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A Palestinian vendor offers bottles of diesel for sale in al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)2026-08-20T05:03:12Z CAIRO (AP) — Palestinians face inflated prices for groceries and batteries, hospitals have turned to smugglers for medicine and equipment, and Israeli soldiers and other middlemen are accused of pocketing millions of dollars as the smuggling of goods restricted by Israel into the Gaza Strip has boomed, according to an Associated Press investigation based on court documents and interviews with traders, truckers and officials.Cigarettes and tobacco — banned from entry to Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 — rake in the biggest profits for smugglers and merchants, officials and residents say. But everything from iPhones and solar panels to fuel and anesthetics are also brought into the tiny coastal territory illegally. Israel restricts quantities of some goods and bans others outright. It defines many as “dual use” — including concrete, vehicle parts and X-ray machines — asserting they could be repurposed by Hamas militants for military functions. To build a picture of the illicit trade, The Associated Press analyzed Israeli court documents and spoke to five major traders who import smuggled goods, three merchants who sell them, and two truckers — all on condition of anonymity because of their roles in the illegal smuggling business and concerns about their safety in Gaza. AP also interviewed four Palestinian officials, two on condition of anonymity because of worries about retribution from Israel, Hamas or merchants; two U.N. officials, on condition of anonymity over concern for their jobs; and a dozen Palestinian residents, who spoke about how they get everyday items and their skyrocketing costs. AP StandardsThe AP only uses anonymous sources when the information is vital to the news report and not opinion or speculation. The information must be unavailable except under the conditions of anonymity imposed by the source. The source must be in a position to have accurate information and be approved by a manager. AP found a rush from all sides to profit off the tight restrictions imposed by Israel on Gaza and its 2 million residents, most of whom have been displaced by the war. Smuggling rings — which have long flourished, circumventing two decades of Israeli blockades and building a network of businessmen and collaborators — pull in millions of dollars. Payoffs go to Israeli troops, drivers, warehouse workers and others on both sides of the border, according to traders and court documents.“The occupation has left no other option before us. Smuggling has become routine,” one trader said, noting that some in Israel’s military are willing to help — for a price. “We benefit, they benefit and the people in Gaza benefit because we provide goods, including food, to the market.” Read More The Israeli military said via email that it takes the issue of smuggling “very seriously and works to prevent it.” It said any cases of suspected involvement by Israeli military personnel are “examined and handled in accordance with the law.” But military officials did not answer a list of detailed questions from AP on the roles of soldiers or Gaza’s government in smuggling. Gaza’s Hamas-led government also takes in some of the profit, according to merchants and one Palestinian official. Merchants call it “taxing” — on both smuggled goods and those brought in legally.Mohammad Barbakh, of the Palestinian Economy Ministry in Gaza, told AP the government receives up to 20% of the price of any smuggled goods if the merchant reports them to authorities, and that increases to 80% if the items go unreported and authorities discover them. But he said authorities don’t refer to their cut as “taxes” and that they haven’t taxed goods entering legally since the war’s start. 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. How smuggled goods flow into GazaSince the war began, Israel has tightly controlled all entry of food, aid and goods into the Gaza Strip, including a total aid blockade that shut off entry entirely for nearly three months last year, pushing parts of the territory into famine. The flow of goods has increased since a fragile ceasefire deal went into effect in October but remains well below prewar levels. Besides the U.N. and other humanitarian groups bringing in aid, Israel has given 12 senior traders in Gaza permits to import commercial goods. Contents of shipments must be approved by Israeli authorities, a process aid workers and merchants say can be long and opaque, sometimes ending with a rejection on grounds of “dual use.”The military classifies a list of some 150 broad categories of items as “dual use,” including concrete, asphalt, steel pipes and wooden planks, according to documents provided by COGAT, the military department in charge of coordinating entry of goods into Gaza. In a statement to AP, COGAT said it has let in some “dual use” items including generators and X-ray machines, in specific cases under strict monitoring. Have a news tip? Tell our investigators AP’s global investigative team accepts tips securely and confidentially. Choose the method that works best for you. Email [email protected] Signal +1 (202) 281-8604 Secure and confidential Some senior traders turn to smuggling networks to meet demand in Gaza, where smaller merchants look to sell contraband.Two merchants and a trucker who is part of Gaza’s union told AP that sometimes government agencies ask for specific items to keep functioning — fuel, spare parts for civil defense vehicles or generators. Hospitals also turn to smugglers, for drugs and some equipment. And tribal elders request smuggled goods for their communities, including medicines that are in short supply, a tribal leader told AP, on condition of anonymity over concerns for his safety. Two senior traders and an aide to a third told AP they send lists of contraband goods they want to import to “coordinators” — Israeli and Palestinian middlemen in Israel and the West Bank. Coordinators line up merchandise, then arrange a route into Gaza.Commercial goods and aid mostly go through the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south, where every truck is inspected. The military also has routes in and out of Gaza for its vehicles. Smugglers use both avenues, bribing soldiers to smooth the way for trucks or carry goods in military vehicles, according to the traders and Israeli court documents.Trucks belonging to humanitarian groups are also used sometimes, though less often, according to merchants and Israeli government statements.Smuggling accounts for much of Gaza’s economySmuggling has become vital to Gaza’s economy — it’s a major source of income as most of the population “lost their source of living,” the tribal leader said.Several top merchants estimated that smuggling makes up over half their total operations and can bring in more than 70% of profits.Payments go to many players, including drivers and warehouse workers in Israel and Gaza, said one major trader. “You are paying at every step, plus the price of the goods themselves,” he said.All those costs get passed on to the people in Gaza. Residents say a vehicle battery can go for more than $2,300, compared with $140 prewar. Solar panels sell for $3.25 per watt, from 16 cents a watt.“The smuggling flourished in the second half of 2024 as the market started to dry up,” said Mohamed Abu Taha, a Gaza resident and father of one, noting that chicken, meat, and other food staples were brought in covertly. “Baby formula and pet food were also smuggled.”But perhaps no item is as in demand as cigarettes and tobacco. The price per pack, residents say, has hit as much as $140 recently, and over $1,000 during Israel’s total blockade.“You could find two or three men sharing one cigarette,” Abu Taha said. Some resort to smoking a dried green called molokhia. COGAT did not reply when asked why cigarettes are banned.For smugglers, cigarettes and nicotine products are easy to hide and the potential profit huge. Shipments of thousands of packs have been hidden in Israeli military vehicles, commercial trucks, aid shipments and even hollowed-out pineapples, according to traders, court documents and Israeli official statements.The Hamas-led government is taking in money on smuggled goods, sources sayOn smuggled goods, Gaza’s government profits primarily by taking its percentage of the price but doesn’t engage in commercial smuggling directly or oversee the trade, according to merchants and Barbakh, the economy ministry official.Two major traders said the government demands for money increased since the ceasefire deal. Both said they were summoned by Hamas authorities over goods they smuggled to Gaza over the course of the war. A settlement was reached, and one of the traders said he paid $3.5 million; the other, around $3.75 million.Two senior officials in the Hamas administration said — on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to journalists — the money helps fund social services and pay salaries for the tens of thousands employed in Gaza’s civil service and police force. They estimated up to $100 million had been collected on smuggled goods since the ceasefire.Barbakh said the government doesn’t have exact figures on smuggled goods “because these operations are conducted clandestinely, away from the oversight of relevant authorities.”In response to AP questions, Ismail al-Thawabta of the government’s media office said none of the collected funds go to Hamas’ military wing. He said all resources are directed to providing services to people and “maintaining the continuity of public facilities under the exceptional circumstances in the Gaza Strip.”The government destroys any expired goods it confiscates, including groceries.But the two senior officials — as well as two merchants and one trucker — told AP that Hamas sells confiscated cigarettes. Al-Thawabta did not respond when asked about the claim.‘He is the master,’ an official says of one smuggling coordinatorSmugglers appear to wield enormous influence. In court documents, Israeli prosecutors pointed to one mysterious smuggler known only as Abu Bassel who they said has “numerous connections within the Israel Police.”In one instance described in the documents, Israeli police stormed a warehouse in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank full of cellphones and cigarettes that smugglers were loading onto trucks for Gaza. One of the smugglers called Abu Bassel and handed the phone to an officer, the document says, and after a conversation, police called off the raid, leaving without arresting anyone or confiscating any goods.All of those who spoke to AP said Abu Bassel is the smuggling world’s biggest coordinator. They also said they knew nothing about him — his real name, whether he was Israeli or from the Palestinian territories, or how he built his network.“He is the master,” a senior Gaza Chamber of Commerce official said. “Nothing can enter Gaza without his stamp.”One Gaza merchant said he has spoken by phone with Abu Bassel but wouldn’t provide AP the number. He said the shadowy figure uses connections with the military and intelligence to resolve problems for shipments. “Many police raids have been thwarted because of him.”The Israeli court documents also have no details about Abu Bassel’s identity but said he uses an aid organization, Al-Mughtarib Al-Falastini, as a cover. The group denied in a Facebook post that it was involved in smuggling.Israeli indictments show some of the scope of smugglingSince late 2025, Israeli authorities have broken up several alleged smuggling rings, indicting more than a dozen people, including reserve soldiers operating in Gaza. But the traders, merchants and truckers who spoke to AP say that’s only a fraction of those involved.In one of the biggest cases, prosecutors accused two Israeli brothers, Eliran and Avi Algarabli; business partner Yaron Peretz; and another Israeli of running a smuggling ring out of the central town of Kiryat Gat.According to a series of indictments against them and others, they’re accused of bribing reserve soldiers in Gaza, chief among them Bezalel Zini, brother of the head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s powerful domestic security agency.The documents say Zini was a commander in a military engineering unit. The ring allegedly paid Zini the equivalent of about $120,000 to smuggle three shipments totaling some 6,000 packs of cigarettes in his vehicle, according to the indictments. Two other reservists enlisted by the ring ran four trips into Gaza in one day, ferrying in 20,000 packs of cigarettes, hundreds of iPhones and medical equipment, the indictments say.Court documents assert that millions of dollars are changing hands in smuggling rings. The Algarabli brothers earned some $2.2 million from a series of smuggling runs from October to December, when they were arrested, documents say. Other defendants in cases are accused of making $1 million to $3 million.Gaza residents question why items are bannedFor Gaza residents, living through another summer with limited resources has become almost unbearable.Fans that once cost $100 can run $500.“When we ask the merchants why they don’t import fans, they say the Israeli army refuses to allow them in because they’re dual use,” resident Mohamed Abu Olwan said.Mohamed Abuel-Enein, a displaced man from the southern city of Rafah, said that’s illogical.“I don’t understand the harm in allowing fans through the crossings,” he said.“What would they make with them? Rockets? We can’t live in these tents. All day long, we use cardboard to light a fire, or we splash water on the children because of the heat.”____Associated Press journalists Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah, Gaza; Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel; and Lee Keath in Cairo contributed. SAMY MAGDY Magdy is a Middle East reporter for The Associated Press, based in Cairo. 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A person walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)2026-08-20T05:13:34Z HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares advanced Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains, and South Korea’s benchmark Kospi jumped more than 6%.U.S. futures edged higher after the U.S. Treasury Department said it would at least double the size of planned purchases of longer-term government debt.That could ease pressure on share prices emanating from the bond market since the purchases would push bond prices higher, helping to bring down yields.The Kospi surged 6.1% to 6,858.91 after sinking 5.8% on Wednesday on renewed selling of shares related to artificial intelligence.Samsung Electronics jumped 9.7%, while memory chipmaker SK Hynix surged 14.1% after the company announced a significant share buyback plan.Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.3% to 66,178.26, reversing declines earlier in the week. Japan reported it logged a trade deficit for a third straight month in July, as both imports and exports hit record highs. Shares of OpenAI investor SoftBank Group, a Japanese multinational investment holding firm, added 3.8%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 1.1% to 25,786.32, while the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.3% to 3,905.23.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.3% to 9,066.40. Taiwan’s Taiex was nearly unchanged and India’s Sensex climbed 0.7%.Yields on U.S. government bonds fell after the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement on its expanded plans in government debt buybacks. Bond yields fall when bond prices rise in an inverse relation.The move appeared to mollify investors worried over rising yields. On Wednesday, the benchmark S&P 500 climbed 0.2% for its first gain in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite also rose 0.2%. Read More Yields have risen in recent months over growing concerns about inflation stemming from the monthslong war in Iran and ballooning government debt, among other factors.The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury fell to nearly 4.64% from 4.71% on Tuesday, although it’s still well above its levels from before the start of the war in Iran. The 30-year Treasury yield fell to 5.18% on Thursday, from 5.28% on Tuesday. In Asia, bond yields also eased after the U.S. Treasury’s announcement. Japan’s 10-year government bond yield fell to around 2.83% from more than 2.89% on Wednesday. It had been trading near 30-year highs. 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. Oil prices rose slightly early Thursday as there was little progress made in U.S.-Iran negotiations over the war. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 0.3% to $91.90 a barrel. It was trading at roughly $72 per barrel before the war.U.S. benchmark crude edged 0.2% higher to $84.57 a barrel. The U.S. dollar rose to 158.60 Japanese yen from 158.16 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1676, down from $1.1677.___AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed to this report. CHAN HO-HIM Chan writes about business and economy in China for The Associated Press, reporting on key sectors of the world’s second-largest economy from trade and technology to autos. He is based in Hong Kong. mailto

