الدليل

Nature, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02535-zAs 3D printers become cheaper and easier to work with, researchers are finding new ways to incorporate the technology in their studies.

Nature, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01932-8These informal meetings can help you to explore new career opportunities, but there is a knack to getting them right.

The “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, who died Sunday at 36, endured personal struggles that were compounded by her public profile.

Report: Liverpool move closer to securing £155m double transfer raidLiverpool Push for Bradley Barcola and Ibrahima Mbaye as PSG Double Deal Takes ShapeLiverpool’s summer business always seems to arrive with a mix of noise, doubt and possibility, and this latest report has all three in generous supply. According to TeamTalk, the club have moved seriously in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain pair Bradley Barcola and Ibrahima Mbaye, with personal terms on both deals already advanced.The standout line is a big one. TeamTalk state that Barcola and Mbaye are “both waiting to hear from Paris Saint-Germain over ongoing talks with Liverpool, with personal terms already agreed in principle with the Anfield club”. That suggests groundwork has been done, and done properly. In transfer terms, that matters. It means Liverpool are not merely admiring from afar, they are building towards something concrete.The issue, as ever, is the fee. PSG have reportedly wanted close to £200m combined for the two players, a figure that always looked inflated, even in a market where common sense often gets left in the boot. Barcola had been valued at around £145m, though “the player’s camp believe a deal closer to £125million should now be possible”. Mbaye’s situation appears to be moving in a similar direction, with PSG asking around £50m, while those involved think “he could be allowed to leave for closer to £30million”.Photo: IMAGOPSG valuations remain biggest barrierThat is the crux of it. Liverpool can agree frameworks, hold talks and map out squad planning, but the French champions still hold the cards on price. TeamTalk add that “the major obstacle remains PSG’s valuation of both players”. If that softens, the whole thing becomes far more realistic, especially with PSG having brought in Mika Godts, while Maghnes Akliouche and Ferran Torres are already through the door.There is another detail worth noting. Liverpool are said to be open to landing both players, and “have not told either camp that they must choose between one deal or the other”. That feels significant. It points to a club thinking on a broader line, rather than juggling one incoming at a time and hoping the sums somehow add up later.Andoni Iraola planning next attacking shapeSquad balance is part of the equation. TeamTalk report that Liverpool are prepared to let Cody Gakpo go to Tottenham Hotspur if suitable cover arrives. With Mohamed Salah having already departed, there is obvious logic in moving hard for fresh attacking quality. Barcola would look like a headline addition, while Mbaye fits the modern recruitment model of buying elite potential before the price spirals even further.There is also the matter of selection clues in Paris. TeamTalk note that both players being omitted from the Trophée des Champions against Lens was “another indication that Luis Enrique accepts their futures are increasingly likely to lie away from Paris”. In transfer season, absences rarely speak by accident.Liverpool supporters have seen enough windows to know that interest and completion are very different things. Still, if PSG bend on valuation, this could move quickly. Barcola and Mbaye would represent ambition, depth and long-term planning in one hit. For now, the waiting game continues, but it sounds like Liverpool have already made their move.Our ViewFrom a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this is the sort of report that gets the mind racing. Barcola is the glamorous name, the one who would instantly raise the temperature around the place. He looks like a player with the swagger, pace and directness to excite a crowd that wants to be lifted again. If the number really can come down from £145m to something nearer £125m, that changes the conversation.Mbaye is the one that intrigues me in a different way. Liverpool have often done well when they have mixed the obvious elite signing with the younger talent who can grow into the shirt. If those working on the deal believe PSG will settle nearer £30m, then that starts to feel like a smart gamble rather than a wild one.The key phrase in all of this is that Liverpool “have not told either camp that they must choose between one deal or the other”. That suggests confidence. It suggests a club that believes it can act on more than one front. After the upheaval of the past year, that would be a reassuring sign.There is also a clear need in attack. You do not lose major names and stand still. Liverpool have to refresh with quality, pace and hunger. Barcola and Mbaye would bring exactly that. Of course, plenty can still go wrong. PSG may hold firm. The figures may drift too high. Another club could jump in. Yet if there is genuine room to negotiate, this feels like the kind of bold move Liverpool should be making.Supporters do not expect miracles every week in the market, but they do expect clarity and ambition. This story carries both. Now it needs the hard part, getting the deals over the line.

Report: Everton in talks over move to re-sign former starEverton Transfer News: Richarlison Return Talk Grows as Tottenham Weigh Summer ExitEverton are doing what sensible clubs should do in this market, checking whether a deal is actually there before charging into fantasy. According to TeamTalk, the Toffees have been in regular contact with Tottenham over a possible move for Richarlison, and the key detail is the simplest one, he is “very keen on a return to his former club.”That matters. Transfers involving players in their late twenties, with injury history and significant wages, are rarely straightforward. Emotion can help, but it never closes a deal on its own. Everton know that, which is why the report points to steady dialogue rather than reckless bidding.Richarlison left Goodison Park in a £60 million move in 2022. Since then, he has had decent numbers without ever fully settling into the sort of role that makes him indispensable. Last season, he scored 11 Premier League goals in 32 appearances, respectable output, but not enough to prevent Tottenham from reassessing.Photo @SpursOfficial on XRicharlison Transfer Hinges on Everton OutgoingsThe article makes it clear that Roberto De Zerbi, now in charge at Spurs, is “still prepared to approve his sale.” More specifically, “he is free to find a new club.” That is not a club forcing a player out. It is a manager making a practical decision.Everton’s side of the equation is just as practical. “Everton would be unlikely to bring in another new striker while Thierno Barry and Beto stay at the club.” Barry, at 23, remains a development play. Beto is the more obvious variable, especially with “the final 12 months of his contract” now ticking down. If Everton can move him on, the path to Richarlison becomes clearer.This is the kind of deal that only works if the squad logic lines up. Richarlison can play through the middle or off the left, which gives David Moyes flexibility. Everton need goals, experience and edge. He offers all three, assuming availability holds up.Tottenham Transfer Plans Could Open DoorThere is also a wider market context. Tottenham are said to be closing in on Cody Gakpo, described here as “a natural replacement for Richarlison.” If that move progresses, Spurs would have even less reason to keep a player they are open to selling.One useful clarification from the report is that “some reports have claimed that Everton have already seen a bid rejected for Richarlison – that is not the case from our understanding.” In other words, interest is real, noise is everywhere, and an actual formal move may still be some distance away.Everton are also tracking Liam Delap, while the piece notes that a Richarlison return “could have ramifications” for any move involving Jack Grealish. That sounds about right. Everton are not shopping without limits. They may have to choose between nostalgia and fit, between one former favourite and another.Our ViewFrom an Everton supporter’s point of view, this is exactly the sort of rumour that grabs you because it makes emotional sense and football sense. Richarlison understood the club, the supporters and the pressure. He never looked frightened by responsibility, and frankly Everton have lacked enough of that for years.If he really is “very keen on a return to his former club,” then that should count for something. Too many signings arrive seeing Everton as a stepping stone, a wage packet or a recovery project. Richarlison would be coming back with unfinished business. Fans would buy into that immediately.There are obvious concerns. He is 29, he has had injuries, and Everton cannot afford expensive mistakes. Supporters have seen enough of deals driven by sentiment. If the wages are too high or the fee creeps up, the club has to be cold-blooded.That said, if Beto leaves and the numbers are reasonable, this feels like a gamble worth taking. Richarlison brings goals, nastiness, energy and connection with the crowd. Goodison always responded to players who looked like they cared, and he did more than that, he looked like the place mattered to him. For a club trying to build a tougher, more reliable side under David Moyes, that is not a small detail. If Everton can make this work without compromising the rest of the squad build, plenty of supporters would welcome him back in a heartbeat.

This year's Esports World Cup was held in Paris after a last-minute venue change [Esports Foundation]The first Esports Nations Cup (ENC), set to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year, has been delayed until 2027.The competitive video gaming event, which brings together players representing different countries and global territories, was set to take place in Riyadh this November.But organisers the Esports Foundation announced they had postponed it by 12 months due to the "wider regional situation" in the Middle East, where the USA's war with Iran continues.The foundation already relocated their Esports World Cup (EWC) event to Paris in July this year due to the ongoing conflict.The ENC was due to debut in the Saudi capital this year to "introduce national representation" to the global esports calendar. The tournament is run by the Esports Foundation, which describes itself as a non-profit organisation. It was created with the support of the Saudi government, and has been a part of the Kingdom's push to become a major player in global gaming - a strategy described by some as "sportswashing".Critics claim it's an attempt to improve the country's international reputation and distract from complaints about its human rights record and anti-LGBT laws - an accusation the country has spent years denying.The 2026 Esports World Cup took place in Paris after a last-minute move from its home of Riyadh [Getty Images]The Esports Foundation insists Saudi Arabia remains "fully capable of hosting events", adding that major sporting and entertainment events are "continuing as planned".Organisers say the decision to push back the ENC for a year will provide "certainty and stability" for competing teams, partners and fans. "The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not taken lightly," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. Reichert explained that he feels the foundation owes partners, publishers and the gaming community an inaugural cup event "delivered under the right conditions and at the level this idea deserves"."Hosting the tournament in Riyadh next year does not change our commitment," he added. [BBC]Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.The Sims and EA FC maker Electronic Arts sells for $55bn to Saudi-led groupHow Esports World Cup moved from Saudi Arabia to Paris in 8 weeks Cancelling Esports World Cup not an option, says organiser

