Diretório

The start of the 2026 high school girls soccer season in Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Maine is coming soon. Players and teams are poised to showcase their talents.Coaches from each Seacoast high school girls soccer team was invited to nominate a for 2026 Preseason Player of the Year.How do I cast my vote?Voting can be completed through the ballot below. Voting closes at midnight Thursday, Aug. 13.How do we learn who wins?The winner will be announced in a story published Friday, Aug. 14 at seacoastonline.com/sports and fosters.com/sports.Who are the nominees?Mallory Baker, St. Thomas Aquinas, senior, forwardBaker, a Division III all-state first-team selection, had 20 goals and eight assists last season, guiding the Saints to the semifinal round. Jacqueline Diallo, Traip Academy, junior, strikerDiallo, a first-team Western Maine Conference Class C selection, had 20 goals and 10 assists, guiding the Rangers to the Class C South semifinals.Lydia Edgerly, Newmarket High School, senior, defenseEdgerly anchored the Mules' defense last season and is poised for strong senior season.Molly Houlihan, Winnacunnet High School, senior, defenseHoulihan was a Division I all-state second-team selection last season for the Warriors, who beat second-seeded Pinkerton, 2-1, in the state championship game.Harper Levitsky, Exeter High School, senior, midfieldLevitsky, a Division I all-state first-team selection, had 13 goals and nine assists last season, and was one of six New Hampshire players named to the United Soccer Coaches All-New England girls high school soccer team.Hayden MacNeill, Oyster River High School, senior, defensive midfieldMacNeill is a two-year starter for the Bobcats, playing nearly every minute last season in Oyster River's run to the Division II semifinals.Hazel Martin, Marshwood High School, senior, goalieMartin had multiple Class A South shutouts last season, as well as a 19-save performance against Windham, and a 13-save showing against Scarborough.Nora O'Malley, Dover High School, senior, keeperO'Malley registered eight shutouts last season, earning Division I all-state first-team honors for the second straight year.Natalie Plaisted, Spaulding High School, junior forwardPlaisted had a team-high two goals and was among the top on the team in minutes played last season.Jaela Stockbower, Portsmouth Christian Academy, senior, center midfieldStockbower, last year's Division IV Player of the Year, was second on the Eagles last year with 22 goals, and had a team-high 18 assists.Grace Ward, Portsmouth High School, senior, defenseWard, a captain last season for the Clippers, was a Division I all-state honorable mention selection.This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Vote for 2026 Seacoast high school Preseason Girls Soccer Player of the Year

2026-08-10T11:01:56Z The crew of a yacht owned by Mark Zuckerberg did not hear a radio call for a maritime assist from a small skiff that ran out of fuel off the coast of Alaska, and by the time it did, another nearby ship had already rendered assistance, a spokesperson for the Meta CEO said.The Alaska Beacon reported that the skiff had issued a call for assistance through the U.S. Coast Guard last week and a nearby small cruise ship, the Wilderness Legacy, towed it into nearby Farragut Bay in Southeast Alaska and refueled it.Although it was closer, Zuckerberg’s yacht, called Launchpad, had not responded to the call.“I’m on a small-ship Alaska cruise with my son,” Michael Love, a passenger who said he was on the Wilderness Legacy cruise ship, wrote on Bluesky on Aug. 5.“Our boat rescued a stranded vessel last night and apparently we did that after the Coast Guard radioed Mark Zuckerberg’s yacht — which was closer — and they repeatedly refused to respond. (There was near unanimous booing when the captain announced this),” he said. The Alaska Beacon reported that the spokesperson told them via email on Sunday that the yacht Launchpad did not initially hear the call for assistance. “Mark and his family were not on board at the time of the incident. As the Coast Guard noted, the boat was not in distress, and by the time the crew reviewed the Coast Guard contact on a different radio channel from the one they were operating on, the assist was already underway. We’re grateful all parties are safe,” the email to the Alaska Beacon said.

Armed National Guard soldiers from West Virginia patrol the Mall near the Capitol in Washington, as part of President Donald Trump's order to impose federal law enforcement in the nation's capital, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)2026-08-10T11:08:29Z WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s been 12 months since President Donald Trump announced a crime emergency in Washington, pledging to make the city “safe and beautiful” and deploying the National Guard. But a mission that seemed temporary has been extended through January 2029. Residents and a new cadre of local officials see in it an unacceptable attempt by the federal government to restrict the heavily Democratic city’s autonomy and, a year in, still question why having troops on the streets of the nation’s capital is necessary. “There’s a deep irony that here we are in the capital of the free world, and our president is treating it like a police state,” said Scott Michelman, legal director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. “D.C. residents have lived with our National Guard troops in our neighborhoods for about a year, despite the absence of any genuine emergency and really any reason for them to be here.” The continued deployment will be a major test for a new batch of political candidates expected to take office after the midterms this fall. Residents will look to them to push back on the Republican president’s encroachment into the city’s affairs — although they are limited in what they can do to counter it. A temporary deployment goes on and onOn Aug. 11, 2025, Trump announced that he was launching a federal law enforcement surge in Washington aimed at fighting crime. As of Aug. 4, more than 4,600 military personnel from D.C. and 24 states and territories were still deployed alongside unknown numbers of less visible federal law enforcement officers. Some are expected to be withdrawn toward the end of the summer. Read More Small groups of armed guard members have become a routine presence on the streets of Washington. They have supported arrest operations but are also seen patrolling tourist areas, such as along the Tidal Basin during the Cherry Blossom Festival and in neighborhoods such as Georgetown where violent crimes are rare. They have helped with medical emergencies, snow removal and beautification projects — initiatives that have received support from some residents. Extending the deployment into 2029 will cost about $1.4 billion, according to a Defense Department estimate. “President Trump has transformed D.C. from a crime-ridden city into a safe and beautiful haven for residents and visitors alike,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in an email. Figures posted to the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Columbia credit the surge with more than 13,000 arrests.Crime, which was falling before the surge began, continues to drop. Metropolitan Police Department statistics show overall crime was down 20% through Aug. 7, compared with the same period in 2025. That includes a 32% drop in homicides, from 97 to 66. But there’s a debate over how much of that success is owed to Trump’s mission or to yearslong local efforts to chip away at the crime rate.What is certain is that locals feel the weight of the deployment and do not see a clear way to push back against it. National Guard deployments to other cities have been blocked by courts, and a lawsuit challenging the deployment is pending, but critics of the surge are not hopeful.“The fact that we still have the National Guard walking our streets a year later with no end in sight is really demoralizing,” city council member Brianne K. Nadeau said. Autonomy is a top priority for newly elected candidatesBecause Washington is a congressionally established federal district, Trump has much greater influence over the police and D.C. National Guard, which he controls directly, including its commander.The Home Rule Act, passed in 1973, allows residents to vote for local leaders, including the mayor and council members. Congress has oversight over the local budget and review authority of all laws passed and the ability to summon district officials to the Capitol routinely to explain themselves. The D.C. delegate to Congress is a nonvoting position.The city’s governmental structure under home rule made it easy for Trump to do what he has done, Nadeau said. “There isn’t really any political liability for national leaders to mess with D.C. because nobody really cares,” outside of those directly impacted, she said.The law enforcement surge played a major role in Democratic primary elections in June, which elevated candidates who have made Washington’s autonomy and statehood top priorities. Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist who in the overwhelmingly Democratic city is likely to be its next mayor, has already rankled Trump. He threatened to put the city under federal control if she wins.Robert White Jr., another pro-statehood candidate, won the Democratic primary for the city’s seat in Congress.And while they are hamstrung by the city’s status, both hope they have strategies that can help fight back against the president and the deployment. White told The Associated Press he plans to build “an army of residents” and allies to target swing districts and work at “un-electing” people critical of the district and “electing those who do support D.C.”The action is similar to one a former D.C. congressional delegate, Walter Fauntroy, successfully pursued in 1972, mobilizing Black voters and allies against a South Carolina Congress member who had long opposed D.C.'s independence. “He didn’t deploy that strategy a bunch of times, but it sent a signal to people to lay off of D.C.,” White said.The city’s outgoing mayor, Muriel Bowser, avoided the kind of biting rhetoric and personal attacks typical of other high-profile Democratic leaders, despite the unprecedented intervention into her city. A major part of that was to avoid raising Trump’s ire and threaten what independence the city has. An emailed statement from Bowser’s office said that despite challenges to its independence the city has progressed in achieving its goals. “The safety and well-being of everyone in our city remains our top priority and protecting home rule remains our North Star,” the statement said.“We’re more than monuments and politics,” Bowser said in a 48-second video pinned to her X account. She said the city is made up of more than 700,00 taxpaying Americans who serve in the military, run businesses and raise families and “we don’t have voting representation in Congress. We don’t control the D.C. National Guard, and we don’t have full access to full American democracy.”Concerns over troops in the city during electionsDonna Powell, who is living part time in the city, said she and her husband walk and metro everywhere. “We’re already safe and beautiful,” she said. “We don’t need all these National Guard here.”The money could be better spent “on healthcare and food for families that need it.”The National Guard deployment has raised concerns among some over what the upcoming midterms and the 2028 presidential election will look like with troops on the streets. “The last time this president was supposed to come out of power, Jan. 6 happened,” said Alex Dodds, co-founder of FreeDC, an activist group that has protested the deployment by following and filming National Guard troops in quiet areas of the city far away from crime concerns. “Imagine if that happens again but this time he has 5,000 troops standing at the ready to be part of that situation. You know, that’s our worry.”

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that talks with Oman on shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz were “separate” from discussions to fully reopen the waterway.

Sam Schwartz, a former New York City traffic commissioner, thinks autonomous vehicles are the future. But his book, “Autokill,” imagines a world where they go very wrong.

As the festival brings thousands of shows to the Scottish city, there’s also plenty of merriment out on the streets.

New signing Saibari and quartet join FC Bayern’s team trainingIsmael Saibari, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry have all participated in FC Bayern’s team training on Monday. All five players were present at Säbener Straße this morning when training resumed at Bayern after their successful Asia trip.The new signing Saibari is still waiting for his first appearance in Bayern colors as he suffered an injury in Morocco’s win over Davies’ Canada in the World Cup Round of 16 tie. Davies only played one game for the co-hosts during the tournament.Karl and Gnabry missed the World Cup due to serious injuries, while Musiala underwent a small operation after Germany’s early return from North America. All five players will now have good chances of playing in the first competitive game of the season on August 22nd, the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund.

Richie Berrington and Bas de Leede are the current captains of Scotland and the Netherlands respectively [Getty Images]The cricket boards of Scotland and the Netherlands have criticised the International Cricket Council for structural changes made to the men's 50-over World Cup.Last month the ICC announced the main part of the tournament for 2027 would be 12 teams in two groups of six, rather than 14 as originally planned.The three lowest-ranked qualifiers will instead be placed in a preliminary three-team Super Series, from which only the winner will progress.It effectively means the likes of Scotland and the Netherlands face three qualifying tournaments to reach the main group stage of the World Cup.A joint statement from Cricket Scotland and Royal Dutch Association (KNCB) said they had "significant concerns" about the "impact of these changes" along with the "process through which they have been introduced". "The changes risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket, and only highlights the importance of strong governance, transparent decision-making and effective engagement with members," the statement said."Changing those structures at short notice creates significant uncertainty, disrupts planning, and places additional operational and financial pressure on organisations that are already operating with limited resources."ICC considers World Cup cuts & WTC semis in overhaul Scotland scrape past UAE with one wicket & ball leftThe changes to the World Cup were agreed during meetings at the ICC's annual conference held in Edinburgh in June. However, BBC Sport understands nearly all Associate members were kept in the dark over the changes despite being present at the conference.Cricket Scotland and the KNCB said they remain "fully committed" to "working constructively with the ICC". But the two boards accused the global governing body of being "disrespectful" in how they have handled some of the discussions following the announcement."Cricket Scotland, KNCB and other Associate members met twice with the ICC, seeking official written communication on the changes and greater clarity around the processes involved," the statement added."We also requested positive action to strengthen future operational decision-making and an invitation to bilateral planning meetings with full members. "Since the second meeting more than two weeks ago, there has been no further response from the ICC, which is disappointing and disrespectful given the significance of the issues raised."The joint statement follows concerns raised by the World Cricketers' Association last month over the decision.Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

After De'Aaron Fox's rough showing in the NBA Finals, team sources said the Spurs remain committed to the veteran, pointing out that San Antonio might have never reached the Finals without the point guard's contributions while playing on a high right ankle sprain. Ultimately, though, sources said the decision between Fox and Harper will belong to Johnson and will be decided solely by what happens on the floor.ESPNThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Spurs remain committed to De'Aaron Fox

