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The Kansas City Chiefs are playing their first preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 15, when they host the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.Chiefs fans will have to wait a little bit longer before they see their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, back on the field.Mahomes has spent the 2026 offseason recovering from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. By all accounts, the 30-year-old's rehabilitation is going well, but the Chiefs are slow-playing his return, with each party's No. 1 goal remaining to see Mahomes on the field for the team's Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos.Here's what to know about Mahomes' status for the Chiefs' first preseason contest, as well as information about when fans may see the three-time Super Bowl champion on the field again.Is Patrick Mahomes playing today?Mahomes isn't playing in the Chiefs' preseason Week 1 game against the Rams. Andy Reid announced the 30-year-old's planned absence on Thursday, Aug. 13, and said Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun would split the reps during Saturday's game.Reid hasn't committed to playing Mahomes in the preseason at all as the quarterback attempts to recover from the knee injury he suffered late in the 2025 NFL season."I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game, I don’t know that, but the percentages likely lean against doing that," Reid told reporters of Mahomes on Friday, Aug. 7. "We’ve got new people in those other positions behind him that need some work, and so the more reps they get, the better."Who will start for Chiefs vs. Rams?Justin Fields is expected to start for the Chiefs in their preseason opener against the Rams. The 2021 first-round pick signed in Kansas City as a free agent to replace Gardner Minshew as the primary backup behind Mahomes.Fields, 27, spent the 2025 NFL season with the Jets. He posted a 2-7 record across nine starts, completing 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception while adding 383 yards and four touchdowns on 71 carries.The Chiefs will mark the fourth organization for which Fields has played over the last four seasons. He began his career with the Chicago Bears in 2021 before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 campaign. He then went to the Jets and now, he will look to carve out a long-term role with the Chiefs.Chiefs QB depth chartThe Chiefs currently have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster. Below is the pecking order within the unit, according to the team's unofficial website.Patrick MahomesJustin FieldsGarrett NussmeierChris OladokunNussmeier and Oladokun figure to battle for the third-string role behind Mahomes and Fields during the 2026 NFL preseason.Nussmeier is currently listed as the third-string quarterback on Kansas City's depth chart. The LSU product fell to the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft but completed 65.3% of his passes for 5,979 yards, 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions across his two seasons as a primary starter for the Tigers.Meanwhile, Oladokun has been with the Chiefs since 2022. He made his first two career starts last season, going 0-2 while completing 63.6% of his passes for 235 yards and one touchdown.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Patrick Mahomes playing today? Chiefs QB's status for preseason Week 1 vs Rams

The Cleveland Browns are once again set to have one of the league's most intriguing quarterback battles in 2026. Shedeur Sanders is expected to be a key part of it.A year after entering his rookie training camp as Cleveland's fourth-string quarterback, Sanders is battling veteran Deshaun Watson for the Browns' starting job.First-year Browns coach Todd Monken has consistently intimated both Watson and Sanders will get a chance to stake their respective claims to the team's starting job. That process will begin when the Browns play their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday, Aug. 15.Will Sanders be playing in that preseason contest? Here's what to know about Cleveland's quarterback plans for the game, along with additional information about the team's notable position battle.Is Shedeur Sanders playing today?Yes, Sanders is expected to play in the Browns' Week 1 preseason game against the Bears. However, he won't be starting the contest.Monken tapped Watson to start Saturday's matchup between the Browns and Bears. Watson will play the first half of the game before making way for Sanders in the third quarter.Sanders will then have an opportunity to start the Browns' second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.What Todd Monken has said about Browns QB competitionWhile Monken named Watson the team's starter for preseason Week 1, the 60-year-old coach has been tight-lipped about whether either quarterback has an advantage in the competition.Early in the offseason, Monken noted he "would love to have" a starting quarterback in place by training camp. However, he continued to intimate he was not yet ready to decide between Sanders and Watson whenever asked, crediting each for their performances during the team's offseason activities."I just don't see it after the way Shedeur has played and Deshaun's played," Monken said of naming a starter during a June 9 media availability. "They've both played well enough to earn the right to compete to start."Even so, Monken knows he will soon be tasked with deciding who will start the season as Cleveland's top quarterback. Nonetheless, he has neither provided a timetable for his decision nor tipped his hand about his preference, save for giving Watson the first crack at starting in the preseason."It’s close," Monken told USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell in an exclusive interview before a recent camp practice. "People somehow think that, like, I have some hidden agenda, or like there’s some preconceived notion."Is that what they think I would do? I would just split the reps if I didn’t think it was a competition? That would be really silly. If I thought one was the starter, I’d give him the 'one' reps."Browns QB depth chartThe Browns currently have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order among the unit, according to the team's unofficial depth chart.Deshaun Watson OR Shedeur SandersDillon GabrielTaylen GreenGabriel and Green are listed respectively as the team's third- and fourth-string options, meaning the loser of the Watson vs. Sanders battle will slot in as the team's backup quarterback.Gabriel, a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, opened last season as Cleveland's backup quarterback ahead of Sanders. The Oregon product led the Browns to a 1-5 record across six starts while completing 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.Meanwhile, Green was a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Arkansas product has a tantalizing combination of elite arm strength and mobility but will need to hone his accuracy to become an effective signal-caller at the NFL level.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Shedeur Sanders playing today? Browns QB plans for preseason game vs. Bears

