Directory

An advertisement for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin is displayed on a building in Hong Kong on Nov. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)2026-08-22T13:59:09Z Bitcoin and gold shot higher this week, with both getting a boost from some frantic action surrounding the bond market, and the cryptocurrency also benefiting from activity in Washington.Bitcoin had dropped from a January high around $95,000 to below $60,000 at the end of June. Investors shied away from speculative assets earlier in the year and crypto supporters were concerned about the lack of movement on proposed regulation of the industry. On Friday, bitcoin rose above $77,000.Gold hit a high above $5,300 in January but dropped to around $4,000 in June as rising rates made interest-bearing investments more attractive. Gold rose to $4,661 on Friday. The first jolt arrived Wednesday when the Treasury Department announced plans to significantly increase its buybacks of long-term Treasurys, or government debt. On the same day, President Donald Trump, who made about $1.2 billion last year from various crypto holdings, urged Congress to move quickly on crypto legislation. There was an almost immediate reaction, which included a dollar sell-off, and a jump in the value of gold and bitcoin as investors moved toward alternative assets. How these two investments caught fire can be understood in the context of several developments this week. The Treasury stepped into the bond market - forcefullyIn a surprise announcement Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department said that it would at least double the size of its planned purchases of longer-term government debt. The maneuver was intended to calm bond markets after a sustained sell-off, meaning investors were asking for higher yields to lend money to the U.S., which suddenly seemed more risky. That’s because while the Treasury intervention worked, at least for a short period, it also raised questions about whether the government is trying to push borrowing costs lower despite inflationary pressures. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is attempting to lower long-term borrowing costs, a move that can put upward pressure on inflation at a time when inflation is already elevated. Bessent’s maneuver could handcuff the Federal Reserve, which fights inflation by raising interest rates. Read More Debt, inflation, and the “debasement trade” heat upThen there’s the national debt, which surpassed a record $40 trillion on the same day that the Treasury’s actions unfolded. The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S. hit a record $39 trillion debt in March. It reached $38 trillion five months before that, in October.There is already a lot of anxiety over inflation, particularly because of the conflict in Iran and soaring energy prices. If yields on U.S. bonds are not truly reflecting risk, you can often see that play out in the value of the U.S. currency, which took a significant downward swoop Wednesday. So where does the money that was invested in the dollar or Treasurys go? This week, it appears to have been funneled into what is known as the “debasement trade,” when investors flood into alternative assets such as gold, which rose more than 2% Wednesday. The debasement trade now includes bitcoin. Bitcoin jumped more than 20% this week. 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. Crypto had a very good week in Washington On Wednesday President Donald Trump, who banked nearly $1.2 billion from his crypto businesses last year, held a crypt conference at the White House where he called on Congress to pass the crypto-friendly Clarity Act, saying that it would “keep us ahead of China, keep us ahead of everyone else.”Trump then yielded the floor to Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Mike Selig, who vowed to “use every tool available” to advance Trump’s agenda. Selig’s comments came ahead of a CFTC meeting Thursday examining ways the agency can use its existing authority to ease crypto rules. A day earlier, other regulators proposed rules making it easier for crypto companies and projects to raise money from the public.Since taking office, Trump has pushed policies friendly to the crypto industry and reversed a Biden administration regulatory crackdown. Bitcoin’s big squeeze sent prices even higherBitcoin can sometimes get a bump when the U.S. dollar is on the ropes as investors try to unload the U.S. currency. But you don’t typically see the kind of related movement that was observed with bitcoin this week. The price of bitcoin had been stuck between $62,000 and $67,000 for weeks. Investors seized on that weakness, many placing bets that the cryptocurrency would be stuck in that range for some time to come. However, on the day that the Treasury announced its buybacks, Treasury yields fell, as did the dollar, and bitcoin blasted through that upper level of $67,000. The Treasury’s actions negatively affected the money investors could make on U.S. bonds and the dollar, and boosted the value of bitcoin. That meant that many investors who had shorted bitcoin, or bet that its price would remain subdued, were forced to close their positions as bitcoin surged. Closing those bearish positions required buying back the digital asset, adding even more upward pressure to bitcoin’s price.By Friday, more than $4 billion in bearish crypto positions had been liquidated during the rally, according to CoinGlass, which tracks cryptocurrency derivatives markets. And because bitcoin was already rising, those forced purchases added fuel to the rally, potentially triggering still more liquidations as prices climbed.

The logo of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors is seen before a news conference with Federal Reserve Board Chairman Kevin Warsh at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2026-08-22T14:10:07Z The economy, inflation and how those forces could impact the lives of Americans were front and center over the past week. Trips to the grocery store and gas station are more painful than they were last year, and rising costs are impacting the decisions of both households and businesses.Here’s a snapshot of prominent economic data and news that occurred over the past week and what it potentially means for you.Many Fed officials think higher rates will be needed if inflation stays highMany Federal Reserve officials think the central bank will have to lift its key short-term interest rate in the coming months if inflation doesn’t subside, minutes of the Fed’s meeting last month showed. The minutes of the July 28-29 meeting, released Wednesday, don’t provide specifics on how many of the 19 officials supported higher rates. Only 12 of the 19 policymakers vote on the outcome. Officials voted 9-3 at the meeting to keep their key rate unchanged at about 3.6%. Inflation has since showed some signs of cooling, though gas prices have rebounded this month on renewed hostilities in the Middle East. Wall Street investors now expect the Fed to remain on hold at its next meeting in September and potentially lift rates in December, though that outlook could change. Mortgage rates ease again, but remain higher than this time last yearThe average long-term U.S. mortgage rate eased for the second week in a row, but remains elevated compared with this time last year.The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.65% from 6.67% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.58%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers refinancing a home loan, also eased this week. That average rate dropped to 5.95% from 5.96% last week. However, a year ago, it was at 5.69%.Despite the recent pullback, mortgage rates have been mostly rising this year, limiting homebuyers’ purchasing power. Elevated rates can lead prospective home shoppers to delay buying a home, one reason U.S. home sales have been sluggish this year. Read More US unemployment claims declineFewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, another sign that layoffs remain low and that most Americans enjoy job security.The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims dropped to 206,000 last week from a revised 212,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, ticked up to 204,000 last week from 199,750.Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a harbinger for where the job market is headed. For the past year, claims have been at a historically low range of around 200,000 to 230,000 a week. Wall Street climbs as bond market’s big swings ease a bitU.S. stocks rose Friday and trimmed their losses from what’s been a shaky week. The bond market, which has been the center of Wall Street’s action, remained jumpy, but yields were not moving as much as earlier in the week and were helping to keep financial markets relatively calm.The S&P 500 rose and was on track for just its second gain in the six days since setting its all-time high last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq were both up. 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. After soaring through the summer and then hesitating earlier this week following a surprise announcement that the U.S. Treasury Department will repurchase more longer-term bonds, yields remained unsettled in the bond market on Friday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives for the inauguration of Colombia's new president Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)2026-08-22T14:03:28Z GENEVA (AP) — Gianni Infantino defied a request by one of his FIFA vice presidents to stay away from an Under-14 soccer event in the Caribbean and instead made a rare public appearance during the global furor over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.On Saturday, Infantino posted photos on his Instagram account showing the FIFA president meeting political and soccer officials from the Dominican Republic on the sidelines of a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) youth tournament in the Punta Cana resort.On Friday, Infantino had been asked not to go by Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of Miami-based continental soccer body CONCACAF, to avoid being a distraction from the soccer games.“I believe that considering the governance crisis surrounding FIFA as a result of your controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, the media will focus on this situation,” Montagliani wrote in an emailed letter seen by The Associated Press, “which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition.” “As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity,” Montagliani wrote.FIFA declined to comment on the Montagliani request, though noted it directly funds regional bodies like the CFU with up to $5 million from each four-year World Cup cycle. Montagliani has aligned with fellow FIFA vice presidents Aleksander Ceferin from European body UEFA and Asian Football Confederation president Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in seeking to end Infantino’s increasingly executive presidency now in its 11th year. Read More They accused Infantino two weeks ago of “deception” in secretly planning over the past year to spin off FIFA’s multi-billion dollar commercial activities to a subsidiary 20% owned by investors led by Joshua Kushner.Infantino withdrew the project on Aug. 1 amid a global backlash by soccer leaders and fans, and hours after his own chief operating officer published stinging criticism of the proposal and his leadership style in a statement to the AP. The Zurich-based COO, Kevin Lamour, was fired this week.Caribbean member federations are seen as potential supporters for Infantino to peel away from their CONCACAF leadership. South American body CONMEBOL has backed Infantino as its best path to hosting more games at the 2030 World Cup it wants expanded from 48 teams to 64. Avoiding questions from a bald reporterThe FIFA leader has not taken questions publicly since the $20 billion FFE project was revealed July 28 by British daily The Times, and on Friday in Punta Cana he evaded a reporter from British broadcaster Sky News.Asked by Sky reporter James Matthews if he had betrayed the sport and should resign, Infantino said “Thank you so much” and made quips about both men being bald.Infantino is aiming to be re-elected for a fourth and final term in office through 2031 at the FIFA election congress next March in Rabat, Morocco. FIFA has set Nov. 18 as a deadline for would-be candidates to enter the race.___See AP’s full soccer coverage here GRAHAM DUNBAR Dunbar is an Associated Press sports news reporter in Geneva, Switzerland. He focuses on the governing bodies, institutions and politics of international sports. twitter mailto

Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts to a winning point during a women's doubles match against Marta Kostyuk, of Ukraine, and Peyton Stearns, of the United States, at the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)2026-08-22T14:16:30Z NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams will team up with Carlos Alcaraz to create a powerhouse mixed doubles pair in her return to the U.S. Open.The U.S. Tennis Association announced Saturday that Williams and Alcaraz had been given a wild card into the tournament. The mixed doubles main draw begins Tuesday.It will be Williams’ first time playing at the U.S. Open since 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to tennis this summer.Alcaraz announced this week he would return to defend his U.S. Open singles title after being sidelined since April with a right wrist injury.___See AP’s full tennis coverage here BRIAN MAHONEY Mahoney is an editor on the AP Sports desk. He also is a pro basketball writer, primarily covering the two NBA teams in New York. twitter mailto

Winners of five straight games, the Yankees pulled within three games of the AL East-leading Rays after Friday night's 3-1 win against Toronto. On Saturday afternoon, Yanks' lefty Ryan Weathers (5-7, 3.56) will oppose Blue Jays' ace Dylan Cease (7-5, 2.42) at Yankee Stadium. Cease faced the Yanks last week in Toronto, giving up two runs over 6.1 innings and striking out 10 batters in a no-decision. He's been in the AL Cy Young Award conversation with Cam Schlittler, who tossed six innings Friday for his 11th win this year.Weathers has posted a 1.97 ERA over his last seven starts, including last Sunday's 7.1-inning, one-run no-decision at Toronto.Spencer Jones has homered in two straight games, and fellow lefty-hitting outfielder Cody Bellinger (strained left hamstring) could return to the Yankees lineup as early as Sunday's series finale against Toronto.On Friday, the Yanks placed third baseman Ryan McMahon on the 10-day injury list due to a sprained left thumb, caused by an awkward slide in Wednesday's game at Baltimore. McMahon told reporters that it wasn't a great situation, but "it could have been worse'' and that he's "thankful that there's most likely no surgery...hopefully just the minimum 10 days'' until he returns.Here is the Yankees' lineup for Saturday's 1:35 p.m. game: Trent Grisham, CFBen Rice, DHHeliot Ramos, LFLuis Garcia Jr., 1BSpencer Jones, RFGeorge Lombard Jr., SSJazz Chisholm Jr., 2BAustin Wells, CJose Caballero, 3BThis article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees announce Saturday afternoon lineup vs. Toronto

📸 Ipswich Town new boys combine on debuts to snatch lead over SunderlandIpswich Town have taken the lead over Sunderland in their opening Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season, and it's all thanks to their new signings from Ligue 1.The Tractor Boys return to the top flight this term after their relegation in 2025 and will have every hope of surviving the drop this time around.They've enjoyed a productive summer in terms of incomings, and new boys Julio Enciso and Emersonn combined to give them the lead.With less than 30 minutes played, Enciso did well to win the ball back high, beat his man and play a lovely pass across the box for his teammate to fire home.In doing so, Emersonn also became the first Brazilian to score for Ipswich Town.Is this a sign of positive things to come, or a potential false dawn for Gary O'Neil's side?

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has dismissed the idea that India are struggling in Test cricket, saying the team's recent results should be seen as part of a transition after the retirement of several senior players.India go into the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo with a 1-0 lead after their 165-run win in Galle. But the series has also kept the focus on a team that is trying to build a new Test side after the departure of some of its biggest names.Since Gambhir became head coach, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin have retired from Test cricket. India have also lost Test series against New Zealand and South Africa at home and endured a difficult tour of Australia.India have won five of their 10 Tests in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and are ranked fifth currently behind Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh. They were also whitewashed 2-0 by South Africa at home in 2025, after a 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand in the previous WTC cycle. Gambhir is the only India coach to oversee two home Test series whitewashes.Despite those results, Gambhir said India are not in decline."Rankings do not matter. We are not struggling. Since the England tour, we have been playing consistent cricket since England," Gambhir said ahead of the Colombo Test.The head coach said his focus is on winning tournaments rather than rankings."My job is to win trophies. That's all I believe in and care for. That is the difference between me and everyone. I don't care about views or likes," he said.Since Gambhir became head coach, India have won the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup titles, but he has continued to face criticism over the team's Test performances. There have also been discussions about India moving to separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball cricket.Looking ahead to the second Test, Gambhir said team selection will depend on choosing the bowling attack that gives India the best chance of taking 20 wickets."We will try to field the best bowling attack that can get us 20 wickets," he said. 133424826

San Francisco (52-76) opened a three-game series against Boston (69-59) on Friday. The Red Sox won the series opener, 6-4, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.Former Vol Drew Gilbert started in center field for the Giants and went 2-for-3. He hit a two-run home run 389 feet off former Vanderbilt pitcher Sonny Gray in the fourth inning.Gilbert totaled two RBIs, one run and one strikeout against the Red Sox.Gray (16-3) earned his 16th win of the season and pitched six innings. He recorded six strikeouts and 97 pitches, including 60 strikes, against 27 batters.San Francisco designated hitter Rafael Devers and Boston first baseman Willson Contreras also hit one home run each in the contest.Game 2 between the Giants and Red Sox is slated for Saturday at 7:15 p.m. EDT. Fox will televise the game. Former Vol Blade Tidwell (San Francisco) and Patrick Sandoval (Boston) are listed as projected starting pitchers on Saturday.More: Tony Vitello introduced as San Francisco's manager, details challenge with GiantsFollow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Drew Gilbert hits home run off former Vanderbilt pitcher at Boston