Great Britain and Ireland now have its 10.Still buzzing from his U.S. Amateur victory on Sunday at Merion, England’s Jack Whaley was among the players named to the GB&I Walker Cup team by the R&A on Tuesday morning.“I think I proved that I’m good in match play,” Whaley said.Whaley, whom captain Dean Robertson admitted was not in line to be selected for his debut until he lifted the Havemeyer Trophy to earn an automatic bid, joins six returners from last year’s 17-9 defeat to the U.S. at Cypress Point: Englishmen Tyler Weaver, Luke Poulter and Eliot Baker, Scotland’s Niall Shiels Donegan and Connor Graham, and British Amateur champion Stuart Grehan of Ireland; all six had previously secured their spots via the World Amateur Golf Ranking.“He performed so well under the umbrella at Merion with his double gloves on, showcasing that he can not only perform brilliantly in the U.S., but he can perform in adverse weather, too,” Robertson said of the 22-year-old Whaley, a rising senior at Florida State and one of seven U.S. college products representing GB&I. “Before last week, I wouldn't have seen Jack in the team, but after watching him, the talent that he's got and the humility that he's got and the way that he spoke, I'm really excited to welcome him.”In a teleconference on Monday ahead of the big reveal, Robertson announced three other players who rounded out the roster: a trio of Englishmen in Ben Bolton, Sam Easterbook and perhaps one of the more shocking picks in recent memory, Josh Hill.Perhaps even more surprising is that Grehan is the only Irishman, as Grehan’s countrymen Thomas Higgins and David Howard were named first and second alternates, respectively.“I so wanted [David] and Thomas to be in the team, but it just wasn't to be,” Robertson said, “and the selection I've made is a fair selection, and it's an unbiased selection.”This year’s Walker Cup, set for Sept. 5-6 at Lahinch in Ireland, marks the first time the biennial event has been contested in back-to-back years since the first three editions in 1922-24. The six returning players is a GB&I record, too, as four times previously five players had carried over from the previous team, most recently from 1977 to 1979, but never six or more.While this year’s U.S. squad, which was announced on Sunday, features eight of the top 11 amateurs in the world, GB&I have six in the top 25, and Whaley is sure to rocket from 90th come this Wednesday when he gets his U.S. Amateur points.Easterbook is 80th, Bolton is 92nd and Hill 96th. Easterbrook posted five top-10s for Purdue last spring, plus a T-14 at the NCAA Championship, before a summer highlighted by him reaching the quarterfinals of the British Amateur and making the Round of 16 at the South of Ireland, held a few weeks ago at Lahinch, before losing to Hill. Bolton, 19, finished third in both the Lytham Trophy and European Nations Cup in Spain while tying for 13th at the European Amateur and making the Round of 16 at Lahinch.Hill, who just graduated from Tennessee, has just three top-10s since last fall’s Visit Knoxville Collegiate, the Vols’ season opener, though two of them have come more recently, a third at the NCAA Bryan Regional and quarterfinal appearance at Lahinch. However, Hill’s college career ended in the team playoff at the NCAA Championship, where Hill cold-topped his tee shot on the 15th hole and made a costly double bogey.Robertson’s argument for Hill’s inclusion: “He was the outstanding performer of our training camp in Lahinch (held around the South of Ireland) and also demonstrated the skills that are required for Lahinch in adverse conditions, in all conditions really.”Conversely, Robertson said that spoke at length Monday morning with Higgins, a Clemson grad who not only made the quarters at Lahinch and won the Irish Amateur Close last weekend but earned the clinching point for Ireland at the European Team Championship in Estonia. Robertson explained to Higgins that he makes more birdies than anyone but also a lot of bogeys. Higgins is also ranked 191st in the world.Rumor was that originally, the winner of the South of Ireland would receive a pick, but then Sean David won the all-Wales final.As for Weaver, Whaley’s teammate at Florida State, he hasn’t competed since the ACC Championship because of an oblique injury. When he attended the practice session in late July, he didn’t hit tee shots but was “absolutely fine,” according to Robertson, who added of Weaver: “Tyler was better than any of the rest of them at the week in practice.”Weaver then withdrew from the U.S. Amateur a week out, though he texted Robertson to let him know that was out of precaution.“I was on a family vacation, and he phoned me just to say I'm withdrawing from the U.S. Amateur, but I am fit, and I've progressed since I was at Lahinch,” Robertson said. “If he was to go deep into Merion, the volume that week – he wanted to prioritize the Walker Cup over the U.S. Amateur.”Robertson will likely have both alternates in town, but he’s not concerned about Weaver’s availability and seemingly will have no hesitation leaning on the veteran, who went 1-3 last year while playing all four sessions opposite Jackson Koivun.“Tyler never missed a shot in two days when he was at Lahinch three weeks ago, and he's sending me videos now of flushing drivers,” Robertson said. “I don't need to see anything from Tyler. He is good to go.”Team members have already received their itineraries for Walker Cup week from Robertson, who is planning for two days at Ballybunion the weekend before. There are some other activities, including visiting the Cliffs of Moher on that Tuesday, a day after they spend the evening with the County Clare hurling team.“Everybody is allowed a couple of goals apart from Tyler Weaver,” Robertson said.As for the serious stuff, Robertson still wonders how his side managed to lose by eight points despite entering Sunday singles just a point back. He said this time there is heavy emphasis on the singles format – and being as prepared as possible to conquer this tricky links, which should be a massive home-course advantage.“Confidence is preparation, and we will be prepared, not to win the Walker Cup when we go there in two weeks' time, but we'll be prepared to play winning golf and focusing on the things that we can control as a team,” Robertson said. “We have a mission, and that's one team with one purpose, and that's what we're going to do.”

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Carlos Prates attends the UFC 330 event at Xfinity Mobile Arena on August 15, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Who will Islam Makhachev fight next following his UFC 330 win over Ian Machado Garry? The UFC made it clear that there are two potential contenders. The crowd cam repeatedly switched back and forth between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, with the commentary team bigging both men up as deserving of a title shot.At the UFC 330 post-fight press conference, Islam Makhachev asked an obvious question: “Why they not fight on this card to see who is the number one contender?”Why not, indeed. Possibly because the UFC loves having two contenders around so they can offer the fight to the less picky, less demanding choice. Since that’s a prisoner’s dilemma that leaves both men racing to the bottom, it looks like Michael Morales would rather fight to figure out who the true No. 1 contender is.⚠️Carlos Prates is a BADASS for confronting Michael Morales like this. pic.twitter.com/IX5HcUjfNQ— RAMAYAN (@ramayan_69) August 18, 2026“If the guy have two arms, two legs, one dick like me, bro, I can fight him,” Prates declared regarding Morales’ challenge. “He said I’m scared about him? I’m not scared to fight you, I’m the No. 1 contender so I want to fight for the belt. UFC never offered a fight against you. If they offer me, of course I will knock you out really fast. First round.”“So don’t worry. You gonna fight and I’m gonna knock you out. But now, wait. Get my belt, and then we can fight.”“I’m ready to fight,” Morales replied simply. “Just let me know.”Prates vs. Morales for No. 1 contender status is a sick fight and we’d love to see it. But the timing at this point isn’t great. As Makahchev pointed out, the best time would have been at UFC 330. Now you’d have to book the fight and give both men 3 months to prepare, putting the fight in December. Three months after that and you’ve got Ramadan, and Makhachev doesn’t fight or even train during Ramadan.The best consolation prize for no Prates vs. Morales is having Makhachev fight more often. The two-division champion has often said he’s not the one delaying fights, and that he’d like to fight more than once every 9 to 12 months. Well then, let’s see him fight Prates in December or January and Morales in June.Let’s just quit it with the non-fighting, though. If Morales wants to hold his top spot, let’s see him fight again in the meantime, too.

Loui Ridi, an Ohio-based Palestinian-American landlord of one of the homes besieged by Israeli settlers for over a week, arrives at his parent's home upon his return from the U.S., in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, south of Nablus, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)2026-08-18T11:45:12Z RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Palestinian American whose home in the occupied West Bank has been besieged for more than a week confronted Israeli settlers on his property Tuesday and demanded Israeli forces remove them from the area.But on his first day back at his home in the village of Qusra, Loui Ridi was ultimately told to go inside because the area was a closed military zone.Israeli soldiers asked the settlers to leave the area as well, but Ridi said he saw at least three settlers close enough to return and threaten his family if the army leaves.“If I need to walk outside of my house, I’m not able. I have to get a permission and coordination and it’s going to take hours if it’s even possible to leave,” Ridi said.Ridi yelled at one of the settlers to get off his property, saying he wasn’t allowed to be there and calling him a terrorist, according to video he shared with The Associated Press. Ridi pled with the soldiers to remove the settlers. They told him to get back inside his home, while also pleading with settlers to leave peacefully.For Ridi, the exchange extinguished any sense of victory remaining after he managed, with the aid of a military escort, to enter his home. He said the encounter epitomized how the army has been unable or unwilling to clear the area of settlers.“As soon as (Israeli soldiers) leave — like if they leave today — probably on the same day or a couple hours later, the settlers may come back and build the same tent in front of my house,” he said. Qusra standoff is the latest violence in the West BankEmboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, extremist settlers have routinely attacked villages and set homes, cars and mosques ablaze in the occupied West Bank this year.Few episodes garner as much international attention as the siege in Qusra. However, settlers have staged takeovers of other Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank. In the neighboring village of Jalud, settlers surrounded homes and prevented Palestinians from entering or exiting until they decide to escape and not come back.Palestinian officials report 87 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers or soldiers this year. Three Israelis have been killed including two in nearby clashes last month. Read More Much like in Qusra, violent settlers rarely face arrest by Israeli police or prosecution in Israeli courts. Ridi, a 46-year-old who lives with his family in Ohio but owns a second home in the Qusra, arrived on Monday, climbing his stairs and raising an American flag on his roof. 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 United States — Israel’s closest ally — has condemned the ongoing siege in Qusra, now in its tenth day. President Donald Trump has said he opposes Israeli efforts to annex the West Bank but has signaled broad acceptance of settlements and, at the start of his second term, lifted sanctions on settlers accused of violence.Ridi said he can’t buy groceries without permission and has asked U.S. officials to help guarantee he can bring his own food and supplies back to his home, which is in an area that Israel declared a closed military zone last week to restore order.Settlers being able to besiege a Palestinian American’s home for more than a week was terrifying to other Palestinians as violence soars in the broader West Bank, Ridi said. Video shows settlers demanding homeowner stay insideRidi said he slept for four hours in a room where he kept the shutters closed because settlers had previously thrown rocks toward the windows. When he woke up Tuesday and went outside to confront the settlers and soldiers, one settler demanded in Hebrew that the soldiers make him go back inside, saying Ridi’s yard belonged to them.“Take them to their home. You said it’s a closed military zone,” the settler told an Israeli soldier, according to Ridi’s video.The soldiers told everyone to leave and said, “We don’t need this commotion.”Soldiers have repeatedly dismantled their tents and shades in the area only to have the settlers return to area on the outskirts of a village 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Palestinian city of Nablus.One settler was detained last week but Israeli police have not reported any arrests. Ridi fears settlers could ramp up attacks on his home moments after Israeli soldiers leave, much like other areas where settlers have staged takeovers of Palestinian homes.Ridi said his two daughters in Ohio have stayed up past their bedtimes worried for his safety, texting that they miss him and asking if he is all right. “I have to lie and say, ‘No, I’m safe. I’m OK. It’s safe here,’ because I want her to sleep,” he said. SAM METZ Metz covers Israel, the Palestinian territories and the broader Middle East for The Associated Press. He previously covered North Africa and the Western United States. twitter mailto