The wreckage of an old steam boat, known as the Slovenian, is visible due to the low level of the Sava river near the town of Sremska Mitrovica, northwest of the capital Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)2026-08-20T05:07:38Z SREMSKA MITROVICA, Serbia (AP) — The wreck of a steam tugboat dating from the early 1900s is the latest relic to emerge from shrinking waters in Serbia as Europe’s rivers run dry, with the continent engulfed in prolonged, extreme heat and drought.The rusting hull — once a famed vessel known as the Slovenian — surfaced earlier this month from the Sava River near the Serbian town of Sremska Mitrovica, 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of the capital of Belgrade. While parts have appeared above the surface before, the locals say the wreck has never been so exposed.“It’s been several years since it was last seen, so there is quite an interest,” said historian Andrija Popovic, who is the head of the town museum. “It’s truly something you don’t see every day,” he added about the boat, which has been dubbed “Sava’s Titanic” by Serbian media.Warships, mammoth bones and parts of ancient constructions all have emerged from the slumping waters of the Danube, the Rhine and other rivers in the scorching drought that has also disrupted trade, power and water supplies.A record-low Danube River has severely impacted nuclear power plants in Hungary and Romania and halted traffic along Europe’s second-largest waterway. A monthslong drought has ravaged crops from the Netherlands to Bosnia and caused water shortages that extend as high as the Alps. The ship survived two World Wars before it sank According to Popovic, the Slovenian was made in 1913 in a shipyard in Budapest, Hungary, then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. It measured roughly 54 meters (177 feet) in length and was initially named Vag, which is Hungarian for Slovakia’s longest river, Vah. With a steam engine, the boat pulled heavy cargo between Budapest and other towns along the Danube. During World War I, the boat largely paused its routes, Popovic added. As the war ended and the Austro-Hungarian empire was dismantled, the boat’s ownership switched to the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians — which would later become Yugoslavia — as part of war reparations, he said.“This is when it was renamed the Slovenian,” Popovic said, adding that it’s a mystery “why this name was chosen.” Read More Then, during World War II, the Slovenian — and its new country — came under Nazi German occupation. After Yugoslav anti-fascist forces liberated Belgrade in 1944, they used the boat to transfer the wounded and equipment while pushing German troops further west, Popovic said. The boat was carrying wounded fighters when it hit a German mine in late April 1945, Popovic said. “It sank and has stayed in the same place since that day.” A shrinking Danube surrenders German ships and mammoth bonesThe Slovenian is not the only relic that has emerged from Europe’s drying rivers.On Serbia’s eastern border with Romania, rusty remains of German ships are sticking out from the slumped Danube waters. Some still laden with weapons, the ships belonged to Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk near the end of the war as German troops retreated from Romania and Soviet forces advanced deeper into Europe.In Italy, the worst drought in 70 years has exposed the piers of an ancient bridge over the Tiber River once used by Roman emperors but which fell into disrepair by the third century.As the Danube waters shrank in Bulgaria, researchers were thrilled to find and recover a jawbone, tusks, a shoulder blade, ribs and other bone fragments belonging to an extinct woolly mammoth buried deep in the sand. 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. Experts seek ways to prepare for more extreme weatherEurope is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.Half of the European Union and the United Kingdom was experiencing drought by late July 2026, according to the EU’s European Drought Observatory, with 9% of the territory at the most severe “alert” level. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness. Serbian hydrology expert Dejan Vladikovic said the current drought is the combination of a lack of winter snow and a very dry spring. “What awaits us in the future ... is that such situations will be more frequent,” he said. “We are entering periods when this will, unfortunately, become a new normalcy.” Even the mountains are suffering. In the Slovenian Alps, lodges that depend on rainwater have restricted the use of water for climbers and hikers, including for showers and toilets. The Triglav Lodge, Slovenia’s highest-altitude guest hut at an elevation of 2,515 meters (8,251 feet), is using paper plates this summer to save water on dishes.

Napoli open talks with Chelsea over a deal for out-of-favour striker Nicolas JacksonNapoli have entered the race to sign out-of-favour Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the Serie A club has contacted Chelsea to inquire about what it would take to sign the Senegal international.Jackson is among several centre-forwards Napoli are considering. Contacts between Napoli and Chelsea have been confirmed, although there is currently no indication that the Italian club have made a formal offer for the 25-year-old striker.Chelsea reportedly value Jackson at around £60 million, which could put off interested clubs.The Blues are looking to cash in on the Senegalese striker and have offered him to several clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa.However, none of them have made any concrete move to sign Jackson, so Napoli’s interest could be important for Chelsea as they look to create genuine competition for the Senegalese striker.The two clubs are already involved in another deal.Napoli have agreed to take centre-back Benoit Badiashile on a season-long loan. The agreement reportedly includes a £2.6m loan fee and an option to buy worth around £23m.A second negotiation involving Jackson could now develop, although Napoli must first make room in their squad and budget. The club are working on potential departures, including Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca, and those sales could determine whether they can make a serious move for another forward.Jackson’s future has become increasingly uncertain after he was left out of Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad. He has also been training separately from the rest of the Chelsea first team squad while his future is being sorted out.Joao Pedro scored twice in that game and ended the summer with seven goals, although it was never in doubt that he’d go into the new campaign as Chelsea’s first-choice striker.Atletico are keeping an eye on Jackson’s situation as they fight to keep Julian Alvarez away from Barcelona. They could return for the Chelsea star if they lose Alvarez to Barca.Meanwhile, Villa have been exploring striker options in case Ollie Watkins leaves.

Left to right: Matthew, Oliver and Oakley all train together in Ipswich [Darren Rozier/BBC]Three boys from Suffolk are heading to San Francisco to represent the UK at the Pokemon World Championships.Oliver, 15, Matthew, 14, and Oakley, nine, have qualified to compete at the event in the US between 28 and 30 August. They have trained together at Mulligan Game Cafe in Ipswich, with Oliver and Matthew due to compete in the Trading Card Game (TCG) competition and Oakley in the video game event.The boys are all within the top 16 players in Europe and they said they were excited to be heading across the Atlantic.It has been 30 years since the Pokemon phenomenon sparked in Japan.The first video games were released on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1996, with the card game released the same year.The games, which involve "pocket monsters" battling against each other, are still loved today by millions of people - and have become such a sensation that some schools have had to ban children from bringing cards on to the playground.People have been playing with the trading cards for 30 years [Darren Rozier/BBC]The world championship event is invite-only, requiring a year of qualifying events against thousands of players.Matthew explained that he was introduced to the trading cards in school."In primary school in about year two, I saw people trading cards and I got into it," he said."Then when people left I didn't stop collecting."At some point, people here [at Mulligan Game Cafe] were playing and I wanted to learn."The teenager said he was excited at being able to explore San Francisco, and encouraged others wanting to get into the game to work hard."You just have to play a lot and go to a lot of events... you have to practice a lot," he said.Pokemon TCG is a two-player game where opponents use 60-card decks to battle the monsters, until one player claims victory.The video game sees a virtual battle of the Pokemon.Nine-year-old Oakley will compete on the Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch [Darren Rozier/BBC]Oakley said his dad introduced him to the video games. "Eventually he got me the Shining Pearl [game] on the [Nintendo] Switch," he said."I played through the whole game and liked it."He was then taken to a tournament in London where he became hooked.The US event will be his second time on the world stage, having similarly competed last year where he ended up in the top 16.The boys all expressed their passion for Pokemon and have been playing for years [Darren Rozier/BBC]Meanwhile, Oliver started playing the cards after he was taught by his stepdad."Eventually I started going on YouTube... I learnt the proper decks that everyone is playing," he said."I stuck to it for a while, and then I got better and better over time."This is similarly his second world event, and while he knows there will be all the top competitors there he said he wanted to win.Baz Cloud, from Mulligan Game Cafe, said the boys were all fantastic [Darren Rozier/BBC]Baz Cloud is the store manager at Mulligan Game Cafe."It's absolutely fantastic, I'm a little bit jealous to be honest," he said of the three boys."I've been playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game since the late '90s when it first came out."Seeing that there's young people coming in every Wednesday to play, having fun, and engaging with the game systems in different ways, is the reason I took the job in the first place. "It reminds me to have that passion, still."Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story 11-year-old heads to Pokemon World ChampionshipPokémon World Championships 2025: Everything you need to knowPokémon at 30: Fans explain what the series means to them Related internet links Pokemon World Championships

Romano: United’s business ‘absolutely not over’, they’re already preparing for deal after Baleba is wrapped upFabrizio Romano has assured Manchester United fans that the club’s summer business will not conclude with the arrival of Carlos Baleba.Instead, they are also looking at bringing in a defender and a forward.United scouring the market for additional signingsWeighing in on the Red Devils’ situation on YouTube, Romano revealed: “Manchester United’s summer is absolutely not over.“They are expected to do more on different targets. [A] left-back and striker are being looked at.”In regard to who exactly they might sign, United fans are well aware that Myles Lewis-Skelly is being linked with a move to Old Trafford.Arsenal approached Chelsea and United recently to see whether either side would be interested in buying the Englishman, despite being one of their most highly-rated youngsters.Lewis-Skelly tipped for Arsenal departureLewis-Skelly leaving would generate pure profit for the Gunners, which would come as a welcome boost after shelling out £75 million on Bruno Guimaraes.The 19-year-old is, however, keen to stay and prove himself at the Emirates, even though he was limited to just five Premier League starts last term.Lewis-Skelly’s Premier League record last season (Transfermarkt)INEOS would prefer to sign Lewis Hall, 21, over the Arsenal graduate, but face an uphill battle in their pursuit due to Newcastle United’s reluctance to sell.Forward-wise, it remains to be seen where United will turn their attention.Michael Carrick’s options have already been boosted by the return of Marcus Rashford, albeit it’s not set in stone that he stays at the club in the final fortnight of the window.Should an offer arrive that meets United’s demands, it’s likely they would accept it in order to have his £350,000-a-week wages removed from the books.Leave a ReplyCancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name *Email *Notify me of follow-up comments by email.Notify me of new posts by email.

Manchester City are reportedly set to bid for a World Cup winner but is it a move that is doomed to fail?It is no secret by now that Enzo Maresca wants to bring Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City. Maresca knows Fernandez well from their time working together at Chelsea and City are in the midst of rebuilding their midfield. Chelsea’s self-imposed deadline of 5pm last Friday for written offers of £120 million to be submitted for Enzo Fernandez has long passed. However, it has now been reported that Manchester City could be on the verge of submitting an offer to Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez. You do wonder if City do bid for Enzo Fernandez, is it a move that is ultimately doomed to fail?Manchester City are reportedly set to test Chelsea’s resolve to keep Enzo Fernandez.It has been reported that Manchester City may be set to test Chelsea’s resolve to keep Enzo Fernandez. Martha Riley has reported for TalkSport that City intend to submit a bid for the midfielder that Enzo Maresca wants to add to his sqaud. Furthermore, it is reported that City sources believe Chelsea could be open to selling Enzo Fernandez despite their self-imposed deadline having passed. However, Riley does report that Chelsea are working off the notion that Enzo Fernandez will remain a Chelsea player for next season.It remains to be see if City bid for Enzo Fernandez as reported, however it may be a move that may not come together.Manchester City’s interest in signing Enzo Fernandez is now well documented. However, you do sense that City’s opportunity to sign the Argentinian international may have passed. Chelsea had laid their terms out for selling Enzo Fernandez. Manchester City didn’t make a move that lined up with the deadline that Chelsea had set. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will bend and accept an offer for Enzo Fernandez. Especially now that it seems like the £120 million fee set is off the table.Manchester City may have to shift their attention elsewhere in their bid to sign another midfielder if Chelsea have no intention of selling Enzo Fernandez. Perhaps, there is a chance that Chelsea could sell Fernandez for a suitable fee. However, that is where the issue lies. Sam Lee has reported for The Athletic that City have no intention of paying £120 million to sign Enzo Fernandez. It is hard to see Chelsea accepting a bid that is less than that figure. So perhaps any City bid to sign Enzo Fernandez is doomed to fail based on that fact alone.

'Put it on my bathroom door': Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson find unique solution to sharing five-wicket haul match ball originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson took five wickets each as England bowled Pakistan out for 171 at Headingley.It was the first time since 2006 that two England bowlers took five-wicket hauls in the same Test innings.With one match ball between them, the pair came up with a rather unusual solution - splitting it in half.Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson share match ball after rare five-wicket doubleEngland’s first day at Headingley in their Test match against Pakistan resulted in a unique performance bowling feat, with Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson taking five wickets each.Robinson took 5-51 and Tongue took 5-46 in the game, dismissing Pakistan for 171 in under 50 overs. Tongue and Robinson became the first England pair since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar in 2006 to share 10 wickets in a Test innings.This led to an odd debate over which bowler was to keep the ball used in the innings. Instead of selecting one of the bowlers, on the recommendation of the bowlers themselves, the groundsman decided to make a unique move by cutting the ball into two pieces so that both players could have a piece of the ball.MORE:Broad dishes out ultimate insult to Pakistan, predicts whitewash for EnglandTongue jokes about putting half the ball on his bathroom doorSpeaking in an interview aired by England Cricket, Tongue shed light on how the notion emerged."Well, we sort of walked off the pitch, didn't we? And you (Robinson) were like, what should we do? And we were like, oh boy, we'll just split it in half. So I think the groundsman did it. It's actually worked perfect," he said.Tongue humourously added: "I don't know what I'm going to do with it. I'll either get it mounted or put on my bathroom door handle."Likewise, Robinson was quite amused with such an unusual memento."Yeah, I don't know. I'd probably like stick it somewhere. But it's quite good. I think when we walked off, it's not often you get half a ball. So it's something that we'll remember forever, really. It's quite unique. So yeah, it's quite cool," he said.So, what did they do with the match ball? 🤔A simple solution to a unique problem!Click below for the full interview:— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 19, 2026MORE:Pakistan's first-ball Test dismissals: Azan Awais joins rare listEngland's bowlers put Pakistan under pressureThe five-wicket hauls by Tongue and Robinson were the best part of their impressive bowling performance, during which England chose to bowl after winning the toss.Right from the outset, Robinson proved to be effective, as he claimed a wicket with the very first delivery and went on to claim four out of Pakistan's top five batsmen. Tongue then finished off the tail with his pace.Pakistan went down from 97-2 to 171 all out, with only one big score by Abdullah Shafique (61).England came back strong after tea as they scored 112-2 in the last session of the day. Joe Root was not out at 37, while debutant Jordan Cox scored 23 runs without getting out.For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

Live: Supercup press conference with Lars Ricken and Niko KovacBefore the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup match, Niko Kovac (head coach) and Lars Ricken (sporting managing director) will answer questions from the journalists in attendance. You can watch the press conference live here from 1 p.m.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Jose Mourinho has already identified six guaranteed starters at Real Madrid – reportReal Madrid do not have long left before the new La Liga season officially gets underway, and Jose Mourinho will be keen to get off to a winning start.The Portuguese tactician has had a productive pre-season period despite many players returning at different times.Jose has also welcomed as many as six new players into his fold, with players like Carlos Espi and Denzel Dumfries in particular already making an impression.Now, according to Javi Herraez on El Larguero, Mourinho has already established the core of his Real Madrid starting XI.Six places already locked inThibaut Courtois, Marc Cucurella, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Yan Diomande and Jude Bellingham are viewed as Mourinho’s fixed starters.This list already offers a clear picture of the players Mourinho sees as central to his project.Courtois remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, while Cucurella’s stature sees him walk into the team as the left-back.Jose Mourinho has his untouchables at Real Madrid. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)Further forward, the front four pick themselves, especially in the absence of Rodrygo, who is still recovering from an ACL injury.The real competition is elsewhereIf those six positions are effectively settled, the biggest questions remain in the centre of defence, at right-back and in the double pivot.Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger are competing for centre-back places, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries continue to battle on the right.Midfield is even more open.Fede Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Aurelien Tchouameni are all strong candidates to occupy the two deeper roles, with Eduardo Camavinga also pushing for minutes.That means Mourinho still has major decisions to make before his strongest XI becomes completely clear.Signings could further change the hierarchyBellingham will be among regular starters under Mourinho. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)Although it looks unlikely, exits could prompt Madrid to make further signings in the market, which could further change the proposition.Los Blancos have done exceedingly well in retaining most of their star players, especially Vinicius, and it would come as quite a surprise to see someone leave now.It is clear that Jose has a list of candidates he considers favourites for his team, but there is also the risk of them getting too comfortable.Even if those six are guaranteed starters, every single player needs to work and prove that they deserve to play every single minute.A manager like Jose will not take long to rip up the list and write up a new one if things are not working, and it remains to be seen how his plans change over the course of the season.