Carrick ‘bitterly disappointed’ as Hull shock Man UtdMichael Carrick was left “bitterly disappointed” after his Man Utd side fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at Hull City on Saturday. The Tigers got their Premier League campaign off to a dream start at the MKM Stadium when Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy both scored in the first half. The Red Devils were abysmal in attack, and though they ended the game with 21 shots, they failed to create much of consequence. United fans’ misery was compounded by the fact that the trains to Manchester were cancelled, leading to chants of “you’re going home in a taxi” from the home crowd. Carrick admitted in his post-match interview that his team “didn’t have the spark” that they did last season when he initially came in as caretaker boss. Carrick ‘bitterly disappointed’ as Hull shock Man Utd“Some of it was okay, there’s bits to improve on,” he told TNT Sports. “It was never going to be perfect, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult.“It was a typical one of those games, with a newly-promoted team at home. You can’t give them much, they’ve got a lot to hold on to.“After that, we had moments and opportunities but we didn’t have the spark to put the chances away or create any more.“We’re bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won’t let it knock us.”Carrick said lessons will be learned from the defeat, though he would not elaborate on what Man Utd need to improve.“I’m not going into areas [to improve] now, it’s for us to know and we’ll improve through the week and in the games.“When we keep getting stronger as a group, that’ll come. Today’s a game we can’t ignore, we have a lot to learn from it – but we will.” Carrick added: “It’s one game, the first game of the season. It hurts, of course, but it’s one game. It doesn’t change the direction the team or the football club is going in. We’ll stay calm and in the bubble and focus on next week.”Man Utd have reportedly agreed a £70 million transfer fee with Brighton for Carlos Baleba, but Carrick remained tight-lipped about the deal. “I had all eyes on the game today. Any other player at any other club, I won’t be commenting on.”Read – Carrick confirms Man Utd star will return ‘very, very soon’Read More – Our writers’ predictions for the 2026/27 Premier League seasonSee Also – Every Premier League kit released ahead of 2026/27 seasonFollow The Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

The bathroom is often the smallest room in people’s homes — it certainly is in mine. The fact that it’s so small makes it uniquely tough when it comes to finding storage solutions that actually make sense.There are all sorts of methods — like over-the-toilet organizers and mirrored medicine cabinets — that are meant to make the most of the space you have, but what if even that’s not enough? READ MORE...

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi enters her prime minister's office in Tokyo, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (Keisuke Hosojima/Kyodo News via AP)2026-08-22T14:32:31Z TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is increasingly seen secluding herself at home, said on Saturday that she is using her official residence next to her office more for work to maximize efficiency.In December, Takaichi moved into the official residence, a brick-and-stone mansion that opened in 1929 used to be the original prime minister’s office until its replacement was built right next to it.Takaichi said on X that living in the official residence, or “kotei,” is good because its proximity requires no commute and lets her immediately get down to work in time of an emergency. Takaichi said she has reinforced office functions at the residence so she can work and have meetings there remotely or in person with her staff whenever needed, even after office hours. She also takes home documents to read. “To me, the official residence is also a workplace,” she said. But Takaichi, whose work mantra and her recent revelation on X of zero to three hours of sleep at night because of her homemaking burden on top of her heavy workload as prime minister, triggered criticisms that Japan’s first female leader was setting a wrong example for a work-life balance and gender-equality. Takaichi has seen her support ratings rapidly drop as she pushed unpopular policies such as a revision to the Imperial House Law to reinforce a male-only succession system, while delaying economic measures to address rising prices. Media reports have said that Takaichi was avoiding parliamentary sessions and largely holed up at the residence at night and on weekends, saying that she’s having significantly less interactions and communication with other lawmakers and officials than her predecessors. Takaichi frequently posts comments and policies on X instead of talking to the media. Read More The official residence was the site of two bloody coup attempts in the 1930s, and legend has it that the building is haunted by ghosts.Takaichi apparently doesn’t mind spending long hours at the residence despite that.“I’ve never seen a ghost, but I have often screamed because of my encounters with cockroaches,” she said. “I was shocked when a cockroach ran past my feet.” MARI YAMAGUCHI Yamaguchi is based in Tokyo and covers Japanese politics, security, nuclear energy and social issues for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

We are now down to just two weeks 14 days, until the start of the 2026 Kentucky football season, and excitement continues to build. As we count down the days until their first game, we are getting to know the players on the roster. Today, we are taking a look at No. 14, Ty Bryant.Bryant is a 6'0", 196 lb safety out of Lexington, Kentucky. As a recruit in the 2023 class, he was rated three stars by 247Sports, and ranked as the No. 1,220 overall player in their composite rankings.A highly decorated high school player, Bryant received a number of scholarship offers, including teams like Cincinnati, West Virginia, and the Tennessee Volunteers. However, he chose to stay at home and play for Kentucky.It didn't take long for Bryant to prove he was a star in the making. As a freshman, he played in every game and even started three. He had 40 tackles on the season. In 2024, he got his first interception and another 46 tackles. Then, last season, he broke out, totaling 76 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and 4 interceptions on his way to being named to the All-SEC team.Heading into 2026, Bryant will be one of the key players on defense. He'll be a veteran leader, and should be one of the SEC's best safeties once again. He has NFL skills, and he will get to show them off this season.This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Get to know the Kentucky football roster: No. 14 Ty Bryant

Despite the Denver Broncos' 33-13 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers, there were a few risers from the performance on Friday night. On the flip side, there were also several fallers in the defeat. Coach Sean Payton thinks the Broncos played poorly in nearly every aspect in the loss. "Each phase saw their fair share of what ended up being the final score," Payton said postgame. "You can't not pay attention to these games, these scrimmages, these important steps toward regular season."We scrutinize the stocks of six different aspects and players from the game. Riser: Bo Nix-Jaylen Waddle connectionBo Nix's first completion of Friday's contest was on a 3rd-and-medium, to none other than wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The pitch-and-catch from Nix to Waddle went for 35 yards, setting up the first Broncos score of the game. It showed not only the explosive playmaking ability of Waddle, but the connection between QB and WR. Broncos fans look forward to many more plays like the one made against the Packers. Faller: Jarrett StidhamAfter a quality performance against the Atlanta Falcons last week, Stidham looked more like the quarterback who appeared in the 2025 AFC Championship. Stidham threw a bad interception, staring down his receiver the entire way, and also had a bad center-quarterback exchange, which resulted in a loss of yards. Stidham had two quarters of work, but only three points to show for it. Riser: Kolbe KatsisThe Broncos may have found a viable backup returner in Katsis, the undrafted talent out of Northern Arizona. Katsis was Denver's primary returner on Friday night, returning four kickoffs for 117 yards and one punt for 17 yards. Katsis looked explosive, and could very well have solidified himself on the roster as a Marvin Mims-type player. Faller: Tyler Badie Badie only had five touches during the game, going for only five yards. Although he has made the Broncos' roster the past few seasons, Badie is on the outside of the roster bubble heading into the final week of the preseason and roster cuts. He could still have the potential to be a practice squad player. Riser: Red Murdock, Que RobinsonMurdock again led the Broncos with seven tackles in the defeat, while wearing the green dot on his helmet. Murdock has quickly ascended from "Mr. Irrelevant" to a reliable piece in the middle of the defense, potentially making him a valuable asset for years to come. Robinson, for his part, came up with the only Broncossack of the night. Robinson is trying to make a name for himself in a very talented pass-rusher room. Memories have to be short. For the Broncos, their transition to the final game of the preseason will be a crucial one for many players as they eye the roster cuts from 91 to 53 on Aug. 30. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos stock watch: Risers and fallers from second preseason game

Shedeur Sanders backed up Deshaun Watson in the Cleveland Browns' first game of the 2026 NFL preseason. Now, the second-year quarterback will get a chance to stake his claim to the starting job.Sanders will take the field first for the Browns as they host the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Stadium in Cleveland. He is expected to play the entire first half before making way for Watson at the start of the third quarter.Browns coach Todd Monken has been adamant he has not yet decided who will start for the Browns in Week 1, but Saturday's contest will nonetheless be crucial for Sanders. Watson outplayed him in Cleveland's first preseason game, a contested during which Sanders was responsible for an ugly interception.Any similar turnover issues could help clear the path for Watson to take on the starting job.While Cleveland figures to give its starters more extensive run because of the quarterback competition, Buffalo may not have Josh Allen and its top players on the field. Allen and the Bills starters played in the team's first preseason game, which marked the opening of the new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, but are expected to be rested in preseason Week 2.Such a decision could give the Browns the upper hand in their second exhibition contest.USA TODAY Sports is tracking all of the action from the Browns vs. Bills game. Follow along for the latest highlights, score updates and information about how Sanders and Watson are performing.Browns vs. Bills live updatesBrowns vs Bills TV channel11:00 AM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob CamenkerTV channel (national): NFL NetworkTV channel (local): WEWS (Cleveland) | WIVB (Buffalo)Streaming:NFL+ | FuboSaturday's Browns vs. Bills game will air on the NFL Network. Cord-cutters can stream the game on Fubo, which carries NFL Network, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox and the ESPN family of networks.NFL+ Premium will also carry the entirety of the preseason, so streamers can use that service to watch the Browns-Bills contest. Watch the NFL all season on Fubo Deshaun Watson stats preseason Week 112:00 AM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob CamenkerWatson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards while playing the entire first half of the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Bears. He finished the day with a 98.2 passer rating and added 4 yards on three rushes during the contest.Watson also lost a fumble after being strip-sacked on a fourth down from just across midfield.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Browns vs. Bills live updates: TV channel, live stream, where to watch

