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The already-slim chances of the Bears resurrecting a stadium deal in Illinois are essentially dead as the NFL team said its developing plans in neighboring Indiana are its “sole focus.”The Bears had already been gravitating heavily toward building a $5 billion domed stadium and mixed-use development in Hammond, Indiana, and the team’s board of directors voted in June to advance the plans there. As Indiana Gov. Mike Braun subsequently said the state’s deal with the Bears was “in the red zone,” franchise leaders confirmed Thursday that only “minimal” conversations with Illinois officials have happened since the Prairie State failed to advance stadium legislation more than two months ago. “I don’t know why it hit a dead end in Springfield but we’ve been very clear the last couple of years the things that we’ve always needed is property tax certainty, we need infrastructure certainty, that’s what we need. So that has not changed,” said Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren. The Bears are now evaluating two different stadium site options in Hammond, though there is a possibility that both locations will be used in some way.“Our sole focus at this point in time is working on a world-class stadium and mixed-use development in Hammond, Indiana,” Warren said. Despite that assertion, Illinois leaders still believe there is still some element of hope that the Bears will stay in the state—particularly as there is still no definitive, signed agreement in Indiana. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, however, continued to put the onus on the team. “Part of the Bears’ job here is, of course, to talk to legislators. There were legislators who voted in favor of one or the other of the [stadium] bills,” Pritzker said. “We passed a bill in the House. We passed a bill in the Senate. Those bills were not combined. … There was no compromise reached between the two bills, but the Bears themselves have to figure out which ones of the parts of those bills they want in a final bill, and of course, to gather support from the legislature.”That does not appear to be happening. Regarding Illinois, Bears chairman George McCaskey said, “Hope is not a strategy.”Naming MattersThe team, meanwhile, said it will remain known as the Chicago Bears, even if the Hammond development happens. That locale is about 20 miles from downtown Chicago, and is closer to Soldier Field than the Arlington Heights, Illinois, parcel that had been under consideration.“When I’ve driven that route [to Hammond], other than a sign telling me so, I wouldn’t know that I’ve just crossed the state border,” McCaskey said. “Once people see the building, once they get in there, once they understand our top priority from day one was a world-class stadium experience, we think we’ll make that adjustment. We think Bears fans are up for that.”Indiana legislators passed a bill in February to cover about 60% of the stadium’s development costs. The post Bears Call Indiana Stadium Plans Their ‘Sole Focus’ appeared first on Front Office Sports.

Former LSU star and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made headlines on Thursday when it was reported that an attorney representing him sent a letter to the university informing it that they aren't allowed to use his name, image and likeness anymore. The reason? It's over the fact that Daniels was disappointed that LSU cornerback DJ Pickett would wear his old No. 5 jersey number.That left fans with so many questions, and along with Daniels speaking out on social media, there was Pickett who spoke to reporters as well."I've worn the number my whole life, since I was four years old," he said. "It's the number I was promised. I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here. So, that's all."Cornerback DJ Pickett weighs in on the controversy surrounding him wearing Jayden Daniels’ number at @LSUfootball(via @chessabouche) pic.twitter.com/tUOLrjXn1N— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 13, 2026Was DJ Pickett promised Jayden Daniels' jersey number?That's his claim, and head coach Lane Kiffin mentioned that the number was "promised to him in recruiting here." Daniels' statement from his spokesperson said that "Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected."This article originally appeared on For The Win: LSU cornerback breaks silence on Jayden Daniels jersey number: 'It's the number I was promised'

Enzo Maresca said he gave Rodri a “big hug” on the Spain midfielder’s return to Manchester City on Friday but offered no guarantees he will stay.City have already turned down offers from Barcelona for their Ballon d’Or winner, who is in the final year of his contract, but the Spanish champions are expected to return with an increased bid, which in turn could drive City’s interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.Rodri was the last City player to report for pre-season training, only arriving back on Friday, having had back surgery after helping Spain to World Cup glory this summer.Asked if he expects Rodri to remain a City player, Maresca said: “First of all, the transfer window is open. We can buy players, we can sell players, anything can happen.“I just saw Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good, so we’ll see what happens. Now we will have time to see each other a little bit more.”Should a player who has been a lynchpin for City since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019 depart, City are expected to turn to Fernandez, despite Chelsea demanding £120 million ($162.4 million) for the Argentina international and imposing a deadline of 5pm (1600 GMT) on Friday for any bids to be tabled.Maresca said he would not speak about players under contract at other clubs, but admitted City still have work to do in the final weeks of the window.“For sure there are things we need to do,” he said. “Now, how many, I don’t know. It can be one, can be two, it depends also if players are going to leave.”When asked if City needed to do any business on Friday given the deadline set by Chelsea, Maresca said: “Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today.”City have already splashed £116 million on England’s Elliot Anderson following Bernardo Silva’s exit, but fellow midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is on the verge of joining Al Qadsiah in a £51 million deal as a major shake-up continues in the middle of the park.Reijnders only arrived from AC Milan for £46.5 million last summer, but fell down the pecking order in the second half of the season and started only half of City’s Premier League matches.Maresca said that it was “normal” that a player would want to play more and this had driven his determination to seek a move.“It’s a bit difficult to convince players when they are already convinced,” he said. “You need to change their thoughts, that is not always easy.“Tijjani’s situation is like James Trafford’s situation, some more players, but I think when the club, the player, the manager, they all think the same way, that probably the best decision for a player is to go, you have to go.”City are preparing for Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal in Cardiff.Erling Haaland sat out the final part of an open training session on Thursday but Maresca said there were no significant concerns over their star striker.“He had just a small thing behind the heels but he was okay,” Maresca said.

A bill that is being called the “most extreme anti-LGBTQ+ bill” in Indiana was passed by the state’s Senate last week. S.B. 182 contains several provisions. First, it defines sex and gender in terms of reproductive organs and applies that definition to all laws in the state. Second, it says that trans students can only use the restrooms associated with their sex assigned at birth. Moreover, it allows students to sue schools if a trans classmate breaks this rule. Third, it forces jails and prisons to house trans inmates with their sex assigned at birth. Related Indiana governor signs law banning trans women from collegiate sports Indiana already passed several anti-trans pieces of legislation since 2022, including a ban on calling trans kids by their preferred name or pronouns without parental permission, a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, a ban on trans student-athletes participating in school sports, and a ban on transgender health care in prisons. S.B. 182 passed the state Senate in a 37-8 party-line vote last week. The bill’s author, state Sen. Liz Brown (R), said that the bill is necessary to protect “women” in “their private spaces.” Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “We’re not singling anyone out,” she said. “You can continue to identify any which way you want. But if you’re born a male, you’re going to the male bathroom. Pretty simple. You’re born a female, going to the female bathroom.” Jennilyn Nichols, the mother of a transgender daughter, speaks during the annual LGBTQ+ Statehouse Day on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the Indiana Statehouse. The event comes one day after the Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 182, which would bar individuals from using a bathroom that does not match their sex assigned at birth. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK Brown struck a less conciliatory tone in her floor speech in favor of the bill, where she expressed resentment about trans-inclusive language that gets used in some situations and receives outsized attention in rightwing media. “We don’t have birthing people, we don’t have chest feeders,” she said. “We have men and women.” Being forced to use the wrong restroom at school can out trans kids, lead to physiological problems associated with holding it in, and make it difficult to spend a full day away from home. GLSEN’s 2021 National School Climate Survey found that LGBTQ+ students were more likely to have missed school than cishet students, had lower self-esteem, and suffered higher levels of depression. Of those who said they considered dropping out of school, nearly one-third said it was because of “gendered school policies and practices.” Trans people protested at the state capitol, holding signs that read “Don’t put me in the men’s/women’s room!” and denouncing the legislation. Emma Vosicky stands with a sign as transgender advocates speak to media members Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, outside the Senate chambers in the Indiana Statehouse. The group gathered to speak against Senate Bill 182, which would bar individuals from using a bathroom that does not match their sex assigned at birth. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK “Already statistics show that almost three-quarters of all trans students have been subject to bullying and harassment,” Emma Vosicky, one of the protestors, told the Indy Star. “This bill is going to force kids even further out in the open. So we’re asking little trans girls to show up in the bathrooms, in the boys’ bathrooms, and what do we really think is going to happen to them when they get there?” Some of the opponents of the bill included intersex people, who pointed out that the definition of sex and gender included in S.B. 182 does not cover them. “Am I not a citizen, am I not a person, am I two people, am I half of each?” asked one woman who was born intersex during a January 21 state Senate committee hearing after she explained that her body produces both sperm and eggs. “Who am I?” Other opponents include the parents of trans people, like Ken Inskeep, whose son moved to another country to escape the anti-trans climate in the U.S. and now won’t visit the U.S. anymore out of fear that his passport will be invalidated by the current presidential administration. Ken Inskeep becomes emotional as he speaks about his transgender son during the annual LGBTQ+ Statehouse Day on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the Indiana Statehouse. The event comes one day after the Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 182, which would bar individuals from using a bathroom that does not match their sex assigned at birth. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK “The empty spot at the table,” Inskeep said at the annual LGBTQ+ Statehouse Day, the day after S.B. 182 was passed. “The inability to hug them, to hold them.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

People gather at the entrance of Yangon general hospital Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)2026-08-14T12:12:51Z BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s largest city has registered a concerning rise in acute diarrhea cases, state media said Friday, adding to the hardships of a country grappling with severe flooding and civil war.The state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper said 182 patients from Yangon were admitted to the city’s general hospital with diarrhea the past four days, including 93 who tested positive for diarrhea-causing pathogens.The report did not specify the pathogens detected or whether the cases were confirmed as cholera.The Myanmar news outlet Eleven Media, citing Aye Mya Thae Phyu, a lawmaker from Yangon’s Latha township, reported on Wednesday that the patients who tested positive had cholera.The military’s information team told journalists Thursday that a 92-year-old patient died from the disease.Aung Lin Aye, deputy medical superintendent at Yangon General Hospital, was quoted in Friday’s newspaper as saying that the number of diarrhea cases had increased significantly over the previous days and the hospital was providing treatment with a focus on preventing deaths. Nanda Win, head of the Yangon Regional Department of Public Health, said cases were particularly concentrated in downtown Yangon’s Chinatown area, where street food vendors, restaurants and bars are clustered, according to the report.He pointed to takeout food and contaminated water used by street vendors as possible sources of the illness, while noting that the number of cases had begun to decline. Another state-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, said authorities asked street food vendors selling high-risk items to close for about three days to curb the spread. Read More Three bars and restaurants in Chinatown confirmed the three-day closure to The Associated Press.Acute diarrhea is a recurring challenge for Yangon during the monsoon season. In 2024, more than 2,200 people were hospitalized with acute watery diarrhea in Yangon, with 15 deaths reported, according to World Health Organization data.The latest development comes as flooding continues to affect communities elsewhere in the country, adding to the pressures on a population already struggling with years of conflict after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.