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 23: A detail view of the Philadelphia Phillies logo on a batting helmet during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 23, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Philadelphia Phillies entered 2026 hoping the back of their rotation would be able to hold their own behind perhaps the best frontline in the sport and that the bullpen would find a way to navigate the later innings before closer Jhoan Duran could come in for the final outs.But those hopes haven’t panned out as hoped and the team was forced to make some relief trades before the deadline and search for a potential back-end starter upgrade.Ultimately, that led the team toward old friend Kolby Allard, who was a member of the team in 2024 and seemed as if he could play a swingman role when the Phillies reunited with him in a few weeks ago.Instead, Allard has now been shut down for the season shortly after returning to the Phillies, who are left to continue searching for pitching depth.FORBES | By Peter ChawagaPhillies’ 28-Year-Old Ends Playing Career Immediately After CutPhiladelphia Phillies Veteran Suffers Season-Ending SetbackAllard, who joined the Phillies on a minor-league contract in June, had been assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after pitching for the Cleveland Guardians' Triple-A affiliate. At the time, he was viewed as useful rotation depth for an organization dealing with questions at the back of its pitching staff.“He had thrown 30 2/3 innings for Columbus, allowing 4.11 earned runs per nine,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “He struck out 22.4% of batters faced, gave out walks to 7.2% of opponents and induced grounders on 45.3% of balls in play.”Those numbers helped explain why Philadelphia was willing to bring back a pitcher who had previously appeared for the organization. Allard had also shown enough major-league ability to suggest that he could be a factor on the big-league roster, even if his role was expected to remain in the depth category.But the Phillies will no longer have him available as an option for the remainder of 2026.“Kolby Allard (strained left adductor) has been placed on the full-season injured list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley,” Phillies Nation’s Ty Daubert reported last week.The designation represents a disappointing conclusion to what had been an opportunity for Allard to work his way back toward the majors.FORBES | By Peter ChawagaDodgers’ Shohei Ohtani ‘Escape Clause’ Resurfaces After Shocking Lakers SalePhiladelphia Phillies Lose Veteran To Season-Ending InjuryThe injury is particularly unfortunate because Allard had been brought aboard at a time when the Phillies' pitching depth was already under scrutiny.With Allard out for the year with the hip injury, the Phillies will continue to hope for a bounceback from Nola and newfound confidence from Painter, while the trade deadline bullpen additions continue to work through the relief corps’ struggles.Ultimately, it’s a tenuous mix for a club with World Series aspirations. But unfortunately the flyer on Allard won’t be paying any outsized dividends this season.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

An investigation is under way into the accident involving Tarling [Getty Images]Finlay Tarling's team, NSN Development, have withdrawn from the remaining stages of the Volta a Portugal following the British cyclist's death.The 19-year-old died following an accident during the eighth stage of the race on Friday.Organisers confirmed the race will continue with the penultimate stage on Saturday, while tributes will be held for Tarling before the start.In a statement, the Volta said it had been a "tragic day for cycling" and the race would be held in an "atmosphere of profound mourning".It added that "as a sign of respect and mourning" the main sponsors of the event had agreed to cancel all activities for the remaining two stages."The race continues. There will be a sporting competition, but not a party... This Saturday, the Volta rides for Finlay."Welshman Tarling was competing for the NSN Development Team when the incident occurred on the 166.8km route from Melgaco to Fafe on Friday.In a statement provided to local media, Major Tiago Machado of the National Republican Guard said there had been "a collision between the cyclist and a light goods vehicle" and that an investigation was under way."Following Fin Tarling's tragic passing on Friday, the NSN Development Team has withdrawn from the remaining Volta a Portugal stages," NSN said in a statement on Saturday morning."With the full support of Fin's parents, the WorldTour team will race on at Czech Tour and the Arctic Race of Norway. We will continue to hold Fin in our hearts as we race in his honor, doing what he loved most. "We want to thank everyone in the cycling community and beyond for the incredible support at this difficult time."Tarling, the younger brother of Netcompany-Ineos rider Josh, had raced for Great Britain on the road and track.He looked to be following in the footsteps of his older brother Josh as a time trial specialist.He finished in third in the under-23 men's individual time trial at the British Championships in June and competed in the Tour of Britain just under 12 months ago."This is not the time for speculation about the circumstances of the accident. The incident is being investigated by the GNR Command, which is responsible for rigorously establishing the facts," the Volta added."We all remain deeply shaken."Cycling is a sport that involves risks, but we are never prepared for a tragedy of this magnitude. Finlay lost his life. A family lost a son. A team lost a team-mate. Cycling lost one of its own. It is a tragedy that transcends the competition itself."Britain's Finlay Tarling dies in Volta a Portugal accident

Top Premier League trio hold talks over OsimhenManchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have all discussed the possibility of signing Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray, although there has been no formal approach for the Nigeria international.According to Teamtalk, the three Premier League clubs have held internal discussions about the 27-year-old striker, but none have progressed to formal bids or advanced negotiations.Osimhen is reportedly keen on a move to England after establishing himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards during his time in Turkey. However, his financial demands could prove a significant obstacle.The striker’s current package at Galatasaray is among the highest in the Turkish top flight, and any Premier League move would require a substantial salary commitment. Teamtalk reports that wage demands previously contributed to Chelsea failing to complete a deal for Osimhen.Arsenal, Man Utd and Tottenham hold Osimhen talksGalatasaray are also reluctant to sell. The Turkish champions are understood to have rejected an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in recent days and have little desire to part with a player whose contract runs until 2029.Manchester United’s interest appears to have cooled, with the overall financial cost understood to be a concern. Tottenham continue to monitor the situation, while Osimhen’s name has also featured in Arsenal’s discussions with Galatasaray over other matters.For now, there is no indication that any of the three clubs are close to making an offer. Osimhen is therefore expected to remain at Galatasaray unless a suitor is prepared to meet both the club’s valuation and the player’s wage expectations.Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

At 73, Sherrod Brown is mounting a comeback bid in Ohio. He is one of the Democrats his party is counting on to retake control of the Senate.

Asian allies are beginning to wonder whether the United States would or could defend them in a war.