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — AJ Peña and Justin Carcel are practicing for a 2026 college football season in which they might not play. Jim Fleming isn't certain whether or not his All-American edge rusher and veteran defensive back will be available. Players and coaches alike are still attempting to pick their way through an ever more complicated landscape involving the NCAA, the legal system, additional years of eligibility and much more. What's definite is this — the University of Rhode Island will visit Merrimack for a Friday night kickoff, the No. 7 team in the nation looking for a third straight Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth. "I'm in the middle of it, but I'm trying not to think about it too much," Peña said after Friday morning's practice at Meade Stadium. "I've got Aug. 28 — that's really what I'm focused on. It's Week 1." Truthfully, that everyday preparation is all Peña can control. State courts, circuit courts, a governing body in college sports that keeps getting put on the deck through temporary injunctions and restraining orders — it's a dizzying current state of affairs. Fleming has been in coaching for more than four decades and couldn't imagine such changes when he started out in the 1980s. "I always thought there would be a breakoff of super power conferences — that was the talk 25 years ago," Fleming said. "But in 1982, when I had just finished college and had yet to get into coaching, I was down at SMU — right before they went on the death penalty. They went on the death penalty for everything that is legal right now. More: Ken Schreiber's 7 takeaways from college football's offseason"It is pretty incredible to see that kind of shift. Right or wrong, I don't know — I'm glad the kids are getting paid. I'm glad they're able to make some money. There's got to be a limit at some point in time." The Mustangs were running what was essentially a professional franchise at a level below the NFL. The eventual crackdown reached all the way through the school's administration, forcing out athletic director Bob Hitch and multiple others. Boosters made thousands of dollars in illegal payments to players, recruits and their families over a multiyear period. The Rams aren't running any such scandal. Their concern is an extra year for seniors who were already in their program — a grandfathering in of a proposed 5-in-5 model for the Class of 2022. Temporary injunctions have been granted in certain states allowing players to suit up. The NCAA is fighting against retroactively awarding eligibility and was granted a federal request Friday morning to stay such decisions for an undetermined period. "As far as I know, I meet the requirements by the age or whatever guidelines they have," Peña said. "There's a bunch of different stuff and requirements they're trying to abide by. "I'm not trying to go in the transfer portal. I'm just trying to return." Peña is already the all-time leader at URI in sacks and tackles for loss. He could become the all-time FCS leader in sacks with production mirroring his first four years with the Rams. Peña played through meniscus trouble in his right knee in 2025, an injury that eventually developed into a full tear and subsequent surgery after the American Bowl. "It was a gift once we found out there was a court decision that would have allowed it," Fleming said. "We acted immediately on that — called him up, asked him if he wanted to do it. He said, 'Right on.' "We got him into camp as soon as we could. We got him enrolled in school — all the proper steps. We were thrilled. That was a blessing. We were willing to roll the dice to see how things turn out at the end of the day." Peña and Carcel could be forced to sit against the Warriors if there's any question about their status. They wouldn't be alone nationally — there is still a host of players in multiple sports limbo while Wisne v. NCAA winds its way through various iterations in the legal system. How long that takes is anybody's guess, with the current piecemeal approach by state and the nature of litigation itself proceeding at a typically grinding pace. "We're really hopeful we can get [Peña] out there," Fleming said. "He deserves it. He's a great kid. He played through a whole senior year injured. "Why not?" bkoch@providencejournal.com On X: @BillKoch25 This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Will URI football's AJ Peña and Justin Carcel be allowed to play?

The Seattle Seahawks will have more insurance at the cornerback position for next season after signing star CB Trevon Diggs on Wednesday.Diggs was one of the biggest names left in free agency this summer prior to the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks adding him to their roster. The veteran cornerback has had seasons of note throughout his career since entering the league in 2020. However, his most recent performance in 2025 is the largest indicator of what he will be able to give the Seahawks next season.Diggs had somewhat of a down year in 2025 playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He went without an interception or a pass breakup for the first time in his career, though he only played in nine games on the year. Diggs previously led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 with 11 and went on a memorable tear in the early part of that season, where he recorded at least one INT in each of the first six games of the year.The eye test showed that Diggs was not as sharp in 2026 as he was in years prior. The former first-team All-Pro corner allowed 12 yards per target, over three yards more than the 8.8 that he allowed in 2021, which was his previous high mark. He also allowed 16 yards per completion to opposing quarterbacks and was not as precise at containing receivers that were matched up against him.However, prior to last season, Diggs was always a reliable source of interceptions and passes defensed, as he recorded at least two INT and 11 PD in four of the five seasons prior to that, with the 2023 season being the only one where he did not record those numbers due to playing in only two games that year.Diggs’ track record is enough to warrant the benefit of the doubt from the Seahawks when it comes to making him a key part of the rotation. He is likely to establish himself as one of Seattle’s top two backups at the cornerback position, especially after Shemar Jean-Charles landed on IR on Monday.This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: What are the Seahawks getting in new CB Trevon Diggs?

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick certainly isn't hitting the panic button.The Red Devils fell 2-0 to Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League, failing to beat a promoted team in an opener for the first time in the history of the club.But Carrick, who took over the club in January and was able to win 12 of the last 17 matches of the season, said the loss changes little about the plans for the club going forward."It's one game. It's one game. It's the first game of the season. It's disappointing enough and it hurts, of course it does, but it's one game," Carrick told TNT Sports after the match. "It doesn't change direction, all of a sudden, the whole course of what direction the team is going in or the football club. We'll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week."Hull City defender Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, cleaning up after a chaotic sequence that started with a corner kick.And the Tigers were ahead by two in the 38th minute thanks to a Nobel Mendy header from a free kick. While Carrick said it was frustrating to see his team concede on a pair of set pieces after good set-piece defense in the back half of last season, he said there was a margin for error "Obviously bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect today, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it a lot more difficult. Probably a typical one of those games with a newly promoted team at home," he said. "We can't give them much, and they got a lot to hold on to. "We're bitterly disappointed with the result today, but it won't knock us."After a third-place finish last campaign, United fans were hopeful that a full season under Carrick could put their team back in the race for the Premier League title. After the inauspicious start, Manchester Untied now must beat another recently promoted team, hosting Ipswich Town on Aug. 30.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'It's one game': Man United manager vows to press on after loss to Hull City

Keelon Russell is the winner of Alabama’s quarterback competition.The sophomore was named the Tide’s Week 1 starter on Saturday, according to multiple reports. Russell had been competing with Austin Mack as Alabama searched for Ty Simpson’s successor.

