The Philadelphia Eagles entered the offseason focused on offensive evolution, and head coach Nick Sirianni continues to offer encouraging insight into the early impact Sean Mannion is making as the organization installs a new offensive structure.Speaking during organized team activities, Sirianni highlighted Mannion's leadership presence inside the meeting room and pointed toward qualities the Eagles believe will help shape an offense expected to undergo meaningful changes entering the 2026 season."I really like the command and conviction Sean has had in the meeting room with players," Sirianni said.The endorsement arrives during a critical offseason for Philadelphia after the organization reshaped portions of its offensive operation following an early playoff exit in 2025. The Eagles are expected to incorporate additional motion, expanded play-action concepts and more under-center principles tied to offensive systems connected to the Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan coaching trees.Nick Sirianni says he really likes the command and conviction Sean Mannion has had in the meeting room with players Says they are working together to figure out what offense/plays/etc are best for the players but any good offense starts with good fundamentals pic.twitter.com/Icl0T6sI4i— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) May 27, 2026Sirianni indicated the offensive development process remains collaborative as Philadelphia works through the installation phase of offseason work."We're working together to figure out what offense, what plays and things like that are best for our players," Sirianni said while emphasizing that any successful offensive system begins with strong fundamentals.That philosophy has become increasingly important for an Eagles offense attempting to maintain efficiency while creating greater unpredictability. Philadelphia produced one of the league's best scoring offenses last season and led the NFL with a franchise-record 70.5% red-zone touchdown efficiency, but offensive consistency and schematic evolution remained major talking points throughout the offseason.The Eagles also finished among the NFL leaders in ball security while continuing to lean heavily on balance on offense and situational execution. Despite those strengths, organizational leadership identified opportunities for growth as it enters 2026.Mannion arrives positioned to help drive that process.The former NFL quarterback brings extensive experience working within offensive systems rooted in timing, structure, and quarterback development principles. Sirianni has repeatedly emphasized preparation, teaching and attention to detail throughout his tenure in Philadelphia, and early impressions suggest Mannion's approach aligns closely with those priorities.The collaboration becomes especially important for quarterback Jalen Hurts as he enters his seventh NFL season and prepares for another year carrying championship expectations. Hurts has continued his offseason work alongside trusted quarterback instructors while adapting to concepts expected to become more prominent in Philadelphia's offensive structure.The Eagles are not simply installing new plays.They are building an offensive framework designed around personnel strengths while preserving the fundamentals Sirianni believes remain essential regardless of system adjustments. Spring practices often focus heavily on installation and teaching, but coaches frequently identify leadership qualities long before meaningful games arrive.Through the opening phase of organized team activities, Sirianni believes Mannion is already helping establish that foundation.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Sean Mannion earning trust inside Eagles meeting rooms

After Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged that Bucky Irving might not return until this fall, managers must make sense of the fantasy chaos. Let’s examine likely ADP scenarios for Irving, Sean Tucker, and Kenneth Gainwell.Irving’s pass-catching abilities are unquestioned, stemming back to college. This alone makes him an invaluable fantasy asset with a huge floor. But managers drafting him anywhere near his RB20 ADP need more than a good floor. This kind of value is reserved for weekly must-start running backs. Irving now has two yellow flags.The first is the timeline for recovering from shoulder surgery. Bowles’ comments have to be taken seriously. The team doesn’t know when he’ll be back, with a realistic range of outcomes as early as training camp and as late as... Thanksgiving?The second yellow flag is how he fared after returning from foot and shoulder injuries last season. This team didn’t need to force him back prematurely. The backfield duo of Rachaad White and Sean Tucker was doing just fine.Whether or not Irving wasn’t near 100% when he rejoined the club in Week 13, his diminished level of play was notable: 3.4 yards per carry on 101 attempts. Four of his six opponents were inside the top 10 in most yards per carry surrendered. These were primarily soft run defenses, and his play paled in comparison to the supposedly “lesser” White.Kenneth Gainwell’s RB35 ADP suddenly looks more appealing, as does Sean Tucker’s RB60 ADP. The former could be a must-start RB in any games Irving misses, while Tucker could be a more TD-dependent streamer. Even if Irving returns by Week 1, the Bucs might recognize that they have three starter-caliber running backs, and that in a 17-game season with playoff aspirations, there’s no need to overwork Irving.This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Bucky Irving’s questionable return date wreaks havoc in Bucs RB ADPs

Premier League club make intentions clear amid Florian Wirtz future doubts arrived in Merseyside as Liverpool’s club record signing last summer, but his first season hasn’t gone to plan. Although Alexander Isak was later signed for a bigger fee, Wirtz’s transfer was still a historic one at Anfield, and the German has so far failed to live up to the hype.His struggles have coincided with the wider struggles of Arne Slot’s side but Wirtz has not played at the level he showed in the Bundesliga this campaign.There is obviously still plenty of time for the German to come good at Liverpool, he is under contract until 2030, but another Premier League side are reportedly keen to take Wirtz off the Reds this summer.Chelsea chasing Florian Wirtz deal after Xabi Alonso appointmentThe recent appointment of Xabi Alonso as Chelsea manager ruffled some feathers among the Anfield faithful, with many Liverpool supporters hoping that the Spaniard may replace Slot someday soon.Alonso and Chelsea could be about to rub salt in the wound too, with the London club now making an ambitious play to bring Wirtz to Stamford Bridge this summer.That’s according to Football Insider, who claim that Wirtz’s former boss in keen to be reunited with the player at Chelsea.The report claims that the Blues still hold a strong interest in the 23-year-old, who may push for a move away if Slot remains in place as Liverpool’s head coach.It also states that the club would be open to letting Wirtz go for the right price, although they will publicly deny this.It would of course be naïve for the Reds to turn down an offer that would see them make a considerable profit on Wirtz, but it feels unlikely that Chelsea would make such an offer.With only one season in the English topflight under his belt, Wirtz still has plenty of time to develop and adapt, and Liverpool are unlikely to move on for a loss after such a short period of time.Wirtz may hold an affinity for Alonso, but it feels extremely unlikely that a reunion will happen any time soon unless Chelsea are ready to pay a serious premium.