Happy birthday, Riccardo Ferri!A life with Inter, defined by passion, character and an unbreakable bond with the Club: Riccardo Ferri was a mainstay of the Nerazzurri defence for 13 seasons, playing his part in some of the most memorable moments in Inter's history. Having come through the Nerazzurri youth system, Ferri made his first-team debut at the age of 18, beginning a long journey in an Inter shirt. A centre-back known for his character, determination and positional awareness, he made 418 appearances between 1981 and 1994. During those years, he played a leading role in unforgettable triumphs such as the record-breaking 1988/89 Scudetto, followed by the Supercoppa Italiana and two UEFA Cups, in 1991 and 1994, firmly establishing his place in Inter's history. Since July 2022, he has served as First Team Club Manager, continuing his long-standing connection with the Nerazzurri colours.Born in Crema on 20 August 1963, Riccardo Ferri turns 63 today. Happy birthday from everyone at FC Internazionale Milano and the entire Nerazzurri faithful!

TimesofIndia.com in Galle: The match was over. The formalities were completed, and both teams had already left the stadium. The broadcast crew was busy packing up for the next game, but the work was only getting started for Manjula and the 130 groundstaff at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. It rained immediately after the two teams completed their handshakes, but unlike the preceding week, there was no urgency to cover the square or the ground. Overseeing operations, Manjula stood on top of the advertising board and kept a close eye as the covers were neatly folded and parked after a week of intense activity.Since India and Sri Lanka arrived in the coastal city for the series opener, rain has appeared frequently enough to keep Manjula and his team on their toes. Not all of them are employees of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Only 16 are permanent staff in Galle, while 10 came from Hambantota to help with the international fixture. The remaining staff were hired as daily workers."We have 16 permanent employees and 10 come from Hambantota whenever an international match comes to Galle. For the rest, we hire daily workers for the duration of the match and practice sessions, and they are paid between 2,500 LKR and 4,000 LKR per day for the work," says Manjula.From anticipation to execution, the groundstaff stuck to their methods and ensured there was no chaos, even during a heavy downpour. The average time they take to cover the entire ground is less than five minutes, and they work quickly depending on the situation. They look for cues, observe the cloud behaviour and are always staring towards the Indian Ocean near the Galle Fort."We keep our eyes there," he says, pointing towards the ocean near the fort. "When clouds start building up, we know it's coming. Then we are ready and wait for the official signal to start covering the pitch, square, run-up and then the entire ground. That's the order we follow.""The reaction time is very important," he adds.When the groundstaff run from all directions, dragging the covers, the synchronised effort is a sight. The first batch, covering the pitch and square, times their runs so there is no overlapping, and speed cannot be compromised because the run-up and the remainder of the field must be covered next. These are anything but light covers, and a 100x100 piece can weigh over 650 kg. Add to this the challenges of wind and rain."These are not light," Manjula says with a laugh. "They are well over 650 kg each for a 100x100 piece, and there are about 28 pieces we have to cover the entire ground and ensure no damage is done to the outfield."While the covers are heavy enough to stay grounded on their own, heavy crosswinds present a challenge, and the next step is to carefully place heavy rubber tyres to keep the covers in place. More than 300 tyres are ready to be rolled onto the ground the moment rain arrives."We keep these tyres over the covers because, as you have seen, it does get very windy. All this has to happen within a few minutes because the ground can't be exposed for a long time. Sometimes showers are short but very strong. So reaction is key," explains Manjula while pointing towards the tyres placed behind the LED boards.Removing the covers is also a work of art. They are not recklessly peeled off but carefully rolled out with enough waves to ensure water is deposited near the ropes and doesn't spill onto the field.In addition to the groundstaff and their incredible performance, the Galle International Stadium has four functional Super Soppers that work their magic the moment the rain stops and the outfield needs preparation for resumption. In the last week, all the pieces came together seamlessly, and the field showed no sign of interruption.Most will be without work from Thursday, and some will travel back to Hambantota, but their relentless efforts deserve applause as they ensured crucial time wasn't lost.

Deco confirms Barcelona are not done in the transfer market: ‘We are going to make a move’Barcelona are still active in the transfer market, and sporting director Deco has made it clear that the club’s summer business may not be over just yet.The Catalan giants have already made headlines with their recruitment, including the arrival of Rodri. However, the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have left Deco and the Barcelona sporting department with very different problems to solve.While the club believe they have enough options to deal with Ferran’s exit, replacing a striker of Lewandowski’s level is another matter altogether.Deco did not hide the scale of the challenge when discussing Barcelona’s transfer plans.“We’ve lost two players up front, Lewandowski and Ferran. “I think we can find solutions for Ferran with the signings we’ve made. Robert’s situation is much more difficult; it’s very hard to replace a player like him,” explained Deco.Deco confirms Barcelona are preparing another moveDeco confirms Barcelona will make a move in the transfer market. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)There has been no shortage of speculation around Barcelona’s next signing, particularly when it comes to the centre-forward position.Deco did not name a specific target, but he did confirm that work is continuing behind the scenes.“There’s a lot of speculation, but we’re going to make a move,” he said.Furthermore, when asked directly about the possibility of bringing in another forward, Deco suggested that Barcelona could use players already available to them. At the same time, he made it clear that the sporting department is not closing the door on a new signing.“We have options within the squad, but we have to keep looking,” said the Barça executive.Rodri signing shows Barcelona are ready to reactDeco also addressed Barcelona’s decision to sign Rodri, admitting that the midfielder was not originally part of the club’s transfer plans.Rodri was not in Barcelona’s plans. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)“It wasn’t part of our plans,” he admitted.However, the situation changed once Barcelona saw a genuine opportunity to bring him in.Explaining the thinking behind the deal, Deco said, “We’re pleased. Before signing him, we talked and discussed it at length. “At first it wasn’t part of our plans, but we saw that it was an opportunity. He’ll improve the team considerably.”Deco also rejected the idea that Barcelona signed Rodri simply because of Real Madrid’s interest in the player.“We haven’t snatched him from Madrid,” he concluded.Source: SPORT

“Man, you know you’re depressed when you’re texting an old hookup from seven years ago,” Fallon said of the president and North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.

Manav Suthar scripted a remarkable piece of Indian Test history on Wednesday (August 19), becoming the first spinner and only the second Indian cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul in both his first home and first away Tests.The 24-year-old Rajasthan spinner had announced himself on the international stage on his Test debut against Afghanistan in Mullanpur on June 6, 2026, taking six wickets in the first innings. He continued his impressive start on his first overseas assignment against Sri Lanka in Galle, where he finished with 10 wickets across the Test played from August 15 to 19.Suthar returned figures of 4 for 76 in Sri Lanka's first innings before producing a match-defining spell in the second innings. He picked up six wickets for just 55 runs as India completed a 165-run victory.His achievement puts him in an exclusive club that previously had only one member.Mohammad Nisar was the first Indian to accomplish the feat. Nisar made his Test debut against England at Lord's on June 25, 1932, and took 5 for 93 in the first innings. He went on to become the first Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.Nisar's first home Test came against England in Mumbai from December 15, 1933. He again produced a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 90 in the first innings.For 94 years, no other Indian had managed to take five wickets in both his first home and first away Tests. Suthar has now matched Nisar's rare achievement.His performance in Galle also placed him alongside two of India's most successful Test spinners. By taking six wickets in the second innings, Suthar became only the third Indian to claim a six-wicket haul in a Test innings in Sri Lanka, following Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh.Suthar ended the match with outstanding figures of 10 for 131 from 54.2 overs. In the process, he broke Harbhajan's record for the best bowling figures by an Indian in a Test played in Sri Lanka.Harbhajan had taken 10 for 153 in Galle during the July-August 2008 Test.Suthar also became the youngest Indian to claim a 10-wicket haul in a Test match. He is now the third Indian after Harbhajan and Ashwin to take 10 wickets in a Test in Sri Lanka.However, the overall record for the best match figures by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka remains with South Africa's Keshav Maharaj. The left-arm spinner took 12 for 283 against Sri Lanka in the July 2018 Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.At just 24, Suthar has already made his mark in several statistical record books, with his breakthrough performance in Galle adding another significant chapter to his young Test career.

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Former Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura became the oldest scorer in Emperor's Cup ‌history on Wednesday when the 59-year-old netted ‌two penalties in Fukushima United's 7-0 victory over amateur side ​Oyama Soccer Club. At 59 years, 5 months and 24 days, Miura surpassed the record held by former Japan midfielder Shinji Ono, who was 41 when ‌he scored in ⁠the competition. Miura, nicknamed 'King Kazu' and now in his 42nd season as a professional, ⁠had scored his first competitive goal in nearly four years in the qualifying rounds of the tournament ​last month. The ​veteran forward opened the ​scoring from the spot ‌in the 12th minute of Wednesday's first-round match and added a second penalty 10 minutes into the second half before being substituted three minutes later. "You never know when it might be your turn," ‌he told reporters. "That's why ​I practise them all the ​time. I'm glad ​it paid off." Miura began his professional career ‌in Brazil in 1986 ​and has since ​played in Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. The striker scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for ​Japan and ‌joined third-division club Fukushima from Yokohama FC earlier ​this year. (Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; ​Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Premier League chief insists Man City 115-charge case is ‘not necessarily a topic of conversation with other clubs’ as wait for verdict drags onThe 115-charge case against Manchester City continues to rumble on with no end in sight. Still, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters insists the case is not dominating conversations with rival clubs.Man City’s hearing over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations concluded in December 2024.However, the independent panel has still not delivered its decision. The club denies all wrongdoing.Masters said the case was not necessarily a top topic of conversation when he speaks to clubs, pointing out that plenty of other issues are occupying their attention as the new season approaches.The Premier League chief was also asked about the length of the process, having previously admitted to being frustrated at how long the case has taken. His latest response offered little hope of an imminent conclusion.“The process is the process,” Masters said (via the Daily Mail).“It will resolve itself.” He added that he could not discuss either the substance or timing of the case, insisting the verdict would arrive “as long as it takes”.That response will do little to ease the frustration surrounding a case of enormous significance to English football.To say that City’s 115 charges are not high on the agenda because clubs have lots of other things to talk about feels like downplaying an issue that could have major consequences for the Premier League.Four clubs have reportedly reserved the right to seek compensation if City are found guilty, while the outcome could potentially involve historic sporting and financial penalties.The wait has become ridiculous. City were charged more than three years ago and their hearing finished in December 2024. Yet, in August 2026, football is still waiting.Masters may insist the process must take its course, but supporters and clubs deserve better than as long as it takes. At some point, accountability requires an answer.

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 19: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Jose Fernandez #11 and Nolan Arenado #28 after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images I’ve talked before about the idea of a “stopper” as a pitcher in a starting rotation who can halt a losing streak by at least giving their team a chance to win. In my mind, it’s a separate idea from a starting pitching ace who might be expected to have a wholly different level of pitching production. If there was ever a team in desperate need of a “stopper” performance, it would be the Diamondbacks at this point in the season. Even after a series win in Atlanta over the weekend, they have come into Boston and gotten knocked around on both sides of the ball by allowing a combined 20 runs in the first two games and scoring just five in response. We’ve seen over the past two years how important each win can be – especially in a National League Wild Card that is incredibly tight and also has seen the D-Backs drop back in – so avoiding a sweep was absolutely necessary. And that’s to say nothing of the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Ketel Marte’s status for the remainder of the season. This afternoon certainly wasn’t pretty, but the team did manage to accomplish the mission.While Brandon Pfaadt may not necessarily pop off the page as a “stopper,” he has been one of the reasons for the team’s surge over the past month or so. He’s pitched to an absurd 1.22 ERA (2.56 FIP) over his last seven starts going back to July 10th – which coincides nearly exactly with the last time the team was .500 or worse. One of the keys to that success: Pfaadt hadn’t allowed a home run since his first start back from Reno, a stretch of 49.1 IP. So naturally, he allowed three home runs on the day – a pair of solo shots and a three-run shot that ended his start. The first of those solo shots from Nick Sogard in fact came on the very first pitch of the game – a 93 MPH center-center fastball that Sogard launched for his very first career homer. He nearly repeated the feat when Jarren Duran launched the first pitch he saw of the third inning into the stands, but this one was an elevated fastball instead of center cut. And finally, Pfaadt was victimized by the seemingly unstoppable Mickey Gaspar who homered for the third straight game, although this roundtripper was a three-run instead of a solo shot that tied the game and ended Pfaadt’s night.Even as Pfaadt was being pecked to death by solo home runs, the Arizona offense looked pretty ineffectual the first time through the lineup with three hits and a walk. Their best scoring opportunity in the third was snuffed out when Jose Fernandez elected to try and score on a slow bouncer to third base and was easily tagged out. Thankfully, they rebounded to rally in the fifth and sixth innings to take the lead. In the former, they had consecutive doubles from Fernandez and Ryan Waldschmidt as well as a huge two-run double from Gabriel Moreno that bounced off the Green Monster and plated both Waldschmidt and Corbin Carroll. Then in the sixth, Torey Lovullo decided to pinch hit Lars Nootbaar for Jordan Lawlar (who is clearly still getting his legs underneath him) and then promptly demolished a ball into the bullpen for his first Arizona home run and a lead. Finally, they had one last rally in them in extra innings as Nolan Arenado punched an inside fastball just over the shortstop’s head to plate Moreno as the ghost runner for the lead. However, it’s imperative as the visiting team to score more than one run in extra innings with the ghost runner. Boston reliever Jovani Moran obliged to help with that goal by completely losing the strike zone and first walking the bases loaded and then walking in a second run before inducing a double play from Waldschmidt to end the inning.

