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The Colts are expected to sign longtime Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, a source confirmed to IndyStar. It adds a six-time Pro Bowler who in eight of his 13 seasons in the NFL has caught at least six touchdowns and at least 80 balls seven times – including last year.Allen lands in Indianapolis after a one-season return to Los Angeles in 2025 to rejoin the franchise that drafted him 76th overall in 2013 and where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career – and 12 of 13 overall. Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears in March of 2024 and played a single season with the NFC North team before opting to sign with the Chargers just over a year ago during Los Angeles’ training camp as a free agent.That one-year deal made the 34-year-old again a free agent this spring, and he remains unquestionably the top free agent wideout on the market – not to mention seemingly a premier fit in head coach Shane Steichen’s offense.For a coach who prizes separation at the top of routes and a trusted pair of hands above just about anything else, Allen still fits the bill as he nears the end of his career. Though he’s been one nearly his entire career, the Colts don’t need Allen to be a No. 1 receiver with unquestioned WR1 Alec Pierce ascending to a more all-around this role this year coming off a season where then-rookie tight end Tyler Warren led the Colts in targets (112) and two seasons ago when starting slot receiver Josh Downs led the team in receptions (72).But after the loss of Michael Pittman Jr. in March to a salary-dump trade to the Steelers, it was widely-believed the Colts had not done enough to replace not only his production – 80 catches for 784 yards and seven touchdowns – but his veteran leadership and presence in a room where the oldest players – free agent signee Nick Westbrooke-Ikhine (29 years old), Ashton Dulin (29) and Laquon Treadwell (31) had been fighting in training camp for the Nos. 3 and 4 WR spots in the Colts offense.It’s not inconceivable Pierce could come close to doubling his catches from 2025 (47), that Downs could approach his career-high mark in volume from 2024 (72 catches) or that Warren could build upon his production a year ago (76 catches, 817 yards and four touchdowns). But knowing the Colts offense – particularly the passing game – slowed down considerably in the final seven games after starting quarterback Daniel Jones fractured his fibula and then tore his Achilles tendon – leading to 45-year-old once-retired Philip Rivers taking over – there is a need for more depth.Outside signing Westbrooke-Ikhine, whose career-high in catches (38) came in 2021, and drafting physical speedster Deion Burks – who faces an uphill battle just to make the roster at the moment – the Colts have done very little in the offseason to replace Pittman and sometime-playmaker Adonai Mitchell, who was traded midway through last year.Though Allen’s sometimes been thought of as an injury-plagued receiver, he has played at least 13 games in eight of his last nine seasons and appeared in at least 15 games in six of the nine. The veteran receiver played all 17 regular season games a year ago with the Chargers, though he did appear in just 55% of the offensive snaps (630) in those games. But in that somewhat reduced role, Allen still led Los Angeles in catches (81) by 15, targets (122) by 16 and finished just 12 yards off the team lead (777). He gained first-downs on more than half his catches (49).Though he joins a Colts roster that’s well underway with its preparation for the start of the 2026 campaign, Allen enters with a thorough knowledge of Steichen’s scheme, having spent seven of the first eight years of his career with the Colts head coach (2014-20) as Steichen rose the ranks on the team’s coaching staff from offensive quality control coach (2014-15) to the quarterbacks coach (2016-19) and eventually the offensive coordinator (2019-20).Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Source: Colts expected to sign veteran Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. had a two-run homer, an RBI double and scored four times, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 9-5 victory over the Athletics on Monday night.Witt's 15th home run of the year was an estimated 390 feet to left-center field to give Kansas City a 5-1 lead. He added the double in the eighth inning.After falling behind when Jeff McNeil homered on the first pitch of the game, the Royals went ahead when Maikel Garcia hit an RBI single and Salvador Perez added a two-run single to make it 3-1. Jac Caglinone hit two RBI singles for the Royals, one in the sixth and the other in the eighth to make it 9-4. Kyle Isbel added one in the third. Michael Wacha (6-8) pitched the first five innings for the Royals. He gave up six hits, four earned runs and struck out three. Steven Cruz earned his fourth save of the season, getting the Royals out of the game after Lucas Erceg failed to record an out and loaded the bases. Tommy White and Brian Serven both hit home runs in the fifth inning for the A's. White's solo shot went 401 feet into left center and Serven's two-run homer cut it to 6-4. Mason Barnett (1-3) pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and six earned runs. He walked four and struck out two. Up nextRHP Jack Perkins (2-9, 7.27 ERA) will start on the mound on Tuesday for the Athletics against the Royals' LHP Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 2.88).___See AP’s full MLB coverage here

PITTSBURGH – A.J. Hinch promised his team wouldn’t sulk after it got swept by the Chicago White Sox, or be caught by even the slightest bit of disheartenment. That wasn’t going to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Pirates, he noted. The manager was right. Mostly. Whatever else is said about his Tigers, about their youthful inconsistency, their uneven bullpen, their talent for booting a grounder or walking back-to-back batters and turning blowouts into high-stress innings, there is this: They don’t dwell. And they didn’t Monday, Aug. 17, at PNC Park as they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-5.YOUTH IN EFFECT: Without Riley Greene, Tigers need young starting pitching to step upDetroit Tigers' playoff watchThe win moved the Tigers (61-64) into a three-way tie for the final wild-card spot in the American League, knotted with the Baltimore Orioles (also at 61-64 after falling to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night) and the Texas Rangers (61-64 after having Monday off). That group is half a game up on the Toronto Blue Jays (61-65), who are half a game up on the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians (both at 60-65), leaving six teams separated by a single game for one playoff spot. Yeah, the Tigers were sloppy Monday. But, yeah, the Pirates were sloppier. Maybe the Tigers just needed to play someone other than the White Sox, and Pittsburgh was as good a choice as any. After all, the Pirates walked in a run in a not-so-attractive, three-run sixth inning, giving the Tigers an 8-1 lead after they’d done legitimate work in the first and second innings to build a four-run lead. In other words, they didn’t need Pittsburgh’s help, though here’s guessing they didn’t mind. Here’s also betting that there will be plenty more nights – or days – when the postseason feels like a real possibility and other nights – or days – when it doesn’t. At the plate: Lefties connect in PittsburghIt looked familiar for a moment, when Kevin McGonigle and Dillon Dingler struck out and flied out, respectively, after Gleyber Torres opened with a walk in the first inning. The Tigers’ two best hitters haven't looked much like themselves lately, and when they recorded the first two outs, it felt like more of the same. Then Colt Keith singled to left, and Zack McKinstry – who is doing the second half of this season what he did the first half last season in an All-Star campaign – belted a single to center, driving in Torres, who scored from second. A two out RBI? Book it. Hao-Yu Lee followed with another single, driving in another run and before the crowd settled into its seats, the Tigers led. Torres singled in the second, and McGonigle drove him home when he hit a 405-foot home run to right center. His blast bounced off the concrete concourse behind the few rows of seats and next to the Allegheny River. Two innings. Four runs. The sweep cleansed ... for a night, anyway. Max Clark added an RBI single in the fifth, part of a two-hit night for the rookie who recently tweaked the way he loads his right leg before swings. It was a matter of finding better timing against fastballs, the pitch he sees more than any other, and will continue to see until he shows he can hit it consistently. He did Monday. On the mound: Framber Valdez starts hotFramber Valdez was ... cruising? Effective? Fortunate the defense was stellar behind him in the second inning when he walked the leadoff batter, gave up a single to the second batter, and escaped when McGonigle made a nice scoop and throw on a grounder to third and Clark tracked down a ball to the wall in left center, making a tough catch look, well, routine? Yeah, that last one, relying on what Clark has done with his glove for his first 16 games this season.Just as Valdez has alternated solid outings with troubling outings for a chunk of the season. The tell usually comes in the first or second inning. Once he got through the second, he seemed to find a rhythm in the next three innings. An unearned run scored in the fifth when Lee threw a routine grounder into the dirt at first base. Keith, playing first, couldn’t scoop it. In the sixth, Valdez got into trouble again. He struck out the leadoff batter, gave up a double, got a groundout and then walked consecutive hitters with two outs to load the bases. Nick Yorke stepped to the plate. Valdez threw a first-pitch strike then three straight balls and on the 3-1 count, tossed a sinker that didn’t sink. Yorke ripped it to left field, clearing the bases, cutting the Tigers lead to 8-4. Kyle Finnegan relieved Valdez and gave up an RBI single before getting the final out of what felt like an hour-long inning. Finnegan might have gotten through the seventh, but Javy Baez booted a grounder from the leadoff hitter. Drew Sommers came on with runners at first and second and one out and got out of it, then pitched the eighth, striking out two. Kenley Jansen closed it in the ninth on just eight pitches, seven of them strikes.Next up: More fun for the lefties?Another righty from the Pirates (61-66), of course – Braxton Ashcroft, a little tougher than Carmen Mlodzinski, who couldn’t get past the third inning as he gave up four runs on eight hits, mostly because he insisted on grooving fastballs middle-middle. Ashcroft has been the Pirates' best starter this season as reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes (who is slated to start Wednesday) is having a down year. Ashcroft needs just 85 pitchers to throw a complete game three-hitter his last outing, giving up a run to the Marlins. He’ll face Keider Montero, who has been the Tigers' second-most reliable pitcher this season, after Troy Melton. Montero will have a chance to tilt the series to the Tigers and put more distance between them and the disappointing weekend at Comerica Park against the White Sox. Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers break out of skid vs Pirates with big hits from Kevin McGonigle

PITTSBURGH – A.J. Hinch promised his team wouldn’t sulk after it got swept by the Chicago White Sox, or be caught by even the slightest bit of disheartenment. That wasn’t going to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Pirates, he noted. The manager was right. Mostly. Whatever else is said about his Tigers, about their youthful inconsistency, their uneven bullpen, their talent for booting a grounder or walking back-to-back batters and turning blowouts into high-stress innings, there is this: They don’t dwell. And they didn’t Monday, Aug. 17, at PNC Park as they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-5.YOUTH IN EFFECT: Without Riley Greene, Tigers need young starting pitching to step upDetroit Tigers' playoff watchThe win moved the Tigers (61-64) into a three-way tie for the final wild-card spot in the American League, knotted with the Baltimore Orioles (also at 61-64 after falling to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night) and the Texas Rangers (61-64 after having Monday off). That group is half a game up on the Toronto Blue Jays (61-65), who are half a game up on the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians (both at 60-65), leaving six teams separated by a single game for one playoff spot. Yeah, the Tigers were sloppy Monday. But, yeah, the Pirates were sloppier. Maybe the Tigers just needed to play someone other than the White Sox, and Pittsburgh was as good a choice as any. After all, the Pirates walked in a run in a not-so-attractive, three-run sixth inning, giving the Tigers an 8-1 lead after they’d done legitimate work in the first and second innings to build a four-run lead. In other words, they didn’t need Pittsburgh’s help, though here’s guessing they didn’t mind. Here’s also betting that there will be plenty more nights – or days – when the postseason feels like a real possibility and other nights – or days – when it doesn’t. At the plate: Lefties connect in PittsburghIt looked familiar for a moment, when Kevin McGonigle and Dillon Dingler struck out and flied out, respectively, after Gleyber Torres opened with a walk in the first inning. The Tigers’ two best hitters haven't looked much like themselves lately, and when they recorded the first two outs, it felt like more of the same. Then Colt Keith singled to left, and Zack McKinstry – who is doing the second half of this season what he did the first half last season in an All-Star campaign – belted a single to center, driving in Torres, who scored from second. A two out RBI? Book it. Hao-Yu Lee followed with another single, driving in another run and before the crowd settled into its seats, the Tigers led. Torres singled in the second, and McGonigle drove him home when he hit a 405-foot home run to right center. His blast bounced off the concrete concourse behind the few rows of seats and next to the Allegheny River. Two innings. Four runs. The sweep cleansed ... for a night, anyway. Max Clark added an RBI single in the fifth, part of a two-hit night for the rookie who recently tweaked the way he loads his right leg before swings. It was a matter of finding better timing against fastballs, the pitch he sees more than any other, and will continue to see until he shows he can hit it consistently. He did Monday. On the mound: Framber Valdez starts hotFramber Valdez was ... cruising? Effective? Fortunate the defense was stellar behind him in the second inning when he walked the leadoff batter, gave up a single to the second batter, and escaped when McGonigle made a nice scoop and throw on a grounder to third and Clark tracked down a ball to the wall in left center, making a tough catch look, well, routine? Yeah, that last one, relying on what Clark has done with his glove for his first 16 games this season.Just as Valdez has alternated solid outings with troubling outings for a chunk of the season. The tell usually comes in the first or second inning. Once he got through the second, he seemed to find a rhythm in the next three innings. An unearned run scored in the fifth when Lee threw a routine grounder into the dirt at first base. Keith, playing first, couldn’t scoop it. In the sixth, Valdez got into trouble again. He struck out the leadoff batter, gave up a double, got a groundout and then walked consecutive hitters with two outs to load the bases. Nick Yorke stepped to the plate. Valdez threw a first-pitch strike then three straight balls and on the 3-1 count, tossed a sinker that didn’t sink. Yorke ripped it to left field, clearing the bases, cutting the Tigers lead to 8-4. Kyle Finnegan relieved Valdez and gave up an RBI single before getting the final out of what felt like an hour-long inning. Finnegan might have gotten through the seventh, but Javy Baez booted a grounder from the leadoff hitter. Drew Sommers came on with runners at first and second and one out and got out of it, then pitched the eighth, striking out two. Kenley Jansen closed it in the ninth on just eight pitches, seven of them strikes.Next up: More fun for the lefties?Another righty from the Pirates (61-66), of course – Braxton Ashcroft, a little tougher than Carmen Mlodzinski, who couldn’t get past the third inning as he gave up four runs on eight hits, mostly because he insisted on grooving fastballs middle-middle. Ashcroft has been the Pirates' best starter this season as reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes (who is slated to start Wednesday) is having a down year. Ashcroft needs just 85 pitchers to throw a complete game three-hitter his last outing, giving up a run to the Marlins. He’ll face Keider Montero, who has been the Tigers' second-most reliable pitcher this season, after Troy Melton. Montero will have a chance to tilt the series to the Tigers and put more distance between them and the disappointing weekend at Comerica Park against the White Sox. Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers break out of skid vs Pirates with big hits from Kevin McGonigle

2026-08-18T02:19:40Z MANILA, Philippines (AP) — At least two people were hit in a shooting in a high school Tuesday in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, police said.Regional police spokesperson Maj. Shellamie Chang said police forces were trying to secure the school campus but she could not immediately provide other details.Witnesses said the campus was Ateneo de Zamboanga University.Journalists at the scene said the suspect was a Grade 7 student and the victims were shot in a classroom.

The top elections official in Shasta County offered a job to Ms. Peters, a Trump supporter who was convicted of tampering with voting machines in Colorado.

While everyone is gearing up for the Ohio State football season, and rightly so with the Buckeyes checking in as the preseason No. 1 team in both the preseason US LBM Coaches and Associated Press polls, the OSU basketball team is still putting in some work in the offseason to begin its season this winter.One of the things some college basketball teams do these days is to take an overseas trip for added scrimmage and practice time, and for Jake Diebller's crew, they decided to get on an airplane and visit Puerto Rico to take in some sunshine, enjoy all the island has to offer, and, of course, get in some time playing as a unit against competition other than themselves.We didn't really get to see much from the trip, but thanks to the Ohio State basketball creative team, we can get a little peek of the action in a short two-minute and 40-second video recap. From taking in the food and culture, hosting a kids' camp for island residents, to sailing on the ocean, to some scrimmage highlights with plenty of dunks, we think the video is well worth the little bit of your time to watch.La Isla del Encanto 🇵🇷Puerto Rico and Buckeye Nation were a perfect match 🌰#GoBucks | #FightToTheEndpic.twitter.com/LfGq7HYZCq— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) August 13, 2026The national media has had a hard time figuring out what this Ohio State basketball team will be in the 2026-27 season, but some are calling the Buckeyes a dark horse. Based on some of the buzz we've heard and these highlights, don't be surprised if Ohio State punches above its projected weight this coming season.Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: WATCH: Social media recap of Ohio State basketball in Puerto Rico

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Josh Bell’s two-run double started the scoring in a four-run first inning, and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 on Tuesday night.The first six batters reached against Atlanta starter Martín Pérez (8-7), with the first four in the order scoring. Bell’s flare down the right-field line fell just inside the chalk and bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double. Royce Lewis and Kody Clemens followed with RBI singles.Bell and Clemens each finished with a pair of hits for Minnesota, which let a five-run lead slip away Sunday in a 7-5 loss to Philadelphia for a three-game Phillies sweep. The bullpen made the lead stand this time after starter Bailey Ober could only last 4 1/3 innings.Ronald Acuña Jr.’s two-run single chased Ober in the fifth, but left-hander Taylor Rogers retired lefty batters Matt Olson and Michael Harris II to end the inning.Travis Adams (3-0) pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts. Jeff Hoffman allowed two runners in the eighth but escaped the jam, in part, due to Clemens making a diving stop on a hard grounder by Harris. Yoendrys Gómez walked the leadoff batter in the ninth but picked up his 17th save in as many chances after the Twins failed to score with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the eighth.Pérez, who had pitched 18 straight scoreless innings, surrendered nine hits and two walks in five innings, striking out three.The game’s start was delayed 51 minutes, but no rain fell.Up nextRight-hander Zebby Matthews (6-8, 5.34 ERA) starts Tuesday night for Minnesota. Atlanta will go with RHP Tyler Mahle (4-9, 4.64), a trade-deadline acquisition from San Francisco.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Jeff Teague believes Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot replicate what Jimmy Butler did in Miami originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After years of struggling with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is now playing for the Miami Heat. This move comes with extra pressure because he has found his way out of his old team, and he sees the Heat as a viable team where he can win.It is quite challenging to be a star player for the Heat because there is always pressure for a successful franchise. However, it seems there is even more added pressure when he gets compared to a previous star who led the Heat to two Finals appearances.Giannis Antetokounmpo is under pressure to outperform Jimmy Butler's legacy in MiamiDuring his time in Miami, Jimmy Butler was a phenomenon. He was excellent as the star player, especially when he kept helping drag a comparatively lowly Heat team to the later stages of the Playoffs. They were not favorites quite often, but they managed to reach the NBA Finals twice during his tenure.The 2023 run, in particular, was quite impressive because they were the eighth seed. Reaching the NBA Finals that way was such an impressive achievement, and Butler deserved a lot of credit for being the star player of that Heat side that almost won the title.MORE: Tyrese Haliburton gives a glimpse into what it's like scheming against Giannis AntetokounmpoNow, Giannis will have to perform with that knowledge. He has to live up to expectations, especially with the package that the Heat had to send to the Bucks in exchange for him.Considering he has not gotten past the first round since 2022, Antetokounmpo will have to perform and live up to the high standards. Former All-Star guard Jeff Teague thinks that Giannis might not be able to meet those high expectations."I wouldn’t put it past him, but right now I’m going to say no. I think the league and the Eastern Conference are at a different level right now. Those were some impressive runs for sure," Teague said about Antetokounmpo on the Heat on the Club 520 podcast.Giannis will have to perform well, but it seems he is ready for that challenge. He is a two-time MVP and a Finals MVP, so he has experience standing out. It will be quite challenging, but he is in a good situation with Miami. More NBA news:Amar'e Stoudemire gives his take on today's NBA players and Giannis AntetokounmpoGiannis Antetokounmpo speaks on what he expects for the 2026-27 season with the HeatDoc Rivers speaks on why Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr belong in the Hall of Fame as wellDavion Mitchell speaks on why Erik Spoelstra's belief in him has helped him grow in MiamiNo one is happier about Giannis Antetokounmpo's fit with the Heat than Erik Spoelstra

