move designed to complement McCann’s desire for his team to become more comfortable in possession.Jim McAlister, the construction director responsible for overseeing the project, believes Celtic will encounter a surface comparable to those being used at some of football’s biggest venues.Speaking to Sky Sports, McAlister said: “There are other stitch pitches in Scotland as well, but this pitch system has been used around the world.“Aston Villa has it, Chelsea has it, Real Madrid has it, and three of the venues at the World Cup – Vancouver, Philly and Los Angeles also had the same system.“This will be one of the best pitches in the Scottish leagues.”McCann is equally enthusiastic about the change and believes the new surface can assist his attempts to reshape the way Kilmarnock play.The Killie manager accepts, though, that Celtic are unlikely to have any complaints about being given a pristine grass pitch on which to operate.He said: “I think, when we’re on that pitch out there, it will help us – because everybody wants to play on grass pitches. I think the top division should have grass pitches, and that is a cracker.“But we still need to be mindful that Celtic will enjoy it too, so it should lend itself to a brilliant game of football on Sunday.”Kilmarnock will be hoping their Rugby Park homecoming can also provide an immediate response to a disappointing start to their league campaign.McCann’s side were involved in a seven-goal thriller against newly-promoted St Johnstone last weekend but ultimately returned to Ayrshire empty-handed following a 4-3 defeat.Work on the new pitch meant Killie were unable to stage their Premier Sports Cup group fixtures against Raith Rovers and Hamilton Accies at their usual home earlier this summer.Those matches were instead switched to Beechwood Park, the home of Auchinleck Talbot, while the Rugby Park redevelopment was completed.Kilmarnock’s decision to abandon their artificial surface also leaves Falkirk as the only Premiership club currently playing home matches on a synthetic pitch.For McCann, however, the significance of the project extends beyond simply changing what is underneath his players’ feet.The former Scotland international has made clear his intention to move Kilmarnock away from the more direct approach traditionally associated with the club and towards a style centred around greater control of possession.Sunday will provide the first major examination of that philosophy on the new surface, with champions Celtic providing formidable opposition for Rugby Park’s long-awaited return to grass.HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…Celtic Shorts is the new home for the team from The Celtic StarSummer Sale now on! Both books for just £20 plus P&P. Order now at Celticstarbooks.comQuick Tip –Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!Click to join Celtic Pools

2026-08-08T11:50:43Z BEIRUT (AP) — Satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show that a sanctioned tanker carrying nearly a million barrels of oil appears to be increasingly submerged in water off the coast of Oman, where it has been grounded for weeks, while leaking ever more oil into the surrounding sea. Crude oil has been leaking and spreading quickly in recent days from the tanker Caroline Bezengi, reaching the shores of Qibliyah Island off Oman’s southwest coast. By Aug. 7, the spill was covering nearly 800 square kilometers (309 square miles), according to Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert for PAX, a Dutch organization that tracks environment in conflicts. Greenpeace Germany has also said the spill is drastically increasing, indicating deterioration of the vessel’s condition. “Satellite imagery analysis suggests that the oil spill covered 45 square kilometers (17 square miles) up until July 26. By Aug. 2, it had expanded to around 150 square kilometers (58 square miles), and imagery from Aug. 4 indicates that it now extends across roughly 600 square kilometers (232 square miles),” said Nina Noelle, an environmental disaster expert at Greenpeace Germany. The oil spill affects a protected area that is host to endangered wildlife The affected area is part of the Arabian Sea reserve, a marine protected area and host to wildlife, including endangered petrels and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale. The 247-meter (899-foot) Caroline Bezengi has been grounded off Qibliyah Island in southwest Oman for two months. The tanker’s crew reported an explosion on board on June 8, according to media reports. It is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for carrying Russian oil. It had left the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, in Russia, in May, according to geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime. The vessel’s owners are believed to be Shanghai-based, according to Greenpeace and other reports. Satellite images dated Aug. 5 show an oil sheen trailing northeast of the tanker, aground off the rocky coastline, and surrounding the island. In the images, the vessel appears to be partly submerged, noticeably more so than on a photo taken on July 31. July and August are peak monsoon season in the area. It is unclear if there are rescue or salvage efforts On Thursday, the government of Oman said it was responding to the incident. It was not immediately clear if the authorities have reached the tanker and whether there are efforts to salvage it or stop the leaking crude oil. The statement published by the Oman News Agency said authorities were observing the area through satellite images, field surveys and technical models. It said teams were ready “to implement necessary procedures” to handle potential impacts on marine life and navigation safety in the area. Read More Greenpeace German warned in a statement Wednesday of an “imminent risk of an unprecedented oil disaster from a broken tanker with devastating consequences for the region’s coastlines and marine ecosystems.” It urged all concerned bodies to act immediately to assess options to contain the spill, calling on Oman to request international assistance if needed. ——Associated Press writers Michael Reo in Washington and Bassam Hatoum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report SARAH EL DEEB El Deeb is part of the AP’s Global Investigative team. She is based in the Middle East, a region she covered for two decades twitter mailto

2026-08-08T11:33:38Z KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group attacked a village in Congo near the border with Uganda early Saturday, killing at least 13 people and burning and looting homes, a local civil society group said.The attacks occurred in the village of Banana École, a suburb of the territorial capital of Mambasa. Marie-Noelle Anotane, the head of the New Civil Society of Congo/Mambasa, and Sylvain Andali, a local resident, told The Associated Press that the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, were behind the violence.Both said the militants used known ADF tactics.“This death toll of 13 civilians is only provisional because most residents aren’t responding to calls, and searches are continuing in other surrounding villages,” said Anotane.The attacks forced people to choose between staying or risking travel to other parts of the province where the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in history rages. “I decided to leave Mambasa for Bunia because I fear repeated attacks by the ADF,” said Andali. “Many of my neighbors have already died, and I must protect my life and the lives of my family.”The ADF, which has roots in Uganda and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019, has long operated in the border region. It is one of numerous groups operating in Congo, routinely attacking civilians. In July 2025, the group killed 66 people in eastern Congo in what the United Nations called a “bloodbath.” The country also faces attacks from roughly 100 other rebel groups, most prominently the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has seized key cities in the eastern region.

Ah, the ’80s: A time when design trends were over-the-top, and everything was glamorous. Black marble. Bright brass. Glass blocks. Whether it was a penthouse in New York or a suburban home on a cul-de-sac in Nebraska, the design style was big and bold. There’s no doubt that the design trends that followed were a reaction to this era; by the early 2000s, neutral stone-look tile and soft brushed nickel took over. READ MORE...

Few places offer a better place for reflection than a trip home. For Florida State football wide receiver Tae'Shaun Gelsey, the Seminoles' camp in Jacksonville helped him think about his collegiate journey so far. The Riverside High School alumnus and Duval County native has taken a leap in his development ahead of his second season."The most I improved on is confidence," Gelsey told reporters in Jacksonville. "I came in and really had to work for my spot. I pretty much had to go through the whole process all over again... My main goal was to build confidence in the spring, carry over to the summer. I really just want to be somebody that's dependable." While Gelsey was limited in his freshman season, appearing in four games, he's put himself in a position to get more action this season. He's made good on his desire to be dependable early in the preseason, consistently earning praise from offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr and head coach Mike Norvell. Competing in a wide receiver room that seems to have a clear pecking order with Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy on top, Gelsey has made the most of his moments in camp."I'll tell you right now, what he's doing in training camp right now, he's earning every opportunity that he'll get," Harris said of Gelsey after the Seminoles' scrimmage on Tuesday, Aug. 4. "He's showing up every single day. It showed up last night in the scrimmage; it wasn't just the controlled setting at practice. Because sometimes you see that, and then when the lights are on, and everything is going, the flow of the game, you don't see it. But with him, he's showing up every day. I'm very pleased."Harris credited a year of experience in college for helping Gelsey fast-track his off-season development. At 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, Gelsey offers a solid backup option to Robinson, and can even give the Seminoles additional height if both are on the field.The former 4-star prospect caught 61 passes for 875 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Riverside, and he's flashed that skill set in practice. While Gelsey's size mirrors that of a prototypical outside receiver, he wants to prove he can move around the field as he hopes to become a more consistent playmaker for the Seminoles."Another goal I had going into the summer is being able to play wherever. Boundary, field, it really doesn't matter," Gelsey said. "Just being able to get the job done at any spot they put me at."Florida State football schedule 2026vs. New Mexico State | Aug. 29vs. SMU* | Sept. 7Byeat Alabama | Sept. 19vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3at Louisville* | Oct. 9at Miami* | Oct. 17Byevs. Clemson* | Oct. 31at Boston College* | Nov. 7at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13vs. NC State* | Nov. 21vs. Florida | Nov. 27Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tae'Shaun Gelsey earning a role in FSU football's receiver room

Sharlene Mawdsley won two relay medals at the European Championships in Rome two years ago. [Getty Images]Ireland's Sharlene Mawdsley has withdrawn from the European Athletics Championships after failing to recover from a hamstring injury sustained at the national championships last month. The championships get under way in Birmingham on Monday and run until 16 August. Mawdsley was set to race in the individual 400m and the women's 4x400m relay, having been part of the team that won silver in the championships two years ago in Rome. She sustained the injury in the 200m at the National Championships at Santry on 25 July in a race won by Rhasidat Adeleke.In a statement, the Tipperary athlete - who will turn 28 on the opening day of the championships - said she had "pushed the limits" in her attempted recovery. "We made huge progress after I was diagnosed with a tear in my hamstring, but unfortunately the timing just wasn't on my side."I can't thank my team enough. They have worked around the clock to give me every possible chance, and we really pushed the limits together."We'll keep working hard, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the track later this season."