East Asia Super League: Lachlan Olbrich to Alvark Tokyo. A big signing for the reigning Emperor’s Cup champions. Lachlan Olbrich joins Alvark Tokyo on a one-year deal for the 2026–27 season. The 6-foot-9 forward won the 2025 NBL championship with the Illawarra Hawks before being selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 55th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After playing for the Golden State Warriors at the 2026 NBA Summer League, Olbrich now lands in EASL.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lachlan Olbrich joins Alvark Tokyo on a one-year deal …

Romeo Akachukwu spent time on loan at Colchester last season [Getty Images]Young Southampton midfielder Romeo Akachukwu said that scoring his first senior goal for the club meant "the world" to him. The 20-year-old added a second for Saints on Saturday against Colchester as they won away from home to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup. He latched onto a pass from Finn Azaz before cutting inside and finishing on his left foot into the far corner. "It means the world really," he told BBC Radio Solent. "I scored already in pre-season and I knew that if I kept getting into good spaces and pockets, then the chances would keep coming. "I work on my finishing in training, so it's nice to see my work paying off. I hit the ground running in Eastleigh, so hopefully I can keep continuing this." Akachukwu has played 50 times for Southampton's U21's side, scoring 11 times.He impressed and scored during Saints' first pre-season game against Eastleigh in July and joined the squad through the rest of their training camp in Germany. "I've had conversations with the manager about this season," Akachukwu added. "He just wants me to keep working, and you never know what's around the corner, and injuries could happen elsewhere in the team. "It's important that I keep my head down, stay patient and keep working. We all know the quality that we have in this team, and I'm more than happy to learn behind those boys, and when I get my chance, like today, just continue to take it."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks at the NYCLU's May Day rally for worker's and immigrants rights at Foley Square, May 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)2026-08-10T11:37:43Z Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she is freezing her eggs as she decides her next political moves ahead of the 2028 presidential election campaign. “This is a choice that I am making to feel more in control of my life,” Ocasio-Cortez, 36, said on Instagram about her decision regarding her reproductive options.The New York congresswoman, a leading figure of Democrats’ progressive left flank, did not say explicitly whether she plans to have children. She said in her social media posts that she was taking a “political risk” in talking so personally about her potential family plans. She said later on ABC “This Week” on Sunday that she has not ruled out running for president or for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrats’ floor leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, in 2028. She explained that she wants to normalize conversations about what women face in their professional and personal lives, while also highlighting the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration. “In this political environment, where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy, I think it’s important for us as leaders to have these conversations,” she said. Trump’s administration opposes abortion rights, and the Republican president’s first-term appointees to the Supreme Court provided the margins in the 2022 ruling that struck down the Roe v. Wade decision that had established a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy. Separately, however, Trump in 2025 signed an executive order designed to lower the costs of in vitro fertilization. Read More Ocasio-Cortez sponsored a Democratic bill in 2022, when the party controlled the House, to codify abortion rights into federal law after the Supreme Court’s abortion decision. As part of her weekend announcement, Ocasio-Cortez noted that women — in politics and other fields — face different standards and scrutiny about their family status. “Men run for office, or frankly they interview for jobs, and people don’t think in the back of their minds, ‘OK, this guy’s running for office, how old is he? Oh, well, is he going to want to start a family?’” she said. BILL BARROW Barrow covers U.S. politics for The Associated Press. He is based in Atlanta. twitter mailto

Nature, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02453-0Four researchers born after 1997 describe how they stay motivated and cultivate resilience during difficult times.

When Katherine and Genevieve moved into their Spanish bungalow-style Southern California home (built in 1933), they set out to find a way to honor the space’s past while also looking toward their future. This included the “mismatched but functional” kitchen, as Genevieve described it. Initially, the three countertops and two cabinets were competing against each other for space and the eye. Additionally, a pocket-sized laundry room divided the space. READ MORE...

White is a classic wall color for a reason. Its versatility makes it a timeless choice for every room, whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, or home office. It’s neutral and adaptable, suiting any aesthetic or wall art style, and can help even the smallest room feel fresh and open. But all white paint colors are not created equal! READ MORE...

Decluttering your home is an ongoing process — sometimes it’s quick and easy, other times, it’s hard and emotional. Regardless of how big or small the project, it’s best to take things one step at a time. By breaking it down into manageable stages, something that once felt impossible suddenly feels completely achievable.Ready to get started? READ MORE...

Real Madrid have three more signings planned after a busy summer transfer window – reportReal Madrid could still have plenty of work to do in the transfer market despite already completing six signings this summer, with journalist Juanma Rodriguez claiming that the club are planning three more additions.The Spanish giants have already moved aggressively to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season. Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries were brought in before the World Cup, while Carlos Espi and Yan Diomande have since joined the first-team setup.However, according to Rodriguez (as relayed in Defensa Central), Real Madrid are not finished yet.The club is still preparing to make three further signings, with a centre-back and a midfielder among the positions being targeted.Real Madrid planning three more signingsSpeaking about Real Madrid’s transfer plans, Rodriguez revealed that further activity should be expected before the window closes.“There will be more moves, from what I’m told. I understand there will be three signings. One of them is a centre-back and another a midfielder. “I mean, beyond what has already been signed,” Rodriguez stated.Real Madrid can still make three more signings. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)The claim suggests that Real Madrid’s summer rebuild is much bigger than the six completed transfers might initially indicate.The club has already added considerable experience and quality to the squad, but Mourinho wants further reinforcements in key areas.A new centre-back is one of the main priorities. The need has become even clearer with the Portuguese manager looking for greater depth and another defender capable of competing for a starting position.The midfield is another area where Real Madrid could make an addition. Mourinho wants a positional midfielder who can provide greater balance and protection in front of the defence.That profile has been one of the manager’s priorities since he arrived at Valdebebas.So what now?Real Madrid’s transfer strategy has been closely linked to Mourinho’s demands.Mourinho really likes Alessandro Bastoni. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)The Portuguese coach made it clear upon arriving that he wanted another centre-back and a midfielder capable of operating in a more disciplined positional role.On that note, Alessandro Bastoni is one of the defenders most closely associated with his plans. The Italian is understood to be one of the manager’s preferred targets, although his arrival would depend on Raul Asencio leaving Real Madrid first.Asencio is not part of Mourinho’s plans, creating a potential chain of events in the centre-back department.The midfield situation is similarly open.Real Madrid are monitoring several options, including Adam Wharton and Kees Smit, as they look for the right profile to strengthen the position.Whether any of those names become the final additions remains uncertain, but the club’s search for another midfielder is clearly active.

Kane, Olise and Upamecano likely to start on bench against DortmundKicker report FC Bayern trio Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano will most likely start on the bench for the game against Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. The season curtain-raiser will be played on August 22nd.The reason would be the fact that the players will only have a few days of training before the game. The World Cup semi-finalists are expected to return to Säbener Straße at the end of this week.They will first report for performance tests before being able to join training sessions. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany welcomes five players to full training on Monday. New signing Ismael Saibari, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry resumed team training after the rest of the team returned from the Asia tour.FC Bayern haven’t missed a single Supercup since 2012, but it’ll be their first encounter with Borussia Dortmund in five years. Back then, Bayern lifted the trophy with a 3-1 victory in front of only 25,000 fans at Signal Iduna Park due to COVID-19 restrictions.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 03: Miguel Rojas #72 of the Los Angeles Dodgers signs autographs prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kyle Sheridan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association on Friday announced the 30 Heart and Hustle Award winners, a player from each team who “exemplify a true passion for the game and who best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”Voted on exclusively by former MLB players, the Dodgers Heart and Hustle Award winner this year is infielder Miguel Rojas. The 13-year veteran who plans to retire at the conclusion of the season and move into a role in the Dodgers’ front office is hitting .268/.326/406 with a 100 wRC+ in 180 plate appearances this season, including .324/.366/.490 with a 135 wRC+ against left-handed pitching.The longtime shortstop this season has started 22 games at second base, 15 more at shortstop, and twice at third base. This is the third career Heart and Hustle Award for Rojas, who also was honored in 2019 and 2021 with the Miami Marlins. LinksYoshinobu Yamamoto leads the majors averaging 6.63 innings per start, but David Adler at MLB.com notes how Yamamoto is the only one of the top 10 starters by run value to not throw a fastball as his most frequent pitch. Yamamoto through Saturday has thrown his devastating splitter 27.1 percent of the time this season, compared to 26.6 percent for his four-seam fastball.Will Klein last Saturday was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic over the weekend reported Klein has bone chips in the elbow, and surgery is among the options behind considered.Bradford William Davis at his eyeblack newsletter talked with an MLB compliance staffer who contradicted the league’s party line regarding how baseballs are inspected.

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh expects three to five more signings before the transfer window closes and admits results are not where he would like them to be.The Ibrox club have already added nine new faces this summer but sit on just one league point after two league games under new manager Derek McInnes.They also trail Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 after the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie last week.Cavenagh told shareholders that business so far has been "clunky" but they are working hard to bring success."There's certainly work to be done," he said, speaking at an open forum in Glasgow."I don't like putting a number on it but certainly I'd hope three to five more players are coming in and a number will possibly go out."McInnes left frustrated amid Rangers' poor start to seasonChermiti injured after Rangers reject bid for strikerRangers host Jagiellonia in the second leg on Thursday, with either Northern Irish champions Larne or Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia awaiting the winners in the play-offs."It sucks that we have to play a number of important games before the window closes but that's how it works," Cavenagh added."When we came in around a year ago, our ambition was sustained winning and winning sustainably."I understand we're not there yet; I'm more optimistic now that I was a year ago."We could look at how things have gone in the first three games and sit here and sulk, but we're not going to do that."When we came in, we realised finishing second and sometimes worse, was seeping into every corner of this club and we had to change that, but it takes time."'Klopp-style manager' McInnes fits Rangers 'style and culture'Cavenagh was joined in the room by chief executive Jim Gillespie and shareholder Paraag Marathe.Gillespie was asked about the appointment of McInnes, who fell just short of winning the title with Hearts last season."You can go for a Pep [Guardiola] style manager or a [Jurgen] Klopp style manager - we wanted a Klopp-style manager who plays on the front foot," Gillespie said."Derek has been high on our list for a long time and we think he fits the style and culture of this club."He also confirmed the club are seeking clarification from the SFA regarding the VAR call that led to a Hibernian penalty in Sunday's 2-1 defeat."It was my understanding that it has to be a clear and obvious error for the referee to be called over," Gillespie said. "I didn't see that as either clear or obvious."We need a strategy for developing referees and VAR."My question for the SFA would be 'what is the strategy for improvement?' - we have to get improvement."Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan viewsGet Rangers news notifications in the BBC Sport app