The mystery surrounding Jameson Williams’ unexpected absence from Detroit Lions practice did not last long, and the news appears to be about as good as Detroit could have hoped.Lions coach Dan Campbell revealed Monday evening that Williams is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he made it clear the issue is not considered serious.“He’s got a little shoulder (injury), he’s good to go, though,” Campbell said Monday.Williams was not expected to participate in Monday night’s practice, and Campbell did not provide a specific timetable for his return. Still, his description of the injury should ease some of the concern that developed when Williams unexpectedly missed Sunday’s padded session.Lions Appear to Have Avoided a Major ScareAny injury involving Williams is going to get the attention of Lions fans considering how important he has become to Detroit’s offense.Williams is coming off the best season of his NFL career, finishing 2025 with 65 receptions for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns. His 17.2 yards per reception ranked third in the NFL, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s most dangerous downfield weapons.Detroit entered training camp expecting Williams to remain a major part of an offense that also features Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and second-year receiver Isaac TeSlaa. Williams has also talked this offseason about taking another step as a complete receiver, making his health especially important with the regular season approaching.For now, there does not appear to be much reason for alarm.Williams’ Absence Creates Opportunities for OthersWith Williams sidelined Sunday, Detroit used the opportunity to give Tom Kennedy and Tay Martin additional work with the first-team offense. Martin has quietly become one of the more interesting players in the Lions’ wide receiver competition and continues to make a case for one of the final roster spots.The Lions already have plenty of depth competing behind their established receivers, with one of the deepest training camp receiver groups Detroit has assembled in recent years. Williams missing a practice or two gives those players valuable opportunities without creating much concern as long as his shoulder issue remains minor.Campbell also provided an encouraging update on cornerback Nick Whiteside, who missed Sunday with a hamstring injury.“Whiteside’s got a soft tissue (injury), a hammy. He’ll be alright, though, I think. I don’t think anything, these aren’t serious,” Campbell said.Whiteside has put together an impressive camp and worked himself into the conversation for a significant depth role in Detroit’s secondary. His temporary absence should create additional opportunities for Ennis Rakestraw and Khalil Dorsey.Bottom LineThe Lions can exhale a little when it comes to Jameson Williams.His shoulder injury was enough to keep him out Sunday and Monday, but Campbell’s comments strongly suggest Detroit is dealing with a minor training camp issue rather than something that could threaten Williams’ availability when the regular season begins.Considering what Williams means to Detroit’s passing game, that qualifies as very good news.There is no reason to rush him back in August. The Lions know what they have in No. 1, and keeping him healthy for the games that count matters far more than getting a few extra training camp reps.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pinch-hitter Jonny DeLuca put the Rays in front with a two-run single in the seventh inning, and AL-best Tampa Bay rallied for a 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night to avoid a four-game sweep.Yandy Díaz, Ryan Vilade and Jorge Mateo homered for Tampa Bay. Mateo’s two-run shot with two out in the fourth was his first for the Rays and gave them a 4-3 lead.Coby Mayo hit a 468-foot homer, and Pete Alonso and Christian Encarnacion-Strand also went deep for Baltimore (61-64), which moved into the AL’s third wild-card spot by taking the first three games against its division rival at Tropicana Field.Jonathan Aranda’s RBI single against Yennier Cano (2-3) got the Rays within 6-5 in the seventh. After Junior Caminero hit an infield single to load the bases, Josh Walker came in and gave up DeLuca’s go-ahead single to center, the last of four lead changes in the game.All-Star Bryan Baker got the final five outs for his majors-leading 35th save. Left-hander Cam Booser (1-0) struck out the side in the seventh and earned his first win in a Rays.PHILLIES 6, MARLINS 5PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cristopher Sánchez struck out six over six solid innings and became baseball’s first 16-game winner as Philadelphia outlasted Miami.Sánchez (16-4) allowed one run on eight hits for the Phillies (68-58), who moved into the second NL wild-card spot, one game ahead of San Diego.The Marlins scored two runs on an unusual play in the seventh inning that led to manager Clayton McCullough being ejected. With the bases loaded, Javier Sanoja hit a low, opposite-field line drive that landed on the foul line in the outfield grass just past first base.The hit was initially declared foul. Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper didn’t field the ball, and all three runners crossed the plate. After a replay review, umpires ruled it fair but declared that only two runners scored, getting Miami within 4-3.McCullough argued that the call cost the Marlins a run and was tossed. It was one of four times Miami moved within one run but could not take the lead. Brian Navarreto hit his first homer of the season, a solo shot off Brooks Raley in the eighth inning to get the Marlins within 5-4.Phillies closer Jhoan Duran gave up an RBI single to Otto Lopez in the ninth but retired the next two batters for his 27th save.TIGERS 8, PIRATES 5PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kevin McGonigle hit a two-run homer, and Detroit held off Pittsburgh and moved into a three-way tie for the final AL wild-card spot.Brett Callahan and Hao-Yu Lee also drove in two runs as the Tigers built an 8-1 lead before Pittsburgh scored four times in the sixth.Zach McKinstry and both hit RBI singles in the first, and McGonigle’s two-run shot in the second, his 13th of the season, made it 4-0.McGonigle singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the sixth. Pirates reliever Yohan Ramirez walked the next three batters, resulting in McGonigle scoring before Callahan hit a two-run single to make it 8-1.Framber Valdez (8-8) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and five hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Kenley Jansen struck out two in the final inning for his 15th save of the year.RED SOX 11, DIAMONDBACKS 1BOSTON (AP) - Willson Contreras and Mickey Gasper homered, all nine Boston starters drove in at least one, and the Red Sox dismantled Arizona in the first game of a three-game series.Boston, which scored in six straight innings, did not have a strikeout in the game and finished with 16 hits to maintain a six-game lead for the second AL wild card.Brayan Bello (5-6) worked 4 2/3 innings of relief, striking out three and allowing a run on three hits. Bello has a 0.85 ERA in 11 relief appearances (52 2/3 innings) this season.Wyatt Olds made his major league debut for Boston and got his first career strikeout.Boston jumped to a 4-0 lead after four innings as Eli White and Caleb Durbin drove in runs with singles, while Nick Sogard and Ceddanne Rafaela added RBI doubles.METS 2, PADRES 1NEW YORK (AP) — Right fielder Carson Benge threw out two San Diego Padres runners at home plate on consecutive plays in the first inning, fellow rookie A.J. Ewing cut down another from left field moments later, and New York held on for a victory.Nolan McLean recovered from a shaky start to last six effective innings as the last-place Mets (57-69) won for the 10th time in 13 games since selling big at the trade deadline.Bo Bichette had an RBI single in the first, Luis Robert Jr. added a sacrifice fly and New York cooled off the Padres, who began the night tied with Philadelphia for the final two National League playoff spots.San Diego entered a major league-best 17-5 since July 24. ROYALS 9, ATHLETICS 5KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. had a two-run homer, an RBI double and scored four times, leading Kansas City to a victory over the Athletics.Witt’s 15th home run of the year was an estimated 390 feet to left-center field to give Kansas City a 5-1 lead. He added the double in the eighth inning.After falling behind when Jeff McNeil homered on the first pitch of the game, the Royals went ahead when Maikel Garcia hit an RBI single and Salvador Perez added a two-run single to make it 3-1.Jac Caglinone hit two RBI singles for the Royals, one in the sixth and the other in the eighth to make it 9-4. Kyle Isbel added one in the third.Michael Wacha (6-8) pitched the first five innings for the Royals. He gave up six hits, four earned runs and struck out three. Steven Cruz earned his fourth save of the season, getting the Royals out of the game after Lucas Erceg failed to record an out and loaded the bases. CARDINALS 2, REDS 1, 1ST GAMEREDS 6, CARDINALS 5, 10 INNINGS, 2ND GAMECINCINNATI (AP) — Elly De La Cruz delivered his first career walk-off hit in the 10th inning after Dane Myers hit a tying pinch-hit homer in the ninth, and Cincinnati rallied past St. Louis to split a doubleheader.Down to their final out in the ninth, the Reds went to the bench for Myers, who had homered in the opener. Myers delivered again, driving his fifth home run of the season into the left-center seats to tie the game at 5.De La Cruz won the game an inning later, grounding a single into left field that was deflected off third baseman Blaze Jordan’s glove, allowing automatic runner Tyler Stephenson to score.Emilio Pagán (5-1) pitched a hitless 10th inning while starter Rhett Lowder matched a career high with 6 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out five, helping the Reds snap a three-game skid._____

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte (4) hits a run-scoring single as Colorado Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan reaches for the ball during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)2026-08-17T23:54:30Z BOSTON (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte on the restricted list after he went AWOL for the second straight season.Marte failed to show up for Arizona’s game at Boston Monday night and manager Torey Lovullo was still searching for answers after it was over.“It’s been a crazy day. All I know is that he’s dealing with a personal issue — we’re just trying to figure that out,” Lovullo told reporters following the Diamondbacks’ 11-1 loss to the Red Sox. “He didn’t show up today and he was put on the restricted list. That’s as much as I know right now. I’m sure in time we’ll start to uncover some information.”Lovullo said he spoke to Marte Monday morning and afternoon trying to find out what was going on, but didn’t get any answers.“There was very little coming back,” Lovullo said.Marte traveled with the team to Boston and Lovullo thought he was still there, but wasn’t certain. This wasn’t the first time Marte had a strange disappearance.Last season, he went on the restricted list when his home in Arizona was broken into during the All-Star break. He missed three games after flying back to his home in the Dominican Republic and later apologized for his absence.“I know there was a lot of discussions about it at different points of time in the clubhouse today — there was a lot of curiosity,” Lovullo said. “We care for Ketel and once we knew he was OK, I think everybody relaxed and started to focus on the game.” A three-time All-Star, Marte is hitting .249 with 21 homers and 67 RBIs in 118 games this season. Read More Arizona recalled infielder Jose Fernandez to fill Marte’s roster spot. He was already in Boston in case third baseman Nolan Arenado wasn’t able to play after leaving Sunday’s game against Atlanta with what the team called “trunk discomfort.”Arenado didn’t play against the Red Sox, but his injury wasn’t expected to be long term. Marte’s status — on the field and in the clubhouse — going forward is a bit foggier.“I haven’t got that far,” Lovullo said. “I need a good night’s rest, a glass of wine and we’ll think about that.”___See AP’s full MLB coverage here

People look at an electronic stock chart board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)2026-08-18T03:19:53Z TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares declined in early Tuesday trading, as rising oil prices and worries about inflation worked as a dampener on some markets, countering the optimism that had come from robust corporate earnings reports. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped 1.6% to 68,098.54. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.2% to 9,088.60. South Korea’s Kospi reversed course after surging earlier to drop 0.6% to 6,933.60. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.6% to 25,289.88, while the Shanghai Composite shed 0.5% to 3,963.53. Analysts said robust earnings reports in Asia, following those from the U.S., are helping counter worries about what the war in Iran will do to the global flow of crude and its impact on energy prices. Japan, for one, imports almost all its oil. “First, the beneficiary base from AI investment has broadened. Demand spread across a wide range of industries, including semiconductor production equipment, power equipment, machinery, electronic components, and materials. AI demand effectively helped rediscover globally competitive companies across these sectors,” Masashi Akutsu and Tetsuhiro Tokuyama said in a recent report for BofA Securities. They noted the recent strong earnings reports out of Japanese companies for the April-June quarter, adding that, just as with the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan will likely start moving to raise interest rates in the next few months. On Wall Street, stocks edged further away from their record heights on Monday. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% but remains near its all-time high set Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 272 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Wall Street’s losses solidified in the afternoon when oil prices accelerated upward. Benchmark U.S. crude added 34 cents to $84.84 a barrel in Asian trading early Tuesday. Read More The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 21 cents in Tuesday trading to $91.08 a barrel. It gained 2.7% to $90.87 on Monday. Last month alone, the Brent zigzagged between $72 and $102 as hopes rose and fell that the United States and Iran could reach a deal that would allow oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf again. The rally in oil prices sent Treasury yields in the bond market higher, which in turn raised the pressure on the economy and prices for all kinds of investments. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.72% from 4.68% late Friday. It has shot up from just 3.97% before the war with Iran, largely because higher oil prices are worsening inflation and upping the probability that the U.S. Federal Reserve will have to hike interest rates.Higher rates could keep a lid on inflation, but they do so by intentionally slowing the economy. The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate has already jumped near its highest level in a year because of the rise in the 10-year Treasury yield, though reports last week said that inflation in July was not as bad as earlier in the summer. All told, the S&P 500 fell 40.70 points to 7,745.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 272.63 to 53,459.78, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 84.25 to 26,644.91.In currency trading, the U.S. dollar rose to 159.43 Japanese yen from 159.37 yen. The euro cost $1.1585, inching up from $1.1581. ___AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed to this report.Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama YURI KAGEYAMA Kageyama covers Japan news for The Associated Press. Her topics include social issues, the environment, businesses, entertainment and technology. twitter instagram facebook mailto

Red Sox Fans Want Franklin Arias, but They're Forgetting One Thing originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.If the Boston Red Sox ultimately decide to call up youngster Franklin Arias, there are going to be some decisions that have to be made with the remainder of their roster. The one promising thing for Boston is that Sept. 1 allows teams to call up two extra players, as rosters expand from 26 to 28. With the hope that Arias will make his debut, many fans think that will probably be the time Boston decides to call him up. However, it feels like some fans are forgetting something: the Red Sox active roster doesn't have Trevor Story on it. Story, Roman Anthony, and Garrett Crochet will all have to be activated when and if they return. That means the Red Sox already have to move on from a guy when rosters expand to 28, and that's without factoring in Arias.“His talent is hard to ignore. But Monasterio is hitting .333 with a .946 OPS since July 1 and plays passable defense. The Sox also hope to have Trevor Story back on the roster before the season ends. Rosters expand from 26 to 28 on Sept. 1, and one addition must be a pitcher,” Peter Abraham wrote.There are definitely players on the active roster the Red Sox could move on from if they feel, at the time, that Arias can be the guy they need. It's also possible Boston just wants to call him up to get some at-bats in September and have him travel with the team in October, even if he doesn't get much playing time. That postseason experience can be valuable, and with the right moves the front office has made recently, it wouldn't be surprising to see them go in that direction.More Red SoxLatest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesESPN’s revelation that the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard will walk away without punishment from their recent cap-circumvention investigation has been denied by the NBA. The NBA started its investigation into the Clippers and Kawhi for alleged cap circumvention 11 months ago, after journalist Pablo Torre revealed Kawhi’s secret sponsorship deal with Aspiration.With the world anxious for a resolution, ESPN shared a comprehensive report revealing that the Clippers are expected to receive no punishment. However, the NBA does not agree with that assertion.NBA issues statement to deny ESPN’s report on Clippers, Kawhi Leonard investigationThe NBA’s Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass issued a statement on behalf of the league, categorically saying that ESPN’s article has ‘numerous and significant’ inaccuracies.“ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation – for which the NBA declined to cooperate – contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.”Bass’s reiteration highlights that the investigation is yet to conclude and that ESPN’s report may have jumped the gun on the status of the situation currently.However, the reporters behind the story, like Ramona Shelburne and Baxter Holmes, have really strong credentials and are unlikely to share ‘numerous inaccuracies’ in a report of this magnitude.Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty ImagesTheir story alleges that the NBA found no proof of cap-circumvention directly from the Clippers, with the Clippers promptly releasing a statement in which they claim the organisation and Steve Ballmer didn’t act improperly and only made introductions for Leonard with sponsors.If the NBA’s eventual verdict matches what ESPN’s report stated, then we know that the initial report was probably accurate. But with the NBA publicly refuting these claims, there is a chance that the Clippers are punished for this.Read more:Watch Jordyn Woods’ walk down the aisle at stunning Malibu wedding to Knicks star Karl-Anthony TownsThe gift bag OG Anunoby was spotted with leaving Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods weddingWhy are 76ers games so expensive? Sixers-Knicks tickets set to break NBA record

The 2012-13 season was supposed to be a return to glory for the Los Angeles Lakers. During the summer of 2012, they had traded for Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the hopes that both men would give Kobe Bryant the support he needed to win yet another NBA championship while he was still an elite player.Things didn't exactly go as planned. Nash, one of the best, if not the best, point guards of his era, suffered a fracture in his left leg in just his second game with the team and missed almost seven weeks as a result. The Lakers started the season 1-4, causing then-coach Mike Brown to be fired, and when the team reached out to Phil Jackson about returning as coach, it looked like things would soon be OK.But instead, Los Angeles hired Mike D'Antoni, the coach of the mid-2000s Phoenix Suns during the "Seven Seconds or Less" era. In a recent interview with ESPN, he admitted that he took the job because of Nash's presence on the team."One of the reasons why I took the Laker job -- the biggest reason, other than I wanted to coach -- was that Steve was going to be there," D'Antoni said. "So I'm thinking that if Steve and I can get this and put this together, we could be really good. And I remember asking them before I signed, 'I know Steve's hurt, when's he coming back?'"And they go, 'Well, he'll be back by Friday. And if we can get you to sign and you get in here, he'll be almost ready to go right when you get here.' That kind of pushed me over the hill."Well, Steve never really came back. And even when he did come back, he was about half himself. And so it was doomed from the start."Nash finally returned on Dec. 22, and while he played fairly well alongside Bryant, his season averages of 12.7 points and 6.7 assists a game paled in comparison to the numbers he put up in prior seasons with the Suns.While the Lakers started to play better after his return and won 28 of their last 40 games, nothing ever seemed right that season. They were hit by a gnarly rash of injuries all year, and that series of injuries was capped by the torn Achilles that Bryant sustained on April 12 near the end of the regular season.Los Angeles finished 45-37 and was swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Howard left in free agency a couple of months later, and just like that, the franchise plunged into the darkest chapter of its history. It would miss the playoffs six straight times before winning the championship in 2020.D'Antoni would last one more season before resigning his position in 2014. Two years later, he would start a four-year stint as the Houston Rockets' head coach.As for Nash, he would appear in 15 games during the 2013-14 campaign before retiring. He would later become the Brooklyn Nets' head coach in 2020, with D'Antoni serving as an assistant under him for one season.This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Mike D'Antoni says he took Lakers coaching job because of Steve Nash

Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Berks County, is closing and suspending all racing, according to a social media post by the raceway on Monday.The post said the raceway will undergo “strategic refocusing, restructuring and regrouping.”The post also said, “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our racing community, fans, partners, and supporters during this unforseen and challenging time.”The raceway said it would provide additional information and updates as events warranted.This past December, the International Hot Rod Association bought Maple Grove from the Koretsky family.The speedway has been a Berks County racing institution since the early 1960s.