The Scottish FA has identified a preferred candidate to be Scotland's new head coach and hopes to make an appointment within two weeks.It would mean the new boss is in place for Scotland's opening four-game block of Nations League fixtures, which begins away to Slovenia on 26 September.Steve Clarke, who had signed a new four-year deal in May, resigned following Scotland's group-stage exit at the World Cup this summer, ending his seven-year tenure.The search for his replacement is being led by Craig Mulholland, who was appointed as the SFA's chief football officer in May.It is understood Mulholland has spoken to a wide range of candidates from the UK and beyond.Interviews have been conducted and the SFA are closing in on an appointment. It is unclear whether the incoming head coach will be a Scot or foreigner.Steven Naismith, who served as Clarke's assistant, said last month he expects to continue in the national team set-up under a new boss.Why new Scotland head coach has tricky taskClarke says standing down 'easy' decision after World Cup exitScotland's ill-fated World Cup story finally at a sorry end

Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman has made it clear that his team plans to keep its financial flexibility beyond opening night. With roughly $4.7 million in cap space, Edmonton can now explore in-season additions that were previously impossible.Speaking on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, Bowman explained why this NHL offseason feels different. “I think we intentionally wanted to. This is sort of the ideal situation,” Bowman said.MORE: Oilers’ stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl will face added pressure after Mike Babcock hireThe Oilers spent the previous two seasons operating with little room because of their cap structure. Bowman said they were often “very handcuffed” when opportunities appeared during the season.“You can’t always put yourself in this position because things change or you have players that are gonna get raises that you definitely need, and sometimes your team is in a spot where you don’t have much room,” Bowman said. “That’s how we’ve been operating the first two years that I was here. “We had no space at all… You’re very handcuffed as to what you can do, and it’s tough because opportunities pop up every year during the year.”Bowman further explained how the team was limited by the lack of cap space, saying, “If a player comes available in November that makes two and a half million that you like, but they don’t want, they’re just trying to shed salary… “We were never even in the market for that. That was impossible.”That problem no longer exists after Edmonton’s aggressive offseason changes. Trading Darnell Nurse to San Jose helped create room while the Oilers rebuilt their defense and goaltending.Bowman leaves door open for another Oilers additionAnaheim, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid with his teammates during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Bowman also rejected the idea of simply banking every available dollar until the trade deadline.“Now we want to leave some money available so that we’re not trying to just accrue cap space ad nauseam so that you can never spend it all,” Bowman said. “But I think that you have to have some flexibility, and we’ve put ourselves in a good spot.”That approach gives Edmonton options if weaknesses emerge. The Oilers could add a middle-six forward, defensive depth or another piece without first making a major salary-clearing move.The Oilers currently have a full 23-player roster and 46 players under contract. Still, they have $4,725,834 in projected cap space. So, the team will remain open to adding another player, and we will most likely see more moves ahead of the March trade deadline.MORE: Oilers rumors: Edmonton linked to Senators’ Drake Batherson as contract talks remain ‘very far apart’Bowman has clearly said that, “The team that we have to start the season, it’s not gonna be the exact same team in the playoffs.”“We’re gonna have some new players,” Bowman added, whether through “trade or free agent acquisition or like trade deadline acquisitions.”For an Oilers team chasing another deep playoff run, that flexibility could become one of its biggest advantages.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 17: Zach Franklin #80 of the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch on February 17, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images Triple A: Syracuse Mets (54 – 57)SYRACUSE 6, COLUMBUS 5 (BOX)Zach Franklin, who the Mets picked up in the Huascar Brazobán deal, tossed a hitless inning of relief in a back and forth affair that saw a home run from Christopher Morel. 3B Vidal Bruján: 2-3, 2B, SB, ELF Nick Morabito: 0-4, KDH MJ Melendez: 0-3, BBSS Ronny Mauricio: 2-4, R, 2B, 2 K, SB2B Christopher Morel: 1-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, K1B Nick Lorusso: 0-3, R, BB, 2 KCF D’Andre Smith: 2-3, 2 R, BB, 2 SBC Shawn Ross: 0-3, BB, 2 K, SB, ERF Jose Ramos: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI, KP Jonathan Santucci: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 KP Dan Hammer: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 KP Zach Franklin: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 KP Dylan Ross: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 KDouble-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (42- 64)BINGHAMTON 1, HARTFORD 0 (BOX)Noah Hall tossed a gem, 2 hits, three walks, and ten strikeouts in six innings. The bullpen backed him up for a slim shutout victory. The Binghamton roster is now fairly stocked with interesting bats (Mitch Voit, the newly acquired Émilien Pitre, the rehabbing Jacob Reimer), but none of them did much last night. It was the recently demoted Kevin Parada who drove in the only run of the game for the Rumble Ponies. DH Mitch Voit: 0-2, BB, K, SBSS Marco Vargas: 1-4, 2 K3B Émilien Pitre: 0-3, K2B Jefferson Rojas: 0-3, K1B Jacob Reimer: 0-3, KCF John Bay: 1-3, R, KC Kevin Parada: 1-3, 2B, RBIRF JT Benson: 0-2LF Yohairo Cuevas: 0-2PH-LF Corey Collins: 0-1P Noah Hall: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 KP Garrett Stratton: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 KP Carlos Guzman: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 KP Saul Garcia: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 KHigh-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (45 – 58)BROOKLYN vs WILMINGTON POSTPONEDLow-A: St. Lucie Mets (48 – 56)ST. LUCIE 2, DAYTONA 0 (BOX)Ethan Lanthier made his second strong start in a row, albeit a short one, and was backed up by excellent performances by Christian Rodriguez and the amazingly named Zack Mack. Julio Zayas was responsible for all the scoring in this game for St. Lucie, with his two hits accounting for 2/5 of all the Mets’ hits. 3B Vladi Gomez: 0-4, 3 KLF Wyatt Vincent: 1-4, KC Ryan Tayman: 0-3, R1B Julio Zayas: 2-4, R, HR, 2 RBIDH Yovanny Rodriguez: 1-3, KRF Simon Juan: 0-3CF Bohan Adderley: 1-3SS Dylan Carey: 0-3, K, E2B Kooper Schulte: 0-3, 2 KP Ethan Lanthier: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 KP Christian Rodriguez: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 KP Zack Mack: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 KRookie: DSL Mets Orange (25 – 23)DSL METS ORANGE 3, DSL RANGERS BLUE 2 (BOX)DH Cleiner Ramirez: 0-2, R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SBLF Jonnhan Sanchez: 0-3, BB, 2 K, SB1B Cesar Acosta: 1-3, R, 3B, BB, 2 K3B Sebastian Toro: 1-4, RBICF Jhonael Cuello: 0-4RF Henry Manrique: 1-4, R2B Dayron Oramas: 0-3, BB, KC Yadier Fuentes: 0-3, BBSS Johnderis Sanchez: 0-3, BB, K, 2 EP Abner Meza: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 KP Jodarlin Perez: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 KP Alvaro Carrillo: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 KRookie: DSL Mets Blue (18 – 30)DSL BLUE JAYS RED 8, DSL Mets Blue 6 (BOX)CF Royner Bravo: 1-4, KSS Michalle Mercedes: 0-41B Frank Moreno: 2-3, 2 R, 2B, 3B, BBLF Emerson Estevez: 1-3, 2 R, 3B, RBI, BBC Adrian Silva: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K, E2B Oscar Pena: 1-3, R, RBI, K, SB, EDH Jesus Minaya: 1-3, R, RBI, BBRF Elvis Teran: 2-3, RBI, K3B Roni Garcia: 0-2, BBP Christopher Rochin: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 KP Mauricio Nunez: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 KP Maykol Vasquez: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 KP Randiel Vicente: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 KSTAR OF THE NIGHTNoah HallGOAT OF THE NIGHTVladi Gomez

Priests preside over a farewell ceremony for Oleksiy Yukov, who was fatally wounded while exhuming bodies of killed soldiers in the frontline in Donetsk region, in St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)2026-08-08T12:16:18Z KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine paid tribute on Saturday to Oleksiy Yukov, a volunteer who spent more than two decades recovering the bodies of civilians and soldiers — many of them Russian — killed by war. He was 40.An Orthodox Christian service was held at the Cathedral of Saint Volodymyr, in central Kyiv, where thousands of people gathered to pay their respects following his death in a landmine explosion during a recovery mission on Aug. 5.Yukov founded the Platsdarm (''bridgehead’’) organization because he believed all the dead require a proper burial. He became known as a “collector of souls.” Yukov, from the war-torn Donbas region, was a martial arts instructor, He began recovering the dead as a teenager after encountering the remains of Soviet and Russian soldiers from World War II. Platsdarm’s volunteers go into fields and forests, among ruins and across territory, where the ground is often mined. Yukov suffered leg injuries and lost an eye in a mine blast in 2022. Still recovering from those injuries, he returned to the fields. In a social media post last month, Yukov described the landscape in which he worked.“Remote mines, shelling, drones — everything is against you. But you go and do everything to ensure that every soul returns home,” he said. He also addressed those who believed Russian bodies should simply be left behind: “When they say: ‘Let them rot,’ I do not agree. This is how we fight for every soul.”Yukov spoke of his work in religious terms, saying a body was a soul waiting to go home.“This is action,” he wrote. “Action every day in the fields, in the forest belts, among the ruins, where your life can end at any moment.”—-Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece contributed to this report.

