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Wan‑Bissaka started all four of DR Congo's matches at the 2026 World Cup [Getty Images]Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka on a season-long loan deal.The deal for the DR Congo right-back includes a "conditional obligation to buy".The exact terms are not known, with the Hammers having previously asked interested clubs to pay a £25m fee.The 28-year-old missed Championship club West Ham's first two matches of the season during negotiations for a return to the Premier League.Wan-Bissaka joined West Ham United on a seven‑year contract from Manchester United in 2024. He has made 65 appearances across his two seasons at the club, including 25 last season when the Hammers were relegated to the Championship.He previously played 190 times for Manchester United, winning the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.More recently, Wan‑Bissaka started all four of DR Congo's matches at the 2026 World Cup, helping them progress to the round of 32.The new signing may feature in Villa's first game of the Premier League at Brighton on Sunday (14:00 BST) and will also compete in the Champions League after the Villans finished fourth and won the Europa League under Unai Emery last season. More on this story Aston Villa agree deal for West Ham's Wan-Bissaka'Versatile' and 'proven Premier League player' - fan views on Wan-Bissaka

Kompany confirms Musiala will miss Supercup clash with "quality" Dortmund sideAhead of tomorrow night's Supercup clash with Borussia Dortmund, Vincent Kompany has confirmed that Jamal Musiala won't feature. “Every decision was made based on the best possible information. We know how to handle it. He'll be training individually this week. "I spoke to Jamal and he said I can speak about that. He made a slight change to his treatment, which caused some side effects.“It's perfectly normal to make changes to a treatment plan. Now we want to get things back to how it was before,” he said at his press conference.After adding that Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl will also be unavailable, Kompany discussed the challenge of facing Dortmund.“It would be great if we could win a title in Dortmund. Maybe it could have been with 50-50 fans; that would have added a final atmosphere.“But winning a title away in Dortmund would also be very nice. The quality and power of the Dortmund team is high. There's no tougher challenge in the Bundesliga,” he explained.With regards to new Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp, Kompany kept tight-lipped about their interactions to date. “I don't want to reveal that. I've known Jürgen Klopp for a long time from England and I am looking forward to working together.“We have worked against each other in fierce competition for many years. We will have an open exchange at some point,” he concluded.

CLEVELAND — Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is using Major League Baseball’s Players’ Weekend to spread awareness for two charities that are near and dear to his family’s heart. MLB’s Players’ Weekend will run Aug. 21-23. During these three days, players, coaches and managers are able to utilize custom gear (bats, gloves, cleats, catcher’s equipment and more) along with individualized name plates on the backs of jerseys. The Guardians will be in Colorado to play the Rockies during this stretch. Those partaking in Players’ Weekend also have the option of auctioning off custom gear to benefit charities. Vogt will be using that time to wear custom shoes in an effort to bring awareness to the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. “It’s a cool opportunity just to spotlight two unbelievable organizations that help a lot of people in different ways,” Vogt said.Members of the Vogt family, at one time, benefited from hospitality from the Ronald McDonald house, which is one of the reasons they’re hoping to give back now. Vogt’s wife, Alyssa, and her family once stayed in a Ronald McDonald house when her brother was in the hospital for a period of time. The Vogts have also been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs organization in the past. “I think it’s important for us to give back to our community,” Vogt said. “These are our fans. These are the cities that support us. And I think it’s our duty as players and coaches and people who have the honor to put on a Cleveland Guardians uniform to get out in the community and raise awareness of good causes and bring joy to people.” What is MLB Players' Weekend?Among the players doing something similar, Guardians reliever Colin Holderman has a custom glove he’ll wear in support of Autism Speaks. For Vogt, it all serves as a reminder that although baseball is the job, some things — like being able to visit children in the hospital or support charitable organizations — are more important than the daily grind. “It brings perspective. I know my job is important, I take it very seriously and I know it’s an honor to do this, but those things are bigger than baseball,” Vogt said. “It makes you realize that what I do is very small. I know it’s a big deal and I take it very seriously, but there’s other things in this world that are more important, and it brings that perspective for me and it brings a smile to kids’ faces. “And there’s nothing better than bringing joy into somebody’s life. And if I can go hit some balls off the tee or read a book to a kid that makes them feel special for a day, it’s the least I can do.” Ryan Lewis covers the Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stephen Vogt to wear custom shoes for MLB Players' Weekend for charity

Everton fan James Costello says he has been impressed by Tyler Dibling in pre-season but says the winger needs to show better performances during the campaign. He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "He never showed anything that really proved his £40m business last season albeit yes, he wasn't really given a lot of chances. He was given a sort of chance in the December period when Ndiaye had gone off to Afcon, played a few games around the Christmas period but never really showed the sort of skills that he showed at Southampton."Dibling only played for 513 minutes for Everton in all competitions during the 2025-26 season. Costello added: "He has impressed me in the pre-season so far. He looks like a different player. Last season he just looked scared to attack and now he looks a bit more invigorated. He's had his first real pre-season and embedded himself into the team because you know, he signed like halfway through the August transfer window last season so I think this is his real chance to step up."Will he start? It's up in the air. I think Tyrique George has probably done a bit more in pre-season to warrant that. Obviously Brennan Johnson is a right midfielder as it stands. If he gets a chance he has to take it. There's no second chances this season for Dibling otherwise we could be seeing a loan move or even a transfer away to be honest because he is still so young but we've not seen any flashes that have really made that transfer really work so far."Listen to the full chat above or on BBC Sounds[BBC]

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, lead negotiator in talks with the United States, made the comments after President Trump vowed an “economic D-Day” against Iran.

We look at how dire the situation has become inside Kyiv.

Fears about the war in Iran, government deficits, the economy and corporate borrowing stirred global markets.

Samuel Tunick, who faces a felony charge for deleting his phone’s data during an airport customs search, called the government’s peering into people’s private lives “creepy.”

In a rare interview, the onetime political outcast reflects on her route from “the uncomfortable side of history” to the threshold of leading Italy’s most durable postwar government.

Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuban ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to reporters in New York, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig,File)2026-08-21T10:35:10Z UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States has demanded that Cuba open up to private investment, and Cuba has passed sweeping reforms to encourage just that. So Cuba’s U.N. ambassador says he wants to know why Washington keeps piling on sanctions that stymie the very economic opening it has sought for decades.Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, in an interview this week with The Associated Press, directed his question to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the main architect of the Trump administration’s Cuba policy:“What are you afraid of? If you are so convinced that the Cuban government is an incompetent government, why do you need to implement almost every two weeks new sanctions?” Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuban ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to reporters in New York, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig,File) Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuban ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to reporters in New York, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig,File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The U.S. State Department responded to a request for comment with a quote from Rubio saying new sanctions will continue to be announced every couple of weeks to close off “escape valves that they’re trying to create in every mechanism.” Then on Thursday, the U.S. imposed more economic penalties on Cuban industries, targeting state-owned mining, metal and construction companies. Cuba has been pushed to the brink by an oil blockade imposed by the United States in January on top of a decades-old embargo, coupled with the escalating sanctions. The moves by President Donald Trump’s administration, meant to put pressure on the government by depriving it of funding, have worsened already debilitating blackouts, cut workers off from public transport, crippled infrastructure and deepened shortages in medicine and food in the Caribbean island nation. A man carries a pig at the entrance of a market, decorated with a mural of Fidel Castro, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) A man carries a pig at the entrance of a market, decorated with a mural of Fidel Castro, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Guzmán said the sanctions are the main obstacle to Cuba opening up its economy. He said the impact of the U.S. measures — specifically the shortage of electricity and lack of fuel to run a business or travel — has turned off investors and tourists, a major source of Cuba’s income. Some companies have pulled out of Cuba, including the Spanish hotel chain Meliá, which relied on tourist revenue and cited “significant operational, legal, economic and financial difficulties” in explaining its decision to leave. Read More ”Literally, the United States has done everything imaginable to try to prevent foreign investors,” said William LeoGrande, a professor at American University and a leading expert on U.S.-Cuba relations. ”When they say, `Well, we want to see Cuba open up to foreign investment,’ they’re being disingenuous. ... It’s not possible for them to succeed without some kind of sanctions relief.”The goal of Trump’s Republican administration, he said, is “not just to open up Cuba economically but to overthrow the Cuban government — to change the nature of the Cuban political system.” Cuba announces major economic shiftJohn Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, said Cuba had to make changes when it lost its economic lifeline with the U.S. ouster in January of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.“The result is the Cuban government in the last eight months made more commercial, economic and financial changes to the country than they have as a group since the revolution,” he said. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Nonetheless, the Trump administration keeps ratcheting up sanctions, putting more pressure on Cuba, which is responding by making more changes, Kavulich said.“But from our standpoint, there are two parts missing: One is Cuba implementing by regulation everything that it’s announced, and secondly, the Trump administration allowing U.S. companies to have more access to the Cuban marketplace while these changes are underway,” he said. The changes announced by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in June aim to significantly shift Cuba’s economy and industry, which have been strictly controlled by the socialist government since the 1959 revolution. An image of Fidel Castro is displayed on a large screen during a gala commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth at the Karl Marx theater in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) An image of Fidel Castro is displayed on a large screen during a gala commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth at the Karl Marx theater in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More They include more space for private businesses, imports and exports without the state as an intermediary, free hiring of personnel, authorization for private banks, investment by Cubans abroad and opportunities for fast-food chains to establish themselves on the island.Guzmán said there are opportunities for investments in real estate, solar farms and energy to help ease the country’s electricity shortage, as well as in marinas and the tourism industry.Christopher Hernandez-Roy, acting director of the Americas program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, recalled that the last economic opening under President Barack Obama’s Democratic administration “was later throttled by the Cubans themselves, who feared that the opening went too far and appeared to threaten political control.” Today, he said, it appears the Cubans really do want economic reforms and outside investment. Díaz-Canel’s economic reforms are not impossible, but U.S. sanctions “significantly constrain their prospects for success,” Hernandez-Roy said. He noted the irony that U.S. pressure ”is helping push the Cubans toward greater economic liberalization out of necessity, while simultaneously limiting the resources and access necessary for those reforms to actually improve the economy.” Street vendors push their cart of vegetables past a mural of Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Street vendors push their cart of vegetables past a mural of Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Rubio says Cuba’s leaders ‘don’t know what they’re doing’In late June, after the reforms were announced, the U.S. slapped sanctions on five state companies, three linked to a business conglomerate run by Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces. Best known as GAESA, it is believed to command nearly 40% of Cuba’s gross domestic product. Rubio, a former U.S. senator from Florida whose parents were born in Cuba, did not appear to be impressed by the newly announced economic changes. He last month called Cuba “a failed state” with “a bad economic model.” He said Cuba’s leaders “don’t know what they’re doing” and “don’t know how to fix their economy.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks alongside Paraguay’s Vice President Pedro Alliana (not pictured), in the Treaty Room at the State Department, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tierney L. Cross) Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks alongside Paraguay’s Vice President Pedro Alliana (not pictured), in the Treaty Room at the State Department, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tierney L. Cross) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More “I think the challenge that Cuba has faced for the last 15 years is they want to somewhat improve their economy, but they’re afraid that if they improve it too much they’ll lose political control over people,” he said.The United States is prepared “to do what we can do to effectuate a positive change in Cuba because it directly impacts our national security” since it is only 90 miles (145 kilometers) from the U.S. mainland, Rubio said. “And we want Cuba to be prosperous. We want Cuba to be free.” The Cuban ambassador said implementing the economic changes would be far easier without the sanctions, if American companies were involved in Cuba and if trade between the two countries was possible. He said the good news is that talks are taking place between the United States and Cuba. He declined to give details of what he called “very sensitive conversations.”“But the point here is that even when Cuba is changing a lot,” Guzmán said, “the U.S. government keeps the same policy of aggression towards the Cuban people.”___Follow the AP’s coverage of Cuba at https://apnews.com/hub/cuba.

Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina fill the streets near downtown New Orleans on Aug. 30, 2005. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)2026-08-21T10:36:17Z U.S. hurricane season is gearing up. And from Amanda and Boris onward, tropical cyclones’ names in the Pacific region are unfolding quickly.But why the monikers each year? Or at all?Humans have given names to the world around them for almost as long as language itself has existed, but formal naming practices for storms and other events of national and international importance are a relatively new phenomenon. Names of military operations (“Operation Epic Fury”), hurricanes (Hugo, Andrew, Katrina, etc.), diseases (COVID-19) and even companies need to serve purposes other than just differentiation. They need to tell stories.“Look around in your home. Who or what has a name? Your family members, your pets. You may even have named certain objects of significance,” says Shannon Murphy, CEO of Nameistry, a firm that helps companies and entrepreneurs develop their brand identities. “If it’s got a name, it has meaning in some way, and it’s going to come up in conversation or other types of communication.” The World Meteorological Organization, which manages the naming of tropical storms worldwide, says assigning a moniker is “proven to be the fastest way to communicate warnings and raise public awareness and preparedness,” as well as limit confusion when more than one cyclone is moving through. They can also help with research and record-keeping.Tropical storms the world over are named on a set of pre-agreed alphabetical lists decided by five tropical cyclone regional bodies. Some of these are cyclical, returning to the same lists every few years, starting at “A” with the first storm of the given year; others start a new list every year. Those covering the Atlantic region skip names beginning with Q, U, X, Y and Z because examples are difficult to find.Until 1979, the United States used only female names, but now it alternates. For example, Amanda’s successor in the Eastern North Pacific storm region is Boris, and residents of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic region have already seen Arthur and Bertha. Military operation names have evolved (thanks to Churchill)While storm names are designed to be memorable and simple, they are not necessarily trying to elicit feelings. Neither were military operation names, which functioned to maintain secrecy and to differentiate one from another until British Prime Minister Winston Churchill changed the nomenclature to suit the broader aims of the allies in World War II. Read More “In the Second World War, names such as Overlord, Torch or Husky were planning code-names,” says Ruben Stewart, senior fellow for land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “Churchill’s intervention in the naming of Operation Overlord,” Stewart said, referring to the Allied push that began with D-Day, “reflected a broader wartime realization that operation names mattered.”In a 1943 memo to his wartime chief of staff discussing code words to be used during World War II, Churchill argued operation names should not imply a “boastful and overconfident sentiment” or be “frivolous.” The prime minister added that effort should be made to identify names that “do not suggest the character of the operation or disparage it in any way and do not enable some widow or mother to say that her son was killed in an operation called ‘Bunnyhug’ or ‘Ballyhoo.’” Subsequent conflicts morphed naming practices, with the U.S. military choosing two-word operation names and the United Kingdom sticking with one. Today, British military code names are automatically generated, but U.S. military operations remain evocative. This means joint operations can end up with different names: The military response to the 1991 Gulf War was famously dubbed “Operation Desert Storm” by the U.S. military, while the British opted for “Operation Granby.”Stewart says the post-Korea/Vietnam and post-Panama periods mattered for setting the tone in U.S. military monikers, with Operation Killer during the Korean War in 1951 causing “obvious public-affairs problems,” while the U.S. invasion of Panama being “Operation Just Cause” showed how an operation name could be “deliberately framed for legitimacy,” he said. Recent years have brought more colorful monikersWhen the U.S. war with Iran began in February, it was dubbed Operation Epic Fury, a name President Donald Trump said he selected from a list of 20. Some have criticized the rise of more bombastic names, including immigration raids titled Catahoula Crunch in Louisiana and Operation Dirtbag in Florida — and the naming of detention facilities like Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz.”“A name can signal purpose, reassure domestic audiences, sustain coalition legitimacy, deter adversaries and give service personnel a shorthand identity for what they are doing,” Stewart says. “The best names are clear, sober, memorable, culturally safe and politically defensible.”Getting a name’s feel or connotation wrong can have huge consequences, despite it being only a sliver of an operation. The U.S. war on terror after 9/11 was originally Operation Infinite Justice, but it was changed to Operation Enduring Freedom after concerns that U.S. allies in the Middle East would be offended. Muslims believe only God can deliver the concept of infinite justice.Not all names are designed to last. Twice in the last 25 years, the Atlantic weather region exhausted all the names on its annual list and had to resort to using the Greek alphabet to name storms. Now, Berg says, a supplementary list of names sits at the ready. In the case of a particularly devastating storm, either by death toll or damage, names can be retired and replaced with new ones. Consideration is given to clarity.“There have been names that are hard to pronounce, and I think people try to refrain from using those because we want them to roll off the tongue pretty easily,” said Robbie Berg, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Hurricane Center.The practice of naming major events is continually evolvingInfamous storms with retired names include Sandy, which struck Jamaica, Cuba and the east coast of the United States in 2012, killing 182 people; and Katrina, which struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, killing nearly 1,400. Both caused widespread property devastation. The names won’t surface again; they were replaced by Katia and Sara.Practices also change over time. Historically, diseases and medical conditions were often named after the people who identified them or places they were identified — think of Alzheimer’s disease or Ebola — but the World Health Organization now advises against this practice.“There is a deliberate move away from terms like ‘swine flu’ or ‘Spanish flu,’ which underscores how powerful a name and its associations can be,” Murphy said. “Once it sticks, it’s hard to unstick it.”There is scant research into the exact impacts of naming. Andrew Charlton-Perez, a meteorologist and head of the School of Mathematical, Physical & Computational Sciences at the University of Reading, called for more studies in the field as the climate brings more frequent and extreme weather events.“As our climate becomes more extreme,” he said, “there is always the need to think about how to better communicate to avoid harm.”One possible alternative: crowdsourcing. In Britain and Ireland, people can submit ideas for storm names and try their hand. They might get lucky — depending on which way the wind blows.

[Getty Images]Omar Marmoush is primarily a number nine, but he has rarely been confined to one role across the front line.At Frankfurt, he was used predominantly through the middle but also appeared as a second striker and from the left. Manchester City have followed a similar pattern, using him mainly as a central attacker while also deploying him from the flank and just behind another forward.That flexibility could suit Roberto de Zerbi. His teams have often relied on forwards changing positions, dropping towards the ball and then attacking the space created when opponents are drawn out. Marmoush is comfortable doing both.Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha sees the Egyptian as most dangerous when he is able to threaten the space beyond the defence."As much as he is good dropping towards the ball, I think he is better when he plays on the shoulder," he said. "He needs to be in a team that will constantly play balls in behind and force the opposition to run back towards their own goal. That's when you see a better version of Marmoush."Opta's Premier League numbers from last season show he averaged 11.46 runs in behind per 90 minutes, almost identical to Dominic Solanke's 11.61 and ahead of Richarlison's 10.03. But he also offered considerably more with the ball.[BBC]

[BBC][Getty Images]We asked for your views on ex-Premier League players Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge being scrutinised for comments about the Tigers on a podcast.Here are some of your comments:Andy: The Joe Coles of punditry have literally no idea about the efforts Hull City are making to create a squad with a chance of survival in the Premier League. Last season came to a remarkable conclusion with that win at Wembley, but now Hull City are approaching a Premier League season with several quality signings and more to come. To be so instantly (and disrespectfully) written off boils down to very lazy punditry. Bottom line: my feeling is that Hull City will survive.Mark: These ex-players attempting to make Hull City's glorious journey about them tells you all you need to know about them as people. The fact any promoted club is expected to slip straight back down shows how unevenly weighted the Premier League is. It would benefit football in general if the playing field were levelled more.Matt: We are in the Premier League on merit. We won the play-offs fair and square. Yes, we are favourites to go down, but let's just see how the season goes. Win or lose, we don't care - we will follow Hull City everywhere. C'mon the Tigers, it's going to be one hell of a ride.Chris: After a well-deserved front-door entry into the Premier League (because there is no back door), City need to maintain the close team spirit and determination that was evident throughout the 2025-26 season. That's the foundation and, as a lifelong supporter, I am looking forward to the journey, however bumpy it is. Shame on those disrespectful characters who think it's OK to laugh at the club and I give full respect to the owner, the manager and, of course, the supporters for their honest and passionate support.

PHENIX CITY, Ala. – When Trent Seaborn made his first start at quarterback for Thompson (AL), he was as nervous as any first-time starter would be. There was just one difference: Seaborn was just 14 years old and hadn’t even started high school yet.“I can remember it clear as day,” Seaborn said. “I was so scared.”Four years later, Seaborn took the field for his final season opener in a Thompson uniform, and the difference was evident. Not only has the Alabama commit grown a few inches, expanded his skill set and helped lead the Warriors to three state championships, but he has learned how to embrace the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback. “It’s funny, I think back to all the other years I’ve played and I would be nervous before all the games,” Seaborn said. “But it was kind of a different feeling when I stepped off the bus today. I just felt calm and collected.”That confidence was on full display on Thursday, Aug. 20, as No. 9 Thompson rolled past Central-Phenix City 41-14 in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic, finishing with 27 unanswered points.The Warriors held the Red Devils scoreless in the second half in what was a rematch of last year’s AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal, when Thompson edged Central 35-34.“It was a close game last year – obviously it ended up in our favor – but we felt like we left some stuff on the table,” Seaborn said. “When we came out tonight, I really felt like the whole team just left it all out on the field.”Thursday marked Seaborn’s 46th start in a Thompson uniform, a milestone few high school quarterbacks ever reach. Over his four years of play, Seaborn has amassed 10,145 yards and 103 touchdowns. He added 343 yards and four touchdowns Thursday, moving him closer to the Alabama high school record of 11,024 total yards held by Piedmont’s Jack Hayes.“It’s been a blessing that I can’t describe,” Thompson head coach Mark Freeman said of coaching Seaborn.As a five-year varsity player, Seaborn has seen plenty of players come and go. But each year, he has had to adjust to a new group of players and learn how to win with whoever is on the field.“I don’t really look so much at myself, I just look at my teammates that I’ve had all along the way,” Seaborn said. “It’s just cool to be a part of a new team every year and make these friendships.”Although the Warriors are only one game into the season, Seaborn has taken note of the talent on this year’s squad. “I have really high confidence for this team,” Seaborn said. “It’s definitely one of the really good teams that I’ve been a part of – and I’ve been a part of a lot of really good teams. So, I’m excited to see once adversity hits how this team responds.”Seaborn, however, might not be representing the Warriors if it weren’t for one special family – the Tagovailoa’s. Seaborn trains under Galu Tagovailoa at Raising Champions, where he previously trained alongside Galu’s sons, Tua and Taulia Tagovailoa. Taulia, who was Thompson’s starting quarterback in 2017 and 2018, inspired Seaborn to want to play for the Warriors.“Coach Galu Tagovailoa, he’s been like a second dad to me ever since I was six years old,” Seaborn said. “He’s brought me up alongside Talia and I really got to learn and watch how he would operate – not just on the field, but off the field.”Seaborn also watched Tua develop into a star quarterback at Alabama and began to envision himself following a similar path in Tuscaloosa – a dream that will become a reality next year when he joins the Crimson Tide.For now, though, Seaborn’s attention remains on Thompson and one final run at a state championship. “I really don’t want to think about him leaving,” Freeman joked. “I may pack up and go with him.”This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama commit Trent Seaborn opens final high school season, nears state passing record

Someone needed to step up when the New Orleans Saints shut down Jordyn Tyson for the preseason with another hamstring injury. And with their first-round pick not expected to play in at least the first three or four regular season games, it fell on his fellow rookies to make a difference. Fourth-round pick Bryce Lance and sixth-round choice Barion Brown answered the bell.This week it's been all Lance. After catching three of his four targets in Tuesday's joint practice session with the Dallas Cowboys, Lance reached another level by going five-for-five on Thursday. And he did it against a very good Los Angeles Rams defense. He's looking like much more than the small-school standout with a limited route tree he was cast as on draft day.A birthday touchdown for Bryce Lance 🥳 pic.twitter.com/UIJ9WETADq— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 20, 2026Lance making plays at every level of the field and consistently delivering in the red zone is significant. He's still behind Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele on the depth chart, but with those two starters taking veteran's rest days this week (Vele was held out of the Cowboys practice, while Olave was an observer against the Rams), he was functionally the team's WR2. He's got more to do to ensure a heavy role when the season starts in September -- and you can bet tight end Juwan Johnson is going to draw a lot of targets -- but Lance is earning his quarterback's trust.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Rookie wide receiver steps up during Saints-Rams joint practice

[Getty Images]Chelsea striker Joao Pedro is set to sign a new contract with the club until 2032, with the option of two further years.When he signed for the club, his original contract was announced as running until 2033.However, that deal actually ran until 2032 with an option for one further year.Chelsea typically include those club options when stating the length of a player's contract in official announcements.Therefore, when Joao Pedro's new contract is confirmed, it will likely announce him as being under contract until 2034, despite the deal itself running until 2032 with a further two-year option.In reality, Chelsea have extended his contract on improved terms rather than reducing it.