Brody DeJesus shot a 10-over par 82 to lead Schuylkill Valley to a 360-422 non-league high school golf victory over Christian School of York on Monday at Royal Manchester Golf Links in Mount Wolf, York County.Also for the Panthers, Connor Huggard shot 83, Bryce Bailey 95 and Rowan Gilmer 100.

People talk near a Meta sign outside of the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)2026-08-18T03:46:45Z Meta is kicking off a court battle with some of the highest stakes yet. But it is far from the only litigation facing the social media giant and its competitors. In a federal trial beginning Tuesday in Oakland, California, the Instagram and Facebook parent company is fighting claims that it has contributed to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features that get children addicted. It’s one of many courtrooms around the country where Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube have been defending themselves against allegations their platforms have negatively impacted children’s mental health or otherwise hurt them. The trials could lead to changes in how the platforms are designed and operated.For Meta, which already lost two pivotal cases over harms to children and teens this year, the risks are high. The company reported a rare profit decline last month, in part due to $2.4 billion in legal expenses.Meta said evidence at the upcoming trial will show its commitment to supporting young people. “We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most,” the company said in a statement.Here is a look at some of the biggest cases against social media companies. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey’s joint caseThe trial set to begin Tuesday with opening arguments in California features four of the states as plaintiffs: California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey.They were among dozens of states that filed a lawsuit three years ago targeting Meta’s design features and the subsequent harm to children on its platforms. The other 25 states are expected to have trials later. The states are seeking extensive financial damages that could, in theory, total billions of dollars, plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. If Meta loses the trial, the court would have wide discretion over the size of any financial penalty.Meta said it disputes the allegations. Read More New Mexico’s case resulted in hefty fine, outlined changes to Meta platformsThe state of New Mexico brought a case against Meta claiming the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms.A jury sided with the state in March, finding there were thousands of violations, each counting separately toward a penalty of $375 million. That’s less than one-fifth of what prosecutors were seeking. In early August, the judge in the case ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million to address harms to young people from its platforms in the second phase of the trial. The judge also outlined new safety measures he ordered as a part of the ruling, including a time limit of 90 hours per month for users under 18, AI chatbot restrictions, and mandatory warnings on the platforms.Meta has said it disagrees with the verdict and will appeal. 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. Tennessee argues Instagram harms kids’ mental healthThe Tennessee Attorney General’s Office was a part of the multistate investigation into social media companies that resulted in the 2023 filing against Meta by dozens of states, but opted to file in its own local court.Attorneys gave opening statements in that case in late July, and the trial is expected to last until early September, according to The Tennessean. “Targeting kids with a harmful product and lying about its safety violates the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. Meta knows every last design decision that made Instagram addictive to kids and that means it knows exactly how to fix the problem,” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement when the lawsuit was filed three years ago. “We’re suing to make the company fix the problem.”Jury in Los Angeles trial found Meta, YouTube liable for harms Earlier this year, a jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark case that centered on social media addiction and claims the companies designed their platforms to hook young users without concern for their well-being.The plaintiff, known by her initials KGM, testified at trial that she became addicted to social media as a child and that it exacerbated her mental health struggles. After more than 40 hours of deliberations, a majority of jurors agreed and awarded $6 million in total damages. It was a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that was randomly selected as a bellwether trial, or a test case for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury, and thus could influence the outcome of similar lawsuits.TikTok and Snapchat were named as defendants in the lawsuit, but settled before the trial began. Meta and YouTube have each appealed the verdict. School districts across the country have sued social media companiesHundreds of school districts in the U.S. have filed lawsuits against the major social media companies seeking compensation for costs they say they incurred dealing with harms to children’s mental health from social media addiction.A lawsuit brought by a small, rural Kentucky school district was set to go to trial this summer in federal court in California, but defendants Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube each settled before the trial began.The Kentucky case was also selected as a bellwether out of 1,200 similar cases. The plaintiffs’ attorneys said in a statement that their “focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases.” Individual plaintiffs have filed similar lawsuitsThe Los Angeles trial was the first of its kind, but there are thousands of similar lawsuits filed against social media companies by individuals.Many allege the platforms’ design features addicted them to social media, which led to adverse mental health outcomes. But there are also other harms plaintiffs say stemmed from young people’s use of social media.Some lawsuits have been filed by families of children and young adults who died by suicide after problematic use of social media, and families whose kids died from accidental overdoses from drug purchases facilitated by social platforms. BARBARA ORTUTAY Ortutay writes about social media and the internet for The Associated Press. mailto KAITLYN HUAMANI Huamani covers social media and internet culture for The Associated Press. mailto

UEFA's deputy general secretary Kevin Lamour, centre, looks on as he stands next to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, right, prior to the start of a Group F match between Turkey and Georgia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. K(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)2026-08-18T03:34:23Z ZURICH (AP) — FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has reportedly left his role at soccer’s governing body just weeks after saying its president, Gianni Infantino, had deceived staff with his World Cup sell-off plan.Lamour, who is based in Zurich, all but invited Infantino to fire him in a statement to The Associated Press on Aug. 1 that defended his colleagues amid intense fallout from the plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private equity funds.Lamour wrote that staff were “deceived” by Infantino’s lack of openness in planning. He released the statement on the say day Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, decided to walk away and described the $20 billion commercial subsidiary plan as “a bad deal for football.”Britain’s Press Association late Monday quoted a FIFA spokesperson as saying: “FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer has ended.” “FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter.”Infantino is seeking reelection as FIFA president but remains under pressure after the heads of three continental confederations — for Europe, Asia and for North, Central America and the Caribbean — issued an open letter last week saying his World Cup plan was a “fundamental breach of trust” and described it as “deception.”Infantino withdrew the $20 billion proposal after a furious backlash by global soccer officials, including European body UEFA, which has warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events. Some national federations have withdrawn their support for Infantino, although the heads of six Arab soccer federations last week expressed their “full support” and “confidence” in the president. Read More Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and, until the backlash over the so-called FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, seemed sure to be reelected unopposed next year in Morocco. FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.___See AP’s full soccer coverage here 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

A man walks by a drawing poster promoting a Chinese animated film "Niulai" on display with other movie posters at a cinema in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)2026-08-18T03:33:27Z The new sensation among some Chinese moviegoers is an animated film whose characters appear to have been created with rudimentary 3D animation and have been described as “ugly” and “eerie.”But it is the scathing online reviews that seem to have prompted interest in “Niulai,” an animated film about a calf who had a dream about himself growing up with the help of his family, driving a surprising surge at the box office.The film earned only about 10,000 yuan ($1,480) at the box office in the first 10 days after its Aug. 5 release. On some days, the film took in as little as 200 yuan ($30) at the box office, according to Maoyan, a movie-tracking platform. The figure was exceptionally low, particularly during the competitive summer movie season.But its box office surged to 8.2 million yuan ($1.2 million) Monday, with nearly 300,000 admissions, according to Maoyan. Its total box office has reached 17.1 million yuan ($2.5 million).Red Star News, a local news website in Chengdu, reported that the film was made over five years by just two people — director Xin Yumeng and his mother, Sun Lifan. The Associated Press was unable to reach Xin and could not independently verify this.Posters seen at movie theaters featured a calf, hand-drawn in pen without color, alongside handwritten slogans: “Come on over if you’re into the bizarre” and “No refunds.” A ‘terrible’ movie viewers recommend as a prankOn Douban, a popular Chinese movie-review platform, viewers piled on with mocking and bewildered comments. Among the most popular: “unbelievably terrible and eye-opening,” “a symbol of the new internet troll culture,” and “a must-watch for Chinese stock market investors.” The last is a play on the film’s name, “Niulai,” which literally means “the bull is coming” in Chinese — a wish for a bull market. Comments such as “over nine out of ten,” and “awesome and highly recommended” are also among the sarcastic reactions.“My initial intention has always been to play pranks on my friends,” said Du Mingxi, a 19-year-old college student in Shanghai. Read More “If a friend asks me what I think about the movie, I’d say good and recommend them to watch,” he said, adding that he successfully tricked two friends to watch the movie with him. Both found it fun, but one fell asleep during the viewing. Du compared young people going to the movies to see this kind of film to the mysterious “six-seven” craze in the U.S., saying that some are just drawn to things they find weird or funny, with many jumping on a trend whether they get it or not. 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. “They are just the same, it is funny but hard to describe what’s funny about it, and young people just love spreading these memes virally,” said Du.Despite the flood of criticism and memes, some viewers didn’t mind the rudimentary production. Zhong Jiaming, a vocational schoolteacher in Guangzhou, called it a rare find in an era when movies are often “visually exquisite and polished, but their stories can fail to engage.”“This is a movie for the young at heart,” said Zhong. “It is simple and honest, like a bedtime story for children.” FU TING Fu Ting reports for AP’s Global Investigations team. She is based in Washington, D.C. twitter mailto

Serena Williams, left, first bumps Venus Williams, right, both of the United States, during a women's doubles match against Marta Kostyuk, of Ukraine, and Peyton Stearns, also of the United States, at the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)2026-08-18T03:30:28Z CINCINNATI (AP) — Serena and Venus Williams played their first doubles match together since the 2022 U.S. Open and lost a thriller, 2-6, 6-1 (10-8) to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns on Monday night at the Cincinnati Open.The sisters nearly recovered from a 6-0 deficit in the match tiebreaker before a double-fault by Venus Williams ended their first doubles appearance in a non-Grand Slam event since the Italian Open in 2016. They entered as a wild card.Serena had been off the tour since 2022 before returning this summer at age 44. The sisters planned to play together at Wimbledon but had to withdraw after Serena injured her knee while losing her singles match.“Eventually we would find our way to each other,” the 46-year-old Venus said about the decision to play doubles again. “It’s our first time playing together in forever. It was great for us to get out there and do it.” Kostyuk and Stearns, both 24, are playing in their first tournament together. Stearns is a Cincinnati native and Kostyuk is from Ukraine.After dropping the first set, the Williams sisters rolled in the second to force a match tiebreak.Kostyuk and Stearns went ahead 6-0, but consecutive double-faults by Kostyuk helped the Williamses get within 8-7. It was 9-8 after Serena powerfully put away an overhead before Venus double-faulted. Venus and Serena have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and 22 total. Serena won one with Alexandra Stevenson in 2002 at Leipzig. All of Venus’ doubles titles have been with her sister. They also have won three Olympic gold medals together.Serena has won 23 singles Grand Slam titles. Venus has won seven. Read More Swiatek rallies for 3-set win and other resultsIn other results Monday, defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek rallied from a set down to win her eighth consecutive match, beating Maria Sakkari, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina beat Magdalena Frech, 6-4, 7-6. Third-ranked Jessica Pegula beat fellow American Emma Navarro, 7-5, 6-2.World No. 3 and top seed Alexander Zverev won his ATP-tour leading 46th match this season, outlasting Terence Atmane, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6). ___See AP’s full tennis coverage here

In Chocó, a predominantly Afro-Colombian and Indigenous region, “pain, hunger and homelessness await” survivors of last week’s earthquake, the governor says.

Canada is seeking a deal to dodge further economic pain at the hands of the Trump administration on midnight Tuesday. But at what cost?

The ruling is almost certainly not the end of the lengthy fight over the F.B.I.’s future headquarters, which has lasted for years.

Zan Vipotnik started Swansea's opening game at Stoke [Getty Images]Adam Idah has praised fellow striker Zan Vipotnik's professionalism amid ongoing speculation about the Slovenian's future at Swansea City.Championship golden boot winner Vipotnik has been the subject of interest from Premier League side Hull City.The Tigers saw a bid worth around £10m rejected for the 24-year-old international before Vipotnik started against Stoke on the opening weekend.Idah, who scored the winner at Stoke with his first touch after replacing the former Bordeaux striker, hopes Vipotnik will stay in south Wales."He's been brilliant to be fair. He's been really professional. I know what it's like to be in that situation," said Idah."It's hard to keep your head and stay focused when there is so much talk. He's been fantastic through it all."Hull's £10m bid for Swansea's Vipotnik 'pathetic'Vipotnik happy after Hull bid - Matos Former Celtic forward Idah believes Vipotnik's attitude has been impeccable."I don't think there are many players in his situation who would do a whole pre-season and play the first game," he added."It's not easy. Who knows what's going to happen. We would be delighted if he stays here."Any exit for Vipotnik would open the door for Idah - into his second season at Swansea - to feature more regularly.But the Republic of Ireland international also knows how important Vipotnik could be for the Swans' promotion hopes."You've seen him last season, scoring 23 goals, it would be massive for him to stay with us and continue scoring those goals," said Idah."We want to finish high up the table and get back into the Premier League. He would be a big part of that."'Getting minutes is really important'Idah's winner at Stoke was his third goal in two Championship fixtures, having ended last season with a brace against Charlton Athletic.The former Norwich man hopes to stay injury-free this season after he was forced to miss lengthy periods during his debut season in Wales.And with Scotland international Ross Stewart also joining the club this summer, signing on a free transfer, Idah understands that competition for places is stiff.But he is not concerned about the need to win over Swansea boss Vitor Matos, although starting the league campaign with a goal will certainly help."I just want to stay injury-free and score as many goals as I can," Idah explained when asked whether he has set any personal goals for the season. "Getting minutes is really important. Hopefully I can continue doing what I did [on Saturday]."I'm past all of [those injuries] and showing people what I'm capable of. I've played Champions League and Premier League."I don't need to prove myself to anyone now. I know what I'm capable of, and that's the most important thing."I'm sure the manager has a lot of trust in me to put me on. I just want to continue playing games and scoring goals."Latest Swansea City news, analysis and fan views

Japan's Zion Suzuki is set for a move to Premier League side Aston Villa (Paul ELLIS)Zion Suzuki has had to overcome costly mistakes and racist abuse on the way to becoming the most expensive Japanese goalkeeper in history.The 23-year-old will be the first Japanese goalkeeper in Premier League history when he seals his move to Aston Villa from Italian team Parma for up to 35 million euros ($40 million).Suzuki, who was previously linked with Manchester United, was born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother and moved to Japan at a young age.After coming through Japanese football he moved to Belgium then Italy and has already won 28 caps for his country.Suzuki, who appeared set to join Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain before Villa came calling, believes he has the tools to make it in the Premier League."Of course big saves are important but above all I want to become a goalkeeper who brings stability to the team," Suzuki told FIFA's website ahead of the World Cup, where he played a central role in Japan reaching the last 32."Doing the simple things well consistently. Playing with the determination not to concede."Suzuki rose through the ranks at J. League side Urawa Reds and made his international debut after only a handful of appearances for his club.He moved to Belgian side Sint-Truiden in 2023 despite reported interest from United, reasoning that he wanted to get more experience as a first choice.He was handed Japan's number one jersey for the Asian Cup in January 2024 but turned in a series of blundering performances before they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.The young stopper suffered online racial abuse after a group-stage defeat to Iraq.Suzuki said of the abuse: "I'm not about to let it beat me."I want to come back at them by producing good results."- Mental strength -Suzuki continued as Japan's number one after the Asian Cup and gradually built up his reputation.He moved to Parma in 2024 to become the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in Italy's Serie A.His team-mates called him "animale" because of his muscular 6ft 3ins frame.Suzuki broke his hand in late 2025 but returned in time for this summer's World Cup and excelled as Japan progressed from a group that also included the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.He again impressed against Brazil in the last 32 but could not prevent his team from going out 2-1 after conceding a 95th-minute winner to Gabriel Martinelli.His imminent transfer to Villa means he will become only the second Japanese goalkeeper to play in English professional football, following Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi's short stint with second-tier Portsmouth in the early 2000s.Suzuki, whose first language is Japanese but speaks English, says he learnt from his early shortcomings."At the beginning I made a series of mistakes and showed my inexperience as Japan's first-choice goalkeeper," he told FIFA's website."Now I feel I can bring a sense of stability to the team through my mentality."Speaking as his reputation grew in Serie A, Suzuki said his aim was to be the best goalkeeper in the world."I want to be the best both as an individual and as a team, winning titles like the Champions League and World Cup," he said.amk/pst