There will be a total of 15 Cape and Islands between baseball and softball represented in the MIAA state tournament. The 11 baseball teams on the Cape and Islands continue to show why they have some of the best talent with four top 10 teams: Falmouth (No.4, D3), Dennis-Yarmouth (No. 3, D4), St. John Paul II (No. 5, D4) and Sandwich (No. 8, D4). Nauset, Martha's Vineyard, Mashpee and Upper Cape will join them in hosting their first playoff game, while Barnstable, Nantucket and Cape Tech will hit the road to start their postseason.Sandwich, Monomoy, Nauset and Sturgis will be the four teams to represent the Cape and Islands. Sandwich and Monomoy will start their playoff run at home, while Nauset and Sturgis will try to play upset on the road. BaseballDivision 1The Field Boston College High (18-2)Bishop Feehan (14-6) Springfield Central (15-4)Saint John's (13-7)Catholic Memorial (12-8)Xaverian Brothers (11-9) Taunton (16-6)Cambridge Rindge & Latin (16-2)Natick (15-5)Shrewsbury (15-5)Winchester (16-4)St. John's Prep (11-9)Wellesley (12-8)Franklin (16-6)Weymouth (12-10)Newton South (15-5)Braintree (12-8)Chelmsford (14-8)Leominster (11-7)Waltham (12-8)Wachusett Regional (12-8)Plymouth North (14-6)Pope Francis (9-11)Hopkinton (14-7)Lincoln-Sudbury (12-10)Westford Academy (11-7)North Andover (12-10)Durfee (10-10)Arlington (12-8)Bridgewater-Raynham (12-8)Brookline (7-13)Belmont (10-10)Methuen (10-10)Andover (10-10)North Quincy (10-10)Diman RVT (10-8)Malden (14-6)Medford (10-10)Division 2The Field St. Mary's (17-3) Walpole (15-4)Reading Memorial (18-2) Milton (14-6) Bishop Stang (11-7) Shepherd Hill Regional (13-7) Longmeadow (16-5)Minnechaug (12-8)Hingham (12-8)Wakefield Memorial (15-5)King Philip Regional (12-8)North Attleborough (12-8)Grafton (12-8)Mansfield (10-10)Duxbury (12-8)Westwood (12-8)West Springfield (13-7)Barnstable (10-10)Ashland (11-9)Somerset Berkley Reg. (11-9)Marshfield (11-9)Doherty Memorial (14-4)Westborough (9-11)Nashoba Regional (8-10)Masconomet Regional (12-8)Holliston (13-9)Canton (11-9)Billerica Memorial (7-13)Marblehead (12-8)Oliver Ames (10-10)Melrose (10-10)Dartmouth (8-12)Norwood (10-10)Bedford (10-10)South High Community (10-8)Lynn Classical (13-7)Somerville (13-5)Who do the Cape Cod and Islands locals play?No. 18 Barnstable at No. 15 DuxburyDivision 3The Field Pittsfield (18-3) North Reading (17-3)Middleborough (18-4)Falmouth (14-4)Apponequet Regional (16-4)Fairhaven (16-3) Norwell (12-6) Hanover (13-5)Bishop Fenwick (16-5) Gloucester (17-3) Swampscott (16-4) Shawsheen Valley Tech (16-4) Dracut (14-6) Hudson (13-7)Weston (13-7)Dighton-Rehoboth (10-9)Newburyport (14-6)Auburn (12-8)Groton-Dunstable (11-5)Joseph Case (11-9)Arlington Catholic (7-10)Danvers (9-11)Nauset Regional (6-11)Greater Lowell Tech (14-5)East Longmeadow (11-7)Pentucket Regional (10-10)Taconic (8-11)Lynnfield (10-10)Martha's Vineyard Reg. (10-10)Blackstone Valley RVT (14-5)Essex North Shore (10-10)Medway (15-5)Pembroke (11-9)North Middlesex Reg. (10-10)Oakmont Regional (10-8)Medfield (12-8)Stoneham (10-10)Cardinal Spellman (11-11)Old Rochester Regional (10-10)Tri-County RVT (13-6)Nantucket (10-8)Greater Lawrence Tech (10-10)Holyoke (13-7)Montachusett RVT (10-8Ludlow (10-8)Worcester Tech (12-7)Who do the Cape Cod and Islands locals play?No. 42 Greater Lawrence Tech at No. 23 NausetNo. 36 Medfield at No. 29 Martha's VineyardNo. 