Nature, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02566-6Rather than racing to replace people, we should build AI tools that amplify human expertise and expand opportunity.

The couple lost their publicly funded security after deciding to leave Britain in 2020, deepening their split with the royal family.

Though full of details that echo the life and career of Natalie Portman, “Life of M” remains chilly and abstract.

The federal government has slowed Harvard’s funding, despite the university’s legal victories. The conflict is forcing hard choices on campus.

Local groups in the NoHo neighborhood of Manhattan opposed the plan, saying designs for two apartment buildings did not reflect the neighborhood’s historical character.

For years, Jessica Ramos used campaign money to pay for hotels and Amtrak tickets while also receiving state payments for travel, records and interviews show.

Students from Thomas Leadership Academy play on the school's playground in Eatonville, Fla., on Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)2026-08-21T11:01:05Z For students starting at a new school, the first day holds many questions: Will they see any familiar faces? Who will they sit with at lunch? Who will they play with at recess?“I’m this much nervous,” said Iman Fair-Seldon, 5, holding her hands about 4 inches (10 centimeters) apart. Iman will start first grade next month at a new school in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia. Despite the nerves, she said she is excited to make new friends.Starting at a new school or making a big transition, such as moving from elementary school to middle school, can be challenging. Parents may want to help but aren’t always sure what to say or do. Here’s some advice from both grown-ups and the ultimate experts: kids who have gone through transition themselves.Schedule playdates and go to birthday partiesParents of young children have significant influence over where their children spend time and with whom, experts say. They can seek out activities that create opportunities for connection, such as parks, playgrounds and birthday parties, and decide when their children are ready for activities like sleepovers. This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well. “Initially, parents have a huge impact when it comes to the friends that children have,” said Dr. Asha Barber Sutton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate dean of academic affairs at National University in San Diego. “More than we would like to believe, our actions as caregivers make a difference in terms of how children experience the world.”Amira Fair, Iman’s mother, says she prefers to keep to herself, but she pushes past those feelings to help her daughter develop relationships. “I make it my business to exchange numbers and try to schedule monthly playdates,” she said. “One thing I tried to do, especially at her old school, was go to every single birthday function, say hi to the parents, get a present, see the family.” Let kids navigate their own friendshipsParents can’t manage every friendship for their children, experts say. Instead, they can help children develop their own sense of what makes a good friend: Are they kind? Are they honest? Can you be yourself around them? Some difficult interactions can help children learn what they value in a friend and how to handle conflict, Sutton said. Parents can also ask questions to help their children think about what they value in friendships: What qualities do you like in your friends? Who makes you feel comfortable being yourself? Those conversations can give children a framework for evaluating their own friendships when problems arise, experts say.Jaiden Journet, a 14-year-old starting at a new high school in North Carolina, suggests parents ask their kids: “Have you found anything you have in common with anyone?” Read More Help kids get involvedParents also can support their children through encouragement, especially if they are shy or anxious. Encouraging children to get involved in extracurricular activities or to try something new can help them meet people with similar interests.Shia Watts, 16, says trying something new led her to some of her friends at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. “Last year, I was part of theater production. I’d never done that before, but I met so many amazing people,” she said. When Jamir Gonzalez transferred last year to Uncommon Camden Prep High School in New Jersey, he joined the basketball and debate teams.“If you have any hobbies, find out if they have that at your school, and if they do, talk to the people that are there,” said Jamir, now a 16-year-old senior.Once students find opportunities to connect, starting the conversation is the next step, experts say. Smiling, complimenting others and asking questions can help start a conversation and keep it going.Iman, the New Jersey 5-year-old, remembers how she met her now “B-F-F-F-F-F.” It started with a compliment.“I think I said, ‘I like your shirt,’ and then she said, ‘Thank you.’ And I said, ‘So what’s your name?’” she recalled.Put down the cellphones — sometimesStudents may find it harder to start conversations when their peers are on their phones, wearing headphones or focused on screens. Experts say parents can encourage children, particularly teens, to put devices away at times so they can be more present and engaged with the people around them. One way to help: Stop texting your child at school, some teachers and experts say. But being too harsh with older children’s tech limits can isolate them socially, Sutton said. Still, parents should talk with their teens about expectations around technology, social media and gaming, including knowing who kids are interacting with online.Technology can also help children maintain friendships when circumstances separate them, Sutton said. “If you move away, it’s no longer like, ‘Hey, I moved out of state, and I can never see you,’ ” she said. “We have FaceTime, and we can still stay connected to friends in that way.”Even one friendship countsFeeling connected and having a sense of belonging at school can have an important effect on students’ well-being. If a student feels staff and peers at their school care about them, they are less likely to have poor mental health, use substances or be involved in violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they are more likely to have better grades and attendance. But a student needn’t have a large friend group to feel connected. Even one relationship can make a meaningful difference, said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit that focuses on gun violence prevention in schools.“Even if you only have one really strong friendship or one strong trusted adult, one strong sense of belonging, that can be enough to really positively affect your well-being and your trajectory through school and life,” she said.For students who are nervous about starting over, Hockley said, it can help to remember that other students may be looking for connection, too.“There’s also someone else just like you in that same space who’s also saying, ‘I would like to meet someone. I’d like to make a friend,’ ” she said. “It can be intimidating, but it’s not hard once you practice it.”___The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. CHEYANNE MUMPHREY Mumphrey reports on wellness trends and topics for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

Una mujer camina junto a un mapa que muestra proyectos inmobiliarios de Evergrande en China, mientras se dirige a la plaza urbana Evergrande en Beijing el 18 de septiembre de 2023. (AP Foto/Andy Wong, Archivo)2026-08-21T10:58:10Z HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese authorities are moving to finish cleaning up the mess left by the collapse of the Evergrande real estate empire, years after its default with some $300 billion in liabilities.A court in southern China’s Guangzhou said Friday it had accepted a bankruptcy liquidation case against Evergrande’s mainland Chinese property development unit, which according to industry data accounted for much of the group’s overall debt.That came a day after a court in the city of Shenzhen sentenced China Evergrande’s 67-year-old founder Hui Kan Yan to life in prison for financial crimes. On the same day, dozens of others tied to the group, including Hui’s sons, also were sentenced to prison terms of up to 18 years. China takes steps to wrap up the Evergrande sagaThe latest developments suggest that the Chinese government “may already have a road map” for wrapping up the Evergrande saga, said Foreky Wong, a founding partner at Fortune Ark Restructuring and a restructuring specialist.“They will need to do these (steps) sooner or later,” he said. However, he added, “Evergrande is such a big company. Its bankruptcy proceedings will last for a while.” What remains unclear is how long it will take to get the real estate market, once a main locomotive of China’s economic boom and accounted for approximately a quarter of China’s economy as recent as a few years ago, back on track. Evergrande collapsed after Chinese regulators cracked down on excessive borrowing in the real estate industry in 2020. That brought on a wave of failures of other developers and a prolonged downturn in the housing market. Home prices have fallen roughly 20% or more since 2021 and so far there have been scant signs of a solid recovery. Supply still outstrips demand in many smaller cities, while a wider economic slowdown is weighing on people’s spending power. Read More Creditors may not get much of their money backOnce deemed “too big to fail,” Evergrande became the world’s most indebted developer. It’s taking years to wind up those debts. In 2024, after failing to reach an agreement with its creditors, a Hong Kong court eventually ordered the liquidation of Evergrande group, its holding company which was listed in Hong Kong and incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Nearly five years after the company’s first default on its debts, industry experts say the liquidation progress will likely be a lengthy one.Hong Kong and mainland China operate under different legal systems and most of Evergrande’s assets are in mainland China, the location of most of its operations. So, Hong Kong court-appointed liquidators have a limited capacity to claw back its assets and help creditors recover what they are owed. “There are lots of interesting legal questions thrown up by this PRC (the People’s Republic of China) ruling that will take some time to play out,” said Jonathan Leitch, a partner specialized in restructuring at the law firm Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.That includes whether there will be other claims against Hui’s assets competing with claims that the Hong Kong liquidators are pursuing, Leitch said. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Liquidators and courts are going after Hui’s fortuneIn announcing the lifetime prison sentence for Hui, who is also known as Xu Jiayin and was at one time said to be China’s richest man, the Shenzhen court ordered that his personal assets be confiscated. Hong Kong-based liquidators from the restructuring firm Alvarez and Marsal have sought to locate and recover the assets of Evergrande, Hui and others tied to the company. A Hong Kong judge earlier prohibited Hui from disposing of his worldwide assets of some $7.7 billion. The liquidators also have been seeking $8.4 billion from accounting firm PwC over its role in auditing Evergrande’s financial statements before its collapse.Investigations by authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China found Evergrande had overstated its revenues by roughly $80 billion over 2019 and 2020 by manipulating financial data.In 2024, mainland authorities fined PwC, one of the world’s largest accounting firms, around $62 million over its Evergrande audits. Hong Kong authorities said in April that PwC was paying a separate $166 million in fines and compensation.Evergrande’s creditors will likely recover a fraction of what’s owed. Wong of Fortune Ark Restructuring expects what while the amounts might be large, they will likely figure in the single digit percentages of Evergrande’s liabilities. 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

Motorists ride on a road as haze from wildfires blanket the city of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Stefanus Taman)2026-08-21T10:53:56Z JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia n authorities warned Friday they would take legal action against anyone who starts an open fire, as huge blazes on Borneo and elsewhere created a choking haze that blanketed cities and dense smoke drifted into neighboring Malaysia.The fires are concentrated on Borneo, the world’s third-largest island shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesia occupies about three-quarters of the island, where more than 5,000 hot spots were recorded by the country’s Forestry Ministry.The blazes have blanketed parts of Kalimantan in choking haze, reducing visibility to just 1 to 10 meters (yards) in some areas, according to local media reports. The smoke has contributed to traffic accidents and delayed several flights.Television footage showed roads, buildings and public facilities obscured by smoke, with motorists forced to drive with headlights on during daylight hours. Residents, including schoolchildren, were seen wearing masks while walking outside. An intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season have fueled the fires, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency.Malaysia’s eastern state of Sarawak has been among the hardest hit. One district recorded “very unhealthy” air quality Friday, while eight others posted unhealthy readings, prompting the closure of nearly 600 schools and affecting about 200,000 students, the Sarawak government said. On Borneo, Central Kalimantan Police Chief Iwan Kurniawan said investigators have detained 12 suspects linked to alleged arson and illegal land clearing in the past week. Read More “Every forest and land fire incident in Central Kalimantan is investigated,” Kurniawan said, adding that authorities were working to determine the causes of the fires and identify those responsible.Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who visited fire-hit areas near the provincial capital of Palangka Raya on Wednesday, vowed strict action against offenders.“Whoever they are, big or small, without exception, anyone who destroys nature and forests will face strict legal action,” Antoni said. Social media was flooded with complaints from residents describing breathing difficulties and fears of illness. 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. In total, Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry detected 11,908 hot spots nationwide in the previous 24 hours, up from 6,352 a day earlier. Forest-monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas said about 182,000 hectares (450,000 acres) burned in July alone, nearly double the area scorched during the first half of the year. The total area burned this year has reached about 285,000 hectares (704,000 acres).Indonesia regularly experiences transboundary haze during severe fire seasons, particularly when peatlands on Sumatra and Kalimantan burn. Authorities say fires are often started illegally to clear land for plantations or agriculture, periodically blanketing parts of Southeast Asia in hazardous smoke.___Associated Press writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Britain's Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, speaks at a roundtable about support for veterans, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)2026-08-21T11:20:38Z LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry and six others, including Elton John, are set to find out Friday how many millions of pounds they will have to pay initially to the publisher of Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper following their failed invasion of privacy case.Following their defeat in a High Court case in London last month alleging malpractice, such as the illegal hacking of phones, the high-profile figures will learn the scale of their exposure to the roughly 34 million pounds ($46 million) in legal costs accumulated by Associated Newspapers Ltd. The losing claimants are believed to be insured for around half that total.In addition to an initial payment, which could be up to 10 million pounds, they will find out how they will pay the outstanding amount.The publisher had strongly denied the claims made during the 11-week trial in London, which ended on July 7 when Justice Matthew Nicklin said there had been a shortage of evidence to support the claims and found a possibility that the reporting came from legitimate sources. Nicklin is due to give his decision on the financial implications of that decision in a written statement at 2 p.m. Associated Newspapers has asked for more than 9.9 million pounds as an interim payment, while lawyers for the claimants say the interim payment should be just over 7.9 million pounds. The other high-profile figures behind the case were Doreen Lawrence, the anti‑racism activist whose son Stephen was stabbed to death in 1993 as he waited for a bus; Elton John’s film producer husband David Furnish; actors Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley; and politician Simon Hughes.The judgment comes two days after it was made public that Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are moving back to the U.K. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are no longer working royals, decamped to California more than six years ago but will relocate back later this month to live in a nonroyal residence outside London. Read More Harry’s defeat against Associated Newspapers brought an end to a trio of lawsuits accusing tabloid publishers of using unlawful tactics, such as phone hacking or hiring private detectives to dig up dirt on his life. Harry won a judgment in 2023 that condemned the publishers of the Daily Mirror for “widespread and habitual” phone hacking. Last year, Rupert Murdoch’s flagship U.K. tabloid, The Sun, made an unprecedented apology for intruding on his life for years and agreed to pay substantial damages to settle his privacy invasion lawsuit. 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. Harry has said his litigation — in which he broke with royal family tradition to seek relief in the courts — was a primary source of his falling out with his father, King Charles III, and brother Prince William.His grudge with the tabloids runs deep and his legal actions are part of his larger quest to reform the news media that he says damaged his relationships and made him “ paranoid beyond belief.” He blames the press for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris, and for attacks on his wife, Meghan, that led the couple to abandon royal life and move to the United States in 2020.