Food options available at Elland RoadLeeds United supporters attending matches at Elland Road will find a host of food vendors around the ground and on concourses. Please see below a full list of what is available for fans on matchdays in the various areas around the stadium.East Stand Lower Concourse:Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries with a choice of sauces and Cheeseburger Loaded Fries, from the Loaded Fries Kiosk.Chicken Shop serving chicken burgers, piri piri chicken burgers, katsu chicken burgers, chicken strips and chips. Choices of curry/gravy (GF) and other sauces. Pizza Kiosk serving 10” stonebaked margherita and pepperoni pizzas.Diner Kiosk serving hotdogs, cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers and pulled pork cheeseburgers as well as junior snack boxes including a hotdog, drink, fruit and snack.Pieminister handy pies available on multiple kiosks throughout the stand, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.Savvy Baker brownies available at the Brew Bar and Coffee Kiosk as well as two pop-up gazebos at the turnstile entrances.Doughnuts & speciality coffees such as a Latte, Cappucino etc. available from the Coffee Kiosk. Sweet Pod, located at the top of the stairs opposite Entrance 12, selling a large range of confectionary including sour patch kids, crunchies, dairy milk, wine gums, buttons and wispa gold. East Stand Upper Concourse:Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries, chicken strips and chips.Hotdogs & cheeseburgers.Pieminister handy pies available on both kiosks, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.NEC/Fanzone:Big Phillies catering van serving a range of hotdogs and burgers as well as Steak Loaded Fries (Fanzone). Savvy Baker brownies available on NEC Lower Brew Bar as well as speciality coffees such as a Latte, Cappuccino etc. available.Pieminister handy pies and hotdogs available on multiple kiosks throughout the stand, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.Cheeseburgers and pulled pork cheeseburgers available in the NEC Upper Kiosk. North Stand Concourse:Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries, chicken burgers, chicken strips and chips. Choices of curry/gravy (GF) and other sauces.Hotdogs, cheeseburgers and pulled pork cheeseburgers. Pieminister handy pies available on both upper and lower bars, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.West Stand (Home Section):Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries and Cheeseburger Loaded Fries (John Charles Bar).Hotdogs, cheeseburgers and pulled pork cheeseburgers. Pieminister handy pies available on all kiosks, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.West Stand (Away Upper Section):Hotdogs and cheeseburgers. Pieminister handy pies available, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.West Stand (Away Lower Section - Howards Bar):Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries and Cheeseburger Loaded Fries, chicken burgers and chips. Hotdogs and cheeseburgers. Pieminister handy pies available on both kiosks, including vegetarian and vegan pie optionsWest Stand Outside (Away Fanzone):Kebab catering van with various options.South Stand/South East Corner:Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries and Cheeseburger Loaded Fries (South Lower Concourse).Hotdogs, cheeseburgers and pulled pork cheeseburgers. Pieminister handy pies available on all kiosks, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.Billys Bar & South Stand Upper (Half-Time access):Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries.Pieminister handy pies available, including vegetarian and vegan pie options.Chicken Van (Billy Bremner Statue):Shredded Chicken Loaded Fries, chicken strips and chips.

The Dallas Cowboys are finally back in action, opening the 2026 preseason on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Brian Schottenheimer's team is on the road and will play the Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle. The exhibition game — featuring a matchup against the defending Super Bowl champions — will be broadcast nationally and locally.Here's how to watch Cowboys vs Seahawks:Game detailsWhat: Preseason opener at Seattle SeahawksWhen: Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:00 p.m. CTWhere: Lumen Field, Seattle, WAWhat channel is Cowboys vs Seahawks on today?NFL Network will live broadcast the game to a national audience. The game will also be available locally on the following channels:CBS-11 DFW (Spanish): Televisa Univision, Telemundo 39Streaming optionsDallasCowboys.comFans can watch live broadcasts of out-of-market NFL preseason games through NFL+.The live radio broadcast will be available for everyone on 105.3 The Fan.Cowboys preseason scheduleat Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Aug. 15, 7 pm CTat Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 pm CTvs New Orleans Saints, Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 pm CTThis article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: What channel is Cowboys vs. Seahawks on today? Time, TV schedule to watch preseason game

🏜️ No strikers? Fantasy football has changed: auction strategy🧙‍♂️Last season’s Serie A taught us one thing: strikers in Italy don’t score much. Or at least, the stars aligned and gave us a season in which the top scorer netted 17 goals.We can’t know whether those numbers will be repeated (even if nobody is hoping for that), but the pool of strikers certainly hasn’t been overhauled. There have been a few signings, while other forwards now find themselves in tactically unfavorable setups. And all of this will change Fanta strategies.Few strikers who scoreThe 2025/26 Serie A scoring chart was clear: 11 strikers reached double figures, plus McTominay (10), Orsolini (10 goals) and Nico Paz (12). The top scorers among players listed as forwards looked like this:Lautaro - 17 goalsMalen - 14 goalsDouvikas - 14 goalsM. Thuram - 13 goalsHojlund - 12 goalsSimeone - 11 goalsDavis - 10 goalsScamacca - 10 goalsKrstovic - 10 goalsYildiz - 10 goalsBonazzoli - 10 goalsWhat’s striking is the number of players listed as forwards sitting on just 10 goals: as many as five, including Juventus’ technical leader and several smaller-club scorers, plus the Scamacca-Krstovic duo, a real headache for fantasy managers last season.Who is NOT a true first-tier pickNow let’s list who can’t be a top-tier pick worth spending most of your budget on: Bonazzoli (currently in Serie B with Cremonese); Douvikas (Como are looking for a top-level striker); Krstovic (who starts on the bench); Yildiz (the real main scorer should be Kolo Muani); Simeone (he doesn’t play for a big club) and Davis (injury-prone).Who has been added to the list of top-tier picksThe strikers who should be added to the top-tier group are: Goncalo Ramos, Kolo Muani and Moise Kean (it’s hard to imagine him finishing below 10 goals again, whether at Fiorentina or Como).Of all the names listed, who is truly a top-tier pick objectively:LautaroMalenKolo MuaniM. ThuramHojlundGoncalo RamosMoise KeanBut to buy a top-tier pick you usually have to spend 40/45% of your budget: that is, 200/220 credits or 400/450 credits depending on the budget available. If the historical numbers were to repeat themselves, only Lautaro, Malen and Kolo Muani could be considered top-tier picks worth "breaking the bank" for in Fanta.Invest in midfielders or defenders (if you use the modifier)If strikers keep scoring little, then it makes sense to focus on midfield: a department where there are plenty of opportunities that could become even more important given the output of forwards.Last year, the highest-scoring midfielders were:Nico Paz - 12 goalsMcTominay - 10 goalsOrsolini - 10 goalsCalhanoglu - 9 goalsVlasic - 8 goalsPulisic - 8 goalsTo these names, Zaniolo and Baturina have been added as well, considering their numbers relative to minutes played.IS IT WORTH GETTING 2 TOP-TIER MIDFIELDERS?So we have 8 "top-tier picks" in midfield, except in this case we’ll pay much less for them: surely around 15% less than a "top-tier pick" in attack.So, based on last season’s goal numbers: it might be better to buy two top-tier midfielders and then target second-tier strikers, who could score only a few fewer goals than the "top-tier" ones, but at a lower cost.THE DEFENDER QUESTIONIf you use the modifier (especially one with more than three tiers), defenders become even more important: Dimarco had the 5th-highest fantasy average in last season’s league, and since goals are becoming rarer and rarer, it’s better to rely on creativity: by getting at least a 6.5 average in defense.A strong defense, a midfield with two top-tier picks, and a bit of scouting up front could be an even more valid strategy than usual. Because anyone who says: "I’m going all-in on the striker from a big club" could get burned, just like what happened last year.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