41 Nantucket at No. 24 Greater Lowell Tech No. 36 Medfield/No. 29 Martha's Vineyard at No. 4 FalmouthDivision 4The Field Hamilton-Wenham (19-1) East Bridgewater (13-7)Dennis-Yarmouth (15-7)Millbury (16-4) Saint John Paul II (14-5) Rockland (13-5)Seekonk (13-7)Sandwich (10-11)Abington (14-6) Oxford (17-3) Boston Latin Academy (12-8)Nipmuc Regional (15-5) Wahconah Regional (16-5)Frontier Regional (16-4)Manchester Essex (10-10) Amesbury (10-10)Clinton (14-4)Triton Regional (8-12)Blue Hills RVT (14-5)Mashpee (6-12)Carver (5-11)Old Colony RVT (15-4)Uxbridge (9-11)Lunenburg (14-4)Cohasset (6-11)Upper Cape Cod RVT (12-7)Ipswich (4-14)Bellingham (8-12)Lowell Catholic (10-10)West Bridgewater (5-15)Northbridge (5-14)Advanced Math & Science (9-11)Sutton (9-9)Mystic Valley Reg. Charter (17-3)Saint Bernard's (14-4)South Hadley (10-10)Leicester (12-6)Ayer Shirley (10-8)Hampshire Regional (9-9)Quabbin Regional (8-8)Gardner (10-6)Narragansett Regional (10-6)St. Mary Parish-Westfield (10-8)Lynn Vo-Tech (12-8)Westport (10-9)Smith Vocational (10-9)Maimonides School (9-4)Who do the Cape Cod and Islands locals play?No. 45 Westport at No. 20 MashpeeNo. 39 Hampshire Regional at No. 26 Upper CapeNo. 35 Saint Bernard/No. 30 West Bridgewater at No. 3 Dennis-YarmouthNo. 37 Leicester/No. 28 Bellingham at No. 5 St. John Paul IINo. 40 Quabbin Regiuonal/No. 25 Cohasset at No. 8 SandwichDivision 5The Field English High (14-7) Georgetown (14-6)Hopkins Academy (19-2) Drury (14-6) Greenfield (15-5)Maynard (12-5) Mount Everett Regional (17-2) Charlestown (12-6) Hopedale (9-11)West Boylston (17-3)Westfield Technical Acad. (15-4)Ware (11-10)Madison Park Vocational (13-2)Lenox Memorial (12-7)Franklin County Tech (13-7)Pioneer Valley Regional (6-12)Palmer (12-8)Monson (14-5)Rockport (1-17)Brighton (9-10)Keefe Tech (9-7)Cape Cod Tech (8-9)Turners Falls (5-13)Hull (7-13)Tahanto Regional (6-11)Boston International (8-8)Wareham (11-8)Bartlett (3-13)Athol (4-14)McCann Tech (6-11)Millis (1-17)Ruth Batson Academy (9-5)Muniz Academy (13-6)Gateway Regional (13-1)Roxbury Prep Charter (12-3)Norfolk County Agricultural (10-9)Lee (10-9)Boston Collegiate Charter (7-7)Atlantis Charter (8-7)Neighborhood House (9-9)Who do the Cape Cod and Islands locals play?No. 22 Cape Tech at No. 11 Westfield Technical Acad. SoftballDivision 1The Field Taunton (19-1) Central Catholic (19-0) Attleboro (14-6)Shrewsbury (16-4) Wachusett Regional (13-7)Bridgewater-Raynham (12-7)Hopkinton (17-3)Newton North (16-4)Andover (15-5)Malden Catholic (17-3)Needham (14-2)Franklin (9-11)Chelmsford (14-6)Bishop Feehan (6-14)Peabody Veterans (12-4)Braintree (12-8)Billerica Memorial (13-7)New Bedford (13-5)Acton-Boxborough (13-3)North Andover (11-9)Haverhill (10-10)Methuen (10-10)Lexington (12-8)Beverly (10-10)Wellesley (10-8)Plymouth North (9-11)Woburn Memorial (10-10)Lowell (10-10)Westford Academy (8-9)Weymouth (7-11)Lincoln-Sudbury (9-11)Winchester (10-10)Newton South (11-8)Medford (16-5)Algonquin (10-8)Revere (14-5)Division 2The Field King Philip Regional (17-5) Marshfield (18-2) Somerset Berkley Reg. (14-6) Shepherd Hill Regional (16-4)Walpole (13-5) East Longmeadow (14-5) Wakefield Memorial (15-5) Silver Lake Regional (15-3)Reading Memorial (15-5)Milton (15-5)Stoughton (12-8)Plymouth South (14-4)Middleborough (12-6)Longmeadow (14-6)Marblehead (12-8)Tewksbury Memorial (11-9)Milford (9-11)Agawam (13-6)North Attleborough (8-11)Masconomet Regional (14-6)Danvers (13-7)Archbishop Williams (14-7)Whitman-Hanson Reg. (9-10)Mansfield (7-13)Leominster (8-10)Bedford (15-4)Dartmouth (11-8)Ashland (15-5)Oliver Ames (8-12)Minnechaug (12-8)Westfield (9-11)Bay Path RVT (8-12)Nashoba Regional (11-7)Bristol-Plymouth RVT (13-6)Hingham (11-11)Northampton (11-9)Wayland (10-9)Lynn Classical (13-7)Putnam Vo-Tech (8-8)Division 3The Field Dighton-Rehoboth (17-3) Norton 19 1 0 34 Nauset Regional 14 4Joseph Case (18-2)Tantasqua Regional (16-4)Apponequet Regional (15-6) Foxborough (13-7) Gloucester (17-3) St. Mary's (16-4)Saint Paul Diocesan (9-9)Cardinal Spellman (15-5)Greater New Bedford (11-11)Nipmuc Regional (10-10)Fairhaven (12-8)Pentucket Regional (13-6)Auburn (18-2)Dedham (13-7)Wilmington (14-6)North Reading (12-7)Notre Dame-Worcester (9-9)Tri-County RVT (16-1) Ludlow (13-5)Essex North Shore (11-9)Blackstone Valley RVT (9-9)Chicopee (19-1)Montachusett RVT (14-5)Medfield (9-10)Lynnfield (8-12)Belchertown (11-7)Greater Lowell Tech (14-4)Oakmont Regional (10-7)Hudson (7-13)Pembroke (9-11)Greater Lawrence Tech (12-8)Nauset Regional (14-4)Boston Latin Academy (15-6)Saugus (10-10)Ursuline Academy (11-7)Burncoat (14-4)O'Bryant (11-9)Holyoke (10-10)Who do the Cape Cod and Islands locals play?No. 34 Nauset at No. 31 HudsonDivision 4The Field Advanced Math & Science (18-0) Hampshire Regional (16-5)Tyngsborough (17-3) Frontier Regional (19-2)Oxford (14-6) Millbury (15-5) Wahconah Regional (16-4)Manchester Essex (13-7)Lunenburg (14-4)Bellingham (11-7) East Bridgewater (16-4)Seekonk (12-9)West Bridgewater (10-10)Uxbridge (7-13)Sandwich (17-3)Monomoy (15-5)Clinton (9-9)Abington (11-9)Narragansett Regional (14-5)Hamilton-Wenham (11-9)Cohasset (12-7)Lowell Catholic (14-6)Northbridge (10-9)Amesbury (6-11)Ipswich (7-11)Ayer Shirley (8-10)Easthampton (10-10)Millis (4-14)Mount Greylock Reg. (7-11)Saint Bernard's (11-6)Monument Mountain (8-11)Triton Regional (7-13)Old Colony RVT 12 7Gardner (9-7)Sturgis (7-7)Minuteman Regional (14-5)Southwick Regional (12-8)Academy of Notre Dame (9-7)East Boston (13-4)Smith Vo-Tech (9-8)Quaboag Regional (9-9)Excel Academy Charter (7-7)Who do the Cape Cod and Islands locals play?No. 18 Abington at No. 15 Sandwich No. 17 Clinton at No. 16 MonomoyNo. 35 Sturgis at No. 30 Saint Bernard's Division 5The Field Hoosac Valley (19-0)Georgetown (16-4) Hopedale (10-10) Maynard (14-4) West Boylston (19-0) Granby (16-4) Monson (14-7) Bristol County Agricultural (16-3)Lenox Memorial (12-7)Tahanto Regional (9-8)Turners Falls (8-12)Franklin County Tech (9-12)McCann Tech (16-2)Hopkins Academy (8-12)Greenfield (7-13)Douglas (12-8)Pioneer Valley Regional (10-8)David Prouty (10-8)Mohawk Trail Regional (10-9)Wareham (13-7)Rising Tide Charter (11-2)Holbrook (13-5)Drury (6-13)Palmer (7-12)Ware (8-10)Rockport (14-4)Whitinsville Christian (11-5)English High (16-3)Hull (5-15)Smith Academy (12-5)Lee (3-15)Norfolk County Agricultural (6-14)Muniz Academy (17-2)Mahar Regional (9-9)Boston Collegiate Charter (11-7)Edward M. Kennedy Acad. (9-3)Roxbury Prep Charter (12-4)Boston International (10-4)Neighborhood House (9-8)Courtney Jacobs is the Sports Editor for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at cjacobs@capecodonline.com and follow him on X: @coolinwithCJ.Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: MIAA high school softball and baseball state tournament pairings

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01214-3Does the flood of artificial-intelligence-related news, studies and product announcements fill you with anxiety? Here are three tips to ease your mind.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01652-zAs the leader of the Missouri Botanical Garden, he called global attention to the biodiversity crisis.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01106-6Three humanities scholars with limited coding experience created an AI research platform in a matter of days. Here is what they built, what they learnt and what to watch out for.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10569-6Genome-wide analyses indicate that accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations, a hallmark of ageing, may be caused by cryptic replication errors, which act as passenger mutations that eventually become detectable with age owing to age-related somatic mosaicism, rather than oxidative damage.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10543-2Hailstone trajectory simulations conducted under historical and future scenarios show a shift towards larger hailstones, resulting in global hailstorm-induced damage potential increasing by around 40% by the late twenty-first century.