Health workers treat people affected by the earthquake three days after it hit Cali, Colombia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)2026-08-14T12:06:47Z Just weeks after twin earthquakes devastated Venezuela, neighboring Colombia suffered its own deadly temblor Monday, leaving responders, volunteers and loved ones desperately searching for missing people and tending to those displaced or injured.The 7.4 magnitude earthquake affected a large swath of western Colombia, from urban centers like Cali and Pereira to remote and rugged areas in the department of Chocó. As of Thursday evening, authorities had confirmed more than 280 dead, thousands injured and nearly 11,000 dwellings destroyed. Responders have managed to rescue nearly 350 people, but hundreds are still missing.Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has promised a robust governmental response. But with so much need spread across a large area, aid groups will also play important roles helping those needing shelter, supplies and economic assistance. Responders say helping Colombia with stronger democratic and civic institutions could be more straightforward than in Venezuela, where the interim government’s response was widely criticized. But the affected area in Colombia is also much larger, complicating efforts.“Institutional capacity does not remove the humanitarian need,” said Catalina Vargas, Colombia country director for the humanitarian group CARE. “The most severely affected area, Chocó, is also one of the most isolated and underserved parts of the country, so access remains the binding constraint regardless of the strength of national institutions.” For those who can help, giving cash is ideal to give groups flexibility and agility, said Abe Diaz, head of disaster relief for Amazon, which is providing requested supplies to partners. Read More “Unrequested product donations overwhelm communities and force responders to divert resources from life-saving work just to sort and store unwanted supplies,” Diaz said. Here are some organizations collecting donations for Colombia earthquake recovery, including U.S. groups responding on the ground and some local organizations accepting outside funds. U.S.-based groups already on the groundAll Hands and Hearts has provided search and rescue tools like jackhammers and pickaxes to the Pereira fire department as well as blankets and rehydration supplies for those affected. Link to donate.CARE has a longtime presence in Colombia. Its immediate support will focus on food assistance through cash and vouchers, emergency supply care packages, and protection and emotional support for affected families. Link to donate. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Direct Relief is funding medical responders on the ground and preparing to deliver requested medications and healthcare supplies. Link to donate.GEM is joining with local partners to provide essential kits with food, water, and hygiene necessities. Link to donate.Operation Blessing is focusing its initial response on providing food and water, as well as solar lanterns, to displaced people. Link to donate.Save the Children has worked in Colombia for over 40 years and has begun psychosocial support activities and set up multiple child-friendly spaces in affected areas. Link to donate.World Central Kitchen is providing food and water for displaced people, first responders and volunteers, including in more remote mountain communities. Link to donate. Marc Anthony leads Sunday benefit concert for Colombia and VenezuelaLatin music stars Marc Anthony, Luis Fonsi, Chayanne, Feid, Jay Wheeler and many more will perform at an international benefit concert for Venezuela and Colombia on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. EDT at Miami’s Kaseya Center. It will be carried live on Univision, ViX, WAPA and TelevisaUnivision radio stations, iHeartLatino and Venevision Play in Venezuela.Viewers can donate by scanning on-screen QR codes, texting UNIDOS to 707070 or visiting univision.org during the broadcast. Proceeds will go to All Hands and Hearts, CARE, GEM, TECHO and World Central Kitchen. Colombia-based groups accepting outside donationsAbaco Colombia, an association of 26 food banks across Colombia, is distributing food to affected families across the impacted regions. They accept online donations, though the payment processor requires a passport number.Cruz Roja Colombiana teams are doing search and rescue, offering medical attention and psychosocial support, and filling other needs. They accept online donations, though the payment processor requires a passport number. Fundación Solidaridad por Colombia: The foundation supports youth initiatives, nutrition and health, and community building. It’s partnering with GEM to deliver relief supplies and food to displaced people in Pereira and other locations. They accept PayPal.Fundación Semillas de Oportunidades supports youth through art and sport from its base in Quibdó, Chocó. They are supporting families of young people across Chocó. They accept PayPal.Manos Visibles, a network of organizations dedicated to racial and territorial equity, is collaborating with a local trade school to help restore at least 100 homes in the city of Buenaventura. They accept online donations, though the payment processor requires a passport number.Presentes Corporation, a 43-year-old organization in Colombia focused on community resilience, is partnering with the Miami-based nonprofit Give to Colombia to facilitate donations from the U.S. Their Colombia Se Levanta, or Colombia Rises, fund accepts online donations. Refugio Huellas de Amor in Pereira is supporting rescue animals already in their care as well as other impacted animals. Huellitas Callejeras Barranquilla is sending vets and medical supplies to affected areas. Both accept PayPal._______Associated Press staff writer Megan Janetsky contributed reporting from Mexico City.Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. GABRIELA AOUN ANGUEIRA Gabriela covers philanthropy’s role in disaster resilience and recovery. She is based in San Diego, California. instagram mailto

Election workers count ballots at a polling station in Lusaka, South Africa, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)2026-08-14T11:56:34Z LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Vote counting in Zambia’s presidential election was suspended by the electoral authority Friday over reports of attacks on polling officials and the “theft” of some ballot papers.The Electoral Commission of Zambia said it was suspending the counting immediately “in view of the security situation and continued threats of violence.”The commission said it would review the decision in 24 hours.Thursday’s election in the copper-rich southern African country saw President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term in office. He is being challenged by 13 other candidates including Brian Mundubile, the leader of an alliance of opposition parties who is seen as Hichilema’s strongest challenger.Zambia has held largely peaceful elections but there was some criticism of Hichilema ahead of the election by the opposition and independent rights groups, which said his government was clamping down on dissent.Mundubile’s alliance accused the government of being behind a law enforcement agency raid on its offices days before the election and claimed the action was designed to hurt the alliance’s election campaign.___AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

When Orima Kamalu describes the former kitchen in her colorful, DIY-filled house, it’s hard not to wonder why she wanted to make any changes at all.“The original kitchen was always a lovely, large open space with plenty of storage and room to move around. The units were all gloss-white with chrome-effect bar handles,” she explains. However, while the kitchen (which Orima thinks was last updated in the early 2000s) was functional, it wasn’t exactly their style. READ MORE...

A new list from CBS Sports ranks the top 150 players in college football and only one Nebraska Cornhusker made the list. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea was listed at No. 124 out of 150 players. Colandrea joins Nebraska following a breakout junior year with the UNLV Rebels. The St. Petersburg, Florida, native finished the 2025 season throwing for 3,459 yards, 23 touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 65.9 completion percentage. He also added 649 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.The former Rebel's play earned him the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year award. Before UNLV, Colandrea played two seasons at Virginia. He joined a Nebraska team that was looking for a new opening-day starter after Dylan Raiola transferred to the Oregon Ducks.The Husker quarterback room also includes sophomore and bowl game starter T.J. Lateef and former Virginia quarterback Daniel Kaelin. CBS Sports believes the new quarterback can have a successful season in Lincoln but mentions that other aspects of the offense will need to step up in 2026 for that to happen. Nebraska moves on from Dylan Raiola to a true dual-threat quarterback who showed plenty of promise at Virginia and UNLV. Colandrea has thrown for more than 7,500 yards, rushed for more than 1,100 yards and accounted for 61 total touchdowns over three seasons. He is a playmaker capable of creating something out of nothing and will be a difficult matchup if Nebraska establishes a consistent ground game around him.Colandrea was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list on Monday morning. The Maxwell Award is given to the college football player of the year and was first given out in 1937. Only one Husker player has won the Maxwell Award. Running back Mike Rozier won the honor in 1983.Nebraska opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Ohio Bobcats visit Memorial Stadium. Kickoff time is set for 11 a.m. CT and can be seen on FS1.Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Anthony Colandrea only Husker to makeojmh top 150 player list

One of the biggest mistakes of Richard Hughes’ tenure as sporting director at Liverpool Football Club, of which there have been many, from his mishandling of the succession plan for Alisson Becker to failures to replace Luis Diaz to allowing players to run down contracts, was the handling if Jarell Quansah.The young England international and club trained centre half looked a lock to anchor Liverpool’s defence for the coming decade but a poor first half in his first game under Arne Slot in the 2024-25 season saw him benched and never considered as a starter again by the then new Liverpool head coach, leading to Hughes selling the player for £30M to Bayer Leverkusen last summer.There, he was a nailed on starter as Leverkusen finished in the Europa League places, and he played well enough there to go to the World Cup with England. For Liverpool, he would have at worst been a strong third choice after Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.Liverpool fans always pointed to a £47M (€55M) second summer buyback clause that would allow the Reds to bring Quansah home in 2027 if it made sense, but a lot can happen across two years. Like Arsenal deciding they need 500 centre halves and signing him in the summer of 2026. Which is the current buzz basically everywhere in transfer land.From The Guardian’s Ed Aarons to The Athletic’s David Ornstein to BBC’s Sami Mokbel, it’s wall to wall Quansah to Arsenal talk out there—and about the only silver lining is that Liverpool are said to have the right to match any transfer bid Leverkusen might accept.Meanwhile, scuttle has Leverkusen not actively looking to sell but potentially open to a sale at £43M (€50M). It’s a price Liverpool could match, one imagines—but having just signed Ronald Araújo and with Jeremey Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni waiting in the wings, it’s hard to see where Quansah would fit in the mix for the Reds this summer.It’s not entirely clear, of course, where he fits in at Arsenal. William Saliba’s injury and expected long-term layoff creates an opening, but it’s probably a half-season opening and even then Quansah would be going from nailed on first choice in Germany to probably fourth choice for the Gunners.Add that all up and there’s a decent case this story is getting so much traction more for its ability to draw eyeballs than because Arsenal are close to actually signing Quansah. Which is to say it could all very easily amount to nothing and everyone going back to assuming Liverpool will bring Quansah home next summer.But if that was ever really the plan for the club, it does very much seem to be in danger at the moment, and given Liverpool’s issues with not having enough homegrown talent—and in particular club trained talent—having a club trained 23-year-old England international centre half end up at Arsenal like this would sting.

AS Monaco have inquired about Como’s Maxence CaqueretAS Monaco are reported to have made enquiries with Como 1907 to explore the terms of a potential transfer for Maxence Caqueret (26), according to information from journalist Sacha Tavolieri.Following the departure of Aladji Bamba (20) to Newcastle United and with Lamine Camara (22) in high demand, the Principality club is looking to plan ahead and is reportedly working on a shortlist, in case the Senegalese player were also to leave.Whilst nothing is concrete at this stage, initial discussions have nevertheless begun regarding Caqueret, who is under contract until 2029.Having arrived on the shores of Lake Como from Olympique Lyonnais in January 2025, the Venissieux-born player quickly established himself as a key member of Cesc Fàbregas’s squad. Making 36 appearances across all competitions last season, Caqueret contributed two goals and six assists.Should he join Monaco, the midfielder would be returning to a league he knows well, having made nearly 150 appearances in Ligue 1.GFFN | Léo Aschi

With an 18-0 record, Claressa Shields is arguably one of the best fighters of all time, and this weekend, she'll take on Kaye Scott in a championship fight where Shields hopes to strip Scott of her unified middleweight WBA and WBC titles. Shields has fought her four previous fights in the heavyweight class and has switched divisions in search of a new titles. Shields vs. Scott will stream this Saturday, August 15 on DAZN, and the good news is that it's not a pay-per-view fight; it's included with a basic DAZN plan. Here's everything you need to know to watch the women's middleweight title bout this weekend.How to watch the Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott fightDate: Saturday, August 15Start time: Coverage begins around 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PTLocation: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GATV channel/streaming: DAZNWhen is the Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott fight?Claressa Shields and Kaye Scott will meet in the ring on Saturday, August 15. The event will begin around 8 p.m. ET.What channel is the Shields vs. Scott fight on?The Shields vs. Scott fight, including the complete fight card, will be available on DAZN with a regular monthly subscription. To watch, you'll need to subscribe to either an annual plan ($249.99/year or $24.99/month), or you can grab a no-commitment Monthly Flexible Pass for $34.99 and cancel at any time. This weekend's fight is not on pay-per-view, so there are no additional fees.Where to watch Shields vs. Scott:Shields vs. Scott fight cardMain cardClaressa Shields (18-0, 3 KOs) vs. Kaye Scott (5-1-1), 10 rounds, Scott's WBA and WBC middleweight titleErnesto Mercado (19-0, 18 KOs) vs. Emmanuel Tagoe (34-2, 16 KOs), 10 rounds, super lightweightTroy Isley (16-0, 6 KOs) vs. Joseph Hicks (12-1, 7 KOs), 10 rounds, middleweightAshleyann Lozada (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Paulette Valenzuela Cuesta (19-5-1, 4 KOs), 10 rounds, super bantamweightCaroline Veyre (11-1) vs. Bernice Ferreira (10-0, 4 KOs), 10 rounds, Veyre's WBC super featherweight titlePrelimsAtif Oberlton (16-0, 14 KOs) vs. Roamer Alexis Angulo (29-4, 24 KOs), 10 rounds, light heavyweightDanielle Perkins (6-1, 3 KOs) vs. Olivia Curry (7-3-2, 2 KOs), Perkins' WBA light heavyweight titleHakim Lopez (16-1, 9 KOs) vs. Da'Velle Smith (14-0, 9 KOs), 8 rounds, super middleweightShannel Butler (8-0, 3 KOs) vs. Marianela Soledad Ramirez (14-11-2, 7 KOs), 8 rounds, featherweightJaquan McElroy (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. Alexander Thiel (5-0, 2 KOs), 6 rounds, super welterweightCasey Dixon (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Michael Nelson (4-3-1, 2 KOs), super middleweightDaniel Mercado (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Rahmel McKinley (1-4), 4 rounds, super welterweight

Wolves are launching a fan zone inside an events venue, with the new pre-match site replacing their outdoor facility for supporters.People will gather in Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton for guests including former footballers, live music, competitions and live football on a big screen before going to games at Molineux.Moving indoors allowed the club to build on "the best elements of the previous Fanzone while offering a significantly enhanced" experience, Wolves said.The offering for their 150th anniversary season will be available with free entry before every home game this season, beginning with Friday evening's opening Championship match against Blackburn Rovers.Wolves said while the outdoor fan zone had given fans "memorable matchday experiences in recent seasons, its open-air nature has inevitably limited its appeal during periods of poor weather". The city centre indoor venue, part of University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, was about a 10-minute walk from Molineux, with a similar time on foot away from Wolverhampton's railway and bus stations, the club added.The club said the fan zone would initially be open to Wolves supporters only, ahead of games at Molineux [BBC]The Halls reopened in May 2023 after a £48m revamp and was renamed the following year as it partnered with the university.Wolves said the move would offer "a significantly enhanced and more consistent experience throughout the season, with permanent bars and catering, seating, toilets [and] professional production facilities".The fan zone will initially be open to Wolves supporters only, with no ticket required.Doors will open at least three hours before kick-off at Molineux.Wolves pointed out there were "no early live fixtures to show" in Wulfrun Hall "during the opening Fanzone events, so live football will be introduced later in the season".Items prohibitedNo food or drink can be taken into the site, except where required for a medical condition, but they could be bought inside. Fans were encouraged to avoid bringing a bag where possible, but if they needed to, only one per person no larger than A4 size was permitted, the club said.All people and bags were subject to search on entry and visitors would pass through "the venue's intelligent security screening system".A number of items were prohibited, Wolves said, including large umbrellas, professional cameras, selfie sticks and flags.Wulfrun Hall has step-free access to its ground-floor area, while an accessible entrance is available for fans who require it.Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Wolves legend Phil Parkes's career in picturesWolves fans launch anniversary shirt Molineux to get extra cabins for broadcast crewHow the Civic came back with a bang Related internet links WolvesBBC Sport - Wolverhampton Wanderers

2026-08-14T12:48:27Z DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A suspected gas leak at a shipbreaking yard in southeastern Bangladesh killed at least eight people on Friday during the dismantling of a decommissioned ship, police said.Several others were injured at the Ferdous Steel Ship Breaking Yard in the Sitakunda area, police inspector Mohammed Alamgir said. The initial death toll was six, he said, but two others died after being transported from the scene. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Senior government factory inspection official Mahbubul Hasan said the workers died due to toxic gas emissions from the ship, according to the official news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.“The cause of the gas emission and whether adequate safety measures were in place for the workers at the yard are being investigated,” he said.Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry is a multi-billion dollar global giant concentrated along a 20-kilometer stretch of the Sitakunda coast in Chattogram. Accounting for roughly 36% of global ship scrapping, the region houses about 150 registered yards, generating an annual turnover of $2.46 billion and supplying over half of the nation’s scrap steel. The industry employs tens of thousands of workers. Green campaigners complain that the industry lacks safety protocols and environmental standards. They say ships arrive in Bangladesh with hazardous waste from the West.