A child watches a plane at the Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)2026-08-08T11:58:10Z Traveling with babies and toddlers can be daunting for parents. Questions about air travel, what to pack and safety are often top of mind, especially on long-distance flights and international trips.“Traveling with kids is a whole new world,” said Dr. Shannon Thompson, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, adding that it’s important to “enjoy your kiddo on your trip” as much as you can. Here are some tips and tricks for parents to travel safely with young children — and have fun with them, too.Look for amenities like cribs and high chairs before you bookBefore you decide where to stay, consider your options for baby-proofing.Check whether items like portable playpens, cribs and high chairs are offered to guests. If you are staying somewhere with stairs, a balcony or a pool, inquire about baby gates; if they are not provided, see if they are available for rent nearby or consider bringing travel-friendly foldable mesh gates. Pack electrical outlet covers and wipes to clean any dirty surfaces your kiddo might touch.For babies, safe sleeping is still essential on vacation. Children younger than 1 should sleep on their back on a flat, firm surface such as a mattress in a bassinet, crib or playpen with nothing more than a fitted sheet, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization also recommends babies sleep in the parents’ room — but not in the parents’ bed — for at least the first six months.You should also consider how you will get to your lodging: Will you fly in and rent a car or take a taxi, or take public transit from the airport? Will you mostly be driving or walking? For parents, these factors can determine whether you want to bring a stroller and a car seat, both of which you can gate check for free when you fly, or rely on using a sling or baby carrier. This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well. Plan for snacks and diaper changes on the plane“Flying with kids is one of those big, intimidating things,” said Thompson, the pediatrician. “I think the biggest thing to think about is always safety and then of course their comfort.”While children under two can fly in their parents’ lap, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends securing them in their own safety seat, such as a car seat certified for use on planes. This requires buying a seat for your child. For long-haul or international flights, ask the airline if they have bassinets available.Food and drink for babies and toddlers, including breast milk, formula and puree pouches, are considered medically necessary liquids by the Transportation Security Administration. That means they are not subject to the standard 3.4-ounce (100-milliliter) limit for carry-on liquids. The same goes for ice packs used to keep such liquids cool. Let the TSA officer know if you have these in your carry on when you go through security screening. In addition to snacks, don’t forget to carry on diapers, wipes, a portable changing pad and sealable plastic bags for disposal. Bring extra clothes to layer or change in case of accidents or messy spills. Read More Swallowing and chewing can help with ear pressure, so nursing little ones or giving them a bottle or pacifier can ease discomfort during take-off and landing. Speak with your pediatrician beforehand if your kiddo is prone to ear infections, and before traveling abroad, ask them what vaccines may be recommended. Keep kids entertained on and off the planeFor flights with young kids, Christy Slavik, owner of the travel agency Mom Approved Travel, recommends “having little surprises that you can distract them with” — such as sticky mats for travel-sized play doh, suction cup toys and other games that are small and light to pack.If sightseeing once at your destination, think about ways to make activities more fun and interactive. For art museums, bring notebooks that kids can draw in, or ask them what types of animals they can find in the paintings, Slavik said. “Kids need a mission. They need games,” she said. “You have to get creative sometimes when you’re traveling.”Exposing children to other cultures, foods and languages can also be fun. Some may enjoy picking out snacks at markets, for example, or learning foreign words for their favorite dishes and activities.There are options for places to stay that are family friendly, with amenities such as pools or games. For those traveling abroad on a budget, many hostels offer private rooms for families so they don’t have to share a dorm-style room with bunk beds. Hotels and hostels provide the opportunity to meet other travelers, including fellow children who can become playmates. The perks of traveling with extended familyHelping moms actually enjoy their vacation — and relax amid the stress that can come with planning and traveling — is a core goal of Slavik’s travel agency.One way parents can get a break is by planning trips with grandparents or other family members. This helps with babysitting duties, while also allowing loved ones to have special bonding time with kiddos. Just make sure they also have their own down time and aren’t wearing themselves out, Slavik said. “When you bring grandparents to a vacation, you’re giving them the opportunity to experience those moments together,” she said. CLAIRE RUSH Rush is an Associated Press reporter covering Oregon state government and general news in the Pacific Northwest more broadly. twitter mailto

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons was left deeply disappointed after his batting unit suffered a stunning collapse against the Cricket Australia XI, with the visitors bowled out for just 54 in their second innings in Darwin on Saturday.A remarkable spell from 22-year-old left-arm seamer Campbell Thompson, who returned figures of 8 for 25, ripped through Bangladesh's batting line-up as the visitors lost the three-day practice match by an innings and 38 runs.Bangladesh had made 263 in their first innings, before the CA XI responded with 355. But any confidence gained from their first-innings performance quickly disappeared as Bangladesh's second innings lasted only 22 overs, with opener Tanzid Hasan's 22 the only score above 10.Simmons did not hide his frustration after the collapse.“I think we let ourselves down with the bat in this practice match, and you look at how we got out and it wasn’t nice,” Simmons said.The Bangladesh coach, however, insisted there was still enough time to address the problems before the first Test against Australia begins on August 13.“I think that we have three [four] days to work on what we have to do properly in the Test match,” Simmons said. “And I trust that the guys are going to put in the work over these next three days to get us where we want to be for that Test match.”Thompson's eight-wicket burst exposes Bangladesh's flawsBangladesh resumed their second innings with two wickets already down and quickly found themselves in deeper trouble as Thompson continued the damage he had started late on the previous evening.The South Australian took the first five wickets of the morning before eventually finishing with extraordinary figures of 8-25. He dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for a duck and wrapped up the innings by taking the final two wickets with successive deliveries.Thompson had just one first-class appearance before the practice game but seized his opportunity against a Test side.“Sometimes you get lucky. It fell my way today, which was nice. It's always a good experience and opportunity to come and play up against a Test side a few days out from a series. Then to play alongside experienced Aussie guys as well, like Kurtis Patterson and Corey Rocchiccioli and stuff like that. So, just involving myself around these guys has been awesome,” Thompson said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.For Bangladesh, the collapse comes just days before they face Australia's formidable pace attack.Simmons wants Bangladesh to move onDespite the heavy defeat, Simmons urged his players to quickly put the result behind them and focus on the Test series.“Disappointing match, but we move on and we look forward to the Test match,” he said.There was also positive news regarding left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who suffered a finger injury after being struck while batting on the opening day.Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said the injury was improving.“The injury that Taijul sustained while batting day before yesterday is much better now, both swelling and pain have decreased,” he said. “The first Test is still five days away so we have four days in our hand. I am totally expecting he will be available by that time.”Bangladesh will now have little time to regroup before the first Test, which begins on August 13 in Darwin. The series marks their first Test visit to Australia in 23 years.

Report: Newcastle United keen on move to sign Man City forwardOmar Marmoush transfer latest as Newcastle United weigh major moveNewcastle United are emerging as serious contenders in the market for Omar Marmoush, with the Manchester City forward increasingly viewed as attainable before the window shuts, according to Caught Offside. The broad picture is that Marmoush has admirers across Europe, yet Newcastle’s need, and their spending power, could make them a particularly relevant factor.The 27-year-old has, according to the original report, “a genuine chance of leaving Man City in this transfer window after failing to establish himself as a regular at the Etihad Stadium.” That wording matters. City are not actively forcing him out, but the possibility of movement is real and being monitored by multiple clubs.Newcastle United transfer need growsNewcastle’s interest appears logical in the current context. The report states that the club “could be an interesting development to watch”, particularly because they “have significant money to spend.” Following a summer of major exits, recruitment in attacking areas has become more pressing than optional.The article outlines the scale of that change, noting that “Anthony Gordon was sold to Barcelona, Sandro Tonali moved to Tottenham, and a deal taking Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal is imminent.” If that is the backdrop, a move for Marmoush would represent more than opportunism, it would look like a response to a squad suddenly needing proven quality and immediate output.Photo IMAGOOmar Marmoush price and rival interestTottenham and Barcelona remain in the frame, though neither appears fully committed at this stage. Barcelona are said to appreciate Marmoush while seeking value in the market, and Spurs have reportedly held “informal contacts”, but other targets are higher on their list for now.That may leave Newcastle in a strong position if they choose to accelerate. The key number in the piece is City’s €60-65m valuation, a fee that is substantial but not prohibitive for a club that has generated major funds through sales. One source explained: “Newcastle know they need to do some serious business up front.” The same source added, “Marmoush is someone they’ve got high up on their list.”There is caution too. “He won’t come cheap, but Newcastle are under pressure to make a splash like that now, after recouping so much from player sales. There hasn’t been an approach yet, but it’s one to keep an eye on, for sure.”Manchester City stance on summer dealCity’s position appears measured rather than urgent. They value squad depth and are “not desperate to sell Marmoush”, yet the expectation among those familiar with the situation is that a deal can be struck at the right level. In practical terms, that tends to mean a buying club must move decisively and meet the market.For Newcastle United, that is the central question. Do they admire the player enough to turn monitoring into action? If they do, this has the feel of a transfer that could gather pace quickly.Our ViewFrom a Newcastle United perspective, this is exactly the type of report many fans will want to hear right now. After seeing so much quality leave the squad, there has to be a meaningful response, and Marmoush sounds like the sort of signing that would restore belief. He has pedigree, he is at a good age, and he seems obtainable if the club really decide to push.The encouraging part is the suggestion that Newcastle have the funds and that the player is “high up on their list.” Supporters do not expect the club to replace big names with cheap gambles every time, especially after bringing in substantial fees. If there is real money available, then this is when it should be used.There is also a sense that Marmoush could thrive with responsibility. At City, breaking into that side regularly is difficult for almost anyone. At Newcastle, he could become a focal point, play with freedom, and carry the attack in a way that may suit him more naturally.The concern, of course, is whether Newcastle move fast enough. Too often in these situations, hesitation invites other clubs back into the race. If Tottenham or Barcelona change priorities, the landscape shifts quickly. So if the interest is genuine, the club should act with conviction. Supporters would see this as a statement signing, and after a turbulent summer, a statement is exactly what is needed.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — At the start of his eighth season as Ohio State football head coach, Ryan Day is looking for his eighth consecutive AP top 10 finish, including No. 5 last season when the Buckeyes fell short of defending their 2024 national championship.With those high expectations in mind, he had a relatively long list of concerns after coming off the practice field Thursday for the first time this preseason.“Well, I think we all wanna see how the offensive line shakes out here, that’s for sure,” Day said. “I think the tight end room is an interesting room. I think that we do have some depth there, but who’s actually gonna take the majority of those reps?”He also listed backup quarterback and receiver slots three, four, five and six before wondering about the running back position, where 1,000-yard rusher Bo Jackson is back, and the defensive secondary as a whole.While Day being mostly concerned about backups might illustrate the types of “problems” most coaches would gladly take, the offensive line was a sore point throughout the offseason after getting shoved around in season-ending losses to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and Miami (Fla.) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.Four starters return, but more than one position might have a new starter when the Buckeyes open the season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5.Austin Siereveld, who started at left tackle last season, was at right guard Thursday to allow the team to take a look at Ian Moore at left tackle.They could end up joining center Carson Hinzman, left guard Luke Montgomery and right tackle Phillip Daniels in the starting lineup, but others are also likely to get a look this month, including Joshua Padilla at guard.At tight end, the Buckeyes lost Will Kacmarek and Max Klare to the NFL but return Bennett Christian and Nate Roberts. Newcomers include transfer Mason Williams (Ohio University) and Hunter Welcing (Northwestern), so the cupboard is not exactly bare.No one is likely to cry for Day when it comes to receiver either, as All-American Jeremiah Smith is back for his junior season along with senior Brandon Inniss, a respected leader who can play inside or out.The choices to fill in the depth chart there include five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. and transfers Devin McCuin (Texas-San Antonio) and Kyle Parker (LSU).Despite Jackson’s return at running back, the pecking order might not be determined thanks to a strong offseason for classmate Isaiah West’s work in the weight room over the winter and summer.“He had a tremendous offseason, one of the best in the whole building,” Day said of West, who took reps with the first team offense Thursday. “When he was in there last year, he showed some real good things, so we want him to take the next step, just as we do Bo.”Another option at running back, freshman Legend Bey, was not on the practice field Thursday, and Day attributed that to a violation of team rules.“He’s learning, but he’ll be back on the field soon,” Day said.The Buckeyes open the season on Sept. 5 against Ball State before a potential top 10 matchup at Texas the following week.