Gerald McCoy played eleven seasons at the highest level in the National Football League. A third overall selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010, McCoy would go on to be a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2013 first-team All-Pro. He played the game with finesse and ferocity, but always with a smile and a fun personality.During his career, McCoy was a media darling with both the local scribes and national networks. He made guest appearances during bye weeks and in the offseason, offering his expertise. It also was a chance for the country to get to know him away from the field. Now entering his fourth season working on NFL Network, McCoy says a second act in media was never a goal he chased like the quarterbacks he was used to sacking.“I’ve been blessed with the gift of communication and natural non-fear of crowds and cameras,” said McCoy. “Because of the guest appearances I would do during my career, later in my career these places were reaching out seeing if I would be doing media when I was done playing. I kept telling my agent to hold off on those calls till I thought about leaving the game.”McCoy is the son of two youth pastors, both of whom played in the church band. Because of this, his upbringing contained many instances of finding himself performing in front of crowds and singing solos in church. Those experiences helped McCoy become comfortable in a media setting and performing in front of viewers.An Unplanned OpportunityDuring his final year with the Las Vegas Raiders, McCoy found himself enrolled in the NFL media broadcast boot camp without his permission. The team’s public relations staff enrolled McCoy, who had been battling injuries during his time with the franchise in 2021.“I was like, whatever I’ll go. Truth be told, our class was comprised of who’s spearheading NFL media now,” said McCoy, whose class consisted of Jason and Devin McCourty, Richard Sherman, and Cam Heyward, among others. “From that point on, NFL Network, FOX, and ESPN were there. Then once I announced my retirement a month later, I got a call that the NFL Network wanted to hire me. Here we go.”From the start, McCoy was placed on NFL Network’s signature Sunday program, NFL GameDay Morning. Slotted into the second hour at the desk alongside Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, and Steve Mariucci, McCoy says he had to find his way into blending in with a crew that he enjoyed watching for years while playing.View this post on Instagram“I was trying to figure out how to be me within what they were asking. That’s what I did during my entire career with coaching changes, coordinators, and new teammates. I had to be Gerald within these schemes. It was no different here,” said McCoy. “You become naive to certain things. But It wasn’t until this past year that it hit me. I’m part of a show that’s been around for as long as it’s been around.”From the start, McCoy credits the advice and support he received from current and former NFL Network teammates for his early media success. That included everyone from Warren Sapp, who pushed McCoy to be the defensive mind and voice on the program, to Eisen, who’s helped educate McCoy on knowing what to say and how to say it.“The studio allows me to be a football player. You get what you’re going to talk about, and then you plot how you’re going to talk about it. Then on game day, we just execute,” explains McCoy. “Everyone involved has helped me out tremendously. They saw something in me, because the year prior they had Emmanuel Sanders in there. They didn’t bring him back, and now I’ve been there four years.”The appreciation for that support overflowed during an emotional moment during coverage of last year’s Super Bowl. As the final moments of NFL GameDay Morning counted down with an uncertain future ahead for the network itself, McCoy spoke from the heart.The newcomer to the second hour of the program just three years prior led off a touching tribute of thankfulness to the team at the network that had entrusted him with the opportunity.“It was emotional because they embraced me when they didn’t have to. They are real friends with a true history with each other in everything they’ve experienced,” said McCoy. “Everyone on the entire staff supported me to become a part of that family… That was just a thank you because I wasn’t sure if we were going to be back together. I wanted the world to hear me say thank you.”The Worldwide LeaderOver the past six months, NFL Network is different today than it has ever been before. Now fully overseen by ESPN, there were questions about how the network would operate under new supervision.For McCoy, he is now an ESPN employee. An honor he considers special, having grown up watching the network for decades. However, the opportunity brings another challenge as he navigates his role within the top of the food chain at the network. Recently, he got his first taste of working with ESPN as an analyst on Get Up and going toe-to-toe with Stephen A. Smith on First Take.“It’s a dream come true… The last time I talked with Mike Greenberg, he was still on Mike & Mike. Then working with Stephen A. Smith. The guy in sports entertainment? He’s the guy. That’s no easy task,” said McCoy. “They welcomed me in and I got phenomenal feedback on my appearances. Having that experience, it was a great opportunity, and I look forward to doing more.”McCoy has the rare distinction of being a combatant in the arena with both Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless. Last season, McCoy was a co-host on Gilbert Arenas’ Gridiron podcast, which featured Bayless as the lead analyst. The former All-Pro considers both Smith and Bayless masters of their craft, and his experience with Bayless prepared McCoy for his debut with Smith.While there’s still some mystery surrounding how ESPN will shape its football coverage this season with the NFL Network addition, McCoy fully expects to return to the NFL GameDay Morning crew this season. As for more appearances on ESPN programming, he’s still waiting for plans but is very open to any idea.“I don’t mind being completely honest. I don’t know,” said McCoy regarding future appearances on ESPN this football season. “ESPN was house shopping and drove past a mansion, a phenomenal mansion. They didn’t go inside, check the plumbing, or check out each room. They just wanted the house and bought it. Now, they’re trying to figure out what they’re going to do with the house. That’s where we’re at right now.”Being versatile and flexible has always been a goal of McCoy’s. With his media career, it’s no different from when he dominated the playing field for eleven seasons. Now under the ESPN umbrella, there have already been some conversations about additional opportunities that might be a fit.“My agent and I talked about it [doing college football]. Before I got hired by ESPN, I was in talks to do college [football] with ESPN. The schedule just didn’t work out,” said McCoy.As far as a return to co-hosting a podcast with Skip Bayless this season, McCoy believes that project is not returning this year. However, he didn’t rule out a complete exit from the podcast space with a simple, “Stay tuned” when asked.A Promising FutureThe next chapter of Gerald McCoy’s career may still have more questions than answers. That uncertainty, however, is nothing new for a player who spent eleven seasons adapting to new coaches, teammates, and schemes while finding a way to remain himself.Now, instead of reading the offense from the other side of the line of scrimmage, McCoy is reading the game from behind a microphone. The settings may change, the network may look different, and the opportunities may continue to evolve, but the approach remains the same.Be himself. He never chased a second career in media. It found him.View this post on Instagram“This is where I’m at right now. I’m locked in and fully committed to it where I am right now,” said McCoy as he prepares for another season of NFL coverage.With ESPN now providing the backdrop for the next stage of his journey, McCoy appears more than ready to see where it takes him. After all, he spent his playing career chasing quarterbacks.Now, he’s chasing whatever comes next.Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.John MamolaJohn Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.linktr.ee/johnmamolaThe post Gerald McCoy Never Chased a Media Career With ESPN, NFL Network: The Networks Found Him appeared first on Barrett Media.

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 13: Illinois Football DB Xavier Scott (14) warms up prior to a college football game between the Western Michigan Broncos and Illinois Fighting Illini on September 13, 2025 at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Good morning, Illini fans. We’re officially in the final two-week stretch before Illinois football returns, and Monday brought plenty of news from Champaign. Here are the things that matter this morning.🏈 The Big Story: Illinois has something to proveThe Illini were left out of the AP Top 25 preseason poll Monday, receiving nine votes and unofficially landing at No. 33.That’s a little lower than some Illinois fans probably hoped for after last year’s 9-4 season.Ranked teams are all over the schedule. Illinois faces No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon and No. 22 Iowa. 🏈 Katin Houser gets a strong endorsementIllinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. met with the media Monday and offered perhaps his strongest endorsement yet of new starting quarterback Katin Houser.Lunney said Houser is in “total command” of the offense after months of preparation.That doesn’t mean everything is perfect. Illinois is replacing four starters on the offensive line, and Lunney acknowledged that the group is still developing chemistry.🏀 Mirkovic is getting major national loveDavid Mirkovic continues to pile up preseason recognition.Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney ranked the Illinois sophomore as the No. 1 power forward in college basketball heading into the 2026-27 season.Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points and eight rebounds as a freshman while shooting 37.5% from three-point range. He also earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors.Mirkovic underwent surgery on his left foot after suffering an injury in late July. His recovery could take up to two months, meaning his availability for the start of the season remains something to watch.🏈 Xavier Scott is back and Illinois needs himOne of the biggest reasons for optimism surrounding Illinois’ defense is the return of Xavier Scott.Scott missed most of last season with an injury but had four interceptions in 2024 and enters this season as part of a veteran-heavy secondary.TCR’s latest Oskee Talk episode breaks down the defensive backs, including Scott, Matthew Bailey and the rest of Illinois’ “Big Three,” while examining how the group could benefit from Bobby Hauck’s more aggressive defensive system.⚽ What’s next for Illinois soccerAfter opening the season with a scoreless draw against No. 19 Georgia, Illinois soccer is preparing for its next two matches.The Illini travel to Cincinnati on Thursday before returning home Sunday to host UIC.After making the NCAA Tournament last season, Illinois enters 2026 with considerably higher expectations.🗓️ 16 days until kickoffIllinois opens the 2026 season against UAB on Sept. 3 at Gies Memorial Stadium.The countdown is officially down to 16 days.

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 17: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his RBI double in the eighth inning as Connor Norby #35 of the Colorado Rockies looks on at Coors Field on August 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Dodgers needed a get-right game, and apparently all they needed to do was come to Coors Field.After going 5-11 in their last 16 games, being swept by the Red Sox and Cubs, while also dropping series to the Diamondbacks and Brewers, the Dodgers looked their regular selves on Monday, hitting three homers, while Blake Snell held the Rockies to two hits and one run in six innings on the way to a 11-5 blowout.To summarize the vibe of the night, through eight innings, the Rockies had as many hits — two — as fielding errors and the best part of the broadcast was the footage from the Savannah Bananas takeover of Coors Field over the weekend. At least the Rockies tried to come back, putting up a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Good 1, then downhillIt only took nine pitches for Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) to retire the mighty top of the Dodgers lineup — Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages — on three ground balls in the first.The Dodgers got on the scoreboard in the second and again in the third and a familiar Rockies killer was behind it all: Max Muncy. In the second inning, Muncy drew a walk and came around to score on a double by Mookie Betts. Sugano was able to prevent further damage in the second, but it got worse in the third.With one out, Ohtani, Freeman and Pages hit back-to-back-to-back singles to put the Dodgers up 2-0. Then Muncy did what he does best – hit homers and drive in runs at Coors Field. His towering shot went 461 feet to the second deck of the right field stands, increasing L.A.’s lead to 5-0.“I saw [Sugano get] behind in counts, which is abnormal for him, and then missing over the heart of the plate a little much for that lineup. They are not going to bite,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said of Sugano’s performance. “Everybody knows that those guys bring you in the zone. And I think that was the case early on with some offspeed pitches that borderline navigated their way out of the zone, and they didn’t bite. They got in good counts and that’s how they do their damage.”Sugano left after five innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk. He’s now 0-3 against the Dodgers this season in three starts. The good news is that he won’t have to face them again in 2026.Juan Mejia didn’t fare much better in the sixth when he gave up another homer to Ohtani, an RBI double to Freeman and an RBI single to Pages. Just like that, it was 10-1. Wasting walks and chancesWhen a team faces Snell, despite this being only his third start in an injury-riddled season, it’s going to be tough, and you can’t afford to miss your chances. But the Rockies missed a big chance in the third. Adael Amador, Brett Sullivan and Ezequiel Tovar drew three consecutive walks to lead off the inning to bring Jake McCarthy to the plate. Usually a clutch hitter with runners in scoring position, McCarthy was only able to muster a fielder’s choice to score Amador. Jordan Beck flied out to shallow center and Cole Carrigg struck out to end the threat. View Link“Snell is really good. So he’s going to make an adjustment,” Schaeffer said. “Against a guy like that, you get a shot to have a big inning off of him and then it’s tough to get that shot again. We just didn’t get the job done.”After three innings, Snell had held the Rockies hitless and surrendered the one run on three walks. The Rockies finally got their first hit in the fourth inning when TJ Rumfield and Connor Norby hit back-to-back singles with one out. The Rockies again weren’t able to capitalize as Amador struck out and Sullivan popped out.The Rockies had seven total base runners through the first eight innings, but went 0-for-6 with RISP and left four on base. Norby reached once on an error, but it was an uneventful night at the plate for the Rockies vs. Snell and the Dodgers bullpen. That was until the ninth when Edwin Díaz came in.And now pitching for the Rockies …TJ Shook, who was just recalled by the Rockies earlier on Monday, pitched must better, only allowing one run on two hits — which were made worse by a fielding error by Cole Carrigg — in two innings. For the ninth, with the Rockies regular pitching position player Sullivan behind the plate, Troy Johnston entered the game to pitch. The utilityman gave up a hit by a pitch and a walk, but didn’t allow a run.View Link“Usually that’s Sully, but with Goody [Hunter Goodman] being hurt, we didn’t want to put him in the ball game. I think that would probably be malpractice,” Schaeffer said. “So Troy’s the next man up and I thought he did a really nice job. He got to pitch in the big leagues.”A rally in the ninthNot only did Johnston put up a scoreless frame on the mound, but he also hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. After Willi Castro led off with a single and Rumfield reached after being hit by a pitch, Johnston came up clutch. Amador followed suit with an RBI single of his own, while Sullivan followed with a single, which set up a sac fly from Tovar. Zac Veen then continued his hot start with the Rockies since being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 11 with an RBI double. View LinkUnfortunately, Beck then flied out to end the rally and game.In the ninth, the Rockies tripled their hit count and more than doubled their runs compared to the previous eight innings. Up nextThe Rockies and Dodgers will be back in action on Tuesday night at 6:40 p.m. at Coors Field. Colorado will send RHP Ryan Feltner (5-6, 5.59) to the mound, while LHP Eric Lauer (6-1, 3.48) will start for Los Angeles.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Marisa Mender-Franklin poses for a picture on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in one of the properties that she crowdsourced for free to plant flowers for her florist shop in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Kristin M. Hall)2026-08-18T04:04:45Z When Marisa Mender-Franklin walks through any of the nine flower farms she runs in Memphis, Tennessee, her first thoughts are of gratitude. Partly for the flowers and the bees, but mostly for the support of her neighbors.That’s because members of her local Facebook Buy Nothing group shared their unused yards and gardens with her, allowing her to achieve her dream of owning a flower shop and working as an urban flower farmer.“None of this would be possible without an immensely supportive community,” she said.Her post read, ‘Flowers in need of a garden’In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mender-Franklin was a teacher planning her wedding. “I thought it would be fun to grow and design my own wedding flowers,” she said. So, the lifelong gardener planted “every square inch” of the tiny yard in front of her rental home with seeds and added pots along the walkway and on the porch. The experience fortified her lifelong dream of working with flowers, she said, “but I didn’t own land or have a path to owning land.”As a member of the Buy Nothing group, she had noticed members offering unwanted furniture, household goods and other items free to people who needed them.“Somebody once posted looking for a French horn for their kid, and within six hours, they had one,” she said. “If the group can do that,” she reasoned, “then certainly there’s someone who has a garden they can’t use and would let me grow flowers there.” In her post, she expressed her desire to grow and sell flowers, and promised to be a good tenant and provide the owner with weekly bouquets. “Within 5 minutes, my phone started pinging like crazy,” she said. Within a week, she had received 40 offers of free places to grow flowers. Read More That first year, 2021, Mender-Franklin selected four plots. Members of the online group began dropping off cardboard and vases on her porch. “People even volunteered to help weed or plant,” she said.Today, she runs her flower business full-time. She owns the Midtown Bramble and Bloom flower shop, oversees the nine farm plots of various sizes and employs 10 people. Last year, the business held 57 workshops, and provided flower arrangements for 44 weddings and large events. The inspiration was a Canadian flower gardenerMender-Franklin said she knows of similar land-share situations in other cities. She was inspired by the example of Sarah Nixon, who, from 2001 to 2021, planted flowers in neighbors’ yards in Toronto and sold weekly flower-bucket and arrangement subscriptions. Nixon also sold flowers at farmers’ markets and a specialty grocery store, and provided flowers for weddings.She started her business, My Luscious Backyard, the analog way, by leaving letters of introduction in neighbor’s mailboxes that proposed the barter of land use in exchange for upkeep of their gardens.“I was obsessed with growing flowers for my own enjoyment, and my own backyard was full,” said Nixon. “But I noticed some of my neighbors begrudgingly mowing their lawns and not seeming to use their properties.” The arrangements can be mutually beneficialIn Memphis, Mender-Franklin’s team transformed the lawns and neglected gardens into beds and rows of flowers. Along with the bouquets and other perks, the homeowners are able to enjoy flower gardens without the responsibility of maintaining them.The agreements are formalized with leases that spell out everything from boundaries to water costs.Karen Golightly, who owns one of Mender-Franklin’s original plots, said she didn’t hesitate when she saw the post on the Buy Nothing group. The weekly bouquets she receives are lovely, she said, “but the biggest benefit is that it created a community for me.”“We have a garden walk in the neighborhood, and I’ve come to know other neighbors and gardeners that I wouldn’t otherwise know. And, of course, there’s Marisa’s staff and Marisa, as well,” Golightly said.One of the first plots that Mender-Franklin worked on came with no water source, she said. She offered to pay the homeowner next door to run a water line over from his faucet, and he, a gardener, set it up for her.“People like to help make dreams come true. It’s that feeling of connection that we all really need,” she said. “So often when we talk about community, we view it in terms of helping other people. And we forget that being part of an equal community means that you also have to ask for help.”To give back, Mender-Franklin launched the Flowers for Good program, which donates flowers to local organizations, schools and charities. Her shop has a free seed library for vegetables and native wildflowers. “It’s such a gift to the community to have their land turned into a farm,” said Nixon. “And all the pollinators, birds and wildlife change the area.”“It’s also a lot of work,” she added.Mender-Franklin knows that to be true. “We run on community,” she said. “Well, community and LaCroix and an unhinged belief in our ability to figure it out.” How you can start a land-sharing networkIf your flowers or vegetables are in search of a garden, these online resources can help:Regional and local gardening groups and buy-nothing groups on social media can link neighbors willing to share tools, harvests or garden beds.Matchmaking services such as Shared Earth and My Gardens Spot connect those seeking land on which to farm or garden with landowners seeking to share property.___Kristin M. Hall contributed to this story from Memphis, Tennessee.___Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for The Associated Press. She publishes the Weekly Dirt Newsletter. Sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.___For more AP gardening stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.