The administration is spending at least $67 million worth of fees paid by visitors to national parks on fixing D.C. fountains and the Reflecting Pool.

The firm that was given a no-bid contract to fix the troubled landmark is charging 20 percent. The typical profit margin is 6 percent to 12 percent, internal records show.

Jackson leaders say the Legacy League could bring tourism, player development and renewed attention to Smith-Wills Stadium as the new summer baseball venture prepares for its inaugural season.The developmental baseball league, led by longtime minor league executive Tim Bennett, has begun holding workouts and development sessions at Smith-Wills Stadium ahead of its planned launch.The Legacy League was first announced in 2024 before its inaugural season was delayed amid uncertainty surrounding the stadium property and legal disputes involving control of Smith-Wills. The league formally relaunched earlier this year with support from the City of Jackson and Visit Jackson.Smith-Wills stadium history: The State wants the City to fork over Smith-Wills Stadium. Its complex history dates to WW IIThe league was initially expected to begin Thursday, May 27, but Bennett said officials instead opted to spend several additional days holding development sessions and instructional workouts before opening the regular season Monday, June 1. The league plans to play games on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through July 4.Bennett said former Major League catcher Lenny Webster is also being brought in to work with catchers who recently joined the league.“We feel like we want to get some time with them to make sure they get some time with a major leaguer,” Bennett said.Organizers have described the league as a developmental summer baseball league featuring college players and select high school seniors. Former professional athletes, including former MLB stars and other high-profile sports figures, have also been connected to ownership or partnership roles with teams in the league.More baseball news: Who ended No. 1 in final Mississippi high school baseball Super 25 rankings?“It’s a combination of economic development, tourism and player development,” Bennett told the Clarion Ledger.Bennett said players have already started traveling into the Jackson metro area as the league gets underway. He also said he hopes the involvement of former professional athletes can eventually help strengthen ties with communities throughout the metro area, including Madison, Ridgeland, Flowood, Brandon and others involved in the league.Jackson Mayor John Horhn said the hope is the league will help attract visitors to the capital city while also creating opportunities for young athletes.“There’s a lot of athletic talent in Jackson in this region,” Horhn said. “We’re hoping that the Legacy League will attract a bunch of tourists and a lot of baseball enthusiasts that come to the capital city and enjoy a good game of baseball.”Horhn also said the league could help players build skills beyond baseball.“Maybe these young men and maybe some young women will go on to bigger and better things in their careers,” Horhn said. “But they’ll be learning things like teamwork and working together and setting goals and having an opportunity to demonstrate their talent.”Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Legacy League aims to bring tourism, baseball back to Jackson

The true difference maker for the Seattle Seahawks in their Super Bowl season was their special teams. This unit went from being an absolute liability in 2024 to arguably being the reason why they were able to hoist their second Lombardi. No one spent more on their special teams than the Seahawks did, and they got what they paid for as they had the league's best unit in this often overlooked phase of the game. Now, the Seahawks have added another chess piece to this unit. On Wednesday morning, the Seahawks completed a trade with the New York Jets to acquire wide receiver/special teamer Irv Charles. Seattle has given the Jets a 2028 conditional seventh round pick in exchange for Charles' services. Charles is considered to be a special teams gunner, and will likely compete with sixth round rookie Emmanuel Henderson Jr. from Kansas for the role. Charles has made 14 tackles as a gunner in his career. Sadly, he did miss the 2025 season due to an ACL injury suffered towards the end of the 2024 campaign. Clearly, there is something there that general manager John Schneider sees that makes giving up a coveted draft pick in two years worth it to obtain Charles. We will monitor this transaction closely during OTA's and later into training camp. This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks vs Jets: Seattle trades for New York WR Irv Charles