People walk past Shifa International Hospital, where imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be transferred for a medical examination following Pakistan's Supreme Court order, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)2026-08-18T11:26:11Z ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities to take imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital in the capital for a medical examination, following months of concerns from his family and personal physicians about his health and access to medical care, his lawyers and party officials said.A three-judge panel ordered that Khan be taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad in the coming days and examined by a medical board that will include specialists and one of his personal physicians, Faisal Sultan.The court also ordered prison officials to allow Khan weekly meetings with family members and telephone calls with his sons. Khan’s family has been struggling to secure access to him and have him examined by physicians of his choice. Pakistan barred visitors earlier this year after receiving intelligence reports about a possible attack on the prison where he is being held. The order came months after Khan petitioned the court, asking to be transferred from a high-security prison in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi to a hospital and to be allowed access to his personal physicians, family and lawyers.The court said the order was being issued because Khan’s health was at stake and access to medical care is protected under Pakistan’s constitution, according to Khan’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja. He urged Khan’s supporters not to gather outside the hospital when the former premier is taken there, saying they should avoid inconveniencing other patients. Earlier this year, Khan was repeatedly taken to a government hospital for treatment of an eye condition. Read More Concerns about Khan’s health intensified in late January after his family said he had lost about 85% of the vision in his right eye, an assertion the government disputed. Authorities later said Khan regained about 70% of the vision in the eye and that his condition was improving.The former cricket star turned politician has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in a graft case.He was removed from office in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He has alleged that his ouster was the result of a U.S.-backed conspiracy involving political rivals and Pakistan’s former army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa — allegations denied by Washington, Pakistan’s military and his political opponents. Despite his legal troubles, Khan remains a central figure in Pakistani politics and retains a large following.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, front center, and Norway's Football Federation president Lise Klavenessin, front second right, the stands ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Norway in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)2026-08-18T11:35:18Z GENEVA (AP) — FIFA’s removal of the senior official who said Gianni Infantino deceived staff with his World Cup sell-off plan was unacceptable, Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness said on Tuesday while urging other leaders at the governing body to resist potentially damaging orders.The firing of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour late Monday came 17 days after his statement to the Associated Press criticizing Infantino’s $20 billion private equity project that helped to end it hours later.“Now he is thrown out and we are supposed to move on. It’s unacceptable, it’s management by fear,” Klaveness told the AP in a telephone interview, describing Lamour as “the best football administrator I have ever met.”“Now we also have to call upon FIFA leadership and the administration to not submit to orders you know are not in the interests of football,” Klaveness added, especially targeting FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström.She is a former Norway international player, a judge in Oslo and an elected executive committee member at European soccer body UEFA who has built on her country’s long-held reputation as a champion of good governance in soccer. Lamour was a long-time colleague of Infantino, first as senior officials at UEFA from 2007-15, on his campaign team to be elected FIFA president in 2016, then moving two years ago from UEFA to oversee much of FIFA’s operations in Zurich. Infantino in crisisWith a reputation among the most trusted executives in the often murky world of global soccer politics, Lamour’s pointed criticisms of Infantino’s leadership intensified a crisis for the FIFA president.A backlash by UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and north American soccer body CONCACAF was provoked by a secretive plan to sell future World Cup profits to investors led by Joshua Kushner. A $4.2 billion investment to take a 20% stake in a FIFA commercial spin-off was to fund offers of $20 million to each of its 211 national member federations. They already effectively own the non-profit soccer body, which has multibillion dollar reserves, and would have had a mid-September deadline to accept.Lamour’s statement on July 31 spoke of FIFA staff being “deceived” by Infantino’s lack of openness over the now-failed sale and how they “deserve better than contempt and intimidation.”The French executive called on soccer leaders worldwide “to make the right decisions” and signed off: “If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.” Read More Fired, not resigned“This is a firing situation, it’s not a resignation,” Klaveness said of Lamour’s exit, suggesting it was done by Grafström “obviously being pressured by the president.”In a statement, FIFA said it “thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”“His statement was necessary to kill the project,” Klaveness said of Lamour’s intervention. “He said something that was obvious, that was very important that someone within the staff told us the story so that we knew it was not FIFA, as such, but one person.”Infantino called a meeting with senior management minus Lamour in Rabat, Morocco. After that Aug. 5 meeting, a FIFA statement apologized for errors and said those managers who attended “reaffirmed their full support” of Infantino’s presidency. “We all got reports in Morocco, we know it’s a management of fear,” Klaveness said. “It’s not in football’s best interests.” Until the uproar over Infantino’s “FIFA Forward Enterprise” proposal, he seemed sure to be reelected unopposed next year in Morocco. The deadline is Nov. 18 for challengers to enter the contest.___See AP’s full soccer coverage here GRAHAM DUNBAR Dunbar is an Associated Press sports news reporter in Geneva, Switzerland. He focuses on the governing bodies, institutions and politics of international sports. twitter mailto

Orange-y wooden cabinets from the ’90s and 2000s might have a bit of a dated look to them, but they can be worth keeping just for the sheer quality of the wood. Throw a little paint on them, and they’ll be perfectly on-trend today, when dark gray, navy, and deep green paint colors reign. READ MORE...

Excuse me while I grab three sets for fall. READ MORE...

In this photo, taken from video and released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Japan's Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto, front right, enters the Russian Foreign Ministry building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)2026-08-18T11:54:33Z MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Japanese ambassador to protest Tokyo’s condemnation of President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Kuril Islands, the Moscow-controlled Pacific archipelago that is claimed by both countries.Last week, Putin visited Iturup, one of the four southernmost islands of the chain, which Japan calls the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union took them from Japan in the final days of World War II, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Putin’s visit, his first to the islands, was “incompatible with the Japanese position on the Northern Territories” and is “absolutely unacceptable.” She said the visit was a further blow to already-strained ties between the two countries over Ukraine, and that Moscow should understand the consequences. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo “strongly protests” Putin’s visit to Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu, noting that “the Northern Territories, including Etorofu Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law.”On Tuesday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with the Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to lodge a formal protest over the “anti-Russia” statements by Takaichi and Motegi. “Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are absolutely unshakable,” Galuzin told Muto, according to the Foreign Ministry. “These territories passed to our country as a result of World War II that was enshrined in the relevant agreements of the Allied Powers and the U.N. Charter,” the ministry said. “Any attempts by the Japanese side to directly or indirectly call this obvious reality into question are absolutely unacceptable and unlawful.” Read More Galuzin told the ambassador that in view of Tokyo’s adherence to Western sanctions against Russia and its support for Ukraine, “Moscow reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures.”Decades of diplomatic efforts to negotiate a settlement haven’t produced any visible results. Moscow over the years has also bolstered its military presence on the Kurils in moves that appeared to underscore its firm stance in the dispute. Speaking last week aboard a Russian warship taking part in the drills in the Pacific, Putin said Moscow previously “had developed constructive relations with a number of Japanese leaders, including the tragically deceased former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who did much to bring Japan and Russia closer together, to align our positions.” 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. Japan imposed sanctions on Russia after it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 and “listed Russia as a source of primary threats,” a change in that constructive relationship, he added.Russia remains ready “to cooperate with all its neighbors, including Japan and other states in the region,” Putin said.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 17: Martín Pérez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game at Target Field on August 17, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images While they looked as if they could come back, the Braves could not overcome a first inning deficit in a 4-2 loss to the Twins on Monday. After the first inning, the Braves pitching staff was able to lock in to give the Braves a chance. But an offense that is now 27th in baseball since August 7th, when it started this current three week stretch playing some of the best teams in baseball and the Mets, could not get the job done. Atlanta must get the offense back going, especially with series against the Dodgers and Brewers on the horizon. Braves NewsAnother Challenge this week is the fact that the Braves will be playing each day but across four different cities. That will certainly be a challenge at times, especially for the pitching staff. Ivan navigates how the Braves have handled the month of August. Martin Perez quickly righted the ship despite one of his worst innings of the year. MLB NewsPete Crow-Armstrong continues to deliver MVP worthy moments. Ketel Marte unexpectedly did not show up for the Dbacks at their game in Boston. The fallout will certainly be a story to watch. Yankees placed Max Fried on the IL due to an elbow bruise.

Galatasaray in talks to sign RB Leipzig forwardOne year after joining RB Leipzig from Sporting CP, Conrad Harder could be on the move in search of more regular playing time.According to Sky Germany, Galatasaray have made contact with RB Leipzig over a potential move for the 21-year-old striker.The structure of the deal is a sticking point, however, with Galatasaray reportedly seeking a loan with an option to buy, while RB Leipzig are open to a sale.Harder himself is said to be open to joining the Istanbul side if the two clubs can reach an agreement.The Danish forward was mainly used as a substitute during his first season at RB Leipzig, scoring three goals in 32 appearances across all competitions.

The 2026 season is set up to be a big bounce back year for Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, who struggled with a foot injury last season that hampered his play.Following the offseason trade of veteran receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, Odunze has an opportunity to take a leap and be the top receiver for Chicago's passing attack. Looking to rebound from his injury-riddled sophomore season, Odunze said earlier in the offseason that he has adjusted to a "new normal" with his foot, but then clarified there was no deep meaning or attachment to the injury. New offensive coordinator Press Taylor has spent this offseason and training camp identifying the strengths of Odunze and spoke about where he feels the third-year receiver has grown, revealing the team wanting to push the ball down the field to allow him to make more plays."I think Rome's done a good job," Taylor said. "If he hadn't said anything about his foot being different, I don't think you would have noticed because of what you're seeing like his speed and even more the detail in his routes. He understands where he's supposed to be. You see the explosion and contested catch ability he has, and we've made it a point of emphasis to push the ball downfield on some contested go balls to feature that strength. He's made his fair share of plays on those, so that's encouraging."If the Bears get a fully healthy version of Odunze, who takes another step in his development, they'll have two dangerous and young receivers in him and last year's second-round pick, Luther Burden III, who's currently dealing with a groin injury that is expected to sideline him for the preseason. That could give Odunze more time as the top receiver to find his rhythm in the Bears offense.Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramThis article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Press Taylor evaluates Bears WR Rome Odunze's growth after injury

Dealing with injuries up front, the Indianapolis Colts reportedly worked out a few offensive linemen on Monday.According to Jake Arthur, the Colts have interior offensive lineman Will Hernandez in for a workout, along with offensive tackles D'Ante Smith and Trey Wedig.Arthur adds that tackles Luke Tenuta and Nolan Rucci are dealing with injuries. Tenuta appears to be the first tackle option off the bench for the Colts, while Rucci, a UDFA, is fighting for a roster spot.The top tackle options off the bench at the moment are Blake Freeland and Bayron Matos.Besides the Keenan Allen signing, the #Colts worked out three offensive linemen yesterday:IOL Will HernandezOT D'Ante SmithOT Trey WedigIndy is currently dealing with injuries to tackles Luke Tenuta and Nolan Rucci.— Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL) August 18, 2026A second-round pick in 2018, Hernandez is quite experienced, playing in 104 career games while making 98 starts. He's played both guard positions.Smith was a fourth-round pick in 2021, but has played just 77 total offensive snaps. Wedig went undrafted in 2025 and didn't see any regular-season action as a rookie.As of now, no signing has been reported.This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Dealing with injuries, Colts worked out 3 offensive linemen

Hanna Glas moves to Kansas City CurrentIt's goodbye to Munich for full-back Hanna Glas, who is leaving FC Bayern for the National Women's Super League. The 29-year-old Swede has signed for American top-flight side Kansas City Current, where she'll initially continue her rehab from the serious knee injury she suffered last summer.'Key player in defence'Bayern have thus granted Glas’ wish to play on a different continent. FC Bayern Women sporting director Bianca Rech thanked the Swede: “Hanna was a key player in our defence and an important personality in the team. We’re very grateful for her efforts in the last two and a half years. We wish her lots of luck and success in the USA, and hope that her rehab continues to go well.”‘Special place in my heart’Glas had a goodbye message for the team, club and fans: “I felt at home in Munich and at FC Bayern from day one. I had very high expectations when I moved to Bayern, and my expectations have actually been well exceeded. I’ve never experienced a season like the one when we won the championship. With that I also achieved one of my greatest ambitions. I will always remember the first match at the Allianz Arena against PSG, too – it’s great to have been part of this historic event. Munich and our team will always have a special place in my heart. I fell in love with the city and will remember it as my second home. I wish the team and the club all the very best, and thank everyone, including the fans of course, for a fantastic time.”50 games for FCBGlas joined Bayern from Paris Saint-Germain in summer 2020 and made exactly 50 appearances in all competitions. During this time she won the Bundesliga title in the 2020/21 season. Hanna will also be remembered for her winning goal in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea, which was crowned Goal of the Season by UEFA in the 2020/21 UWCL campaign.All the best, Hanna!

Nature, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02466-9A topological description of ‘knittability’ can be used to design yarn patterns that are resistant to unravelling.

The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air and accused the F.C.C. of violating its First Amendment rights.

It created storage out of thin air. READ MORE...