Buoyed by Mercedes' strong results in the first half of the season, Toto Wolff is hoping the team can add Zandvoort to its list of successes at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, a circuit where the Brackley-based team has yet to win since its return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021.The W17 has undoubtedly been the strongest car on the grid so far this season, at times even proving dominant, with six victories from the opening 11 races. That tally could have been even higher without a number of reliability issues that have forced both drivers to retire from races.Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes still has work to do despite its strong first half of the season. The team has missed opportunities to maximise its points haul, while its rivals have managed to close the performance gap, increasing the pressure heading into the remaining 12 races."We have left points on the table, our rivals have reduced the performance gap, and we know the second half of the year will demand more from us than the first."The Mercedes team principal believes the outcome of the championships will largely depend on how effectively the team executes each weekend and how much performance it can extract through development. Although Mercedes is currently on a slightly different upgrade schedule compared to its rivals, Wolff remains confident that there is further potential to unlock from the car and that the team has a clear plan for its upcoming developments.Photo: Race PicturesPhoto: Race Pictures"The championships will be decided by execution and the rate of development we can bring to the car across the next 12 races. Whilst we are slightly out of step with upgrades compared to our rivals, we have more performance to unlock and a clear development plan to do so."Attention now turns to Zandvoort, a circuit Wolff considers a particularly demanding challenge. Mercedes has come close to victory there since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar, but has yet to stand on the top step of the podium in the modern era. With this year's event representing its final opportunity to change that record, Wolff is determined for the team to rise to the challenge."Zandvoort has been a unique challenge since its return. It is a difficult track to master, the fans create an incredible atmosphere, and it has become a race that the teams and drivers look forward to. We have come close but never won there in the modern era. This is our final opportunity to change that, and that's a challenge we would like to meet."Mercedes reveals development 'strategy' for remainder of 2026 seasonMercedes technical director James Allison has explained why the W17 received fewer upgrades than its closest rivals during the opening half of the season and outlined how the team intends to approach development over the remaining races.Speaking on the NU Silver Arrows Show, Allison revealed that Mercedes deliberately pushed the development of its launch specification later than ever before, particularly on the aerodynamic and bodywork side. That allowed the team to focus on producing the strongest possible car for the start of the campaign, but also meant its first major upgrades would arrive later.By contrast, Allison believes some rival teams finalised their initial cars earlier, allowing them to turn their attention towards subsequent development packages sooner. As a result, Mercedes has recently had to watch its competitors introduce new parts while following a different development timeline.The team's objective is now to maintain its advantage at the front and ensure that its next performance step is significant enough to restore the gap it previously enjoyed. Until those developments arrive, Allison acknowledged that Mercedes will have to navigate periods in which rival upgrades potentially make the competitive picture appear more concerning.

Papyrus Conservation Summer Seminar student Shijin (Giada) Jiang examines a papyrus fragment at the University of Michigan, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Mike Householder)2026-08-20T05:59:29Z ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Shijin Jiang pulled the precision binocular headband magnifier over her eyes and hunched down within a few inches of the ancient text resting on a light board.Using a pair of hand tools, Shijin carefully inspected the sheet made from the papyrus plant, proceeding with the utmost care. After all, it most likely hadn’t been handled in a century — nor read for thousands of years.The Papyrus Conservation Summer Seminar at the University of Michigan is the only one of its kind in the Americas, according to the university. And it’s one of the few in the world designed to convey the best practices for conserving papyrus manuscripts, ancient texts written on rolls or sheets made from the papyrus plant.“If you touch this papyrus, you can feel the history,” said Shijin, a native of China who was among nine scholars from across the globe, including Ireland, Italy and the U.S., who took the 10-day course. Michigan’s Papyrology Collection covers texts and documents from 1000 B.C.E. to 1000 C.E. No institution on this side of the world has more of them, the Ann Arbor school said, giving the researchers access to a vast collection of ancient papyri. There are portions of the Homer epics, “The Odyssey” and “The Iliad,” writings by the philosopher Epicurus and the oldest-known copy of the Epistles of Paul.“Carrying on this tradition is an incredible responsibility, but it also is incredibly fun and rewarding, because there’s nothing I love more than getting people together from all over the world, sharing ideas, learning from each other,” said Marieka Kaye, who manages library preservation services for physical collections at the University of Michigan Library. Kaye said she tried to make “things comfortable and not scary, because a lot of people just feel terrified working on these ancient things.” Read More The seminar introduced the papyrologists and conservators to techniques in the treatment, storage and care of the ancient texts, as well as documentation practices. Papyrus and its ink can crumble, smear or break, so Kaye encouraged the students to carefully remove dirt, sand, salt and debris; use controlled moisture to soften folds and realign fibers; and dry the papyrus slowly under light weight to prevent curling. The first seminar was held in 2012, and they have been held every two years since, except for the 2020 pandemic year. About 50 students total have taken part. “If we don’t train the next generations of conservators, this is a craft that is going to be lost,” said Giuliano Sidro, curator of Michigan’s Papyrology Collection. 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. Michigan has so many papyrus manuscripts on hand that its researchers haven’t gone through them all. Some of the items were acquired, while others were excavated, during university expeditions to the ancient site of Karanis, Egypt, from 1924-35. Francis Willey Kelsey, a Latin professor who died in 1927, was the driving force behind the establishment of the Papyrology Collection. He believed Michigan students studying the ancient world needed access not only to books, but to the tangible remains of antiquity. Today, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is a fixture on the Michigan campus. Its collection represents one of the finest compilations of daily-life objects from Greco-Roman Egypt located outside of Cairo.“This is a place where you make discoveries, potentially every day, if you just go into the vault, pick out a box and open something up, and you start reading,” Sidro said. Of course, to make sense of it, one needs to be able to decipher Arabic, ancient Greek or Latin, and even Egyptian, one of the earliest known written languages that is now extinct. A few of the seminar participants were able to read the papyri, including Arzak Mohamed, who reads Arabic, and Mauro Castiello, a papyrology doctoral student in Milan, who can translate ancient Greek and Latin.Kaye said she always tries to include a student from Egypt among the seminar participants. Mohamed, a postdoctoral fellow at Macquarie University in Sydney, had heard about the papyrus seminar for years and always wanted to attend. The 42-year-old mother of three is from Fayoum, Egypt, not far from Karanis.“Now, I can transfer this information from Michigan to Egypt and even in Australia,” she said. “I will be like the chain, connecting between the three countries.”“By saving this information, we can transfer the knowledge to the next generation,” she added. MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Householder is an Associated Press video journalist based in Detroit. He shoots and edits his own visual pieces for online and broadcast use, while writing the occasional text news story and book review. twitter mailto

Hui Ka Yan’s punishment caps the downfall of a property empire whose collapse set off a prolonged crisis in the Chinese economy.

There is inherent risk with any major transfer, and perhaps the biggest gamble Manchester United are taking, should they sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, is that they don’t yet quite know who he is or what he might become.Is he the brilliant teenager who commanded Premier League midfields when he first arrived at Brighton, or the 22-year-old of last season who let that form slip away? Is he a defensive midfielder who stitches play together, or a box-to-box all-action superhero? Is he a destroyer of opposition’s plans, or something altogether more refined?Baleba grew up in Cameroon where his footballer father put him on a gruelling training programme aged 10, and he was signed by Lille on his 18th birthday. His performances in France pinged radars at Jamestown Analytics, the secretive company informing Brighton’s recruitment, and Baleba moved to the Premier League in a £23m transfer. I was at the Amex for Baleba’s first Premier League start and he was thrilling to watch, the best player on the pitch in a frantic 2-2 draw with Liverpool. He used his athleticism to snuff out fires all over the field, but he also had the technical skill and unbridled confidence to sashay through Liverpool’s midfield with the ball at his feet. It was all the more remarkable given his mother had died just a few months before he left France.Baleba in action against Wolves last season (Getty)His then manager, Roberto De Zerbi, thanked Brighton’s recruitment department for finding another gem. “He’s very young, a very good player with incredible potential,” De Zerbi said, “and he can be one of the most important midfielders in Europe in the future.”His very next game was a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City, and a chastening experience – Baleba later admitted he couldn’t keep up with the pace of the game. He worked hard to adjust to the Premier League’s rhythms over the following months, and gradually established himself as an important cog in Brighton’s machine.His qualities came to the fore in an outstanding second season that sparked United’s interest. Baleba ranked highly among Premier League players for ball recoveries and interceptions, and was able to cover huge ground to break up attacks and stop dangerous transitions.But Baleba proved to be much more than just a defensive midfielder. His ability on the ball, honed playing as a winger in youth football, helped him evade the press, wriggling his way out of cul-de-sacs and driving upfield. He headed the ball like a man four inches taller than his 5ft 10in frame, dribbled like a forward player, and racked up progressive carries to match the best in Europe.United were ready to pay up to £70m for Baleba last summer, but Brighton wanted more than £100m, pitching his price in line with his predecessor, Moises Caicedo, who Chelsea bought for £115m. The clubs were too far apart and a deal never materialised. The speculation appeared to affect Baleba in last season’s Premier League campaign. So did a niggling injury which he played through, as well as a calendar broken up by the Africa Cup of Nations, and he completed only three full 90 minutes in the league. The nadir came against Aston Villa in February, when manager Fabian Hurzeler substituted a distraught Baleba after only 22 minutes in order to save him from a second yellow card. So which version of Baleba would United be signing? Time will tell, but there is little doubt about his ceiling. He is still only 22, still learning the game, and has already come a long way. He reflected on his time at Lille: “Defensively, tactically, I can say it: [I was] rubbish, zero.” He will only improve working with Michael Carrick.At his best, Baleba roves from one end to the other, strong and quick, skilful and intelligent, protecting his defence not only with his defensive interventions but in his ability to escape trouble and relieve pressure. There have been some questions over his positional sense, but you don’t rack up his number of interceptions without being in the right place at the right time.Perhaps most importantly, he could blend seamlessly with Youri Tielemans, who United bought earlier this summer from Aston Villa. Tielemans has complementary characteristics to Baleba, as a penetrative passer and a careful reader of play. One takes the temperature of a game, the other runs headfirst into the eye of the storm.Baleba does not always look at his most comfortable receiving passes from his goalkeeper on the edge of his box – he is better facing forwards – but Tielemans will fill that role, while Kobbie Mainoo and new signing Andrey Santos are well suited to that deeper build-up position. Likewise, Tielemans cannot devour 60 yards in a few seconds with the ball at his feet, as Baleba does.Bruno Fernandes, left, and Youri Tielemans could soon have another midfield partner (PA)For United’s part, it is a transfer that indicates a newfound shrewdness in the way the hierarchy operates. You can see it in the retention of Carrick’s steady presence as head coach, in the acquisition of players who already know the Premier League, in the balanced age profile of the squad. Players such as Benjamin Sesko, Mainoo, Senne Lammens and Amad Diallo – and perhaps now Baleba – could have long and successful careers at Old Trafford.Even walking away from Baleba last summer showed a certain prudence that had deserted United for much of the past decade. Where they previously blundered around the transfer market waving big cheques in the direction of players who the whole world knew were prime targets, there is a subtlety and pragmatism to the way United have gone about their business.Now they are set to sign a player with unbridled potential, even if it may need carefully unlocking after a difficult season. Perhaps most encouragingly for United’s supporters, Baleba is not just a player they want, but exactly the profile the team needs.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Chelsea players wear number 9 on their training shirts in tribute to former player Gianluca Vialli during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images The new season is just a few days away now, and ahead of that official first kick, Chelsea have confirmed the shirt numbers that the players will wear. And there are a couple surprising changes in that list beyond just the usual revisions due to various comings and goings in the squad.And the one that stands out by far the most among this is João Pedro’s decision to switch to the No.9 shirt, the Cursed No.9 shirt.Don’t believe in curses? Neither did Fernando Torres. Or Álvaro Morata. Or Romelu Lukaku. Or Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuaín, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mateja Kežman, Franco Di Santo, Tony Cascarino, or Chris Sutton. Hernán Crespo was spared the worst of it, but it could’ve gone so much better for him. Same goes for Tammy Abraham. And it couldn’t have gone much worse for Liam Delap, who I’m sure is glad to be rid of it now.Since Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink scored 23 league goals in 2001-02 (29 in all competitions), no No.9 shirt has come close. Tammy Abraham managed 15 as the high water mark in 2019-20. Fernando Torres did score 22 in all competitions in 2012-13, but it took him 64(!) appearances and a lengthy Europa League campaign to do so. He had 8 in the league that year.Why JP? WHY?!?!The other notable change sees Wesley Fofana take up Marc Cucurella’s old No.3 shirt. Fofana’s old No.29 has gone to new arrival Pep Chavarría. Dário Essugo and Tosin Adarabioyo have also picked new numbers.Anyway, here is the full list, with changes from last year highlighted in bold. Some of this may yet change of course since we still have over ten days left in the transfer window. Mind you, we can only register 25 players.Robert SánchezMarco Palestra (last worn by Axel Disasi)Wesley Fofana (switched from No.29; was Marc Cucurella’s)Valentín Barco (was Tosin’s)Maxence Lacroix (was Benoît Badiashile’s)Levi ColwillPedro NetoEnzo FernándezJoão Pedro (switched from No.20; was Liam Delap’s)Cole PalmerJamie Gittens Liam Delap (switched from No.9; was Filip Jörgensen’s)**vacant** (last seen on Marcus Bettinelli two seasons ago)Jordan Henderson (was Dário Essugo’s) Nicolas JacksonDário Essugo (switched from No.14; last seen on Lesley Ugochukwu; vacant last two years)Morgan Rogers (was Andrey Santos’s)Danny Welbeck (last seen on Christopher Nkunku; vacant last year)Mamadou Sarr**vacant** (was João Pedro’s)Jorrel HatoEmmanuel Emegha (last seen on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; vacant last season)Geovany Quenda (was Trevoh Chalobah’s)Reece JamesMoisés Caicedo**vacant** (last seen on Colwill a couple years ago; re-retired?)Malo GustoTeddy Sharman-Lowe (last seen on Đorđe Petrović; vacant last year)Pep Chavarría (was Wesley Fofana’s)Aarón AnselminoReggie Watson (last seen on Cesare Casadei a couple years ago; vacant last year)Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (was Tyrique George’s)Mykhailo Mudryk (last seen on Kiano Dyer two seasons ago; unassigned last year)Josh Acheampong**vacant** (was Ted Curd’s)**vacant** (last seen on Deivid Washington)Tayo Subolaye (last assigned to Omari Kellyman two years ago)Tosin Adarabioyo (was Marc Guiu’s)Mike Penders**vacant**(was Facundo Buonanotte’s)Estêvão**vacant****vacant**Gaga SloninaRoméo Lavia