LIVE: India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test live updates, score, weather report, toss, win chances, result and highlights from Galle originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY MATCH DETAILS: (Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test)Venue: Galle International Stadium, GalleCaptains: Shubman Gill (India), Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka)Toss result: India won the toss and opted to bat.Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network (India), Willow TV (USA, Canada), Sky Sports (UK, England)Umpires and match officials: Ahsan Raza, Rod Tucker (On-field umpires), Sharfuddoula (TV Umpire), Raveendra Wimalasiri (Reserve Umpire), Andy Pycroft (Match Referee)Match result: TBDPlayer of the Match: TBDSri Lanka vs India 1st Test live match ScorecardFollow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test live 2026 Live Score UpdatesHello everyone, and welcome to the live blog for the Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test in Galle. This is a crucial encounter for both sides as they need points to stay afloat in the World Test Championship cycle. Sri Lanka will sense an opportunity to beat the visitors as they know the conditions well and India's frailty against spin is not a secret anymore. Prabhat Jayasuriya will be the key bowler for Sri Lanka as he has already taken 81 wickets in just 11 Tests at Galle. India's middle order will be asked some tough questions, and without the presence of Sai Sudharsan, the going will be more difficult. India batting updates: 197/1Star of the third sessionKL Rahul seems to be in pain as limped off the ground, retired hurt. Shubman Gill comes out to bat.TEA: India sail comfortably in GalleIndia have added 96 runs in the second session as Rahul & Padikkal have been mostly unbothered by Sri Lanka's blunt attack. The pitch is flat and is a batter's paradise on day one. The 150 partnership between the two is up, and India are set for a big score. Rahul & Padikkal build India a strong platformA gritty half-century from Rahul and some steady hitting from Padikkal have helped India get to 150 in the second session on day one. Barring that unfortunate run-out of Jaiswal, the Indian batters have not put a foot wrong so far. Incredible Test batting from the top order. Start of second session delayed due to rainThe​​​​​​second session has been delayed due to rain and a wet outfield. However, the covers have been taken off, and the sun is out. Live action to begin at 2 pm. Rahul & Padikkal build on after Jaiswal shockThe wicket does not have any demon on day one, and the Indian batters are making the most of it. Yes, the odd ball has turned, but it is still a very good wicket to bat on. Rahul is playing a patient innings, scoring 32* from 77, while Padikkal seems to have found his rhythm. Solid start from India cut short by Jaiswal run outIt was a steady start from India as both openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, were playing sensible cricket until a brain fade moment cost India their opening wicket. A misunderstanding between Jaiswal and Rahul allowed Sri Lanka to claw their way back into the game as the former was run out. Toss result: India won the toss and opted to bat.Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Win ProbabilityFor the latest winning momentum in this match, you can click here for the Manhattan GFX breakdown, while the latest probability odds are below:TeamWin percentageIndia40%Sri Lanka60%Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Playing XIIndia playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh KrishnaSri Lanka playing XI: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha FernandoSri Lanka vs India 1st Test weather forecast: Rain chances in GalleThere is a high probability that rain will be a factor in Galle across the five days.Day 1 (August 15): High of 30°C, low of 27°C, with around a 50% chance of rainDay 2 (August 16): High of 31°C, low of 27°C, with around a 25% chance of rainDay 3 (August 17): High of 30°C, low of 27°C, with around a 40% chance of rainDay 4 (August 18): High of 31°C, low of 28°C, with around a 40% chance of rainDay 5 (August 19): High of 31°C, low of 27°C, with around a 35% chance of rainKey highlights and reactions: Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test'Got the ability': Is Manav Suthar the solution to India's all-Rounder crisis vs. Sri Lanka in Galle?India’s Test return vs Sri Lanka comes with plenty of questions3 reasons why Sri Lanka should believe they can beat India at homeGambhir's fate as India Test head coach based on IND vs SL Test series result revealedSri Lanka vs India Test series scheduleMatchDatesVenueMatch Timing (IST)1st Test (India's 600th Test)August 15 – August 19, 2026Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle10:00 AM IST2nd TestAugust 23 – August 27, 2026SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo10:00 AM ISTWho do you think will win the series? For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