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant once again found a way to entertain fans, but this time it was not with his bat. During India's warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter showed off his football skills while batting in the second innings.Instead of using his bat to deal with deliveries going wide, Pant used his feet to kick the ball away. The unusual moment soon caught attention on social media, with clips of Pant's act being widely shared.Pant takes 21 balls to get off the markPant was dismissed cheaply in India's first innings, but he took a completely different approach when he came out to bat again.The left-hander was unusually cautious and remained scoreless for his first 21 balls. His slow start even appeared to surprise head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was watching from the dressing room.However, after spending some time at the crease, Pant changed gears and brought out his familiar attacking style.Three sixes as Pant changes gearsOnce he found his rhythm, Pant began taking on the Sri Lankan bowlers. He smashed three huge sixes and played attacking shots against Keshav Nuwanta and Dilum Sudheera.Sudheera then changed his bowling plan in an attempt to keep Pant quiet. He started bowling well outside the leg stump to stop the batter from playing his big shots.— SonySportsNetwk (@SonySportsNetwk) Rather than simply leaving the deliveries going wide, Pant used his feet and kicked the ball away like a footballer. The unusual move brought plenty of laughter.India won the warm-up game by six wickets, giving the team valuable match practice before the Test series.India will now take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series, starting August 15 in Galle.The second and final Test will start on August 23 in Colombo.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduces Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on the nomination Lunday for Commandant of the Coast Guard, Nov. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)2026-08-10T11:54:11Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Ten Republicans will compete in a special primary election Tuesday to replace the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on South Carolina’s general election ballot. The candidates running to replace him include two congressmen, a former governor and Graham’s sister, now a U.S. senator appointed to serve out the final months of his current term.Lindsey Graham won the June 9 Republican primary for renomination to the seat he first won in 2002, but his unexpected death on July 11 from an aortic tear created a vacancy not only for his current U.S. Senate seat but also for his spot on the November ballot as the party’s pick to compete for another six-year term.U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to fill her brother’s vacant seat, has President Donald Trump’s endorsement to compete in the general election as the new Republican nominee. Among those challenging her in the special primary are U.S. Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, former Gov. Mark Sanford and business owner Mark Lynch, who ran against Lindsey Graham in the June 9 primary. Norman recently sought the nomination for governor and placed third in the primary.If no candidate receives a vote majority in the special primary, the top two vote-getters will advance to a special primary runoff on Aug. 25. The winner will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician who challenged Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in the 2022 general election.Lindsey Graham last won reelection in 2020 with 54% of the vote. Trump carried the state in the 2024 presidential election with 58% of the vote. Read More Greenville County is the most populous in the state and typically contributes the most votes in statewide Republican primaries. It also has a bit of an independent streak. In the June 9 primary, a plurality of Greenville County voters preferred Lynch over Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate race and Norman over the two candidates who would advance to the runoff for governor.Democratic-leaning Richland and Charleston counties have the next-largest populations and contribute a sizable number of votes in Republican primaries, but they tend to be more influential in Democratic contests. Horry, Lexington and Spartanburg counties are also large counties that have big impacts on Republican primaries. Spartanburg was the only other county where Lynch outperformed Lindsey Graham in the June primary.Besides Greenville County, Norman also was the top vote-getter in York County and three smaller neighboring counties, all in his 5th Congressional District, in the June gubernatorial primary.Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied:When do polls close?Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.What’s on the ballot?The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in the special Republican primary for U.S. Senate.Who gets to vote?Voters who participated in the Democratic primary on June 9 may not participate in the special Republican primary on Tuesday. Only Republican primary voters or registered voters who did not participate in any party’s primary may cast ballots in Tuesday’s election. How many voters are there?As of Friday, there were about 3.4 million registered voters in South Carolina. Voters in South Carolina do not register by party.How many people actually vote?About 465,000 voters cast ballots in the June 9 Republican U.S. Senate primary in which Lindsey Graham was renominated. About 319,000 voters participated in the June 23 Republican gubernatorial primary runoff.How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot? About 29% of the vote in the June 9 Republican state primary was cast early in person or by mail.As of Friday, about 42,000 ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election.When are early and absentee votes released?Nearly all of South Carolina’s 46 counties release all or almost all of their early in-person and mail voting results in the first vote update of the night, usually before releasing any results from in-person Election Day voting.How long does vote-counting usually take?In the June 9 primary election, the AP first reported results at 7:22 p.m. ET, or 22 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 12:19 a.m. ET, with more than 99% of total votes counted. When will the AP declare a winner?The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.How do recounts work?In South Carolina, recounts are automatic if the margin between the winning and losing candidates is 1% of the total vote or less. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. Are we there yet?As of Tuesday, there will be 84 days until the 2026 midterm elections.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/. ROBERT YOON Yoon is an elections and democracy reporter for The Associated Press, with a focus on analyzing vote and demographic data and explaining the intricacies of the electoral process. He is now covering his seventh presidential campaign cycle. facebook mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Count Binface leaves after being interviewed at a studio in London ahead of the Clacton by-election, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)2026-08-10T11:50:21Z LONDON (AP) — Count Binface, a serial comic candidate who wears a garbage can on his head, is stealing the show in a special election after being a running joke in British politics for nearly a decade.The so-called intergalactic space warrior is among a field of 33 other candidates facing off Thursday against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a contest being boycotted by the major U.K. political parties.But Binface stands apart from the others from the wacky side of British politics with his garbage bin-topped suit of armor and absurd policies listed in a 20-point manifesto.The leader of the Recyclons on the so-called planet of Sigma IX is a firm believer in the practice of reuse. His manifestos over the years reflect this by mixing the old with the new in the policies he’s announced during challenges against several prime ministers and the mayor of London. Binface says he stands by his past manifestos.Here’s a look at policy highlights from the current campaign in Clacton-on-Sea and previous races: I will cut your taxes, and raise everyone else’s.I pledge to build at least one affordable house.Arcade grabber games to be made fairer so players actually have a chance to win. Oil and gas companies to pay for solar panels for everyone. (From Jack, aged 10.)A windfall tax on cozy crime novels written (or “written”) by celebrities.A referendum on whether Pluto should regain its planet status.Potholes to be filled, using copies of the 2024 Labour Party Manifesto. Read More Wi-Fi on trains that works. Also trains that work.Cyclists who break the highway code to be forced to ride unicycles instead.People who use speakerphones on public transport to be conscripted.The hand dryer in the gents’ toilet at the Crown & Treaty pub, Uxbridge, to be moved to a more sensible position.Wallace and Gromit to be knighted, for services to Wensleydale.Loud snacks to be banned from cinemas and theaters.The royal family to keep one of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St. James’s Palace and Clarence House, with the rest gifted to the nation to help eradicate homelessness. If the royals complain that one palace isn’t enough, they will be forced to buy Crystal Palace soccer team.

I’m getting them for all over my house. READ MORE...

UEFA and Concacaf are continuing to put pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Following news that Infantino wanted to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, both UEFA and Concacaf have emerged as the biggest critics of the president, suggesting he needs to resign. On Monday, they continued to up that pressure, and found a third confederation to join their crusade. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Concacaf and UEFA released a joint statement Monday, outlining the reasons they believe FIFA needs new leadership. In the statement, which was titled, “Open letter to the football family.” The three confederations make it clear that they are united in their opinion that one person is not responsible for success in the sport, and that soccer’s accomplishments are shared among “FIFA, the confederations, the member associations and the thousands of people who dedicate their lives to the game.”The letter then takes Infantino to task for his leadership and integrity. “This is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it. “Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding — or demanding — power to be held. It is a duty of service to the football family that entrusts it.“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”The three confederations then criticize Infantino’s approach after his private-investor plan fell through. The confederations accuse Infantino of failing to communicate his plan ahead of time and then not provide an adequate timeline for member associations to properly review the issue before bringing it to a vote. The confederations also said FIFA did not “acknowledge that the proposal itself was inherently wrong.”While FIFA has stated it would present a full report of how the proposal came to be, the confederations noted they don’t trust FIFA to conduct that review itself, calling for a “fully independent third party” to be responsible for a review.In the wake of mounting pressure, Infantino held a FIFA leadership meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. The confederations questioned that decision, noting that there were few elected officials present at the meeting and that no FIFA council members or member associations were invited to take part in them. The confederations also pointed out that select members of the FIFA management committee were asked to attend that meeting, not the full committee. And questioned why Infantino scheduled that meeting abroad, and not at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. The letter concludes:“There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness. “These are not the qualities football deserves in its leadership. That is why we have taken this stance: not lightly and not alone, but together, and out of duty to the game we serve.“Football’s strength has always been its unity. We call for that unity to be honoured now, for leadership that serves football, not seeks to command it.”This story will be updated.

New Jersey champion Bayonne Little League faces New York champion PYA Little League of Port Washington today, Monday, Aug. 10, in the winner's bracket of the Little League Metro Region Tournament.\nBayonne advanced with an 8-2 victory over Connecticut champion Darien, while PYA opened regional play with an 18-0 win over Rhode Island. The winner of today's game advances to the Metro Region championship game and moves within one victory of the Little League Baseball World Series 2026 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.\nHere's how to watch New Jersey vs. New York, what time the game starts, and the latest Little League World Series Metro Region bracket and schedule.\nBayonne Little League: When is NJ vs NY Little League World Series game on?\nBayonne vs Port Washington play at 1 p.m. ET today, Monday, Aug. 10, in the 2026 Little League Baseball Metro Region Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut.\nA win would send Bayonne to the Metro Region championship game and move the New Jersey champions within one victory of the Little League Baseball World Series 2026. The loser of the NY vs NJ game will play an elimination game against Connecticut's Darien on Friday, Aug. 12.\nWhere can I watch New Jersey vs New York Little League game today?\nThe Little League World Series 2026 regions game between New Jersey and New York will air on ESPN. Fans can stream ESPN through services including Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream.\nBayonne and New York's Port Washington Little League are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. ET Monday in Bristol.\nWatch New York vs New Jersey Little League Baseball Game 4 on Fubo\nHow to follow NJ vs NY Little League score\nThe score of the Bayonne vs Port Washington (PYA) game will be updated live on GameChanger, the official scoring and statistics partner of Little League Baseball.\nFans can also follow live scores, play-by-play updates, player statistics and pitch tracking throughout the Metro Region Tournament.\nLLWS Metro Region 2026 schedule\nNew Jersey, New York, Connecticut (Darien Little League) and Rhode Island (Lincoln Little League) are competing in the 2026 Little League Baseball Metro Region Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut. Only one team will advance to the Little League Baseball World Series 2026.\nMonday, Aug. 10\nNew York vs. New Jersey, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)\nWednesday, Aug. 12\nConnecticut vs. Loser of NY/NJ, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)\nFriday, Aug. 14\nMetro Region Championship, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)\nWhen does Bayonne play next?\nIf Bayonne defeats New York today, the New Jersey champions will advance directly to the Metro Region championship game on Friday, Aug. 14.\nIf Bayonne loses, it will face Connecticut in an elimination game on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and would need to win twice to reach Williamsport.\nLittle League Metro Region bracket\nYou can follow the 2026 Little League Baseball Metro Region Tournament matchups, dates and times via the printable bracket below or online.\n\nHow old are Little League World Series players?\nLittle League Baseball World Series players are ages 10 to 12.\nThe tournament is played in Little League Baseball's Major Division, commonly referred to as 12U baseball.\nWhen is the Little League World Series 2026?\nThe Little League World Series 2026 begins Aug. 19 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The tournament runs through Aug. 30 and features 20 teams from the United States and around the world.\nLittle League World Series 2026 schedule\nThe Little League World Series 2026 begins Aug. 19 and concludes Aug. 30 with the championship game.\nWednesday, Aug. 19\nLatin America vs. Caribbean, 1 p.m. ETSoutheast vs. Northwest, 3 p.m. ETCanada vs. Asia-Pacific, 5 p.m. ETMetro vs. New England, 7 p.m. ET\nThursday, Aug. 20\nAustralia vs. Mexico, Noon ETGreat Lakes vs. Mountain, 2 p.m. ETCuraçao vs. Japan, 4 p.m. ETWest vs. Midwest, 6 p.m. ET\nFriday, Aug. 21\nPanama vs. TBA, 1 p.m. ETSouthwest vs. TBA, 3 p.m. ETEurope-Africa vs. TBA, 5 p.m. ETMid-Atlantic vs. TBA, 7 p.m. ET\nFans can find the complete Little League World Series schedule on Little League's official website.\nLittle League World Series 2026 bracket\nYou can follow the Little League World Series 2026 tournament matchups, dates and times via the printable bracket below or online.\n\nLori Comstock is a New Jersey-based reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network's Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.\nThis article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ vs NY Little League World Series 2026 game today; watch Bayonne

Cheltenham Town have brought in winger Jake Evans on a season-long loan from League One side Leicester City.Evans, 17, played 16 times in League One for Northampton Town last season."I'm over the moon to be here," he told the club website. "I have had a taste of senior football, and I just want more. I can't wait to play for the Gaffer and the Robins fans."Manager Steve Cotterill added: "Jake has been one of my targets throughout the summer. There was a lot of interest in Jake from League Two and higher up the pyramid."As well as being an exciting player, it is also worth remembering that he is a young man learning his trade in the men's game."All done deals in August 2026All the latest Cheltenham Town news