Confirmed – Arsenal completes move for Ezri KonsaArsenal have finally completed a move for Ezri Konsa after agreeing to sign the England defender from Aston Villa for £51 million, plus £4 million in potential add-ons, per Sky Sports.Konsa has been Arsenal’s main transfer target over the last few weeks as they determined that they needed to strengthen their squad. The defender has established himself as one of the strongest players in his position in the Premier League in recent seasons, making him an important addition for the Gunners.He won the Europa League with Aston Villa and also reached the semi-final of the World Cup with the England national team. Konsa has now agreed to a four-year deal at the Emirates, giving Arsenal another experienced defender as they prepare for the new season.Konsa set to provide defensive coverThe Gunners will be without William Saliba during the opening weeks of the season, with the defender expected to be allowed to make a full recovery from the back problem that has plagued him for much of the last few seasons.Arsenal will be eager to have Saliba back as soon as possible, but they will not rush him into returning before he is ready. His recovery will therefore be managed carefully as the club looks to ensure that he can return to full fitness.Konsa is likely to start matches in Saliba’s place while the World Cup semi-finalist recovers. His arrival gives Mikel Arteta another strong option at centre back and should help Arsenal maintain their defensive quality during Saliba’s absence.Arsenal continue strengthening squadThe Gunners could still make a few more deals happen in the next few weeks as they continue to improve their squad. Konsa’s arrival represents another important step in their efforts to add quality and depth to the team.Arsenal will want to maintain the strength of their squad throughout the campaign, particularly with the demands of competing across multiple competitions. Having another defender of Konsa’s quality should give Arteta greater flexibility when selecting his team.The defender’s experience in the Premier League should also help him settle quickly at the Emirates. With Saliba recovering and Konsa ready to step in, Arsenal now have another reliable option as they prepare for the challenges ahead. His arrival could prove particularly valuable during the opening weeks of the season._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsConfirmed – Arsenal completes move for Ezri Konsa 21 August 2026, 12:30Dan’s EPL Predictions Week 1 – Arsenal Win But Only a Draw For Man City v Bournemouth 21 August 2026, 11:30“I feel good” Arteta raring to go in the new season 21 August 2026, 11:00

NFL training camp life can be tough for a rookie.Legendary stories tell of NFL veterans humiliating rookies at training camp. Sometimes they have been ganged up on and tied to a goalpost. They have been called out in front of the team and told to sing in front of everyone.The Washington Commanders selected Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs with the 147th overall selection in April’s 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he was drafted to get around the edge, to be explosive in getting to the quarterback, to get downfield and make many contributions on the coverage teams.5th round rookie Joshua Josephs has been one of the bright spots at Commanders Training Camp.@GrantPaulsen caught up with the standout rookie after practice today. pic.twitter.com/3n7oYtdqcM— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) August 20, 2026Josephs flashed a good bull rush last week against the Dolphins; I did notice that play. Honestly, I don’t recall anything else from last week’s game regarding Josephs. However, I do recognize I have read/heard several times that Josephs looked good in training camp. Josephs told Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan after Thursday’s practice, “Obviously, there are some reps I would like to have back. But I do think I have been able to mature, gain the respect and trust of the people around me, including coaches and players.”Joshua Josephs is having an impressive day so far. He had a batted pass earlier in team drills and showed off his speed against Wylie in 1-on-1s— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 3, 2026Taking it a step further, Josephs then added that he is “being grateful for every opportunity I get, putting Christ first in everything that I do, knowing that I am here for a reason. I am here for a purpose, I am here for a reason. This was not an accident. I am not mistakenly here.”Who knows what the rookie will do this season. For that matter, none of us knows what he will accomplish in his NFL career, if anything. But the young man seems to have something difficult for younger people to obtain because it takes wisdom to gain perspective. It sounded like Josephs has had some mentorship in his life to this point. Wisely, Josephs told Paulsen later in the interview that it was not for him to talk about his accomplishments. How often do you hear that? That is rooted in an ancient proverb: “Let another man praise your works.”After all, isn’t there something nauseating about people who only want to talk about themselves? Hope that Josephs can accomplish enough that others will be praising his works for the Commanders in 2026 and beyond.This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders rookie has right perspective for life in the NFL

Newcastle United midfielder McQuade joins Hibernian on loanNewcastle United midfielder Jasmine McQuade has joined Scottish Women’s Premier League club Hibernian on a season-long loan deal.WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Magpies just a short time ago.The 23-year-old is a product of the Newcastle United development squad and she went on to make her senior debut for the club in the 2022/2023 season. McQuade was a back-to-back promotion-winner with The Magpies in the FA Women’s National League system and she has continued to turn out for the club in Barclays WSL2. In total, McQuade has made 68 appearances for Newcastle United in all competitions.McQuade will now test herself north of the border with Hibernian. She joins a Hibs side that were SWPL champions in 2024/2025.After joining Hibs, McQuade told the club’s official media team “I’m really excited to be here at Hibs. The opportunity to come here came out of the blue but I knew right away it sounded like a great move.“I always knew I would make the move to Scotland at some point in my career and Hibs is the perfect club for me to join.”Further Newcastle United squad news will be announced in due course.

The Baltimore Ravens' two joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings should give the key starters, critical rookies, and role players the type of intense, controlled work that Jesse Minter values more than extended preseason action. That makes Saturday afternoon's game at U.S. Bank Stadium especially important for other rookies, reserves and veterans competing near the bottom of the depth chart.Some of those players will receive snaps during the joint sessions, but the first-team periods and situational work will naturally command most of the attention. Saturday afternoon's game offers longer evaluations, live tackling and unscripted situations that cannot be fully recreated in practice. Minnesota has also indicated that productive joint work could limit the number of additional snaps its starters receive Saturday, creating another reserve-heavy opportunity for both coaching staffs.Here are 10 matchups to watch when the Ravens and Vikings complete their week in Minnesota.Tyler Huntley vs. Minnesota's reserve pressure packagesHuntley was efficient in Baltimore's preseason opener, completing six of seven passes for 76 yards, but he also took two sacks. Minnesota's defense should present a more complex protection test, even if Flores does not use his full pressure package in an exhibition game. Huntley must identify the unblocked defender, get the offense into the correct answer, and avoid turning a negative play into a turnover. His experience and mobility give Baltimore stability behind Jackson, but a clean operation against Minnesota's reserve front would be more valuable than a few highlight throws. The evaluation begins with how consistently Huntley keeps the offense on schedule.Joe Fagnano vs. Jacob ThomasFagnano delivered one of Baltimore's strongest performances against Philadelphia, completing 11 of 14 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, although he also threw an interception. Thomas enters the matchup with momentum after the undrafted Vikings rookie intercepted a pass in Minnesota's opener against the Giants and continued receiving additional practice work. Fagnano must move the safety with his eyes and avoid predetermining throws over the middle. Thomas, meanwhile, will be tested in his communication and patience against a quarterback who has shown he can distribute the football accurately when the initial read is available.Ja'Kobi Lane vs. Dwight McGlothern Jr.Lane validated his strong training camp with three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown in his NFL preseason debut. The 6-foot-4 rookie now gets a different type of test against McGlothern, a 6-foot-2 cornerback with enough length to contest the catch point. Lane has shown he can use his frame across the middle and finish through contact, but he must continue refining his releases against defensive backs who can disrupt his timing. McGlothern is listed behind Byron Murphy Jr. and should receive meaningful game work if Minnesota limits its starters, creating a valuable matchup for two young players seeking larger roles.Elijah Sarratt vs. Marcus AllenSarratt and Allen could provide a rookie-on-rookie matchup in the second half. Sarratt has the size and body control to work the boundary, while Allen is a 6-foot-1 cornerback with the frame to challenge him at the line of scrimmage. Baltimore wants to see whether Sarratt can create separation before relying on contested catches, particularly on comeback routes and in-breaking concepts. Allen must show he can remain balanced through the release and locate the football without losing position. Special-teams value will influence both players' roster outlooks, but their direct coverage reps could help separate them from crowded position groups.Chris Moore vs. James PierreMoore and Pierre are experienced veterans trying to prove they offer more dependable depth than younger alternatives. Moore understands how to find space, contribute on special teams, and remain ready without a large target share. Pierre has the size to disrupt routes and has built much of his career through special-teams work. Their matchup may not receive the attention attached to the starting receivers, but it reflects the decisions teams face near the bottom of a 53-man roster. A receiver who converts a third down or a cornerback who prevents one can strengthen his case by demonstrating reliability in the exact role he would hold during the regular season.Rasheen Ali vs. Jake GoldayAli remains in a crowded running back competition in which rushing production is only part of the evaluation. He must protect the football, identify pressure in pass protection and contribute on multiple special-teams units. Golday, an undrafted rookie from Cincinnati, is trying to show Minnesota he can diagnose plays quickly enough to overcome the speed difference between college and the NFL. Ali's burst can punish a slow read, while Golday's 6-foot-4 frame gives him the reach to finish when he arrives in position. Their snaps should provide useful evidence for two players whose paths to roster spots depend on versatility.Carson Vinson vs. Bo RichterVinson is Ronnie Stanley's primary backup at left tackle and needs as many live pass-protection snaps as Baltimore can give him. Richter recorded a sack in Minnesota's preseason opener and offers the type of relentless edge pressure that can expose a tackle's balance and hand placement. Vinson must avoid opening the inside lane when he sets to protect against speed, while Richter needs to prove his first-game production can carry into another week. Baltimore's tackle depth remains important because Stanley's regular-season workload must be managed, making Vinson's response as a productive reserve rusher worth close watch.Mike Green vs. Walter RouseGreen enters his second season after recording 3.5 sacks as a rookie and now has to show he can turn flashes into sustained production. Rouse, Minnesota's primary backup behind Darrisaw, is a 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle capable of forcing Green to win with technique instead of simply running around the edge. Green must threaten outside, counter inside, and maintain his responsibility against the run. Rouse will be evaluated on whether he can handle speed without oversetting. Extended game snaps could make this matchup more revealing than the controlled work either player receives during first-team-heavy joint-practice periods.T.J. Tampa Jr. vs. Tai FeltonTampa has an opportunity to claim a larger role behind Humphrey and Wiggins, while Felton is trying to establish himself as Minnesota's next receiver after its veteran trio. Felton's speed will test Tampa's ability to stay connected vertically and play the football without panicking at the catch point. Tampa's size can disrupt Felton's release, but he must remain disciplined, as a missed jam can quickly turn into an explosive play. Felton was unable to finish a well-placed back-shoulder throw in Minnesota's opener, making contested-catch opportunities an important part of his evaluation against Baltimore.Jovaughn Gwyn vs. Domonique OrangeGwyn remains part of Baltimore's unsettled center competition and should receive meaningful work after the starters complete their joint-practice reps. Orange is a 322-pound rookie defensive lineman built to challenge a center's anchor and ability to maintain leverage. Gwyn must handle the snap, communicate protections and keep Orange from collapsing the middle of the pocket into Fagnano or Austin Reed. The Ravens are comparing Gwyn with Danny Pinter, Ethan Pocic and Nick Dawkins, so every clean exchange and correctly identified pressure matters. Orange can strengthen his own roster case by forcing Baltimore to devote help inside and disrupting the timing of the offense.This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 10 under-the-radar Ravens-Vikings preseason matchups to watch