India heads back to Sri Lanka after a nine-year gap, kicking off a two-Test series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 15, 2026.Both matches count toward the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, where India currently sit fifth in the table with 52 points and a points percentage of 48.15 from nine Tests so far.MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSShubman Gill takes charge as captain, though his build-up hasn't been entirely smooth. He picked up a finger injury during a training session in Colombo and had to sit out part of the warm-up match as a result.He's since returned to batting and looked more than ready heading into the opener, with reports suggesting he'll slot in at number four.Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier pace bowler, is out of the entire tour with an injury, which is a significant blow given his usual impact with the ball. Auqib Nabi has been drafted into the squad as his replacement, but he is lower down the pecking order behind Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar.Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceLive ScorecardSri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Toss result & Live updatesIndia batting updates: 197/1Start of Session 3, Day 1KL Rahul limps off the pitch in pain, retired hurt as Gill comes out to bat. TEA: Sri Lanka toil as Rahul & Padikkal score freelyIt has been a tough day out under the sun in Galle for the Lankans. A slice of luck helped them get the first wicket of Jaiswal, but since then it has been one-way traffic. Rahul & Padikkal have played risk-free cricket and yet the runs have continued to flow. Tall order for SL spinners in the third session. Rahul & Padikkal frustrate SL bowlersMuch was said about Jayasuriya before the Test match, but the spinner has hardly troubled the Indian batters in Galle, his fiefdom. Rahul has been cautious in his approach, whereas Padikkal has stuck to his natural game. Runs have come comfortably from both ends, and Sri Lanka need some individual brilliance to break this partnership. Rain delay in GalleThe start of the second session has been delayed due to rain. However, the sun is out, and the covers have been taken off. Umpires are out in the middle. Live action to begin at 2 pm.Rahul & Padikkal bat comfortably After the horror of Jaiswal's run-out, Rahul & Padikkal have steadied the Indian innings, and the scoring rate hasn't dropped. Padikkal is playing fluently while Rahul continues to be cautious. At lunch, the first session is definitely India's. Jaiswal run out dampens India mood at GalleIndia had a great start to the innings until Jaiswal was run out due to a misunderstanding with KL Rahul. The former was batting fluently, but hard luck. Rahul looked livid as a disappointed Jaiswal trudged towards the dressing room. Toss: India won the toss and opted to bat. Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Playing XIIndia playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh KrishnaSri Lanka playing XI: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha FernandoSri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Win percentageTeamWin probabilityIND60%SRI40%Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Betting oddsIndia are the favourites to win this match at 1.24 on Dafa, while the odds for Sri Lanka to win are 4.10 at the moment. DafabetMAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSCLICK TO BET

The Lebanese health ministry said several children were killed in a strike overnight, one of the deadliest attacks in months. Israel’s military said it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.

Democratic divisions, polling misses and Ocasio-Cortez’s egg freezing: the week in politics.

Republicans are taking deliberate steps to make health care less affordable.

Will Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the Jacksonville Jaguars starters play against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday?Following the team's joint practice on Thursday, head coach Liam Coen confirmed that Lawrence and other starters would not be playing in the preseason opener.One of the benefits of having a joint practice is that it provides a game-like setting but is within a more controlled environment, allowing key players to get those critical reps against another opponent.It's also worth noting that, unlike last year, the Jaguars are not implementing new schemes on either side of the ball, lessening the need for starters to see preseason action.Without Lawrence and the starters playing, the second and third team units will be getting extended action. Some noteworthy positional battles taking place within these units include the back end of the linebacker depth chart, positioning in the offensive line room, and playing time in the defensive end rotation.We will also presumably get our first glimpse of a few of the Jaguars' rookies, including Emmanuel Pregnon, Jalen Huskey, Tanner Koziol, CJ Williams, Josh Cameron, Zach Durfee, and Wesley Williams.This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Will Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars starters play in preseason v. Saints today?

Shedeur Sanders hands off to Raheim Sanders at the Browns OTA in Berea on May 27, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co With the 2026 preseason beginning on Saturday for the Cleveland Browns, the team is still trying to figure out their current quarterback situation. Shedeur Sanders, who is in his second year with the Browns, is trying to take the starting job from veteran Deshaun Watson. However, Sanders is running into some form of adversity whilst trying to earn the starting job, which may be one reason Watson is starting against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the preseason. Inconsistencies or lack of progress in crucial areas have changed the tides of the quarterback situation, and people are wondering if Cleveland could possibly trade Sanders if he doesn’t win the starting job. It’s not certain that the Browns would choose to explore this path, but it’s a situation that cannot be ruled out. It’s the NFL, and roster decisions like these are fluid. Most likely it would be SS for a defender on the bubble with another team where they have a lot of depth. A CB or DE particularly as of now— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) August 14, 2026As the current quarterback situation has gone on, Sanders has made strides, but he is still struggling in the things that are key when it comes to playing the quarterback position. The team has viewed Sanders as a “developmental quarterback” given some of the limitations coming out of the Colorado offense. Sanders has talent, but he is behind in the key aspects of playing the position, mostly in presnap and progressions. Considering his draft position, the team is not committed to Sanders by any means, but they are giving him an opportunity to prove he is the guy of the future. Considering how last season went for Sanders, he is already facing an uphill battle to start. Sanders could build his trade value if he plays well in the preseason. If he plays well, but not well enough to beat out Watson, the Browns will likely keep him and play him this season if Watson were to get hurt or get benched. Then again, if he doesn’t get the starting spot out of training camp but shows some flashes, Cleveland might just turn the page, getting something in return while preparing for the next would-be future of the franchise in the 2027 NFL draft.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed in bizarre circumstances during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday, after a confusing mix-up with KL Rahul left both India batters stranded at the same end.The incident occurred when Keshara Nuwantha bowled a flighted delivery on the stumps and Rahul drove it neatly towards mid-on. Nuwantha dived to stop the ball but could not prevent it from getting away.— prateek_295 (@prateek_295) In the process, the Sri Lankan spinner collided with Jaiswal, who was at the non-striker's end. Jaiswal lost his footing and ended up on the floor.Rahul, however, had already set off for the single and had reached halfway down the pitch. The India opener's fall prompted Rahul to hit the brakes, but Jaiswal then got back on his feet and took a step forward, seemingly indicating that he still wanted to complete the run.Jaiswal then suddenly changed his mind and attempted to return to the bowler's end. Rahul interpreted the movement as a signal to continue with the run, leaving both batters at the same end.Rahul had already grounded his bat when Jaiswal reached the crease, leaving the opener short of his ground.Niroshan Dickwella collected the ball after Prabath Jayasuriya received it and initially did not remove the bails. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper turned towards captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who was positioned at slip, to check whether he could complete the run-out.De Silva gestured that there was no issue with taking the bails off, and Dickwella eventually disturbed the stumps. The umpires then had to check whether Sri Lanka had withheld the appeal, before confirming the dismissal.Jaiswal was eventually given out run out for 32 off 37 balls, having struck five fours.The dismissal marked the third time Jaiswal has been run out in Test cricket. He was previously dismissed in the same manner against Australia at the MCG in 2024 and against the West Indies in Delhi last year. On those occasions, he had scored 82 and 175 respectively.The unusual dismissal came in India's 600th Test, being played on the country's 80th Independence Day.Earlier, Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat in the opening Test of the two-match series. Both India and Sri Lanka are seeking crucial World Test Championship points as they look to remain in contention for the 2027 final. India currently sit fifth in the standings, with Sri Lanka sixth.