India's red-ball tour of Sri Lanka got underway with a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo on Friday.It will give Shubman Gill's squad a valuable opportunity to acclimatise to local conditions ahead of the Test series.Day 1 delivered plenty of drama. Sri Lanka XI made a strong start, with Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha putting India's pacers under early pressure before the visitors eventually found their footing.MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSManav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav then turned things around as they picked up two wickets each to drag India back into contention. The hosts closed the day at 363 for 8, which already leaves India with a substantial workload once their innings begins.Meanwhile, Gill missed the entire opening day after injuring his right ring finger during practice, with KL Rahul stepping in to lead the side. Whether Gill will be fit enough to bat once India's innings starts remains the key question heading into day two.India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI live: latest updates, resultDay 2 updatesDay 2: India 357/8 - India end the day with six runs short of Sri Lanka's total as Devdutt Padikkal plays a stunning knock. Jadeja-Suthar's brilliant partnership: India 250/5The two Indian all-rounders have put up a brilliant partnership after the visitors lost their top order early in their innings. Tea: India 180/4, Sri Lanka 363/8 (D)Sri Lanka have picked up two quick wickets to put India in trouble. After Pant, it was Jurel who got out cheaply for just one. However, Jadeja remains to anchor the innings. Devdut Padikkal (103*) gets his century: India 172/3, Sri Lanka 363/8 (D)Padikkal completed his century in 121 balls, before making way for Rishabh Pant. He did not put a foot wrong during his innings, and the ton will give him a major boost to his confidence before the first Test. However, Pant failed to make a mark as he was dismissed for just two by Mendis. India are sailing smoothly: India 115/2, Sri Lanka 363/8 (D)India are grinding it out in Colombo with Padikkal and Jadeja at the crease. Rahul missed out on his half-century after getting bowled for 40 by Kesara. However, Padikkal has been a rock, showing exceptional control both against spin and pace. Lunch: India 67/1, Sri Lanka 363/8 (D)Sri Lanka declared their innings at the start of Day 2, and Indian openers Jaiswal and Rahul were put into bat. Jaiswal survived for two deliveries before he was dismissed for a duck. Padikkal and Rahul are steadying the Indian ship after weathering the early storm. Day 1: Sri Lanka Cricket XI ended Day 1 on 363/8, with openers Nishan Madushka (66) and Ravindu Rasantha (71) leading the way. For India, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar picked two wickets each.India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI teamsSri Lanka Cricket XI: Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Anjala Bandara(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundera, Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Keshara Nuwantha, Ravindu RasanthaIndia: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor BrarIndia warm-up game in Sri Lanka live stream, TV channelHere's how to watch India's warm-up game in Sri Lanka live in India:TV channel: Sony Sports NetworkLive streaming: SonyLivSony Sports Network channels will telecast the series in India; fans can live stream the action through SonyLiv app and website.DafabetMAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSCLICK TO BET

Tennessee will host Xavier for an exhibition basketball game at Food City Center.The contest between the Vols and Musketeers is scheduled for Oct. 15. A game time and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.The contest will be the first of two exhibition games for Tennessee. The Vols will also play Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina on Oct. 20.Tennessee will host an exhibition game against a Division I opponent at Food City Center for a third consecutive year.Tennessee and Xavier have played 17 times in the regular season games. The Vols lead the series, 12-5. Tennessee is 7-1 in games contested in Knoxville.The schools last played on Nov. 29, 2013, in Paradise, Island, Bahamas, with the Vols earning a, 64-49, victory in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Tennessee and the Musketeers last played in Knoxville on Dec. 29, 2012, with the Vols earning a, 51-47, victory.Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee basketball announces exhibition game versus Big East school

Maine loggers Stacey Kelly, second from left, Troy Jackson, and Hilton Hafford are threatened with arrest by Maine State Police if they continue to block access to Canadian woodsmen at the border at St. Pamphile, Quebec, Monday, Oct. 26, 1998. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty,File)2026-08-08T12:47:33Z ALLAGASH, Maine (AP) — Troy Jackson stood alongside a small group of loggers deep in the northern Maine woods and stared down State Police troopers who threatened to arrest them. The lumberjacks had used their trucks to block access to the Quebec border in protest of Canadian loggers who were stealing their jobs by working for less. The blockade, which took place nearly 30 years ago, failed to stop the problem, leading Jackson to decide that he needed to try another way.“He realized that the only way to change, to change it from the inside, was to be involved,” said Hilton Hafford, a logger who stood with Jackson at the blockade.That moment set the fifth-generation lumberjack on a path into politics, eventually making him Maine’s unlikely Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. He faces longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of a handful of races that could determine control of the chamber in November. Jackson’s campaign has focused on his ties to Aroostook County, a sprawling, wooded region known as “The County” to Mainers. It’s where Jackson, 58, says he watched hard-working people struggle to get ahead, fueling his fight against billionaires and corporations. It also is the place that has elected Jackson to the Legislature while supporting Republican Donald Trump for president.Defeating Collins, a five-term incumbent who has survived other efforts by Democrats to unseat her, will not be easy. Jackson is a last-minute replacement for Graham Platner, the initial nominee who exited the race after a sexual assault allegation that he denied. Jackson has accused Collins of looking out for herself instead of Maine and he criticized her vote that paved the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to end the nationwide right to an abortion. Collins, 73, who is also from Aroostook County, has accused Jackson of being too liberal for the state. Read More Speaking to Maine Democrats while he accepted the party nomination last month, Jackson pointed to his logging background and humble upbringing in a rural county as critical to shaping his desire to fight for the working class.“What I am is a guy from northern Maine that’s a logger,” Jackson said. The evolution of a liberal lumberjackAroostook County, among the poorest in the state, is thinly populated but so large that it could easily contain both Rhode Island and Connecticut.Tucked in the northern tip of the county is Jackson’s hometown of Allagash, where pavement turns into the logging roads and where Jackson went to work as a lumberjack at 19.Jackson said he worked long, dangerous hours. It was not unusual to wake up at 2:30 a.m. for a 12-hour shift on a job that often did not offer health insurance. “Everyone in that profession works hard for our families. We did follow the rules. But the harder we worked, the more that companies took from us,” Jackson said during his nomination acceptance speech at a party convention in Bangor. “And further behind we would fall.” The town saw a steady drop in population as job opportunities dried up. Officials shuttered the school in the mid-1990s, crushing those who remembered the glory days of the school’s prominent basketball team, which won a handful of state championships in the 1970s. Jackson’s disappointment with the logger blockade and other labor demonstrations in the late 1990s further cemented his feeling that something had to change. He turned his attention to running for state office. Jackson first ran as a Republican but failed to collect enough support in a region that was heavily Democratic at the time. Eventually he won running as an independent and then became a Democrat in 2004. He went on to serve as president of the state Senate. His political positions evolved over time, particularly on social issues. Early in his political career, Jackson opposed abortion and same-sex marriage. He has since reversed those stances. “The logging industry is a very, very red industry,” said Louie Pelletier, the brother of Jackson’s longtime partner, Lana Pelletier. “That’s the kind of mindset he was in.”Once in office, Jackson started to think he was on the wrong side of those social issues, added Louie Pelletier, who was a logger before taking over his family’s wood shop in Allagash.“Then he never looked back,” he said. Allagash is divided on the crucial Senate race There is just one restaurant in Allagash, while a modest museum alongside the banks of the St. John River displays key moments in the town’s history, including a framed photo of Jackson shaking hands with former Democratic President Joe Biden.As of late July, only one campaign sign for Jackson could be seen from the main road that goes through Allagash. Several Republican gubernatorial and congressional candidates’ signs were prominently displayed.Taking a break from slinging hamburgers during the weekend lunch rush, Darlene Dumond acknowledged that Allagash remains divided on Jackson. She supports him.With a population of about 230 people, Allagash is defined by the handful of families who have lived for decades in “Moosetown,” where divisions can fall not only between Republicans and Democrats, but Catholics and Baptists. Dumond said Collins’ long tenure as senator has been a disappointment even if she helped bring in resources and money to the state. She pointed to Collins’ role in confirming Brett Kavanaugh for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, where he helped overturn the ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide.“Why would our girl from Aroostook County be the deciding vote for the justice that overthrew Roe v. Wade?” Dumond said, shaking her head.Collins has said she disagrees with the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, but she does not regret her vote to confirm Kavanaugh. Jackson has repeatedly argued that he will be a strong Senate candidate because he has kept his legislative seat as a Democrat while the region steadily became more Republican, including when Aroostook County swung for Trump.Still, Jackson has struggled to compete outside Allagash. He failed to secure the Democratic nomination for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in 2014 and came in third place in the June 9 primary for governor. In 2023, he lost a local race in Allagash — a seat for first selectman position — by six votes.He has butted heads with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers while in the Legislature, including Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. She ran against Platner for the Senate nomination but dropped out, citing a lack of campaign money. Mills has since declined to endorse Jackson.Some lawmakers who worked with Jackson have criticized him as having a temper, including once throwing a plastic water bottle on the ground in frustration while disagreeing with a female lawmaker. His inner circle is quick to deny he has anger issues, instead describing him as “passionate” and “competitive.” Asked by reporters about the confrontations, Jackson said “I wear my heart on my sleeve,” saying that he took responsibility for his outburst and apologized to those he had confrontations with at the time.Hafford, who worked alongside Jackson as a logger, has seen that fiery side but chalked it up to strong feelings. He remembers being in meetings with Jackson in the 1990s where loggers were debating what to do to improve working conditions, and encouraging Jackson not to fly off the handle — even though he wanted to.“Troy would look over at me and he’d say, ‘Is it time yet?’” Hafford said.___Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.