José Mourinho on 'El Chiringuito' (II): I didn't ask for any signingsJosé Mourinho has given an exclusive interview to 'El Chiringuito' in which he spoke about everything. This is the second part of the interview.The signings he has asked for"I haven’t asked for anyone. I arrived after analyzing the squad well, being absolutely aware of what I want. Looking at the things that happened last season and that you pass on to Lisbon, I wanted to come in knowing many things and behave as if I knew nothing. And finding a winger with one-on-one ability, aggressive, and who can play on both flanks (Diomandé), is not easy. I don’t want to analyze whether he cost 80, 120... I just say ‘yes, I want him’."Bernardo Silva"My player? No, he belongs to Pep Guardiola. He brings everything. I hope we can have few problems and a lot of stability and, if we do, Bernardo is a midfielder for me, but he can play as an attacking midfielder, on the right wing, anywhere... It has nothing to do with snatching him away from Atlético or Barcelona, it was my conviction that Bernardo is Real Madrid level."Modric and Kroos’s replacements"There is only one Kroos and only one Modric. Arda Guler? I love him, and something similar to what happened with Luka will happen to him: you start as a ‘10’, attacking, and in the end you’ll finish as an ‘8’ or a ‘6’... with his understanding of the game, that’s the role Arda is going to play."The affection Florentino Pérez has for him"How did he ask me to come back? First there were the rumors and much later, the contacts. Benfica means a lot to me and I thought I would stay there for a long time. When Real Madrid contacted me, it had the impact I want players to feel. When he called me... easy. I had no doubts. Returning to a club has a lot of meaning. When I returned to Chelsea for the second time. After so many years and so many coaches, you are the best and I want you to come back. And I came back.""After everything Real Madrid have won, they want me to come back and they want me to come back when I’m coming without having won anything, only because they know me. I’m coming because they know what I can bring. It’s deeper than that. I’m very proud."The Negreira case"It’s in the hands of the courts. Let’s see what justice does. Without knowing who Negreira was, without knowing that was his name, when I was here, I sensed something. You could feel something strange. I didn’t know who he was, but it was strange. The only thing I look at now is justice. If you pay the vice-president of the referees, is that manipulation of the competition? Obviously. Having the courage to look people in the eye. In Italy they did it with ‘Calciopoli’. Should Barça have been relegated to the Second Division? You tell me. La Liga has to have Barcelona."This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Mason Jones has a professional record of 18 wins, two losses and one no-contest [Getty Images]"The dream is absolutely not dead for me."Mason Jones made that statement shortly after making the bold decision not to re-sign with the UFC in 2022.He had won just one of his four fights under the UFC banner - losing two with one no-contest - but decided to explore options elsewhere.The 31-year-old returned to Cage Warriors, where he had previously been a two-weight champion, to resurrect his career - even if it took a toll financially."I chose to leave [UFC]. I went back and I rebuilt everything I needed. It cost me a stupid amount of money, put me in debt at my eyeballs," Jones told BBC Wales."I said to my partner at the time, 'It's fine, we'll be fine, I've just got to do it this way'. We did it that way and look where I am now."Jones drew inspiration from his grandfather - a former miner - and his determination to stick to his guns."Welsh people are well known to be resilient, we've been through it all," Jones said."My grandfather was a miner, all that happened, and everyone has to just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and scrap on."That's what I did: I picked myself up, I realised I needed to go back and rebuild."Jones' decision to regroup has since paid off.After stringing together four successive victories with Cage Warriors, he returned to the UFC in 2025 and has extended his winning streak to seven.During his second stint in the UFC, Jones has picked up a Fight of the Night bonus and a Performance of the Night bonus - putting that extra money to good use."Well, I bought a house," he said with a massive smile on his face."I paid off all the debt I had from leaving the UFC and the two years I spent basically not earning any money."I'm starting to get to a place where I can actually earn a salary every year before I fight."The goals are there, the mindset is on point, it's just going out there and just putting this guy away."No ranked opponent yet but title dreams remainJones has picked up eight of his 18 wins by knockout [Getty Images]Jones has firmly established himself in the highly competitive lightweight division, but is yet to secure a ranking.Prior to beating Axel Sola in London in March, he said the UFC was exploring options for him to fight a top-15 ranked opponent.He faces another unranked rival in American MarQuel Mederos on Saturday in Sacramento, but is confident a victory will deliver a big-name opponent next time out."Time-wise it didn't really work out, they had things in the pipeline for the [other ranked] people so instead they had a top contender in upcoming Axel Sola," Jones said."I put Axel Sola to bed and then it was, '100% we're going to offer you a top 15, give us some names you want'."I gave the names I wanted, two of them were booked up and the third one was off injured."On top of trying to break into the higher echelons of the division, Blaenavon native Jones also has grand ambitions."I want to be the greatest Welsh fighter there's ever been. I want to be the greatest fighter the UFC's seen, that's always my plan," he said."I always wanted to be the UFC lightweight champion. That's been the end goal, since day one."For me, these are just steps I got to take, and it is a very steep slope - but I get this next win, then the doors open, my path is paved."Fighting at his 'home away from home'There is a poetic return for Jones in the final fight of this deal.Having spent much of his first contract in Sacramento with Team Alpha Male, he will fight at his "home away from home" on this weekend's card."The fact that I got offered to finish off my first contract back in the UFC in a place where I did a lot of my training camps, where I've got a lot of friends, a lot of fans and people who supported me over the years, is fantastic," Jones said."This whole contract has all been sort of righting a lot of wrongs and it's been full-circle moment and I want to finish this contract in emphatic fashion and get a solid win and hit myself up into the top 15."McGregor says comeback starts now after knee surgery

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey honestly broke down one of the biggest issues fans believe the Philadelphia 76ers will have this season.The 76ers traded for Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James this offseason, immediately catapulting the side to be one of the biggest contenders in the NBA.However, with four All-Stars on the team, there is a concern that the quartet of Brown, James, Maxey, and Joel Embiid won’t be able to share the ball amongst themselves.Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey gets real about ‘No.1 option’ criticism of the Philadelphia 76ersSpeaking to HoopsHype in a recent interview, Tyrese Maxey was asked about who on the Philadelphia 76ers will be the number one option during clutch situations.Maxey suggested that they have put together a brilliant squad, but they trust all the players. However, he does think that the 76ers’ success will depend on everyone checking their ego at the door.“I think it just depends on what the situation is. I think we have the ultimate confidence in a lot of different guys.“People want to say VJ is our fifth option, but last year, he took a lot of shots in the clutch. He made a lot of shots in the clutch, too…“It’s going to be different people. We’re going to see how it goes, how it flows. The biggest thing is we can’t have anybody on this team have an ego.“We have two guys that have won the regular-season MVPs, two guys that have won Finals MVPs, multiple gold medal winners on this team, multiple 25+ PPG (scorers), All-Stars and All-NBA players. We’re all accomplished. The ego has to drop, and we have to do it collectively.”Philadelphia 76ers will benefit from LeBron James’ final LA Lakers experienceWhile the concerns surrounding Maxey, Embiid, and Brown all being ball-dominant players are valid, the same cannot be said about LeBron James.For much of his career, James was trusted with the ball in his hands, with teams trusting that his immense basketball IQ and all-time great court vision would allow him to make the best play each time.However, in his last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, James played a deferential role behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.Now 41 years old, James accepted that he can play off-ball and contribute at a high level as the third option, while letting Doncic and Reaves dictate the offense.But during the playoffs, when Doncic and Reaves were both out, James shouldered the responsibility as the first option and helped lead the Lakers to an unexpected first-round win over the Houston Rockets.It wouldn’t be a surprise to see James do the same with the 76ers and accept the responsibility of conducting the offense in deep playoff situations when the team needs his experience.Read more:‘So fast’ – Kai Cenat reveals what LeBron James does better than almost every celebrity he knowsKwame Brown predicts NBA will help LeBron James win title with 76ers and surpass Kobe Bryant and Steph CurryLeBron James asks for Bronny’s advice on new venture before NBA season – ‘Teach me the game’

American businessman Jeff Bezos is the fourth-richest person in the world [Getty Images]When it was revealed on Tuesday that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) had actually sold about 38% of Liverpool to 1892 Holdings, there was certainly an element of confusion.On Friday, the understanding was that the Jeff Bezos-backed consortium had purchased about a third of Liverpool, and BBC Sport was informed that speculation placing the investment in the range of approximately 30% to one-third was "directionally accurate".So why was a different figure reported just four days later?FSG's policy is not to publicly disclose precise ownership stakes, but with numbers circulating from various outlets before the official announcement on Friday, the Boston-based conglomerate was keen to give some sense of scale and indicate that what was being reported was in the right territory, rather than simply referring to it as a 'minority investment'.When it was confirmed the minority stake purchased was closer to 40% there was a perception that the club were downplaying the investment.FSG said it was not the intention to create a misleading impression and that the guidance was in response to media reports on the range of investment and Bezos' involvement. The group wanted to provide more context than it typically has before.The chain of events, though, has led to some at Liverpool privately asking why FSG was not more transparent, seeing the confusion as unnecessary.How involved will Bezos be?The 1892 Holdings group is led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia and also includes billionaire Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.American businessman Bezos, founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, is the fourth-richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $256bn (£192bn). This marks his first foray into sports ownership, although he will not join Liverpool's board.However, Bryan Baum, Bezos' business partner and founder of venture capital firm K5 Sports - through which Bezos is investing - will join the Anfield board, alongside Saverin's wife Elaine. Bhatia will also be on Liverpool's board as the club's vice-chairman.On Friday, BBC Sport reported the agreement included an option for the consortium to increase its investment in the future. Four days later, BBC Sport learned there was a specific option within the deal for the consortium to buy a controlling stake in the next 12 months - again raising questions about transparency.What does Liverpool's future hold?There is an option that would allow 1892 Holdings to become majority owners within a year, though that does not involve a formal commitment.But the very inclusion of it does pose the question as to what the long-term vision is for FSG with Liverpool.Jay McKenna, chair of the supporters union Spirit of Shankly, told the Liverpool Echo: "One of the questions we will be asking is that we have been led to understand this change of ownership is guaranteed. We want to understand that and want to put it to FSG and the new owners."If we were told that the investors don't have the right to [complete a full takeover] or if it's just an option, and then next summer the club gets sold, then we will want to know why we weren't told."When FSG bought Liverpool for £300m in 2010 the club were, according to current CEO Billy Hogan, "literally on the brink of bankruptcy".Sixteen years later, this deal is said to value the club between £5bn and £6bn, meaning the club is worth more than 15 times its value in 2010."It's a great deal for FSG," football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport."They generate more than £1bn from the deal and still keep control - this represents the best of both worlds."But for how long do FSG remain in control?The partnership may have been announced as a minority stake, but make no mistake that these are major developments at Liverpool.BBC Sport was told the motivation behind the deal was to help Liverpool's reach across global business, technology and investment, including in India and across Asia - rather than just for pure investment.FSG believes the effects will be seen across the coming months. But the same period also looks set to bring uncertainty and speculation as to who will be running the club next summer.Inter close in on £30m deal for Liverpool's JonesStats that show Premier League is getting more competitiveNewcastle and Liverpool to pay tribute to Keegan on Sunday

The Edmonton Marathon is often used as a way to qualify for the hugely popular Boston Maraton [Getty Images]The organisers of the Edmonton Marathon have admitted the course measured more than half a kilometre too long for the 2026 edition. The annual event in Alberta, Canada is often used as a qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon. But a number of frustrated runners voiced concerns online after the race, noting that the distance on their GPS running watches was over 26.22 miles. Organisers initially dismissed complaints but in a statement on Wednesday, they admitted an extra 674.7 metres (0.41 miles) was mistakenly added to the course. Race director Tom Keogh said: "We do not take this lightly. We hosted the nation's best athletes and their finishing times did not truly reflect their amazing performances." Keogh added that organisers "did not deliver the standard participants deserved". Construction work around the Wellington Bridge was cited by organisers as the main reason for the error, which forced a slight detour to the course's usual route. The extra distance means participants may have missed out on qualifying for the Boston Marathon, as well as personal best times.Qualifying times for the Boston Marathon are based on a participants' official chip time at qualifying events - not the time recorded on their watch.Organisers say they are working with Athletics Canada and other partners to determine how this year's results can be recognised. BBC Sport has contacted the Edmonton Marathon for comment.