NEW DELHI: A scary moment unfolded during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle when Nishan Madushka was hit on the helmet by a KL Rahul sweep.The incident happened off the final delivery of Prabath Jayasuriya's over. Rahul went down low and played a well-timed sweep, but Madushka, stationed at short leg, was directly in the path of the shot.Madushka spotted the danger and immediately lowered his head to protect himself. However, the ball still struck him flush in the centre of his helmet.Rahul rushes to check on MadushkaThe ball deflected towards fine leg after hitting Madushka. Rahul was initially reluctant to take the run, but Yashasvi Jaiswal had already crossed, leaving him with no option but to complete it.As soon as he finished the run, Rahul rushed towards Madushka to check on him.The Sri Lankan batter was attended to by the physio, who carried out concussion checks.Madushka leaves the fieldMadushka was then taken off the field. He removed his shin pads before walking away.The incident left players from both teams concerned as Sri Lanka assessed Madushka's condition following the helmet blow.India bat first in 600th TestEarlier, India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the opening Test of the two-match series.Both teams are looking for crucial World Test Championship points as they aim to stay in contention for the 2027 WTC final. India are currently fifth in the standings, while Sri Lanka are sixth.Sri Lanka pick four spinnersSri Lanka have gone with two fast bowlers and four spinners, including captain Dhananjaya de Silva and left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha.Twenty-five-year-old off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha is making his Test debut.India have selected three spinners and two pacers, retaining the same combination they used in their last Test against Afghanistan in June. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar are the three left-arm spin options.Devdutt Padikkal has replaced Sai Sudharsan, who is out of the series with a stress fracture. Jasprit Bumrah is also unavailable because of a knee injury.India play 600th Test on Independence DayIndia are playing their 600th Test on the day the country celebrates its 80th Independence Day.The Galle International Stadium is also hosting its 50th Test. The pitch is expected to offer good batting conditions during the first two days before spin becomes more effective as the match progresses.Playing XIsSri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. 133258909

Juventus agree €22m deal for Bologna defender Jhon LucumiJuventus have reached an agreement with Bologna for Jhon Lucumi, with the Colombian defender now set to complete his move to Turin.According to Tuttosport, the deal is worth €20 million plus a further €2m in potential bonuses.Lucumi is expected to arrive in Turin on Sunday for his medical examinations before putting pen to paper on a contract running until June 2031. He will reportedly earn €2.5m per season plus bonuses.The 28-year-old is said to have prioritised Juventus despite receiving more lucrative proposals elsewhere, including offers from Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. Newcastle also showed late interest, while Como had previously explored a deal.MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 17: Jhon Lucumi #3 of Colombia looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Uzbekistan and Colombia at Mexico City Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Why Juventus wanted LucumiThe move also fits Luciano Spalletti’s tactical requirements. Lucumi’s ability to progress possession from defence makes him particularly attractive to the Juventus coach, who wants his centre-backs to be more ambitious when building from the back.Last season, the Colombian averaged 57 successful passes per game with an 89.6% completion rate, while completing 4.5 long balls per match at 61.5% accuracy.His arrival should therefore provide Juventus with another technically capable defender as Spalletti looks to establish his preferred style.

Mourinho lays down the law between Valverde and Tchouameni after last season’s conflictJose Mourinho didn’t walk into Real Madrid blind. Two trophyless seasons, fractured relationships in the squad, and a well-documented spat between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni near the end of last season all landed on his desk before he would even settle into the job.That flashpoint between Valverde and Tchouameni was not a minor footnote, as it became one of the defining storylines of Real Madrid’s campaign. And according to Defensa Central, Mourinho has already used it as a starting point to sit both players down and lay out exactly how things are going to run under him.Mourinho’s message: Professionalism over friendshipThe Portuguese coach has not asked Valverde and Tchouameni to patch things up personally. Valverde and Tchouameni had a massive feud towards the end of last season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)In fact, as per the outlet, he does not need them going for dinner together or pretending to be best mates. What he does expect, according to the same report, is professionalism. Both players have been told that whatever tension exists between them stays secondary to the club itself, and that Real Madrid’s interests come before any personal disagreement.Valverde, in particular, has been given an extra reminder of his responsibilities. This is because, as the club’s first-choice captain, and one of the few remaining players who shared a dressing room with Real Madrid legends, his conduct on and off the pitch is being watched closely by teammates who look to him for direction.A smart move from someone who knows dressing roomsMourinho has made himself very clear to Valverde and Tchouameni. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)This is classic Mourinho, and it is arguably one of his most underrated skills. He has never just been a tactics man – he has always understood that a squad functions on trust and structure, not friendship. By refusing to force reconciliation and instead demanding discipline, he is sidestepping the trap plenty of managers fall into: trying to manufacture harmony that doesn’t need to exist.Real Madrid have not needed a group of best friends to win before. They have needed players who put the badge first and if Mourinho gets that right early, the football side of things might just take care of itself.