A display of a Bentley car at the Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, New Jersey, June 6, 2026, which has remained a premier luxury shopping destination for decades. (AP Photo/ Anne D'Innocenzio)2026-08-14T12:41:34Z NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers unexpectedly cut their spending in July as a boost from government tax refunds faded.Retail sales slipped 0.6% last month, the biggest drop since May 2025 from a revised gain of 0.2%, according to the Commerce Department data released Friday. There was a notable bump in spending in both April and May as Americans dipped into their tax refunds. Excluding sales at gas stations and at auto dealers, retail sales in July fell 0.2%. Gas prices ticked up again overnight to $4.08 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.85 a month ago, according to motor club AAA. Shoppers pulled back in several areas like consumer electronics and online retailers The data offers only a snapshot of consumer spending and doesn’t include activities like travel and hotel stays. The lone services category – restaurants – registered a 0.5% increase. ANNE D’INNOCENZIO D’Innocenzio writes about retail, trends, the consumer economy and hourly workers for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

As much as Zohran Mamdani’s team runs on leftist idealism and social media hits, its style of governing also relies on humor, sports references and pop culture.

Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers has released Lost Weekend, her third studio album. Here’s everything you need to know about the artist. Genre: Bummed out in H&M Biggest Influence: SNOOZ Pro Original Smart White Noise Machine Often Compared To: That platinum blond from Boygenius Accolades: Grammy for Best Performance by Child of Two Non-Famous People Bestselling Merch: Grippy socks Famous Exes: Wow, a woman artist releases her first solo album in six years and you want to talk about some random guys she’s dated? Paul Mescal and Ryan Adams. Drug Of Choice: Iron supplements Why The Album Is Called Lost Weekend : Reference to Gracie Abrams’ dad Next Project: Putting old flannels in trash bag for Goodwill The post Artist Profile: Phoebe Bridgers appeared first on The Onion.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was convicted of crimes against humanity for ordering the killing of protesters in 2024, vowed to return to the country despite facing a death sentence, claiming it was her duty. What do you think? “Worth it to sleep in your own bed again.” Zachariah Bryant, Probate Disputer “I’ll have to defer to the Proletarian Party of East Bengal on this one.” April Tenney, Lunch Bagger “Exile must be really boring.” Norm Rangel, Cribbage Master The post Former Bangladeshi Leader To Return From Exile Despite Death Sentence appeared first on The Onion.

Apparently the main character’s mom and the quirky mailman are married now even though we never saw them interact this whole movie. The post Ms. Taylor and the Mailman appeared first on The Onion.

WASHINGTON—Coming to an abrupt halt in the bedroom doorway and staring in surprise at her husband’s exposed entrails, actress Cheryl Hines reportedly walked in Tuesday on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vivisecting himself again. “Oh, er, honey, you’re home early—I’m just taking a peek under the hood to make sure all my organs are still humming along nicely,” said Kennedy, with sources confirming that he appeared embarrassed as he removed his hands from between his lungs and beating heart in his thoracic cavity and reached over to the nightstand to retrieve his excised sternum. “No, I haven’t forgotten we have dinner reservations tonight. Just let me hook my digestive tract back together, and I can be ready in 10. Oh, don’t give me that look. I put a towel down, and a man’s entitled to cut open his own body. Also, I grabbed your makeup compact so I could use the little mirror. It’s over here next to my bone saw if you’re looking for it. Say, since my rib cage is already open…you want to mess around with my liver a little before we leave? Okay, okay, sorry for asking. Just help me sew myself shut, and we can go.” According to sources, Kennedy asked Hines to remind him to pick up more local anesthesia on their way home from dinner. The post Cheryl Hines Walks In On RFK Jr. Vivisecting Self Again appeared first on The Onion.

WASHINGTON—Dismissing news of the 70-story skyscraper as a “hit job” manufactured by the mainstream media, President Donald Trump downplayed Thursday the significance of a Trump Tower found on Little St. James, the island once owned by the late child predator Jeffrey Epstein. “Look, there’s a lot of buildings with my name on it, one of which just so happen to be on Jeffrey Epstein’s island,” said Trump, who accused Democrats and news outlets of attempting to gin up a controversy over the immense luxury hotel emblazoned with his name that sits on the private island’s beachfront, the top floor of which was reportedly rented out to an organization called Pedophile Industries to use as a headquarters. “There’s a Trump Tower in Chicago and Manila, but nobody seems to get upset about those. That sign could be referring to any Trump. Either way, since when did it become illegal to build high-end real estate developments on a sex trafficker’s island?” The president refused to answer when asked about Trump Tower Dachau. The post Trump Downplays Significance Of Trump Tower Found On Epstein Island appeared first on The Onion.

It’s perfect for tiny kitchens. READ MORE...

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMegyn Kelly hasn’t held back in the WNBA’s latest off-court controversy, taking aim at DiJonai Carrington’s own affluent upbringing.Things got heated on the court when DiJonai Carrington was ejected after catching Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham with a blow to the face on a drive.But the real drama unfolded afterward. While still in the locker room, Carrington took to social media, dropping a post that called out “white privilege” and tagged the Fever directly.When questioned by reporters after the game, Carrington didn’t back down. She maintained the hit was unintentional and vented her frustration over what she sees as double standards, arguing that certain players get protected by refs and media while others get targeted.She said: “Try exercising your critical thinking skills, I know you studied psych.“Furthermore, I’m the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on ‘white privilege,’ do ya research on that one. I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject.“I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it.”Megyn Kelly exposes DiJonai Carrington’s pastThe Megyn Kelly show posted a clip of a snippet from Kelly’s show on X, sharing an insight into exactly where the DiJonai Carrington we see on our screens has come from.“Her privilege claim, okay. This woman, her dad was in the NFL, and apparently was like really good. A standout safety in the NFL, who played in not one but two Super Bowls during his eight-year professional career. Her mother, Victoria, was a star track athlete. She attended Horizon Christian Academy, a private K through 12 school in San Diego. It closed in 2018, but her tuition there averaged between 8 and 11 thousand dollars a year. Modern day estimates would put that around $17k for kindergarten, up to $20k a year for high school. She attended Stanford University and finished up her college career at Baylor.”Some of you may recognise her dad, Darren Carrington, a defensive back who played for the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oakland Raiders.Read more:‘It’s ridiculous’ – Jennifer Sey hits out at Stephanie White after Sophie Cunningham foul comments‘How dare they’ – Ben Shapiro takes Enes Kanter’s side after WNBA trans statement‘Will break sales records’ – WNBA fans lose it over Caitlin Clark’s new shoes at Fever practice

Bengaluru: A tireless pacer, a sharp fielder, a dependable batter and Karnataka’s most successful captain, R Vinay Kumar is set for a fresh challenge with his home team. The 42-year-old’s appointment as the head coach of the state senior team was on Thursday ratified by the KSCA managing committee.This will be Vinay’s maiden senior domestic team assignment, having coached franchise teams like MI Emirates in the UAE's ILT20 and the Hubli Tigers in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament.Vinay will have his former teammate Deepak Chougale as the fielding coach, which means the former all-rounder will handle the batting and bowling departments.“It's a great feeling to start my domestic cricket coaching journey with Karnataka, where I played most of my cricket and made some great memories,” Vinay told TOI after his appointment was made official.“It's one of the finest opportunities for me to go forward and it's my privilege to coach the Karnataka team,” he added.The Karnataka team, for a decade now, has failed to replicate the success achieved under Vinay’s leadership.Vinay, who has served as a talent scout for Mumbai Indians for about four seasons, believes there is no shortage of talent in the state.“Talent was never a problem, we have plenty of it. I can vouch for it, having observed both as a coach in Maharaja Trophy and as a scout. What I feel is missing is attitude,” he pointed out.Dwelling on what he is looking forward to, Vinay said, “For me, it's all about bringing everyone together and trying to work on one goal and achieve it with a bigger picture of the development of cricket in the state.”“We would love to win many trophies, which is the end result to achieve. For that, we need to tick all the boxes.”Vinay is confident that his observations of Karnataka cricket as a scout and franchise coach have helped him assess the talent available.“That will be the biggest advantage for me because as a scout, I've been watching them very closely for the last 4-5 years. As the Hubli Tigers coach, I got to work with some of them and watch most of the others closely. Also, given my love for Karnataka cricket, I’ve always been connected by watching on television and tracking scores, not just of the senior team, but across age groups. So I know our strengths and also our shortcomings,” Vinay explained.Having scouted across the country, Vinay is also acquainted with opposition players as well.“I know about other state players as well in terms of upcoming players and what they are working on and also their mindset. That I feel will give me an edge,” he added.Karnataka, who finished runners-up to Jammu & Kashmir in the previous edition of the Ranji Trophy, believes the success of the team will help the players individually.“Everything is taken care of once the team starts winning. The best example is Auqib Nabi who came into the Indian team recently on the strength of his performance for J&K.”Vinay was also of the opinion that it is unfair to sit back and say the team is in a transition phase.“We have good talent, it is about channelising their energy and attitude towards a common goal. This is a transition phase, but the moment we start talking about it, we might take it a little easier. Players just need to grab opportunities with both hands. There is nothing as a young age anymore, for proof we have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” Vinay explained.The other coaches in the mix include Vinay’s former teammates like Ganesh Satish (U-23), Kunal Kapoor and Raajoo Bhatkal (U-19), which, according to Vinay, will help in maintaining a supply chain of players.“I’ve either played or even captained most of the players, so we know each other well, which will help us communicate better. The moment coaches and support staff work together, the entire cricket ecosystem of the state benefits. It's all about the supply chain because they will have to give me the clear picture on who they think are ready to graduate or need to be fast tracked into the senior team.”Karnataka coaches for the season:Men:Senior team: Head coach: R Vinay Kumar; Fielding coach: Deepak Chougule; U-23: Head coach: Ganesh Satish; Fielding coach: Rajshekar Shanbal; U-19: Head coach: Kunal Kapoor; Bowling coach: Raajoo Bhatkal; U-16: Head coach: Aditya Sagar; Assistant coach: CB Karthik; U-14: Head coach: M Guruprasad; Assistant coach: KV Bharat.Senior women: Head coach: SN Ameet (U-23 also); Fielding coach: Rakshitha Krishnappa; U-23: Fielding coach: Srivalli; U-19: Head coach: Mukunda G; Assistant coach: Roopa BN; U-15: Head coach: Guruprasad; Assistant coach: Chandu V.