Howard University freshman Nikiyah Clark poses for a portrait on move-in day, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)2026-08-08T12:26:30Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Nikiyah Clark had five boxes and a backpack when she ultimately received the keys to her Howard University dorm. Weeks earlier, the school had told her this moment would never come.When Howard administrators informed Clark — and hundreds of others — that she was permanently unenrolled for missing a tuition fee deadline, she rode a bus from Cleveland, Ohio, to plea with administrators. She left in tears.“I didn’t just lose my dream. I lost my way out,” said the 17-year-old, who had pinned her hopes on Howard as a peaceful environment and a path to financial freedom after years of growing up in “survival mode.”Shortly after that, the university notified Clark she was once again welcome to enroll. But as she moved into the Washington, D.C., campus on Thursday, she remained uneasy. She worries that the university might reverse its decision yet again, and hopes Howard will make changes so that other students aren’t wrongfully unenrolled. “I’m definitely not really over that,” Clark said.While administrators prefer that students, faculty and alumni focus on the school’s new academic year, much of the community’s attention is still trained on the unenrollment debacle. More than 500 incoming first-year students were unenrolled for missing a July tuition payment deadline, the university said. About 200 students have had their enrollment restored.It was also reported Friday that Howard unenrolled the students about a month after offering voluntary early retirement buyouts to 600 eligible employees. But Howard University said in a statement that the employee buyouts were unrelated and part of a plan for “long-term financial sustainability.” For some in the Howard community, the bitter experience has raised questions about the legacy of one of the country’s most revered historically Black colleges and universities. Others say such administrative matters won’t lessen the career impact a Howard diploma can have. The loss of HBCU lusterZy’Aira Blackmon had her heart set on attending Howard, seen as the preeminent Black university in the nation. But, after her enrollment status was revoked and then reinstated within days, the 18-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, doesn’t feel the same way. The luster Howard once held has been dulled. Read More “After this situation, most people are going to ignore all the good things Howard has to offer,” said Blackmon, who now will study at Western Michigan University.When Howard took away 17-year-old Yuisa Davis’ enrollment, her mother hopped on a plane July 28 from the family’s Puerto Rico home to get answers. An administrative official told Karina Polen-Davis and her husband, who was on speakerphone, that she couldn’t answer their questions. Then the official called security. The Davises say they paid what they thought they owed but the university rescinded enrollment without explanation or recourse. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. The school never budged. “It’s very disheartening just because there’s so many opportunities that’s kind of just been taken from me without me being able to” find a resolution, said Yuisa Davis, who often visited Howard as a child.Now, Davis is working with The New School in New York City on possible financial aid.“The difference in how we’ve been treated has been night and day,” Kenneth Davis said. Families and university officials blame miscommunicationInterim President Wayne A. I. Frederick told The Associated Press last month that Howard simply followed its payment policy, noting that 2,200 students did meet payment requirements. Unenrolled students and their parents did not properly read school communications about a July 10 deadline for half their unpaid balance, with financial aid factored in, Frederick said.Those students who did everything correctly “deserve to show up on Aug. 17, the first day of class and meet their professors in class, have their housing assignments taken care of,” Frederick said. Previously, the school had to scramble to find enough student housing and adjunct professors to fill classrooms.Some students assert they followed the school’s payment requirements.Blackmon said her scholarship had not been included in her balance owed. After being unenrolled, she constantly called and emailed the school. “They reinstated me. They really didn’t explain much,” she added.Ashley Christopher, an attorney and Howard alumna whose son is a sophomore there, thinks Howard shoulders some blame. She is the founder of HBCU Week, a foundation that awards scholarships, and believes students received “bad information” from the school.“There’s a way to take accountability for a misstep, and also explain that there’s joint responsibility here,” said Christopher, an attorney. “It is not just the parents. It’s not just the students.”Frederick said that how Howard has handled unenrollment and reenrollment can contribute positively to the school’s image.“All this does is strengthen our legacy and helps us perform as a high-performing institution on the administrative side, as we have been doing in the past,” he said. A storied and preeminent HBCUThe nearly 160-year-old Howard is one of about 100 HBCUs in the U.S., with famous alumni including former Vice President Kamala Harris and actor Chadwick Boseman. Howard has a 6-year graduation rate of 70% and a retention rate of 90%, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. The school consistently ranks among the most prestigious private HBCUs, including as the top-ranked HBCU by Forbes.The university costs more than $66,000 each year to attend. The median income for four-year graduates is about $73,000, according to the Education Department. Frederick said Howard has graduated more Black doctors than any other school in the country.The “scandal,” as Christopher calls the unenrollment issue, likely will not impact Howard’s reputation as “The Mecca” of Black education in the long run.“Howard has been the blueprint for HBCUs, graduated the best and the brightest — not saying they’re the only one who does that,” she said. “When it comes to overall impact of HBCU institutions, Howard stands at the top of that list.”___ Tang reported from Sunnyvale, California. Williams reported from Detroit. MATT BROWN Brown covers national politics, federal policy and democracy issues for The Associated Press. twitter instagram mailto TERRY TANG Tang reports on race and ethnicity issues, including Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, for The Associated Press. She is based in Phoenix and previously covered breaking news in the Southwest. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

President George W. Bush, center, poses with President-elect Barack Obama, and former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, left, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, right, Jan. 7, 2009, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)2026-08-08T12:26:29Z WASHINGTON (AP) — When George W. Bush wrote an essay this year about another president named George, he avoided mentioning the one named Donald. So did Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The three ex-presidents joined a roster of historians and authors in contributing to the In Pursuit project, a 250th-anniversary series that had each writer produce an essay about a president or first lady. Though the project was explicitly designed to transcend today’s politics, some of its essays nevertheless reflect anxieties that are flaring in the era of President Donald Trump over the use of power, the health of the democracy and the integrity of the presidency.The project is being curated by Colleen Shogan, the U.S. archivist who was fired without explanation by Trump last year. She instructed contributors not to be partisan or ideological. “Everybody took those instructions and that guidance very seriously,” she told The Associated Press. The goal was for all Americans to “feel welcome to be able to read these lessons and essays and learn something from them.” The mission, Shogan said, “is to surface the lessons from the past 250 years of American history, so that we can learn from those lessons, from both our successes and our failures, so we can plan for the present and the future. It’s what has been described as debriefing the American story.”The essays cover 43 presidents — all but Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Trump — and 30 first ladies. They are being published chronologically and weekly into December. Trump and Biden were judged too fresh to be appraised by history, a call that may have also set aside passions of the moment.Without naming Trump, Bush’s essay is difficult to read without thinking of Trump’s reluctance to cede power after his 2020 election defeat and his musings about a third term in defiance of the Constitution’s two-term limit. Read More Bush hails the heroism of humilityBush’s essay celebrates George Washington, the original “No Kings” guy. Bush, a Republican, hails a man whose legacy only grew larger because he modeled the limits of the presidency for centuries to come.“Our first president could have remained all-powerful,” Bush writes, “but twice he chose not to. In so doing, he set a standard for all presidents to live up to.” First, Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army, then set the precedent of serving only two presidential terms before that limit was enshrined in the Constitution.Bush went on: “George Washington’s humility in giving up power willingly remains among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics.” Bush’s essay, released Presidents Day as the first in the series on Substack, drove heavy engagement.Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who led U.S. and international forces in the Afghanistan War, sized up a fellow general, Ulysses S. Grant, in another essay that drew much attention for its parallels with today. History offers lessons on ‘law over loyalty’McChrystal presents the Union general and post-Civil War president as a leader who displayed “an absolute commitment to principles larger than personal ambition” and who, before his presidency, resisted pressure on military leaders to “align with political factions and be loyal to a person rather than the Constitution.” The emphasis on personal loyalty resonates in a time when Trump has repeatedly demanded fealty from officials in his administration. The “temptation to bend institutions toward personal power is not unique to Grant’s era,” McChrystal writes. “Our future still depends on whether our leaders choose law over loyalty.” This month, in the latest In Pursuit installment, Democrat Clinton writes about Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on that president’s drive to expand the universe of “we the people” at the expense of powerful corporate interests, while also emphasizing Roosevelt’s exclusionary views on Black and Indigenous people. The essays frequently address presidents’ failures alongside their accomplishments, a contrast with Trump’s calls for federal cultural institutions to stick to patriotic interpretations of American history. Presidents, the chief justice and first ladies contributeAmong the In Pursuit contributors are Chief Justice John Roberts (writing about William Howard Taft, the only president who also served on the Supreme Court); Hillary Clinton ( Eleanor Roosevelt ); Michelle Obama ( Jacqueline Kennedy ); GOP operative Karl Rove ( William McKinley ); documentarian Ken Burns ( Franklin D. Roosevelt ); and historian Michael Beschloss ( Lyndon Johnson ). Democrat Barack Obama presents Abraham Lincoln.The project is being staged by More Perfect, a nonpartisan alliance of dozens of presidential centers along with academics and organizations dedicated to advancing democracy. It is where Shogan now practices her archivist craft that Trump shut down by firing her in February 2025.She still has not been told why. Nor has Congress apparently been notified of the reason. The law requires Congress to be told but does not specify a deadline. The National Archives is the central repository of federal documents both precious and routine, and its leader has discretion over which records to preserve and display, and how. “That is a position that used to be a nonpartisan position, much like the Librarian of Congress, the secretary of the Smithsonian,” she said. “And I took that very seriously and acted the entire time when I was archivist in a nonpartisan way.” The White House did not respond when asked why Trump fired the archivist and whether the administration will tell Congress the reason.Trump has long begrudged the archives for notifying the Department of Justice of his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office following his first term, though Shogan was not working for the agency then.Shogan sees hunger for history without a slantShogan said she has been overwhelmed with the public response to the series so far and figures that speaks to a hunger for history shorn of partisanship. The essays have received more than 1 million cumulative views on Substack and her podcast of the same name registered 160,000 audio downloads and nearly 64,000 YouTube views at last count. A documentary about the series is scheduled to air on PBS in October.In the essays, readers learn something new not just about the giants, but about presidents such as Millard Fillmore — “a historic punchline — best remembered, ironically, for being so forgotten,” in the words of his essayist, former New York congressman Steve Israel.Then there was Franklin Pierce, presented by his essayist as a pro-slavery president and “permanent victim” of Washington’s alcohol-soaked culture.Yale history professor David W. Blight recounts how Pierce won the presidency for the Democrats in 1852 despite vicious trolling by the Whigs. Fielding Mexican War veteran Gen. Winfield Scott in that election, they labeled Pierce, who also served in the war, the “hero of many a well-fought bottle.”