The FedEx Cup Playoffs for the 2026 PGA Tour season continue with Round 3 of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, on Saturday, August 15.Entering the weekend, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler sits atop the leaderboard at 11-under, holding a three-stroke lead over Viktor Hovland and Im Sung-jae (-8). MORE: How to watch FedEx St. Jude Championship: PGA Tour, live stream, TV channel, scheduleScheffler surged to the top of the leaderboard on Friday afternoon, proving why he’s the top-ranked player in the world by tying the courses record with a 61.Aug 14, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Scottie Scheffler walks off the ninth green during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Saturday’s third-round action will stream live from 7:45 a.m. ET to 6:00 p.m. ET on PGA Tour Live on ESPN+. PGA Tour Live will include featured group and featured hole coverage, while television coverage will be available on the Golf Channel from 1:00 p.m. ET to 3:00 p.m. ET, before shifting to ESPN for the duration of the round..When will your favorite golfer be hitting the course?A full look at the tee times and groupings for Round 3 on Saturday, August 15, can be seen below (all times Eastern).MORE: Full list of 70 PGA players to make FedEx Cup playoffs2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship Round 3 Tee Times & PairingsThe trophy is seen by the first tee box during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on August 13, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)8:00 a.m. – Ryan Fox, Ricky Castillo8:10 a.m. – Matt McCarty, Alex Fitzpatrick8:20 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Jordan Smith8:30 a.m. – Akshay Bhatia, Eric Cole8:40 a.m. – Matti Schmid, Ben Griffin8:50 a.m. – Kristoffer Reitan, Nicolai Højgaard9:00 a.m. – Justin Rose, Harris English9:10 a.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Michael Brennan9:20 a.m. – Rickie Fowler, Corey Conners9:35 a.m. – Tom Kim, Russell Henley9:45 a.m. – Jackson Koivun, Sepp Straka9:55 a.m. – Shane Lowry, Sahith Theegala10:05 a.m. – Michael Thorbjornsen, Ryan Gerard10:15 a.m. – Collin Morikawa, Sam Stevens10:25 a.m. – Max Homa, J.J. Spaun10:35 a.m. – J.T. Poston, Harry Hall10:45 a.m. – Xander Schauffele, Ryo Hisatsune10:55 a.m. – Si Woo Kim, Jacob Bridgeman11:10 a.m. – Maverick McNealy, Kurt Kitayama11:20 a.m. – Aaron Rai, Cameron Young11:30 a.m. – Min Woo Lee, Bud Cauley11:40 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Justin Thomas11:50 a.m. – Pierceson Coody, Alex Noren12:00 p.m. – Nick Taylor, Michael Kim12:10 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Sam Burns12:20 p.m. – Alex Smalley, Hideki Matsuyama12:30 p.m. – Adam Scott, Patrick Rodgers12:45 p.m. – Wyndham Clark, Chris Gotterup12:55 p.m. – Patrick Cantlay, Jake Knapp1:05 p.m. – Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Keith Mitchell1:15 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Brian Harman1:25 p.m. – Nico Echavarria, Tommy Fleetwood1:35 p.m. – Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg1:45 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Sungjae Im— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

The New York Jets were without quarterback Geno Smith in their 2026 NFL preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday at MetLife Stadium. Smith, 35, was a late scratch from the lineup. Following the 24-16 loss to the Bucs, New York head coach Aaron Glenn explained the reason was because of an ankle issue Smith is dealing with. The Jets traded for Smith to be their starting quarterback this offseason and the coach played down Smith taking the day off. "It's nothing to be alarmed about," Glenn said. Glenn went on to describe Smith's ankle as "sore" and indicated he was hurt during the team's second joint practice with the Buccaneers this past week. The Jets appear to be exercising caution. Without Smith, fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik started for New York. Klubnik out performed fellow backup Bailey Zappe in a big way. Klubnik completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards and led the Jets to their only touchdown drive. Zappe had two interceptions including a pick six. For more from Glenn, see the attached clip below: Coach Glenn says Geno Smith is day-to-day with a sore ankle and the team held him out as a precaution pic.twitter.com/MyxOQPr1My— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 15, 2026Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets' Aaron Glenn: Geno Smith did not play vs. Bucs because of injury

Tijjani Reijnders and the big-money Premier League signings sold after one seasonManchester City are set to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro-League outfit Al-Qadsiah in a £52m deal.Reijnders isnearing an exit from the Etihad after only one season with the club, having been a high-profile addition from AC Milan last summer.The Dutchman signed for City having been named Serie A's Best Midfielder in 2024/25, though will now move on after a short-lived stint in England. The £46.5m signing is not the first marquee addition to be moved on after a single season in thePremier League.Hernan CrespoHernan Crespo was arguably the biggest name signed by Chelsea in a transformative 2003 summer window, following Roman Abramovich's takeover of the club. The Argentine had been a world transfer-record recruit for Lazio three years earlier, before a one-season stint at Inter Milan.Crespo scored 12 goals in 31 games during his debut season at Chelsea, but was allowed to leave the following summer as Didier Drogba arrived from Marseille.The South American striker was shipped out on loan to AC Milan, though did return in 2005/06 to help Chelsea toPremier League title success. He left for a second time that summer, returning to Inter.Angel Di MariaManchester United broke the British transfer record to sign Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid in 2014.After a dismal first season under David Moyes, post-Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, United backed new manager Louis van Gaal with a statement signing.Di Maria had helped Real Madrid to Champions League success the previous season and started brightly, but his fortunes went rapidly downhill. After struggling to settle at Old Trafford, he was sold to Paris Saint-Germain at a £15.7m loss."Things started really well,"reflected Di Maria."Everything was flowing. Then I started to have issues with Van Gaal and from there everything fell apart. Like I said, I started really well. Everything was perfect. But then suddenly we started having lots of meetings about all the things I was doing wrong on the pitch," he said."He never showed me what I was doing well, just the negatives, over and over. Eventually I got fed up."Life there was very different. It gets dark really early and then the cold started. Everything kept snowballing. There was also the break-in at my house."When all of that happens; when you are not playing, when things aren't going well for you, when you have problems inside the club, it ends up affecting you a lot. It made me hate being there."I got robbed in Paris too and still stayed for another two or three years, because life there was good. In Manchester, everything just snowballed. I wanted to prioritise my family and that is why I left."Christian BentekeChristian Benteke became Liverpool's record signing after the Reds met his £32.5m release clause at Aston Villa.Benteke had scored 49 goals in 101 games for Aston Villa and marked his home Liverpool debut with a winner against Bournemouth.He scored nine goals in 29 league games, but struggled for favour after Jurgen Klopp's arrival as manager. Benteke was sold to Crystal Palace for an initial £27m after one season at Anfield.