People talk near a Meta sign outside of the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)2026-08-18T04:02:14Z Oakland, Calif. (AP) — Opening arguments are set to kick off Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a California federal court. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. Twenty-nine states sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy — the other 25 will go to trial later. The company also faces lawsuits in state courts. The lawsuit accuses the social media giant of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features that get children addicted to its platforms. It also argues that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law.“This week, we’re in court with the largest consumer protection lawsuit in American history. We’ll show a jury that Meta concealed what it knew about the harm its products cause young people because looking away was more profitable,” said Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman in a statement. Meta said it believes it has a strong case. “We are proud of our record in protecting teens on our platforms and the amount of effort that we’ve put into developing protections over the years, even before these cases were ever filed, and continuing to the present day. We look forward to showing the judge and the jury those facts in court,” the company said in a statement. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland will oversee the proceedings, which are expected to last six to eight weeks, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives and former employees testifying. Gonzalez Rogers, appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama in 2011, has overseen a bevy of complex, high-profile cases involving Big Tech. These include Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and its founders as well as Epic Games’ lawsuit against Apple over its app store. Read More The trial is the latest in an avalanche of lawsuits against Meta Platforms and other social media companies including Google’s YouTube, TikTok and Snap, over arguments that their platforms harm young people, illegally collect their data and are deliberately designed to addict them. __AP Technology Writer Kaitlyn Huamani contributed to this story from Los Angeles. BARBARA ORTUTAY Ortutay writes about social media and the internet for The Associated Press. mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, center, leaves the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with Canadian officials, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)2026-08-18T04:01:06Z WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Canada have wrangled for decades over trade, poking each other interminably over sore spots like Canadian softwood lumber imports and U.S. access to Canada’s protected dairy market.Somehow the two neighbors still managed to remain friends, allies — and trading partners. Canadian soldiers fought alongside Americans in Afghanistan after 9/11. The 5,525-mile U.S.-Canada border is undefended, and nearly 330,000 people and $2 billion dollars’ worth of goods cross it every day; 800,000 Canadians live in the United States.President Donald Trump’s belligerent approach to dealing with Canada marks an extraordinary departure from the traditionally cooperative relationship between the two countries. Trump has hit Canadian goods with tariffs — in a push to bring manufacturing back to the United States — and has repeatedly made inflammatory comments about turning Canada into America’s 51st state. The Canadian public is fed up. A petition to expel the U.S. ambassador, a Trump ally, has collected nearly 218,000 signatures since July 21. It accuses Ambassador Pete Hoekstra of having “normalized’’ Trump’s talk of annexing Canada, among other things.Tension could hit new heights at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday if Trump goes ahead with his plan to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. As the deadline approaches, the two countries are seeking a truce that would avoid the new round of tariffs.″We are negotiating,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday, speaking in French. “The negotiations are very intense and delicate. This is not the time to talk about negotiations in public.” Read More Looking for an off rampNearly 72% of Canadian goods exports last year went to the United States. And the Trump administration might be wary of imposing a hefty new tariff — paid by U.S. importers who try to pass along the cost to consumers via higher prices — ahead of November’s midterm elections. American voters are already frustrated with the high cost of living. “I don’t think either side really wants these tariffs to come into effect,’’ said Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a former U.S. trade official. “There’s a pretty strong push on both sides to find an off ramp here.’’ 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. Majerus said the United States is aiming to get Canada to buy more U.S. military equipment, including F-35 fighters; to take part in Trump’s “Golden Dome’’ missile defense; and to give the United States more access to critical minerals, thereby reducing America’s reliance on tenuous supplies from geopolitical rival China.The Canadians would like relief from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as softwood lumber, which America says receives unfair government subsidies.Trump relies on Smoot-Hawley to go after CanadaTrump has made tariffs the centerpiece of his second-term economic agenda. Last year, he imposed double-digit import taxes on almost every country on earth, justifying them by declaring the longstanding U.S. trade deficit a national emergency. The Supreme Court in February ruled that he’d overstepped his authority, striking down those tariffs and setting the stage for the federal government to pay refunds to importers. Trump immediately looked for other ways to rebuild his tariff wall. Last month, he imposed import taxes of 10% to 12.5% on 59 countries and the European Union — which together account for 99% of U.S. imports — for allegedly failing to have or to enforce restrictions on imports made from forced labor.Then he reached back to the Great Depression to find a cudgel with which to whack Canada, one of his favorite targets.Trump invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose 50% tariffs on products that account for about 5% of Canadian exports to the United States.Nearly a century ago, with the U.S. and world economies in collapse, Congress passed the 1930 tariff law, imposing hefty taxes on imports from around the world. Known as the Smoot-Hawley tariffs, for their congressional sponsors, they are notorious among economists and historians for limiting world commerce and making the Great Depression worse.Section 338 tariffs have never been used before. U.S. trade negotiators traditionally have favored another tool, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 — the provision Trump invoked for last month’s forced-labor tariffs. Section 338 authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses. Unlike Section 301 sanctions, no investigation is required. Nor is there any limit on how long the tariffs can stay in place.In announcing the Section 338 tariffs, Trump claimed that Canada discriminates against American exports of autos, alcohol and cheese. Trump is angry because Canada and China were the only countries that punched back with retaliatory tariffs of their own when he slapped levies on their products last year.“If a country retaliates against us, we’re obviously not going to tolerate that,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters Friday at the Iowa State Fair. “We’ll take action. My sense is the Canadians, they want to have a more conciliatory approach, but we’ll see.” New leverage to renegotiate USMCAThe U.S. is renegotiating a North American trade pact — the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement — that Trump strong-armed America’s neighbors into accepting in his first term. The threat of Section 338 tariffs gives the United States leverage to seek fresh concessions from Ottawa.“From Carney’s perspective, you need (USMCA) to be renegotiated,’' said Christopher Gundermann, fellow in the economics program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. ”You can’t renegotiate it with a massive trade war going on.’'But the Canadian public’s furor over Trump’s policies may limit Carney’s ability to cut a deal. Canada could retaliate again if the new 50% tariffs take effect, potentially aggravating a trade fight.Canada’s government “cannot look like it is simply caving to the Trump administration’s demands,’’ said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. “Making further concessions without getting something meaningful in exchange would probably lead to a strong backlash ... The risk is for the Carney government to make Canada look weak and, therefore, even more vulnerable to future trade and geopolitical bullying on the part of the Trump administration.”Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister for U.S. trade, met with Greer on Monday. He was tight-lipped afterward. “The work is continuing,’’ he said. “We continue to do our job.’’____Gillies reported from Toronto.

Areal view of the village center of Kandersteg, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Hernan Munoz)2026-08-18T04:04:53Z KANDERSTEG, Switzerland (AP) — An unstable mountain rock formation looming above the Swiss village of Kandersteg threatens a landslide that could rival the disaster that destroyed nearby Blatten last year, a collapse scientists linked to thawing permafrost and glacier dynamics.The 1,300 residents of Kandersteg, in Switzerland’s Bern canton, live amid a quintessential Alpine landscape of sharp peaks, white glaciers, steep green valleys and the distant sound of cowbells. But a catastrophe looms over the quiet village: a mountainside rock formation called Spitze Stei, part of a mountain landscape increasingly affected by thawing permafrost, threatens to collapse into the valley in a massive landslide.“You are aware that it’s happening, but not afraid,” said Brigitte Jüni, an inhabitant of Kandersteg. She said authorities took all the precautions they could. “But then it’s nature. It’s nature and you never know,” Jüni added. As glaciers and permafrost — the frozen soil sediment and rock that acts like a glue holding mountains together — melt due to higher temperatures caused by climate change, the threat of landslides is rising in the Swiss Alps. In May 2025, a huge mass of rock and ice from a glacier thundered down the mountainside in the nearby Loetschental valley, sending plumes of dust skyward and coating with mud nearly all of Blatten, which had been evacuated earlier as a precaution. Markus Stoffel, professor for climate change and natural risks at the University of Geneva, said climate change leads to the melting of both glaciers and permafrost. Read More “In the mountains and in the unconsolidated debris, there is lots of ice,” Stoffel said. “Once this ice is melting, it acts like a cement. These mountain slopes will become increasingly unstable.”Locals in Kandersteg say their situation is different from Blatten and that preparations made already allow them to live calmly. “This isn’t the same case as in Blatten. It’s a different situation,” said local resident Rudolf Isler. “We are not afraid of the Spitze Stei rock. It’s been many years seeing stones falling from up there. The problem here is about global warming and rising temperatures.” If the entire unstable section of the Spitze Stei — estimated at roughly 15--20 million cubic meters — were to collapse, it would trigger a massive natural disaster. But the rock is under constant monitoring, evacuation plans are prepared and experts say the rock is more likely to break down gradually than in one huge chunk. 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. Nathan Solothurnmann, a climate and energy expert for Greenpeace Switzerland, says that climate change means landslides or avalanches will become more common.“Maybe even one day we will have to abandon certain valleys or certain villages because it’s becoming impossible to live there,” Solothurnmann said. “Or the measure you will need to take to protect infrastructure is so expensive, the efforts are so big, that it’s not worthwhile anymore living there.”

Florida Republican congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds addresses members of the Hispanic Police Officers Association in Doral, Fla., after receiving the group's endorsement, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)2026-08-18T04:04:47Z FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A Republican attempting to become Florida’s first Black governor faces a crowded field Tuesday while Democrats wage primary battles for a reduced pool of left-leaning seats under redrawn congressional maps.U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is banking on President Donald Trump ’s endorsement in hopes of securing the Republican nomination and advance to the fall election. His opponents include Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and political newcomer James Fishback.Democrats’ leading candidate for governor is David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties last year. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a leading conservative figure who has clashed and collaborated with Trump over the years, is barred from running for a third consecutive term. The primaries are giving final form to a November ballot whose races will test Trump’s grip on his adopted state and Democrats’ ability to resurrect Florida as a national political battleground. Florida has moved notably to the right since Trump won his first election in 2016, though Democrats hope to regain ground from his slumping popularity ratings. Two Democrats are battling for nomination in a U.S. Senate special election to complete Marco Rubio’s term after he became Trump’s secretary of state last year. Progressive state lawmake r Angie Nixon matches up against retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, a former National Security Council official who testified in Trump’s first impeachment case in 2019. Meanwhile, Sen. Ashley Moody, the DeSantis appointee currently holding the seat, appears in a strong position as she seeks the Republican nomination with Trump’s endorsement for the term’s final two years. For Congress, Tuesday’s biggest nominating fight involves longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and others in a redrawn south Florida district. Wasserman Schultz, who is white, wants voters in the new, plurality Black district to grant her a 12th term. Cherfilus-McCormick is seeking a comeback after resigning earlier this year under a pending federal indictment and threat of House ethics sanctions. Read More Donalds is trying to make history — and Jolly, tooThere have been three elected Black governors in U.S. history. Yet the 47-year-old Donalds is more likely to tout his conservative credentials than the possibility of joining that select group. He promises to push tax cuts, overhaul Florida’s insurance regulations to lower consumer costs and seek greater price transparency from health care providers. “The people of Florida want to make sure that the Florida dream is alive and well into the future,” he said recently. “Affordability is a problem for all Floridians. It doesn’t matter what your politics are. It doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is.”Trump has had an inconsistent record on picks for governor in primaries this year, and a strong showing by Donalds would leave him, and Republicans in general, in a more commanding position for November. Though DeSantis coasted to reelection in 2022, he squeaked into office in 2018 by little more of 32,000 ballots out of 8.1 million cast. Jolly is hoping ultimately to prove a party-switching former Republican can actually carry the Democratic banner in a state where that’s failed before. Democrats nominated former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist in 2022 only to see him lose by nearly 20 percentage points to DeSantis. Can Democrats make the Senate race interesting?Moody, a former state attorney general tapped for Rubio’s seat in 2025, is in a strong position seeking the GOP nomination. DeSantis, when he appointed her, praised her as a law-and-order prosecutor ready to help Trump “shut the border,” tame inflation, and overhaul a federal bureaucracy “run amok.”Democrats face a familiar theme of 2026 primaries, with the progressive Nixon confronting Vindman from the party’s center-left establishment. Vindman’s testimony in 2019 was notable in the Democrat-led House impeachment case that led to Trump’s acquittal in the Republican-led Senate. Trump ousted Vindman afterward. Floridians haven’t sent a Democrat to the Senate since 2012. Wasserman Schultz runs in a new plurality Black districtServing in Congress since 2005 , she faces a new district — thanks to DeSantis’ successful push for new congressional maps amid the national redistricting battle intended to boost Trump’s midterm election prospects. It’s not the first time Wasserman Schultz has had to convince new voters after Republicans tinkered with boundaries. But this time she’s the only white candidate in a plurality Black district. The redrawn Florida 20th is concentrated in the most Democratic and diverse parts of Broward County, and doesn’t include her hometown of Weston, west of Fort Lauderdale. Her four Black primary opponents — including Cherfilus-McCormick — have argued the district requires a Black representative. Wasserman Schultz disagrees. “Representation matters and lived experience matters. But experience and making sure that you have someone who has the seniority and the seasoning to be able to deliver for a district, it matters as well,” she said. Cherfilus-McCormick, meanwhile, wants to return to Congress despite a pending federal indictment that accuses her of stealing $5 million in federal disaster aid. She has plead not guilty and disputed alleged violations of House rules. Republican Rep. Cory Mills faces primary challengesDeSantis and other Republicans have bailed on Republican Rep. Cory Mills as he seeks a third term in Florida’s 7th Congressional District at the same time he’s denying domestic violence allegations. He faces three primary opponents.“I have not endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills,” DeSantis said recently in Mills’ district. Turnout could offer clues to November Registered Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Florida, a relatively recent flip. That puts the burden on Republicans to outperform Democrats comfortably in overall primary turnout. If it’s close – with Democrats coaxing a clearly larger percentage of their voters to the polls – then the party would be more optimistic heading into November, as Democrats witnessed with primary turnout in other states this year. If Republicans buck national trends and dominate, then Democrats could be facing another rough fall campaign. Miami-Dade will be especially notable. Democrats carried the county comfortably through 2016, when Trump lost it to Hillary Clinton by 30 percentage points. Four years later, Trump closed the gap to 7 points before carrying it in 2024 by more than 11 points. BILL BARROW Barrow covers U.S. politics for The Associated Press. He is based in Atlanta. twitter mailto

Kimie Smothermon feeds some of her several hundred guinea pigs while operating a guinea pig rescue in Salisbury, Mass., Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi)2026-08-18T04:03:14Z SALISBURY, Mass. (AP) — Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs.Depending on who you ask, tending to the daily barrage of guinea pig needs can be either a fairy tale or a horror show. For Smothermon, it’s often a mix of both.“If I could figure out how to get out of this at this point, I probably would,” Smothermon joked. “But I do believe that to a certain extent, I probably wouldn’t get out of bed if I didn’t have this.”Smothermon is the owner of the Guinea Pig Sanctuary, in Salisbury, Massachusetts, roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Boston. On any given day, 350 to 400 guinea pigs are housed in a modest workspace, split into cages stacked from the floor to ceiling. The space is cramped and chaotic as volunteers and visitors squeeze past each other between the rows of cages in a converted office space. People constantly move throughout the space cleaning out cages and checking on any sick animals. But there’s also joy. The squeals from the little piggies about to eat lettuce and other vegetation often spark laughter, while others cuddle and comfort some of the guinea pigs. Each animal has a name prominently displayed outside their cage, as volunteers tick off their personalities.Maui is friendly and gives kisses. Gritty is older, but shy. Rio has spunk and likes to run around. They all remember the smell of their caretakers and gravitate toward their favorites. “They’re very sensitive animals,” said Janet Woodman, a volunteer at the nonprofit. “I personally think they are probably the best therapy animal next to a horse.” Read More Smothermon’s operation is one of the handful of animal rescues in the U.S. devoted solely to taking in abandoned guinea pigs — filling a need as people become overwhelmed with the responsibilities required to take care of these pets. The sanctuary additionally offers boarding for guinea pigs when their owners are traveling, as well as encouraging rehoming of the animals when they can.Measuring between 8-10 inches (20.32-25.4 centimeters) long, these small beasts originally came from South America derived from the Cavia porcellus species, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. After being domesticated in 5,000 B.C., there are now 13 different breeds that are distributed as both pets and for food. According to Smothermon, guinea pigs often need to be adopted in pairs. They’re social and can’t be kept in cages full time. 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. Within minutes of opening the sanctuary earlier this year, an older woman walked through the door carrying two cages needing to “surrender” her guinea pigs. The woman’s husband had become sick, she explained to Smothermon, and she couldn’t properly take care of both him and her pets.Smothermon hugged the woman and waived the usual fee.“I tell people, just bring them here,” she said. “If that’s what you need to do, I’ll take on the responsibility.”Other days, Smothermon is fielding calls from across the U.S., asking if she can take 11 piggies from Illinois, seven from Texas, and 97 from New York — where nearly half are expected to have babies.It’s a constant stress that Smothermon never imagined would consume her life. It initially began when her grandson, Alex, brought home a guinea pig. Alex had fallen into a fire as a child and experienced health problems, causing him to avoid most animals up until he was 12, when he discovered it was safe to interact with guinea pigs. From there, Smothermon said, her family became a resource to take in abandoned guinea pigs. The family ran the rescue out of their New Hampshire house until a fatal fire burned it down in 2019. The fire resulted in the loss of Smothermon’s other grandson, two dogs and dozens of guinea pigs.The tragedy sent Smothermon into a depression, but when her family was living out of a hotel as they looked for a new home, people still kept dropping off guinea pigs that needed help.Seeing the need gave Smothermon and her family the focus and motivation to continue Alex’s dream, and eventually they relocated to Massachusetts.Smothermon says the work is hard. She only gets a handful of days off a year, but the constant drumbeat of needing to take care of hundreds, if not thousands, of guinea pigs keeps her grounded. “If I don’t get up, they don’t eat and they can die. So even though it’s not a choice, I have to,” she said. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Law enforcement vehicles sit parked outside the Florida state prison in Starke, Fla., on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/David Fischer, file)2026-08-18T04:00:37Z MIAMI (AP) — A Florida man convicted of fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding his mother-in-law is set to be executed Tuesday, continuing the state’s aggressive use of the death penalty in Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ' final term. William Frances Silvia, 61, would be the 13th prisoner put to death this year in Florida, which has two more executions scheduled in September and has carried out more than half of the nation’s 22 executions so far in 2026. Silvia is scheduled to receive a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke starting at 6 p.m. local time. A final appeal was still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. Courts twice sentenced Silvia to deathSilvia was sentenced to death after being convicted of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder for the deadly 2006 attack on Patricia Silvia, along with her mother, Betty Woodard.According to court records, Silvia purchased a shotgun that year and then went to Woodard’s Orlando-area home, where his wife had been living since their separation two months earlier. The family was in the middle of a cookout when Silvia arrived, and after an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile, authorities said Silvia retrieved the shotgun from his truck and shot the two women.William Silvia was first sentenced to death following his 2008 trial. A court later vacated that sentence following an appeal related to Florida’s death penalty sentencing procedures, but after being granted a new death penalty phase in 2018, he was again sentenced to death.A Florida state agency, the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, provides legal representation to death row inmates. Silvia’s attorneys have argued that the agency couldn’t provide adequate legal assistance because it was already helping another death row inmate. The Florida Supreme Court rejected the appeal. Florida leads the way in executionsA total of 47 people were executed in the U.S. in 2025. Florida led the way with 19, a record in the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. In July, Florida executed two prisoners in one day, the first state in nearly a decade to do so.Two more executions are planned in Florida next month. Harold Gene Lucas, 74, is scheduled to die on Sept. 1, followed by Daniel Owen Conahan Jr., 72, on Sept. 10. Read More Lucas was convicted of fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl who rejected his romantic advances and wounding two of her friends.Conahan was convicted of kidnapping and strangling a man that he had paid to pose for nude photos, and authorities suspect him of similar homicides committed in the 1990s in southwest Florida. All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.