Armando González to Continue His Career at Olympiacos FCClub Deportivo Guadalajara announces that it has reached an agreement with Olympiacos FC for the permanent transfer of Armando González, who, after completing his development and establishing himself at Chivas, will continue his career in European soccer.‘Hormiga’ joined the Guadalajara youth academy in 2018 at just 15 years old and progressed through every level of the club’s youth system before reaching the First Team. He made his Liga MX debut in January 2024.During the Apertura 2025, González became the league's top scorer with 12 goals, and he maintained his scoring form in the Clausura 2026, adding another 12 goals. That same semester, he was named Liga MX Player of the Tournament.His performances earned him a call-up to the Mexico Senior National Team, where he made his debut in November 2025 before subsequently being selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Chivas recognizes Armando's importance as an exemplary academy product who embodies the club's values and identity, while also recognizing the significance of his move to European soccer.'Hormi', thank you for your dedication, your contributions both on and off the field, and your commitment to these colors throughout all these years. We wish you nothing but the greatest success in this new chapter.Chivas will always be your home.

Armando González will continue his career at Olympiacos FCClub Deportivo Guadalajara announces that it has reached an agreement with Olympiacos FC for the permanent transfer of ArmandoGonzález, who, after a process of development and growth at Chivas, which began in 2018 when he joined Guadalajara’s youth academy at just 15 years of age, will continue his career in European football.'Hormiga' went through every stage of the club’s youth ranks until reaching the First Division, where he made his debut in January 2024. In the 2025 Apertura Tournament, he won the scoring title with 12 goals and kept up his scoring streak in the 2026 Clausura with another 12 goals, a semester in which he was also recognized by Liga MX as the best player of the tournament. His performances earned him a place in the Senior National Team, with which he made his debut in November 2025 and was later called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Chivas recognizes the importance of Armando as an exemplary homegrown player who symbolizes its values and essence, and at the same time what his move to Europe represents.'Hormi', thank you for your dedication, your contribution on and off the pitch, your commitment to these colors throughout all these years, and we wish you the very best of success. Chivas will always be your home.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd entered the NFL as a third-round pick in 2024. Injuries (and a bout of appendicitis) have limited him to one regular-season appearance through two seasons.On Friday night, he scored a touchdown for the first time since 2023, his final season of college football, at USC.The score came on an 11-yard catch from quarterback Jordan Love. Lloyd added six carries for 17 yards in 16 plays.“It was special, it was fun," Lloyd said. "It was definitely fun. It had been three years since I even touched the end zone. I’ve been in the end zone in practice, but in the game it’s different. It was fun, you know. They had their starters out there, so it was fun to get those good reps, just good reps. I enjoyed it.”Coach Matt LaFleur praised Lloyd for his work in his second preseason start of 2026, as he builds toward Week 1.“I thought he had a really good performance and certainly don't want to put him in a position where you're going backwards," LaFleur said. "I thought he went out there and he competed and made a big play on that choice route, and Jordan threw a great ball, and it was a good night for him.”Lloyd could have broken inside or outside on the route. He opted to cut toward the middle of the field, where Love found him wide open for the touchdown.Currently listed at third on the depth chart behind Josh Jacobs and Chris Brooks, Lloyd's preseason work could earn him meaningful chances once the regular season rolls around.

People rally in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to Canadian sovereignty on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP File)2026-08-22T15:07:16Z TORONTO (AP) — For decades, Canada built much of its prosperity on privileged access to the United States. Now, after the collapse of trade talks, one of the world’s closest and most durable alliances has been fundamentally altered, with both countries facing the risk of a full-scale trade war.Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the break after last-ditch negotiations failed Friday, saying Canada had recognized that “America has changed” and that the countries would “not return to our old relationship.”The United States imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods early Saturday. Canada promised to match the import taxes dollar for dollar. Carney suspended negotiations and ordered Canada’s trade team home after accusing Washington of last-minute changes that were “unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal.” Carney foreshadowed the shift at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, declaring that the world was experiencing “a rupture, not a transition” and urging countries such as Canada to reduce their vulnerability to economic coercion by strengthening their economies at home and diversifying abroad.“The collapse of the tariff talks points to the fact that the old Canada-U.S. relationship is over and, for many Canadians, it also confirms the perception that Canada can’t trust the Trump administration,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. The pressure from Republican President Donald Trump has gone well beyond tariffs. Read More He has questioned Canada’s economic viability, repeatedly talked about making it the 51st U.S. state and used trade measures to press for more production in the United States. The threats and economic pressure have angered many Canadians and fueled a sense of betrayal in a country that had long regarded the U.S. as its closest ally.Travel to the U.S. remains sharply below levels before the dispute, with Canadian-resident return trips in July down nearly 29% by car and 27% by air from July 2024, Statistics Canada said. The failed trade negotiations underscored how far the relationship had shifted. Canada had been prepared to accept some U.S. tariffs in exchange for broader market access and greater certainty — a sharp break from decades of continental trade policy built around eliminating barriers and increasing integration. 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. Washington has portrayed its proposed terms as especially favorable to Canada. But for Canadians accustomed to preferential access under the 1989 Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor, even reduced tariffs would mark a fundamental retreat from the old relationship.The collapse also puts Carney’s approach to Trump to the test. The prime minister’s “elbows up” posture — hockey shorthand for playing aggressively and refusing to be pushed around — has helped keep him popular at home. His decision to resist U.S. pressure could also resonate abroad with those impressed by his Davos call for countries to resist economic coercion and reduce dependence on great powers.Provincial leaders had already been preparing Canadians for a permanent change. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said “the old status quo is not possible.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who leads Canada’s most populous province, said Carney had his “full support” for retaliation “tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar.”Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, a prominent conservative and former federal Cabinet minister, said Canada was “not cravenly surrendering in the face of constant economic and political aggression” from Trump. Kenney noted that Canada, along with China, was among the few countries to retaliate against U.S. tariffs. “Damn right we are,” Kenney wrote. The economic risks of fighting back and a shift seen as perhaps lasting beyond TrumpNearly three-quarters of Canada’s goods exports go to the United States. The U.S. economy is roughly 10 times larger than Canada’s, limiting Ottawa’s ability to retaliate dollar for dollar without inflicting disproportionate damage at home.Royal Bank of Canada economists estimate the tariffs directly affect about 0.4% of Canada’s gross domestic product and jobs because the trade penalties cover only about 5% of Canadian exports to America. The damage could grow significantly, however, if retaliation broadens, more sectors are pulled into the dispute or the standoff persists long enough to curb investment and disrupt integrated supply chains.Béland said the countries were witnessing “the beginning of a full-scale trade war,” though he cautioned that the situation could change rapidly.The dependence is not one-sided. Canada supplies roughly two-thirds of U.S. crude oil imports, making Canadian energy critical to large parts of the U.S. economy. Trump has focused much of his pressure instead on autos, steel and aluminum, sectors where he wants more production moved to the U.S. That push has fueled resentment in Canada, where many see it as an effort to hollow out key industries.Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, said businesses still view the U.S. as Canada’s most important trading partner but increasingly see the shift as lasting beyond Trump.“There is a new trade and investment model, one that could well be kept in place by future U.S. administrations whether Democrat or Republican,” Hyder said. Canada looks beyond the United States because ‘things will never be the same’The breakdown adds urgency to Carney’s push to diversify beyond the United States. He has traveled abroad seeking investment and new trade ties, aiming to attract $1 trillion Canadian (US$730 billion) by 2030 and to double non-U.S. investment over the next decade.In July, Ottawa and Alberta advanced plans for a new Pacific Coast oil pipeline to give Canadian crude greater access to Asian markets and reduce reliance on U.S. buyers.In recent days, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew had urged Canada to keep fighting rather than accept a weaker deal. He argued that Trump was vulnerable because the cost of living was the top election-year issue for U.S. voters and that America had grown weaker internationally, pointing in part to the confrontation with Iran.“I think we should fight. I think we’ve got the upper hand,” Kinew said.Kinew also questioned whether Canada should make lasting concessions to tariffs that may not outlive Trump’s presidency.“I just wonder if accepting the idea of the Trump tariffs are here forever is the move,” he said.The immediate question is how long the latest tariff confrontation will last. Béland said the deeper change probably will, partly because U.S. protectionism is likely to remain influential under future administrations.“The idea that things will return to ‘normal’ once Donald Trump leaves the White House is probably just wishful thinking,” Béland said. “It doesn’t mean the relationship might not improve in the future but that things will never be the same.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, not shown, to the Treaty Room at the State Department, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tierney L. Cross)2026-08-22T15:05:25Z A federal judge in New York has vacated a Trump administration policy that suspended the processing of visas from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, whose nationals the Trump administration deemed likely to require public assistance in the United States. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, set aside the policy Friday as “contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his authority by issuing the policy, which “runs afoul” of the Immigration and Nationality Act by mandating “the refusal of visas to eligible applicants without any basis in law,” the judge ruled.Vargas said the policy also undermines the congressional requirement that puts consular officers at the forefront of any visa decision.“Congress imbued these officers with exclusive authority and discretion to determine if an immigrant is eligible for a visa based upon review of specific and detailed criteria set forth in the statute,” she wrote. “The Policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme.” The policy was challenged by two nonprofit organizations along with 11 individuals, including six whose family members had been refused visas. The remaining five are outside the country and had filed “employment-based petitions” to come to the United States.“We welcome this ruling because, at its heart, this case is about keeping families together,” said Anna Gallagher, the executive director of CLINIC, a national nonprofit that provides training, resources, and support to a network of immigration legal service providers and was one of the plaintiffs. “Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and recognize the family as the foundation of society,” she said in a statement. “This decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward reunification.” Read More President Donald Trump has imposed a growing list of immigration and travel bans mostly for people from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The State Department said Saturday that the Trump administration is “protecting the American people by upholding the highest standards of screening and vetting of visa applicants,” and that it would not comment on pending litigation. At the time the policy was issued, the State Department said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the 75 countries in accordance with a broader order in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become “public charges.” Relying on Council of Economic Advisers data, the State Department said that more than 30 percent of households with immigrants from these countries received some form of public assistance. 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. A separate notice sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates said that non-immigrant visa applicants also should be “fully vetted and screened” for the possibility that they might seek public benefits in the United States.The cable, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, noted several times that the applicant must prove they won’t apply for public benefits while in the U.S., and that consular officers who suspect the applicant might apply should require them to fill out a form proving their financial bona fides. The ruling is the latest example of the courts upending Trump’s immigration agenda. In June, a federal judge struck down a Trump administration policy that made it harder for immigrants from dozens of countries to enter and stay in America — affecting elements like asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications. The judge said the policy threw countless immigrants’ lives “into indeterminate legal limbo,” and accused the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of ignoring the law. MICHAEL CASEY Casey writes about the environment, housing and inequality for The Associated Press. He lives in Boston. twitter mailto