Rangers last met St Mirren in March, winning 1-0 away in the Scottish Premiership [SNS]Rangers have "work to do" in their Premier Sports Cup second-round meeting with St Mirren, says manager Derek McInnes.The Paisley side won three out of four of their League Cup group stage games and have opened their Scottish Premiership account with two wins out of two."I've watched them in the last couple of games," said McInnes of Craig McLeish's visitors. "They've changed how they want to play this season."They've had two strong performances. They'll come here confident on the back of a couple of wins, qualifying for the League Cup through the group stages."We've got work to do and we need our full attention. Particularly where we are at the minute."We could just do with winning a game and getting a wee bit of confidence into the lads and getting a wee bit more optimism into the support."

2026-08-15T11:24:49Z A large-scale Ukrainian attack struck industrial infrastructure in Russia’s southwestern Samara region Saturday, a Russian official said.Ivan Noskov, head of the region’s capital, Samara, said air defense forces had repelled a “massive” missile attack, with “localized damage” to the city’s industrial sites. He also said that medical assistance has been provided to those injured in the attack, but did not give further details.Ukraine has stepped up its long-range aerial attacks on Russian military industries and energy facilities, aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for the war and make Russians feel the consequences of the invasion, now in its fifth year. Zelenskyy says need for peace has to be felt in RussiaWriting on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv’s forces had carried out a strike against Samara’s Progress Center, which operates under Russian space agency Roscosmos and is involved in producing rocket technology and electronics.He said that the strike used Ukraine’s domestically produced Flamingo missiles to hit the site, which is approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles) from the Ukrainian border.Zelenskyy also said Russia’s Savasleyka air base, some 700 kilometers (430 miles) from the front line, had also been hit. “Peace is needed, and this must be evident in Russia — through concrete damage to specific facilities,” Zelenskyy wrote.While most of Ukraine’s strikes have a range of less than 200 kilometers (125 miles), its longer-range attacks have increased dramatically this year. It launched three times as many of those strikes in July as it did in January, according to data from ACLED, an independent conflict monitor. Repeatedly hitting deep into Russia has forced its military to stretch air defenses over a larger area.Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday that it had shot down 598 Ukrainian drones over 19 Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas and the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. Separately, two people, including a nine-year-old child, were wounded when a Ukrainian drone attack hit a private home in the town of Shatura in the Moscow region, local Gov. Andrey Vorobyov said. Read More Child killed in drone strikeElsewhere, a Russian strike on an apartment block in southeastern Ukraine Saturday killed a three-month-old baby and wounded 11 people, local officials said.Drones hit the building in the town of Marhanets, said Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration.Russia’s Ministry of Defense also said that it had targeted warehouses and infrastructure at the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Izmail and Yuzhnyi.Ukraine’s Air Force said that Russia launched 152 drones over the country Saturday, of which 124 were destroyed.

People walk inside an enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe's tallest during the inauguration in the village Konotopie, Poland, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Claudia Ciobanu)2026-08-15T11:20:08Z KONOTOPIE, Poland (AP) — An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe’s tallest was inaugurated on Saturday in a small Polish village, financed by one of Poland’s richest businesspeople.The monument towers 55.6 meters (182 feet) over Konotopie in central Poland, home to fewer than 150 people. Its height includes a crown-shaped 15-meter (49-foot) pedestal. It’s taller — if less dramatically located — than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which measures some 38 meters (125 feet) including its pedestal. It also surpasses another recent large-scale religious monument in Poland, the Christ the King statue in the western town of Swiebodzin, which was unveiled in 2010 and — complete with the mound it stands on — rises some 52 meters (170 feet) above the ground. There is a taller statue of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines, which measures some 98 meters (322 feet). But the new one in Poland is believed to be the largest of its kind in Europe. The vast majority of Poles identify as Catholic, and the Catholic church played a powerful role in public life after the fall of communism in 1989, benefiting from the prestige it earned through its support for the anti-communist opposition. The country is the homeland of St. John Paul II, who reigned as pope from 1978 until his death in 2005. A huge statue of him — but much smaller than the one of Mary — was unveiled over a decade ago in the city of Czestochowa.The influence of religion in public life has gradually declined in recent years, particularly among younger people and in urban areas. However, the Catholic church remains influential, especially in rural communities and among older generations. The statue was commissioned by local millionaires Roman and Grażyna Karkosik. The couple live in a small palace a few kilometers (miles) from Konotopie. Read More Roman Karkosik, an entrepreneur whose ventures included plastic-bottle manufacturing in the 1990s, amassed a fortune through investments on the Warsaw Stock Exchange to became one of Poland’s wealthiest individuals. The couple have said the monument is an expression of their gratitude to God. Its construction follows an illness that Roman Karkosik suffered.Local authorities hope the monument will become both a major pilgrimage site and a tourist destination. The statue features a viewing platform built inside its pedestal.___Associated Press religion coverage 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.