Michigan State football is right around the corner so it’s time to start predicting how the season will shake out for the Spartans.Michigan State football is under new leadership this season, with Pat Fitzgerald set to take over as the next head coach. He will take over a program looking to get back on the winning side, with the Spartans in the midst of a four-year bowl drought. Can he get the job done and get the Spartans back to a bowl game this season? I have offered my thoughts on that in our game-by-game predictions segment on Spartans Wire.This is the first of my game-by-game predictions for each of the matchups on the Spartans’ 2026 schedule. Each morning a new prediction will be released following Michigan State’s schedule. First up is the Spartans’ season-opener against Toledo…Matchup BreakdownOpponent: ToledoDate: September 4, 2026Location: Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, Mich.)Fun Fact About This MatchupThis will be only the second time Michigan State and Toledo have ever played each other, with the first meeting coming more than 100 years ago. The Spartans beat the Rockets 58-0 in the lone other matchup between these two schools in 1925.Where Things Stand Entering Matchup MSU predicted record: 0-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)This is the season-opener for both teams. This is also the first game at each of these programs for both head coaches. Pat Fitzgerald is taking over at Michigan State, last coaching in 2022 at Northwestern. Mike Jacobs is entering his first season at Toledo after making the jump from FCS program Mercer this past offseason.PredictionPrediction: Michigan State wins 31-13Season-openers have typically been sloppy for Michigan State and I anticipate the same thing here against a traditionally solid Rockets program. But, the gap is ever widening in talent between power and group of six conference teams so while I expect Toledo to keep it interesting, I don’t see them having enough talent and depth to pull the upset. Michigan State gets a solid season-opening performance from quarterback Alessio Milivojevic en route to winning Fitzgerald’s first game as the Spartans head coach.Next UpNext on the game-by-game predictions list is a home matchup for the Spartans against Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. That prediction will be released tomorrow.Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State football 2026 game-by-game predictions: Toledo

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Savinho of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) | Getty Images Welcome to another edition of Miguel Delaney Says Stuff — a periodic series where we look at Stuff Miguel Delaney Says and talk about those things. Are they true? Are they false? We don’t know! But Miggy certainly said them, and he tends to Say Stuff when someone tells him things.Today we’re looking at Stuff Miggy Said in his most recent Inside Football newsletter, something to which I do not subscribe and probably don’t ever intend to, but to which I have access through certain friends who let me know about the various Stuff that Delaney has said. In this newsletter, Delaney had a couple of new tidbits about Tottenham Hotspur which are particularly interesting in the context of the Brazilian report that suggested an £85m Tottenham bid for Manchester City winger Savinho. Emphasis is mine.Tottenham Hotspur won’t be quiet, mind. With Savinho set to be secured for a fee of £65m plus add-ons, they are still chasing Cody Gakpo, and there may even be a right-winger as Roberto De Zerbi has been toying with playing Mohammed Kudus more centrally.—Miguel Delaney, Inside Football newsletterWell! As far as Stuff Miguel Delaney Says goes, that’s pretty interesting! And no, I don’t necessarily think the Brazilian report and Delaney’s statement are at odds — the GloboEsporte report wasn’t clear about the nature of the bid, and the £85m that Cahe Mota reported very well could be an all-inclusive number that combines the base fee plus all potential add-ons. £20m in performance or appearance-based clauses doesn’t seem ridiculous, especially at the financial tier we’re talking about here. £85m feels like an overpay for Savinho, but £65m does not, and anyway if Savinho is good enough that he hits all of his benchmarks for the extra clauses in the fee, well that’s a good thing, right? We want him to do well and perform at a high level, and if he does that’s probably worth an extra £20m. But if Miggy’s correct about the fee structure, that at least FEELS different than the pure adrenaline hit that was the GloboEsporte report.But let’s also touch on the OTHER things Delaney said in that paragraph. First, Spurs are registering formal interest in Cody Gakpo — fine, we knew that already, whatever. But Roberto De Zerbi “toying with playing Mohammed Kudus more centrally” is ALSO fascinating. It implies a couple of things — we’re not going to be seeing Dejan Kulusevski for a while yet, James Maddison might still be dealing with… stuff, De Zerbi thinks that Kudus’ skill set is more appropriate in the 10 role than as a winger (where we saw him frequently dribble into cul-de-sacs when he was healthy), and we might also see another right sided or flex winger come into the side.That doesn’t mean we’ll actually see it happen — remember, this is all just Stuff Delaney Says, but it is pretty interesting to think through the ramifications. We’ll see what comes out the rest of today and in the days to come as to whether any of the Stuff Miguel Delaney Says comes to fruition. In the meantime, this sure is fun to think about!

Edwin Díaz’s third blown save in a week soured a night on which Max Muncy became Dodger Stadium’s all-time home run leader. The three-time All-Star closer, who established himself with the Seattle Mariners before standing out with the New York Mets, has floundered in his first season in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.Following four consecutive seasons with 20-plus saves — not counting the 2023 campaign he missed with a knee injury he suffered while celebrating at that year’s World Baseball Classic — the 32-year-old Díaz missed three-plus months with a right elbow issue that required surgery early in the 2026 season and has registered only six saves.Meanwhile, the righty’s blown four, including three in his past four appearances: one during an Aug. 7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, another in an Aug. 8 win over the D-backs and the latest in a 5-4 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.Even so, L.A., which signed him to a record-setting three-year, $69 million deal this offseason, isn’t moving off Díaz as its closer, manager Dave Roberts said postgame.Roberts was asked if he’d consider temporarily pulling Díaz from the Puerto Rico native’s signature role, perhaps allowing him a chance to reset, but the three-time World Series-winning manager offered a rhetorical response.“Give me another option,” Roberts said, per MLB.com. He continued: "I can't just say, ‘Change to lower leverage.’ I have to have other options, and to be quite honest, none of those guys really are throwing the baseball great.”Had Díaz sealed the deal on Thursday night, the Dodgers (73-49) would have tied the Brewers (75-47) for the National League’s best record. Instead, the three-time Reliever of the Year coughed up a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Milwaukee catapulted in front with a three-spot, thanks to RBI singles from Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell and Jake Bauers. Díaz was yanked before Bauers’, when the game was tied 4-4. He was responsible for all three runs, though. Díaz attributed the collapse to his inconsistency. After beginning the ninth with a strikeout, he allowed four straight singles. “I was throwing my fastball right in the middle,” Díaz said, via SportsNet LA. “When you miss right in the middle, you have to pay. So that’s what I did today.”Díaz later added: “It’s frustrating because I know my ability. I know what I can do on the mound. To not be able to do it sucks. I’ve just got to come tomorrow and try to keep getting better.”Díaz: "I'm just trying to be positive. Today was a tough one, so I'm gonna go home, see some video and try to get better tomorrow." pic.twitter.com/WioU4NoDkp— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 14, 2026The Dodgers do have other options at the position. After all, Tanner Scott did an admirable job filling Díaz’s vacancy earlier this season; however, the Dodgers have enjoyed his versatility late in games, deploying him in other spots. In order for them to even consider a closer-by-committee approach, the team’s relievers will have to regain their form, Roberts explained. If that happens, perhaps some combination of Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez and Jack Dreyer could be in the conversation. Since the start of July, the Dodgers’ bullpen ERA is a pedestrian 4.71, according to ESPN.For now, though, Roberts isn’t making a drastic change. "It's just not that easy when a guy's done it for seven, eight years, whatever it is, to change routines," he said, per ESPN. "Part of my job is to give him the best opportunity to prepare and have success, and then it goes to the player to kind of go out there and do their job."

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who is running for US Senate this year against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D), called his opponent “masculine” when compared to Minnesota’s current governor, Tim Walz. First, looking at Peggy Flanagan, she’s just a more muscula- more masculine version of Tim Walz, but it’s the same person,” he said on Fox Business Wednesday. He went on to blame Flanagan for allowing fraud to happen in the state. Related LGBTQ+ Democrats win big in Tuesday primaries while Angie Craig loses Senate bid “We’ve got a state that US Senator Amy Klobuchar is running for governor in this state. Cheryl, she put out 1,000 press releases in the last two years, a year and a half; guess what? Not one of them addressed fraud,” Emmer continued. “This is an issue that’s going to be front and center. Vote for Democrats, you will get more of the same; vote for Republicans, you’re going to get a change.” deplorable — Tom Emmer smears Peggy Flanagan as "a more masculine version of Tim Walz" pic.twitter.com/dzHgMm5C6d— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 13, 2026 Your LGBTQ+ guide to Elections Stay ahead of the election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today It’s unclear if the main point of Emmer’s gender-based attack was to portray Flanagan as too masculine or Walz as too feminine. Republicans have been attacking Democrats’ gender presentation for decades – Democratic men are effeminate while Democratic women are domineering – and they have been calling Walz gay since he ran for vice president in 2024. The Minnesota primary was held earlier this week, so now is the moment when each party’s candidate is laying out the overall message for voters in November. And Emmer faced criticism for apparently showing that personal attacks based on gender will be a part of his campaign. When your strongest attack is a gender dig and you’re broadcasting from a house that looks like it lost a fight with a thrift store.— Peter A Patriot (@PeterAPatriot) August 13, 2026 Hillary was right they’re all deplorable.— WATT (@WATT499663) August 13, 2026 No solutions. No serious debate. Just an endless culture war designed to keep people angry at each other.Policy is hard. Governing is harder. Culture war bullshit is easy— Jose M (@JMLV51) August 13, 2026 How any woman could vote Republican is beyond comprehension— JohnJoe (@johnjoe) August 13, 2026 Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The dolphin-like marine mammals returned to San Francisco Bay in 2008 after a decades-long absence from the area. Scientists took the rare opportunity to closely observe their behavior, and what they uncovered might help at-risk porpoise populations

LSU head coach Jay Johnson, left, smiles with retired head coach Paul Mainieri, and head coach Skip Bertman before an NCAA baseball game against Maine on Feb. 18, 2022, in Baton Rouge, (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)2026-08-14T13:16:20Z Stanley “Skip” Bertman, who turned LSU’s baseball program into a national powerhouse that won five national championships in the span of a decade, died at age 88 early Friday morning.The former LSU coach and athletic director passed away in a Baton Rouge hospital, LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette said.The LSU Tigers, now synonymous with college baseball’s elite and known for fielding numerous Major League Baseball prospects, had never won a national title when Bertman, a native of Miami, took over the program in 1983.The College Baseball Hall of Famer’s legacy now includes the current Alex Box Stadium, which opened in 2009, holds about 11,000 and routinely is filled to capacity. The field in the stadium was named for Bertman in 2013. The Tigers also have won three national championships under two of Bertman’s successors, most recently in 2025. Since 2013, the College Baseball Foundation’s annual award for the nation’s top coach has been named the Skip Bertman Coach of the Year Award. Bertman won it six times between 1986 and 2000. Bertman coached a total of 18 seasons, retiring in 2001 with a record of 870-330-3 and 11 College World Series appearances. He then served as Athletic Director until 2008 and Athletic Director Emeritus after that, continuing to live in Baton Rouge, support the university and attend LSU events for the rest of his life. Bertman coached the Tigers to their first five NCAA College World Series championships in 1991, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’00. His tenure as coach also included seven Southeastern Conference championships. His NCAA Tournament winning percentage of .754 is the highest in the history of the event. Bertman also was head coach of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, which at that time included only amateur players and won a bronze medal in Atlanta. Read More Bertman played baseball at Miami before going into coaching, starting at the high school level in Miami Beach. His final job before taking over at LSU was as an assistant at Miami under then coach Ron Fraser.Bertman was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy, and daughter, Lisa.Funeral arrangements were pending Friday.___AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