Sovereignty wins Saturday's $1 million Grade I Whitney Stakes. Photo by Amria Chichakly/Coglianese Photography, courtesy of NYRAAug. 10 (UPI) -- Sovereignty was the shining star of weekend horse racing, dominating the Whitney Stakes on a stellar program at Saratoga as races around the country continued to shape up year-end showdowns.Along the way, trainer Bob Baffert started to show the next chapter in his mastery of 2-year-olds headed toward the Triple Crown trail.And on the global scene, Group 1 events in Ireland, France and Germany carried implications for the near future.Classic Explora wins Saturday's Grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga. Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photography, courtesy of NYRASovereignty dominated Saturday's $1 million Grade I Whitney at Saratoga, blowing the doors off a field that included the reigning Dubai World Cup winner, a Breeders' Cup Classic winner and last year's champion 3-year-old filly.Nitrogen, the star filly, led to the furlong pole in the 1 1/8-mile contest, but offered no resistance as Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado flew by en route to a 4 3/4-length score.Katie's Grade wins Saturday's Bison City Stakes at Woodbine. Photo by Michael Burns, courtesy of WoodbineNitrogen gamely held second over longshot Antiquarian, with Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude and 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio reporting sixth and last in the seven-horse order of finish.Sovereignty, winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Jim Dandy and Travers, missed the Breeders Cup last year because of a fever, but was named Horse of the Year, anyway.Deterministic wins Saturday's Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga for the second straight year. Photo by Chris Rahayel/Coglianese Photography, courtesy of NYRAHe started 2026 with question marks after finishing second to White Abarrio in the Grade II Oaklawn Handicap and third in the Grade I Stephen Foster, won by Magnitude. He answered those questions Saturday and can get another chance at the Breeders' Cup, as the Whitney was a "Win and You're In" race for the Classic.On Sunday morning, the trainer reported that Nitrogen, last year's champion 3-year-old filly, exited the race in good order and will return to female competition in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 4 again.On Sunday at Mountaineer, Bracket Buster shook free from seven rivals in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes and got away in the stretch to win by 15 lengths over Warp Nine.While the emphasis was on older horses, the weekend wasn't totally devoid of interest on the 3-year-old front. At Mountaineer, Zihnal pressed the early pace in Sunday's $400,000 Grade III West Virginia Derby, shot to the front when asked and won off by 6 1/4 lengths over Trendsetter.DistaffAt Woodbine, Katie's Grace came from last of five to win Saturday's $350,000 (Canadian) Bison City Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 2 lengths over Bold Time. She finished fourth in the Woodbine Oaks in her previous start. Oaks winner Luster skipped the Bison City in favor of a run against colts in the King's Plate on Aug. 15.On Sunday at Ellis Park, Five a Side won the $200,000 Groupie Doll Stakes by 6 1/4 lengths and Conceit took the $200,000 Audubon Oaks by 3/4 length.Dirt mile Igniter ran to his odds in Sunday's $400,000 Ellis Park Derby, taking charge a furlong out and drawing off to win the 1-mile test by 4 lengths. On the same program, Owen Almighty led all the way to a 1 1/4-length score in Sunday's $200,000 R.A "Cowboy" Jones Stakes.Filly & mare sprint Explora stalked the pace in Saturday's $500,000 Grade I Test Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, collared the leaders on the turn and exploded through the stretch to win by 5 lengths over Percy's Bar.She ran 7 furlongs in 1:22.42 for jockey Flavien Prat, boosting her record to six wins and three seconds from 10 starts. Her only non-exacta finish was a fourth in the Kentucky Oaks.Turf The top three finishers from last month's Grade I Belmont Derby were back for Saturday's $750,000 Grade I Saratoga Derby, but none was a match for British invader Glacius. The Hugo Palmer-trained son of Too Darn Hot shot to the front, built a daylight lead and was never threatened, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over West End Kid.Glacius arrived with a somewhat underwhelming resume -- a single win from five starts, none of them above Group 3 level.Also: Air Recruit won Saturday's $100,000 Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park and English Actor took Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Niagara Stakes at Woodbine.Filly & mare turf Kentucky Belle came off a four-month layoff to upset Friday's $500,000 Grade II Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks by a head over the favorite, Faithful Departed.The Justify filly, trained by Brad Cox for owner/breeder WinStar Farm, started second-last of eight, rallied outside rivals right behind Faithful Departed and outkicked that horse in the final strides.It took a while for Warming to get warmed up in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar, but once the 4-year-old Global Campaign filly got rolling from the back of the seven-horse field, she got the job done. At the finish, it was Warming by a neck over long-time leader Princess Moche with Take a Breath another neck back in third.Turf mile A brief but intense downpour hit Saratoga as the horses paraded to the post for Saturday's $750,000 Grade I Fourstardave. But as the rain eased, Deterministic did not, rallying past pacesetting Mi Bago to a 1 1/2-length victory, his sixth straight win, a repeat in the Fourstardave and a "Win and You're In" spot in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile.Bottas took away long shot Blinging It Back's brief stretch lead and ran on to win Friday's $400,000 Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes for 3-year-olds by 1 1/2 lengths over that rival. The favorite, Touch of Fire, finished third, a neck farther back.Turf sprint John the Beer Man won Sunday's $300,000 Grade II Troy Stakes at Saratoga by a neck and Doubting Thomas won Saturday's $100,000 Colonial Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds at Colonial Downs.Juvenile Here come trainer Bob Baffert's early Kentucky Derby prospects.Add to the list Hughes, who kicked away from four rivals to win Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Best Pal at Del Mar by 7 3/4 lengths, and Salahudin, who jetted off to win Sunday's $250,000 Ellis Park Juvenile by 4 1/2 lengths.Juvenile fillies The Baffert 2-year-old heroics weren't restricted to the colts. On Sunday at Del Mar, the silver-haired trainer had Holmby just right for the $150,000 Grade III Sorrento, and the Corniche filly responded with a rallying effort that saw her home first by a neck as the odds-on favorite.Also: Manuka Honey won Sunday's $250,000 Ellis Park Debutante, Liberty Rings took Saturday's $100,000 Scandalous Act at Gulfstream Park and Whitten Way won Saturday's $75,000 Blue Hen at Delaware Park.Around the world, around the clock Ireland Sun Goddess provided trainer Aidan O'Brien with his 18th victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes for 2-year-olds, rallying smartly from last to lead in the final furlong. The Sioux Nation filly then held off Folsom Blues by 1 1/2 lengths at the finish. She won for the third time in five starts and has never been worse than second.France Samangan was a budding star for the Aga Khan's Studs as a 2-year-old, winning three of four starts, but had, by the owners' standards, underperformed through the first half of 2026.The Blue Point colt turned that narrative around Sunday at Deauville, mustering a stout run between rivals to win the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest by a neck over Division, with Stolen Kiss third and the favorite, 1,000 Guineas winner True Love, fifth.Germany Tiffany broke a long spell of "second-itis" with a hard-fought victory in Sunday's Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin.The 6-year-old daughter of Farhh drove to the lead through an inside gap at the top of the straight and battled with a Godolphin pair as the finish approached.Running on gamely, she held off a late bid by 3-year-old Bright Light, who edged 10-year-old Dubai Future for second. Luke Morris rode the winner for Sir Mark Prescott.

🤕 Cruciate injury? Roony Bardghji sets alarm bells ringing at BarçaTerrible news for FC Barcelona. Young forward Roony Bardghji was forced to leave this morning’s training session after suffering an incident that has set off all the alarm bells among the Blaugrana coaching staff.According to several journalists close to the club, the Scandinavian footballer was unable to complete the session with his teammates and left the pitch in tears and showing clear signs of pain. The scene immediately caused huge concern on the field.Initial impressions point to a serious problem. Although the club is remaining cautious, the early signs suggest that a ligament in his knee could be affected, a diagnosis that has sent shockwaves through the Barça camp.In the coming hours, the player will undergo extensive medical tests at the club’s training ground. It will then be up to Barça’s medical staff to issue an official statement determining the exact extent of the injury.This possible absence is a major setback for the team’s plans, as they could lose one of their most promising players at a key point in the season. The fans are anxiously awaiting the final medical report.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

2026-08-10T12:42:54Z Taylor Fresh Foods, parent company of Taylor Farms, is voluntarily recalling some products that include jalapenos because of worries about a possible salmonella contamination.The announcement comes a few weeks after Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico because of a potential link to a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has sickened people across the U.S. Taylor Fresh Foods said that it was pulling some products including jalapenos from stores shelves after finding out that Coast Citrus Distributors was voluntarily recalling fresh jalapeños due to a potential salmonella contamination.Taylor Fresh Foods said that the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were working with state and local partners to investigate illnesses in a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections linked to fresh jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. The company said that a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, a supplier to Coast Citrus Distributors, was identified as the potential source in the outbreak. Taylor Fresh Foods said that it is no longer sourcing products from the farmer and will be filling orders from alternative suppliers. The company is currently not aware of any reported illnesses linked to its products containing jalapeños.The list of recalled products were distributed by Taylor Farms in multiple states with a “Best If Used By” date up to and including Aug. 16, 2026. The products were sold at stores including Kroger, Stop & Shop, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Walmart. Consumers who have any recalled product are advised to discard it immediately and not eat it. Refunds are available at the location of purchase.Consumers with any questions can contact Taylor at 855-455-0098 Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm PT.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, center, gestures toward U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., during a campaign event, Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Bristol, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)2026-08-10T12:39:41Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Two veteran Democratic incumbents in Connecticut face strong challenges in a state primary on Tuesday.The contests take place as elements within the party look to redefine the Democratic brand ahead of the midterm elections by replacing old guard figures with younger and often more progressive alternatives.Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont is running for a third term but must first clear a challenge from state Rep. Josh Elliott. Both candidates have raised just shy of $400,000 in contributions from individual donors. Nonetheless, Lamont, a wealthy former cable entrepreneur, has far outspent Elliott, thanks to $9.5 million in personal funds he’s invested in his campaign. Elliott has received about $3.8 million from the state’s public election funding program.A primary upset by Elliott, along with additional Tuesday primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, could extend a progressive winning streak that began this summer with the defeat of Democratic incumbents in New York City and Colorado and continued with a high-stakes victory in the Michigan U.S. Senate primary on August 4. The Democratic nominee will face Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio in November. Republicans last controlled the governorship from 1995 to 2011. Lamont was first elected in 2018 with 49% of the vote and reelected in 2022 with 56%.In the 1st Congressional District, longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. John Larson is running for a 15th term. Challenging him for the nomination are former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford Board of Education member Ruth Fortune and state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest. This year marks Larson’s first primary challenge since he was first elected in 1998. He won a close primary that year with 46% of the vote but has not appeared on a primary ballot in his subsequent 13 reelection bids. Read More Bronin has slightly outraised and outspent Larson in the campaign overall, although Larson had a slight edge in terms of available cash heading into the primary campaign’s final three weeks. Gilchrest and Fortune trailed far behind in fundraising.Larson turned 78 in July. In 2025, an incident on the House floor sparked concerns over his health and age when he suffered what he later described as a complex partial seizure while delivering a speech. He said the episode, which caused him to briefly but abruptly stop speaking, was related to a heart condition that he now treats with medication. The district is heavily Democratic. Larson received 63% of the vote in his 2024 reelection campaign. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris received about 61% of the district vote in the presidential race.All 36 state Senate seats and all 151 state House seats are up in 2026. Democrats hold two-to-one majorities in both chambers.Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied:When do polls close?Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.What’s on the ballot?The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for U.S. House, governor, state Senate and state House. Who gets to vote?Voters registered with a political party may participate only in that party’s primary. Democrats may not vote in the Republican primary or vice versa. Independent or unaffiliated voters may not participate in either primary.How many voters are there?As of October 2025, there were about 2.5 million registered voters in Connecticut, including about 878,000 Democrats and about 529,000 Republicans.How many people actually vote?About 114,000 Democratic primary ballots and about 94,000 Republican primary ballots were cast in the 2022 state primaries.How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot?Early voting was enacted in Connecticut after 2022. There was no statewide Democratic primary in 2024, but about 17% of the Republican primary vote in the 2024 state primary was cast early in-person or by mail.As of Friday, about 43,000 Democratic primary ballots and about 3,900 Republican primary ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election.When are early and absentee votes released?Connecticut runs elections at the town and city level. There are 169 separate jurisdictions administering local elections and they vary in terms of how and when they release results. In many of the larger jurisdictions, results from a mix of voting methods are released together throughout the night. How long does vote-counting usually take?In the 2024 general election, the AP first reported results at 8:12 p.m. ET, or 12 minutes after polls closed. The vote count reached the halfway mark at 12:25 a.m. ET. By 2:06 p.m. ET the day after Election Day, about 90% of the total vote had been counted.When will the AP declare a winner? The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. How do recounts work? Recounts in Connecticut are automatic if the vote margin is less than 0.5% of the total votes cast but does not exceed 2,000 votes. Recounts are also automatic in races where the margin is less than 20 votes or in the case of a tie vote. If a recount results in a tie vote, a runoff election (called an “adjourned election” in Connecticut) is held. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.Are we there yet? As of Tuesday, there will be 84 days until the 2026 midterm elections.___The AP’s Matthew Junkroski contributed to this report.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/. ROBERT YOON Yoon is an elections and democracy reporter for The Associated Press, with a focus on analyzing vote and demographic data and explaining the intricacies of the electoral process. He is now covering his seventh presidential campaign cycle. facebook mailto