2026-08-18T12:45:13Z BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s judicial authorities have decided to hand over a former senior Syrian military officer under ousted President Bashar Assad to Damascus after questioning him over crimes he allegedly committed during the country’s conflict, officials said Tuesday.Maj. Gen. Adel Issa will be the first military officer to be handed over by Lebanon since Assad’s fall in late 2024. He is expected to stand trial in his home country. There were no immediate details on the alleged crimes.The decision comes days after a vote in parliament that made Lebanon the first Arab country to abolish the death penalty, a step that will become formal once it is published in the Lebanese Official Gazette.The judicial officials said Issa is being handed over to Syria in accordance with a 1951 agreement between the countries that calls for handing over suspected criminals. On Tuesday afternoon, Issa was taken by members of Lebanon’s General Security Directorate, who will drive him to a border crossing and hand him over to Syrian authorities, two judicial and two security officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.After Syrian fighters opposed to Assad marched into Damascus to end the Assad family’s five-decade rule in December 2024, a number of military and security officers fled to Lebanon, where some remain. Dozens of other former members of his security agencies accused of atrocities have been arrested and put on trial in Syria.Last week, a Syrian court sentenced Assad and his younger brother Maher to death in absentia while their maternal cousin, Brig. Gen. Atef Najib, became the most senior security official to be sentenced to death while in custody. The Assad brothers fled to Russia during the ouster. Read More Issa was questioned last week by judge Ahmad Rami Hajj, Lebanon’s public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, over alleged crimes he had committed in Syria’s eastern province of Deir el-Zour and the northern province of Raqqa during Syria’s conflict that broke out in 2011.The judicial officials told The Associated Press that Issa denied all the charges against him, saying he was a military officer carrying out orders. The Syrian embassy in Beirut sent Issa’s charge sheet to Lebanese judicial authorities earlier this month, the officials 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. Issa was detained on Aug. 8 when he went to the Syrian embassy in Beirut for some paperwork. Embassy officials contacted Lebanon’s prosecutor’s office to tell them that Issa is wanted in Syria. He has been held at Beirut’s Palace of Justice detention center.Issa had fled to Lebanon by crossing illegally after Assad’s fall, the officials said.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said after commanding the Syrian army’s 17th Division, Issa was moved in 2015 to command ground forces in Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq, and that he retired in late 2016.Syria’s conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 before turning into a civil war, left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded.

Defense attorney Volker Klein makes a statement at the regional court in Koblenz, Germany, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, during a recess in the murder trial of an 81-year-old man admitted to sexually abusing and killing an American tourist in Germany more than 30 years ago. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)2026-08-18T12:42:48Z BERLIN (AP) — An 81-year-old man admitted to sexually assaulting and killing an American tourist in Germany more than 30 years ago at the opening of his trial on Tuesday, German news agency dpa reported.The defendant, whose name was not given in line with German privacy rules, admitted to killing 24-year-old Amy Lopez in 1994 in the western German city of Koblenz, the news agency reported.Prosecutors accused him of “killing a person in a treacherous manner and for base motives in order to satisfy his sexual urges.” The defense lawyer, Volker Klein, said during the session in the Koblenz district court that the defendant admitted fully to the crime. When the presiding judge, Rupert Stehlin, asked the defendant if that was true, the 81-year-old nodded and said “yes.”The crime took place Sept. 26, 1994, when Amy Lopez was visiting Koblenz as a tourist. The prosecution accuses the man, who was 49 years old at the time, of luring her under false pretenses into a secluded room of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz, where he then allegedly handcuffed her, sexually assaulted her and killed her with nine knife wounds to the chest area.The suspect allegedly also strangled Lopez with a belt and struck her on the left side of her head with a rock when she tried to defend herself and shouted, dpa reported. Shortly afterward, children playing nearby found Lopez’s body.The cold case remained unsolved for decades until investigators analyzed old DNA traces using new methods, ultimately leading to a breakthrough. DNA found on the victim’s waistband and thigh were eventually linked to the man, dpa reported. Read More The man was arrested in late February at a nursing home in the Koblenz area and has been in pretrial detention since.A total of eight trial days have been scheduled and a verdict is expected in September.

Welcome to the 13th practice day of training camp for the 2026 Green Bay Packers. After a day off on Monday, the Packers are back on the practice field for the team's last public practice before going to Denver to play the Broncos on Friday night. After Tuesday, the Packers will hold only two more public practices during training camp. So, what will Day 13 bring for the Packers at Ray Nitschke Field?Here’s everything to know from Tuesday, Aug. 18, the 13th training camp practice of 2026:Matt LaFleur pre-practice press conferenceHear from the Packers coach before practice. Injury updatesAny updates on injuries from LaFleur will be posted here.Live updates from practicePractice begins at 10:30 a.m. Updates below:This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers training camp report: Live updates from Practice No. 13

College football officially begins this month.Now that it's August, there are just weeks to go until Week Zero arrives on Aug. 29, and since the season is quickly approaching, we're rolling out our preseason top 25.After revealing our teams in the back half of our top 25, we continue our previews of the top 12 teams in the country with another team looking to get back to the national championship game after a second-round loss in 2025.Previously: Teams Nos. 13-25, No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 11 Alabama, No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 7 Miami,No. 6 Georgia, No. 5 TexasNo. 4 Ohio State2025 record: 12-2Odds to win national championship: +600Odds to make College Football Playoff: -2752025 in 100 words or lessOhio State beat Michigan. The end.OK, OK, we'll go a little deeper than that. The thorough 27-9 victory was not only the Buckeyes' first victory over the Wolverines since 2019, it was also the final game of the Sherrone Moore era after Moore was fired for an inappropriate relationship with a staffer less than two weeks after the regular season concluded.However, that ended up being Ohio State's final win of the season. After entering the Big Ten title game 12-0, the Buckeyes lost 13-10 to the Hoosiers as Julian Sayin was sacked five times. The Buckeyes still got a top-four seed in the CFP and went to the Cotton Bowl, but Sayin was sacked five times again as Miami's defensive front dominated in a 24-14 win.Julian Sayin is one of the top five favorites for the Heisman Trophy. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)Ben Jackson via Getty ImagesThe QBJulian SayinAfter a year behind Will Howard following his transfer from Alabama, Sayin made the first start of his career against Texas. That was certainly a game between inexperienced quarterbacks against very good defenses. After Sayin was 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a score, he proceeded to be one of the most efficient passers in the nation.Sayin completed at least 70% of his passes in each of Ohio State's next nine games and was even 36-of-42 for 393 yards and four scores against Wisconsin. A week later, he had just three incompletions and threw for four touchdowns against Penn State. He finished the season 301-of-391 passing for 3,610 yards and 32 TDs with eight interceptions. He finished fourth in the Heisman voting and his 77% completion percentage ranks third all time behind Bo Nix in 2023 and Mac Jones in 2020.However, Sayin turned the ball over more at the end of the season. After two picks against Ohio in Week 3, Sayin threw one interception in the succeeding eight games. But he was picked off against both Michigan and Indiana and threw two interceptions against Miami in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State scored 24 combined points in those two games. The Buckeyes had scored at least 24 points in every game but that Week 1 win over Texas.With a full year of starting experience under his belt, Sayin now knows what it's like to play in a pressure cooker at the end of the season and should be even better. He's the No. 5 favorite for the Heisman Trophy at 11-1 and his odds would be higher if Jeremiah Smith wasn't a Heisman favorite as well.Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is one of the most explosive players in college football. (CFP/Getty Images)CFP via Getty ImagesNon-QB to watchWR Jeremiah SmithThere was no other option for this category. Smith is the best offensive player in the country who doesn't play quarterback. And even if you include quarterbacks, Smith might still be the best offensive player in college football.Smith had 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore in 2025 and was far from the reason Ohio State lost its final two games of the season. He had eight catches for 144 yards against Indiana and seven catches for 157 yards and a TD against Miami. His stats would have been even better had he not dealt with minor injuries in November and sat out the Buckeyes' blowout win over Rutgers.Smith's odds of 12-1 are the highest to win the Heisman of any non-QB and he could post the best numbers of his career before he's a surefire top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. While Carnell Tate is gone, freshman Chris Henry Jr. should make an immediate impact and Brandon Inniss could make a major leap.Eric Edholm's 2027 NFL Draft prospect to watchWR Jeremiah Smith No school has produced more wide receiver talent than the Buckeyes have in recent years, and Smith might be their best product yet. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he's a physical marvel, and yet Smith moves like a man 20 pounds lighter. He explodes off the line, battles extremely well through contact and accelerates to top speed with breathtaking ease. Leading the Big Ten in receiving yards his first two years of college football, Smith is one of the most exciting WR prospects to come along in a few years. His teammate Tate went fourth overall a year ago, but most scouts who saw OSU last year believe Smith is the better long-term prospect.College fantasy football player to watchRB Bo JacksonThe man with the same name as the former Auburn star emerged as Ohio State's lead back in 2025.Jackson was eased into action as a freshman; he didn't log a carry against Texas and had nine carries in each of Ohio State's next two games. But he rushed for over 100 yards in those contests and showed he was capable of handling a much larger workload.Overall, Jackson finished with 179 carries for 1,090 yards and six scores. Until the College Football Playoff, Jackson didn't have a game over the second half of the season with fewer than 13 carries.Isaiah West has been getting first-team reps early in fall camp, but Jackson also underwent an offseason shoulder procedure. Even if they end up splitting duties in 2026, Jackson is still a threat to surpass 1,000 yards again. Biggest gameOct. 17 at IndianaOhio State has no shortage of opponents who would qualify for this category. The visit to Texas in Week 2 is massive. But with the Buckeyes heading to Indiana after the Hoosiers won the Big Ten title game last year, that game is the obvious choice.Ohio State hasn't won a full-season Big Ten title since the 2019 season. The Buckeyes have been the chasers for years and Indiana is now the team being chased. Given Ohio State's schedule, a win at Indiana might be imperative to get back to the Big Ten championship game.Why Ohio State is at No. 4You can make a case for any of our top five teams at any position in the top five and we debated having Ohio State somewhere in the top three of our preseason rankings. The Buckeyes should easily have one of the best offenses in the country once again.But how good will the defense be against a schedule that includes not only Texas and Indiana, but Oregon, USC and Michigan as well?Ohio State is as equipped as any program in the country to replace three top-11 NFL Draft picks, but it's still really difficult to replace players like Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs even if you are Ohio State.The Buckeyes' defense allowed fewer than 10 points and 220 yards per game in 2025. Those are numbers that will be nearly impossible to replicate even though Ohio State has allowed fewer than 13 points per game in each of the past three seasons.The Ohio State defense won't be bad or even close to it. Matt Patricia showed that he's an excellent coordinator in his first year in Columbus and edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson and LB Jaylen McClain anchor a front seven that will still be elite. But given Ohio State's schedule, a step back from the defense will lead to a smaller margin for error.Make no mistake, Ohio State is a playoff team. But the road to a second national title in three seasons is a difficult one.

TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSIST FOOTBALL SCHOOL FOR BOLOGNA FC 1909Bologna FC 1909 is pleased to announce the launch of a technical partnership with Assist Football School, a leading organisation in football development and coaching in Saudi Arabia.The agreement marks an important step in the Club’s international growth strategy and aims to promote the coaching methodology and values of Bologna’s Academy through initiatives dedicated to the development of young players and coaches.The partnership will begin with two Bologna FC Camps in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for August and November, giving participants the opportunity to train under the Bologna FC 1909 methodology with qualified coaches.The collaboration also includes the development of further technical and educational initiatives designed to encourage the exchange of expertise, nurture young talent and promote the Club’s professional standards in the strategically important and rapidly growing Saudi market.“Our partnership with Bologna FC 1909 represents a strategic step in our vision to develop Saudi football talent in line with the highest international standards. Our goal is to transfer European expertise and coaching methodologies while building a sustainable professional pathway that creates greater opportunities for our players and coaches,” said Abdulrahman Al-Wadaan, Chief Executive Officer of Assist Football School.“This partnership represents another step in Bologna FC 1909’s international growth journey and reflects the Club’s desire to share its expertise in a strategic market such as Saudi Arabia,” said Christoph Winterling, Chief Revenue Officer of Bologna FC 1909. “We are proud to launch this collaboration with Assist Football School to promote our methodology and contribute to the development of young talent, while further strengthening the Club’s international presence.“With this agreement, Bologna FC 1909 reaffirms its commitment to expanding its international footprint by exporting its expertise and contributing to the development of youth football through meaningful partnerships.

(This story will be updated to add new information as more stories are published throughout the season.) Are you ready for some football?The South Jersey Gridiron Gang has you covered.Follow us on X at @SJGridironGang, @McGurkSports and @RimbackSportsOn this page, you'll find all football-related content from our staff for the entire 2026 season.Schedule, scores for 2026 seasonPreseason ContentWest Jersey Football League previewsAmericanClassicColonialConstitution ContinentalDiamondFreedomIndependenceLibertyMemorialNationalPatriotRoyal UnitedPlayers to WatchQuarterbacksRunning backsWide receiversOffensive linemenDefensive linemenLinebackersDefensive backsKickers/PuntersTom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at tmcgurk@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Everything you need to know for the 2026 high school football season

PETOSKEY — For anyone who may have heard Jason Yonker was taking over the Petoskey High School soccer program, the name may have sounded pretty familiar. But, just so the record is straight, Yonker has no relation to Petoskey’s longtime boys and girls coach, Zach Jonker. Pronounced the same, it’s only in seeing the names that you realize it. That’s been step one for Yonker since taking over the Northmen. Step two took place on Monday, Aug. 17 at Northmen Stadium, when Yonker finally got to see his team compete against someone else, when Petoskey welcomed Grand Blanc in a scrimmage.Petoskey, coming off a 6-9-1 season, dropped a 3-2 game against a massive program, while making some impressive plays throughout the 80 minutes.“I think I’ve inherited a very strong program,” Yonker said. “I’ve coached a lot of these kids through the year through PYSA, so I’m familiar with a lot of them. Some of the older boys I’m seeing for the first time. “Their systems are good, they’re intelligent, the skill level is there and I think there’s a little room for improvement. Coming out of the gates, you look at Grand Blanc, that’s a very strong program. I would have rather pulled out a tie or a win, but first action of the year, 3-2, I’ll take it.”Yonker and his family moved to Petoskey just a handful of years back, one of many families who looked for a change of pace around the COVID years and found Petoskey. PHS Volleyball: PHOTOS: Petoskey volleyball has some fun, change up practice attireHe’s coached through both area NMFC and PYSA programs, getting to know many of the younger players through travel ball. Petoskey Football: Petoskey football looking for playmakers, but clear leaders establishedBut, when it came to Monday, he just wanted to let things happen against Grand Blanc, without stepping in too much during the action. “Part of my philosophy is exactly that,” he said. “Let the boys go show me exactly where they’re at and then we can adjust from there. So let them play their game, rather than breaking them down and starting new.”For a team full of young players, and coming off consecutive losing campaigns, the Northmen didn’t look like it Monday against a Grand Blanc team that won 12 games a year ago and 16 the year prior. The Northmen kept things scoreless for much of the first half, with junior Jace Stradling coming up huge in goal.“What a performance he gave back there,” Yonker said. “He had some saves.” Jace was one of three unanimous captains selected by his peers, right along with Colin O’Donnell and Mason McLintock. “There’s a ton of experience there and just natural leadership,” Yonker added. Gaylord Soccer: Check out the Gaylord High School boys soccer schedule for 2026 seasonHe’ll also lean on a pair of talented players up top in junior Tyce Melvin and senior Ashton Attie, both of which had near moments of breaking through Monday.“Tyce, he’s a tough player,” Yonker said. “I can’t imagine what defenders are thinking when he steps up against them. We’ll lean on him a lot. Ashton, he’s another we’ll be leaning on. He beat No. 13 over there a couple times. If we can work on the finishing, there’s two goals just on breaking through the backline.”Yonker knows the history of Petoskey soccer and the expectations that come with it, even with being here just a handful of years. He’ll demand a lot from his younger guys, including three freshmen that played with the varsity Monday.Things will officially get going Wednesday against Haslett, before they then head to the Boyne City Invite this weekend, meeting Hartford, Grass Lake and Grand Rapids South Christian. “It’s going to be a good season,” Yonker said. “We’re going to be competitive. We’ve got Haslett on Wednesday and that’s going to be a tough game. It should be fun.” Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochannyThis article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey soccer's new leading Yonker gets first look at his team

The yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond rose to its highest level in nearly 20 years.

At least 17 commercial sailors have been killed in and around Iranian and Omani waters since March. Six months into the conflict, the vital waterway remains exceptionally dangerous.

Anyone who didn’t know Ben Hopper, 16, would say it was cruel that he died so young. The post Ben Hopper appeared first on The Onion.

A man's shirt is bathed in sweat before seven in the morning as he parks cars and provides security for a downtown cafe July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)2026-08-18T13:07:42Z When it’s really hot out, getting dressed seems pretty simple: Wear something light, loose and made for summer.But textile researchers say it’s actually a little more complicated than that.The fabric matters. But so does how heavy it is, how the clothing is made, how it fits and even what color it is. What works best also depends on what you’re doing and how much you’re sweating.With extreme heat a growing public health concern, scientists are developing and studying clothing designed to help people stay cooler. But clothing is only one component of the body’s response to heat.Clothing should allow the body’s natural response to heat to work, said George Havenith, emeritus professor of environmental physiology and ergonomics at Loughborough University.“It’s a really powerful mechanism from humans that we can defend our body temperature with,” Havenith said. “The most important thing in the selection of clothing would be to make sure you do not hamper sweat evaporation.” Look for lightweight, breathable clothingIn hot weather, look for lightweight clothing that allows air to move through the fabric and reach the skin, which can help sweat evaporate. Researchers refer to this property as air permeability.The fiber listed on the tag is only part of what determines that. How fibers are woven or knitted also affects how easily air passes through. “For greatest airflow, open weave and loose knit structures are best, free of any water- or soil-repellent finishes. Cellulosic fibers, like cotton and flax (linen), tend to be more breathable and comfortable,” said Meredith McQuerry, a professor at Florida State University who studies clothing development and performance.Linen can be a good option, but “linen” on the label doesn’t tell the whole story. She said shoppers shouldn’t rely on fiber content alone. A more open woven structure will generally be more breathable, regardless of the garment’s fiber. Read More Wicking is slightly different. Wicking fabrics are designed to move sweat away from the skin and spread it across a larger surface area, which can help it evaporate faster. Engineered synthetic fibers are commonly used in sportswear, said Havenith. But wicking and cooling are not necessarily the same. Moving sweat away from the skin can make clothing feel drier, but evaporation that happens farther from the skin can provide less direct cooling.Fit matters too. Havenith recommends garments with enough room for ventilation, especially in hot outdoor conditions. McQuerry, however, noted that the right fit can depend on what you’re doing. Someone exercising outdoors might prefer a tighter-fitting synthetic tank top, while someone sitting on a porch or doing light yard work might be more comfortable in looser cotton T-shirt.“In casual settings, wearers may prefer a looser fit that allows for more airflow while standing or sitting. If performing physical activity, a tighter fit may be preferred to enable quicker sweat evaporation,” said McQuerry.Cotton, polyester and why there is no perfect fabricPeople choosing between cotton and polyester should consider how much they expect to sweat and what they’ll be doing. Cotton absorbs sweat but can become heavy when saturated, while engineered polyester can move moisture across the fabric and dry quicker, one reason synthetic fabrics are so common in athletic clothing. During exercise, polyester tends to continuously evaporate sweat, while cotton will work well for a short period until it has absorbed all it can, said Po-Chun Hsu, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago who studies materials and sustainability.“Imagine you are wearing a wet T-shirt? Of course you get this evaporation going on, but then you also block the breathability and you won’t feel very comfortable when it’s completely wet,” he said.Polyester is widely used because it is inexpensive, durable and versatile, but not all performs the same way.It absorbs very little moisture naturally, which can make polyester that hasn’t been treated or engineered uncomfortable in hot conditions as sweat accumulates against the skin, said Jonathan Chen, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies textiles and apparel.But it can be engineered to move sweat across the fabric and help it evaporate. Chen suggests looking for lightweight polyester garments designed for breathability. A porous athletic shirt can behave very differently from a dense garment, even if both labels say 100% polyester.Cotton can have another role in extreme heat. Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively. Sunlight and “cooling” apparelPeople spending extended time outdoors in direct sunlight should prioritize covering skin to protect against UV exposure and sunburn, Havenith said.Loose, ventilated clothing can provide coverage without sacrificing airflow, such as a lightweight long-sleeved shirt.Color can matter too. White, lighter-colored or highly reflective fabrics can reduce heat gain by reflecting sunlight instead of allowing as much energy to be absorbed, Hsu said.Hsu said researchers have already made substantial progress in managing sweat and moisture, while engineering clothes to reflect more incoming sunlight remains a developing area.Consumers should also look beyond the word “cooling” on labels. Hsu said some cooling fabrics are designed primarily to feel cold when they first touch the skin, an effect that can fade as the material warms.“If it doesn’t really, let’s say, increase the evaporation of the surface area or reflect the sunlight or enhance the breathability, then it’s quite unlikely that it will have any continuous cooling effect,” Hsu said.Some approaches go beyond the fabric itself. Fan-equipped clothing has become increasingly common among outdoor and factory workers in Japan. The garments use small fans to circulate outside air underneath the clothing, helping sweat evaporate.Havenith said the garments can improve comfort and lower skin temperature, but don’t do much to reduce core body temperature. Battery capacity is also a limitation because of the additional weight, although he expects improvements as battery technology develops.How effective the fans are also depends on the conditions.“It should work in all conditions where air temperature is below skin temp. ... In very dry air, the effect may be limited as the sweat evaporates anyway,” said Havenith.For shoppers, the researchers’ advice comes back to looking beyond a single word on the label. Consider whether a garment is lightweight, how easily air moves through it, how it handles moisture, how it fits, whether you will be in direct sun and what kind of activity you will be doing.There may not be one perfect fabric for extreme temperatures, but there are ways to choose clothing that works with the body’s cooling system rather than against it.___The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. AYA DIAB Diab produces video content that focuses on climate for The Associated Press. She is based in Tampa. mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