The BBC logo is displayed at its headquarters in London, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)2026-08-22T15:19:27Z WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has urged a federal judge to reject the BBC’s request for the court’s help in securing testimony and documents from three family members in response to his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British broadcaster.The BBC is trying to gain “politically-driven leverage” over Trump by serving subpoenas on daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner and son Donald Trump Jr., personal lawyers for the Republican president argued in a court filing Friday.U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Kuntz in Miami did not immediately rule on the dispute. Kuntz, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, inherited the president’s lawsuit from another judge less than a week ago. Court filings did not immediately specify a reason for the case’s reassignment. The previous judge has set a February trial date.In May, a process server working for the BBC tried to serve subpoenas on Ivanka Trump and Kushner at their residence but encountered Secret Service agents who said they were not authorized to accept it, according to the president’s lawyers. They said the process server also visited Trump Tower in New York several days later in a failed attempt to serve Donald Trump Jr. In a court filing last week, the broadcaster asked for the court’s permission to serve subpoenas on Trump’s family members by certified mail instead of in person.Trump’s lawsuit, filed in December, accuses the BBC of deceptively editing portions of the speech that he delivered near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol to stop Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over Trump. The suit claims the BBC spliced together separate parts of Trump’s speech to intentionally misrepresent what he said. The lawsuit alleges the BBC aired its documentary a week before the 2024 presidential election in “a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence” the outcome to Trump’s detriment. Read More “The relief that the BBC’s Motion seeks cannot be segregated from the politically charged discovery campaign that it is based on, and which has already been ruled as improperly overbroad by this Court,” Trump’s lawyers wrote. This is our AP Ground Game newsletter. You can subscribe below and we will email it you 3 times per week. Sign up for the Ground Game Newsletter: Your guide to the biggest stories in politics, policy and U.S. elections. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The BBC has apologized to Trump for the misleading edit, but it denies defaming him.

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed Canadians on Saturday morning, hours after he ordered negotiators to suspend U.S. trade talks despite President Trump’s punishing tariffs.

Former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, R-Kansas, looks to the stage during, "A Century of Service," honoring former Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole and Howard Baker, her husband, at Mellon Auditorium, March 21, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)2026-08-22T15:40:30Z TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a Kansas governor’s daughter who became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate without following a spouse into office, has died. She was 94.Kassebaum Baker died Friday of natural causes, according to her son, Bill Kassebaum.“She loved Kansas. She loved people from Kansas and representing Kansas for 18 years in the U.S. Senate,” he told The Associated Press. “She was an independent-minded Republican who was willing to stand up for what she thought was right, even if that meant going against the party.”She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978 and served three terms. Her modest demeanor endeared her to voters of all political stripes, though she shared the moderate, progressive Republican politics of her father, Gov. Alf Landon, the unsuccessful 1936 GOP nominee for president. Even after leaving the Senate early in 1997, she continued taking on public service roles.She married former Sen. Howard Baker, a Tennessee Republican, in 1996. He died in 2014.Kassebaum Baker remained an icon for Kansans generally. She could work with Senate colleagues of all political philosophies, and a 1996 health insurance law bore her name, along with that of liberal Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy. A centrist politician from America’s heartlandHer election to the Senate brought her immediate national attention. When she announced her retirement, she was among eight women senators and the only one to chair a Senate committee, the Labor and Human Resources panel.She was also in a dwindling bloc of moderate-to-liberal Republicans, having supported for example a ban on assault weapons championed by President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. Yet she never polarized Kansas conservatives as other GOP moderates did. She connected with voters because she never seemed caught up in the trappings of power, and when she retired, she acknowledged, “I’d rather cuddle up and do needlepoint all day.”She was born on July 29, 1932, as her father, an oilman from Independence, was running for the first of his two terms as governor. She earned a political science degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in diplomatic history from the University of Michigan in the mid-1950s.She was a radio-station executive, spent a year in the 1970s on the staff of Kansas Sen. James Pearson and served on the school board in the Wichita suburb of Maize. She had four children with her first husband, Phil Kassebaum, including Bill, who served a term in the Kansas House. The marriage ended in divorce in 1979. Read More A moderate who sought sensible solutionsWhen Kassebaum Baker decided to run for the U.S. Senate, she figured that “a woman with a background different from a man might be appealing” to people growing weary of politics. Pundits at the time estimated a Senate race would require the then-huge-for-Kansas sum of $1 million. In the first quarter of 1978, she spent less than $12,000 on her campaign, and saw herself “at the bottom of the totem pole.” However, nine candidates crowded the primary field, including three state senators and a prominent Wichita businessman. Kassebaum Baker won the GOP nomination with less than 31 percent of the vote. 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. Running as Nancy Landon Kassebaum, she won almost 54 percent of the vote that November against former two-term Democratic congressman Bill Roy.Her moderate politics quickly came to the fore, when only months later, she refused to endorse an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced budget. “We should be wary of the seemingly simple solution,” she said.Her father, who would die at age 100 in 1987, still cast a long political shadow during her first years in office. Though he’d overwhelmingly lost the 1936 presidential race to Democratic incumbent Franklin Roosevelt, he later became an elder statesman for the party. A lecture series named for him at Kansas State University attracted presidents and foreign leaders.Kassebaum Baker became even more popular in her time. She won re-election in 1984 with 76 percent of the vote and in 1990 with 74 percent of the vote.But she frustrated conservative activists, despite her popularity. She said her vote in favor of the assault weapons ban inspired the angriest mail of her career. A public servant to the endShe’d contemplated not seeking a third term, but Republican leaders had prevailed upon her to run one more time. In 1996, when she decided not to seek re-election, she said she would return to a ranch and 90-year-old farmhouse in Kansas’ scenic Flint Hills and babysit her grandchildren — she had seven, as well as two great-grandchildren.When there briefly was talk of naming a new highway in Topeka after her, she said, “Oh, goodness. Absolutely not — no.”She and Baker kept their romance low-key, and speculation about a possible marriage didn’t emerge until mid-1996, in a Washington Post story. They married that December.It was the first time a man and a woman who had both served in the Senate had wed. Baker was elected to three terms and served from 1967 to 1985 before becoming President Ronald Reagan’s chief of staff. His first wife, Joy, had died in 1993 after a long battle with cancer.After the marriage, public service still beckoned, including as a member of a bipartisan commission on campaign finance reform under Clinton and on a British commission in Africa in 2004-05. President George W. Bush named her husband ambassador to Japan in 2001, and she went with him for the four-year posting. Baker said she became an important figure in the Asian nation.Before she left for Tokyo, she told a reporter she saw her stint in Japan as an adventure but added, “All I can say is, I will miss the Kansas prairie.”Not a fan of TrumpLater in life, Kassebaum Baker broke with the Republican Party as it became more conservative, endorsing Democratic candidates for Kansas governor and U.S. senator, including Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly both times — even though Kelly’s 2022 GOP opponent, then state-Attorney General Derek Schmidt, had worked on her Senate staff.She also declared in 2021 that President Donald Trump should be impeached after Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol hoping to stop congressional certification of Trump’s defeat in 2020 by Democrat Joe Biden.“This just has gone too far,” she told Kansas City’s KMBC. JOHN HANNA Hanna covers U.S. news, including politics and state government. He’s worked for AP in Topeka, Kansas, since 1986 and is a member of the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame. mailto