Official – Juventus confirm Arthur contract termination: ‘Negative economic impact’Juventus confirm Arthur Melo’s contract termination, ‘an operation that generates a negative economic impact of approximately €6m.’Juventus confirmed Arthur’s contract termination on Friday.Official: Arthur terminates Juventus contractThe Brazilian midfielder had returned to the club after a one-season loan spell at Gremio but had not played a competitive game for the Bianconeri since the 2021-22 campaign.Juventus confirmed the midfielder’s contract termination on X, formerly Twitter, adding more details through an official statement, as quoted by Sport Mediaset: “This operation generates a negative economic impact of approximately €6m as a result of adjusting the net book value of the player’s right to sporting services,” the Bianconeri said.Arthur moved to Juventus from Barcelona in the summer of 2020 in a player-plus-cash swap deal involving Miralem Pjanic.He scored one goal and provided one assist in 63 appearances across all competitions with the Bianconeri, playing for several clubs on loan during his time under contract with Juventus.Over the last four years, Arthur was loaned out to Liverpool, Fiorentina, Girona and Gremio, but none of these clubs ultimately made his move permanent, sending him back to Juventus.Six years after Arthur’s transfer to Juventus, the two sides have officially parted ways.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has vowed to step up efforts to restore calm to the debt markets. So far, it’s not working out that way.

President Trump’s former personal lawyer tried to revisit the past in a radio interview. But this was not exactly a stroll down memory lane.

The policy aims to greatly increase the number of spacecraft launches and re-entries.

People search for gold at a mining site in Iga-Barrière, Ituri province, eastern Congo, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dieudonne Dirole)2026-08-21T11:29:41.027Z IGA-BARRIÈRE, Congo (AP) — Dieudonne Dirole is based in eastern Congo, where he started working for The Associated Press this year as the region recorded an Ebola outbreak that is spreading at unprecedented speed with no sign of slowing. He made this photo while on assignment with colleagues reporting on mobile gold miners whose movements and remote locations complicate efforts to track and slow the virus.Here’s what he had to say about this extraordinary photo.Why this photo?In this photo of the mine, I wanted to show the true scale of artisanal mining and the impressive number of people who depend on this activity. I didn’t just want to photograph an individual scene, but instead I wanted to give the viewer a broader view of what is really happening on the ground. The presence of child miners, women, and men in the mud, the polluted water used for washing, and the transformed hillside all demonstrate the human, economic, and environmental dimensions of mining. How I made this photo They absolutely refused to accept because they know they are exploiting children and women in the mine, even though it is prohibited by the law protecting children. Ultimately, he said he’s going to have one of his agents accompany us everywhere I want to film, but under his supervision.Why this photo works I think this photo is successful because it tells a story without needing a long explanation. At first glance, you immediately understand that it is an extremely active mining site; then your gaze discovers the different individual stories: the people who dig, those who transport, those who wash the ore, the women and men who work in the water and mud. And what makes this image powerful is the contrast between the very intense human activity in the foreground and the natural landscape in the background. The photo simultaneously shows the people, the work, and the impact of this activity on the environment.—For more extraordinary AP photography, click here. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

As of Friday, there are 23 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints season opener. The Saints head north to start 2026, playing at the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Starting safety Julian Blackmon is wearing No. 23 for the Saints as he enters his second season with the team. A torn labrum cost Blackmon all but one game in his first go-around in New Orleans. He's the latest of 18 Saints to ever wear the No. 23 for the team. Our countdown to kickoff series takes a look at all of them here.Saints History of No. 23CB Dave Whitsell (1967-69)S Doug Wyatt (1970-72)RB Joe Profit (1973)CB Craig Cassaday (1977)S James Marshall (1980)RB Buford Jordan (1986-92)RB Lorenzo Neal (1993)RB Ricky Whittle (1996)S Chris Hewitt (1997-99)CB Kevin Mathis (2000-01)S Victor Green (2003)CB Fred Booker (2005)S Omar Stoutmire (2006)RB Pierre Thomas (2007-14)RB Marcus Murphy (2015-16)CB Marshon Lattimore (2017-24)RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2024)S Julian Blackmon (2025-current)Dave Whitsell was the first to wear No. 23 for New Orleans, doing so for the first three seasons of franchise existence. Joining the Saints in the 1967 expansion draft after a standout career with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, Whitsell was an instant star in New Orleans. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1967, still a single-season franchise record, while earning the first Pro Bowl in franchise history. Whitsell went on to have 9 interceptions over his last two years with the Saints. His 19 career interceptions remain fifth-most in franchise history. In 1996, Whitsell was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. He and Dave Waymer, inducted that same season, became the second New Orleans defensive backs to receive those honors.Doug Wyatt was the first New Orleans draft pick to wear No. 24. Wyatt was a 17th-round choice in 1970, but stuck around and intercepted 8 passes over 40 games in three years. The first offensive player to wear a No. 23 jersey in New Orleans was Joe Profit, who rushed for 274 yards in one season with the team. There wouldn't be another offensive player to wear No. 23 until Buford Jordan did it in 1986.A star with the New Orleans and Portland Breakers of the original USFL, Jordan also went to Iota High School and McNeese State in Louisiana. He'd join the Saints in 1986 after the USFL folded and was a valuable reserve back and special teams contributor for seven seasons. As a Saint, Jordan had 1,042 yards from scrimmage and scored 9 touchdowns. His 75 games are the third most by any Saints player to wear the No. 23 jersey. Jordan was one of three straight New Orleans running backs to wear No. 23. One of those was Lorenzo Neal, who arrived as a fourth round choice in the 1993 NFL draft. Neal had a 16-year career as one of the most respected fullbacks in the NFL, with four of those years as a Saint. He only wore No. 23 as a rookie, before switching to No. 22.Kevin Mathis was best-known during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. However, Mathis was also a productive member of the Saints secondary for two years after leaving Dallas. Mathis had 3 interceptions and 15 pass breakups in his two years in New Orleans while also forcing 5 fumbles and recording a sack. He was one of only two of the seven players to wear No. 23 between 1993 and 2007 to wear the jersey for more than one year, including former Cowboys teammate Omar Stoutmire.In 2007 came the arrival of one of the most beloved players to wear any number for the Saints. Pierre Thomas came to New Orleans as an undrafted rookie with little expectation from the NFL world. It was surprising enough when Thomas vastly outplayed Antonio Pittman, a rookie fourth round pick that year, but what followed couldn't have been predicted by even the best prognosticator.Thomas played nine years for New Orleans, with his 105 games the most for any player to wear a No. 23 jersey. He was a consistent weapon for one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history, particularly lethal in the biggest moments or on screen passes. Thomas rushed for 3,745 yards as a Saint, averaging 4.6 per carry and scoring 28 touchdowns. He added 327 receptions for another 2,608 yards and 12 scores. Without the contributions of Thomas during the 2009-10 postseason, the Saints most likely would not have won Super Bowl XLIV.Pierre Thomas ranks sixth in team history for rushing yardage. Only Alvin Kamara has more catches or yards in franchise history from the running back position. Thomas accomplished all this despite being in a shared backfield throughout his career. In 2018, Thomas was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.Marshon Lattimore became the highest drafted player by the Saints to wear No. 23 as the 11th overall choice in the 2017 NFL draft. Lattimore was an instant sensation, winning the 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after 5 interceptions is 18 passes broken up. During a stretch of his eight years with the Saints, he was the NFL's top shutdown corner, oftentimes shadowing an opponent's top wideout.Lattimore earned four Pro Bowls over his first five seasons. He had 15 interceptions with the Saints, breaking up an astounding 88 throws and recovering 5 fumbles. Lattimore often affected games just with his ability to take the opposition's best weapon out of the game plan. His 97 games are the second most by any Saint to wear No. 23. While his New Orleans career came to an end with a 2024 trade to Washington, it's a career that will most certainly end with an induction into the Saints Hall of Fame.Veteran safety Julian Blackmon came on board early in 2025 training camp. A season-ending injury on opening week prevented Blackmon from contributing to the New Orleans secondary. He's expected to play a critical role in the teams defensive fortunes in 2026.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 23 days until Saints opener: Every player to wear the No. 23 jersey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) | Chelsea FC via Getty Images The 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season is finally here, and Gameweek 1 presents plenty of opportunities for managers willing to look beyond the obvious names.Yes, some premium players are almost impossible to ignore. But building a strong opening-week team isn’t simply about filling your squad with Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United players.There are excellent FPL options across the league, including several players from teams outside the traditional elite who have favorable opening fixtures, secure roles and plenty of attacking potential.That’s exactly what we’ve tried to capture with our FPL Gameweek 1 Scout Picks.Rather than loading the team with big-six assets, we’ve built a genuine cross-section of Premier League clubs, combining proven stars with mid-priced options and a couple of calculated picks.Starting XI — 3-4-3GK: Antonín Kinský — Tottenham (£4.5m)DEF: Riccardo Calafiori — Arsenal (£5.5m)DEF: Luke Shaw — Manchester United (£4.5m)DEF: Tyrick Mitchell — Crystal Palace (£4.5m)MID: Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United (£12.0m)MID: Antoine Semenyo — Manchester City (£8.5m)MID: Morgan Rogers — Chelsea (£7.5m)MID: Christos Tzolis — Arsenal (£6.5m)FWD: Erling Haaland — Manchester City (£15.5m) (C)FWD: João Pedro — Chelsea (£7.5m)FWD: Brian Brobbey — Sunderland (£6.0m)BenchGK: Martin Dúbravka — Tottenham (£4.0m)DEF: Bobby Thomas — Coventry City (£4.0m)DEF: Charlie Hughes — Ipswich Town (£4.0m)MID: Pascal Groß — Brighton (£5.5m)Total squad cost: £100.0mClubs represented: 10Maximum players from one club: 2Goalkeeper: Antonín Kinský — TottenhamWe’re deliberately avoiding a £6.0m route in goal because the £100m budget becomes extremely tight once Haaland and Bruno are included. Kinský at £4.5m provides a much more efficient way into a Tottenham defense that has been significantly strengthened this summer.Spurs have added Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson to a defensive unit that should look very different from the one that struggled last season. Kinský is expected to begin the campaign as Roberto De Zerbi’s first-choice goalkeeper.Tottenham travel to Brentford, so a clean sheet isn’t guaranteed, but Kinský has save potential if the Bees create chances.GW1 fixture: Brentford vs Tottenham HotspurDefender: Riccardo Calafiori — ArsenalCalafiori is one of our favorite selections in the entire squad. At £5.5m, he gives us access to an Arsenal defense without having to break the bank. More importantly, Calafiori has already given us a glimpse of his attacking potential. He scored in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City and has impressed during preseason. With William Saliba and Jurrien Timber unavailable, there is also greater opportunity for Calafiori to secure his place in the starting XI.Arsenal then open against Coventry at the Emirates.GW1 fixture: Arsenal vs Coventry CityDefender: Luke Shaw — Manchester UnitedShaw is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Manchester United’s current injury situation.United have significant defensive absences ahead of their opener, including Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez, but Shaw is expected to be involved as Michael Carrick prepares his side for the trip to Hull.The fixture is the real attraction. Hull are newly promoted, while United finished third last season and enter the campaign with one of the best opening schedules in the league. Their first two matches are Hull away and Ipswich at home.At £4.5m, Shaw doesn’t need attacking returns to justify his place. A clean sheet and defensive-contribution points would already represent an excellent return on the investment.GW1 fixture: Hull City vs Manchester UnitedDefender: Tyrick Mitchell — Crystal PalaceThis is our first genuine one-week differential. Crystal Palace travel to Everton, so Mitchell doesn’t have the obvious fixture appeal of Calafiori or Shaw. But at £4.5m, he gives us a defender with a proven FPL record and a potentially useful attacking role.Mitchell scored 135 FPL points last season, the highest total among defenders priced below £5.0m for 2026/27. His value is particularly attractive if new Palace manager Pierre Sage continues using a system that allows his full-backs to get forward.We’re not picking him because we’re desperate to own Palace for the next few weeks. We’re picking him because, if this is a one-week contest, Mitchell has enough routes to a return to justify the gamble.GW1 fixture: Everton vs Crystal PalaceMidfielder: Bruno Fernandes — Manchester UnitedBruno is the midfielder we simply don’t want to enter Gameweek 1 without. Yes, £12.0m is a huge amount of money. But Manchester United’s fixture is one of the best of the weekend, and Bruno is the player most likely to benefit from it.He finished last season with a remarkable 21 assists, while his penalty and set-piece responsibilities give him several routes to FPL points. The latest team news also points toward Bruno retaining his creative role, with Mbeumo expected to operate centrally in the absence of Benjamin Sesko.Hull away is exactly the type of fixture in which we want Manchester United’s main creator.GW1 fixture: Hull City vs Manchester UnitedMidfielder: Antoine Semenyo — Manchester CitySemenyo is our favorite midfield pick outside the two obvious premiums. The former Bournemouth attacker enjoyed a superb 2025/26 season, finishing with 202 FPL points, and his move to Manchester City only increases his appeal. He joined City midway through last season and still finished as their highest-scoring FPL player after the transfer, recording seven goals and an assist.Now he faces his former club. Manchester City host Bournemouth at the Etihad, and while the arrival of Enzo Maresca introduces some tactical uncertainty, City’s attacking potential remains enormous.Semenyo also offers something important for this squad: he gives us exposure to City’s attack without requiring a second £10m-plus midfielder.GW1 fixture: Manchester City vs BournemouthMidfielder: Morgan Rogers — ChelseaRogers gets the nod over several other £7m-£8m midfielders because his attacking role gives him an excellent combination of ceiling and value. Chelsea travel to Fulham on Monday, and the Blues begin the new campaign under Xabi Alonso. There are obvious uncertainties with a new manager, but Rogers has already established himself as a high-impact attacking player, and Chelsea’s investment in him underlines how important he is expected to be.At £7.5m, he also allows us to maintain the Haaland-Bruno-Semenyo core without completely stripping the squad elsewhere.GW1 fixture: Fulham vs ChelseaMidfielder: Christos Tzolis — ArsenalTzolis is the calculated gamble. At £6.5m, the Arsenal winger is one of the most exciting mid-priced options available, particularly after his excellent preseason.His numbers at Club Brugge last season were outstanding, with 17 goals and 23 assists in the Belgian Pro League, and he has carried that attacking momentum into his first preseason with Arsenal.The big question is minutes. But the latest preseason evidence points toward Tzolis being in serious contention for a starting role on the left. If he starts against Coventry, his combination of Arsenal’s attacking dominance, individual creativity and £6.5m price makes him an extremely attractive Gameweek 1 pick.GW1 fixture: Arsenal vs Coventry CityForward: Erling Haaland — Manchester City (Captain)This is where the bulk of our budget goes. Haaland costs a record £15.5m, but we’re comfortable paying it. The Norwegian is the most explosive forward in FPL, and Manchester City’s opening fixture is exactly the type of matchup in which that explosiveness matters.City host Bournemouth at the Etihad, and Haaland has an exceptional early-season record. He has finished as the highest-scoring FPL player after the first six Gameweeks in each of his first four Manchester City seasons.Yes, there’s a new manager. Yes, City have undergone significant changes. But Haaland remains City’s premier goalscoring outlet.GW1 fixture: Manchester City vs BournemouthCaptain: Erling HaalandForward: João Pedro — ChelseaJoão Pedro is one of the easiest £7.5m forward picks to justify. The Chelsea striker is already among the most-owned players in FPL, and there’s good reason for that. His price makes him compatible with Haaland, while his attacking role gives him the potential to score heavily when Chelsea’s attack clicks.Chelsea’s opening fixture is away to Fulham, which is not quite as attractive as City’s matchup with Bournemouth or United’s trip to Hull. But João Pedro doesn’t need a perfect fixture to be worth £7.5m. His attacking involvement gives him a high enough ceiling to justify inclusion in this squad.GW1 fixture: Fulham vs ChelseaForward: Brian Brobbey — SunderlandBrobbey is the selection that makes the rest of this squad work. The Sunderland striker costs just £6.0m, giving us enough budget to carry Haaland, Bruno and Semenyo while still maintaining quality across the rest of the XI.Sunderland face Ipswich in Gameweek 1, and that’s a much more appealing matchup than many people may initially realize. Both clubs are promoted sides, meaning this could be one of the exciting games of the weekend.GW1 fixture: Ipswich Town vs SunderlandThe BenchA proper Scout Picks article can’t ignore the substitutes. We have deliberately kept the bench inexpensive because every pound spent there is a pound that can’t be used on the starting XI.Goalkeeper: Martin Dúbravka — Tottenham (£4.0m)Dúbravka is Kinský’s backup, so this isn’t a player we’re expecting to start. He’s here because he provides the cheapest possible goalkeeper cover while allowing us to spend elsewhere. Dúbravka’s £4.0m price makes him useful as a budget second goalkeeper when paired with a starting keeper.Defender: Bobby Thomas — Coventry (£4.0m)Thomas is exactly what we want from a fourth or fifth defender: cheap, available and capable of picking up defensive-contribution points. The promoted clubs provide many of the best £4.0m defensive enablers this season, and Thomas has been highlighted as one of the better options in that price bracket. He isn’t expected to start ahead of our three preferred defenders in Gameweek 1. But he gives us a legitimate route into the team if injuries or rotation strike.Defender: Semi Ajayi — Hull City (£4.0m)Ajayi is another budget defender who makes sense purely because of his price. At £4.0m, He allows us to preserve funds for premium attackers while still having a potentially playable defender on the bench. He has also been highlighted as a strong defensive-action option among the promoted defenders.Midfielder: Pascal Groß — Brighton (£5.5m)Groß is our luxury substitute. At £5.5m, he costs more than a conventional bench midfielder, but that’s intentional. If Tzolis doesn’t start, or if one of our other midfielders is ruled out, Groß becomes a perfectly credible replacement.His set-piece involvement and creative quality give him genuine FPL upside, even though Brighton face Aston Villa in Gameweek 1.Who Is Our Gameweek 1 Captain?Erling HaalandBruno Fernandes is the obvious alternative. United’s trip to Hull is arguably the cleanest fixture for an attacking midfielder, and Bruno’s penalty and set-piece responsibilities make him a genuine captaincy option.But Haaland gets the armband. Manchester City are at home against Bournemouth, and Haaland’s goalscoring ceiling is simply too high to ignore.Captain: Erling HaalandVice-captain: Bruno FernandesIn summary, Haaland is our captain, Bruno is our vice-captain, and Semenyo gives us another route into City’s attack. Tzolis and Calafiori provide Arsenal exposure without exceeding the three-player club limit, while Shaw gives us a cheap route into Manchester United’s defense.João Pedro and Rogers cover Chelsea, while Brobbey gives us an affordable third forward. And crucially, the squad comes in at exactly £100.0m and complies with the FPL squad rules.There are risks. Tzolis’ starting place needs to be confirmed, Tottenham’s goalkeeper situation requires attention, and Brobbey is obviously a much bigger gamble than Haaland or João Pedro.We’re taking the obvious premium points where they make sense, finding value where we need it, and taking a few calculated risks in the areas where the upside is worth chasing.The season is here. Haaland has the armband. Now let’s see what Gameweek 1 brings.READ MORE: FPL GW1 Complete Guide: Best Players, Captain Picks, Differentials, Clean Sheets & Predicted Lineups