Police arrested a man in Texas early Wednesday morning for saying “bullshit” at a public city meeting a week earlier.Police in Fort Worth, Texas pulled over local radio host and political activist EJ Carrion just outside of his home and arrested him for "tumultuous behavior” related to a Commissioner's Court meeting on August 4, according to a copy of the arrest report obtained by 404 Media. Video of the alleged crime on YouTube showed Carrion saying the word “bullshit” while talking about polling center reductions during the meeting before walking away from the microphone.Carrion told NBC DFW that he had been out with friends late Tuesday night and came home around 3 AM on Wednesday morning. He pulled into his cul-de-sac when the cops pulled him over for not using a turn signal. They told Carrion they had a warrant for his arrest. According to an arrest report obtained by 404 Media, Carrion is charged with two counts of disrupting a meeting or procession, a misdemeanor in the state of Texas. “On or about the 4th day of August 2026, in the county of Tarrant, state of Texas, [Carrion] did intentionally hinder an official proceeding [...] by noise or violent or tumultuous behavior,” the record said.Tarrant County is the home of the city of Fort Worth, where. Carrion and other residents have been fighting a long battle with city officials over a plan to reduce the number of polling places by almost 50 percent ahead of the November midterms. During the last election, the city had 316 polling places. The county’s election administrator wants to cut that to 176.Carrion is a local celebrity — a podcast host, political activist, and EdTech entrepreneur — who has used his platform to speak out against the plan. He’s attended many public meetings of the Tarrant County Commissioners and spoken against the proposed polling plan several times.“You said you were all about cooling the temperature and yet you vote for this extremist bullshit,” Carrion said. “All of you are bullshit.” Carrion then turned around and walked away from the mic.“Remove him immediately from the room,” Tarrant County judge Tim O’Hare said.“I’m walking out, small man,” Carrion shouted over his shoulder as he walked away.“You are disrupting the meeting, we are now in recess,” O’Hare said. This exchange was, apparently, what caused Tarrant County to issue a warrant for Carrion’s arrest.Things did not calm down after Carrion left. Thirty minutes after his comments, a woman took the mic and criticized how the meetings worked. “People are removed for clapping. People are removed for speaking out. People are treated like a disruption instead of the reason this government exists,” she said. “You keep telling us not to ‘California my Texas’ while in reality you keep Russia my Texas. You three boys from the GOP—”“Alright, hang on, that’s it,” O’Hare cut her off. “We’re going to clear the chambers now.” Off camera, someone called something out to O’Hare.“Take that one, remove him from the building,” O’Hare said, pointing off camera.An hour after that, the chamber cleared, O’Hare ordered the arrest of another speaker for touching the microphone. Former Texas State representative Lon Burnham spoke out against the polling plan and the Commission. “For the last couple of years now all we have seen is total disrespect for the public,” he said. A previous speaker had been removed for touching the microphone and Burnam picked it up during his own speech.“Set the microphone down, Mr. Burnam,” O’Hare said. “I’ve asked you to set the microphone down. Please remove him.” The judge placed the meeting in recess again and Tarrant county officers physically dragged Burnam out of the chambers and charged him with two counts of public disruption — the same charges faced by Carrion.O’Hare is an elected official who presides over the Tarrant County Commission with four other elected representatives. Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. questioned Carrion’s arrest in a public statement on his Facebook page. “I am deeply disturbed by the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Efrin ‘EJ’ Carrion earlier this morning,” Miles Jr. said in the statement.“Government must exercise extraordinary restraint when speech at a public meeting leads to involvement with the criminal justice system. Residents should never have to wonder whether speaking forcefully to their elected officials could result in a warrant, an arrest, or an encounter with law enforcement,” he said. “Because once that fear takes hold, the damage reaches far beyond one person.”Miles Jr. called on his fellow commissioners to make the Commissioners Court a place where residents could feel safe to speak their mind. “There must be a line the government does not cross,” he said. “The authority entrusted to us does not belong to us. It belongs to the people [...] this must stop. And I will not be silent when the public trust, the safety of our residents, and their rights to be heard are at stake.”Carrion’s arrest is the latest in a growing trend around the country. People are angry at their local politicians — often about surveillance cameras and data center contracts — and have been showing up at public hearings in huge numbers to tell them. In February, cops in Oklahoma arrested a farmer for speaking a little too long during a data center meeting. In July, police arrested a person in Kansas for clapping during the public comments portion of a data center meeting.Carrion and the Fort Worth Police Department did not return 404 Media’s request for a comment.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz Edwin Díaz's struggles continued against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night when he gave up three earned runs, blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning.Díaz has a 12.71 ERA since returning from the injured list, and has blown three saves. The Dodgers series with the Brewers could end up deciding who gets the No. 1 seed in the National League, and Díaz just let one slip away. After the game, Roberts was asked if he would stick with Díaz as the closer."Give me another option," Roberts said after the game, per The Athletic's Katie Woo. "I have to have other options, and to be quite honest, none of those guys have really thrown the baseball great (lately)."Well, Roberts does have one other option. Most of the Dodgers bullpen has been terrible since the All-Star Break, but there is one very good arm. Tanner Scott has been impressive all season and is making up for a terrible 2025 campaign.Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!He has a 2.25 ERA this year and has experience as a closer. He was the closer while Díaz was out, and it may be wise to have him back in that role. He has 16 saves this year and a 0.96 ERA in the second half. The only problem with moving him to the closer role is that Díaz would have to be the setup man, or someone else would have to step up, and right now, that might be an issue.In a couple of weeks, the Dodgers may have more options. Tyler Glasnow's return to the rotation will push someone out of the rotation. Shohei Ohtani's eventual return will do the same. That could mean Justin Wrobleski and Eric Lauer are in the bullpen. One of them could end up being the new setup man, allowing Scott to close games.More MLB: AL East Duel Features Ex-Cy Young Winners Going In Opposite Directions

Jacob Saylors entered the Detroit Lions’ preseason opener fighting for the final spot in a crowded running back room.He left Cincinnati looking like the clear favorite.Saylors supplied nearly everything Detroit’s offense could generate during the first half of Thursday night’s 16-14 loss to the Bengals. He ran with burst, caught the ball cleanly and gave Dan Campbell another reminder that he can contribute beyond the occasional carry.For a player competing to become Detroit’s fourth running back, it was exactly the kind of night he needed.Jacob Saylors gives Detroit’s offense a sparkSaylors finished with 83 yards from scrimmage on only 11 touches. He carried eight times for 55 yards, an average of 6.9 yards per attempt, and caught all three of his targets for 28 yards.The numbers were impressive. His importance to the offense was even more obvious while watching the game.Detroit struggled with penalties, dropped passes and inconsistent offensive-line play. When the Lions produced something positive, Saylors was usually involved.“He was probably our most potent player on offense,” Campbell said after the game. “I thought he made a lot of plays for us.”That assessment was difficult to dispute.Saylors ran decisively and showed enough acceleration to turn small openings into productive gains. He nearly broke one run for Detroit’s first touchdown before being caught by the ankles near the goal line.Another nine-yard run helped position Jake Bates for a 52-yard field goal before halftime.Detroit’s official game recap listed Saylors alongside Luke Altmyer and Ahmed Hassanein as the young players who made the strongest impressions in Cincinnati.Saylors became Detroit’s early workhorseThe Lions did not play Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco or Sione Vaki, opening the door for the running backs fighting behind them.Jabari Small also sat out the game, reportedly because of an undisclosed injury. That gave Saylors a valuable opportunity to separate himself in the competition for Detroit’s final running back position.He took advantage.“He was the steady workhorse we had early in that game,” Campbell said. “If we were coming up with anything positive, he had most of it. I like where he’s at.”Calling Saylors a workhorse may sound unusual after only eight carries, but the description fits the way Detroit used him.Saylors was asked to run between the tackles, attack the edge and become a checkdown option for Detroit’s quarterbacks. He handled each assignment without looking like a player limited to one offensive role.The Lions already knew Saylors could carry the ball. He showed that during the previous preseason and whenever injuries created regular-season opportunities.What Detroit needed to see Thursday was a more complete performance. Could he help the offense without requiring a specific package or play call?The answer was yes.The fumbled exchange cannot be ignoredSaylors’ night was not spotless.He and Altmyer mishandled a second-quarter exchange near Detroit’s goal line. Cincinnati recovered at the Lions’ 7 and scored two plays later, turning the mistake into the Bengals’ only touchdown.The play occurred while heavy rain was falling at Paycor Stadium. Available accounts have described it as a bad exchange rather than assigning the entire mistake to one player.It still matters.Reserve running backs receive limited opportunities during the regular season. A mishandled exchange that gives an opponent the ball near the goal line can erase several productive carries.The good news for Saylors is that he did not allow the mistake to ruin his night. He continued running hard, catching passes and creating offense.That response matters to Campbell almost as much as avoiding the mistake in the first place.Saylors has the versatility Detroit needsThe Lions know what they have at the top of their running back depth chart.Gibbs is one of the NFL’s most explosive offensive weapons. Pacheco provides a physical running style and proven experience. Vaki has developed into one of Detroit’s most valuable special-teams contributors.That leaves a very specific job available.“He has some juice,” Campbell said. “Because we were with him last year, we know he can play some special teams. That’s going to be big for that next running back role.”Detroit’s fourth running back will not receive 15 carries every Sunday. He may not receive five.His path to the roster will be built around special teams, injury insurance and the ability to provide useful offensive snaps without forcing the coaching staff to change the playbook.Saylors checks those boxes.He has already spent time in Detroit’s system. He understands the demands of special teams. His performance against Cincinnati showed that he can also create yards as a runner and receiver when called upon.The Lions’ preseason roster projection identified Saylors and Small as the primary competitors for the final running back position. After one game, Saylors has created noticeable distance.Special teams will decide the competitionCampbell has never hidden what he expects from players near the bottom of the roster.Offensive production can earn attention. Special-teams reliability often earns the job.“We know what the two backs at the top are,” Campbell said. “We know what Vaki is. Vaki is one of the best special teams players in this league. If that fourth back is going to make it, he has to be able to help on special teams. It was good to see Saylors do what he did.”That is the roadmap.Saylors does not need to beat out Gibbs, Pacheco or Vaki. He must convince Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes that Detroit’s roster is stronger with a fourth running back who can cover kicks, protect the football and provide instant offense if injuries strike.Thursday was an important step.Small will have more opportunities once healthy. Kye Robichaux and the other backs will continue competing. One preseason performance does not secure a roster position.It can establish a leader.Right now, that player is Saylors.Bottom LineJacob Saylors entered Detroit’s preseason opener with a chance to take control of the Lions’ fourth running back competition.He did exactly that.Saylors produced 83 yards on 11 touches, gave Detroit’s offense its most consistent source of production and reminded the coaching staff that he can help on special teams. The fumbled exchange must be corrected, but it did not overshadow everything else he accomplished.Campbell called him Detroit’s most potent offensive player. For a running back fighting for the final spot in the room, that is about as strong an endorsement as he could receive.

For the NFL and its media partners, we see where the latter has some obvious advantages -- from a PR and marketing perspective -- when it comes to negotiating a new contract. This translates to the regular and fanatical NFL fan. Heavy criticism has come against the league when it comes to accessibility and consumer cost for the league.To watch every single NFL regular season and post-season game on a TV from home will cost you between $800 and $1,700 for the full season, according to Yahoo Sports -- including pay TV bundle access and streaming app costs. Add in another $250 to $300 to watch "NFL Sunday Ticket" and YouTube TV.The NFL has responded to these stories with its data that 87% of all NFL games are on free, over-the-air TV -- airing on CBS, Fox and NBC.Here is the financial and business point of view: The league continues to capitalize on its dominant viewership on all platforms -- especially over-the-air TV networks, as well as streaming platforms where modern TV consumers also hang out.This is where the likes of CBS, Fox and NBC have some advantage. Speaking with CNBC, one CBS executive offered more insight:"The NFL values a few things more than most. One of them is reach. CBS -- 17 of the last 18 years -- [was the] No. 1 broadcast network," says David Berson, president of CBS Sports."That means an awful lot to them. A growing streaming service like we have with Paramount+ means an awful lot to them.""Marquee production -- high-end production -- means an awful lot to them. We check every box. They know it, they acknowledge it, and it's part of the partnership we have."Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corp. is not rushing into early negotiation talks with the NFL during its option period.For its current media contacts, NFL instituted skyrocketing rights fees for companies now totaling $110 billion to $113 billion for ten years across all partners extending through 2033.Market analysts suggest the NFL is seeking -- hold your breath -- as much as doubling those rights fees again, at least from a starting negotiation position. Some believe it might just rise a still significant 50% hike for the next round.This is all to say that the maturity of the new modern linear TV/streaming marketing has legacy and digital-first media companies believing that there they have advantages, including that fewer big media companies have the wherewithal to keep increasing money going to the NFL.The NFL may not be available to drive up the score.