People take photos near a John Harvard statue, left, on the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)2026-08-18T13:00:54Z WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities despite government investigations that were rushed and incomplete or that failed to establish legal violations by the schools, a former Justice Department lawyer alleged in a whistleblower disclosure obtained by The Associated Press. The complaint alleges that the investigations into some of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions were designed to strong-arm the schools into cutting deals for political purposes. Outcomes of the investigations were “predetermined, without regard to the evidence” in a “politically mandated effort” to extract money from schools through settlement demands and funding freezes under the pretext of rooting out antisemitism, the complaint alleges. The work of the multi-agency task force, launched by the Justice Department under then-Attorney General Pam Bondi in February 2025, was “marked by extraordinary procedural irregularities, predetermined outcomes without factual or legal support” and disregard for the law and Constitution, lawyers for the former government attorney wrote in seeking watchdog investigations into their client’s complaints. The complaint taps into a broader public discussion about the administration’s efforts to confront allegations of antisemitism at colleges, a problem that received renewed attention during campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza that some Jewish students said made them feel unsafe. President Donald Trump returned to the White House with a goal of rooting out antisemitism that he said had gone unchecked during the Biden administration, but critics have called his government’s response heavy-handed and said it infringed on free speech rights and coerced concessions from public institutions. A key House Democrat is publicizing the whistleblower’s allegationsLawyers for the former Justice Department attorney, identified as Haley Van Erem, filed the disclosure Tuesday with the inspectors general at the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services and the Office of Special Counsel.Van Erem spent nearly a decade working in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division before being assigned to help with the task force last year. Read More She left the Justice Department in May 2025 because she was “unwilling to be made vulnerable to further participation in politically motivated investigations unsupported by facts and contrary to law,” according to the complaint, which also accuses the task force of having targeted Muslim professors.Spokespeople for the Justice Department and Health and Human Services Department did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment Tuesday. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, wrote separately to Harmeet Dhillon, who as the assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has been a public face of the department’s efforts to counter antisemitism. In his letter, he said antisemitism at colleges and medical schools is a real problem that needs to be investigated.“But,” he told Dhillon, “your ‘investigation’ into antisemitism was fake, a pre-baked frame-up operation thoroughly political in nature.”Raskin wrote that “the whole project was designed to harass professors and administrators at major universities, to curtail their freedom of speech and academic freedom, and to strip targeted institutions of hundreds of millions of dollars in grants that they had already been awarded on the merits of their applications.” Scrutiny over the handling of investigations into elite schoolsThe whistleblower complaint deals chiefly with investigations into three Ivy League universities: Brown, Harvard and Columbia. It alleges that in the case of Brown, the investigative team did not find evidence to support a violation of Title VI, the section of the Civil Rights Act that bars discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs that receive federal funding, but that “leadership refused to permit a notice of no violation and instead sought some form of settlement or resolution despite acknowledging the absence of a legal basis for doing so.”Investigators did find evidence of discrimination at Columbia, the complaint says, but the investigation was done on an accelerated timetable before adequate factual development and legal review were completed and relied on allegations that “were unsupported, based on news reports or litigation filings, or that implicated protected First Amendment activity.” Columbia University agreed to pay the government $200 million as part of an agreement restoring access to federal funding. Brown University separately agreed to pay $50 million to Rhode Island workforce development organizations to end the three federal investigations involving allegations of antisemitism and racial bias in admissions, with no findings of wrongdoing. In the investigation into Harvard, Trump administration officials discussed “extraordinary funding freezes and sweeping proposed settlement terms” before an investigation had been completed that could establish Title VI violations. Sean Keveney, then-HHS acting general counsel, said he believed Harvard would settle because they were “over a barrel,” according to the complaint. A federal judge last year ordered the Trump administration to reverse its cuts of more than $2.6 billion in research funding for the university, saying the government “used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities.” And a different judge last week dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit that accused Harvard University of turning a blind eye to harassment of Jewish students. ERIC TUCKER Tucker covers national security in Washington for The Associated Press, with a focus on the FBI and Justice Department. twitter mailto ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Richer covers the Justice Department and federal courts. She joined The AP in 2013 and is based in Washington. twitter

Madonna appears at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York on May 5, 2025, left, and Taylor Swift appears at the MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, N.Y., on Sept. 11, 2024. (Photos by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)2026-08-18T13:00:05Z NEW YORK (AP) — Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominations, the network announced Tuesday.The pop superstar has been nominated in every decade of her musical career. She has 19 competitive MTV VMA wins and in 1986 became the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award.She is up for 11 awards at this year’s ceremony, including video, artist and song of the year as well as best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.If she were to sweep, she’d tie Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the title of most-awarded musician in VMA history. They have 30 each. (Eminem is the male artist with the most VMAs, with 15.)Speaking of Swift: She follows Madonna with the second-most nominations, with nine. If she takes home even one award, she will become the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Swift is up for video and artist of the year as well as best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.Madonna and Swift are followed by Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter with seven nods to their name as well as Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson with five. Blackpink’s LISA has four and Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION and Yung Lean are tied for three.Rounding out the artist of the year category nominees are Grande, Mars, Carpenter and Morgan Wallen, in addition to Madonna and Swift. The top prize of the night, video of the year, sees Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” compete against Madonna’s “Confessions II — The Film,” Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” Mars’ “I Just Might,” Carpenter’s “Tear” and GENER8ION’s “Storm” starring Yung Lean. Read More The two-hour show will broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will also simulcast on MTV and be available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.The show will become available to stream globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV. CBS is home to a number of award shows, including the Tony Awards and the American Music Awards. It has aired the Grammys since 1973, though that show will head to ABC in 2027.This year’s Video Music Awards features 26 first-time nominees, which include GENER8ION and Yung Lean (with their aforementioned three nods, for their “Storm” collaboration) and the K-pop boy band CORTIS and viral “Boston” singer Stella Lefty with two each. Other notable first-time nominees include Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Tucker Wetmore and Sienna Spiro.The best dance category has returned for the first time in seven years. Nominees include McRae’s “Nobody’s Girl,” Bebe Rexha and Faithless’ “New Religion,” Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” Lady Gaga and Doechii’s “Runway,” Madonna’s “Confessions II — The Film,” PinkPantheress’ “Stateside” with Larsson and Slayyyter’s “Dance …”Fan voting began online Tuesday across 13 categories and ends Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Eastern and 3 p.m. Pacific.Voting in the best new artist category will remain active during the show.___An earlier version of this story had an incorrect spelling of Lady Gaga and Doechii’s song “Runway.” MARIA SHERMAN Maria Sherman is the music reporter at The Associated Press. She is based in New York City. mailto

X’s algorithm learns what you hate and shows you more of it, according to a new study just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The paper, titled Value misalignment of X’s feed algorithm is a reflection of value tensions in engagement, found that the site’s algorithm prioritized engagement above all else when it generated a user’s For You Page. It also showed that X serves more ragebait to people who say they are Democrats, although the exact reason for that is unclear.“In 2026 that’s maybe not the most surprising headline ever,” Ziv Epstein, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, and co-author of the paper, told 404 Media. “So we actually dug in a little deeper to figure out why this is actually happening, and it turns out that X's feed algorithm, like a lot of these social media algorithms, is optimized for engagement [but] it turns out that not all types of engagement are considered equally.” The study’s goal was to understand how a user’s self-professed values system might shape what they see on X. “We recruited a nationally representative sample of N = 715 Americans who are active users of X in September and October 2024, quota matched on ethnicity, gender and partisanship, to install a browser extension to collect their [For You Page] and Following feeds,” the study said.Epstein said the study was observational and meant to get people asking questions about what they want to see on social media, how their feed is designed, and by whom. “There are these social media algorithms that have enormous amounts of power in our lives, they shape the information that we consume, and we have very little transparency into how they operate and what their implications are,” he said. “And so, we were very interested in trying to understand the particular effects of this particular algorithm, and so I think that has kind of important implications for civil society and just fighting some of the technofeudalistic tendencies of platforms to control these algorithms.”For the study, researchers collected a “values inventory” of the volunteers using a research tool called the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values. The values inventory in the study is presented as a wheel with 19 points that corresponded to features like “tolerance,” “dominance,” “hedonism,” and “openness to change.” Users also reported their political alignments.Then researchers watched how users engaged with posts on X and how those posts reflected their self-reported values. “We observe that the inventory of posts from followed accounts reflects users’ self-stated values — but that there is an overall negative correlation (misalignment) between users’ explicit values and the values in content that the algorithm is more likely to amplify,” the study said.When a user on X sees a post that makes them mad — like a press release from a politician from a political party they don’t like — sometimes they’ll fight about the post in the replies. It doesn’t matter who you follow or what your stated values are, X reads replying as engagement and will send more of the infuriating posts the user’s way.“When we look at commenting, the act of replying to posts, that's where we actually see some kind of meaningful misalignment between people’s values and the values of the content they’re replying to,” Epstein explained.Most of the participants liked and reposted content on X and got served more of the same sort of content. Replying was rare, just 6.8% of the interactions according to the study, but had an outsized impact on the algorithm. “Replying is only a fraction of engagement, but there does seem to be some evidence that these algorithms are prioritizing and learning more from this kind of rarer form of engagement,” Epstein said. “So it’s this feedback loop of outrage baiting. The algorithm learns that you get outraged and then continues to serve more content in that direction and that seems to be particularly true of the Democratic users of our study.”Though this happened across the political spectrum, the study found that ragebaiting occurred more for users that identified themselves as Democrats. “Democrat users confront the abundant value-misaligned content by replying to it, which the algorithm in turn preferentially learns from and continues to feed them,” the study said. “This highlights a core tension with how engagement-maximizing algorithms operate on social media: frictions between users’ stated preferences and their behaviors of reactive confrontation are exploited by engagement-maximizing algorithms to create runaway feedback loops of increasing value misalignment.”Epstein said he’d need to do more research to find out why X seems to serve ragebait to Democrats more often than Republicans. It could be that there’s more rightwing content on X overall or it could be that Democrats tend to engage with posts they disagree with more often. “There might be some kind of differential effects on information diets there, or it might be something more psychological about how different you know partisan identities are triggering different kinds of actions and reactions, but ultimately I don't want to speculate too much,” he said.I asked Epstein if he worried that prioritizing “values” in a social media algorithm might lead to more siloed user bases and more echo chambers. “I do think that if we go kind of down this path of thinking through and imagining value line social media feeds, we do have to be very aware of the potentials of value echo chambers, right?” he said. “Where people just, you know, they have the certain values that they have, and all the content they see is just aligned with those values. I think that is a very scary and dark reality.”But he also said that values are intentional and that thinking about the kind of stuff you want to see on a social media site before you pull up your feed is a positive. “You're pumping the brakes, you're taking a breath, and you're thinking about what you actually really care about. In this world — and I don't have the data for this — but I would speculate that a lot of people actually do care about seeing a diverse set of content and engaging meaningfully across these lines, and you know maybe that isn't a particular value on my 19-dimensional wheel, but this is just a starting point of thinking about our intentions and thinking very deliberately about the kind of information we want to be exposed to, versus the the knee-jerk reaction that we're kind of learning in this very kind of short, shallow attention span, emotion and negative affect-driven model of these very myopic forms of engagement.”X did not return 404 Media’s request for comment.