[SNS]Ryan Naderi believes Rangers are "going in the right direction" despite an unconvincing display against Jablonec in their Conference League play-off first leg.German striker Naderi, 23, scored Rangers' only goal at Ibrox, his second in as many games, to give Derek McInnes' side a slender lead over the Czechs before Thursday's away leg.It was a second straight victory after McInnes' tenure had begun with two defeats and two draws."We're here to play for the qualifying for European competition, so obviously the opponent is tough," Naderi said."I agree that the first half wasn't amazing but I'm happy we kept a clean sheet. That was really important."We had opportunities to score one, two goals more, but at the end, it's just about keeping up the confidence. Second win in a row and just keep going, stay focused, and I think that's important."Not everything was horrible in the games before. It's just that we managed to win games now."But it's still progress we're going through, and we still have to improve, and I think we're going in the right direction."Naderi's strike came early in the second half, and although he admits it wasn't "the most spectacular" of goals, he says the win was most important thing."I'm just happy that I somehow put it over the line," he said. "That's what a striker has to do and I'm just happy to help the team."With Youssef [Chermiti injured] we miss a unique type of player but we have to try as a team to fill the gap and obviously someone has to score the goals."I'm lucky to be the one who, at the moment, gets the ball over the line but it's the whole team who has to fill this gap."Rangers have opted to take this Scottish Premiership weekend off before the trip to the Czech Republic."I'll have family there," Naderi told the visiting reporters in perfect Czech."My mum is from the Czech Republic and my grandma lives there. When I was a student I used to go on holiday there."It's a nice match. I'll definitely enjoy it. The match is as much important to us as any other match."

Jordi Osei-Tutu played 39 league games for Bolton last season as they won promotion [Getty Images]Millwall have completed the free signing of full-back Jordi Osei-Tutu on a one-year contract.Osei-Tutu, 27, left Bolton Wanderers at the end of last season after helping them win promotion to the Championship and has been training with Millwall for the past two weeks.The right-back began his career at Arsenal's academy and spent time at Bochum, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Rotherham United and Greek side PAS Giannina before joining Bolton in August 2024."[Jordi] is an experienced full-back," Millwall's director of football Steve Gallen told the club website."He is quick and is a very good one-v-one defender."Jordi will provide good cover to us in both the right and left-back positions."Latest Millwall news, analysis and fan views

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been moved from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list following a puzzling absence that saw him miss Monday night's game in Boston.The decision came after Marte met with general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo to address the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, which neither party disclosed.Lovullo explained Marte returned to Phoenix to undergo medical tests on his knee earlier this week. However, Lovullo expressed frustration that Marte did not communicate his whereabouts or status during this period, leaving the coaching staff and teammates unable to reach him.MLB playoff picture: Which wannabes can win the World Series?On Thursday night, Marte met with Hazen and Lovullo to discuss the events that led to his absence and the missed game against the Red Sox. Following the meeting, Hazen provided an update, stating Marte received a knee injection to address inflammation discovered on an MRI."I'm not going to get into specifics," Hazen said regarding his discussions with Marte. "I feel the conversation and meeting were productive. We addressed everything that happened over the past week, but I won't share the details publicly. Marte will speak to his teammates soon, and from there, we'll focus on moving forward as a team."Because Marte was on the restricted list, his time on the injured list cannot be retroactively applied to Sunday, when he last played in the Diamondbacks' 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Instead, the 10-day injured list period will begin Thursday, and Marte will be sidelined for at least the next 10 days.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diamondbacks move Ketel Marte to 10-day IL after puzzling absence