The Vermont state Capitol building is seen, May 8, 2025, in Montpelier, Vt. (AP Photo/Alex Driehaus, File)2026-08-10T12:23:52Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Democrats will try on Tuesday to do something they’ve been unable to do in five previous attempts: nominate a gubernatorial candidate who can beat Republican Gov. Phil Scott.Voters will also decide contested Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and state auditor and choose a Republican nominee to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Becca Balint in November.Scott is one of only two Republican governors to serve a state that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried in the 2024 election. But toppling him this fall will be no easy feat. He received 73% of the vote in his 2024 reelection bid, improving upon the 69% he won in 2022.He’s also been a rare Republican critic of President Donald Trump. Scott not only endorsed former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley for president in the 2024 primaries, but he also says he voted for Harris over Trump in 2024 and for Joe Biden in 2020. He is unopposed for the Republican nomination. Two Democrats are running to challenge Scott: economist Amanda Janoo and former child advocacy organization CEO Aly Richards, who boasts endorsements from former Democratic Govs. Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin. Richards has raised about $453,000 for her campaign, compared to about $308,000 for Janoo. Richards also had about double Janoo’s cash reserves as of the end of July.In Vermont, the governor, lieutenant governor and other state constitutional officers serve two-year terms. If Scott is reelected and completes another term, he’ll surpass Dean as Vermont’s longest serving governor since it became a state. All 30 state Senate seats and all 150 state House seats are up in 2026. Democratic state lawmakers suffered significant losses in the 2024 general election, losing more than two dozen seats across both chambers, along with their supermajorities. This year could prove to be another difficult one for the party but for different reasons: Democratic incumbents in five state Senate districts and 11 state House districts face primary challengers. Republican incumbents face challengers in only one state Senate district. Read More For state legislative primaries, the number of winners in each contest varies by district. With multiple winners in many seats and relatively low turnout for down-ballot primaries, especially on the Republican side, determining the winners could come down to a relatively small number of votes.Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied: When do polls close?Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.What’s on the ballot?The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor, auditor, state Senate and state House.Who gets to vote?Any registered voter may participate in any party’s primary. Vermont does not register voters by party.How many voters are there?As of July, there were about 501,000 registered voters in Vermont.How many people actually vote?About 23,000 Republican primary voters and about 33,000 Democratic primary voters cast ballots in the 2024 gubernatorial primaries. How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot? About 30% of the vote in the 2024 state primary was cast by mail. In the presidential primaries that year, about 24% of Democratic primary voters and about 13% of Republican primary voters cast mail ballots.As of Friday, about 17,000 ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election.When are early and absentee votes released?Vermont runs elections at the town and city level. There are 247 separate jurisdictions administering local elections, and they vary in terms of how and when they release results. In many of the larger jurisdictions, the bulk of results from both mail voting and in-person Election Day voting are released together in their first vote updates.How long does vote-counting usually take?In the 2024 state primary, the AP first reported results at 7:18 p.m. ET, or 18 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 11:45 p.m. ET with about 87% of total votes counted.When will the AP declare a winner?The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. How do recounts work?A candidate may request a recount if the vote margin falls below a certain threshold. In federal, statewide and state Senate elections, a recount may be requested if the vote margin between the winning and losing candidate is 2% or less of the total votes cast, divided by the number of persons to be elected for that position. For state House and local races, the required margin is 5% or less of the total votes cast, divided by the number of persons to be elected. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. Are we there yet?As of Tuesday, there will be 84 days until the 2026 midterm elections.___The AP’s Matthew Junkroski contributed to this report.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/. ROBERT YOON Yoon is an elections and democracy reporter for The Associated Press, with a focus on analyzing vote and demographic data and explaining the intricacies of the electoral process. He is now covering his seventh presidential campaign cycle. facebook mailto

This image released by Voracious shows a recipe for watermelon granita from the cookbook "I Love You" by Pamela Anderson. (Ditte Isager/Voracious via AP)2026-08-10T12:24:12Z My cookbook “I Love You” began as a box of recipe cards: a housewarming gift for my sons, inspired by our homegrown traditions and world travel. Since I don’t have a strong sweet tooth, dessert for me is more about being social and having something to share over cards, tea and coffee. A treat for the kids and their friends. This Watermelon Granita is something beautiful to pull out at a barbecue — either in paper cups or in crystal glasses on a long picnic table outside… the dessert itself is pretty enough. Not all my dinners end in dessert, but I like to make sure all senses are firing, and a cool treat outside on a hot day is always appreciated.Watermelon GranitaServes 4 to 6Ingredients6 cups diced seeded watermelonJuice of 1 lemon⅓ cup granulated sugar DirectionsCombine the watermelon, lemon juice and sugar in a blender and puree on high speed for 1 minute. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours.Use a fork to scrape the frozen mixture to create tiny ice crystals. Return to the freezer and continue checking and scraping every 30 minutes or so until the granita is completely frozen as beautiful flaky crystals. Serve in little bowls. ___Pamela Anderson, author of “I Love You,” is an actress, activist, and lifelong cook and homemaker. Above all else, she says, being a mother to sons Brandon Thomas Lee and Dylan Jagger Lee has been her greatest source of pride.Excerpted from “I Love You” by Pamela Anderson. Copyright (copyright) 2024 by Anderson Media Company, LLC. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved.

404 Media is publishing this article in partnership with Proof News, a new nonprofit media outlet investigating the social impacts of AI. Join their mailing list here and read the version of this article on their site here. Robotics companies promise that video-camera-toting security robots can deter and detect crime. But many companies are rethinking the approach after a trail of canceled contracts and questions about whether the artificial intelligence-powered bots are meeting the needs of businesses and local governments.Proof News found evidence of at least 21 security robot deployments since 2015. We contacted contract holders and combed news articles and determined that at least 13 of those programs have ended. Silicon Valley-based Knightscope secured the most security robot contracts, according to Proof’s analysis, and also suffered the bulk of cancellations.For example, New York City’s then-Mayor Eric Adams installed a Knightscope robot on the overnight shift at the Times Square subway station, but the program was scrapped when the pilot expired in 2024. City leaders did not respond to Proof News’ questions about why the robot wasn’t renewed. By the end of its assignment, it was reportedly gathering dust in an empty storefront. Outside Columbus, Ohio, the city of Dublin pulled the plug on a Knightscope robot in May, ending its two-year pilot program after less than 10 months. The city enlisted the robot, dubbed DubBot, to patrol a downtown park, but city spokeswoman Robyn Gray said it “did not fully meet our operational needs,” and failed to identify any criminal incidents or lead to any tickets or arrests.Sheila Sparks isn’t surprised. Her family has operated Sparks Protection Services near Columbus for more than a decade and said a human touch is essential to de-escalating sticky situations. “A robot can’t do that,” Sparks said. Seeking a new path forward in the security industry, Knightscope CEO William Santana Li said the company is forging a new model, combining its robots and AI-powered software with another key ingredient: human security guards. Knightscope announced it purchased Event Risk LLC, a national security guard firm, earlier this year.Knightscope has incurred net losses since inception in 2013, according to its most recent quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and is $273 million in debt. Knightscope hopes its pivot to incorporate people will give it a greater share of the physical security market — which the company believes is worth an estimated $230 billion annually.Li declined to answer questions about the disbanded programs, but said in an email, “Technology cannot do everything — and neither can people — but the combination can be very powerful.” ROBOTS VS WORLDKnightscope and other American made robotics companies could get a boost from the recent U.S. Federal Communications Commission ban on foreign-made mobile robot imports. Officials cast the move as a national security imperative given the machines’ surveillance capabilities. But American roboticists are facing more than foreign competition. Robots have long struggled to navigate environments constantly in flux. AI can’t handle the ambiguous situations that security guards and police face daily, said Missy Cummings, a robotics professor at George Mason University. While AI decision systems perform well in narrow circumstances, she said, they can perform “miserably” as soon as algorithms are outside their training dataset.“AI and robots for security have had a long problematic history,” Cummings said in an email, speaking generally. “I do not see this changing anytime soon.” In 2016, a Knightscope robot deployed at a shopping center in Silicon Valley rolled over a 16-month-old boy's foot. The company apologized for the “freakish accident” at the time, saying in a statement that the robot veered to avoid the child, who ran backwards and directly into the machine. The next year, one flopped into a Washington, D.C. fountain. The company responded with humor, tweeting: “BREAKING NEWS: “I heard humans can take a dip in the water in this heat, but robots cannot. I am sorry.” Li, meanwhile, told the New York Times that the incident was under investigation and a new robot would be delivered free.When asked about whether contracts remained active, representatives from neither property responded.Then there was a trial at the San Antonio International Airport in 2024. Spokesperson Ana Flores said its Knightscope robot struggled with badge scanning, communication, and finding its way around. A door alarm would sound, she said, but the robot wouldn’t respond efficiently. Airport leadership opted to not move forward with a one-year, $21,000 Knightscope lease following a one-month test.Meanwhile, private security is booming. Security officers have proliferated in recent years as cities embrace private guards, who earn an average of about $40,000 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half that of police officers. Robotics companies pitch their autonomous robots — some of which can be equipped with cameras, facial recognition capabilities, and license-plate readers — as another set of eyes. They have no family to go home to and are happy to work nights and weekends.Security robots promise “an alluring form of surveillance as a service,” Andrew Ferguson, a law professor at George Washington University, said in an email to Proof. In some cases their visible video cameras can “deter crime without having to pay a human being a salary,” he said, but it’s not clear that robots prevent or solve crimes better than people.“They exist as a physical manifestation — a symbol, if you will — that someone is doing something to address potential crime,” Ferguson said. “Robots are a form of security theater, more optics than results.”CRUMPLED CONTRACTSKnightscope isn’t the only one seeing interest fizzle.Officials in Salem, Oregon, powered off their Daxbots after a three-month pilot with the Oregon-based robotics company earlier this year. They had deployed three Daxbot robots to deter trespassing in a downtown parking garage. The robots recorded license plate numbers, captured photos of vehicles violating parking lot rules, and shared data with police.Complaints about the parkade are “drastically down” since the pilot ended, according to Salem Police Sgt. Trevor Morrison, but it’s unclear if that’s due to traffic-calming devices or “residual results from the Daxbot patrols.” The pilot ended in April, with city spokesperson Nicole Miller citing no additional funding for robot security. Daxbots have also disappeared in Tempe, Arizona. A viral video of one blue-eyed bot being outwitted by an onlooker who it demanded “leave the premises” made its way to “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” When asked about the contract, the mixed-use campus, IDEA Tempe, did not respond. Daxbot didn’t respond to Proof’s questions about why the Salem and Tempe contracts ended. Adam Pioth, who posted the video, told Proof that he visited the robots frequently. A few months ago, he noticed the robots no longer shouted he was trespassing. Instead, he said, they would, “stop, look at me, and then just keep going really slow.” And then, he said, they were gone.“Goodbye my friend,” Pioth wrote on Instagram in March, “and thanks for all the fond memories.”Daxbot is recalibrating its business, rolling into another industry: automated sidewalk assessments. Proof identified at least nine cities nationwide that have contracted with the company since last September to send robots cruising sidewalks to check for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.Boston Dynamics is best known for its robotic patrol dogs, which were recently deployed to two World Cup stadiums. After Hyundai bought the controlling stake in the robotics company in 2021, it began pushing to develop mass-produced humanoid robots to work in automotive manufacturing.Atlas, its humanoid robot, delivered the match ball to the referee during a game in July. But the strategy has also spurred rolling strikes at Hyundai Motor’s Korean assembly plants. Critics claim police and security robots aren’t proven crime fighters, but are effective at one thing: surveillance.In 2021, the New York Police Department ended its lease for a Boston Dynamics robotic dog and returned it, The New York Times reported, following public outcry. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the tool — which could climb stairs and was equipped with cameras, lights, and a two-way communication system — “surveillance ground drones” being “deployed for testing on low-income communities of color.”Boston Dynamics did not respond to requests for comment. “What it’s really doing is building a mass surveillance system that is impossible to hide from,” said Brian Hofer, executive director of the privacy-advocacy nonprofit Secure Justice. “It is not a society I want to live in.”Steve Rosta, retired highway patrol officer and co-owner of Direct Approach Security Services in Ohio, said robots’ cameras may act as a deterrent, and even catch videos of crimes, but he can’t see a future where the machines are more reliable than a human guard. “I’m old school,” Rosta said. “Boots on the ground is always better.”

We’re answering some questions about the solar eclipse on Aug. 12, and providing a place for you to ask more of them.

Why settle down in one place when the whole country can be your home? Grab your bindle, hop one of these boxcars, and you’ll always have a roof over your head and a corner to defecate in. Reference #368409 The post The Rails appeared first on The Onion.

PHOENIX—Horror and revulsion at drastic changes to a longstanding package design were alleviated Friday by reassuring text on a Cheez-It box that promised consumers the interior product still retained its familiar great taste, retail sources confirmed. “My legs nearly buckled out from under me right in the snack aisle when I saw what had seemingly been done to my beloved crackers,” said local shopper Peter Wildmon, appearing rattled as he spoke to reporters in the parking lot of the McDowell Road Safeway following the harrowing incident. “The sleeker, punchier logo yanked away the world I’d grown up in and made me fear that my lifelong snack of choice had been fundamentally altered forever. Luckily, by God’s grace, I can corroborate that no detectable change has been effected upon the delicious taste of Cheez-It snack crackers.” Wildmon, who stated he was “still getting over the bald Pringles mascot,” revealed that he remained deeply shocked, but was prepared to confront the jarring new world created by the revised packaging with courage and the support of family members. The post ‘Same Great Taste’ Caveat Mitigates Trauma Of Snack’s New Look appeared first on The Onion.