Bethsaida Sigaran, left, of Baltimore, her brother Jaime Sigaran, with American Rivers, and Thea Louis, with Clean Water Action, join other supporters of the Clean Water Act as they demonstrate outside the Supreme Court, Oct. 3, 2022, in Washington, as the court begins arguments in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)2026-08-08T12:50:34Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Right-leaning legal activists along with Elon Musk ’s artificial intelligence company have brought sweeping challenges against a cornerstone of legal enforcement in the United States: the right of private groups, people and local governments to sue over violations of many major laws.Their argument, supported by the Trump administration, is that the Constitution reserves tremendous power for the president and federal agencies to decide how — or whether at all — to enforce federal law. They contend Congress should never have handed that power to others through so-called citizen suits that are part of environmental, campaign finance and certain other laws.Environmentalists say it would be devastating to lose this essential, decades-old tool that is used to impose fines and halt lawbreaking by bad actors. Citizen suits, for example, have extracted millions from heavily polluting oil and gas operations, and ensured that lead pipes in Flint, Michigan, would be removed after its water crisis. Legal experts say four pending federal cases — one of them filed last week — are moving forward at a time when the conservative majority on the Supreme Court gives opponents of citizen suits a greater chance than ever of success. The hard part for those opponents now is winning early federal cases and creating disagreement between the country’s appeals courts, which may help convince the Supreme Court the issue is important enough for a nationwide ruling. Back in 2000, a Supreme Court opinion opened the door for that possibility.“Many of us who worked in this area have been waiting basically 26 years for this shoe to drop,” said Richard Lazarus, a Harvard professor with decades of experience in environmental law. A more inviting Supreme Court could take up the issueLazarus was referring to former moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy’s comments in a Clean Water Act case that citizen suits raised “difficult and fundamental” questions about whether they improperly dilute executive power. The late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in a dissenting opinion in the same case that citizen suits turn “over to private citizens the function of enforcing the law.” He avoided explicitly saying they were constitutional. Read More “The court is more like Scalia’s court since he died than it ever was when he was there,” said Lazarus. He observed that those who lost cases where Scalia dissented are rushing back to today’s court hoping for a more favorable result.The critical issue for citizen suits is who — the government or private citizens — collects fines and has control. A person filing a citizen suit must tell the government ahead of time. The government can stop the suit if it sufficiently pursues the case itself, but its options are limited and the person suing can stay involved. Citizen suits can force compliance with the law and result in fines, which go to the U.S. Treasury.Prominent law firms and companies are pushing against citizen suitsEfforts to increase presidential power and limit who can sue have grown in recent years. They gained vital federal support this summer.That’s when the Pacific Legal Foundation, a right-leaning organization with recent Supreme Court success, chose a routine citizen suit in Tennessee federal court for a broader constitutional challenge. They signed on as attorneys for Springfield, a town of roughly 19,000 north of Nashville, that was in the early stages of fighting allegations brought by Tennessee Riverkeeper that it had let too much sewage flow from its treatment plant into a nearby creek, violating the Clean Water Act.It was the thirty-first citizen suit Tennessee Riverkeeper had filed under the Clean Water Act since 2010. Pacific Legal argued this was part of the problem — a private group of unelected activists had repeatedly forced others to expend resources defending themselves.It’s better when “the government is the one wielding the power because the government remains accountable to the people,” said Sean Radomski, a Pacific Legal Foundation attorney on the case.Radomski isn’t targeting every lawsuit a person can bring under federal law — he takes exception to those where fines go to the Treasury and where he says people are improperly taking on the government’s powers. Civil rights lawsuits, for example, where damages are paid directly to those wronged, wouldn’t be touched. Nor would many procedural challenges. Elon Musk’s AI company is also getting into the fightMusk-led xAI argued many similar points in its ongoing bid to rid itself of the NAACP’s lawsuit accusing it of operating dozens of gas turbines near Memphis to power a data center without first getting permits. The civil rights group told a Mississippi federal court that the turbines are a pollution threat to those who lived nearby, many of whom are Black. One of their demands was to halt the gas turbines until the company complied with the law.The Trump administration intervened in support of Musk’s company, arguing that turning off the power to artificial intelligence that supports the Department of War would harm national security. Because the Trump administration wants the suit dismissed, the NAACP shouldn’t be allowed to proceed with it — prudent enforcement requires balancing interests, including national security, the DOJ said.Laura Thoms, director of enforcement at Earthjustice, which is representing the NAACP, said the government traditionally gets involved in cases to enforce the law, not to argue that it doesn’t matter if the law is broken.“This administration has determined that the company should be allowed to continue to pollute and that therefore, they should have the unilateral and unreviewable authority to veto our citizen suit,” she said. Changing the law would have profound consequences at a critical timeCitizen suits were written into foundational environmental laws because Congress understood that the federal government had limited resources to go after polluters and that the politics of some cases could be dicey — the government sometimes is the polluter. That’s why outside groups are necessary to fulfill the law’s purpose, according to Lazarus.Some argue that dynamic is especially important now. The Trump administration has slashed air and water protections and promoted fossil fuels. They’ve also constrained enforcement that could slow energy projects to only the most extreme cases, such as an “imminent and substantial threat to human health,” according to a federal guidance memo. Environmentalists say citizen suits are vital for filling the enforcement gap this administration created.Leaner budgets in many states make the problem worse.Thoms said the potential for corruption could increase, too — the president could unilaterally waive laws to benefit friends.She said that those who live in states with strong protections may be fine if citizen suits end, but other areas will be “sacrifice zones” where citizens have few options to fight pollution in their backyard. And the unprotected are more often poor and majority-minority communities.Many experts are skeptical of the challengers’ claims of a powerful president that gets to unilaterally shape enforcement even outside of criminal law. They argue the country’s history is rife with examples of that task falling to private individuals, too — a contention the challengers reject.David Adelman, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, said before the current conservative majority on the Supreme Court, he would have thought there was a close to zero percent chance the challenges would succeed.“But this court has been so protective of the executive branch’s complete control of implementation of federal law,” he said, “that it’s not implausible that something like this could prevail.”___The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment MICHAEL PHILLIS Phillis is an Associated Press reporter covering the environment with a focus on water. He can be reached on Signal at mjphillis.15. mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Rugby balls are lined up on the pitch prior to the start of the rugby union international match between Scotland and Italy at the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell, File)2026-08-08T12:36:07Z FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi has died of suspected heatstroke after a training session in Japan. He was 26.His death was announced on Saturday by his team, Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex — known as Kyushu KV.The Japanese second-division club said Vunilagi died Friday after falling ill Monday and being hospitalized.“After team practice on Monday ... Saimoni displayed symptoms consistent with severe heatstroke,” the team said in a statement Saturday. “He was transported to a medical facility for treatment, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, he sadly passed away.Kyushu KV is based in Fukuoka, a city in southwestern Japan. Temperatures there reportedly reached around 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) on Monday.“The players, staff, and all team associates are devastated by this sudden news,” the team said. Back rower Vunilagi joined Kyushu KV last month, having previously played in the Japanese top flight with Tokyo Sungoliath.“Although Saimoni had only recently joined Kyushu KV, his generous spirit and powerful style of play had raised high hopes for his contributions in the upcoming season,” Kyushu KV added.“We humbly pray for the repose of his soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.”The club supplied no other details surrounding the death. News reports said he was from Fiji.___AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Red high-temperature warnings remained in effect for much of southern and western Italy through Saturday.

The ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament quarterfinals produced fireworks as ONE SAMURAI 2 delivered a memorable night of action on Saturday, August 8.A hometown hero exacted long-awaited revenge with a stunning knockout to advance in the high-profile eight-man bracket, a Chinese veteran rallied from behind to book his spot in the final four, and an Iranian dark horse made it two in a row against one of Japan’s biggest stars with a spectacular first-round finish of his own.Here is how all the tournament action unfolded inside Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota.Noiri Exacts Revenge On Liu With Stunning First-Round KnockoutView this post on InstagramMasaaki Noiri settled the score in the most emphatic way possible, knocking out Liu “Spirit Dragon” Mengyang at the 2:59 mark of round one to advance to the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals.Nearly two years had passed since Liu handed Noiri a shocking first-round knockdown on his way to a decision victory in December 2024. But this time around in the main event, things played out very differently.Both warriors picked up exactly where they left off in their first encounter, immediately standing forehead-to-forehead and trading blistering uppercuts and heavy hooks in the pocket. Operating at close range, they exchanged powerful low kicks that did absolutely nothing to slow either man down.View this post on InstagramThen, the decisive sequence arrived. Noiri fired an explosive right hand followed by a thunderous left hook that left Liu severely wobbled. The Japanese striker crashed another left hand into his opponent’s chin, sending the Chinese phenom to the canvas where he could not beat the count.The Team Vasileus product has a storied track record of beating every opponent who has ever defeated him, and he made good on that promise in the most dramatic fashion. The stoppage improved the 33-year-old’s professional slate to 52-14 and set up a highly anticipated semifinal clash with Mohammad Siasarani, moving Noiri one step closer to a World Title rematch with Superbon.He also took home a whopping US$100,000 bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.Siasarani Starches Kaito In First Round To Reach Tournament SemifinalsView this post on InstagramSiasarani made it two in a row against Kaito in stunning fashion, knocking out the Japanese striking star in the opening frame to advance to the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals and earn his 29th career victory.Kaito came out aggressively, looking to establish his kicking game early to earn the WBC Muay Thai World Champion’s respect. However, Siasarani absorbed the opening exchanges effortlessly and went to work. The Iranian standout began teasing a left kick to trigger a reaction, brilliantly reading his opponent’s movement and feinting until Kaito bit on the trap.The moment the opening presented itself, Siasarani launched a fight-ending high left kick that sent the Japanese star crumbling to the canvas, forcing the referee to wave off the contest at the 1:27 mark of round one.Photo credit: ONE ChampionshipWith the jaw-dropping knockout, the Team Mehdi Zatout product takes home a US$50,000 bonus and remains undefeated in kickboxing under the ONE banner. He now advances to face Noiri, who was victorious in the night’s main event.Luo Scores Decisive Victory Over Takagi In Action-Packed AffairView this post on InstagramLuo Chao punched his ticket to the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals, outpointing promotional debutant Kosuke Takagi via unanimous decision in their high-stakes quarterfinal clash.The Shengli Fight Club product came out with clear intent in the opening frame, unleashing blistering flurries of punches on the Shoot Boxing Champion early on. However, Takagi quickly made adjustments, pressing forward and utilizing his kicking arsenal to even the score.The 27-year-old Capital Raise Fighting GlaNz representative commanded the second round, repeatedly stepping into the pocket with driving knees to Luo’s midsection. The Chinese veteran returned fire with several stiff punches, but Takagi firmly controlled the momentum.Takagi stormed out of his corner in the third stanza, firing heavy kicks up and down his opponent’s torso and arms. Just when the fight seemed to be slipping away, Luo blasted through the Japanese standout’s defense midway through the round, unloading a relentless barrage of punches to turn the tide and secure the judges’ nod.With the hard-earned victory, “The Handsome White Dragon” improved his professional record to 44-11. He now advances to the tournament semifinals to face Marat Grigorian, who won his own quarterfinal bout at The Inner Circle 25 on August 7, just 24 hours prior.Source

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesLeBron James is in the midst of preparing for his first-ever season as a Philadelphia 76ers player following his LA Lakers exit earlier this year.James arrives during a period in which the 76ers have been struggling to make it to the NBA Finals and have spent decades without a championship.But LeBron is historically one of the best NBA players and has had a very successful career, some of which was spent playing with Dwyane Wade.Wade and James had a number of years together with the Miami Heat before a second brief spell as teammates at the Cleveland Cavaliers.Now, the duo have linked up again this week, and images of the pair are going viral on social media.Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty ImagesFans suggest Dwyane Wade should come out of retirementThe images show ‘LeBron and DWade back in the lab’, and a number of fans have now commented to suggest Wade could come out of retirement for the 76ers.One fan wrote: “Sources tell me D-Wade is about to come out of retirement and come off the bench for the Sixers.”A second echoed: “Wade coming back for one season.”“You coming outta retirement,” added a third NBA fan.Another asked: “Philly can use a veteran off the bench to train Edgecombe. Maybe Wade can suit up one more time?”A fifth added: “He boutta come out of retirement and join the 6ers too, huh.”“D-Wade coming out of retirement for Bron would be dope!” exclaimed another.Wade ended his NBA career in 2019, with the Miami Heat then announcing that his No. 3 jersey would be retired in February 2020.Read more:‘Warriors have cooked’ – NBA fans wowed after watching Yaxel Lendeborg workout‘He’s got enough’ – NBA fans discuss LeBron James making history with $48.7 million decisionSteph Curry’s former teammate has a message for Enes Kanter Freedom ahead of NBA to WNBA journey

Barcelona set to launch second bid for Man City’s Rodri; confident about securing deal – RomanoAccording to Fabrizio Romano, FC Barcelona are preparing to submit an improved transfer offer to Manchester City for midfielder Rodri, following a definitive update from the player regarding his future. The 30-year-old Spain international has formally informed the Manchester City hierarchy that he only wants to join Barça this summer, effectively narrowing down his potential destinations and giving the Catalan club a clear advantage in negotiations.Previous €50 million package rejectedThe decision to formulate a new proposal comes after Manchester City rejected Barcelona’s opening formal bid. The initial package submitted by the Blaugrana board consisted of a €45 million fixed transfer fee, alongside an additional €5 million structured in performance-related add-ons.While City directors turned down the €50 million total package, viewing it as below their internal valuation for the World Cup Golden Ball winner, the direct club-to-club talks have not broken down. The Cityzens find themselves in a compromised negotiating position because Rodri has officially entered the final 12 months of his contract, meaning they must secure a sale during this transfer window or risk losing him for absolutely nothing next summer.High confidence at Camp NouBehind the scenes, Barcelona’s executive board has zero doubts regarding the ultimate outcome of the transfer saga. Senior figures at the club view the completion of the deal as a mere matter of time. The sporting department, led by Deco, is currently working on the exact numbers of the final fee to find a structural middle ground that satisfies Manchester City’s demands.Rodri only wants Barcelona. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)The club’s massive confidence is fueled entirely by Rodri’s firm stance. Although the midfielder had previously reached a verbal agreement on contract terms with Real Madrid, the intervention from Barcelona, including daily contact from his Spanish national team teammates, successfully convinced him to choose Hansi Flick’s sporting project instead. A secret meeting with Deco in Barcelona and some advice from former manager Pep Guardiola also played key roles.The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has made it very clear to Manchester City that he only wishes to join Barcelona. It is now only a matter of finalising an agreement over the transfer fee and the payment structure.

📸 This week’s kit news 👕Official releases, leaks, and great finds: OneFootball rounds up all the kit news from the week. As every year, AS Roma treated us!🐺 AS Roma - Away 26/27 (official)🔴⚫️ AC Milan - Third 26/27 (official)🌊 Monaco - Third 26/27 (official)🍊 Fulham - Away 26/27 (official)⚡️ Arsenal - Away 26/27 (official)🧊 Paris FC - Home 26/27 (official)🐉 Internacional - Third 26/27 (official)𐫱 Schalke - Away 26/27 (official)🫧 West Ham - Third 26/27 (official)🔥🐎 Juventus Turin - Third 26/27 (official)🦋 Aston Villa - Third 26/27 (official)💐 RC Lens - Away 26/27 (official)🐂 RB Brangantino - Third 26/27 (official)So, which one is your favorite? Tell us all about it in the comments!This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions mascot in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports We are four weeks away — FOUR WEEKS! — from Penn State football. Today, we have another new face on the roster #28 Bryson Williams.Williams comes from Nebraska where he was a three-star prospect in the 2026 class. Rivals had him ranked as the No. 32 overall safety. He originally committed to Iowa State over Vanderbilt, but decommitted from the Cyclones when Matt Campbell left town. Despite additional offers from Minnesota and Purdue, Williams made the quick flip to Penn State, where he’s settled in as an intriguing 6-foot-4, 188-pound safety. While it’s unlikely Williams breaks into the safety rotation this fall — he’ll need to add quite a bit of weight — it wouldn’t be unforeseen for Williams to earn some special teams action.Just 28 more days.

Hunter Biden listens while his father, President Joe Biden, speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)2026-08-08T13:01:46Z LONDON (AP) — Former U.S. President Joe Biden ’s prostate cancer has spread to other parts of his body and is causing him pain, even as he continues to speak out on public issues, his son Hunter said in an interview.In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC broadcast late Friday, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father’s condition, describing it as very sad to watch.“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” he said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”Biden, 83, was the oldest man to serve as U.S. president and his age was a source of concern for much of his four years in office. He and his White House advisers have faced intense criticism for allegedly concealing the extent of his problems, especially after he was forced to abandon his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with his eventual successor, Donald Trump. The former president revealed his cancer diagnosis in May of last year, less than four months after he left the White House.Hunter Biden said the diagnosis had been tough on the family. “It’s really sad to watch,” Biden said. “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”But Biden said his father remains “out there,” speaking publicly about the issues that are important to him.“He’s still doing his thing,” he said. “He so believes in this country.”Biden will publish a memoir, “Promise Me, America,” after the mid-term elections.