The Formula 1 driver market just received a massive update regarding the grid’s most decorated champion. Lewis Hamilton has reportedly renewed his contract with Scuderia Ferrari, guaranteeing his presence in Maranello well beyond his initial two-year commitment.According to the Spanish sports broadcaster Partidazo COPE, the seven-time World Champion has officially put pen to paper to extend his stay with the iconic Italian team. The timing of the leak perfectly aligns with Ferrari’s biggest weekend of the year. The official announcement of Hamilton’s contract renewal is expected to drop just before the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6.Hamilton Activating the “Plus-One” OptionWhen Hamilton shocked the sporting world by leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, he originally signed a flexible “two-plus-one” deal. This guaranteed his seat through the end of 2026 while leaving the 2027 season as a unilateral option on the driver’s side.Following a challenging transitional year in 2025, Hamilton has experienced a massive resurgence in the 2026 campaign. Reinvigorated by the SF-26 challenger, he has consistently taken the fight to teammate Charles Leclerc—including a stunning victory earlier this year at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Given his championship-contending form this season, executing the 2027 extension clause was widely viewed by paddock insiders as a mere formality.May 24, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton (44) during the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn ImagesHamilton’s decision to lock in his seat through the 2027 regulation changes completely stabilizes Ferrari’s immediate future, but it creates a significant roadblock for their junior talent.With Leclerc already signed to a massive long-term deal that extends past 2030, the doors to Maranello are now firmly shut for the next few years. This means Ferrari’s brightest academy prospect, Oliver Bearman, will likely have to extend his development stint at Haas rather than making a jump to the senior team anytime soon.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Wales midfielder Jordan James on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.The 26-times capped international returns to the Midlands almost two years on from leaving boyhood club Birmingham City for French Ligue 1 club Rennes in a reported £4m deal.James spent last season back in England on loan in the East Midlands at Leicester City. But, despite his 11 goals from midfield, helping him to be voted player of the season, the Foxes were relegated to League One.James featured 24 times for Rennes in 2024-25 across all competitions while in the Brittany capital."Jordan is a box-to-box midfielder, with a lot of quality, and knows the Championship well which is important for us," head coach Cesar Peixoto told Wolves' website."He is a clever player, an intelligent player, and can play in two or three positions in our way of playing and structure. The more players who know the Championship, the better."He is the son of Wales semi-pro international defender Tony James, who made over 500 league appearances, largely with Graham Turner's Hereford United, Burton Albion and Newport County.James becomes Wolves fourth signing of the summer - and second since the appointment of Peixoto in June - following Kieran Trippier, Raul Jimenez and Rafiki Said.Latest Wolves news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Wolves - what do you want to know?All done deals in August 2026

Reinier de Ridder believes his light heavyweight move puts the fun back into fighting. He’s competed at middleweight during his Ultimate Fighting Championship run so far. However, following back-to-back losses at 185 pounds, de Ridder committed to the 205-pound division after enduring six weight cuts in just over a year.Reinier de Ridder explains why he left middleweight ahead of his Roman Dolidze fight at UFC Sacramento Ahead of his UFC light heavyweight debut against Roman Dolidze at UFC Sacramento, de Ridder opened up about the difficult weight cuts at middleweight that made the overall experience unenjoyable. “It took all the fun out of fighting,” de Ridder said at UFC Sacramento media day. “I was basically dieting year-round, struggling to get close year-round, so it was time.” The Dutchman said his body began showing the effects of repeated cuts, particularly after his first-round fight with Brendan Allen left him exhausted. “I think that was just too much,” de Ridder added. “It basically pushed my body way too far.” The move to light heavyweight has allowed de Ridder to train and eat without the same restrictions. He also recently joined American Top Team, where he regularly trains with larger fighters. The former two-division One Championship titleholder is eyeing a top-ranked opponent if he beats Dolidze. “If I do well this weekend and I can get a spectacular finish, next one is going to be Top 10 for sure,” he added.“It took all the fun out of fighting."Reinier de Ridder (@ReinierdeRidder) discusses his move to light heavyweight to face Roman Dolidze. Buy tickets for #UFCSacramento 🎟️ https://t.co/vCGB2VKSqr Fight by Fight Preview ➡️ https://t.co/6yt9GB8wP3pic.twitter.com/mg7pDVcDEp— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 19, 2026

Ollie Robinson gave England the start they wanted in the first Test of Joe Root's second spell as Test captain, dismissing Pakistan opener Awais Ali for a golden duck with the very first ball of the series at Headingley.Robinson trapped Awais lbw with the first delivery of the match. Awais reviewed the decision, hoping the ball had pitched outside the line, but the review returned three reds and the decision stayed.The fast bowler struck again in his opening spell, dismissing Pakistan captain Shan Masood in his third over to leave the visitors at 6-2.After 10 overs, rain forced the players off the field with Pakistan on 19-2.Robinson has now taken a wicket in the first over of a Test innings in back-to-back matches. During his return to England's Test side against New Zealand at Lord's earlier this summer, after more than two years out of the team, he picked up three wickets in his opening over. He finished that match with five wickets in New Zealand's first innings and two more in the second as England won by 115 runs.The wicket of Awais also put Robinson into the record books. It was the first time an England bowler had taken a wicket with the first ball of the opening Test of a series played in England.He also became only the second England bowler to dismiss a batter with the first ball of any Test series. James Anderson achieved the feat when he removed Dean Elgar with the first delivery of England's series against South Africa in Centurion in 2019.In Test cricket history, a wicket has fallen from the first ball of a series 12 times. West Indies fast bowler Pedro Collins is the only player to do it twice, dismissing Bangladesh opener Hannan Sarkar on both occasions, as per a report by Wisden.Full list: Wickets to fall on the first ball of a Test seriesBowlerBatterVenueYearTest Badcock (NZ)Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG)Christchurch1933Ernie McCormick (AUS)Stan Worthington (ENG)The Gabba1936Kapil Dev (IND)Jimmy Cook (SA)Durban1992Pedro Collins (WI)Hannan Sarkar (BAN)Dhaka2002Pedro Collins (WI)Hannan Sarkar (BAN)Gros Islet2004Mashrafe Mortaza (BAN)Wasim Jaffer (IND)Chattogram2007Mohammad Amir (PAK)Tim McIntosh (NZ)Dunedin2009Suranga Lakmal (SL)KL Rahul (IND)Eden Gardens2017James Anderson (ENG)Dean Elgar (SA)Centurion2019Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM)Abdul Malik (AFG)Abu Dhabi2021Mitchell Starc (AUS)Rory Burns (ENG)The Gabba2021Ollie Robinson (ENG)Azan Awais (PAK)Headingley2026England's first Test under reappointed captain Joe Root continued to go their way on the opening day.Pakistan collapsed from 117-3 to 171 all out, with Robinson and Josh Tongue taking five wickets each.By stumps, England had reached 112-2, trailing Pakistan by 59 runs.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho talks Flick, Deco, Lamine, Negreira case: ‘La Liga must have Barcelona’Jose Mourinho has offered a surprisingly positive assessment of Barcelona’s work under Hansi Flick, praising both the German manager and sporting director Deco despite the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.Speaking in an interview with El Chiringuito TV, the new Real Madrid manager was asked about several Barcelona-related subjects, including Flick, Lamine Yamal and the Negreira case.Mourinho did not hesitate when asked whether he likes what he has seen from Barcelona under Flick, although he was more forceful when the conversation moved towards the Negreira case.Mourinho praises Flick and Deco’s work at BarcelonaIt must be noted that Barcelona have undergone major changes under Flick and Deco.During the interview, Mourinho was asked about Flick and he responded by pointing not only to the coach, but also to the work being carried out by Barcelona’s sporting director.“Yes, I like it. Great work. Flick, Deco, and great players,” he began.The Portuguese coach was also asked whether he would like to have Lamine Yamal in his Real Madrid squad.Mourinho made no attempt to downplay the Barcelona star’s ability and acknowledged the extraordinary achievements he has already enjoyed at such a young age.“No. He’s a great player, no doubt, a young man with incredible potential. “It’s unusual to be a European and world champion at his age, but we have a top squad, I wouldn’t make room for anyone. “Right now, it’s my guys. My guys are the best,” said the Real Madrid boss.Real Madrid manager reopens Negreira caseMourinho was also questioned about the Negreira case and he gave a much stronger opinion on the matter.“The Negreira case is in the hands of the Justice system… let’s see what the Justice system does. “I’m simply telling you that, without knowing his name was José María Negreira when I was here, I sensed something.”The Real Madrid manager was then asked whether paying the vice-president of referees made the situation an obvious case of manipulating the competition.“It’s just a matter of having the courage to look him in the eye. In Italy, they did it with Calciopoli.”Lastly, when asked whether that meant Barcelona should be playing in the Second Division, Mourinho refused to give a direct answer.“That’s for you to decide. No, La Liga must have Barça,” he concluded.

Talk about arriving in Test cricket with a bang. Just minutes after Manav Suthar bowled debutant Keshara Nuwantha to seal India’s emphatic 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, heavy rain lashed the venue.By then, however, the damage had been done, with the young left-arm spinner delivering a performance for the ages.Suthar ripped through Sri Lanka’s lower order in a sensational spell. In the 76th over, he bowled a three-wicket maiden, dismissing the resolute Sonal Dinusha (84; 128b, 8x4, 1x6), who was caught at leg slip by Dhruv Jurel, before removing Prabhat Jayasuriya for a duck off the very next ball. Though he missed out on a hat-trick, Suthar completed his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket by having Lahiru Kumara caught behind.His late burst earned him figures of 6-55 in 23.4 overs as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206 in 77.4 overs while chasing an improbable 372. The 24-year-old finished with match figures of 10/131 in 45.2 overs after taking 4-76 in the first innings, making him the undisputed architect of India’s victory and making the team’s 600th Test memorable.The victory also kept India firmly in contention for a place in the 2027 World Test Championship final. They remain fifth in the standings but improved their points percentage to 53.33 while Sri Lanka stayed sixth on 33.33. Australia currently lead the table, followed by South Africa. With one match left in the series, Sri Lanka can no longer win it but will aim to deny India a series victory in the second Test beginning on Sunday.Chasing what would have been the highest successful fourth-innings total in Galle, Sri Lanka never threatened after beginning the final day at 84-4. While Suthar dominated proceedings, pacer Prasidh Krishna also played a key role, producing a fiery spell to finish with 2-16 from 10 overs.Prasidh’s second wicket came after an intriguing exchange involving Niroshan Dickwella. Amid constant chatter from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who challenged him to play the hook shot and jokingly suggested he could recommend him to his IPL coach Kumar Sangakkara, Dickwella appeared distracted.Attempting an ambitious stroke after backing away from the stumps, the left-hander top-edged to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and departed for 10.Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, looked off-colour, returning figures of 1/38 from 11 overs, which could prompt discussions about giving rookie off-spinner Saransh Jain an opportunity in Colombo.

Barcelona confident every new signing will be registered before La Liga opener against Elche – reportBarcelona are increasingly confident that none of their new signings will miss the start of the 2026/27 La Liga season due to registration problems.According to SPORT, Barcelona expect to complete the registration process for their first-team reinforcements in time for Sunday’s league opener against Elche. The process is set to begin on Thursday, which is today, giving the club a clear window to complete the remaining administrative work before Hansi Flick names his squad.Barcelona expect Rodri, Gordon and Adeyemi to be availableBarcelona’s plan is for Flick to have all of his new first-team players available for selection against Elche.The club is currently operating under La Liga’s 1:1 rule, allowing Barcelona to register new signings without the restrictions that complicated their transfer business in previous seasons.Barcelona are confident of registering all new signings. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)However, the process still requires more than just submitting a player’s name to La Liga, as each registration must be supported by the necessary sporting and financial documentation. Barcelona therefore want to complete the process with enough time before the La Liga opener rather than waiting until the final hours.Among the major additions expected to be registered are Rodri, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.Rodri is arguably the standout arrival of Barcelona’s summer, having joined from Manchester City on a contract running until 2030.Gordon was the first operation completed by Barcelona during the summer, while Adeyemi has also been brought.Hamza Abdelkarim is another player included in Barcelona’s planning after the club exercised their purchase option, while young talent Jesse Bisiwu will be registered with the reserve team and remain part of the wider first-team setup.Cancelo is Barcelona’s only registration concernJoao Cancelo is the last player to sign for Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)As per the outlet, the most complicated case is expected to be Joao Cancelo.The Portuguese full-back joined Barcelona later than the other new arrivals, leaving less time for the club to complete the registration process. That makes him the one player whose availability against Elche remains slightly less certain.Even so, Barcelona remain confident that they can create the necessary space through their outgoing business and complete Cancelo’s registration without a major problem.Another case that requires attention is Andreas Christensen. Although the Danish defender is not a new signing, his contract renewal means his new agreement must also be formally registered with the relevant sporting and financial documentation.

Reading’s fifth addition of the summer, George Earthy, arrived as something of an unknown prospect. At 21, he’s still establishing himself in the senior level of the game, having spent the bulk of his career in the youth teams of West Ham United.That’s with the exception however of two loan spells in the Championship at Bristol City. Across the full extent of 2024/25 and the second half of 2025/26, Earthy racked up 51 appearances, registering three goals and two assists in that time.So for this edition of View From The Town End – where we get the opposition view on a new Reading signing – instead of asking a West Ham fan, we’ve opted for an Ashton Gate perspective instead. Thanks very much indeed to Paul from The Exiled Robin for some extensive insight into Earthy’s time with Bristol City. You can find him on Twitter @TheExiledRobin and his website here.How would you sum up Earthy’s spells at Bristol City?They were two varied spells, although both arguably had the similarity of not quite delivering what we hoped they might have.The first loan came with great hope, with the arrival of a young, highly regarded player who had grabbed a Premier League goal in one of just 33 minutes on the pitch for the Hammers in the previous season. Signed – so we thought – to play an attacking midfield role, he flitted in and out of the team throughout the first half of the season and failed to nail down a position, even spending a little time at right-wing-back. As City (successfully) changed shape and style mid-season, Earthy began to find game time a little easier to come by with his ability to press in the ’10’ suiting the gameplan, but was still mostly in and out of the team and finished the campaign with only 11 starts to his name, compared with 26 substitute appearances. A 6/10 loan spell at best. There were bright moments, certainly enough to make some fans think the second loan spell was a positive move when he was signed by the club again.Personally, I felt it made little sense at the time, and even less as the season progressed. Liam Manning had departed, Gerhard Struber positively welcomed him and there was a line of thought that his energetic approach would suit Struber’s ‘chaos’ tactics. But the loan petered out disappointingly, with only 10 appearances all season and fewer than 300 minutes of underwhelming performances.Do any moments from his time at the club jump out – for good or bad reasons?Earthy’s ‘moment’ at Ashton Gate endeared him to everyone at the club and, despite the generally disappointing spell, ensured he’ll be remembered by City supporters for many years to come. A home game against play-off rivals Middlesborough brought academy product Tommy Conway back to BS3 after a relatively acrimonious departure. Conway scored (obviously!) and celebrated by cupping his ears to the home fans he had left the previous summer.Earthy arrived via his customary substitute appearance with half an hour to go and scored twice to secure a crucial three points in our race to the top six, crowning the moment when he mimicked Conway’s celebration. This time it was received rather more positively.What style of player is he? And how about his main strengths and weaknesses?At his best, Earthy is a clever, mobile, attacking midfielder. He’s compact, low-centred and has quick footwork. He looks to work between the lines, linking play with vision, close control and a willingness to carry the ball or make late runs into the box.He’s energetic and can press strongly. The main question is whether his relatively slight frame and physicality can be offset sufficiently by these abilities to get on the ball enough and have a regularly positive impact on a team’s performance.What’s his character like?He seems a positive character, a bit of a chirpy, cheeky chappy and seemed popular among the squad when he was here.Hopefully he retains that positivity after a disappointing loan and the drop of a division to try and find his level. Despite not establishing himself, he always appeared to want to work hard and try his hardest when given his opportunities.Will he be a success for Reading?I think he could do well. There’s undoubtedly a talented footballer there, and I’m sure he’ll give you some good moments, it’s just a case of how consistently he can deliver – like it is with most creative players!He just didn’t seem quite ready for the quality and power of Championship football when he was with us. It might just be the platform he needs to play games, regain confidence and show what he can do – whether that’s to become a steady League One player, or to find his feet well enough to rise back up the divisions remains to be seen.I just hope Josh Stokes’ gametime isn’t affected too much by Earthy for the third season in a row!