NAPERVILLE, IL—Veering from the intended subject matter just seconds into their conversation, local father Andrew Parker’s effort to sit his son down for a sex talk quickly devolved into a rambling diatribe about all-star two-sport athlete Bo Jackson, sources confirmed Thursday. “Well, Caleb, sometimes two people love each other very much, just like Bo Jackson loved baseball and football—and he had the talent, not to mention the drive, to dominate in both, because the man was a once-in-a-century physical freak,” Parker told his 11-year-old son during their three-minute-long chat, making a brief, unclarified reference to “intimate feelings” before running down Jackson’s rushing statistics during his Heisman Trophy–winning season at Auburn University. “We’re talking about a guy who could swat aside 230-pound linebackers like they were gnats, and then step up to the plate and face down Nolan Ryan. I mean, he was hitting for average, hitting for power, and good fucking luck throwing him out on the base paths when he had the jump on you! He was a phenom, and it still makes me sick to think about what he could have accomplished if he hadn’t hurt his hip. That’s why it’s important to be careful with your health, in lots of different ways. Anyway, I should go see if Mom needs help with dinner.” Parker reportedly concluded the talk by telling his son he was always there for him if he had any other questions about Bo Jackson. The post Sex Talk Devolves Into Dad Rambling About Bo Jackson appeared first on The Onion.

WASHINGTON—With fragrant smoke wafting down Pennsylvania Avenue as a line of administration officials and VIPs stretched around the block, sources reported Saturday that leadership at the U.S. Department of the Interior had begun grilling up the nation’s last remaining endangered species. “Whooping crane’s served!” said an apron-clad Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who manned multiple grills on the new patio in the White House Rose Garden and was seen struggling to flip the vanishing bird’s three-foot-long wings with a set of tongs. “Hoo boy, that’s looking good. Get ’em while you still can, people! I’m about to throw some woodland caribou on there, too. Oh, and the jaguars! You won’t find these anywhere else in the whole country. Just tell me how you want yours cooked. You know how it is—some folks like their jaguar well-done, others like it still roaring.” “Ah shoot, that was the last one of those,” Burgum added as he fumbled a juicy thigh from the world’s only remaining Laysan duck and it fell in the dirt at his feet. “Well, I suppose I can still make some kabobs from that ivory-billed woodpecker we found.” Guests said they “couldn’t get enough” of the now-extinct Māui dolphin’s mouthwatering flipper meat. According to government sources, the weekend event was the culmination of an order issued by the president and carried out by U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents, who were deployed in all 50 states to hunt down every animal and plant covered by the Endangered Species Act and take steps to preserve the “texture and flavor of any such specimens.” The so-called “kill and brine” mission has seen over 1,600 of the nation’s most at-risk wildlife species butchered, seasoned, and smoked on thousands of barbecue pits dispatched by the Interior Department to nature preserves across America. At the event in Washington, Fish and Wildlife Service director Brian Nesvik stood alongside Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who watched as the world’s last 50 or so Māui dolphins rotated on their spits, slowly roasting at 225 degrees until they were fall-off-the-bone tender. “I came back for seconds of the red wolf, but those are all gone, unfortunately,” said Nesvik, who showed reporters the homemade spice mix he brought to use as a dry rub for barbecuing Hawaiian monk seal. “Might have to try me some Sonoran pronghorn while I still have a chance. [Supreme Court Justice Brett] Kavanaugh told me it’s great if you put a little mango habanero glaze on there. I gave him a little taste of the black-footed ferret off my plate—that stuff was nice and moist and had an interesting tang to it.” “Honestly, the best part of this cookout has been chowing down on species I’ve never even heard of,” Nesvik continued. “Who knew Gulf Coast jaguarundi was so good?” Eyewitness accounts indicated not all dishes were equally popular. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin was seen fighting with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins over a plate of ribs from the last surviving southern sea otter, such was the demand for its reportedly succulent flesh. Meanwhile, the scalloped hammerhead sharks—which attendees agreed looked impressive with apples in their mouths and on silver platters borrowed from the White House—were deemed bland and “too fishy,” causing several hundred pounds of half-eaten carcasses to be thrown away. “This smalltooth sawfish tastes like ass,” said barbecue guest and ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods, who also complained that the last hawksbill sea turtle should have been served “with perfect sear marks” instead of in the thin, watery soup that failed to satisfy his appetite. “Thank God they’ve got that Rice’s whale searing over the charcoal, or I’d go hungry. I mean, the Utah prairie dog they offered was so emaciated you could barely sink your teeth into it. And the vegetarian options are a joke. I don’t even know why they bothered with this slimy ghost orchid risotto.” The post Dept. Of Interior Grills Up Nation’s Remaining Endangered Species appeared first on The Onion.

New Delhi: Neel Patel's first cricketing memory isn't a cricket ground. It is the balcony of his family's apartment in Australia, where his grandfather would bowl underarm to him and Patel, armed with a plastic foam bat, would try to hit the ball as hard as he could.It was simple, almost instinctive. There was no talk of technique, roles or long-term plans. There was just a child, a bat and a ball.That uncomplicated relationship with cricket has remained central to Patel's development, even as the game around him has become increasingly serious. Now part of Australia's Under-19 setup, the 17-year-old is looking ahead to the long tour of India, one that offers him a chance to test his game in conditions markedly different from those he has grown up playing in."It’s definitely going to be a really nice experience playing in India, especially in the hot conditions compared to Australia," Patel tells TimesofIndia.com from Sydney. "The wickets will be quite different, so it's about learning to adapt to the conditions and the bowlers as well."Neel is among the 16 selected to travel for three one-day matches and two four-day games in Rajkot and Ahmedabad, respectively, starting September 13.For a young cricketer, the attraction of India is obvious. For Patel, it carries another layer. His father Punit Patel moved to Australia in 2001, and Neel was born there in 2009. Cricket, therefore, has always occupied a space between two cultures, though he does not describe his upbringing as particularly unusual."I think it was quite normal, actually," he says. "There are quite a lot of Indians in Sydney, and obviously lots of Australians as well. So I think it was quite a normal childhood."Neel's earliest memory of watching cricket came during the 2015 World Cup in Australia, when his family and friends went to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for one of the matches. By then, the child playing with a foam bat on a balcony had begun absorbing the sights and sounds of international cricket.There were Australian influences too. Ricky Ponting and Steve Smith were among the players he admired while growing up. Patel also found inspiration in Indian cricketers, watching them and taking from their games the same quality he wanted to develop in his own: fearlessness."Some of the Australian players, like Ricky Ponting when I was growing up, and Steve Smith," he says on who influenced his cricket. "There were obviously some Indian cricketers as well. I enjoyed watching them play. They inspired me to enjoy the game and play fearlessly."Patel's own cricketing identity has evolved considerably. As a youngster, he was a genuine all-rounder. He opened the batting and bowled frontline spin in underage and representative cricket. He also experimented with pace in club cricket, sometimes bowling one over of spin and the next of pace simply because he enjoyed doing everything.Eventually, however, his batting began to demand more attention. Last year, Neel became one of the youngest players to score more than 1000 runs in Sydney Premier Cricket in a calendar year."As I progressed into grade cricket, they realised my batting potential," he says. "The next season, I opened the batting and from there I started prioritising batting a little bit more because I enjoyed it as well and was getting a lot of success from it."View this post on InstagramA post shared by Cricket Performance Lab (@cricketperformancelab) The bowling has stayed. Off-spin became his preferred discipline after he found himself taking wickets with it and enjoying the craft. His father helped him work on it, and Patel saw an opportunity to make the two disciplines complement each other."I began getting quite good at it, so we stuck with it," he says. "It also complemented my batting, so it wasn't too much of a stretch."But the India tour is likely to test the batting side of his game more closely. Patel knows that conditions in India can expose technical limitations that might remain hidden elsewhere.He has already played in Delhi, Bengaluru and Jaipur, and has noticed the difference from Australia. Less grass, flatter wickets, low bounce and the influence of spin create a different examination for a batter."In India, it's quite hot and the wickets have less grass and aren't as bouncy. They favour batters and spinners much more," he says. "I think India is definitely a good place to learn how to play spin, particularly, and how to bat in tough conditions when it's really hot and you have to bat for long periods."That is where his current development work comes in.Patel identified that his front-foot game was already a strength and decided to spend more time developing his back-foot play. The objective was not simply to add shots, but to become harder to contain."I thought, 'Why not focus on my back-foot game a little bit more in the off-season to become a complete batter?'" he says.The thinking is particularly relevant in India, where bowlers may not offer the same opportunities to drive through the front of the wicket. Patel wants to be able to access more areas of the ground when the ball is delivered shorter."Working on my back-foot game allows me to access all parts of the ground much better," he says. "I can play all types of shots, both front-foot and back-foot."There is a similar sense of purpose in how he approaches the wider development of his game. Patel says he is not particularly superstitious. Instead, he keeps short and long-term goals to give his training a clear direction."It helps me have a purpose when I'm training and playing, and it helps me stay accountable for what I'm doing," he says.That mindset could prove valuable on a tour that demands adaptation. Alongside the four-day game, Patel will have the opportunity to experience a different rhythm of cricket, different bowling styles and the challenge of spending an extended period away from home.He is not arriving in India with the expectation of having everything figured out. He is arriving to learn."With the four-day game, I want to understand the pace of the game, how to play it and just enjoy the four-day experience," he says.For the boy who once tried to smash underarm deliveries from his grandfather on an apartment balcony, the journey has moved a long way. But the essence remains familiar: bat in hand, ball coming towards him, and the instinct to find a way to hit it.Only now, the challenge is much bigger. And for Patel, India represents another opportunity to discover how far his game can travel.

Twelve players are competing in Big Break x Good Good presented by Golf Galaxy.Ryan French (Monday Q Info on X) visited each of the contestants and gives you a personal look at their professional journeys, private lives and dreams for the future.Check out each player profile below:Fletcher BabcockAsaeli Marika “Bat” BatibasagaRyder EpsonJosh JacksonPeter LansburghJean-Philippe (JP) MehuMatt MeneghettiVelten MeyerKipp PopertJesse RouseMike SweeneySean Walsh

Every college football season brings tweaks and changes and 2026 is no different. Here's what's new ahead of the upcoming season, and yes, the College Football Playoff format has once again been altered.Changes to the College Football Playoff (again)No, the playoff hasn't expanded to 16 or 24 teams. Yet. But the third season of the 12-team playoff will feature its third different format.This season, the winner of all four power conference championship games are guaranteed to make the field. Remember the handwringing a season ago that five-loss Duke could deny the ACC a spot in the CFP with its conference championship game win? The Blue Devils would have made the field if this season's rules were in place.That means that the six non-power conference champions will be fighting amongst themselves for the fifth guaranteed bid into the playoff.Notre Dame is also guaranteed a spot in the CFP if it's ranked in the top 12 of the final College Football Playoff rankings. A season ago, Notre Dame infamously missed the playoff after being leapfrogged by Miami for the final at-large berth. But the Irish were ranked No. 11 in the final CFP rankings.If the same scenario played out this season, Miami — since it didn't win the ACC — would be out of the playoff while Notre Dame would be in since the Irish were in the top 12.Additionally, the top teams in the CFP rankings will have the ability to pick which bowl they want to go to. Over the past two seasons, the teams with byes were assigned to bowl games based on the tie-ins their conferences have historically had. While Indiana might have chosen to go to the Rose Bowl anyway as the No. 1 seed in 2025, the Hoosiers were assigned to the bowl game because of the Big Ten's longstanding relationship with the Rose Bowl. No. 2 Georgia went to the Sugar Bowl because of the SEC's tie-in.This year, the No. 1 team will have the ability to pick from among the Cotton, Fiesta, Peach and Rose Bowls while the No. 2 team will get to pick from the remaining three bowl sites.As with the first two iterations of the 12-team playoff, don't get too used to this format, either. We still don't know what the playoff will look like for the 2027 season as college sports leaders keep kicking the expansion can down the road. It's anyone's guess whether next year's playoff will stay at 12 teams or move to 16 or even 24 as conferences have been unable to agree on a preferred expansion path.The Pac-12 is back as a real conferenceAfter two seasons as a two-team league with Oregon State and Washington State, the two holdovers are joined by six other teams in a remade Pac-12.The reinvented Pac-12 now features Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. It's a conference of states, if you will.Each team in the league will play six teams once and another opponent twice in 2026. The two-game series this season are Washington State vs. Oregon State, Boise State vs. Utah State, Fresno State vs. San Diego State and Texas State vs. Colorado State. The league will still host a championship game too, meaning there's a slight chance that teams could play each other three times this fall. The title game will be on Dec. 4.North Dakota State has moved up from FCS to FBS. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)Justin Tafoya via Getty ImagesNorth Dakota State moves upFive of the teams that joined the Pac-12 came from the Mountain West and significantly diluted that conference's relevance. The loss of Boise State is especially significant in football, given how the Broncos had emerged as one of the pre-eminent non-power conference stalwarts.Enter North Dakota State. The FCS powerhouse is now at the top level of college football and in the Mountain West. The Bison have won 10 FCS titles since 2011 and now have a real shot to win the Mountain West in their first season in the conference.The conference schedule doesn't do them any favors, however. NDSU plays Air Force, UNLV, New Mexico and Hawaii all on the road.Northern Illinois is in the Mountain West and Sacramento State is in the MAC. Seriously.If you're still not used to the absurdity of Cal and Stanford in the ACC, prepare for more geographic incorrectness with Northern Illinois' move to the Mountain West and Sacramento State's presence in the Mid-American Conference.Northern Illinois left the MAC for some more football money in the Mountain West after a disappointing 3-9 season. The Huskies won just two MAC games in 2025 and will probably be somewhere at the bottom of the Mountain West in 2026. Notably, the Huskies will now play all other sports in the Horizon League.Sacramento State has been desperate to move to the FBS level for years, and found its spot in the MAC as a football-only member thanks to Northern Illinois' move. The Hornets will compete in the Big West in all other sports — the Big West does not have football.The school paid over $20 million to move up, counting the fee to the NCAA to transition to the FBS level. It's a cost considerably larger than North Dakota State's to move to the Mountain West that comes with a lot of long road trips too.Sacramento State will visit Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Ball State and Central Michigan in conference play before ending the season with a trip to Hawaii.Rule changesNorth Dakota State and Sacramento State are eligible to play in bowl games if they each get to six wins. Previously, schools in their first season at the top level needed a waiver to play in a bowl game. That necessity is gone.On the field, the biggest change is to the NCAA's targeting rules. The governing body is trying an experimental rule that eliminates the carryover suspension for a player who commits a targeting foul in the second half of a game. All confirmed targeting fouls will still lead to an ejection, but a player tossed for targeting in the fourth quarter will now no longer have to sit out the first half of his team's next game.Additionally, coaches will now be given a third challenge if one of their first two challenges is successful. In the NFL, a coach has to be successful on both of his challenges to earn a third. In college, a third challenge will be given immediately if the first challenge is successful, or if the second challenge results in an overturned call and the first one did not.