The Eagles will open the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium, providing their rookies, young players and roster hopefuls with their first opportunity to perform under NFL game conditions.Philadelphia has an established starting lineup at most positions, but several competitions remain unsettled behind the starters. The Eagles must identify Jalen Hurts’ primary backup, establish their offensive line depth and determine which young defenders can contribute within Vic Fangio’s rotation.The game will take on additional importance for players seeking to prove their value on special teams. Here is one Eagle from every position group to watch against Baltimore.Quarterback: Tanner McKeeMcKee served as Philadelphia’s primary backup last season, but the Eagles created a legitimate competition by acquiring veteran Andy Dalton. McKee, familiar with the organization, started the 2025 regular-season finale, completing 21 of 40 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. He must demonstrate command of Sean Mannion’s offense, make sound decisions and protect the football. A steady performance would strengthen his argument to remain Hurts’ primary backup.Running back: Carson SteeleSaquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley appear positioned for roster spots, leaving Steele to demonstrate how he can fit into the offense. The former Kansas City Chief offers experience at running back and fullback, potentially giving Mannion a versatile option for short-yardage and heavy personnel packages. Steele must run with power, handle pass-protection assignments, and contribute on special teams to improve his standing on the roster.Wide receiver: Darius CooperCooper has been one of Philadelphia’s most consistent training camp performers. After making the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2025, he has produced another collection of difficult catches and earned recognition from Hurts. Cooper is competing for offensive snaps in a crowded room that includes DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore and Hollywood Brown. Translating his production from the regular season into the preseason would make it difficult for Philadelphia to keep him out of the rotation.Tight end: Eli StowersStowers entered training camp with significant expectations after Philadelphia selected him in the second round, but he has spent much of the summer working behind the Eagles’ veteran tight ends. The preseason should provide a larger workload and an opportunity to display his athleticism as a receiver. His development as a blocker will be equally important. Stowers must show he can handle the physical and technical responsibilities required to earn an immediate role as the No. 2 behind Dallas Goedert.Offensive line: Markel BellBell’s massive 6-foot-9, 346-pound frame makes him one of the most noticeable players on Philadelphia’s roster. The third-round pick has worked at both tackle spots and impressed during one-on-one drills before the opener. Baltimore’s young edge rushers should test his footwork, balance and ability to handle speed. Bell can strengthen his case for a swing-tackle role while giving the Eagles another look at a player who could factor into their long-term plans after Lane Johnson retires.Defensive line: Uar BernardNo player on Philadelphia’s roster enters the preseason with less game experience than Bernard, who had never played organized football before the Eagles selected him in the seventh round. His athletic profile is exceptional for a 6-foot-4, 306-pound defensive tackle, but Saturday will test his technique, recognition and gap discipline. Philadelphia does not need Bernard to look like a finished product. The Eagles need to see whether his physical traits begin translating when opposing linemen can block him at full speed.Outside linebacker: Joshua WeruWeru is one of Philadelphia’s most intriguing undrafted rookies. The former rugby player from Kenya ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 41½-inch vertical at the HBCU Showcase, displaying rare athletic ability for a 6-foot-4, 244-pound defender. His football development remains in its early stages, making every preseason repetition valuable. Weru must show that he can set the edge, pursue the football and become a reliable special-teams contributor.Inside linebacker: Deontae LawsonLawson possesses more high-level experience than the typical undrafted rookie after starting 37 games at Alabama and finishing his college career with 283 tackles. The two-time captain enters a crowded competition behind Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell. Lawson’s instincts and tackling should translate, but coverage ability and special-teams production will influence his roster chances. A composed performance against Baltimore could help him separate from Philadelphia’s other reserve linebackers.Defensive back: Kapena GushikenGushiken has the athletic traits to become an interesting developmental cornerback after reportedly running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at Mississippi’s pro day. He has also received work at safety, adding valuable versatility to his roster case. Against Baltimore’s young receivers, Gushiken must show disciplined coverage technique, reliable tackling and awareness in zone assignments. Special-teams performance may ultimately determine whether he earns a place in Philadelphia’s crowded secondary.Safety: Maximus PulleyPulley enters the opener with an opportunity to capitalize on Cole Wisniewski’s hamstring injury. The undrafted rookie produced five interceptions during his final season at Wofford, returning two for touchdowns and earning FCS All-America honors. His ball production is impressive, but Philadelphia must evaluate whether he can communicate assignments, tackle in space and handle NFL speed. Pulley could force the Eagles to take a longer look if his playmaking ability carries into the preseason.Special teams: Rocco UnderwoodUnderwood enters the preseason as the favorite to become Philadelphia’s long snapper after the Eagles used multiple players at the position in 2025. The undrafted rookie won the Patrick Mannelly Award as the nation’s top collegiate long snapper in 2024 and handled the role throughout his Florida career. His task against Baltimore is straightforward but critical: deliver accurate snaps and maintain clean timing with kicker Jake Elliott and punter Braden Mann. A quiet evening would represent a successful debut.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: One player to watch at each position in the Eagles' preseason opener

Shakhtar Donetsk won the Ukrainian Premier League title by 12 points last season [Getty Images]Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk want to play their Champions League home games at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge this season.Shakhtar have been unable to use their Donbas Arena since the 2014 Russia-backed annexation of Donetsk, playing domestic matches in Kyiv and Lviv, and European home games in Germany, Slovenia and Poland.Negotiations are ongoing according to Ukrainian sources, with Chelsea providing the preferred option because of the chance to play at the Blues' 40,000-capacity stadium.Sources have stressed the move is not commercially motivated, with the clubs having built a strong relationship since Chelsea signed Mykhailo Mudryk in 2023 and through their involvement in the charity match Game4Ukraine.'We lost our home, not our identity' - Shakhtar eye European gloryChelsea give Mudryk go-ahead for loan moveFulham's Craven Cottage and Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium were also considered as Shakhtar explored options for bringing elite-level European football to west London.However, both have smaller capacities than Stamford Bridge and the proposition of playing Europe's biggest clubs or even English rivals in London has officials believing they can sell out a larger arena. The move is intended to connect with some of the 32,000 Ukraine-born residents in the capital, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, with about 100,000 people of Ukrainian heritage living in the UK.The availability of Chelsea's stadium follows the club's 10th-place Premier League finish last season, which left them without European football.That means there should be no significant scheduling clashes, though Hammersmith and Fulham Council, and Uefa, would need to approve additional fixtures.Latest Chelsea news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Chelsea - what do you want to know?

Army Staff Sgt. Alexis Jaramillo shows photos of his wife, Maisa Lopes Eliaser, a Brazilian national who is detained by ICE, near the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center where she is currently held, in Basile, La., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Joseph Vidrine)2026-08-14T13:33:56Z A U.S. soldier’s wife who spent more than a month in federal immigration detention said she is back home after officers removed her from a deportation flight to Brazil. Earlier this month, The Associated Press highlighted Maisa Lopes Eliaser as one of dozens of spouses or parents of U.S. troops who had been detained after President Donald Trump’s administration rolled back protections for military families amid its push for mass deportations. Following the AP’s reporting, a group of Congressional Democrats launched an investigation into deportations of military service members and their families.Eliaser was placed on a deportation flight Wednesday to her native Brazil when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on the plane received a phone call about her mid-flight, she told the AP. She said she was then asked by an ICE officer whether she wanted to continue on to Brazil or go back to the U.S. “Who made the call? We don’t know,” said Eliaser’s husband, Army Staff Sgt. Alexis Jaramillo. “But someone made the phone call, and then she came back.”While other detainees were led off the plane in Brazil, Eliaser stayed on board and returned to Louisiana. ICE officers told her that she was “famous” because there were videos about her case, she said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. DHS previously told AP that Eliaser, 32, had been issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on April 15, after overstaying the tourist visa she used to enter the U.S. in 2019. Read More Jaramillo, a 43-year-old aviation operations specialist who has served in the Army for more than a decade, took leave of his duties training soldiers in Fort Polk, Louisiana, to care of Eliaser’s 5-year-old son after she was detained on July 8.Jaramillo said Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former Navy officer, also looked into his wife’s case. Kelly’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.“This family’s reunion is proof of what’s possible when people set politics aside and do right by those who serve,” said Danitza James, president of the organization Repatriate Our Patriots, which supports military families facing deportation and helped with Eliaser’s case. “We won’t stop until every military family facing detention gets the same chance at justice.” Eliaser, who was detained in July while at an immigration appointment, has another appointment scheduled for Monday in an effort to reopen her case and advance her green card application. Jaramillo is a U.S. citizen and the couple have been married since 2024. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Jaramillo said he has been told that there will be no further issues with Eliaser’s case, but the couple is still concerned.“We are really, really, really scared about it, but you know, we have to go,” Jaramillo said. “I told the person who gave me the appointment, ‘Hey sir, don’t play with me, I’ve been through a lot.’”Eliaser said she is still struggling to sleep and is afraid she will be sent back to the detention facility, where she said she was treated like “an animal.”“It felt like I was in a nightmare,” Eliaser said. “I could not believe what was happening until I returned to my house. Day by day, I’m trying to recover from this trauma.” ___Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. JACK BROOK Based in New Orleans, Brook covers Louisiana with a focus on state government, environmental issues and infrastructure. He is a Report for America corps member and can be reached on the secure messaging app Signal at jackbrook.88 twitter instagram mailto SAFIYAH RIDDLE Riddle is a national law enforcement reporter based in Los Angeles, California. mailto

Skip Bertman addresses his players as LSU head baseball coach before a Men's College World Series game against Alabama June 6, 1997 at the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Taylor/Allsport/Getty Images)Getty Images via Getty ImagesJ. Stanley “Skip” Bertman, who guided LSU baseball to five national championships before enjoying a seven-year run as the school’s athletic director, died Friday. He was 88.As a coach, Bertman led the Tigers to national championships in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Only two other coaches have won five Men’s College World Series national titles. During an 18-season tenure that began in 1984 and concluded in 2001, he oversaw 11 MCWS appearances and authored an 870-330-3 record.Current LSU head coach Jay Johnson, responsible for piloting the vaunted program to its two most recent national championships, wrote in a statement on Friday that Bertman is “the greatest college baseball coach” of his lifetime. He explained how he treasures the relationship he forged with Bertman in his five years at the helm.“The mentorship, and most importantly, the friendship we built is easily one of the best, most rewarding, and special relationships I have ever had,” Johnson said in the statement.He noted: “Coach Bertman was so far ahead of his time while leading the LSU Tigers, and as a young coach just starting my journey, I watched, studied and admired his incredible skills of leading, motivating, teaching, coahcing and ultimately cultivating what became ‘The Powerhouse’ of college baseball.“Being able to share the 2023 and 2025 national championships with Coach Bertman watching is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. The impact he made and legacy he has left on the state of Louisana and college baseball is beyond remarkable and will never be duplicated.”A statement from Head Coach Jay Johnson on Skip Bertman's passing. pic.twitter.com/MaVLhWFnkD— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) August 14, 2026Throughout Bertman’s time as AD, he hired four coaches who went on to win national titles as well. That group included head football coach Les Miles and head baseball coach Paul Mainieri.Miles spearheaded the Tigers on the gridiron for 12 seasons from 2005-16. In the process, he took them to BCS national championship games. In their first appearance, they brought home the title, defeating Ohio State at the end of the 2007 season.Mainieri, meanwhile, returned LSU to prominence shortly after Bertman’s administrative stint, orchestrating their MCWS title in 2009. “Few people have had a greater impact on LSU than Skip Bertman," LSU current AD Verge Ausberry said in a statement on Friday."As the greatest college baseball coach of all time, and later as our athletics director, Skip developed a championship standard and culture that still guide us today. Personally, he was a dear friend, mentor and advisor, and I’m forever grateful for the trust and faith he placed in me to serve this institution. I will continue to honor Skip by leaning into the lessons he taught me every day. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this time.”LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson (left) smiles with former Tigers head coaches Paul Mainieri (center) and Skip Bertman (right) before a game against Maine on Feb. 18, 2022, in Baton Rouge, (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)AP Photo/Matthew HintonThis story is being updated.