India’s crushing victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle unearthed two potential long-term assets in different departments — left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and batter Devdutt Padikkal.Suthar, in particular, looks every bit a Test star in the making. In just two Tests, the 24-year-old has claimed 17 wickets at an average of 11.35, including two five-wicket hauls and his maiden 10-wicket match haul. In Galle, he showcased the classical virtues of left-arm spin, extracting loop, drift, turn and bounce.Padikkal, meanwhile, grabbed his opportunity with both hands. Playing his first Test in 19 months after replacing the injured Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, the stylish left-hander marked his return with a majestic 167, the standout innings of the match, followed by a useful 44 in the second innings. Comfortable against spin on both the front and back foot, Padikkal has strengthened his case to retain the No. 3 slot.Suthar made an impact from his very first ball, trapping Dinesh Chandimal with a beauty that pitched, bounced and turned away before finding the edge to Rishabh Pant. On the final day, he wrapped up Sri Lanka’s tail with smart variations in pace and an effective straighter delivery.Former India left-arm spinner and selector Venkatapathy Raju believes familiarity with subcontinental conditions and a recent county stint with Warwickshire have played a key role in Suthar’s rapid rise. The youngster took 11 wickets in two county matches, including a maiden five-for against Somerset.“I was very impressed by Suthar’s attitude. He has a high-arm action, bowls close to the wicket and possesses the aggression needed to succeed as a left-arm spinner. Playing his first two Tests in familiar conditions has helped, while county cricket gave him valuable red-ball experience,” Raju told TOI.“This will do wonders for his confidence. He can bowl long spells, challenge both right-handers and left-handers and has shown all the signs of becoming a very good bowler.”India vice-captain KL Rahul credited Suthar’s accuracy, subtle changes in pace and ability to exploit drift for making him such a potent threat.“It’s the subtle variations from the same action and angle. He can bowl slower or quicker without changing his arm speed. In Galle, he used the wind beautifully to get drift before the ball either straightened or came back in,” Rahul said.Rahul also praised Suthar’s consistency in hitting the right areas.“His greatest strength is his pace through the air and his ability to challenge every mode of dismissal. The line he bowls brings LBW into play, while any turn can produce catches behind. That’s a special skill.”The vice-captain was equally effusive about Padikkal, with whom he shared a 150-run partnership in the first innings.“That innings defined the Test,” Rahul said. “The tempo he batted at and the fact that he converted it into a big hundred really set the game up for us. The conditions were physically demanding, so to get his first Test hundred and go on to score big was special. I’ve watched him grow through Karnataka cricket and it was wonderful to witness his first Test hundred.”

Barcelona vice-president reveals Julian Alvarez stance and teases more late signings: ‘There are still a few days left’Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste has confirmed that the club made an offer for Julian Alvarez, although he refused to provide any further details about the Argentine forward’s future.Speaking to TV3 after Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Trophy appearance, Yuste was asked about the club’s pursuit of the Atletico Madrid striker. Alvarez has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, but Atletico remain firm in their position that the Argentine is not for sale.Reports have suggested that Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid, while Barcelona continue to assess their options as they look to strengthen their attack. However, Yuste was careful not to add further pressure to an already sensitive situation between two La Liga clubs.Instead, the Barcelona vice-president stressed the importance of maintaining respect between the clubs and their respective executives.Yuste confirms Barcelona made an offer for Julian AlvarezRafa Yuste opened up on Julian Alvarez’s pursuit. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)Yuste avoided discussing Alvarez in detail, insisting that Barcelona should be careful when speaking publicly about a player who remains under contract with Atletico Madrid.The Barcelona executive also pointed to the strong relationship between the two clubs.“I don’t like to talk about players who aren’t ours. We’ve had a very good relationship with Miguel Ángel Gil and President Cerezo for years and years, and so these are things that I would say are part and parcel of football. “We must maintain decorum and let common sense prevail,” said Yuste, as per Mundo Deportivo.His comments did not clarify whether Barcelona’s previous offer for Alvarez remains active or whether the club is preparing another approach.However, Yuste then confirmed that Barcelona had indeed made a proposal for the Argentine forward.Rafa Yuste has nothing but praise for Deco’s work. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)“We made an offer and that’s that. We must focus entirely on what Hansi said recently: that we have a match on Sunday and we have to go out and win it. “There are 38 matches in La Liga and each one is worth three points, so we’re fully focused on trying to secure our first win,” added Yuste.Barcelona remain open to further signingsYuste also discussed Barcelona’s transfer plans and made it clear that the club could still strengthen the squad before the window closes.Yuste praised the work being carried out by the club’s sporting department, led by Deco, during the deal to sign Rodri, while also mentioning Bojan and Alejandro Echeverría.“We have a great technical team, with Deco, Bojan and Alejandro Echeverría, who is also doing an exceptional job, and the transfer window is still open. “There are still a few days left and we’re working hard every day to be in the running wherever we need to be,” concluded Yuste.

VAR protests expected throughout DFB Pokal games this weekendAs reported by Kicker, there is expected to be large-scale protests throughout the DFB Pokal this weekend, as fans demand the abolishment of VAR.Throughout the weekend, 64 teams ranging from the Bundesliga down to the Oberliga will be taking part in Germany’s national cup competition. Whilst the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will not be used in round one, fans of several clubs will still be making their voices heard as they attempt to scrap the technology within the game. In a joint statement signed by various supporters from different clubs, they argue that the emotional side of the game, which makes football so special, is being ruined due to the use of VAR. “In the first round of the cup, which is now starting, we are seeing football as it should be: without VAR, and therefore authentic, immediate, and full of emotion. We want to return to this state permanently and therefore demand the abolition of the Video Assistant Referee in German football.”The statement continues: “While football thrives on intensity and rhythm, the flow of the game suffers considerably from the lengthy interruptions. We must also painfully acknowledge that it has destroyed the most emotional moment of the game. Even fans who were initially open and positive about the innovation now admit, after nine years, that VAR has fundamentally changed the character of the game.”In the months leading up to the 2026/27 season, referee officials have emphasised that the use of the technology is to strengthen the referee’s position, whilst minimising the time spent on such decisions. Benjamin Schmedes, the Director of Sport and member of the Bundesliga management board, explained: “We fundamentally want to minimise the time we spend at the screen and have a healthy uniformity in interpretation.”It’s a line that has been repeated for several years across Europe’s top leagues. The original use of VAR was for clear and obvious mistakes. But time and time again, the use of the technology appears to scrutinise the finest of margins, such as the stud of one player touching the big toe of another, resulting in a penalty. If VAR is to be used, they need to find a clearer, more consistent way of implementing the technology, whilst accepting that perfection in football is a myth. GGFN | Jamie Allen

Liverpool have ‘pulled the plug’ on midfielder’s exit despite ‘agreement’ being reachedLiverpool have ‘pulled the plug’ on one player’s proposed exit from Anfield despite a deal having been agreed with the club he was set to join.The Reds are preparing to say goodbye to homegrown midfielder Curtis Jones after a 16-year association with his boyhood side, with the England international on the verge of completing a £30m transfer to Inter Milan.Another LFC academy graduate in James McConnell had also been set to depart, albeit on loan for Championship outfit Preston, but those plans have now changed.Liverpool block McConnell’s loan move to PrestonIn a transfer Q&A for the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele explained that Liverpool have ‘pulled the plug’ on the 21-year-old’s planned move to Deepdale, even though the Lilywhites had a ‘deal agreed’ for him to join and had promised him regular game-time.The journalist wrote: ‘The young midfielder, who spent time at Ajax last season, knocked on the door of boss Andoni Iraola last Friday and was told he is part of his plans after impressing in training and there will be minutes for him in the first team this year.‘McConnell also had a meeting with sporting director Richard Hughes, who stressed there is no official pecking order in the midfield so both [Trey] Nyoni and McConnell can push for minutes.’Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustCan McConnell establish himself as a first-team player at Liverpool?The midfielder played in four pre-season games for Liverpool over the past month and started in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Como last Sunday, featuring for an hour in that match.The most recent of his 13 official senior appearances for the Reds came in the FA Cup humiliation by Plymouth Argyle 18 months ago, and a loan move to Ajax last season was cut short, but his prospects of making the grade at Anfield now seem to have improved.Iraola has evidenly seen enough from McConnell to impress him in recent weeks that he plans to integrate him into the first-team setup this term, and Jones’ impending move to Italy should give the 21-year-old greater scope for senior minutes in the campaign ahead.The youngster will probably still be reliant on mostly substitute appearances and domestic cup outings, but he may well view Liverpool’s intervention to cancel the planned loan switch to Preston as a massive compliment and added motivation to repay that faith from the club.Hopefully these next few months will see the Reds midfielder firmly establish himself as a first-team player at Anfield, in the way that Jones managed over the past few years.

Chelsea and Crystal Palace strike Axel Disasi agreementCrystal Palace have struck an agreement with Chelsea to loan Axel Disasi (28), according to a report from RMC Sport.Disasi has no future at Chelsea. The former AS Monaco defender has spent the past two seasons on short-term loans, firstly at Aston Villa and then with West Ham United. He suffered relegation with the latter last season. As was the case under Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and now Xabi Alonso, he does not feature in the manager’s plans, and he is now primed for another loan exit, this time to Crystal Palace. RMC Sport understands that an agreement has been reached for a paid loan, without a buy option. The arrival of the Frenchman at Selhurst Park would numerically replace the departure of his compatriot, Maxence Lacroix, who, having competed for Les Bleus at the FIFA World Cup, made the short journey across London to join Chelsea. Talks between Disasi’s representatives and Crystal Palace are now ongoing.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Erin Patterson is depicted by an artist's sketch from a video link at the Victorian Court of Appeal in Melbourne, Australia Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (Anita Lester/AAP Image via AP)2026-08-20T07:55:49Z MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Triple-murderer Erin Patterson should never be released from prison after she poisoned four of her estranged husband’s relatives with death cap mushrooms, a prosecutor told an Australian court on Thursday.Prosecutor Brendan Kissane told three judges of the Victoria state Court of Appeal that a judgment that Patterson must serve 33 years of a life sentence before she can apply for parole was “manifestly inadequate,” in an appeal on the leniency of her sentence.Kissane said Patterson should never be considered for parole but that if the judges did not agree, then they should impose a nonparole period longer than 33 years.“That’s a harsh submission to make,” Kissane said of removing any possibility of parole.“But … it’s demanded by the nature of the offending,” he added.Patterson on Wednesday began her appeal against convictions on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder relating to a lunch of beef Wellington pastries she prepared at her rural home in Leongatha in July 2023. Few Australian prisoners are sentenced without prospect of release on parole.The judges reserved their decisions on both appeals until a date to be set. Kissane said the 51-year-old would be around 82 years old before she could be considered for release under her current sentence.Because of her notoriety, Patterson is held in the high-security Gordon Unit of Melbourne’s Dame Phyllis Frost Centre women’s prison. The unit is for prisoners assessed as being at high risk from other inmates.In sentencing her in September last year, trial judge Christopher Bale said there was a “substantial chance” that Patterson could be held in “solitary confinement for years to come.” Read More Kissane argued that the judge’s conclusion was not supported by evidence and that Patterson’s prison conditions were reviewed every month.Her lawyer, Richard Edney, said Patterson was being held in solitary confinement as defined by the United Nations — confinement for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact.Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was invited to the fatal lunch but did not attend. His parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, died. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, spent weeks in hospital, but survived. 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. Patterson argued during her trial that the poisoning was an accident.Kissane described Patterson’s crimes as “pitiless behavior” and “truly dreadful.”Prosecution court documents said “there is no factually comparable case to this.”But they submitted that Melbourne man Osman Shaptafaj was set a nonparole period of 35 years in 2022 for murdering his own daughter and her husband, partly because he was not invited to their wedding.They also submitted that Melbourne man Jaymes Todd was set a nonparole period of 43 years in 2019 for the rape and murder of comedian Eurydice Dixon in a city park.Under state law, a judge must set a nonparole period for murder unless that judge considers the nature of the offense or the past history of the offender makes such a minimum sentence inappropriate.Earlier on Thursday, prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams rejected Patterson’s lawyers’ argument that her five days of cross-examination during her trial had been “unfair and oppressive.” It was one of Patterson’s grounds for appeal against convictions. Her cross-examination by prosecutor Nanette Rogers had been “thorough, fair and conducted in accordance with settled principles and the prosecutor’s overarching duty of fairness,” McWilliams said.Patterson’s trial lawyer Colin Mandy had described his client in his closing address as a “pedantic witness,” McWilliams said, adding Rogers had been required to rephrase questions to “receive a responsive answer.”In pretrial testimony only made public after her trial, Simon Patterson said he suspected his wife had deliberately made him seriously ill with dishes. No poisons were ever found.Erin Patterson was initially charged with three counts of attempting to murder him three times between November 2021 and September 2022. She had denied all charges.Prosecutors dropped all charges relating to the husband before her trial began in April 2025. ROD MCGUIRK McGuirk covers Australian and South Pacific news for The Associated Press. He is based in Melbourne. mailto