Bezos has an estimated net worth of $256bn (£192bn) [Getty Images]Talks for a consortium that includes billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to buy a stake in Liverpool are advancing, BBC Sport has been told.The group is led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia and also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.Owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed last month that the group had "expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club".Bhatia is the son-in-law of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal and had been a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before relinquishing his stake in the club last month.American businessman Bezos, founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, is the fourth-richest person in the world.According to Forbes, the 62-year-old has an estimated net worth of $256bn (£192bn).FSG, who bought Liverpool in a £300m deal in 2010, previously sold a minority stake in the Anfield side to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity. Consortium in talks to buy Liverpool minority stakeThe Bezos factor - unpicking puzzle of Liverpool's potential investorsFSG agrees to sell minority stake in LiverpoolLatest Liverpool news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Liverpool - what do you want to know?

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL wild card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images While all eyes were on Christian Gonzalez, the New England Patriots quietly handled another important contract to start off the week. Hunter Henry, a three-time team captain and the team’s top tight end since 2021, has reached an agreement with the club on a two-year, $16 million extension.While the full details of the deal are not yet available, here is what we know about it and what it means for the Patriots from a big-picture perspective.Investment in stabilityHenry was one of the two tight ends signed to multi-year free agency deals in 2021, but unlike Jonnu Smith managed to stick around ever since. It is no coincidence: an all-around player at the position, he has been one of New England’s most reliable player since his arrival and a cornerstone piece both on the field and in the locker room.With his future up in the air, the Patriots taking care of him early makes plenty of sense. Not only does it check a big box ahead of 2027 free agency — more on that in a second — it also ensures that quarterback Drake Maye will have one of his most trusted targets available through the duration of his rookie contract. In addition, his presence provides a stability not easily found elsewhere on the roster.Henry is by far the longest-tenured of the Patriots’ tight ends, and also the longest-tenured skill position player on the offensive roster. With other veterans such as wideouts DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte out of contract after the upcoming season, a Henry extension is a logical move on the team’s part.Pressure off Eli RaridonEntering Monday, the Patriots had only three tight ends under contract beyond 2026: Julian Hill, who will miss the entire season on injured reserve, as well as rookies Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin. On paper, Raridon would have projected as the No. 1 tight end among that group.While the 2026 third-round draft choice has immense talent and upside, and has been actively involved with the top offense in training camp so far, his lack of experience adds a clear layer of uncertainty to his projection. Needless to say, he would have been under quite a bit of pressure this year and heading into 2027 had Henry’s contract situation been unresolved.With the veteran now back for two more years, however, the Patriots can work on a smoother transition and slowly get Raridon up to speed.Solid dealThe full breakdown of the deal is not yet available, but the baseline numbers are a reflection of Henry’s age. Set to turn 32 in December, he is closer to the end than the beginning of his career. Unsurprisingly, his $8 million average per season is step down from the first two pacts he signed in New England in 2021 ($12.5M) and 2024 ($9M).That said, he is still well-compensated especially as far as the guarantees are concerned: $14.5 million is a serious sum relative to the total $16 million value of the pact. This shows that the team is still optimistic about his career trajectory even as he enters its 11th season.Big name taken care ofWhile a lot is going to change over the coming months, the Patriots had 14 players headed for unrestricted free agency next year. Henry removes one big name from a list that is now highlighted by starting right guard Mike Onwenu — whose own deal was restructured earlier this offseason — as well as the aforementioned DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, fellow wide receiver Mack Hollins, linebacker Christian Elliss, safety Kevin Byard, and punter Bryce Baringer.While all of them are playing prominent roles at their respective positions, Henry was clearly the top option at his (outside of Baringer, whose positional value is obviously different). Next contract up?Christian Gonzalez is not among the players set to enter the open market in 2027; the Patriots exercising the fifth-year option in his rookie contract means that he remains signed until March 2028. However, negotiations between the two parties have been ongoing all spring and into training camp — with no results to show for, so far.However, the atmosphere surrounding that particular deal appears to be positive as evidenced by one simple fact: Gonzalez is practicing with the Patriots in full. How long until he signs his own extension remains to be seen, but all indications are that a pact ultimately will get done.And — who knows? — maybe the fact that a player represented by the same agency as him now having signed a multi-year pact with the organization can be seen as a positive as well. Time will tell.

A man who attacked a 12-year-old child in April in New York City while shouting anti-gay slurs is facing hate crimes felony charges. “Hate crimes undermine the values of dignity, safety and inclusion that define our city,” District Attorney Bragg said in a statement. “As alleged, Kevin Maxwell violently attacked an innocent and vulnerable child – a stranger – while directing hateful language at him. Every child deserves to feel safe in our parks and other shared spaces, and we are dedicated to protecting New Yorkers by using every tool available to hold those who commit bias-motivated attacks accountable.” Related “They did nothing”: Lesbian couple brutally attacked & left with brain damage On April 29, Maxwell confronted the tween victim outside a restroom at the Baruch Playground on the Lower East Side at around 6 p.m. According to the Manhattan DA’s office, Maxwell told the victim to watch his stuff so it wouldn’t get stolen. The victim didn’t respond and instead sang and hummed to himself. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “Are you stupid or something? You gay fa***t! Shut the f**k up,” Maxwell allegedly yelled at the kid before leaving and coming back with a belt. He beat the alleged victim with the belt repeatedly, calling him “gay.” The child had a laceration on his shoulder as a result of the attack. Police later released a sketch of Maxwell in an attempt to identify him, and he was arrested in July. Maxwell faces charges of assault in the second degree as a hate crime (a class C felony), criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (a class D felony), and assault in the third degree as a hate crime (a class E felony). He also faces misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated harassment in the second degree. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

2026-08-10T13:09:22Z BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A powerful earthquake in western Colombia on Monday shook the South American nation and neighboring Ecuador, prompting people to evacuate homes and buildings.The United States Geological Survey and Colombia’s counterpart both reported a 7.4 magnitude, while relatively deep. Both reported the epicenter in San Jose Del Palmar, a community about 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Colombia’s capital, Bogota.Authorities did not immediately report damages or injuries.The temblor follows two back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela in late June. Those earthquakes destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed more than 5,000 people.

A voter walks out after voting at a polling place, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)2026-08-10T13:08:43Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Fresh on the heels of Abdul El-Sayed’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary win in Michigan, Wisconsin voters will decide another high-profile clash between the party’s establishment and progressive wings in a gubernatorial primary on Tuesday.Like Michigan, Wisconsin is one of the nation’s top electoral battlegrounds. The contest may further set the direction of the Democratic Party, as well as set the stage for a highly competitive general election where either party could emerge with complete control over state government. A competitive congressional race could also decide the majority in the closely divided U.S. House.Four active candidates remain in the once-crowded Democratic primary field to succeed outgoing two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. State Rep. Francesca Hong, a former restaurant owner and democratic socialist who entered the race in 2025 as a self-described “wild card,” has emerged as a top contender for the nomination. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley briefly dropped out of the race in July but reentered with an endorsement from Evers. Former state cabinet secretary Joel Brennan and state Sen. Kelda Roys round out the field. Campaign finance woes prompted Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez to exit the race, while former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes suspended his bid the same day the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that state Democratic officials had reviewed past allegations against him of inappropriate behavior toward young adult women. The Barnes campaign denied that there were any such allegations. The names of Rodriguez, Barnes and former state economic development director Missy Hughes, who dropped out in June, remain on the ballot.The winner of the primary will likely face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who faces minimal opposition for his party’s nomination. Tiffany, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, sits atop a massive war chest that not only dwarfs that of his sole primary opponent but the entire Democratic field combined. As of July 27, he had raised $13.3 million for his campaign overall and had about $5 million in the bank. Hong and Crowley had each raised slightly more than $1 million for their campaigns and had less than $500,000 in their respective campaign coffers. Evers is Wisconsin’s third consecutive two-term governor. The race to replace him will set two longstanding political trends on a collision course. The state has a 64-year streak of electing new governors from the opposite party of their immediate predecessor. That would seemingly favor Wisconsin Republicans in November, although voters nationwide tend to punish the president’s party in midterm elections, which would favor Democrats. Read More About half of Wisconsin’s 33 state Senate seats and all 99 state Assembly seats are up in 2026. Republicans hold slight majorities in both chambers. For years, Wisconsin’s state legislative boundaries had been heavily gerrymandered to favor Republicans, but the liberal-leaning state Supreme Court struck down the maps in 2023 and ordered them redrawn ahead of the 2024 elections. State Democrats made gains that year and now believe they could flip control of one or both chambers in November. Wisconsin’s congressional districts remain among the most tilted toward Republicans nationally, according to an Associated Press analysis. Republicans hold six of the state’s eight U.S. House seats. One Republican-held district is a top target of Democrats hoping to retake the chamber. U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of the 3rd Congressional District is unopposed for the Republican nomination in his bid for a third term. He has Trump’s endorsement. Former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge and former boutique owner and nonprofit founder Rebecca Cooke are vying for the Democratic nomination. Cooke ran for the seat twice before. She placed second in the 2022 primary and narrowly lost the 2024 general election to Van Orden.Milwaukee County is by far the state’s most populous and plays a pivotal role in both Democratic and Republican primaries. However, Waukesha County tends to contribute the most votes in Republican primaries. Dane and Brown counties, home to Madison and Green Bay, respectively, are major battlegrounds for both parties. Ozaukee and Washington counties, which along with Waukesha County, form the so-called “WOW” counties in suburban Milwaukee, tend to be more influential in Republican primaries than in Democratic primaries.U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont trounced former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Wisconsin presidential primary. Sanders scored big wins in Dane, Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, Kenosha, LaCrosse and Eau Claire counties, approaching or surpassing the 60% vote mark in each. Clinton carried only Milwaukee County, which has the state’s highest share of Black residents. Former President Joe Biden carried every county against Sanders in the 2020 presidential primary, which was held in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sanders’ strongest performance was in Dane County.Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied: When do polls close?Polls close at 8 p.m. CT, which is 9 p.m. ET.What’s on the ballot?The AP will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, state Senate and state Assembly.Who gets to vote?Any registered voter may participate in any party’s primary. Eligible voters may register at the polls on Election Day.How many voters are there?As of August 1, there were about 3.6 million active registered voters in Wisconsin.How many people actually vote?Around 500,000 voters cast ballots in the Democratic state primaries in 2022, compared to roughly 680,000 Republican primary voters.How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot? About 26% of the vote in the 2022 primaries was cast before early in-person or by mail.As of Friday, about 235,000 ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election.When are early and absentee votes released?Counties vary in terms of how and when they release early and absentee results. In previous elections, counties tended to release a mix of all vote types over the course of the night. Roughly a third of counties released all results, regardless of vote type, in the first vote update.How long does vote-counting usually take?In the 2024 state primary, the AP first reported results at 9:09 p.m. ET, or nine minutes after polls closed. About 91% of the vote had been counted by 12 a.m. ET. The last vote update of the night was at 2:59 a.m. ET with 99.8% of total votes counted.Milwaukee County, the most populous, had counted more than 99% of the vote by its final update of the night at 1:06 a.m. ET. Dane County, home of Madison, reached more than 99% of the total vote by its final update of the night at 12:38 a.m. ET.When will the AP declare a winner?The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.How do recounts work?Recounts are not automatic in Wisconsin, but a trailing candidate may request one if the winning vote margin is less than a percentage point in races where more than 4,000 votes are cast. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.Are we there yet?As of Tuesday, there will be 84 days until the 2026 midterm elections.___Associated Press writer David Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri, contributed to this report.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/. ROBERT YOON Yoon is an elections and democracy reporter for The Associated Press, with a focus on analyzing vote and demographic data and explaining the intricacies of the electoral process. He is now covering his seventh presidential campaign cycle. facebook mailto