Florida Republican congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds talks with a member of the Hispanic Police Officers Association in Doral, Fla., after receiving the group's endorsement, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)2026-08-18T04:03:47Z As a long and contentious primary season nears its end, attention is turning to Florida, Wyoming, California and Alaska, where primaries Tuesday will highlight Republican-led redistricting efforts that have scrambled congressional maps and new battles between the Democratic establishment and progressive left.Also in the mix are a handful of scandal-plagued candidates, multiple people running with matching last names and several incumbents at risk of defeat.Tuesday’s contests will help shape the fiercely contested midterms this fall to determine control of Congress, where Republicans have a narrow edge, and offer a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term.Here’s a closer look at what to watch.Historic slate of Black candidates for governor emergingTrump-backed Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, a rising star in the Republican Party, is running to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the first Black governor of the state. If Donalds wins, he’ll become part of a historic slate of Black gubernatorial nominees that includes Republican Rep. John James in Michigan and Lisa Demuth, who defeated pillow-selling conspiracist Mike Lindell in Minnesota. On the Democratic side, David Crowley won a razor-thin primary against a democratic socialist in Wisconsin, joining Attorney General Aaron Ford in Nevada, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is running in Georgia to be the nation’s first Black woman governor.There is currently only one Black governor in the nation, Democrat Wes Moore of Maryland, who is seeking reelection in November.The Florida GOP winner will likely face David Jolly, a former Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat. Redistricting creates skirmishing for Democrats in Florida House races A GOP-led redrawing scrambled Florida’s congressional map, which has created some awkward matchups. The most contentious pits veteran Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz against former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in a South Florida district that is almost majority Black. Cherfilus-McCormick resigned earlier this year under threat of House ethics sanctions, but now wants her seat back.Wasserman Schultz, a former national party chair seeking a 12th term in Congress, is the only white candidate competing against four Black candidates in an area of Broward County that has helped send Black Democrats to Congress since 1992. Her decision to run has raised questions about representation and stirred deep animosity, including charges by one rival that “she stabbed us in the back.” Read More Carpetbaggers and comebacks in the making in Florida?The race to fill Donalds’ House seat features a cast of characters akin to a reality show reunion, including several who have spent time in prison and a handful who have run in other states.The field includes two former members of Congress who are mounting comeback bids after departing in scandal. Former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn’stenure was marred by repeat traffic stops, guns at airport checkpoints and a claim he had been invited to a Washington orgy. Former New York Rep. Chris Collins, who resigned before pleading guilty to insider trading charges, served prison time before he was pardoned by Trump.Trump-endorsed Catalina Lauf ran twice for Congress in Illinois. She lost the 2020 primary to Jim Oberweis, a former state senator, who has also decamped to Florida and is running for the seat. Another candidate, Ola Hawatmeh, previously ran unsuccessfully for Congress in New York, while Linda Sawyer once tried in Michigan.Also in the race: John Strand, a former television actor, underwear model and romance novel cover model, who served prison time for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 assault of the U.S. Capitol. Progressive vs. establishment candidates at odds againThe internal battle between progressive and establishment candidates that has been roiling the Democratic Party in states like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, now arrives in more conservative territory.Progressive state lawmaker Angie Nixon is facing retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, a former National Security Council official who delivered searing testimony against Trump in his 2019 impeachment trial. They’re both running in the Florida special election to fill the last two years of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s former Senate term.The winner is likely to face interim Sen. Ashley Moody, the Republican appointed by DeSantis to the seat. Other races will also put fault lines on display. In South Florida, U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is running for reelection in a new Republican-friendly district against union organizer and democratic socialist Oliver Larkin.Meanwhile, Republican incumbents are facing their own challenges. Rep. Cory Mills, running for a third term, has been plagued by an ethics investigation stemming from allegations of assault, domestic violence and campaign finance violations, which he denies. Double-checking the name in AlaskaIn a Senate race that is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched this fall, incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Trump ally seeking a third term, is facing another candidate also named Dan Sullivan.Republicans have argued the second Sullivan, who’ll be appearing on the ballot as “Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.,” is a sham candidate running at the behest of Democrats to cause confusion. Dan J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher, has denied the charge.Also in the race is former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. She was the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, and she would become the first Alaska Native senator if she wins in November. Under Alaska’s open primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the four who receive the most votes move on to a ranked-vote general election.There are other surnames for Alaskans to keep straight. Republican Rep. Nick Begich faces a crowded field in his bid for a second term in the state’s lone congressional seat. His uncle, former state Sen. Tom Begich, and former state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins are the two Democrats in the race. Tom Begich is the brother of Mark Begich, a former Democratic U.S. senator whom Sullivan defeated in 2014. Seats open up in WyomingFor the first time in more than 30 years, Wyoming has open seats for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House all up for grabs in a state where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 7-to-1 margin.Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ decision to retire after a single term has set off a chain reaction, with Rep. Harriet Hageman running to replace her.She has an overwhelming fundraising advantage and became well-known after defeating former Rep. Liz Cheney, one of Trump’s harshest Republican critics, in 2022. Nine Republicans, meanwhile, are competing to replace Hageman as the state’s lone U.S. representative. Wyoming’s current governor, Republican Mark Gordon, considered seeking a third term and challenging a state term limit law but ultimately decided not to.Pro-Israel group spending in former Swalwell seatIn California’s Bay Area, voters will be picking a replacement for Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, whose resignation amid sexual assault allegations ended his run for governor. California’s 14th District will remain under Democratic control as state Sen. Aisha Wahab and Bay Area Rapid Transit Board President Melissa Hernandez advanced from a special open primary.The race is reprising a theme that cropped up in other Democratic primaries this year: outside spending, particularly from pro-Israel lobbying groups. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC has spent more than $2 million against Wahab and backing Hernandez, and another group with funding from the super PAC has spent nearly $2 million in support of Hernandez.Pro-Israel group spending seemed to backfire in Michigan’s recent Democratic Senate primary, where Abdul El-Sayed emerged victorious despite tens of millions of dollars backing his opponent Rep. Haley Stevens. JILL COLVIN Colvin is an Associated Press national political reporter covering campaigns and elections. twitter mailto MIKE CATALINI Catalini covers government, elections and news primarily in New Jersey for The Associated Press. He focuses on accountability and how policy affects people. twitter

Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola, a Democrat, speaks during a campaign rally on May 14, 2026, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, file)2026-08-18T04:00:06Z JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska voters are choosing candidates for November’s general election in a series of primary contests Tuesday, including a U.S. Senate race that will be among the most closely watched in the nation this fall.The campaign featured over a dozen contenders in each of the top races — for Senate, U.S. House and governor. Under Alaska’s open primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the four who receive the most votes qualify for the ranked vote general election.Tuesday’s ballot also included candidates running for the Legislature and a statewide initiative that would reimpose campaign contribution limits in state and local elections.Senate race includes 2 Dan Sullivans and a former congresswomanThe highest-profile candidates in a field of 16 were two-term Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. The race, which could help determine control of the Senate, has drawn significant attention from outside groups, with Republican and Democratic campaign organizations identifying it as a top target. Peltola shook up her campaign leadership days before the primary. During the campaign, Sullivan, a veteran and ally of President Donald Trump, emphasized his support for the military, efforts to open more land for oil development and Trump’s signature tax and spending bill passed last year. He accused Peltola of being aligned with Lower 48 “liberals.”Peltola leaned into the “fish, family, freedom” slogan that first got her elected in 2022. She has criticized a political system that she said is rigged by special interests and allows politicians to enrich themselves. But it was a third candidate, a Republican also named Dan Sullivan, who garnered much of the attention. Read More Dan J. Sullivan won a legal fight to appear on the ballot following claims by the senator and GOP allies that he was a sham candidate running at the behest of Democrats with the intent of causing confusion. Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from the island community of Petersburg, denied that and said his run was spurred by frustration with the incumbent.He appeared on the ballot as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., with no party affiliation — a decision that a state elections official said was intended to minimize possible confusion. Meanwhile, the senator was listed as Dan S. Sullivan, Republican and incumbent. The “incumbent” label does not accompany the names of any other candidates seeking reelection.The drama involving the dueling Dan Sullivans caught the attention of Trump. In a social media post endorsing the senator days before the primary, he called the other’s candidacy an attempt to trick voters and urged his followers to vote for “SULLIVAN, DAN S.” Republican Begich faced challenge from independent fishermanIn the race for Alaska’s only House seat, the most prominent candidates were Republican Rep. Nick Begich, seeking a second term, and independent Bill Hill, a fisherman and former educator from a small southwestern village.Progressive Democrat Matt Schultz suspended his campaign last month but remained on the ballot. His campaign said Schultz would withdraw as a general election candidate if he makes the primary’s top four. Schultz urged support for Hill, who leaned into concerns about affordability. Begich, who was endorsed by Trump, cast himself as hardworking and effective in his role. House Speaker Mike Johnson appeared at a rally for Begich in a conservative part of the state this month, though the event was closed to news media. Governor’s race wide openThe campaign for the state’s top executive office was an open race this year because Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy was barred by term limits from seeking a third consecutive stint. Two Democrats hope to emerge from a crowded, largely Republican field: former state lawmakers Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich, who is Nick Begich’s uncle. If one of them wins in November, he would become Alaska’s first Democratic governor since Tony Knowles left office in 2002.Republicans in the race included Bernadette Wilson, a businessperson and conservative activist; Click Bishop, a former state labor commissioner and lawmaker; Dave Bronson, former mayor of Anchorage; and Adam Crum and Treg Taylor, two former members of Dunleavy’s Cabinet. Former Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, was also on the ballot. Ballot measure addresses money in state politicsThe lone measure before voters on the primary ballot asked them to reimpose campaign contribution limits five years after a divided federal appeals court struck down a number of caps. The measure proposes a $2,000 limit on how much individuals can give to candidates in state and local elections and a $5,000 cap on what they can give to political parties. It would also limit spending by groups other than political parties and how much individuals and groups can give to joint campaigns for governor and lieutenant governor.Supporters say such limits are needed to prevent special interests and wealthy donors from having outsize influence on a campaign or race. Opponents say the measure would favor candidates with name recognition and argue that restricting what someone can contribute limits their voice. Political spending by wealthy people has become a flashpoint in races in Alaska and elsewhere. In 2025 in Wisconsin, billionaires Elon Musk and George Soros helped push spending in a state Supreme Court campaign past $100 million, the most ever for a court race in the U.S. BECKY BOHRER Bohrer is a statehouse and political reporter based in Juneau, Alaska. twitter

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong watches his walkoff home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game to defeat the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)2026-08-18T03:53:53Z CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his first career walk-off homer, a two-run shot in the 10th inning, and the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 7-5 win over the crosstown White Sox Monday night at Wrigley Field.The All-Star center fielder and MVP contender hit his fifth leadoff homer of the season to start the game. Then he ended it when he led off the 10th by driving a 2-1 slider from Hagen Smith (2-1) deep into the right-field patio area. It was the 30th homer of the season for Crow-Armstrong, one short of his career best from last year. With 31 stolen bases this year, he also has back-to-back 30-30 seasons.Crow-Amstrong took his left hand off the bat after he connected and pointed it skyward as he began walking down the first-base line. He turned toward the dugout and celebrated before starting his slow, exuberant home run trot. Seiya Suzuki also homered for the Cubs and Jacob Webb (5-2) left the bases loaded in the top of the 10th to set the stage for Crow-Armstrong, who drove in automatic runner Carson Kelly. The Cubs’ leadoff batter finished 4 for 5 with a walk.The Cubs snapped a two-game skid and ended the White Sox’s three-game winning streak. Randal Grichuk and Andrew Benintendi homered for the White Sox, who had won six of eight and took two of three from the Cubs on the South side earlier this season.Nico Hoerner’s RBI single tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. In the eighth, pinch-hitter Benintendi sent Ryan Zeferjahn’s first offering into the right-field basket for a two-run homer to give the White Sox a 5-4 lead. Crow-Armstrong drove Luis Castillo’s first pitch down the right-field line and out. Suzuki belted one to deep left center four pitches later. Grichuk’s three-run homer, his 10th, put the White Sox ahead 3-2 in the fourth.Cubs starter Shota Imanaga allowed three runs on two hits and struck out 10 — one off his season high — in six innings. Read More Up nextRHP Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.53 ERA) goes for the Cubs on Tuesday. The White Sox had not named a starter.___See AP’s full MLB coverage here

In this week’s Injury Report, an elbow injury resurfaces for Max Fried, putting the rest of his season in jeopardy. Hunter Goodman remained sidelined on Monday with a shoulder issue. And the A’s will be without Tyler Soderstrom as he deals with a lingering hip injury. All that and more as we highlight all of the most relevant injury news around the league.⚾️ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.Max Fried (elbow)Carlos Rodon (elbow)The Yankees placed Fried on the 15-day injured list on Monday, retroactive to August 14, with a left elbow bone bruise. It’s the same injury that sidelined Fried for 10 weeks earlier this season. Last Thursday’s start against the Mariners was his fifth since returning. It’s an incredibly tough blow as the 32-year-old left-hander had been pitching well since his return, giving up just five runs while striking out 29 batters over 24 2/3 innings. Given the time previously missed with the injury, it seems reasonable to believe Fried’s season could be over, but we should know more in the coming days. Meanwhile, Rodon will be stepping in to take Fried’s spot in the rotation. Rodon will start on Tuesday against the Orioles in his return after missing roughly six weeks with elbow inflammation.MLB Power Rankings: Brewers make statement against Dodgers, Joshua Báez is hereThe Padres crack the top 10 this week while chaos continues to rule the crowded American League playoff picture. D.J. Short ,Hunter Goodman (shoulder)After missing three straight games with left shoulder inflammation, Goodman was initially back in the Rockies’ lineup on Monday for the series opener against the Dodgers. He was then scratched with the ongoing shoulder issue, sidelining him for the fourth consecutive game. Still, manager Warren Schaeffer called Goodman day-to-day with no decision on a placement on the injury list, for now. It’s a situation to watch over the next day or two. Losing Goodman would be a big blow to fantasy managers. The 26-year-old slugger is hitting .251/.320/.541 with 34 homers, 69 runs scored, and 69 RBI across 460 plate appearances.Tyler Soderstrom (hip)Soderstrom had sat two out of four games with a bothersome left hip, an issue that forced him to the injured list in July. On Sunday, the team placed him back on the injured list with a left hip impingement. He’ll now miss at least the next couple of weeks. Darell Hernaiz was recalled to take his place on the active roster. Carlos Cortes should see consistent time in left field in Soderstrom’s absence.Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (concussion)Guerrero came away with a headache after he was involved in a collision at third base in the sixth inning of Friday’s game against the Yankees. He was sliding into third when George Lombard Jr.’s knee caught the side of Guerrero’s head as Lombard was trying to field a throw to third base. Guerrero went through concussion protocol and was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list on Saturday.Edward Cabrera (blister)Daniel Palencia (elbow)Cabrera developed a blister on his right middle finger during Sunday’s start against the Cardinals in which he allowed seven runs over 3 2/3 innings. He had previously dealt with a blister issue in May, but was confident he’d make his next start. Instead, the team opted to place him on the 15-day injured list on Monday, putting him on the shelf for at least the next couple of weeks. The 28-year-old right-hander has struggled on the mound, even when healthy, posting a 5.68 ERA over 76 innings. In the bullpen, Palencia should be slated to return at some point this week, despite moving to the 60-day injured list in what was only a procedural move. He struck out three of the four batters he faced in his fifth minor league rehab appearance on Sunday. With Jacob Webb pitching well in the closer role, there’s no guarantee Palencia will return to resume ninth-inning duties right away.Dansby Swanson (oblique)Swanson departed Sunday’s game against the Cardinals in the third inning with some side discomfort following a swing and miss, after which he doubled over in pain. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday and was placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. The severity of the injury will likely keep him out for 4-6 weeks, potentially ending his regular season. With Swanson sidelined, Nico Hoerner will slide over to shortstop, with rookie Pedro Ramírez filling in at second base.Trevor Story (abdomen)Story could be in line to return to the Red Sox lineup this week. He told reporters on Monday that he was feeling fine physically after starting a minor league rehab assignment over the weekend. The 33-year-old shortstop has been out since mid-May recovering from sports hernia surgery. Story’s return could come as soon as Friday. He’ll stay with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday and Wednesday, then evaluate from there. Andruw Monasterio would likely shift to a utility role once Story is back in the lineup.Bryan Woo (shoulder)Woo completed six innings in his start against the Astros on Sunday but was lifted at 75 pitches after experiencing some shoulder soreness. There was a noticeable 1.5 mph dip in velocity in the sixth inning. He downplayed the injury, stating he wasn’t concerned about it. Even if his exit was out of precaution, it could be something to monitor this week. A potential stint on the injured list would open the door for top prospect Kade Anderson.Cody Bellinger (hamstring)Bellinger is nearing his return from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since late July. Manager Aaron Boone indicated on Sunday that Bellinger could be playing in rehab games on Tuesday, but corrected his statement on Monday, saying he’d start his rehab assignment on Thursday or Friday. Still, he may only need a couple of games before he’s ready to return to the Yankees’ lineup early next week.Konnor Griffin (finger)In some good news for the Pirates, Griffin has been cleared to resume advanced baseball activities. The 20-year-old shortstop has been out since early July with a torn tendon in his left ring finger. There’s some optimism that he’ll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list when he’s first eligible in early September, putting him in line with the initial 8-10 week timetable.