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Undrafted rookie long snapper Luke Basso is the longest of long shots to make the Denver Broncos' 53-man roster this summer.Denver's incumbent long snapper, Mitchell Fraboni, is proven and reliable, and after Basso struggled in the team's preseason opener last week, Fraboni isn't in any danger of losing his job. So why are the Broncos even carrying a second long snapper on the roster this summer? Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi explained the reasoning earlier this week.“I think a couple of things," Rizzi said. "I think people wouldn’t realize, but wear and tear on the long snapper, [and] a little competition never hurts either. We always evaluate the long snappers. This long snapper class, this college class, I think I mentioned way back, was actually a little bit of a unicorn because there were a number of guys that actually ended up in camps. Some years there are zero, and this year I think there were five or six. "So we saw something in Luke, but also if you look around the league, I think like four or five long snappers have already been injured here in the preseason. The team we’re playing this week, their long snapper got injured, a few others, so it’s a long process. I thought having another guy in the offseason, both for competition and not to take anything away from Luke, I really thought Luke did a heck of a job in his college career, and we saw some ability there. So it was a bunch of different reasons.”That's a reasonable explanation. Basso's not going to upset Fraboni (at least, it doesn't appear he will), but the Broncos will now have a fallback option who has trained with Rizzi all summer in case Fraboni is ever unavailable. Basso's probably competing for a practice squad spot at best, but he's getting valuable reps, and Fraboni is facing some camp competition. He's extremely unlikely to make the Week 1 roster, but Basso could be an option for Denver down the road. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Darren Rizzi explains why Broncos have a second long snapper

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves gives high fives before the game against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Atlanta Braves earned their 75th win of the season after Thursday’s 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. Grant Holmes and Austin Riley allowed Atlanta to avoid the sweep during the makeup game. Holmes got the start, lasting six innings and allowing just one hit. He walked three and struck out three. Austin Riley drove in both of the Atlanta runs. He doubled in the third and singled in the seventh to give the Braves the edge. Though a makeup game, the Braves desperately needed this win following a tough series with the Minnesota Twins. The Braves are back in action this afternoon, as the weekend series kicks off with the Milwaukee Brewers. More Braves News:Pitching prospect Luke Sinnard has been promoted to Double-A and will suit up for the Columbus Clingstones. Brett Sears struck out eight on Wednesday in Double-A. More in the minor league recap. MLB News:The Arizona Diamondbacks are transferring Ketel Marte from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list. He is currently dealing with inflammation in his knee.Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson is likely done for the season. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury and is headed to Sacramento to see a doctor. The San Francisco Giants placed righty Keaton Winn on the 15-day IL with right elbow neuritis. The move is retroactive to August 19.From the Feed:Predict the outcome of the Braves-Brewers series here.

Tyson Fury has claimed his mega-fight with Anthony Joshua “doesn’t look like it’s going to happen” - as boxing finds new ways to torment its fans and test their patience over and over again. The two defining fighters of a generation in British boxing were expected to finally meet in November but the two sides have so far failed to agree on where the bout would take place. Despite both Joshua and Fury building their legacies in the UK, the most powerful figures at the fight’s broadcasting partner Netflix appear to be adamant that the fight is staged in the US. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn appears resigned to this eventuality, despite reiterating his desire for it to take place in the UK, with Fury responding by calling both men “money-thirsty”. "Doesn't look like they're going to sign the fight and it doesn't look like it's going to happen all because Eddie Hearn and that want more money," Fury said in a video on Instagram on Friday. When and where could the fight take place? The date long since floated has been Friday, 20 November at Madison Square Garden, New York, though this is not confirmed. Hearn originally gave impression that the UK would host the fight, likely at Wembley Stadium, but potentially with ring walks in London in the early hours of the morning. Why is there a delay in announcing the fight? Well, even though both fighters have signed contracts to fight each other, the terms state that the fight must take place in the UK, according to Hearn. The Matchroom promoter is therefore seeking an addendum to the contract in exchange for agreeing to change the location, with additional compensation and requests required to satisfy Joshua’s camp.“Everybody involved in the fight – not the fans, certainly not – wants the fight to take place at Madison Square Garden, apart from Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn, who have a clear contract that says the fight must take place in the UK,” Hearn told The Independent this month. “We wouldn’t have signed the contract that we signed if this fight was in America. And people just presume, ‘They’re gonna get paid more to go there;’ we don’t want the money, we’d rather it was in the UK.”There is also a dispute with Zuffa Boxing, fronted by White, a rival of Hearn’s, with the pair clashing since moving into boxing, with a desire for the new outfit to promote the event and position him as the third person in many promotional shots with the two fighters.Anthony Joshua (right) with his promoter Eddie Hearn before AJ’s latest fight (Getty)How can this be resolved to confirm the fight will go ahead?Hearn has been very clear, with the new requests sent to Saudi Arabia’s event management/entertainment company Sela. “We’re not asking for anything new, we’re just asking for our contractual obligations to be honoured,” Hearn told IFL TV on Thursday, adding that the changes merely concerned ticket requests, security, and transportation assurances.Hearn said Joshua is pushing for more money, due to tax issues concerning the fight taking place in the United States. “By staging the fight in America, Joshua receives less money than if it took place in the UK,” Hearn said. “From there, straight forward stuff, travel, accreditation, media schedule, nothing out of the ordinary, but yes, we expect payments to be met outstanding, we want things to be done correctly.”Hearn also denied a separate dispute with Sela, over money concerning Matchroom’s darts and snooker events and projects, which was initially linked to the dispute over the Joshua v Fury fight. Hearn also stated that he had not heard from Sela for “three or four days.” Dana White has been in dispute with Eddie Hearn since launching his Zuffa Boxing project (AFP/Getty)What was Tyson Fury’s response? Fury took to Instagram on Friday and called out both Joshua and Hearn in a series of expletive videos. He called both Joshua and Hearn “cowards” and accused them of being “money-thirsty” and Hearn a “bag carrier”. "Quick update for you. It doesn't look like they are going to sign the fight and it doesn't look like it is going to happen all because [Joshua's promoter] Eddie Hearn and that want more money," Fury said."They have already had that much money off Turki (Alalshikh) over the last few years Eddie and AJ, they have had boxing deals, they have had darts deals, they have had snooker deals, they have had everything."And yet, they have got the audacity and cheek of flea-bitten rats to ask for more money from old Turki that you have had combined over the last couple of years. Keep on running you cowards."

Throughout the summer, the Beaver County Times highlighted some of the top talent in Beaver Valley high school football, ranking returning players by position, ranking top 50 players overall, identifying 50 breakout candidates and even polling for the best high school football coach in the Beaver Valley. Now it is time for the fans to vote on the pageantry of Friday night lights by selecting the top student section in the Beaver Valley. Fans can cast their vote as many times as they’d like until the poll closes ahead of Week 1 of the 2026 season on Friday, Aug. 28 at noon. Dig Deeper: Comprehensive coverage for the 2026 high school football seasonRequired Reading: Five intriguing Beaver Valley high school football teams to watchRequired Reading: 2026 Beaver Valley High School football season previewsThis article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Who has the top high school football student section in the Beaver Valley?

Former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan is backing David Gray's side to make history by dispatching Gent at home on Thursday to reach the Conference League.The play-off tie is on a knife-edge after a goalless first leg in Belgium, where Hibs defended stoutly and could have won had Owen Elding's early penalty not been saved."Obviously a slender scoreline and, yes, it would have been ideal to come back with a 1-0 win if Elding scores the penalty," said Allan."But I just feel Easter Road next week, the atmosphere, the crowd fully behind you, Hibs will manage to come through that and make a bit of history."Former Partick Thistle striker and boss Kris Doolan agrees that Hibs will progress from the qualifying rounds for the first time - and says the Easter Road factor is key."It's a solid performance as the the manager said after the game. And when you come back to Edinburgh in front of a sellout crowd, they'll really fancy their chances," said Doolan."The crowd is is massive at Hibs and I feel they'll smell blood. They've shown that in a couple of games now when they come back to Easter Road, that they can start games well and get after you. I think they will definitely go through."Listen to more European analysis and reaction on the BBC's Scottish football podcast

Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum acquired the drawing book, which has artwork attributed to Rombout Uylenburgh, a celebrated 17th-century Dutch painter whose legacy later fell into obscurity

Sometimes you’ve gotta go big when it comes to a renovation, and that doesn’t always mean in terms of scale. Often, it’s about the scope of the work and taking a chance on layout tweaks and storage changes to find what works for you. That was the case for designer Anita Yokota and her late ’90s cook space, which she shares with her husband, Travis, and three daughters. READ MORE...

It's the first week of official Friday night action for the 2026 Florida high school football regular season.Follow Week 1 scores from the Florida High School Athletic Association as well as Sunshine State Athletic Association games across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida as the area's high school football teams officially kick off the FHSAA regular season.The Times-Union will be tracking scores from Friday night's Week 1 games across the Northeast Florida area, as well as the GHSA high school regular season for schools in Southeast Georgia.And while you're checking back for the latest scores, don't forget to read the Times-Union's continuing end zone-to-end zone coverage of the action on the field, including the week's games to watch and predictions.FHSAA/SSAA scores, updates from Week 1 of Florida high school football season