The National Park Service (NPS), the agency tasked with managing the U.S. national parks and monuments, has purchased Flock cameras and had them installed at parks including in Yosemite.Current and former NPS rangers are not happy about it.“Flock protects property, not people or parks. People should be free to recreate in ways that are respectful to the ecosystem — but the surveillance is a disrespectful invasion of privacy,” a current NPS ranger told 404 Media. 404 Media granted the ranger and others anonymity because they weren’t permitted to speak to the press.💡Do you know anything else about Flock? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at joseph.404 or send me an email at joseph@404media.co.Another current NPS ranger said, “I just think that every American should be free to visit our national parks without their location being traced and tracked by the federal government. Wild places are at the core of American freedom and nobody should be afraid to visit them.”A former NPS ranger added, “I think if the public knew that their public lands were being surveilled, they would push back.”Flock cameras constantly scan the license plate, color, model, make, and other identifying features of every vehicle that drives past, creating a timestamped record of where a vehicle was at a particular time, and by extension, a person. This data is then available to Flock’s law enforcement customers and is usually queried by police without a warrant. Many of Flock’s cameras are part of a national network that other law enforcement officials can then query. For example, a cop in Texas might query the network to look for a specific vehicle and search cameras across the country. This, among increased reporting of cops abusing their access to Flock to stalk people with no legitimate investigative purpose, and local cops performing lookups for ICE, has contributed to a nationwide conversation around Flock and whether communities want the company’s cameras in their neighborhoods.Flock cameras are installed inside Yosemite, WBTW News 13 reported earlier this month. The outlet referenced data from DeFlock, an open source map of Flock and other automatic license plate reader (ALPR) locations. There is also a Flock camera on a road towards the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, according to the data. NPS also plans to install cameras from Verkada, a controversial company with a history of abusing its own products and whose products sometimes have facial detection capabilities, according to a letter from Michael Donato, the acting deputy superintendent of National Capital Parks - East, sent to the Washington Support Office Visitor and Resource Protection Program.“Some parks have USPP [United States Park Police] Flock cameras for license plate recognition, but for parks that don’t, the Verkada cameras will provide LPR,” the letter, which 404 Media viewed, reads.The NPS told 404 Media in a statement: “Yosemite National Park uses a traffic-monitoring system to measure vehicle counts, travel times and entrance-station wait times. The system helps the park better understand traffic conditions and provide visitors with information to help them make informed decisions about when to visit and where parking is available. The cameras are not connected to law enforcement or DMV databases.”One of the current rangers said, “Last year Yosemite changed the rules about hanging flags on El Capitan and tried to backdate the rule change to make it look like the people involved had committed a crime. What happens when that sort of malfeasance is combined with the ability to track any park visitor's location, anywhere in the country? If that happens, we are no longer free in this country.”They added, “I fear for the day when a visitor's National Park experience is interrupted by being pulled over and held at gunpoint because a license plate reader misread their plate.”

The Chicago White Sox’s surprising competence in 2026 means that crosstown series with the Chicago Cubs actually carries some weight this season. With both teams fighting for playoff spots in mid-August, the Cubs and White Sox engaged in a tense first game as they begin their final crosstown series of the regular season.While both teams showed incredible fight in a game that featured five lead changes, it was Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong who turned in the best performance. Crow-Armstrong started off the contest in dominant fashion, homering on the first pitch he saw from White Sox starter Luis Castillo.With the game tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 10th inning, Crow-Armstrong stuck again, belting a two-run, walk-off home run to give the Cubs the 7-5 win. It marked the first time in nearly 70 years a player hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the game and then a walk-off home run on the last pitch of the game. Pete Crow-Armstrong did something last night the baseball world hadn't seen in nearly 70 years 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fwUzRpuKUS— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 18, 2026In addition to those two home runs, Crow-Armstrong added two more hits. He finished the contest 4-for-5, with a single, a double and two home runs. He scored two runs, notched three RBI, stole a base and walked. It was an MVP-caliber performance.Crow-Armstrong may have stolen the show, but the entire game deserves attention. Following back-to-back home runs to open the contest, the Cubs carried a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning. But Randal Grichuk smacked a three-run homer at that point, giving the White Sox a narrow 3-2 lead. The Cubs answered back in the bottom of the fifth, as Nico Hoerner brought in two runs with a single to once again give the Cubs the lead. With the White Sox trailing in the eighth, Andrew Benintendi hit a two-run shot to put the White Sox back on top.The Cubs rallied again in the bottom of the ninth, scoring a run off White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks to tie things at 5-5. After failing to put a run on the board in the top of the 10th inning, the White Sox allowed Crow-Armstrong to end the contest with his walk-off shot in the bottom of the frame. With the performance, Crow-Armstrong pushed his season-long slash line to .281/.379/.550. He’s hit 30 home runs and stolen 31 bases, all while playing fantastic defense in center. All of that combines to make up an 8.2 fWAR, easily the best in baseball.That seems to suggest Crow-Armstrong has an excellent shot to take home the National League MVP award at the end of the season, an award Shohei Ohtani won in his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Ohtani has remained a strong hitter, his numbers have dropped compared to his first two seasons with the team. That, combined with Ohtani missing time as a pitcher, opened the door for someone else to win the MVP this year. Crow-Armstrong has done more than enough to claim that prize.With Crow-Armstrong playing at this level, the Cubs are in excellent shape to make the postseason. The team is trailing the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, but have a six-game lead on the top NL wild-card spot. If Crow-Armstrong can keep up this pace, the Cubs can be a legitimate World Series contender in a stacked NL. If Monday’s performance was any indication, Crow-Armstrong has it in him to put the team on his back when it needs him the most.

Earlier this year, the NFL's sponsorship deals with multiple official sportsbooks expired. A new company has partially filled the void.Via Bill King of Sports Business Journal, the NFL and Fanatics have struck a deal pursuant to which Fanatics will pay the league an undisclosed amount of money to attach The Shield to its stylized flag.The deal is expected to be announced before the start of the regular season. Which makes sense. But for the degenerates who are firmly in denial about their degeneracy, no one is betting on preseason NFL games. The money starts to flow when the games that count start to be played.Previously, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars shared the "exclusive" sportsbook label, which turned the dictionary definition of the term on its head. (At one point, the NFL had seven “exclusive” sportsbook partners.) Per King, negotiations continue with FanDuel and DraftKings, which have become the Coke and Pepsi of American sportsbooks.King explains that the sticking point for FanDuel and DraftKings has been the increase in the price for official streaming data from Genius. Absent a deal with Genius, the sportsbooks can't do a broader deal with the NFL. (Obviously, Fanatics paid whatever Genius is looking for.)Caesars, which apparently isn't trying to do a new deal with the NFL, had previously been the RC Cola in the overall sportsbook market share. Fanatics seems to be stepping into that role, with a clear aspiration to eventually disrupt the two-company dominance on picking the pockets of people who think they can make easy money by betting on sports.None of these companies would be so successful if they were losing money. The house always wins over the long haul, primarily because there are so many people (typically men under 25 without fully-developed frontal cortexes) who have deluded themselves into thinking they'll be the ones to beat the house.

The growth of the Los Angeles Rams has been fascinating to watch as the team looked to build its new fanbase in Southern California, but bridging the gap between the franchise's past roots in the city and the vision of what the future could look like has been nothing short of a success so far.Not only has the team made massive inroads within the city and its rapidly growing fan base, but their on-field success has grown the NFL's profile in Southern California to its most influential status yet. Despite the success, recent Nielsen ratings show the battle the Rams have to fight in a place that has everything to offer.In its first-ever NFL Fandom Index, Los Angeles ranks 29th out of 30 for how avid NFL fans are in each market.The original graphic Nielsen sent out was missing Las Vegas. Updated one below, with Vegas at #23 pic.twitter.com/iAD1LwUHZ5— Ellyn Briggs (@EllynBriggs) August 17, 2026Some point to this as evidence of how passionate a city is about its team. It's important to note that Los Angeles is home to a multitude of professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, along with a plethora of non-sporting events that other cities do not have access to.Thus, drawing interest in a city that has everything to offer can be challenging, especially as a team that moved back to L.A. just 10 years ago.This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams fans rank near bottom in new Nielsen Fandom Index