The Live Experience: Why Football Fans Crave the Real-Time ThrillAsks anyone who is a fan of West Ham United why he or she chooses to visit the London Stadium on each occasion while there is a possibility to see all of their games on TV and the answer will be the same – ‘live’. It is just an amazing feeling of experiencing pleasure at the very moment in the crowd of other people that is impossible to replace with any highlights. The cheering of the crowd after scoring a goal, the sighing after missing it and the excitement of the last minutes of the game are just the things that make football a sport.The Power of the UnexpectedAnd that is the thing that makes a game of football so attractive and interesting – its unpredictability. The predictable match where the result is already known is losing the greatest interest of the spectator. All the suspense and the tension arise from the fact that something unpredictable and unusual can happen in the nearest future. That is the reason why a spectator can sit through the first half of the match waiting for some goals because of the opportunities offered by football.It is a part of the football tradition to be interested in the live result of the match, to be more excited about the goals scored at the end of the game rather than at the beginning and to watch matches collectively.How the Live Experience Was Brought to Your Living Room via TechnologyFor many years, experiencing that live sensation could only come through attendance at an event. But then came broadcast television, and later streaming that allowed you to watch live football on the small screen in your pocket. This has only increased accessibility while maintaining what makes the experience so exciting. It is now possible to watch West Ham play from wherever in the world you may be.This is because the same technological developments, live streaming and real-time engagement, have transformed entertainment beyond the sport. What made it exciting to watch things happen live in a broadcast environment with a presenter hosting the action, where the final result was unpredictable, has been adapted to other forms of entertainment. Live streaming events, real-time auctions, live streaming broadcasts, and even online entertainment such as mrq live casino all rely on the same principle of human fascination with the unpredictable and immediate live experience. What allows you to watch a game live from your couch has also allowed the host to present a game show live on your computer screen.Filling the Hours Around the MatchBeing a supporter of the football team implies not only ninety minutes of game on the pitch. It includes the process itself and the discussions after the match when people talk and analyze the events that took place. But what is even more difficult is the lack of matches – especially the off-season period during the whole summer or some international tournaments. And in this case, the person has to find the new way of filling the gap left by football.Fortunately, the fans are quite resourceful and can listen to football podcasts and tactical analysis. People can play football games or watch football videos from any period. One can travel through time and re-watch old matches or participate in transfer rumors. Moreover, football fans usually spend their evenings watching quizzes, playing games or doing something else which provides some additional entertainment and can be done in real-time mode without any preparations.Keeping It Fun and Under ControlThe problem of any entertaining activity which involves the usage of real money arises every time when people start gambling since it is connected with football and its popularity in a particular way. The best way to deal with it is to understand the rules and restrictions of such activity. Live outcome is indeed exciting but gambling cannot be the way to earn or to lose any money.It means that if one decides to get involved in gambling, one has to learn about the rules and limitations and define his/her limits regarding the usage of time and money in order to avoid any negative consequences. There is a possibility to use the websites provided by GambleAware and receive any necessary information or advice anonymously. Besides, on the reputable gambling sites people have the opportunity to limit their deposits, set notifications regarding the session and even exclude oneself if it is needed.The Thread That Ties It All TogetherEverything in this case is quite simple. Fans who gather in the stadium in London, who watches football on his/her smartphone, and people who join some online game have the same interest in real and unpredictable actions and events which can happen together. People like the process of experiencing the moment and sharing it with others, especially if it is related to some sport event.Certainly, the football game is the most natural form of such an experience. It means the green pitch, claret and blue, and ninety minutes full of surprises. But the same human nature which makes people prefer live games and unpredictable outcomes manifests itself in many modern entertainments showing that what people want in the first place is just to experience the moment. For the West Ham fans, the best way to do it is to visit the stadium. Everything else is done by technology.

A new documentary series reveals details of Guardiola's final two seasons at Manchester City, including a bust-up with captain Kyle Walker [Getty Images]A new documentary shows the moment Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola told his players that he was "incredibly sad" that captain Kyle Walker had asked to leave the club.In an emotional scene, the Spanish manager is also shown telling the players "you cannot behave" the way Walker did.Former City defender Walker joined AC Milan on loan in January 2025, after asking his manager if he could leave the club for a fresh challenge.A new Amazon Prime documentary series following Guardiola's final two years at the club captures the manager addressing his team just days after the defender's departure. "So sad, what happened with Kyle," he says, before a home match with Chelsea."It was so easy for him to come to me [and say] 'I'm tired'. But you cannot behave as a captain the way he has done it. You cannot, in the toughest moments in our lives.""What did you do my friends? What did you do with your captain? Tell me, what did you do?"While it is not clear what specific behaviour from his captain Guardiola is referring to, one scene does capture an argument between the pair following a loss at Anfield in December 2024, during which Walker was at fault for losing the ball to Luis Diaz before the former Liverpool winger won a penalty."Kyle has to know that if you lose the ball it's a goal," Guardiola tells his dressing room afterwards, which draws an angry reaction from the defender, who says: "Every meeting, it's my name".Guardiola's response was to say: "Maybe because you're a captain."Walker replies: "OK. You didn't want me to be your captain".The England defender was made chosen by City teammates to be captain for the 2024-25 season, with four vice-captains - Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Bernardo Silva.Shortly before that defeat to Liverpool, Guardiola signed a new contract at City , after suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time in his career. Just after the argument with Walker, the documentary shows the Spanish coach in tears as he tells his team: "If I'm a problem, then you have to tell me."I won't stay here just for the money, or just for the fact to stay."I extended the contract because I want to be here with you, I want to win a fight in that position. I don't want to feel that I'm leaving and running away from you. I don't want to have that feeling that now the pieces fall down."He adds: "But if you feel, captains first, then the other ones, for example [feel] that there's a problem, tell me. It's not going to change the love I have for all of you - not one second. But I want to fight. That's all. I'm sorry."Before leaving for Milan, Walker made 316 appearances for City and won six Premier League titles under Guardiola after signing from Tottenham in 2017 for £50m. However, his final season at the Etihad was dogged by poor results as City ended the 2024-25 season trophyless - just the second time that had happened since Guardiola joined the club in July 2016.Impact of Guardiola's divorce and coming close to leaving City earlierGuardiola's mental state was questioned after scratches appeared on his nose and head during a draw with Feyenoord in November 2024 [Getty Images]Despite signing a contract extension in November 2024, the series reveals how close Guardiola came to not renewing his deal.In one scene, the manager reveals to director Kevin Macdonald that, after losing four games in a row in 2024, he told the club: "Maybe it's over."In a separate scene, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak says that he was not sure he was going to be able to convince the legendary manager to stay at the club."You know the boy that cried wolf? He is the boy that cried wolf," the Emirati said."I always convince him, but last year, I knew, this time he actually saw the wolf."There were various mitigating circumstances for City's disappointing campaign in 24-25, including the 115 charges for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules hanging over the club and the long-term injury of 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.Amid that, Guardiola's personal life was in turmoil as he went through a divorce and there was media speculation about his mental state when the 55-year-old appeared with multiple scratches on his head and nose following a disappointing 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord in November 2024. While the coach does not admit to the idea that his personal struggles affected his ability to do his job, Manel Estiarte, a long-time member of Guardiola's technical staff, speaks about how he had to address players who were worried by their manager's behaviour."They were worried because Pep was anxious," he says."He was sad. He was different. And only I knew the reason. "And I said to the team, 'please, you have to understand, you're not playing with a coach who can be a bit impulsive, who can be a bit intense, who can be sometimes up and down. You're seeing a human being. He's getting a divorce'."Alongside scenes where Guardiola obsesses over tactics, there are many where he gives candid speeches and berates his team.Following a defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, he tells his squad: "I work for you and I leave my life, my divorce and my family is away and everything for all of you. And what do you give back? "The performance you have done, all of you. It's a disgrace guys."When I see that, I am exhausted, I'm drained, I want to quit. When you play like this, I feel alone."In some scenes, the Spaniard warns his team that they will "get a new manager" if performances do not improve.In others, he speaks about using a knife to get into their hearts and insists on his squad hugging one another and himself before matches, even blaming poor performances on lukewarm goal celebrations.Guardiola stepped down as City manager at the end of the 25-26 campaign after 10 years at the Etihad, during which time he won 20 trophies, including both the FA Cup and League Cup in his final season.Speaking about his next steps, he says: "I don't know even myself what I am going to do," adding: "It will be difficult to come back. That's my feeling today. I need to refresh many things that happened in my personal life."Difficult De Bruyne exit and questions about Cherki's attitudeCity embarked on a rebuild during the 2024 winter and summer transfer windows in a bid to refresh an ageing squad.As part of that, the club brought in exciting French winger Rayan Cherki, 22, while 35-year-old playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, who won 16 trophies in 10 years at the Etihad, left the club.It is clear in the series that De Bruyne did not want to leave and the Belgian breaks down while speaking about the impact on his family.Guardiola describes the tough decision he had to make in letting the midfielder go."It kills me," he says. ""ithout Kevin, that period - forget about it. He was crying here [in the office]. Oh God. I have affection for that player. We lived incredible things together. Then you have to be more cold."Meanwhile, sporting director Hugo Viana reveals that there were question marks over Cherki's attitude before he was signed for £30m in June 2025.The Frenchman was chosen partly to fill De Bruyne's role, but Viana says: "The information on Cherki was not so positive, I will be very honest. Everybody knew about his abilities, but there was this idea that he was chaotic."Cherki was one of the standout players in City's squad last season, registering four goals and 12 assists in 33 Premier League matches - the second highest number of assists in the division.Man City move for £85m Bouaddi and still want FernandezShop window or new chance - Grealish faces next chapterNightmare Man City start for Maresca - are Arsenal really so far ahead?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said top returning receiver Emeka Egbuka is "day-to-day, week-to-week" with a toe sprain, putting his status for their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals in question.When asked specifically whether the injury could affect Egbuka's Week 1 availability, Bowles responded, "(I'm) not sure at this time."As a rookie, Egbuka led the Bucs with 63 catches for 938 receiving yards with six touchdowns during the 2025 season.Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan are listed on the Bucs' depth chart as starting receivers.Egbuka was the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bucs selected the former Ohio State Buckeye two picks after the Bengals took defensive end Shemar Stewart 17th.The Bengals are scheduled to host the Bucs at Paycor Stadium on September 13.This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Emeka Egbuka, top Buccaneers WR, could miss season opener vs Bengals

The Ohio High School Athletic Association football season kicks off this week.Check out each Licking County team's 2026 schedule.Granville8/21 Clear Fork H8/28 Tri-Valley A9/4 Johnstown H9/10 Columbus Academy A9/18 Lakewood A9/25 Mount Vernon H10/2 Zanesville A10/9 Watkins Memorial H10/16 Licking Valley A10/23 Licking Heights HHeath8/21 Philo A8/28 Highland H9/4 Columbus Academy H9/11 Washington CH A9/18 Watkins Memorial A9/25 Utica H10/2 Northridge A10/9 Johnstown A10/16 Newark Catholic H10/23 Lakewood HJohnstown8/21 Vermilion H8/28 Centerburg H9/4 Granville A9/11 Mount Vernon H9/18 Licking Valley A9/25 Newark Catholic H10/2 Utica A10/9 Heath H10/16 Lakewood H10/23 Northridge ALakewood8/21 West Muskingum H8/28 Maysville A9/4 Fairfield Union A9/11 Licking Valley H9/18 Granville H9/25 Northridge H10/2 Newark Catholic A10/9 Utica H10/16 Johnstown A10/23 Heath ALicking Heights8/21 Newark A8/28 Bishop Ready H9/4 Sheridan A9/11 Buckeye Valley H9/18 Northridge A9/25 Zanesville H10/2 Watkins Memorial A10/9 Licking Valley H10/16 Mount Vernon H10/23 Granville ALicking Valley8/21 Sheridan H8/28 Amanda-Clearcreek A9/4 Teays Valley H9/11 Lakewood A9/18 Johnstown H9/25 Watkins Memorial H10/2 Mount Vernon A10/9 Licking Heights A10/16 Granville H10/23 Zanesville ANewark8/21 Licking Heights H8/28 Mount Vernon A9/4 Zanesville H9/11 Groveport A9/18 Logan H9/25 Canal Winchester A10/2 Pickerington Central A10/9 Teays Valley H10/16 Reynoldsburg A10/23 Lancaster HNewark Catholic8/21 Huntington H8/28 West Jefferson H9/4 Buckeye Trail H9/11 Worthington Christian A9/18 Mount Vernon A9/25 Johnstown A10/2 Lakewood H10/10 Northridge H10/16 Heath A10/24 Utica HNorthridge8/21 East Knox H8/28 Fredericktown H9/4 Grandview Heights A9/11 Lakota A9/18 Licking Heights H9/25 Lakewood A10/2 Heath H10/10 Newark Catholic A10/16 Utica A10/23 Johnstown HUtica 8/21 Centerburg H8/28 Danville H9/4 Fredericktown A9/11 Newcomerstown H9/18 Zanesville H9/25 Heath A10/2 Johnstown H10/9 Lakewood A10/16 Northridge H10/24 Newark Catholic AWatkins Memorial8/21 Worthington Kilbourne A8/28 Sheridan A9/4 Mansfield Senior A9/11 Marietta H9/18 Heath H9/25 Licking Valley A10/2 Licking Heights H10/9 Granville A10/16 Zanesville H10/23 Mount Vernon AThis article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: 2026 Licking County team-by-team football schedules

A recent Turkish law moving toward an end to the conflict with the P.K.K. could be a model for other militant groups.

This undated image released on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 by the Ice Memory Foundation, shows the Concordia Station, where the Ice Memory Sanctuary is being built in Antarctica for ice cores from the Alps carrying the memory of Earth's current atmosphere, which are preserved at a temperature close to -52°C/-61°F for future generations of scientists to study. (ENEA PNRA via AP)2026-01-14T13:47:06Z ROME (AP) — Scientists in Antarctica on Wednesday inaugurated the first global repository of mountain ice cores, preserving the history of the Earth’s atmosphere in a frozen vault for future generations to study as global warming melts glaciers around the world.An ice core is something of an atmospheric time capsule, containing information about the Earth’s past changes in a frozen climate archive. With global glaciers melting at an unprecedented rate, scientists have raced to preserve ice cores for future study before they disappear altogether.The Ice Memory Foundation, a consortium of European research institutes, inaugurated the frozen sanctuary on Wednesday at the Concordia station in the Antarctic Plateau. The foundation livestreamed the ceremonial ribbon cutting and opening of the frozen cave where the ice samples will be kept for future generations. The first two sets of samples of Alpine mountain ice cores were drilled out of Mont Blanc in France and Grand Combin in Switzerland and arrived at the station after a 50-day refrigerated icebreaker and plane journey from Trieste, Italy. During the inauguration ceremony, pairs of foundation team members brought box after box of ice cores into the cave, burrowed deep into a 5-meter (yard) high compacted snow drift at a constant temperature of around -52°C/-61°F. Read More “By safeguarding physical samples of atmospheric gases, aerosols, pollutants and dust trapped in ice layers, the Ice Memory Foundation ensures that future generations of researchers will be able to study past climate conditions using technologies that may not yet exist,” said Carlo Barbante, vice chair of the Ice Memory Foundation and a professor at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. This undated image released on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 by the Ice Memory Foundation, shows the Concordia Station, where the Ice Memory Sanctuary is being built in Antarctica for ice cores from the Alps carrying the memory of Earth’s current atmosphere, which are preserved at a temperature close to -52°C/-61°F for future generations of scientists to study. (ENEA PNRA via AP) This undated image released on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 by the Ice Memory Foundation, shows the Concordia Station, where the Ice Memory Sanctuary is being built in Antarctica for ice cores from the Alps carrying the memory of Earth’s current atmosphere, which are preserved at a temperature close to -52°C/-61°F for future generations of scientists to study. (ENEA PNRA via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The Ice Memory project was launched in 2015 by a consortium of research institutes: From France, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and the University of Grenoble-Alpes; from Italy the National Council of Research (CNR) and the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, and Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute.Scientists have already identified and drilled ice cores at 10 glacier sites worldwide and plan to transport them to the cave sanctuary for safekeeping in the coming years. The aim over the coming decade is to craft an international convention to preserve and safeguard the samples for future generations to study. As temperatures globally rise, glaciers are disappearing at a rapid clip, and with them critical information about the atmosphere: Since 2000, glaciers have lost between 2% and 39% of their ice regionally and about 5% globally, the foundation said. 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. “These ice cores are not relics … they are reference points,” said Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the U.N. World Meteorological Organisation. “They allow scientists now and in the future to understand what changed, how fast and why.” NICOLE WINFIELD Winfield has been on the Vatican beat since 2001, covering the papacies of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and the Francis pontificate and traveling the world with them. PAOLO SANTALUCIA Santalucia covers events throughout Southern Europe, Italy, the Mediterranean sea and the Vatican for The Associated Press based in Rome. instagram mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Super Bowl-winning QB should be on Browns wishlist after latest prediction originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation continues to be the most talked-about in the NFL, though it doesn't look like it's going to change anytime soon. If the answer is Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson in the short or long term, there will be more questions than answers. The Browns just haven't been able to figure it out on that side of the ball, though it's very possible they could find themselves in a good quarterback situation, depending on whether a team is willing to move on from its current franchise quarterback. One ESPN reporter recently suggested that Sam Darnold won't be on the team following the 2028 season. I know that most Browns fans won't want to wait until 2028 to get a franchise quarterback, but Darnold would be a perfect option for this organization.“Darnold will not be on the Seahawks in 2028,” Seth Walder wrote. “He started last season red-hot and finished fairly strong in Seattle’s Super Bowl run.“But from Weeks 10 to 18, he ranked 27th out of 30 quarterbacks in QBR. The Super Bowl win certainly will buy Darnold time. But if he stumbles in 2027, I don’t think there are guarantees that he will be re-signed.”I know most Browns fans are going to say they don't want a player like Darnold because they want a guaranteed star who can come in and make a major impact on offense, but I think it's better to look at what they currently have. There's absolutely no debate that Darnold would be much better than what they currently have, even in a few seasons.More NFL news:Jets could benefit from prediction and reunite with former QB who won a Super BowlBears legend believes Chicago has one flaw it must fix this season to win Super BowlBears predicted to take risk on five-time Pro Bowl selection to fix top needCommanders predicted to land brother of newly acquired starGiants continue to look silly for letting Cowboys select Caleb Downs