Katie Byun holds up a compostable knife, which was made with plastic made from plants, that was starting to break down after about two months in a home composting test bin, at CJ Biomaterials, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Woburn, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)2026-08-10T13:00:30Z WOBURN, Mass. (AP) — At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are transformed into forks and films that won’t leave persistent microplastics in the environment.These are bioplastic pellets. CJ Biomaterials ferments sugar to make plant-based polymers that microbes will consume. These alternatives to traditional plastics made of fossil fuels are seen by some as one of many solutions needed to confront global plastic pollution. At the company’s Woburn research facility, lab technicians recently poured pellets into a molding machine to make forks. The test forks were thin enough for home composting, though too bendy for stabbing a steak. Other batches have been rigid, similar to a typical plastic fork. The technicians melted pellets to roll out flexible films for food packaging, like a bag for baby carrots. The film was quite strong but not stretchy like cling wrap. They are figuring out how their biopolymers can make products with attributes similar to conventional plastics, but that can go in a composting bin instead of a trash can. Forks and films are breaking down in the lab’s compost bin. Straws that were added are long gone. A recently tossed-in knife showed pitting on the surface as bacteria colonized it, starting to consume the material. Plastics have never really fundamentally been disrupted. Now, interest in bioplastic is growing because of concern over microplastics. It’s the new “wild card” in this market, said the company’s marketing director Leah Ford. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and the compostability has always been a really strong driver. But with the greater understanding of microplastics, I think, that’s going to change how people think about materials,” she said. Traditional plastics last for decades or even centuries as they fragment into harmful microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics. Microplastics have been found in the ocean and the air, in our food and water, and in a wide range of body tissues. The Trump administration, while rolling back many environmental regulations, says it will address contamination from microplastics. Read More The most common use for bioplastics is packagingBioplastics are biobased, meaning they are made completely or partially from a renewable resource, commonly corn or sugar cane; or they are biodegradable, meaning that they break down completely via a natural process. They can also be both, like the polymers made by CJ Biomaterials. It’s a leader in manufacturing polyhydroxyalkanoates, or PHAs, as a polymer that is marine and soil biodegradable. CJ Biomaterials is trying to replace conventional plastics that are single use or can’t be recycled when contaminated with food scraps. Food waste decomposing in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas that warms the planet. A container made of pellets from CJ Biomaterials with food scraps could be sent to a composter, unlike a traditional plastic container. The Woburn lab’s shelves display the company’s successes: compostable cutlery; straws; coated cups for hot beverages and frozen food pouches used in the United States; sushi trays; ramen containers; and reusable paper towels. Lab employees dine with compostable cutlery, drink from compostable cups and make coffee with compostable pods. These products last on shelves because they are not exposed to microorganisms in water or soil.CJ Biomaterials feeds sugar to microbes that convert it to PHA for energy. The company collects the PHA and turns it into granules. Pellets of this are then sold to other companies that can melt them down and mold them into products. These same bacteria will consume PHA in a compost pile, breaking it down within six months, Ford said.CJ Biomaterials is part of the $32 billion South Korean conglomerate CJ Group. It has been producing PHA at a manufacturing facility in Pasuruan, Indonesia, since 2022. One solution with potential to help address the plastic pollution crisisWorld Wildlife Fund sees biobased plastics as part of a suite of solutions that are needed. They can reduce the world’s dependency on fossil fuels that cause climate change, said Erin Simon, a WWF vice president. She said the world needs to reduce the amount of plastic being produced, then make the rest sustainably. Nations are trying to confront the spiraling plastic pollution crisis by crafting a landmark treaty. They have yet to agree on any effective methods to stop plastic pollution, though negotiators plan to meet again early next year. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley has held congressional hearings on plastic pollution, including one exploring alternatives for single-use plastics. He also views bioplastics as one option with potential, among many that are needed. But, he said, more information is needed about how they break down and impact ecosystems and health.Environmental groups, including the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, argue that bioplastics maintain the single-use paradigm and distract from real solutions. Some say farmland shouldn’t be used to grow crops for plastic instead of food. Bioplastics are a small, but growing, share of the marketGlobally, biobased plastics represent roughly 0.5% of the more than 400 million metric tons (440 million tons) of plastics produced annually, according to the industry group European Bioplastics. Production is projected to double by 2030 due to rising demand and the emergence of more advanced applications and products, it said. China, Sweden and the United States are major exporters of natural polymers. Large sports stadiums and major restaurant chains such as McDonald’s are experimenting with biobased packaging and utensils. The Tous les Jours bakery, part of the CJ Group, uses PHA straws.There are obstacles to widespread adoption. Bioplastics typically cost more than conventional plastics. Major cities have municipal composting programs, but they are limited elsewhere. A growing number of composting facilities accept compostable bioplastic products, though some refuse out of concern about degraded soil quality. And because bioplastics and conventional plastics often look and feel identical, they can be mixed up and cause problems for composters. Thirty minutes from the Woburn research lab, Black Earth Compost accepts certified compostable materials. On Monday, compostable cups, cutlery and bin liners were mixed in with a delivery of food scraps and lobster shells. Accepting bioplastics increases the amount of food scraps they receive because people can put an entire compostable container into an organics bin, instead of scraping food out.Research organization tests biomaterials The 5 Gyres Institute tested 22 items made of traditional plastic, biobased and biodegradable materials and other alternatives, such as paper and bamboo. Straws, utensils, thin film and bottles were put in different environments across Florida, California and Maine. By the end of the 64-week study, many of the biodegradable materials were gone, or were pitted and cracked as they fragmented. Traditional fossil fuel-based plastics persisted.Marcus Eriksen, the institute’s co-founder and a researcher, said the synthetic plastic spoon was almost the same as when he first put it in the ocean, but little was left of the spoons made from biodegradable materials.The California-based nonprofit released the results in 2023. It’s currently repeating the study to evaluate end-of-life scenarios for the new generation of packaging. Eriksen thinks people should use biodegradable options, especially for packaging. Otherwise, he said, “we’re going to flood the entire biosphere with micro- and nanoplastics.”___The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. JENNIFER McDERMOTT McDermott is a reporter on the Associated Press Climate and Environment team. She focuses on the transition to clean energy. twitter mailto

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., left, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan participate in a forum for U.S. Senate candidates at Farmfest Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Morgan, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)2026-08-10T12:57:41Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Minnesota Democrats will decide a competitive U.S. Senate primary Tuesday in another face-off between moderate and progressive candidates that could define the party’s identity heading into the midterm elections. Republicans will choose nominees they hope will end their 20-year drought in statewide elections.The state has been at the center of a political maelstrom in President Donald Trump’s second term, as the Republican president has focused much of his ire on Minnesota and its Democratic leaders.An ongoing fraud investigation into state childcare programs contributed to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz ending his reelection bid and has been a frequent topic among Republican candidates on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens has been a defining issue for Democratic candidates. Walz’s retirement announcement, as well as that of Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, triggered a reshuffling of races throughout the ballot.In the race to replace Smith, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination. Smith has backed Flanagan, while Walz has not made an endorsement. Flanagan also has support from key figures in the party’s progressive wing, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of the 5th Congressional District. Sanders is an independent but caucuses with Democrats.Craig’s key supporters are Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Craig has about doubled Flanagan in overall fundraising. She also had about $3.6 million available to spend as of late July compared with about $1.1 million for Flanagan. Read More The Center Forward Committee and Unite to Win — two political action committees known for backing moderate Democrats — have spent at least $2.4 million on Craig’s behalf. The Center Forward Committee was founded by former Alabama U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer and supports what it describes as “pragmatic policymakers.” Unite to Win recently spent $4 million backing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in her unsuccessful U.S. Senate primary bid against Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. Flanagan’s largest backer in outside spending has been the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which has spent about $1.2 million on the race.The Republican primary features nine candidates, including former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya; former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who has the state party’s endorsement; and former professional basketball player Royce White, who was the Republican nominee for the state’s other U.S. Senate seat in 2024. Trump has not endorsed a candidate.Tafoya raised about $5.3 million for her campaign and had about $1.3 million in the bank as of July 22, a larger haul than the rest of the Republican field combined.In the race for governor, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar faces minimal opposition for the Democratic nomination. She brought in $9.3 million for her campaign and had about $4.5 million in the bank as of July 20. Only three of Klobuchar’s six primary opponents filed campaign finance disclosures, and they reported having less than a combined $3,200 in the bank.The nine-candidate Republican field includes state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow founder and prominent 2020 election denierMike Lindell, who has Trump’s endorsement, and healthcare executive Kendall Qualls, who has the state party’s backing. Lindell outraised Demuth overall in the campaign, although Demuth sat atop a significantly larger war chest as of July 20.Craig is the only member of Minnesota’s U.S. House delegation who isn’t running for reelection. Her upcoming departure has triggered a six-way Democratic primary to replace her in the 2nd Congressional District. The field includes state Rep. Kaela Berg, state Sen. Matt Klein and former state Sen. Matt Little. Klein leads the field in fundraising, followed by Little, who loaned his campaign $155,000.The winner will face Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt, who is unopposed for the nomination. Craig won reelection in 2024 with about 56% of the vote. Democratic then-Vice President Kamala Harris received about 52% of the district vote in the 2024 presidential race against Trump.All seats in both chambers of the Minnesota State Legislature are up in 2026. Democrats have a one-seat advantage in the 67-member state Senate, while Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked at 67 seats each in the state 134-member House.Hennepin County, which is home to Minneapolis, is by far the state’s most populous and tends to contribute the most votes of any county in both Democratic and Republican statewide primaries. Neighboring Ramsey County, which is home to St. Paul, has the second-largest population but tends to be a bigger factor in Democratic primaries. Just north of the Twin Cities, Anoka County, which Trump carried in 2024 by about 4 percentage points, tends to be more influential in Republican primaries. Dakota, Washington, St. Louis and Olmsted counties are important primary battlegrounds for both parties.Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s 2006 reelection was the last statewide contest Republicans have won in Minnesota. The last Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Minnesota was Norm Coleman in 2002.Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied: When do polls close?Polls close at 8 p.m. CT, which is 9 p.m. ET.What’s on the ballot?The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, state Senate and state House.Who gets to vote?Any registered voter may participate in any party’s primary. Eligible voters may register at the polls on Election Day or during the early voting period.How many voters are there?As of Aug. 3, there were about 3.9 million registered voters in Minnesota.How many people actually vote?About 324,000 Democratic primary voters and about 194,000 Republican primary voters took part in the 2024 primaries for U.S. Senate. In the 2022 primaries for governor, about 432,000 voters cast ballots in the Democratic primary and about 323,000 in the Republican primary.How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot? About 23% of the vote in the 2024 state primary and about 20% of the 2022 primary vote was cast early in person or by mail.As of Thursday, about 158,000 ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election.When are early and absentee votes released?Counties tend to release results from early in-person and mail voting over the course of the night, along with results from in-person Election Day voting.The state’s three largest counties of Hennepin, Ramsey and Dakota release relatively few results in their first vote updates, regardless of vote type.How long does vote-counting usually take?In the 2024 state primary, the AP first reported results at 9:08 p.m. ET, or eight minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 1:28 a.m. ET, with more than 99% of total votes counted.When will the AP declare a winner?The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.How do recounts work?Recounts in Minnesota are not automatic, but the losing candidate may request one under certain circumstances. A publicly funded recount can be requested in federal, judicial or state constitutional offices, like governor, if the margin between the winning and losing candidate is less than 0.25% of the vote. For state legislative races, the required margin is less than 0.5% of the vote. In races in which fewer than 400 votes are cast, the margin is 10 votes or fewer. Candidates may pay for a recount in races in which the vote margin is beyond the threshold for a publicly funded recount. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.Are we there yet?As of Tuesday, there will be 84 days until the 2026 midterm elections.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/. ROBERT YOON Yoon is an elections and democracy reporter for The Associated Press, with a focus on analyzing vote and demographic data and explaining the intricacies of the electoral process. He is now covering his seventh presidential campaign cycle. facebook mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The FBI has found at least a dozen instances of Iranian hackers targeting municipal water systems, including the networks that control valves and water pressure. What do you think? “Huh. My water doesn’t taste more Iranian than usual.” Sal Quintero, Slide Whistler “Won’t anyone think of the data centers?” Faye Sheridan, Tissue Boxer “This is why I drink urine. They can’t hack your bladder.” Gabriel Van Ness, Piglet Weigher The post Iranian Cyberattacks Target U.S. Water Systems appeared first on The Onion.