The steady flow of exciting hitters continues, as Kaelen Culpepper and Zac Veen were promoted in the past week, joining the likes of Max Clark and George Lombard Jr., who made their debuts in the vicinity of the MLB Trade Deadline.Things are far less exciting on the pitching side, as we haven’t seen the emergence of exciting new starters and the closer situations on many of baseball’s weakest teams are as clear as mud. Wise fantasy baseball managers will invest in the new hitters while streaming starters with favorable matchups.Hitters to addMickey Moniak, OF, Rockies, 38%: Not only is Moniak having a terrific season (.862 OPS), but the Rockies remaining schedule virtually guarantees stretch-run success for their hitters. Starting on Monday, the team will play 22 of their final 38 games at Coors Field, where the team thrives and Moniak has a spectacular lifetime .997 OPS. And among the 16 road contests, four will be played against a Washington pitching staff that ranks 27th in ERA and three will come at power-inducing Yankee Stadium. Moniak and fellow outfielder Cole Carrigg (26%) should each see their roster rate surge by 20%.Zac Veen, OF, Rockies, 12%: The fantasy community added another member to a deep pool of appealing Colorado outfielders when Veen was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday. The 24-year-old had a cup of coffee in the majors last year (34 AB) but had spent the entirety of 2026 in the Pacific Coast League, where at the moment of his promotion he ranked 1st in OPS (1.037), 2nd in homers (24), 2nd in RBI (87) and 4th in runs (82). He also chipped in 18 steals. Given his five-category skill set and the hitter-friendly nature of Coors Field, Veen will have immense upside if given a full-time role.Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Twins, 8%: Perhaps it’s the fact that George Lombard Jr. (49%) plays in a major market, or perhaps it’s that Lombard was promoted a few days earlier, but we now see a 41% gap in the roster rate of two rookie shortstops who have similar skill sets and minor league numbers. In a nearly identical number of minor league contests this season, Culpepper tallied 31 HR+SB while Lombard accumulated 26. Culpepper hit .271 with 64 strikeouts, while Lombard batted .284 with 76 whiffs. Managers who missed out on Lombard should pivot to Culpepper, who will be the regular shortstop on a team that has scored more runs than the Yankees.Zack Gelof, 2B/3B/OF, Athletics, 40%: Gelof returned from the IL on Monday and will hopefully reclaim the skill improvements that he had previously shown this year. Strikeouts have always held back the infielder from showcasing his power and speed skills, but by cutting his whiff rate to 25.5% this year, he has hit .280 with 13 homers and eight steals in 239 at-bats. There is plenty of infield playing time available on an injury-impacted Athletics roster, which will help to keep Gelof in the everyday lineup.Cam Smith, OF, Astros, 19%: Those in deep formats can give a fresh opportunity to Smith, who has shown significant improvement (.791 OPS) in the second half. The youngster has dealt with poor luck this season (.264 BABIP) and his expected stats are all notably better than his actual marks. Smith could stand to improve on his 24.4% strikeout rate, but it isn’t a terrible mark, and his 11.4% barrel rate ranks in the 76th percentile. Smith is still figuring out how to maximize the benefit of his 99th percentile bat speed and should continue to improve down the stretch.Pitchers to addJ.T. Ginn, SP/RP, Athletics, 34%: Ginn has been the most consistent starter who cannot seem to raise his roster rate past the 50% threshold this season. The right-hander has logged solid ratios (3.41 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) and in two starts since returning from a brief IL stint, he has allowed four earned runs over 12 innings. Ginn has thrown at least six innings in 11 of his past 16 starts, and his ability to work deep into games has allowed him to rack up eight wins over that stretch. It’s especially advantageous to limit his reliance on an Athletics bullpen that has posted a 5.80 ERA.Sean Manaea, SP/RP, Mets, 29%: Through the rubble that is the Mets 2026 season, Manaea has reemerged as a valuable starter. The lefty was surprising sent to the bullpen at the end of spring training before recovering his rotation spot on June 13 as a deep group of starters was slowly depleted by injuries. In 11 starts, Manaea has logged a 3.50 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 61:18 K:BB ratio, and he punctuated those solid numbers when he struck out 11 Pirates across seven innings of one-run ball last time out. He has more upside than any starter with a sub 30% roster rate.Clayton Beeter, RP, Nationals, 17%: Although it happened almost four months too late for those who drafted Beeter, he has finally emerged as the Nats closer. The trendy late-round pick in March drafts started slowly and endured a forearm strain that caused him to be dropped in most leagues during April and May. But since the All-Star break, Beeter has collected five of the team’s six saves, while blowing just one opportunity.He’s now an option in 12-team leagues, as he misses enough bats to overcome his mediocre control skills. And although I still pin my hopes on the upside of new Pirates reliever Luke Weaver, Pittsburgh’s recent slump has prevented us from determining Weaver’s role, which makes Beeter the preferable option for those who need saves right now.Hitters with favorable weekend matchupsJake Burger, 1B, Rangers, 21%: A powerful right-handed hitter, Burger typically fares best against lefties (.815 OPS) and away from his pitcher-friendly home park (.731 OPS). He should thrive at homer-happy Sutter Health Park this weekend, when the Athletics will roll out two southpaw starters. Burger and his teammates should also excel late in games against a bullpen with a 5.80 ERA.Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics, 4%: On the other side of the same series, Bolte is in perfect position to continue his August surge (.856 OPS) when he plays three games at his hitter-friendly homer park against the Rangers, who will deploy left-handed starters on Saturday and Sunday. Bolte bats leadoff against lefties and stays in the lineup versus right-handers, and in addition to swinging a hot bat, baseball’s fastest player has significant base-stealing upside.Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked in order of preference)Landen Roupp vs. COL (Friday, 37)Hayden Wesneski vs. SEA (Saturday, 22)Noah Cameron @ LAA (Sunday, 47)J.T. Ginn vs. TEX (Saturday, 34)Jared Jones vs. BOS (Saturday, 34)Sean Manaea vs. WSH (Saturday, 29)Christian Scott vs. WSH (Sunday, 31)Grayson Rodriguez vs. KC (Friday, 7)Jackson Jobe vs. CWS (Friday, 33)Brady Singer vs. MIA (Saturday, 23)Cody Bradford @ ATH (Sunday, 8)Robert Gasser @ LAD (Friday, 11)Brandon Pfaadt @ ATL (Friday, 36)Grant Holmes vs. ARI (Saturday, 25)Patrick Sandoval @ PIT (Sunday, 13)Gage Jump vs. TEX (Friday, 16)Jacob Lopez vs. TEX (Sunday, 15)

Someone has finally stood up for Jayden Daniels in saga no. 5. Ryan Clark, who wore no. 2 when he played at LSU, took to X to post about the situation on Thursday. Clark wrote, “The cease-and-desist is not about the number itself or about DJ Pickett. It is about respect—and the process by which that number was ultimately given out.”Clark also said that he had spoken with people on both sides of the issue and hopes “that this situation can be resolved in a respectful manner that honors everyone involved and, most importantly, recognizes what Jayden Daniels accomplished for LSU.” Ryan Clark’s postMORE: Jayden Daniels wants LSU drama handled ‘privately’The more people on both sides say, it does seem like no one handled this situation very well. This is one of those unwritten rules situations where everyone feels like the everyone else is wrong. LSU never retired Joe Burrow or Jayden Daniels’ numbers. It would have been nice if they’d communicated with Daniels about a recruit wanting to wear his old number. And Daniels probably shouldn’t feel like he’s being disrespected because someone is wearing the number he shared with multiple players in the same locker room during his two seasons at LSU. MORE: Jayden Daniels reportedly made odd Heisman Trophy request with LSUAnd Pickett, who just wanted to wear the number he’d worn since he was a kid, is stuck in the middle. It’s really a ridiculous situation all around. now Clark is trying to do damage control, insisting that “Jayden wants to focus on the excitement around the team, how well camp is going & winning games for the Commanders.”Getting a lawyer involved and causing a distraction for both his former college and his current team in the middle of training camp makes it seem like he’s focused on something besides winning games for the Commanders. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Aussies Smith and Leek stun PDC stars to reach New Zealand Darts Masters quarter finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Australian pair Raymond Smith and Adam Leek caused major upsets on the opening night of the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland to set up an all-Antipodean quarter-final.Smith produced a superb display at Spark Arena, averaging 99.81 and converting 86% of his doubles to defeat third seed Stephen Bunting 6-2. He sealed the win with a clinical 124 checkout on the bull after earlier 92 and 90 combinations.“It feels pretty awesome. Eight years since I last played on a PDC stage, so I’m pretty stoked,” said Smith.“I think I played really well. What we’re doing in the ADA, DPNZ and ANZ Premier League is setting us up for this sort of stuff. What the PDC is investing in the Oceanic region is showing in the results.”DARTS PLAYER MERCHANDISE AND COLLECTABLES AT OUR DARTSWORLD STORE!Leek, on his World Series debut, survived six match darts to beat Ross Smith in a last-leg decider. After trailing 4-1, he won five of the final six legs.“It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m lost for words,” said Leek.“I tried to compose myself as much as I could, and thankfully that last dart went in. “It’s a dream come true to play on this stage, so I’ll make sure I’m ready for the next one and we’ll see how we go.”Elsewhere, top seed Gian van Veen averaged over 97 in a 6-1 win against Jonny Tata and will face Jonny Clayton, who came from 4-2 down to beat Haupai Puha.Gerwyn Price whitewashed Mark Cleaver 6-1 and meets Damon Heta, who staged a comeback against Ben Robb that included 11- and 12-dart legs and a 105 finish.Josh Rock edged Simon Whitlock 6-4, while James Wade whitewashed Kayden Milne 6-0. They meet in the last eight.The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place on Saturday at Spark Arena, starting with van Veen vs Clayton, followed by Wade vs Rock, Price vs Heta, and Smith vs Leek.INTERESTED IN GLOBAL DARTS? Checkout DartsWorld’s Dedicated AreaVan Veen and Clayton will kick off the evening’s proceedings, before Wade and Rock battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. Price – the only former champion in this year’s field – then faces Heta, with Smith and Leek rounding off the quarter-final action in what promises to be a night of pure Oceanic drama.2026 SkyCity New Zealand Darts MastersFriday August 14Gerwyn Price 6-1 Mark CleaverAdam Leek 6-5 Ross SmithJames Wade 6-0 Kayden MilneJosh Rock 6-4 Simon WhitlockGian van Veen 6-1 Jonny TataJonny Clayton 6-5 Haupai PuhaDamon Heta 6-4 Ben RobbRaymond Smith 6-2 Stephen BuntingSaturday August 15 (1900 NZST)Quarter-FinalsGian van Veen v Jonny ClaytonJames Wade v Josh RockGerwyn Price v Damon HetaRaymond Smith v Adam LeekBest of 11 legsSemi-FinalsVan Veen/Clayton v Wade/RockPrice/Heta v Smith/LeekBest of 13 legsFinal vBest of 15 legsAll Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.For the full stories and more in depth coverage of everything darts, together with the latest issues of their legendary publications, head on over todartsworld.com

No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza had a solid preseason debut on Thursday night, tossing a touchdown to cap his second possession. Mendoza ended up playing 53 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps in the contest against the Cardinals, finishing his night 10-of-16 passing for 97 yards with a TD and no interceptions. He also rushed twice for 6 yards.“It was great to get out there, get my feet wet, especially the first drive,” Mendoza said in his postgame press conference. “It felt a little sped up because so much anticipation and excitement. However, I feel like my teammates around me protected me very well, and they helped me. They helped slow me down, and I think it was a good experience.”Mendoza noted that his emotions were where he thought they would be following his first pro action.“Especially as a quarterback, you don't want to get too emotional, because you want to be able to process, make the right checks, make the right reads, and I felt that it was good emotion,” Mendoza said. “Getting in the huddle with my guys, and in a sense, being able to break through and finally play a snap in the preseason, which is going to be faster than practice, just how it is with adrenaline, and then the regular season gets faster than that, and on and on. So, I think it was a good experience to get my feet wet.”If there was one thing that surprised Mendoza in his debut, it was the speed of the game. Mendoza mentioned team minority owner Tom Brady spoke to the squad on Wednesday night and noted that it was going to be different from what the rookies had previously experienced.“[A]ll of us haven't played football in a little while, so I think the speed's always going to be a little amped up,” Mendoza said. “I thought the guys did great out there today. There was one play where I scrambled to the right, and usually sometimes I'll be able to get the edge, maybe scramble for two or three yards, and it's like, 'Wow, I got it a little faster than I thought.' So, I throw the ball away and try to make the smart play to best serve my teammates. So, I would say definitely faster and hit harder. So, surprise, but no surprise.”Mendoza’s next opportunity to play will be on Thursday night when the Raiders take on the Texans in Houston.

A new study suggest that even strange, complex animal behaviors can have a relatively simple genetic basis

White House Ballroom construction continues Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Tierney L. Cross)2026-08-14T13:54:35Z WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the White House to continue construction on its $400 million ballroom project while it appeals a lower court’s order to halt the work.Trump’s solicitor general petitioned the high court to suspend last week’s decision by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.The divided panel ruled last week Trump must stop the White House ballroom’s construction because Congress has not approved the project. The panel’s majority said Trump doesn’t have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom where the White House’s East Wing stood before he ordered its demolition last fall.The lower court suspended its own ruling for two weeks to give Trump’s Republican administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court. The solicitor general asked the Supreme Court to rule on its stay petition before the appeals court panel’s decision takes effect on Aug. 21. “This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security,” the solicitor general wrote.The lower court’s 2-1 decision sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop construction of the ballroom. The administration argues that the president, not Congress or the courts, has unimpeded authority to renovate the White House. The current state of the project, essentially an open construction site, makes it harder to protect the White House, the Justice Department contends. Read More The administration also says the National Trust for Historic Preservation does not have the legal right, or standing, to sue over the ballroom.During an appeals court hearing in early June, an administration lawyer defended a broad view of presidential control over iconic public facilities. The government could bulldoze the Statue of Liberty and the White House, Justice Department lawyer Yaakov Roth said in response to a hypothetical question, and the descendants of immigrants who came through Ellis Island and the enslaved people who built the White House would not have standing to sue.