Decommissioned Syrian air force planes are seen at the Abu Duhur military air base east of Idlib, following the takeover of the area by Syrian opposition fighters on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Albam, File)2026-08-22T15:26:46Z ISTANBUL (AP) — Israel did not warn the United States before it struck an air base in northern Syria this week, despite fears of an escalation with Turkey, the U.S. special envoy to Syria said.Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, said the attack on Tuesday on the Abu Duhur base could have been Israel “baiting the Turks … that was the serious and worrying part.”In the wake of the strikes, which caused damage but no casualties, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the base was attacked because Syria was “on the verge of breaching” an agreement by allowing Turkish troops to deploy there.Barrack said it was likely that Israel had intelligence suggesting Turkey may be bolstering its presence in the area and “a commander somewhere in the field made a decision ‘We’re not going to let that happen’… What they didn’t do is tell us or Turkey.” He added that another possible reason for the attack was miscommunication between the Israel’s military and intelligence agency.Abu Duhur lies around 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of the Turkish border.“When they (the Turkish military) see these jets coming towards the border and they don’t know what the purpose, direction or intention is, they start to say ‘We’re going to have to scramble our own,’” Barrack said as he outlined how close Israel and NATO member Turkey came to direct confrontation.He pointed out that Turkey had shot down a Russian jet over its Syrian frontier in 2015. The ambassador’s comments were published on X late Friday by Mario Nawfal, a Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur. Read More Two Syrian officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said on Wednesday that a Turkish delegation had visited the air base in the northwestern province of Idlib a day before the air strike to review reconstruction work underway there.Israel had raised concerns about Turkish military activity at the air base but the U.S. concluded that was “not happening,” Barrack said. “The unintended consequence of a mistake could be really consequential,” he added. 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. Turkey has been supporting Syria’s effort to rebuild its armed forces by training Syrian personnel and supplying equipment and logistical support. The two countries signed an agreement last year that formalized their military cooperation.Turkish officials have repeatedly stated that Ankara does not consider Syria’s security separate from its own.Israel, meanwhile, has remained suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus, led by former Islamist insurgents. Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has said repeatedly that he does not want a conflict with Israel.Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes around Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad’s government in late 2024. The Israeli military also seized control of a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria, which it continues to occupy.Turkey, which recently signed a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, gave no indication that it would respond militarily to the Israeli strikes in Syria, but the incident added further strain to already tense Turkish-Israeli relations.___Associated Press writer Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus, Syria, contributed to this report. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe Reality of Average ScoringMost of us walk off the course feeling disappointed after carding a bogey. We assume we played poorly. The data says otherwise. According to Golf Monthly, the average amateur golfer is actually playing bogey golf on every single hole type. This insight comes from fresh 2026 Shot Scope data that tracked measured rounds from registered users. The numbers show a clear pattern. The average score on a par 3 sits at 3.7. On par 4s, the number jumps to 4.9. Par 5s see an average of 5.8. When you round these figures up, the math is undeniable. The typical player is scoring one shot over par on every hole.This finding changes how we view a “bad” round. It suggests that consistency, not perfection, is the real goal for the weekend warrior. Comparing your personal scoring against these benchmarks helps identify specific areas for development. It allows players to create a solid plan for range sessions. The data proves that high-handicap golfers often score at least one shot over par on every hole type. Players with low handicaps average under half a shot above par, meanwhile. The gap is real, but the baseline is higher than many think.Breaking Down the NumbersThe breakdown by handicap index offers a roadmap for improvement. The average amateur scoring 3.7 on a par 3 means they are missing the green or hitting a poor approach shot more often than not. A score of 4.9 on a par 4 indicates that reaching the green in regulation is a struggle for the average player. They are likely hitting two shots to reach the green and then putting twice. The 5.8 average on par 5s confirms that even with two long shots, the average player struggles to get close enough for a birdie look. They settle for par or take a bogey.The source of this data is Shot Scope. The company collected the numbers from its registered users who tracked their rounds. This is not a guess or a small survey. It represents a large pool of measured rounds. High-handicap golfers nearly always record at least one shot over par per hole type, according to the reporting. This consistency in scoring over par is what defines the average game. Those averaging under half a shot over par are the outliers among low-handicap players. The difference between these groups is where the game is won or lost. Understanding this gap is the first step to cutting a handicap in 2026.For the serious amateur, this information is a wake-up call. Many players chase birdies on every hole. The data suggests they should focus on avoiding the double bogey instead. If the average score is 5.8 on a par 5, then a 6 is not a failure. It is the standard. This benchmarking exercise helps golfers shoot lower scores. It allows them to stop beating themselves up for making mistakes that are statistically normal.The path to a lower handicap starts with accepting the reality of the numbers. If a player wants to improve, they must look at their own data. They need to see if they are scoring better on par 3s, par 4s, or par 5s. If a player is not sure, it is time to start collecting and utilizing that data. Comparing current rounds against previous ones is a great way to get started. But adding the average amateur score to the mix provides a new perspective. It turns a subjective feeling of a “bad round” into an objective fact. The average player is playing bogey golf. That is the truth the numbers reveal.Next Steps for the Weekend GolferThe goal for the coming year is clear. This analysis allows players to cut their handicap in 2026. By knowing the average scores, golfers can create a robust plan for practice sessions at the driving range. They can stop guessing what to work on. The data points directly to the holes where they are losing the most strokes. Whether it is the par 3 approach or the par 5 long game, the numbers show where the game breaks down.