A 12-year-old unaccompanied minor who crossed into Spain is escorted by a Spanish soldier to the Spain-Morocco border as the child begs not to be sent back to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. The forced deportation of the unaccompanied minor was stopped by a high-ranking official a few meters before the child reached the border after residents and journalists said the migrant was a minor. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)2026-08-08T12:53:50Z MADRID (AP) — A diplomatic spat between Spain and Italy over the rush of tens of thousands of migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta escalated on Saturday after the government in Madrid announced border controls on Italian travelers in response to Rome’s decision to impose sanctions on visitors from Spain.Italians arriving at Barcelona airport were subject to random police checks after the controls were put into effect overnight, according to Spain’s state news agency EFE.The Spanish government said the controls would stay in place for at least a month after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected Spain’s warning on Friday that it would take “proportionate measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens” if Rome didn’t lift its own restrictions by an Aug. 9 deadline.Italy began enforcing air and sea border controls on Spanish citizens on Aug. 1 following Meloni’s scathing criticism of the progressive migration policies of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The feud was triggered after the sudden arrival of 72,000 migrants from Morocco at Spain’s North African territory late last month. Although most of the migrants have since gone back, more than 80 migrants died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.The migrant rush on Ceuta also reignited the immigration debate within the European Union, whose leaders criticized Sanchez for policies that they suggested were responsible for the massive influx. Hawkish EU leaders like Meloni pointed to such policies, including a Spanish government decision to carry out an amnesty for immigrants without residency permits who could prove they had been living in the country for at least five months and arrived before Jan. 1 this year. Over 1 million people applied before the window closed at the end of last month. Read More The 27-member EU bloc has a visa-free travel area known as Schengen that allows citizens of most EU countries to travel easily across borders for work and pleasure. According to the EU, member states are allowed to temporarily reintroduce controls at the EU’s so-called internal borders in case of a serious threat, such as one to internal security. But it also says border controls should be applied as a last resort in exceptional situations, and must be time-limited. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Meloni’s office on Friday said Italian authorities “have no intention” of lifting border checks on people arriving from Spain by sea or air until at least Aug. 15 — six days after the Spanish deadline. “Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad about national security and border control,” a statement said.Should there be a repeat of migrant arrivals in Ceuta, Italy would review its decision to impose the checks “only when we are certain that there will be no security or terrorist risks for Italy, that there will be no new wave, and that there are no irregular migrants heading towards European territory,” the statement added.

A 12-year-old unaccompanied minor who crossed into Spain is escorted by a Spanish soldier to the Spain-Morocco border as the child begs not to be sent back to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. The forced deportation of the unaccompanied minor was stopped by a high-ranking official a few meters before the child reached the border after residents and journalists said the migrant was a minor. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)2026-08-08T12:51:05Z BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese authorities detained a former senior Syrian military officer who commanded an army division under ousted President Bashar Assad and might hand him over to Damascus on alleged crimes that he committed, Lebanese judicial and security officials said Saturday.After the fall of Assad’s government in December 2024 when Syrian insurgent groups captured his seat of power in Damascus, a number of military and security officers fled to neighboring Lebanon, where some still remain. If Maj. Gen. Adel Issa is sent to his home country, it will be the first time Beirut has handed back an Assad-era official. Since the ouster, dozens of members of Assad’s security agencies blamed for atrocities have been arrested and put on trial in Syria. The officials said Issa, who once commanded Syria’s military 17th Division, went to the Syrian embassy in Beirut on Friday for some paperwork. Embassy officials contacted Lebanon’s prosecutor’s office to tell them that Issa is wanted in Syria, the officials said. The Lebanese Public Prosecutor’s Office dispatched a team from the Central Criminal Investigation Department and arrested Issa and transferred him to the Beirut Palace of Justice detention center, said the officials.The four judicial and two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media about the matter. Issa told his interrogators in Beirut that he crossed to Lebanon illegally after Assad’s fall but denied all accusations. The officials added that since Issa was detained on Friday, which is the weekend in Syria, Lebanese judicial authorities will wait for Syrian authorities to send his charge sheet on Monday. Read More The officials said Lebanese authorities will study the case and decide on whether they will hand over Issa to Syrian authorities next week.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said after commanding the Syrian army’s 17th Division, Issa was moved in 2015 to command ground forces in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq and that he retired in late 2016.Syria’s conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 before turning into a civil war, left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded. Assad and his powerful younger brother, Maher, fled to Russia following the ouster. Assad’s cousin Atef Najib, who was blamed for atrocities that helped trigger the uprising in Syria 15 years ago, was put on trial in April. The ruling in his case is expected next week.

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Faced with the Boston Red Sox being the hottest baseball team on the planet right now, the New York Yankees have to keep winning either to stay just ahead in the American League standings or maintain pace to hold their postseason bid. Ryan McMahon’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Yankees to a 3-2 walk-off win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. That victory kept them a half-game ahead of the charging Red Sox for second place in the AL East in addition to the league’s top wild-card playoff spot. Against Braves reliever Tyler Kinley in the 10th, José Caballero struck out with a two-strike bunt attempt going foul. Kinley then intentionally walked Spencer Jones and walked George Lombard Jr. after missing low and outside with several sliders. That moved designated runner Luis Garcia Jr. to third base. Walk-Off W. #RepBXpic.twitter.com/jYskxcs8h3— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 8, 2026Facing McMahon, Kinley worked the Yankees’ third baseman inside with five pitches before leaving a slider on the low, outside corner of the strike zone. McMahon lifted the ball to right field, deep enough for Garcia to score the game-winner. The Braves and Yankees were tied 0-0 into the eighth inning with Atlanta’s trade-deadline addition Tyler Mahle pitching 6 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts and 3 hits allowed. Max Fried countered for the Yankees by keeping his former team off the scoreboard for 6 1/3 frames, allowing 3 hits with 7 strikeouts. But Braves third baseman Austin Riley broke the scoreless tie to lead off the eighth with a home run off Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz. Cruz’s splitter on a three-ball, two-strike count was inside but stayed in the middle of the zone, allowing Riley to turn on it. Atlanta increased its lead to 2-0 in the ninth with Matt Olson golfing a low, inside sinker from Tim Hill over the right-center field fence. Against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias in the bottom of the ninth, Lombard reached base on a one-out infield single. He advanced to third base when Iglesias threw the ball past Olson at first base. Iglesias recovered to strike out McMahon, but then spun a changeup in the middle of the zone to Austin Wells and the Yankees catcher hit it for an RBI double. Amed Rosario followed up by drawing a walk on an eight-pitch battle with Iglesias, missing outside with a sinker. The Braves closer then left another changeup in the middle of the zone to Ben Rice, who blasted a double off the right-field wall to drive in Wells and tie the score at 2-2. The Yankees have won four of their past seven games to stay just ahead of the Red Sox amid their 27-3 surge, one of the best in baseball history. On Saturday, they face Chris Sale (12-6) and his 2.08 ERA — second-best in the NL. Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.42) gets the start for the Yankees.

The Chicago Bears announced several roster moves ahead of Saturday's training camp practice, which included two new additions to the roster after Friday tryouts.The Bears have signed defensive backs Brandon Hill and William Wright and have waived defensive backs K.C. Eziomume and Gervarrius Owens with injury designations.Chicago previously signed veteran safety Xavier Woods while placing Dallis Flowers on injured reserve on Friday. The Bears' defensive back depth has been tested early in training camp, and the team continues to make moves to shore things up.More to come.Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramThis article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears sign two defensive backs amid injuries to the roster

The Tush Push isn’t going anywhere.Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion confirmed that the team’s signature short-yardage play will remain in the offense as he installs a new system around Jalen Hurts.“It’s going to be a part of what we do,” Mannion said. “It’s been an extremely effective play here. We’re going to lean into that.”Mannion’s answer ends any questions about whether a change at offensive coordinator could lead Philadelphia to move away from the play. The Eagles are adjusting their formations, terminology and overall approach, but there is little reason to remove something that has consistently worked.Philadelphia’s success with the Tush Push begins with Hurts’ lower-body strength, but the play requires timing, leverage and execution from the entire offensive line. Opponents have tried to replicate it without achieving the same results, while repeated attempts to remove it from the NFL rulebook have failed.A Green Bay Packers proposal to prohibit teammates from pushing a ballcarrier received 22 votes in 2025, falling two short of the 24 required for approval. No proposal to ban the play was submitted this offseason, allowing the Eagles to continue using it in 2026.Sean Mannion on the Tush Push: “It’s going to be a part of what we do. It's been an extremely effective play here. We’re going to lean into that.” pic.twitter.com/wvsGl9UYeg— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 8, 2026Hurts enters the season with 63 career rushing touchdowns, including eight last year. Not every score came on the Tush Push, but the play has helped turn Philadelphia into one of the league’s most difficult teams to stop in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Mannion was hired to bring new ideas and help the Eagles become more efficient. That doesn’t mean removing productive elements from the previous system.The Eagles will continue to expand their offense throughout training camp, but when Philadelphia needs one yard, everyone should expect to see Hurts line up behind center, with teammates ready to push him forward.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Sean Mannion confirms Tush Push will remain in Eagles' offense

The Scottish Football Association is to hold a "critically important" summit around the future of the national game.An email has been sent to all Scottish Professional Football League clubs to attend the forum, which will take place in St Andrews on 4 September.The email, which has been seen by BBC Scotland, says the SFA will "discuss opportunities" around homegrown talent and hear from clubs who have "optimised their elite talent development model".The memo also states the objective is to focus on the "current reality" facing Scottish football.Part of the conversation will be around improving the prospects for homegrown Scottish talent and increasing revenue streams for clubs.This comes after Scotland's national team failed to make it out of their group at the men's World Cup, their first finals since 1998.The summit will be hosted by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and chief football officer Craig Mulholland.'Vast amount of change needed'Former Aberdeen and Scotland defender Willie MillerWhy do we need serious change? Is it an issue with getting young players through the academies? What is actually wrong with our game in Scotland?We've qualified for three major tournaments. The fans seem to be buying in to the league set-up. The numbers are up and the numbers seem to speak for themselves.I'm all for them getting together, I'm all for the authorities speaking to the clubs. There are issues and there are problems. There will be resistance.Dundee manager and former Scotland defender Steven PressleyWe're finally beginning to see some of our young players playing in the lower leagues [on loan via co-operation agreements]. Young players playing games in a competitive, man's environment from an early age is critical.Often, players that you don't think are the ones that'll come through are often the ones that come through just when they get opportunity and exposure. Players just surprise you with opportunity.Former Hearts, Motherwell and Rangers midfielder Andy HallidayThere's a vast amount of change needed, from the ground up. There has to be x amount of Scottish talent in a matchday squad. There has to be a clearer pathway between youth football and first-team football.From grassroots up, there's a multitude of changes that have to be made. We have to deliberately delay 11 v 11 football. Can it go back to nine-a-side football? There's more one-v-ones, more decision making, more game involvements, they'll have double the amount of touches. Technique should be paramount.