A boy cools himself off in a fountain on a hot summer day in Moscow, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)2026-08-14T13:55:17Z LONDON (AP) — Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to consider the death of the summertime state of mind. The season itself is in no danger; climate change, mainly caused by the burning of oil, gas and coal, is warming the weather year-round. Viewed this way, summer-like weather is ascendant. It’s setting records across the globe — melting Arctic ice, driving droughts, i ntensifyingwildfires, spinning up storms and endangering millions of people who can’t affordair conditioning, time off work or “coolcations.” The heat is so extreme in Asia that Japan has coined a new meteorological category for the danger: kokusho-bi — or “cruelly hot day.”What seems as dead as the grass in England this year is summertime ideal — lazy days, warm nights and escape, however temporary, from classes or parents or work or rules. During the Summer of ’26, people are grieving that freedom. And perhaps, the versions of ourselves we become when our senses tell us that we are safe. “I mourn for the way summer used to be,” wrote “cli-fi” author Debra Denker in an essay last month recalling leisurely days and July Fourth block parties of the 1960s. “Unless we change the trajectory we’re on, today’s children will never know the gentle and balmy summers of my childhood ... I feel sad that they may never know the truly carefree summers that the more privileged among us enjoyed.” In 2026, summertime is a different kind of blastNo one needs meteorologists to confirm that this summer is different and our rituals are changing. Downwind from wildfires in North AmericaandEurope, the sky turns orange and the air tastes gritty. Life under Paris’ famous gray rooftops can be deadly. Nights can be a sullen cycle of sleep, showering and opening a window — only to close it later to block out the urban noise. Read More Everywhere, life-giving sun hurts during much of the day. Checking the air quality index has become part of the act of stepping outside. We get things done earlier in the day and stay up later at night. And a full day at the beach — or an August holiday in Europe — is more a matter of risk management than it used to be. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Americans are more likely to say extreme heat has had either a “major impact” or “minor impact” on their travel or vacation plans, electricity bills, their sleep, their family’s outdoor activities and more parts of their day-to-day life than in July 2024. Research at Oxford University published in July found that the intense heat influences daily behavior globally, with such “everyday adaptations” to daily activities occurring across seven of the countries most at risk of heat waves: Brazil, France, India, Nigeria, Turkey, the U.S. and China. For some, it’s a summer of discontentAmber Risebrow, a teacher in Britain’s Channel Islands, said she yearned for England’s idyllic warm season — that period when the sunlight lingers.“I wanted the long light evenings and the sunshine and the not-dark-at-4pm of it all,” she posted recently on Instagram. “What I did not want was to feel like a rotisserie chicken every single time I stepped outside. Slowly rotating. Gently basting. Questioning my life choices by 10am.” For those who care to look, the data is plentiful and the weight of it is moving toward hotter and stormier summers. This week alone, intense heat hammered the U.K. and France as temperatures soared toward 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). It was the fifth heat wave of the year in a region where air conditioning is sporadic at best. And the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that the contiguous United States sizzled to its hottest month ever in July.Globally so far, this is the third-hottest year, behind 2024 and 2025, climate statistics show.But 2026 still has time to catch up. Thanks to the one-two punch of accelerated human-caused global warming and a supersized El Nino — a periodic warming of parts of the Pacific that leads to temperature variations around the globe — there’s an increasing chance that by the end of the year, 2026 could become the hottest year on record, scientists said.“And it’s not just extreme heat,” the World Meteorological Organization’s Clare Nullis told reporters in Geneva. “We’re also seeing extreme rainfall, tropical cyclones. So we’re not in holiday mode at all.” Is summer an ‘outdated sham’?Somewhere deep, there’s a sense of acceptance that life-threatening, trip-canceling heat waves and their rippling effects aren’t a one-off fluke. So management has ensued, with the hope that escaping hot weather might somehow allow the return of that summertime feeling — for now. Advisories urging tourists to limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours have become a standard part of trip planning from Cambodia to Cambridge, England. Dog walking is becoming a dawn-or-dusk activity, with governments in high heat zones advising owners against midday walks. Employers and workers are adapting, with work hours especially for agricultural and construction workers shifting to the morning, and policies in some places allowing employees to work from home when the heat becomes extreme.But home doesn’t offer much solace for workers with no air conditioning. Only about 4% of British homes have “air-con,” compared to about 90% of American homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. So achieving old-fashioned summertime bliss is, and perhaps always has been, mostly a matter of privilege. In “An Open Letter to the Person Who Asked Me What I’m Doing For The Summer As If I Didn’t Have to Work,” comedy writer Elizabeth Simone addressed the issue in the Weekly Humorist last year.“You do know that summer vacation is an outdated sham, right?” she wrote. “Obviously it’s because of what summer meant back when we were kids.” ___Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed from Tokyo. LAURIE KELLMAN Kellman has covered U.S. politics and foreign affairs for the Associated Press, including 23 years reporting from Washington and three from Jerusalem. She is based in London. twitter facebook mailto

Activists accumulate food and water supplies in front of Israeli army soldiers who are blocking the road leading to the houses of three Palestinian families that have been besieged by Israeli settlers for six days, in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, south of Nablus, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)2026-08-14T14:03:28Z QUSRA, West Bank (AP) — From inside his home in the West Bank town of Qusra, Qusai Abu Rida watched on Friday as Israeli settlers moved from where they had erected a tent in front of his house to the valley below, rather than returning to the nearby outpost where they live.Even as the army took positions around him and the homes of two other families that settlers had blockaded for most of this week, the settlers remained close enough that Abu Rida feared they would again return after the army left and try to take over the home owned by his Palestinian American brother in Ohio.“I just don’t know when this will end,” he said.The standoff in Qusra entered a new stage Friday as activists marched toward the besieged homes to try and replenish the families’ food and water supply. But Abu Rida said he was growing tired of the pattern, with Israeli forces removing the settlers, only for them to return and reestablish their positions after the troops withdrew. “It’s like a kids’ game, like cat and mouse,” Ziv Stahl, the executive director of the Israeli rights group Yesh Din, said. “It’s clearly not a matter of capability but a matter of will.”The siege of the homes is the latest episode in a wave of settler violence convulsing the occupied West Bank, which Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and which would make up the main part of a future Palestinian state. Israel’s military said the village — roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Palestinian city of Nablus — was a closed military zone. They did not answer questions about the presence of the settlers. Both Israel’s military and Israel’s police both referred questions arrests in Qusra to the other. Read More The West Bank has become more dangerous for Palestinians as Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved more than 100 new settlements. Extremist settlers routinely enter Palestinian towns, clashing with villagers, burning homes, mosques and cars.Netanyahu is courting blocs of ultranationalist voters ahead of what’s expected to be a difficult reelection campaign in October. He and members of his cabinet have largely dismissed concerns about settler violence as overblown and attributed it to fringe groups of a few hundred youths. Yet rights groups and Palestinians say the government’s policies have made it more difficult to restrain settlers, who are rarely punished for attacks. Qusra siege reflects broader violenceThe standoff in Qusra began on Sunday when dozens of settlers arrived and blocked the doors to the three houses, preventing occupants from leaving, according to the families inside.Israeli troops intervened multiple times and arrived in large numbers Thursday.Abu Rida and his teenage son were temporarily moved by the army on Thursday but allowed to return hours later. He told his brother in Ohio that he planned on staying to defend the home. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. For many, the scene unfolding in Qusra — now in its sixth day — reflected broader failures by Israeli authorities to curb the violence in the West Bank. Itamar Weil, an Israeli human rights activist from the group Bnei Avraham, said the army had threatened to use tear gas against the activists and forced them to leave, even as settlers remained in the valley below Qusra.“The army used to prevent settlers from carrying out this kind of violence,” he said. “Now, with a government that fully supports them, they’re not doing their job. They should be protecting both sides from violence, but instead they’re removing activists while barely doing anything about the settlers.” Palestinian officials have reported 1,476 attacks by Israeli settlers in 2026, including several earlier instances in which settlers staged takeovers of Palestinian homes on the outskirts of other West Bank towns.A total of 87 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank this year, according to the Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry. Israel says some were involved in terrorism, which it defines broadly to include militancy and rock-throwing. Three Israelis were killed by Palestinians, including two in a July clash during which four Palestinians were also killed. Katz strips army of enforcement power against settlersBefore calm was restored in Qusra, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that he would transfer all enforcement powers against Israeli civilians in the West Bank from the army to Israel’s police. “The (Israeli military’s) role is to fight Palestinian terrorism, focus on protecting the borders and settlements against threats, deal with the borders and the territory itself and security threats to the settlements and the State of Israel, and not chase after boys on the hills,” Katz said in a statement.Historically, the army has been able to arrest Palestinians and bring those accused of crimes before military courts. But when it comes to Israeli civilians, in most circumstances it can only use temporary detention for those suspected of crimes, leaving arrests, investigations and prosecutions to police and civilian courts.Katz’s move comes after he ended the use of administrative detention against Israeli civilians in November 2024. The military had used the policy as a tool to contain settler violence, allowing it to detain suspects without charge and remove them from the West Bank. Much like with that move, rights groups said transferring all powers to the police was unlikely to restore order or ensure Palestinian safety.Some 2.8 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule in the West Bank alongside more than 560,000 Israeli civilians who live in settlements that the international community largely considers illegal and an obstacle to peace.Though the Palestinian Authority exercises limited autonomy and policing power in the territory’s largest cities, agreements that date back to the 1990s give Israel security control over large swaths of the territory, including agricultural areas and communities such as Qusra.Stahl, Yesh Din’s executive director, said Katz’s announcement wouldn’t change or help stem the violence because police will still require army escorts to operate in Palestinian areas.“Unless (Katz) means he’s going to apply Israeli law and have the police control the West Bank, the military is still the main body in charge,” she said. SAM METZ Metz covers Israel, the Palestinian territories and the broader Middle East for The Associated Press. He previously covered North Africa and the Western United States. twitter mailto

Laufey performs during iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball in Philadelphia, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)2026-08-14T14:00:18Z NEW YORK (AP) — It was 2023 when Laufey, the Icelandic singer-songwriter known for her neoclassical jazz-pop, decided to create a global fan event. Her second album, “Bewitched,” was soon to be released and she wanted to do something big to celebrate it. But more than that, she says, she “wanted to find a way to get my fans out of their homes, and to really follow an itinerary of my perfect idea of a day and have the music from ‘Bewitched’ follow it.” And thus, “A Very Laufey Day” was born. Each year, the Grammy-winning singer curates itineraries for different locations across the globe for her listeners to follow. It’s “anywhere I have been and loved,” she says. It allows them to live what she refers to as “a perfect day,” but also to connect with their community offline and in person. And as she approaches its fourth edition, it has only grown larger. “It became much bigger than I anticipated, really,” she says. She sought to inspire her audience to find “third spaces,” and explore some of her favorite locales: museums, bookstores, cafes, concerts and the like, and foster community in the process. And each year, it has only grown bigger, with fans dressing up in their favorite Laufey-themed vintage fashions to celebrate the unofficial holiday.And Aug. 23 will mark the fourth annual “A Very Laufey Day.” “It is a fun puzzle every year,” she says. ‘A Very Laufey Day’ 2026This year, “A Very Laufey Day” will include experiences in 75 cities across 25 countries, centering on the theme of “A Celebration of the Arts.”Those include performances spanning symphony orchestras, ballet, jazz, opera and theater as well as events with libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, yogurt/ice cream shops and more. Her concert film “A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl” will be screened at select theaters. And she’s partnered with many museums around the world, including New York City’s Guggenheim, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, London’s Tate Modern and National Gallery, Chile’s Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Seoul’s Daelim Museum and more. At some participating businesses, fans will be able to acquire limited edition merchandise and Laufey-themed specialty drinks.“This year it was really about focusing on the arts and culture and finding ways to bring this barrier of entry down between my audience — which is mostly Gen Z and Gen A — and these kind of so-called high cultural experiences,” she says. “Whether it’s going to see an orchestra show … museums or galleries, we really want to find ways to connect with those institutions.” Read More Some of these spaces can be intimidating for younger fans, and Laufey says this year was all about making these rooms, some of her favorites, inviting to her audience. “It doesn’t have to be this scary thing. And so, I’ve kind of made it my life’s mission to make spaces like that fun and accessible,” she says. MARIA SHERMAN Maria Sherman is the music reporter at The Associated Press. She is based in New York City. mailto

Meta has filed a patent for its AI smartglasses that uses facial recognition to automatically detect who is in the frame, creates a video clip whenever one of those people does something — like picking an item up or walking around — and then generates a highlight reel of what just happened, according to a copy of the patent published Thursday. One example given is the system capturing highlights from a dinner party and then serving those up to the user.The patent gives new, granular insight into what Meta may be planning around its highly controversial push into facial recognition in combination with its AI glasses, which have already been widely lauded as “pervert glasses.” 💡Do you work at Meta and know anything else about these glasses? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at joseph.404 or send me an email at joseph@404media.co.“I’ve generated some highlights of tonight’s dinner party. Would you like to see them?” a prompt from the system says, alongside various thumbnails of what look like people laughing, according to one illustration in the patent. One section says the system may personalize highlight files using “user relationship data.”The illustrations clearly show a person wearing a pair of glasses, looking at a group of people, then the glasses focusing on one or more people in particular.Patentlyze, an orgaization that tracks patents, first alerted 404 Media to the patent on Friday.A gallery of screenshots from the article.The patent is dense with how such a system would work, but in sum, the system with one or more cameras receives an input from the user, then uses machine-learning and “sensory data” to figure out points of interest in the camera’s field of view. That can include detecting people in the shot “based on one or more facial recognition algorithms,” identifying those specific people, detecting their facial expressions, using “eye gaze data of the user captured by the client system,” and figuring out other points of interest “based on scene and semantic understanding.”With those people and actions identified, the system would then make various “highlight files.” Although the patent is for “particular camera-based tasks by particular systems in a particular manner” — in this case, the company’s smart glasses — Meta writes it “contemplates assisting users in any suitable camera-based task by any suitable system in any suitable manner.” Meaning that although this technology is focused on the glasses, maybe the company will use it for other purposes in the future. It is also not clear if these ideas will ultimately make their way into a final product or update for the glasses.Meta is continuing to push its AI smart glasses despite widespread pushback and criticism. In June, WIRED reported that Meta silently added facial recognition code for its smart glasses to millions of phones. Meta removed the code shortly after WIRED’s discovery.Meta did not respond to a request for comment.

Recent polling issues could continue in Democratic primaries in part because progressives are more likely to enjoy taking surveys.