GFFN journalists’ 2026/27 Ligue 1 season predictionsAt the dawn of another Ligue 1 campaign, Get French Football News’ journalists make their predictions, picking the title winner, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League qualifiers, the relegation candidates, the Player of the Season, and the Golden Boot winner. Who will be crowned Ligue 1 champions?Luke Entwistle, Editor-in-ChiefPSG: who else? They have won it for the past five seasons, and no team is well-placed to stop them from making it six in a row. Of last season’s top seven, only Rennes look stronger on paper. There has been regression for the other traditional challengers (Marseille especially, Monaco, Strasbourg, Lens), and stagnation for others (Lyon, Lille). All the while, the two-time European champions have spent the summer strengthening their second string, with the likes of Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Godts, Ferran Torres, and Lucas Digne expected to feature prominently in Ligue 1 and prevent the first-choice options from overly exerting themselves. Not only should Les Parisiens lift the trophy, but they should also do so with much more ease than they did last season. Leo Aschi, Sub-EditorWhether you’re a casual fan, a die-hard supporter, an objective journalist, or even a rebellious detractor, it’s hard for anyone to imagine any team other than PSG lifting the French league title at the end of the season. For the sixth consecutive time. To extend their all-time record to 15 crowns.Bastien Cheval, Sub-EditorWe are doing this again, aren’t we? Well, so will PSG, you know. Luis Enrique will, once again, aptly use Ligue 1 as a 34-game-long training session for the Champions League, with Les Parisiens going for a three-peat. But it doesn’t necessarily mean Ligue 1 will be a walk in the Parc des Princes for the Spaniard, with a raft of new players settling in…George Boxall, Sub-EditorHow do you follow a historic treble? The answer for Luis Enrique and PSG was by becoming the first team in the Champions League era outside Real Madrid to go back-to-back as Champions of Europe. The expectation will be a sixth Ligue 1 title. The challengers for the title look weaker (on paper) than last season, but it should be expected that Lens and a revitalised Lyon will be up there chasing behind this campaign.Liam Wraith, Sub-EditorHow can you choose anyone but PSG? Luis Enrique’s all-conquering team look primed to defend their crown once again. Their summer additions look strong and with one trophy on the board already, it’s hard to see anyone else getting near them this season.Jeremy Smith, Sub-EditorIt’s impossible to look beyond PSG Saint-Germain. Last season felt like the best chance for another team to win it – they had no summer break, constant injury niggles and the added pressure of their Champions League defence. Despite many players going deep in the World Cup, the squad feels a little fresher and arguably stronger too.Nick Hartland, Sub-EditorTitle races are rare and something to be savoured in Ligue 1. Last season was a nice treat with Lens running PSG close, but it’s hard to see anyone making a similar challenge this time round. PSG have only strengthened over the summer, likely to avoid a similar wobble, and so a sixth title in a row should be expected. Who will qualify for the Champions League?LUKE – This year’s race for the three other Champions League qualifying spots is unpredictable. Many of the teams that finished inside the European places last season look a lot weaker. As the only side that looks stronger, I would back Rennes, who last season qualified for the Europa League, to take a UCL spot. Consistency in the playing squad (albeit not on the touchline) makes Lille a strong contender. Lyon look well placed to take the final spot, especially after the loan signing of Lois Openda.LEO – The 2025-26 season has once again shown that Ligue 1 knows how to deliver the drama. And it’s a safe bet that the latter will be on the cards again this year. Because with PSG’s place in the Champions League virtually guaranteed, the chances of qualifying directly for Europe’s premier competition are dwindling irrevocably. As such, it is difficult to say who will come out on top, although RC Lens and the surprise package Rennes strike me as both serious and credible contenders. As for fourth place, however, everything remains more open than ever. I’ll go with Lyon.BASTIEN – I went 0/3 last year in backing Marseille, Monaco and Strasbourg, so I can hardly do worse this season. Jokes aside, I have been impressed with the seamless summer transition that occurred at Lens following Pierre Sage’s exit. Dino Toppmöller’s Sang et Or have shown plenty of quality, cohesiveness and graft in preseason.A different kind of new era is in place at Lyon with John Textor, thankfully, no longer involved in the running of Les Gones. Despite some financial restraints, Paulo Fonseca retains a strong squad backed by the club’s famed conveyor belt of talent. With his contract expiring in June, the Portuguese needs to deliver Champions League football. Europe’s premier club competition is vital for Marseille. After an omnishambles of a campaign, Les Phocéens went back to basics with the appointment of Bruno Genesio, the embodiment of calm and Ligue 1 experience. I back him to bring stability and results back at the Vélodrome.GEORGE – Marseille’s financial constraints after a chaotic 2025-2026 season means that any qualification for the Champions League would come as a minor miracle (but possible). But this clearly opens up the path for a few of the resurgent sides of last season. Lyon look best-placed under Paulo Fonseca to challenge for the Champions League, with Lens the other clear contender under new boss Dino Toppmöller.LIAM – Lyon have managed to maintain the core of their squad. Openda should provide goals to help them compete at the front end. Lens impressed in the Trophée des Champions and though they’ve lost key players, I fancy Toppmöller to impress in Ligue 1. Monaco are also always there or thereabouts and they should challenge if not qualify for the Europa League.JEREMY – Despite the calming influence of Bruno Genesio, I’m not sure Marseille have the quality or sanity to make it. I’m predicting Rennes to be this season’s Lens and to finish top four. Lyon have recruited well, giving Paulo Fonseca more to work with than last year. And, despite some big changes, Lens will scrape a place.NICK – Lyon keeping hold of Paulo Fonseca amid a sea of managerial changes elsewhere could be the advantage they need to make good on the promise they showed last season. Rennes have made some canny signings with Adrien Thomasson and Charlie Cresswell and perhaps the podium will await. Lens shouldn’t be discounted from the race even if their resources might be stretched by competing in Europe. Who will qualify for the Europa League and the Europa Conference League?LUKE – Monaco could also be a contender for the UCL, but failing that, I’d back them to secure some form of European football. They are weaker than last year, but could have pulled off a masterstroke in the appointment of Filipe Luís as manager. Lens will likely struggle, having lost their best players, their manager, and having to compete on several fronts. They still have enough to qualify for the Europa League. I think the fact that Strasbourg have no form of European football this season gives them the upper hand in the race for the Europa Conference League spot. I do, however, have doubts about the new manager. Marseille would be best placed to profit from any of the aforementioned teams playing below the expected standard. LEO – Just like the battle for the podium – and fourth place – the race to determine which teams will represent Ligue 1 in the Europa League and Conference League promises to be as intense as it is unpredictable. Whilst Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco are obviously the favourites, Strasbourg and Paris FC seem to me to be the perfect underdogs. The former could sneak in for me, perhaps in place of the Principality club.BASTIEN – A tough one to answer. I expect Rennes to complete a better Ligue 1 season than they did last year. Their over-reliance on Estéban Lepaul and the added strain of eight Europa League group stage games could cause issues, but Franck Haise’s Les Bretons are a solid team on paper. Putting Lille or Monaco back in Europe would be a safe but uninspired bet, so I prefer to go with Paris FC. The Arnault-backed Parisiens have strengthened key areas of the squad, Liam Rosenior has a point to prove after a disastrous Chelsea spell, and they won’t play in Europe at all this season.GEORGE – After a few inconsistent seasons with managerial changes, Rennes look finally able to mount a charge for European football this season with Franck Haise going into his first full campaign. Felipe Luís at Monaco should be able to shake off the disappointment of last season, but much like Davide Ancellotti at Lille, they are two unknown quantities but will be expected to qualify for Europe. The same goes for Strasbourg, who may just miss out.LIAM – Strasbourg’s link with Chelsea continues to supply an influx of quality which should see them end up in the European places. Lille have managed to keep key players like Fernandez-Pardo and Haraldsson which should also keep them competitive but it remains to be seen how they will perform under Davide Ancelotti, making a Europa League or Conference League place more likely. Marseille are suffering from financial restrictions, but should be in contention.JEREMY – I think that a gap is beginning to form between the top seven and the rest so, by a process of elimination, the remaining contenders after the Champions League places are Monaco, Lille and Marseille. Monaco will just miss out on a Champions League place and Paris FC will push Marseille all the way for the Conference League place, but maybe just miss out.NICK – The race for Europe in Ligue 1 is always exceptionally tight. Monaco are a bit of an unknown quantity with new manager Filipe Luís taking his first head coaching job in Europe. My risky bet for the top six is Paris FC; the squad has improved considerably since last season and has the boon of not playing in Europe, something that cannot be said of Lille, who may need some help from the Coupe de France to return to Europe.Who will be relegated? LUKE – It is hard not to be concerned about Troyes. Granted, they won Ligue 2 last season, but they lost their best three players from that campaign (Mathys Detourbet, Martin Adeline, and Tawfik Bentayeb). So far, they haven’t done enough in the transfer window. I worry for Angers now that Alexandre Dujeux has moved on; Stéphane Gilli didn’t convince prior to his sacking at Paris FC last season. Le Mans should also be in the dogfight, but I’m backing them to narrowly survive. I am more concerned about Brest. LEO – Whilst OGC Nice came close to disaster a few weeks ago, I find it hard to believe that Les Aiglons will face such difficulties during the 2026-27 season. I would, however, be less categorical about Stade Brestois, whom I see being relegated next May. The newly promoted sides, Troyes and Le Mans, will also face many months of battling to avoid the drop. And watch out for Le Havre; they would be my pick over Le Mans.BASTIEN – With Reims, Montpellier and Nantes relegated in those last two years, it’s not always the poorest clubs to go down and I back this trend to carry on. Despite being owned by the City Football Group, I don’t see Troyes sticking around for long in the first-tier. Although the appointment of Will Still is a statement of intent, I have a nagging feeling that Auxerre will struggle to stay above the relegation zone.GEORGE – With the relegation of Nantes goes my start-of-season nailed-on shout in this part of the predictions. But Brest may sadly be the surprise candidate this season to go down following the tragic circumstances that they find themselves in after the death of manager Éric Roy over the summer (although I’d happily be proved wrong). Elsewhere, Le Mans could just about scrape a play-off spot, and Angers look at risk once more.LIAM – Le Mans’ surprise promotion is one of the great stories heading into the new season, and whilst Patrick Videiria has remained despite interest from elsewhere, I expect their fairytale to end with a swift demotion back to Ligue 2. Troyes will also likely head straight back down with relatively little investment. Angers and Auxerre look like potential contenders, and either one could find themselves in the relegation play-off.JEREMY – Assuming that they fail to bring in anyone of note, I worry that Troyes, who have lost so much quality, will go straight back down. Despite Will Still coming in, I think Auxerre will struggle without Lassine Sinayoko’s goals, but Still’s nous will see them scrape the play-off place, just ahead of Le Havre.NICK – Brest enter the new season in exceptionally difficult circumstances. The tragic passing of head coach Eric Roy in June will understandably cast a long shadow over the season. And it’s hard not to think that the football has come back too soon for a club in mourning. Alexandre Dujeux was a forceful figure in Angers’ fight to stay in Ligue 1; one wonders whether they’ll have the same grit with Stéphane Gilli. After two successive promotions, LeMans remaining in Ligue 1 may be a step too far; I predict the playoffs will come calling.Who will be Player of the Season?LUKE – At the risk of sounding really boring, Vitinha is the clear favourite for me in this category. There is a strong argument to be made that the Portugal international has been PSG’s best player in each of their past three seasons. Only Portugal’s poor World Cup ensure that he is an outside shout for the Ballon d’Or; he could still win it, and he would be a deserving winner. So integral for Les Parisiens, he features frequently in Ligue 1, unlike many of the leading cast at the Parc des Princes.LEO – Once again this season, it’s hard to imagine anyone ending PSG’s 10-year dominance in the ‘Player of the Season’ category. And after two consecutive titles for Ousmane Dembélé, it now seems to me that the time has come for Désiré Doué to take up the torch. In his third season in Paris, I really expect to see him reach a new level and play an even bigger part in a squad that is already brimming with talent. And I’m not just talking about on the pitch, but off it as well, as a true leader in the dressing room.BASTIEN – Despite featuring in only 22 Ligue 1 games last season, Ousmane Dembélé was named Player of the Season, to give an idea of how low the ceiling is. This season, I’m going for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to make the league his own. Bradley Barcola’s exit means he’ll play much more on his preferred left side, the signing of Mika Godts brings much-needed competition for him and he has rested all summer with Georgia not qualified for the World Cup. Kvaratskhelia needs a platform to show his Ballon d’Or credentials, and it could be Ligue 1.GEORGE – Hear me out: Michaël Cuisance. Once tipped for big things at Bayern Munich, the Frenchman has taken the scenic route back to Ligue 1. Now 27 and at an ambitious Lens side, perhaps this is finally the season where everything clicks. Stranger things have happened.LIAM – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has proven to be a big game player with vital contributions on ten biggest stages for Luis Enrique. Whilst there has been some cosmetic surgery on Les Parisiens’ attacking options this summer, it’s hard to see anyone displacing the Georgian international. Either side or through the middle, he always seems to have an effect. I expect him to emerge as the league’s best come the end of the season.JEREMY – My heart says Michaël Cuisance who is back in France with Lens, but my head says it will no doubt be a PSG player again. If it is to be Ousmane Dembélé, hopefully he’ll have played enough matches to deserve it this time! In usual Luis Enrique style no one player will particularly stand out, so I’ll go Vitinha to get the glory this time.NICK – It’s always worth taking a risk with these shouts, and mine will go to Lens’ new signing Yacine Titraoui. The midfielder has looked exceptionally pleasing on the eye during preseason and the Trophée des Champions victory over PSG. He has big boots to fill, replacing Mamadou Sangaré, but he looks as if he could be the man to fill them.Who will win the Golden Boot?LUKE – With the risk of this prediction looking a little silly, I will back Ferran Torres to win the Golden Boot. He should get lots of minutes in Ligue 1 this season, partially due to Ousmane Dembélé’s injury issues and the fact that, even if he is fit, he will be spared for the UCL fixtures. The Spaniard can be wasteful but arrives with confidence and will very often lead the line for PSG this season. Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer, has been prolific in pre-season. He would also be a safe shout. LEO – As a huge fan of stories about players out for revenge, my pick this season is Loïs Openda. The Belgian may well have had a particularly difficult season last year whilst playing for Juventus, but there is little doubt that his goal-scoring instinct remains as sharp as ever. At Lyon, in a team aiming to compete at the top of the table, the 26-year-old will no doubt be keen to remind everyone of the qualities that have made him such a sought-after striker.BASTIEN – No one could have predicted Estéban Lepaul to win last year’s Ligue 1 Golden Boot. However, the Rennes striker still looks like he could step up a gear or two, as his preseason numbers show. Furthermore, with Mason Greenwood gone, Joaquin Panichelli out injured and Ousmane Dembélé’s declining fitness levels, is there a more reliable Ligue 1 goalscorer right now?GEORGE – Igor Paixão, anyone? Marseille’s attack has changed significantly this summer, and if the Brazilian stays (and that’s a big IF), there is a real chance he becomes its focal point. He has the pace, directness and eye for goal to cause havoc. A bold shout, perhaps, but not an entirely ridiculous one.LIAM – Loïs Openda has caused havoc for Ligue 1 defenders before and with him returning, this time with Lyon, I find it hard to see him not replicating this. He has already impressed whilst leading the line in UCL qualifiers for Les Gones.JEREMY – Last season’s top scorer Esteban Lepaul already looks in good form in pre-season and will be up there. Ferran Torres is coming off the back of a great season including scoring the World Cup-winning goal, but he may have to adapt to a new style of play. I’m going to a slight surprise – Loïs Openda at Lyon.NICK – I’ll stick my neck out and give the Golden Boot to Pablo Pagis following his move from Lorient to Paris FC. He managed to hit double figures last season for Lorient, who weren’t always the most prolific of sides. At Paris, you could see him getting far more chances, something he has shown hints of during preseason at his new club. GFFN | Luke Entwistle