Jets could benefit from prediction and reunite with former QB who won a Super Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New York Jets have continued to show they don't know what they're doing at quarterback. While there's a hope and expectation that Geno Smith will be the guy in New York, there's certainly no guarantee that he's going to be that. Smith hasn't looked great in some practices, and he's also been dealing with a small injury. Right now, the Jets can only hope he plays at the level he did with the Seattle Seahawks a few years ago.At the same time, even if Smith does play well, he isn't exactly a guaranteed future quarterback. He's getting up there in age, so if he has another year or two left, that would be more than the Jets are probably even looking for. New York will be searching for a long-term option, and it might find one in a former quarterback they thought would be that guy years ago.One reporter recently predicted that Sam Darnold wouldn't be on the team in 2028 and beyond, despite just winning a Super Bowl last season.“Darnold will not be on the Seahawks in 2028,” Seth Walder wrote. “He started last season red-hot and finished fairly strong in Seattle’s Super Bowl run.“But from Weeks 10 to 18, he ranked 27th out of 30 quarterbacks in QBR. The Super Bowl win certainly will buy Darnold time. But if he stumbles in 2027, I don’t think there are guarantees that he will be re-signed.”While a lot would have to happen for the Jets to find themselves in this situation, New York should view it positively. The idea that Darnold can be with the organization should never be viewed as a bad one, as he'd be a lot better than what they currently have and have had in the past.More NFL news:Bears legend believes Chicago has one flaw it must fix this season to win Super BowlBears predicted to take risk on five-time Pro Bowl selection to fix top needCommanders predicted to land brother of newly acquired starGiants continue to look silly for letting Cowboys select Caleb DownsLions predicted to sign four-time Pro Bowler after Terrion Arnold news

A new era of the Premier League begins on Friday as defending champions Arsenal kick off what looks to one of the most unpredictable seasons in years. Pep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City following a decade of dominance coincides with Arsenal’s return as defending champions for the first time 22 years. Mikel Arteta is now the longest-serving Premier League manager and the relative stability at the Gunners comes in sharp contract to the upheaval across the top-flight. Nine Premier League clubs have changed managers over the summer, while Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi begin their first full seasons at Manchester United and Tottenham, respectively. There are many unknowns across the Premier League, with Andoni Iraola taking charge of Liverpool and Xabi Alonso arriving at Chelsea. Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City were promoted from the Championship last season, replacing the relegated West Ham, Burnley and Wolves, and will hope to take inspiration from a Sunderland who qualified for Europe last term in their first season back in the top-flight. How does it play out this time? This is our predicted table... 20 - Hull CityLast season: Promoted via play-offs A very warm welcome back to Hull and apologies in advance for your ranking. But Hull’s return to the Premier League comes after one of the strangest promotion seasons in history. According to Opta, Sergej Jakirovic’s side ranked 23rd in the Championship in expected points, but defied those underlying metrics to not only avoid relegation to League One but reach the play-offs and secure promotion by beating Middlesbrough at Wembley (after Southampton were kicked out, of course). Despite a busy window of comings and goings, Hull are relegation favourites and this could be a long campaign. Hull City are back in the Premier League just two seasons after finishing 21st in the Championship (PA)19 - Ipswich TownLast season: Championship runners-upIpswich get an immediate shot back at the Premier League after their rather forgettable relegation in 2024-25. It’s brought a change of approach, too. Deviating from hoovering up the best of the Championship and broadening their net has led to the club-record signing of striker Emersonn from Toulouse and Daizen Maeda from Celtic. But will that be enough? Gary O’Neil, formerly of Bournemouth and Wolves, still has a huge job on his hands after taking over from Kieran McKenna – who confirmed he needed a break from football after three promotions and a relegation in four seasons, while perhaps also sensing the size of the challenge ahead. Gary O’Neil left Strasbourg to take charge of Ipswich following the sudden resignation of the popular Kieran McKenna (Getty)18 - Coventry City Last season: Championship winners Of the three promoted sides, it feels as if Coventry have the most momentum behind them, due to ending their 25-year absence from the Premier League and the emotion of last season’s unexpected promotion campaign under Frank Lampard. The dark days may be over, but the challenge in bridging the gap to the Premier League is tougher than ever. If Sunderland’s ambitious approach in the transfer market upon their return last season is the blueprint to success, Coventry have responded by twice breaking their transfer record, including the £26m arrival of 20-year-old midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi. But their most important piece of business has to be keeping hold of Lampard, whose earns another shot at the Premier League after sackings at Chelsea and Everton. Frank Lampard returns for his third spell in charge of a Premier League club, following Chelsea and Everton (Getty)17 - Fulham Last season: 11thYou fear for Fulham? The departure of Marco Silva after five stellar years has led to some anxiety around Craven Cottage, and the arrival of former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa after his spiky caretaker spell at Real Madrid is yet to ease those concerns. In striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios, Arbeloa has brought two young talents with him from Real Madrid and Fulham will be relying on their potential. But there are also big shoes to fill in their player of the season Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez, who like Silva departed at the end of their contracts. With games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in their opening five fixtures, Arbeloa must start well for Fulham to avoid the sinking feeling. Gonzalo Garcia, 22, scored six league goals last season for Real Madrid and worked with Arbeloa in Spain (Getty)16 - NewcastleLast season: 12thDoes the exodus of Tyneside leave Newcastle as relegation contenders? In less than 18 months, the Magpies have gone from winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League to losing Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Sando Tonali and, most shockingly of all, Eddie Howe. Far from challenging for the Premier League title in 2030 under their Saudi owners, alarm bells are ringing around St James’ Park and it falls to the relatively unknown Matthias Jaissle, formerly of Red Bull Salzburg and Asian champions Al-Ahli, to pick up the pieces. Their summer business has the club looking towards the future but replacing established stars with youth is a gamble, and it may instead leave Newcastle looking over their shoulders. 15 - Brighton Last season: 8th Brighton’s first European campaign in 2023-24 resulted in the Seagulls slipping back into the bottom half of the table and this season could be a similar story for Fabian Hurzeler’s side as they embark on a year in the Conference League. Given the Premier League’s financial muscle, it’s no surprise that Brighton have been installed as heavy favourites to repeat Crystal Palace’s success and the opportunity to win what would be the club’s first ever major trophy should not be dismissed. How detrimental could that be to their domestic form? Recording signing Luka Vuskovic arrives with an expectation to bolster their defence but with Danny Welbeck leaving for Chelsea means there could be a shortage of goals and heightens the importance of Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh. Worryingly, neither is fit to start the season. Brighton signed Croatia international Vuskovic from Tottenham while Jan Paul van Hecke went the other way (Getty)14 - Everton Last season: 13th While the return of David Moyes has been a stabilising success, and Everton are one of the few Premier League sides to bring continuity into the new season, there is also a danger of the Toffees stalling under the Scot. Relegation should not be a concern, but it’s hard to see Everton pushing into the top half: last season, for example, Moyes’s side felt on the cusp of challenging for Europe, only to fall away down the stretch. While Everton should still be solid defensively, a lack of goals amid the travails of Beto and Thierno Barry continues to be a concern. Keeping Iliman Ndiaye, though, would represent an important boost and offer some quality in the final third. Iliman Ndiaye is set to remain at Everton despite interest from Saudi Arabia and Arsenal (Getty)13 - Crystal Palace Last season: 15thLast season’s truce between the outgoing Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace led the Eagles to European glory as they lifted the Conference League. Whether reality sinks in this campaign largely depends on the impact of Pierre Sage, who turned Lens into Ligue 1 runners-up and French Cup winners last season. Stylistically, Sage appears a decent fit as he bids to build upon Glasner’s impressive two-and-a-half year spell. Palace have become accustomed to losing star players and it is in defence where there has been the most transition: they have lost both Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix over the last year, and Daniel Munoz may be the next to go. Pierre Sage takes the reigns from Oliver Glasner, who has joined Nottingham Forest after leaving Palace (Getty)12 - Sunderland Last season: 7thSunderland were last season’s surprise package. Qualifying for Europe on the final day of the campaign capped off a tremendous first season back in the top flight under Regis Le Bris. But while European away days will be savoured by a Sunderland fan base who hold recent memories of life in League One, the added fixtures and rhythm of Thursday-Sunday could be a challenge for Le Bris and his players, especially as the free transfer of veteran right-back Thomas Meunier and the £25.6m signing of left-back Dayann Methalie is currently their only business of the summer. That said, Sunderland overcame the doubters last season, and their second season in the Premier League has already been boosted by captain Granit Xhaka turning down Chelsea to remain with the Black Cats. Sunderland’s qualification for Europe - for the first time in 53 years - was sealed on the final day of last season (Getty)11 - Nottingham Forest Last season: 16thAfter the season of the four managers (Nuno, Postecoglou, Dyche, Pereira), Oliver Glasner takes the Premier League’s hottest hot-seat at Nottingham Forest. The Austrian does so after guiding Crystal Palace to two major trophies in his two-and-a-half years at Selhurst Park, and after he was initially linked with Manchester United at the start of the year. It was a bit of a surprise when Forest announced Glasner’s arrival, but it undoubtedly represents a coup. Although they lost Elliot Anderson, Forest will be dangerous with Morgan Gibbs-White still as the heartbeat of the team, as they were when he dragged them away from relegation danger towards the end of last season. Without Europe, a lot could go right for Forest this year, with Glasner also bringing shift to his preferred 3-4-3, but the potential for unexpected drama under Evangelos Marinakis remains hard to ignore. Oliver Glasner will hope to avoid the revolving door of managers at Nottingham Forest (Getty)10 - BrentfordLast season: 9th A superb debut season in the dugout Keith Andrews means Brentford start a Premier League campaign having escaped their perennial status as relegation contenders. Brentford outperformed expectations and were a whisker away from qualifying for Europe and unlike so many teams in the Premier League start the new campaign with such a clear idea of who they are and what they want to be. Brentford were also led by the 22-goal return of Igor Thiago last season but the arrival of club record signing Mamadou Sangare from Lens brings a different dimension in midfield and compensates for the departure of Jordan Henderson to Chelsea. Set-pieces will continue to be a focus for a club who specialise in efficiency. Only Erling Haaland scored more Premier League goals than Brentford’s Igor Thiago last season (Getty)9 - Leeds Last season: 14thEverything changed after the mid-season turnaround under Daniel Farke. Had the season started on 1 December 2025, Leeds would have finished 7th. Such hypotheticals count for nothing, but it does mean Leeds can head into the new season with some optimism. Their transfer business has concentrated on strengthening areas of concern last season – such as bringing in a reliable, first-choice goalkeeper in James Trafford and adding some creativity into midfield with the free signing of Harry Wilson from Fulham, although some further help may be required. With towering centre-back Tarik Muharemovic adding to a solid spine, Leeds can have designs on pushing into the top half if Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to provide threat following last season’s 14-goal comeback year. Leeds can enter the new season with optimism after a quietly impressive summer of transfer business (Getty)8 - Tottenham Last season: 17thAvoiding relegation on the final day of last season had to serve as a huge wake-up call and Tottenham have responded by backing Roberto De Zerbi in the transfer market. Only Chelsea have spent more than the Premier League side who have finished 17th two years in a row, headlined by their £180m midfield makeover and the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. The defensive recruits of Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson all look fairly smart, too, while their business is set to continue with options to strengthen attack the priority. De Zerbi has been rewarded with full control after saving Tottenham from the drop and a full season under the Italian – without Europe – will be fascinating. It can’t be worse than last year – right? – but it would also be inadvisable to assume that Spurs can solve all of their issues in one summer. Injuries, for one, are still a major issue and could continue to hold Spurs back.7 - BournemouthLast season: 6th After qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history, the priority for Bournemouth this summer was keeping as much of their squad together as possible. Of course, the departure of manager Andoni Iraola is a blow, but in terms of playing staff, the Cherries limiting their outgoings to Marcos Senesi (who joined Tottenham at the end of his contract) represents a boost to the incoming boss Marco Rose. It was hugely important that the likes of Alex Scott, Rayan and Junior Kroupi (who will miss the start of the season due to a freak foot injury picked up in training) remained and Rose, a Jurgen Klopp acolyte whose high-pressing, high-intensity style is a natural progression from Iraola, has a talented squad at his disposal. The experienced German will help Bournemouth navigate their debut Europa League campaign. Marco Rose arrives in the Premier League with a strong reputation following spells at Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig (Getty)6 - Aston Villa Last season: 4thA summer of change could yet continue should Emi Martinez, follow Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne out of the door. The loss of four senior players, and part of the spine of last season’s Europa League winners, would be a concern but Villa’s strength is really in the influence of Unai Emery. His ability to find solutions, while also beginning to evolve Villa through the signings of Switzerland’s World Cup star Johan Manzambi for a club-record £59.5m and Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, is also exciting. Ahead of return to the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, Villa do need their new signings, including the on-loan Alejandro Garnacho, to make an immediate impact, but Emery is the star. Villa have finished 4th, 6th and 4th in their last three seasons under Unai Emery (Getty)5 - Liverpool Last season: 5thAn optimist may look at Liverpool and view the prospect of a young, exciting coach in Andoni Iraola bringing high-intensity football to Anfield, and the potential of a forward line that includes Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz finally clicking into place after difficult debut seasons. Others may think that Liverpool have not addressed the issues that were painfully apparent during Arne Slot’s final season: a lack of squad depth, particularly in attack and full-back, and a struggling midfield. Jeremy Jacquet, the 21-year-old centre-back Liverpool paid £55m for in January, made an impressive debut against Como on Sunday but, even with the loan signing of Ronald Araujo, the Reds are still overly reliant on the availability of captain Virgil van Dijk, now 35. Liverpool’s expensive pursuit of Bradley Barcola is set to rumble on until the end of the window, with Hugo Ekitike still sidelined for several months. It means Iraola begins life at Liverpool with plenty of uncertainty. Some early form from Isak and Wirtz would be helpful indeed. 4 - Manchester United Last season: 3rd After winning 12 of his 18 Premier League matches in charge, no Premier League team picked up more points than Manchester United after Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. The former midfielder has been appointed on a permanent basis after signing a two-year contract but can he continue his magic? This season brings United’s return to the Champions League and a busier schedule is a further challenge. United were third last season but played just 40 matches. This season’s campaign could be closer to 60 games and United’s rivals will have more of a chance to work Carrick’s side out while they themselves have less time on the training ground. Another season of inspiration from talisman Bruno Fernandes could have United dreaming but a lack of depth could cap their ambitions of challenging for the title. Strengthening their depth in midfield was a priority following the departure of Casemiro and United reacted by adding Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa but there is a sense that more is required to kick on from the second half of last season. Michael Carrick’s first full season in charge comes with different challenges to his 18-game interim spell (PA)3 - Chelsea Last season: 10thThe chaos around Stamford Bridge perhaps hit its peak last season with the sacking of Liam Rosenior after just three months and Chelsea’s worst run of league form since 1912. But football is not a meritocracy and so the pieces have fallen into place for Chelsea to have a successful season. The Blues moved quickly to appoint former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, still regarded as one of Europe’s top coaches after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title, even if Real Madrid did not work out. Morgan Rogers is an expensive but quality signing and pairing him next to the fit-again Cole Palmer, who has a point to prove after missing the World Cup, could be devastating. Chelsea do not have European football and so Alonso will have plenty of time on the training ground as he bids to shape his team, giving them an advantage over their nearest rivals. Alonso will be granted more authority that recent Chelsea managers and the surprise change of approach of signing experienced Premier League players, adding Jordan Henderson, 36, and Danny Welbeck, 35, to the squad suggests the owners have learned some lessons from four years of chaos. 2 - Manchester CityLast season: 2nd The shadow of Pep Guardiola lingers after his 10 years in charge; of all 20 Premier League teams this season, it is Manchester City who have to make the biggest adjustment after the departure of the club’s greatest ever manager. Enzo Maresca will have plenty of plates to spin amid the complete overhaul of City’s midfield; it is the end of an era in another respect with Rodri and Bernardo Silva leaving. Elliot Anderson arrives for £116m following his impressive World Cup with England but City would be left light if the 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who was a breakout talent at the World Cup, is their only other replacement for their Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. City may yet return to Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez for £120m. Of course, with the goals of Erling Haaland and the improvements City made last season in adding Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, City will be there or thereabouts. But the stylistic shift they may undergo following a decade of Guardiola contrasts sharply to the stability of last season’s champions Arsenal. Manchester City were outplayed by Arsenal in Sunday’s Community Shield final (PA)1 - Arsenal Last season: 1stThe last time Arsenal defended a league title was 1935 but the extent of their squad building under Mikel Arteta feels designed to give the champions as strong a chance as possible of going back-to-back. Even with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber injured and Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice working their way back following the World Cup, Arteta was able to deploy a strong side that impressively defeated Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield, with plenty of depth still on the bench. Martin Odegaard could be like a new signing given the captain’s return to form at the World Cup and in pre-season following an injury-disrupted campaign last year. The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle lessens the load on Rice and arguably gives Arsenal the best midfield in the league. There is still a chance of a drop-off, given how common it is for Premier League champions to lose their edge the following season. The influential Saliba will be missed, and the physical and emotional efforts of last season may yet take its toll, but Arteta is doing everything he can to ensure Arsenal retain their intensity. Conversely, the release of finally ending their title drought may even result in Arsenal’s football being easier on the eye this year. Above all, though, they have the strength and depth to defend their crown. Only three managers have defended the Premier League title in the past 20 years: Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho (Getty)