The Indianapolis Colts return home for Week 2 of the preseason, this time taking on the Atlanta Falcons.The two teams also participated in a joint practice earlier this week as well.Head coach Shane Steichen has already announced that the Colts starters will not play in this game after two days of joint practices. Instead, it's Riley Leonard's turn to get the start, with Anthony Richardson then playing in the second half.In addition to the backup quarterback competition, other positional battles taking place for the Colts include backup running back, the third wide receiver role, the starting defensive end spot opposite of Laiatu Latu, linebacker, and the strong safety role.Stream Colts vs. Falcons (free trial)Latest Indianapolis Colts news5 players to watch for in Colts v. Falcons preseason game (Link)Colts wide receiver room receives unfavorable ranking entering season (Link)Colts linebackers hit with NFL-worst verdict in 2026 (Link)Potentially troubling trend emerges for Colts in joint practices v. Falcons (Link)Contract details for new Colts' WR Keenan Allen (Link)What TV channel is Colts vs. Falcons on today?TV channel: CBS4 (local)Stream: FUBOWhen is kickoff for Colts vs. Falcons?Date: Saturday, Aug. 22Time: 1:00 PM ETThis article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Live updates, observations from Colts v. Falcons preseason gameOur editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

Brazil under-15s thrash Uruguay 7-0Kelwin dribbles past the goalkeeper and scores a beautiful goalCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBFBrazil’s Under-15 National Team defeated Uruguay 7-0 this Saturday (22) at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis (RJ), in the team’s final friendly before the Liga Evolução tournament, which will take place in September in Paraguay. Brener, Kelwin, Lucas Jorge, Isaac, Samuell and Gabriel Bueno (2) scored for the young Seleção. On Wednesday (19), Brazil and Uruguay also faced each other at the same venue, with the Brazilian side winning 4-0.Head coach Guilherme Dalla Déa fielded a very different lineup from the one that played on Wednesday. He wanted to make new observations and clear up any possible doubts ahead of Tuesday’s call-up (25), when he will announce the list of 20 players who will represent Brazil in Liga Evolução.With another standout performance, Brazil opened the scoring in the 8th minute through Brener, who headed home after an assist from Diego Bento. Despite Uruguay’s tight marking, Dalla Déa’s players moved the ball quickly, were sharp in their movement, and used dribbles to open up plays, constantly threatening the opposition defense.Brener celebrates Brazil’s first goal in the routCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBFThe second goal came in the 20th minute and was a beauty. Surrounded by three defenders, Kauã Lucas produced a backheel pass to Kelwin, who still had time to dribble past the goalkeeper before finishing.The scoreline could have been even more emphatic in this half. Shortly after Kelwin’s goal, Lucas Jorge came close to adding another with a stylish finish, but the ball struck the crossbar.But the tempo did not drop in the second half, even with several substitutions made by Dalla Déa. Gabriel Bueno scored the third in the 4th minute with a highly skillful solo effort. Lucas Jorge made it 4-0 in the 12th minute with a precise strike from outside the box.Under-15 National Team beat Uruguay 7-0 this Saturday in Teresópolis (RJ)Credits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBFIn the 14th minute, Gabriel Bueno struck again, breaking through the Uruguayan defense after an assist from his namesake Gabriel. The goals kept coming, and the sixth arrived in the 17th minute through Isaac, who pounced on a rebound from the Uruguayan goalkeeper after Gabriel Bueno’s shot.Brazil remained in complete control until the final whistle, creating more chances and playing with the same intensity. Before that, however, there was still time for a seventh goal. It came in the 49th minute, when Samuell finished off a cross from the right. Final score: 7-0.LineupsBrazil – Arthur Santin (Victor Bruno), Pietro (Enzo), Sandro (Guilherme Borges), Valmir, Gustavo Galan (Yan), Lucas Jorge (Lucas Splichal), Diego Bento (Gabriel Souza), Brener (Gabriel) (Kayck), Kauã Lucas (Isaac) (Asafe), Kelwin (Samuell) and Igor Macedo (Gabriel Bueno) (Kleber). Head coach – Guilherme Dalla Déa.Uruguay – Carballo, Sosa (Mieres), Echevarria, Lopez, Gonzalez, Casco, Miguez, Meza (Sagasta), Di Matteo (Garcia), Scagni (Paredes) and Larrosa (Guimaraens). Head coach – Gustavo Bueno.Referee – Rejane Caetano da Silva (CE). Assistant referees – Daniella Coutinho Pinto (BA) and Fernanda Kruger (MT).Yellow card – Diego Bento.Venue – Granja Comary, in Teresópolis (RJ).This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Jerry Jones has every reason to believe in Cowboys' playoff potential after latest NFL predictions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys’ postseason struggle is nothing new. The franchise has not reached the Super Bowl since the 1994 season, and the team has also failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the past two years.However, expectations are beginning to rise ahead of the 2026 season. ESPN analyst Mike Clay ranked Dallas as having the ninth-best roster in the NFL, identifying the Cowboys as one of the teams capable of making noise in the NFC playoff race.“Quarterback Dak Prescott has a solid offensive line in front of him, as well as an elite wide receiver duo in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens,” Clay wrote.While the Cowboys boasted one of the NFL's most explosive offenses in 2025, questions remain on the other side of the ball. They finished fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 27.7 points per game, but their defense struggled throughout the season, surrendering an NFL-worst 30.1 points per contest.The Cowboys have since made significant changes in hopes of improving that unit. Christian Parker was brought in as the team's new defensive coordinator, and Clay believes the personnel upgrades could also help transform the defense.“Rashan Gary, Dee Winters, Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson were savvy additions, while first-round rookies Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Downs should also be big factors,” Clay wrote. “Along with Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Donovan Ezeiruaku, DeMarvion Overshown, Bland and Malik Hooker, you suddenly have what looks like a solid unit.“With a productive offense and serviceable defense, Dallas should be squarely in the NFC playoff mix.”Clay also cautioned that the team's relatively inexperienced cornerback room could ultimately determine how far Dallas goes. After the defensive struggles of last season, improvement at that position will be essential if the Cowboys hope to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2023 campaign.More NFL news:C.J. Stroud's bizarre pregame routine leaves Texans fans scratching their headsJerry Jones’ response shows why Cowboys are taking $500K fine seriouslyKay Adams turns heads with viral pose at final day of Cowboys training campDak Prescott has blunt 5-word response to Cowboys adding future HOFer Von MillerCowboys' George Pickens' latest training camp admission should terrify NFC East rivals

Jakob Ingebrigtsen returns to the 1,500m as a thrilling summer of athletics resumes at the Silesia Diamond League.The competition is fierce, too, with Olympic champion Cole Hocker also in action and the form from both men will be crucial as the Diamond League Final and Ultimate World Championship draw nearer. It’s a packed evening of track and field in Poland, with world champion Isaac Nader, European champion Stefan Nillessen and Great Britain’s Jake Heyward joining Hocker and Ingebrigtsen, following his first race back to win gold in the men’s 5,000m at the European Championships. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Julien Alfred, Sha'Carri Richardson are in the star-studded women’s 100m, too.Here’s everything you need to know about the meet.When is the Silesia Diamond League?The Diamond League event in Silesia will take on place on Sunday 23 August, although the men's high jump and women's long jump took place on Saturday 22 August.How can I watch it?The BBC has the United Kingdom television rights to every Diamond League meeting, with live coverage of the London Diamond League on BBC Two from 4:10pm BST on Sunday, as well as BBC iPlayer.View all results from the Silesia Diamond League here. Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway with his medal after winning gold during the Men's 5000m Final (PA)Silesia Diamond League schedule (all times BST)Sunday, 23 August14:02 - Women's high jump 14:30 - Women’s triple jump 15:04 - Men’s 400m hurdles 15:14 - Women's 400m 15:22 - Men’s 3000m steeplechase 15:40 - Men’s 100m hurdles 15:47 - Women’s 5000m15:50 - Men's discus throw 16:11 - Men's 100m 16:19 - Women's 1500m 16:31 - Men's 400m 16:40 - Men’s 1500m 16:53 - Women’s 100m

And the colors? Super dreamy. READ MORE...

The best part? It's only $4. READ MORE...