Second placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands waves after the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix auto race, at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)2026-08-20T07:23:04Z ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull to 2030, he and the team announced Thursday.The announcement ahead of Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix this weekend ends speculation he could seek a blockbuster move to another team. It comes despite Red Bull struggling to match the pace of leading team Mercedes this season. “I have always said it: the team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home. I came to the team hoping to be able to win races. What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely and we have shared many incredible moments and won four world championships,” he said in a statement. “To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do.”Verstappen, already considered one of F1’s all-time greats at the age of 28, has yet to win a race this season. The 71-time race winner hasn’t had a winless season since his rookie year in 2015. Verstappen’s previous contract ran through 2028 but reportedly included performance-related clauses which could have potentially allowed him to leave earlier and which fueled speculation he might seek to move.He had also questioned whether he’d stay in F1 at all, saying he’d like more time with his family as his frustration grew with the 2026 F1 cars’ reliance on electrical battery power. Red Bull backed Verstappen’s career from childhood and brought him into F1 at the age of 17 in 2015 at its second team, then called Toro Rosso. That made him the youngest driver in series history, a record he still holds. Read More Still, there had been signs of tension in recent years amid the departures of a series of key staff including longtime leader Christian Horner last year and car design great Adrian Newey.In his comments Thursday, Verstappen praised a “great” year with Laurent Mekies in charge after Horner was fired, and said he sensed a “clear vision” for the future of the team.Verstappen also raised safety concerns this season after two separate faults with the Red Bull car’s rear wing hurled him into high-speed crashes. Verstappen had been linked with a move to McLaren after reports of a meeting in June between his representatives and McLaren management. McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said at the team the team didn’t have an opening for him and would stick with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.One driver who had been considered a potential replacement for Verstappen at Red Bull, Carlos Sainz Jr., signed a new contract on Wednesday with Williams.___See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

More Libertadores and Sula deciders on Thursday, see today’s schedule 📲Today’s Highlights 🔥Copa Libertadores19:00 – LDU Quito vs Mirassol – ESPN 4, Disney+ Premium21:30 – Corinthians vs Rosario Central – ESPN, Disney+ PremiumCopa Sudamericana19:00 – Olimpia vs Vasco da Gama – Paramount+19:00 – CSD Macara vs Santos FC – ESPN, Disney+ Premium21:30 – Botafogo RJ vs Cienciano – Paramount+Europa League Qualifying12:00 – Kairat Almaty vs Anderlecht – Xsports13:00 – Mjällby vs Salzburg – OneFootball PPV14:00 – Egnatia vs Lillestrøm – OneFootball PPV15:00 – FK Crvena Zvezda vs Viktoria Plzen – OneFootball PPVConference League Qualifying14:00 – FC Midtjylland vs Rijeka – GoLBrasil Channel YouTube14:45 – PAOK Thessaloniki vs Brann – GoLBrasil Channel YouTube15:30 – Atalanta vs Hapoel Tel Aviv – OneFootball PPV15:30 – Lugano vs Maccabi Tel Aviv – OneFootball PPV15:30 – Motherwell vs Freiburg – GoLBrasil Channel YouTube16:00 – Getafe vs Partizan Beograd – OneFootball PPVSerie B19:30 – Athletic Club vs CRB – Disney+ Premium20:30 – Novorizontino vs América-MG – Disney+ Premium, SportyNet, SportyNet YouTube, XsportsSaudi Pro League (Saudi Championship)15:00 – Al-Fayha vs Al Hilal – BandSports, OneFootball, GOAT Channel, Somos FOX YouTube, XsportsMLS Next Pro (U.S. Development League)23:00 – Los Angeles FC II vs Sporting Kansas City II – OneFootballLaLiga16:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo Alaves – CazéTVLeague One (English Third Division)16:00 – Sheff Wed vs Bradford – Disney+ PremiumPrimera B (Colombian Second Division)19:00 – Leones vs Real Cundinamarca – Win Sports TV YouTubeCONCACAF Central American Cup22:00 – Alianza FC vs CD Olimpia – Disney+ Premium00:00 – Firpo vs LD Alajuelense – Disney+ PremiumThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

St Helens have announced current Australia head coach Kevin Walters will join them as head coach from next season.The 58-year-old guided the Kangaroos to a 3-0 win over England in last year's Ashes tour and will remain with them for the World Cup on home soil in October and November before commencing a three-year contract with Saints in 2027.Walters has previously coached Catalans Dragons in Super League as well as Queensland and NRL side Brisbane Broncos."St Helens are one of the most iconic and successful brands in rugby league," Walters told the club website. "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead a club with so much history."I look forward to bringing my experiences as a coach and blending those learnings into the winning culture of St Helens."At the end of last year I witnessed first hand how tough, physical, and skilful the English players were. I look forward to being a part of Super League in 2027 with the Saints."St Helens boss Rowley leaves after less than a yearSt Helens beat Wakefield to boost play-off chancesAs a player, Walters won six NRL Premierships, made 20 State of Origin appearances, and 11 Test matches for the Kangaroos, including being part of Australia's 1992 World Cup-winning team.Chairman Eamonn McManus added: "Kevin's vast experience at both club and representative levels is self-evident."His motivation to succeed with the task at hand was both clear and compelling to us, as shown by the major career sacrifices that he is making in Australia to join St Helens."This is a major statement of ambition both by St Helens and by Super League."Eamon O'Carroll will continue as Saints interim head coach until the end of this season following the departure of Paul Rowley in July after less than a year at the helm.Saints have endured a torrid season with injuries heavily contributing to them being in danger of missing the Super League play-offs for the first time ever, sitting seventh in the table with three games remaining.Former boss Paul Wellens opted not to extend his contract last year following a season when Saints pulled off one of the greatest comebacks ever when they beat Leeds Rhinos in the Super League play-offs.On O'Carroll, McManus added: "He has been magnificent for us under testing circumstances, and I am sure that our fans will remain firmly behind him and the team."

Hansi Flick has experimented with Lamine Yamal as a false nine but prefers to keep the teenager on the right [Getty Images]Spanish champions Barcelona have spent the summer strengthening different areas of their squad.They have signed Rodri from Manchester City, which meant adding a Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup-winning captain to a midfield already packed with talent.They have added pace and width in their attack with Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, while Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu, 18, has arrived as a longer-term investment.But there is one notable gap - Barcelona do not have an established striker.With their first La Liga fixture away to Elche on Sunday, 23 August, Hansi Flick's side could go through the campaign without a number nine if they do not sign a striker before the window shuts on 1 September.Lamine Yamal as a false nine or fluid frontline?The experienced Robert Lewandowski, 37, left for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer when his contract expired at the end of last season, while Ferran Torres has joined Paris St-Germain for about 50m euros (£42.7m).Torres scored 21 goals in 49 appearances last season and was often used as an alternative to Lewandowski through the middle.Those two departures leave Barcelona without an established senior striker in their first-team squad.The club have made it clear their preferred solution is to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.The Argentina international, 26, said during the World Cup he would be looking for a move away.Atletico, though, made their position equally clear amid interest from Real Madrid too. Chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin said the club would not sell Alvarez, not even for 200m euros (£170.8m).Flick acknowledged Barcelona must address the situation, but the German has options within his existing group of players."We know we have to do something," Flick said this month, pointing to Lamine Yamal's ability to play as a false nine and the versatility of Gordon and Adeyemi.Teenager Lamine Yamal has already become Barcelona's attacking focal point and is coming off a season in which he scored 24 goals and lifted the World Cup with Spain.Yet his greatest quality is arguably the ability to isolate a full-back from the right, cut inside and create something from seemingly impossible situations.Flick's own preference remains for Lamine Yamal to operate from the right wing.Dani Olmo can also operate as a false nine, while Raphinha has also been used centrally by Flick. Fermin Lopez is another option in advanced areas and has said he is comfortable playing as a false nine.Gordon and Adeyemi provide pace and direct running, although neither is a conventional number nine.Alternatively, Barcelona could choose to play with a fluid forward line, with players constantly rotating rather than one striker remaining between opposition centre-backs.That could make them extremely difficult to defend against.However, there is no doubt their preferred option would be to recruit a specialised striker who fits the profile.Gyokeres, Martinez & Suarez - strikers they could signArsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres is a name being linked to their search.Earlier this summer, there were reports Arsenal had explored the possibility of including the Sweden international in a deal for Alvarez.But with Alvarez proving difficult to prise from Atleti, that could open the door for Barcelona to pursue a move for Gyokeres.The 28-year-old joined Arsenal from Sporting last summer in a deal worth up to 73m euros (£64m) on a five-year contract and scored 21 goals in his first season in north London as the Gunners became Premier League champions.Barcelona, though, would have to make a significant financial commitment to persuade Arsenal to sell Gyokeres after just 12 months.Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Sporting's Colombian forward Luis Suarez have also been linked as club sources say the management team are working hard to act before the transfer window closes.Rodri ready for 'excitement again' after Barca complete £65m deal'Amazing first week' - Gordon enjoying life in Spain

Memphis Depay: champion still hungry for more at CorinthiansMemphis Depay is already one of the most successful foreign players in Corinthians’ recent history, but the star is still hungry for more trophies.Discover the new PUMA Ultra 7, Memphis Depay’s boot. Click here to learn moreWith his contract renewed, the Dutchman has a clear goal at Timão: to win the Copa Libertadores de América!And Memphis has already made a difference in South America’s top competition in 2026.The star made his debut on May 27 against Platense and helped Timão secure a place in the round of 16 as group winners, where Corinthians will decide qualification this Thursday (20) against Rosario Central of Argentina — with Memphis on the pitch!The last time Timão had reached the Libertadores round of 16 was in 2022, when the São Paulo side ended up being eliminated by Flamengo.But now, with Memphis, the story will be different.The No. 10 has a strong record in international competitions, with 45 goal contributions in 80 matches across the Champions League, Europa League, and Copa Sudamericana — an average of 0.56 goals/assists per game.Backed by its biggest star, Corinthians is going all out to win the Libertadores, a title it has not claimed since winning it for the first time in 2012.The optimism is no accident. Memphis has been putting in strong performances and is Fernando Diniz’s main bet to lead Timão.“He’s a special player, decisive in the big moments,” said the Corinthians coach.And that is no coincidence. Since arriving in September 2023, the forward has played 79 matches, scored 20 goals, and provided 15 assists for Corinthians, contributing a goal every 155 minutes.More than just his goal contributions, he has been even more important to the club’s trophy room, playing a key role in the three titles he has won in just over 300 days with Timão: the 2025 Campeonato Paulista — the club’s first state title since 2019 — the 2025 Copa do Brasil, and the 2026 Supercopa do Brasil.The Copa do Brasil triumph brought an extra reward: direct qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage — Timão’s great obsession in 2026 — as well as revenue of approximately R$ 97.8 million in prize money accumulated throughout the rounds.In one of the songs released in Brazil by the player, who also has a parallel career as a rapper, the Dutchman made his ambition in Brazil clear: dominate the game!“They ask me why I came (I came). My purpose is bigger than fame (yeah). I hope they don’t take it the wrong way / Because I’m on my way to dominate the game (ay),” Depay sings in “Falando com as Favelas,” a song in partnership with MC Hariel.And dominating the game has a clear definition: making Corinthians win the Copa Libertadores de América again!This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Inter have clear stance on Lautaro Martinez after reports of Barcelona interestReports in Italy and Spain claim that Barcelona are interested in an audacious move to sign Inter captain Lautaro Martinez after their unsuccessful pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but the Nerazzurri are not expected to even entertain the idea of selling their talisman.Gazzetta: Inter will not sell Lautaro Martinez under any circumstancesAccording to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport and various others, Barcelona are interested in signing Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, although there have been conflicting reports over the Argentine’s preferences.ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 27: L.Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates scoring the team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Jordan and Argentina at Dallas Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)In Catalonia, there have been suggestions that Lautaro has ‘opened the doors’ to joining Barcelona, even if arranging a deal with Inter is expected to be complicated, whilst La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there is no chance of Lautaro leaving San Siro before the end of this summer transfer window.There had been genuine interest in Lautaro from Barcelona several years ago, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but given that Barca are still in a complicated financial situation and given that Inter do not want to sell their talisman at any cost, especially with less than a week to go before the start of the Serie A season, the chances of him leaving this month seem slim.KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 11: L.Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Lautaro is solely focused on being ready and available to start against Monza for Inter’s Serie A season opener on Saturday evening.

A thundercloud is moving over Lich in the Giessen district of central Hesse, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Alexander Wolf/onw-images/dpa via AP)2026-08-20T08:43:50Z BERLIN (AP) — A woman died and at least two other people were injured as severe storms caused extensive damage overnight across parts of Germany. In Waldorf, in the southwestern state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a woman was struck by a falling tree and fatally injured, the German news agency dpa reported Thursday. Another woman suffered serious injuries in the accident, police said.The women, 58 and 47, were walking together when a storm rolled in and they sought shelter under a covered seating area. Both women were struck when a tree was uprooted and fell onto the seating area. The 58-year-old died at the scene, a police spokesperson said. The 47-year-old was taken to a hospital.A tornado struck the town of Fürstenwalde, 78 kilometers (49 miles) southeast of Berlin. Roofs were torn off and several cars were damaged by falling trees, and one person was injured, according to dpa. In Höhr-Grenzhausen in the Westerwald district in western Germany, a storm tore walls from buildings. At least two homes were affected, according to dpa. Falling pieces of building facades and flying debris caused additional damage, and several trees were uprooted. A widespread power outage also hit the area, while strong gusts of wind overturned a truck on the A61 highway.There were also numerous weather-related emergency calls overnight in Hesse, Thuringia and Bavaria. A village festival in Kronach, Bavaria, was partially evacuated due to severe storms. About 3,500 guests had to leave the outdoor area of the festival grounds late Wednesday evening, local police said. They were able to continue celebrating inside the beer halls.In Wetzlar, in Hesse, the storm damaged about 60 houses, according to the fire department. In some cases, pieces of roofing were blown as far as 100 meters (110 yards) away, dpa reported. Read More The German Weather Service warned that further severe storms could occur later in the day, particularly in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in southern Germany.

U.S. Army soldiers try to dismantle a floating bridge during a training exercise on a river in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)2026-08-20T08:32:06Z SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea on Thursday, Japan said, a day after North Korea shrugged off a U.S. decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy.The Japanese prime minister’s office said it detected the suspected launch but gave no further details. South Korean media, citing the military, reported that North Korea fired an unidentified projectile off the North’s east coast.On Wednesday, the South Korean and U.S. militaries said they were scaling back their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. That came days after U.S. President Donald Trump earlier ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the exercises, citing what he said was a good relationship with Kim and South Korea’s refusal to support him over the war in Iran. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed Trump’s overture later Wednesday. She said it was not even worthy of comment because “The provocative, aggressive nature of the drills won’t change even though their duration and size were reduced.”“If the U.S. calculates that it can propagate its recent measure as the one of so-called good faith, they will not get the desired answer,” she said. She also cited a series of other military drills carried out by the U.S. and South Korea earlier this year and South Korea’s push to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.