The most unique ballpark innovation in Major League Baseball this season was conceived through something many millions of people do every day: Doomscrolling on Instagram Last October, Malcolm Rogel, the Seattle Mariners’ vice president of fan experience, started seeing videos of Florence, Italy’s historic buchetta del vino — wine windows carved out of holes in the wall that originated in the 16th and 17th century. Knock on an ancient set of tiny, non-descript wooden doors during operating hours, and get sold a libation in one of the most unique ways possible. Rogel texted Megan Murray, the district manager at Sodexo Live, which operates concessions at the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park, and asked if this concept could be replicated at the stadium.Over the cold, rainy offseason, Rogel and Murray went to work on bringing this idea to life. Rogel’s father-in-law built a wooden door in the shape of home plate. His close friend’s son welded a door knocker in the shape of the Mariners’ classic trident logo. Murray toured the ballpark with Seattle’s liquor control board to get approval for the concept and the location of the door, which opens up to sinks and closets in the back and counter space with enough room for up to seven staffers to safely work within the location’s tight confines.On opening day, the Mariners’ Sea-cret Door was born as a speakeasy selling one specialty cocktail per game, with the concept spread strictly through social media influencers and word of mouth. There’s been no team advertising and no mention of the door on radio or TV broadcasts all season — the door’s location purposefully kept secret to create a sort of scavenger hunt for fans searching for it at the park.While it took until the seventh inning of the first game for the drink special to sell out its roughly 100 orders, now the offering is bought up within the first hour or so, with a full queue forming in about 12-15 minutes. Yet Rogel and Murray decided early on that the door wouldn’t be open every game, and would probably only operate during about 30 of the team’s 81 home games. And when the door isn’t open, the M’s bolt a storage bin in front of the wall to preserve its location and identity.Félix Hernández and Adrián Beltré gave fans quite the surprise at the SEAcret Door 🤩🍹 pic.twitter.com/0s38ueFOyH— T-Mobile Park (@TMobilePark) August 9, 2026“So when it's not open,” Rogel told Yahoo Sports, “you can't even see it in the building. When the door’s not open, people are constantly still looking around the stadium for this little secret door.”The M’s would make a huge return on investment if the door was open every game, but decided early on that pure profit wasn’t the motivating factor here.“We talk about return on experience and and designing this first around the guest experience and later about the economics,” Rogel said. “So much of this goes towards your brand and the perception of what it's like to go to a Mariner game, and this plays more to our brand than just maximizing revenue.”Each game the door is open, there’s a different $20-30 concoction based on a different current event, pop culture theme, or team milestone, from July 4, the World Cup and Pride Night to the launching of the Artemis II spacecraft and even the viral raccoon Jimothy, who had his own dedicated nights earlier this month. The Sodexo Live culinary team usually plans a theme two to three weeks in advance. For the Artemis II cocktail called the Moon Shot, a vodka and coconut milk drink was poured into a rock glass rimmed with gray sugar and topped with a white cloud of cotton candy with a moon man and a chocolate-covered moon attached to the straws with an assist from the ballpark’s pastry chefs. The Mariners have gotten quite creative. To celebrate ‘90s night at T-Mobile Park, Rogel and Murray helped source dozens of full-size mullets to drape over a drink called The Wig Unit, in honor of Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. For Star Wars night, a green cocktail that looked like Yoda was accessorized with lime wedge ears, olive eyes and a toy plastic lightsaber that a fan had brought over two weeks prior. To celebrate the Mariners’ inaugural season of 1977, a French baguette accompanied every French 75 for a creation the team called the French 77. (Courtesy of the Seattle Mariners)“We try to keep beating ourselves over and over again,” Murray told Yahoo Sports. “Like let's make the next one even better than the last one.” The MLB speakeasy trend began to catch on in the beginning of the decade, with varying approaches. When the Los Angeles Dodgers planned a $100 million expansion and renovation of its center field plaza and pavilion in 2019, they wanted to add an exclusive experience to that part of Dodger Stadium. The concept, spearheaded by team president and co-owner Stan Kasten and senior vice president of planning and development Janet Marie Smith, was to transport fans back to when the ballpark first opened in 1962. The space finally opened after the pandemic.The speakeasy’s design is mid-century modern, based on drawings from architect Edward Fickett, whose drawings for a premium club as Dodger Stadium was being built 65 years ago never came to fruition. The outside entrance is lined with lockers from the original 1962 clubhouse, and the oak-paneled interior with gold chandeliers is filled with memorabilia from Hall of Famer and longtime Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda. The showstopping feature is that the club, also known as Tommy’s Bar, features a one-way mirrored view inside the visitors’ bullpen.(Courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers)“This is the only place where you’re standing on level ground with a bullpen pitcher,” Emily Hillery, the Dodgers’ vice president of planning and development, told Yahoo Sports. While the space can be rented on non-game days for a relatively affordable $7,500 for up to 85 people, the 40 or so fans who can get in on game days can’t actually pay for the ability to enter the speakeasy. The Dodgers have a rewards system for season ticket members and single game buyers where fans accumulate points for different purchases, challenges or events. Accumulate enough points, and you can cash them in for a spot in the speakeasy, which sells light bites, beer and craft cocktails for an additional price that you can’t get elsewhere at the stadium. Sometimes when the speakeasy isn’t as busy, Dodgers staffers will go out into the center field plaza and whisper a password to fans for the privilege to enter. “It’s been really popular with the fans and an asset for both the folks going in and the fans who walk by on a day-to-day basis,” Hillery said.As the Soho House-style members club trend exploded in New York City and across the U.S. in the 2020s, the New York Mets opened the Cadillac Club in 2023 to take advantage of the moment and add an element to Citi Field never seen before in MLB. The Mets wanted to redefine what a unique luxury ballpark experience looked like, while simultaneously paying homage to their history, according to Tara Napoli, the team’s senior director of hospitality. So they named the club Payson’s after Joan Payson, the Mets’ original majority owner who became the first woman to purchase control of a club in MLB history.“She had a fan-first mentality and deflected attention away from herself to celebrate the team and the fans first,” Napoli told Yahoo Sports. “This club captures all that, bringing a new era of luxury into Citi Field while integrating sophisticated, optimistic and bold elements reminiscent of classic New York City.”The Cadillac Club sits just beyond the right field warning track and has a separate, nondescript VIP ballpark entrance for the 100 fans lucky enough to get in. The trendy, intimate atmosphere begins when you walk through the entrance into a holding area lounge with a bar, chairs and couches where you can order a drink. You then walk through a tunnel surrounded by brick walls and greenery through a pair of doors and into the club itself, an indoor/outdoor area that includes a communal bar and individual seats with cupholders, video screens and storage compartments under each seat. (Courtesy of New York Mets)Unlike Tommy’s Bar, the Cadillac Club is far from free. While the team did not disclose the price, entrance includes free parking and food and beverage options that includes your traditional ballpark fare but also meat carving, fish dishes, composed salads and dessert from a Michelin star pastry chef. While the initial membership list was limited to 25-30, roughly half the 100 spots are now owned by season ticket members who get assigned seats for every game. And once those fans experience the club, the retention rate for this membership is quite high.“They're not quick to give those seats back,” Napoli said. “That's for sure.”Is the speakeasy concept the future of the MLB ballpark experience? Rogel, the Mariners executive, said representatives from four teams have come to see their Sea-cret Door concept in person and nine or 10 teams have called to talk about it. And not only will the concept be back next season, but the M’s are considering adding an additional door somewhere at T-Mobile Park for 2027. The new attraction could include food and drink pairings, which they’ve done at times this season, or some rotating combination that features local ballpark partners and vendors.The Mets have discussed internally how to create more one-of-a-kind club spaces at Citi Field, but don’t appear close to having any concrete plans to build out an additional speakeasy concept. The Dodgers don’t have any plans either. “It would be popular,” Hillery said, “but for now, we’re happy celebrating the one we’ve got.”Because Rangel found inspiration from his Instagram algorithm, Mariners fans may be looking left and right for the next concession sensation to seemingly appear out of thin air next season. And for other clubs who may be looking to replicate the Sea-cret Door in the not-too-distant future, it might just take one small hole in the wall to create the next viral stadium hit.

Last week, Nick Shook of the league's official website published his preseason power rankings ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Shook clearly believes in the Denver Broncos, ranking them second overall, only trailing the Los Angeles Rams."After falling painfully short of the Super Bowl last season, the Broncos return one of the most complete rosters in the NFL with hope spilling out of their saddlebags," Shook wrote for NFL.com. "There's good reason for the optimism: Their core contributors return on both defense and offense, and they've added a new weapon in explosive receiver Jaylen Waddle. Theoretically, the team that finished 14-3 last season should be even better."Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 15, the Los Angeles Chargers are ranked No. 17 and the Las Vegas Raiders are ranked No. 31. Overall, the Rams are ranked No. 1 and the Miami Dolphins are ranked No. 32 (last). To view the complete power rankings, visit NFL.com. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos are ranked No. 2 in NFL power rankings on league's website

As middle and high school students head back to class for a new school year, combined research shows that affirming teachers and the support of friends are instrumental to a positive school experience for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TGE) students. The research brief, School Experiences and Outcomes Among Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive Young People, is based on two major studies conducted by The Trevor Project and Glisten in 2025 and released on Tuesday. Related Teacher-led initiative guides educators on protecting students amid anti-LGBTQ+ laws “This new research shows us that school environments can play a powerful role in determining whether transgender and nonbinary students thrive or struggle at school,” Dr. Derrick Matthews, Director of Research Science at The Trevor Project, said of the collaboration. “Our findings illuminate a number of serious challenges these students face, ranging from discriminatory policies to absenteeism due to safety concerns. However, these data also provide us with clear and impactful actions that teachers and school officials can take to set transgender and nonbinary students up for success.” Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Responses from TGE students in The Trevor Project’s 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People and Glisten’s 2025 National School Climate Survey reveal that affirmative teachers may be the most impactful element of that success. While over half (56%) of those students reported that their school had at least one policy or practice that was discriminatory towards LGBTQ+ students, nearly all TGE students (97%) reported having at least one supportive educator. Researchers found a direct correlation between the number of supportive faculty and staff students had and TGE students’ performance in school based on GPA. Students with 0 to 5 supportive educators, 6 to 10 supportive educators, and 11 or more supportive educators had estimated GPAs of 3.20, 3.31, and 3.42, respectively. The same effect on GPA was seen with TGE students who had greater connection to LGBTQ+ students at their schools. Students who didn’t know other LGBTQ+ students or reported having no or little connection had an average estimated GPA of 3.23. By comparison, TGE students who reported being somewhat connected or very connected to other LGBTQ+ students reported estimated GPAs of 3.33 and 3.42, respectively. One source of that connection, the research brief says, is an encouraging level of activism and advocacy among TGE students. Over half (51%) of responding students had led at least one activism activity. The number was even greater among BIPOC TGE students: 75% participated in and/or led activities like organizing an event or campaign about LGBTQ+ issues, speaking at a local school board meeting or another public hearing, or serving as a youth member of a school board, task force, committee, or other policymaking or advisory group. Visibility alone encourages well-being, too, interviews with students showed. “Later in the year, a younger student came out to me as questioning their gender,” a transfeminine 12th grader shared in a focus group in Georgia. “They told me that seeing me just being myself, even on tough days, helped them feel less alone.” “The moment really stuck with me. Sometimes I feel like I’m fighting invisible battles every day, but knowing that just living authentically can open the door for someone else, that made everything feel worth it. It reminded me that visibility is not just brave, it’s transformative.” In Texas, a 14-year-old transmasculine student said finding new friends was just that. “I didn’t really have a group of people that I could really hang out with that understood the queer experience like I did. When I started finding other queer people that were like me, and had experienced the same things I had at school this year, it was very welcoming. It was a different vibe. I found out a lot of other things about myself relating to sexuality and gender this year because of my queer friends.” Students may understand their own needs to a greater degree than either school boards or parents would like to admit, research implies. “As schools and districts review policies and practices that affect TGE students, it is critical that students’ voices remain central to decisions that affect their education and well-being,” the brief’s authors write. The research shows that “students know what helps them feel safe and supported: affirming teachers, accepting peers, inclusive spaces, and the ability to be recognized as who they are. “Looking ahead, efforts to improve school climate should prioritize both reducing harmful and discriminatory experiences and expanding the affirming supports that help TGE students belong, participate fully, and succeed.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Nature, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02381-zResearchers grapple with the causes of evolution, and a sea voyage is blighted by storms, in our weekly dip into Nature’s archive.

President Trump told a journalist to “be quiet” at a White House event for a California lifeguard and a boy he saved.

An early glimpse of a pivotal Senate race, heated primaries on a newly redrawn congressional map, and a special election to replace Eric Swalwell will be in the spotlight on Tuesday.

It works like a charm. READ MORE...

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr departs an event in the East Room of the White House, March 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)2026-08-18T13:33:37Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Disney filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights. The suit comes after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr recently defended the agency’s actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest” and the FCC is merely trying to restore that standard. Carr has said the country should have a “trusted, respected news media, and we’re not there.” ABC had accused the agency of a brazen attempt to chill its constitutionally protected free speech — and by extension, that of every media outlet in the country. The network’s July comments came in its latest filing to the agency, expressing its formal opposition to the FCC’s early review, launched in April, of eight ABC local broadcast licenses well before they expire. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to be fired. When the FCC launched its early review of ABC’s licenses in April, it came amid a fight with Kimmel over a joke that offended Trump. The agency cited diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the company. Messages were sent seeking comment to the FCC and ABC. 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

One of the defendants in a national security trial against three Ukrainians accused of acting as agents on behalf of a Russian intelligence service enters the courtroom at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court in Stammheim, northern Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (Marijan Murat/dpa via AP)2026-08-18T13:29:39Z BERLIN (AP) — A Ukrainian national was convicted Tuesday in Germany on charges of espionage and sentenced to a year and three months in prison after being accused of sending packages containing GPS trackers to Ukraine via a Ukrainian postal service in March 2025.Two other defendants, also Ukrainian citizens, were acquitted by the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court, German news agency dpa reported. The men, whose names were not given in line with German privacy laws, were arrested last year in Germany and Switzerland.According to the indictment by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, they were allegedly part of a sabotage plot targeting the service’s transport routes, dpa reported.The presiding judge said in the verdict the court believed the convicted man had arranged for a shipment of two packages containing GPS transmitters in Germany and must have known that they could have been used to spy on targets for acts of sabotage, dpa reported. The defendant also must have realized that he had received the order through an intermediary from a Russian government agency, the judge said, according to dpa.According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, a Russian intelligence service is alleged to have issued the order via intermediaries from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, dpa reported. The aim was to gather information on the parcel delivery service’s routes and transport procedures. According to investigators, the next step for the defendants would have been to send packages containing incendiary devices that would ignite during transport, the indictment says. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, such packages were intended “to ignite in Germany or elsewhere en route to parts of Ukraine not occupied by Russia and cause as much damage as possible in order to undermine the population’s sense of security,” dpa reported. Read More The three men had agreed to send the packages, the indictment alleged, but they were exposed while in the preparatory stages of the attacks. The court found no concrete plans for acts of sabotage.The convicted man will not serve any time in prison because his sentence has already been served during pretrial detention. In a previous case in 2024, Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England.