Former Newport High School standout Taylen Kinney has been named to the U.S.A. Basketball U18 National Team.Kinney spent six days at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, competing with the nation's best rising high school seniors and incoming college freshman for a spot on the team that will compete in the FIBA U18 Men's AmeriCup from June 1-7 in Leon, Mexico.While at Newport, Kinney scored 1,220 points in four varsity seasons. He led the Wildcats to back-to-back Ninth Region titles in 2023 and 2024 and the 2024 All "A" state championship. He spent the final two years of his high school career playing for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, but returned to Northern Kentucky on Sept. 28, 2025 to announce his commitment to Kansas University, choosing the Jayhawks over the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals.Also on the team is DeMarcus Henry, the son of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry. He currently attends Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, and holds 25 high-major college offers.DeMarcus's older brother, Chris, Jr., was a standout wide receiver at Withrow High School before transferring to Mater Dei in Chula Vista, California. He plays football for Ohio State. Seini Henry helped the West Clermont girls basketball team to a 24-1 record in the 2022-2023 season before helping Purcell Marian win a state championship in 2024. She plays women's basketball for Ohio State.This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Taylen Kinney, DeMarcus Henry named to 2026 USA Basketball U18 team

Tens of thousands of players, coaches and soccer fans are pouring into Cary this week as The Soccer Tournament (TST) returns to WakeMed Soccer Park, bringing a major economic boost to the Triangle.Event organizers and local leaders say the growing tournament is expected to generate over $10 million for the regional economy this year.According to the Cary Chamber of Commerce, much of that impact is felt by small businesses, as visitors fill hotels, dine out and shop throughout the area. Last year, TST generated about $14 million in economic impact -- the largest of any event hosted in Cary.For some vendors, this year marks their first time taking part in the event, and an opportunity to reach a broader audience."Anytime you see stuff like this, you want to see that local community touch. You don't want everything going to major vendors," said David Mitchell, head chef at Longleaf Swine. "So this is our first time. It's kind of new to us as well to see what the impact will be for our weekly numbers. But we're really excited about it and looking forward to giving people some great pulled pork."Town leaders expect between 50,000 and 70,000 visitors to come through Cary over the course of the tournament, with attendees traveling from across the country and around the world. Organizers say the event has grown into a global attraction, offering international exposure for businesses both large and small.The event lasts until June 1.WATCH: ABC11 catches up with Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson at TST 2026The NFL legend is making his third TST appearance after competing with Nati SC in 2023 and 2024.

😭Haaland’s heartfelt farewell message to PepThe Norwegian said that Guardiola’s mentality changed him and that it was an honor to work with the best.Even days later, farewell messages are still pouring in for Pep Guardiola, who has undoubtedly left an unforgettable mark on City.One of the players who wanted to leave an inspiring message was Haaland. The Norwegian, who won everything with Pep, did not hesitate to speak from the heart through a post on his social media."A coach who never stopped teaching. It sounds crazy to say this, but you made greatness feel normal. Even after the hat-tricks, the wins, and the trophies, there was always another lesson, another challenge, and another level to reach. That mentality changed this club forever, and it changed me too. The honor of a lifetime to work with the best. Thank you for everything, boss."This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

This is a locator map for Lebanon with its capital, Beirut. (AP Photo)2026-05-27T17:12:24Z BEIRUT (AP) — The Israeli military on Wednesday told residents across southern Lebanon to leave as it expands its operations there. The statement says the military will “work with extreme force” against Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group. The warning is the first since a ceasefire that went into effect on April 17, and came amid rising escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah war, with Israeli troops crossing the Litani River, edging closer to the southern city of Nabatiyeh. The escalation comes two days before Lebanese and Lebanese military officials were scheduled to meet at the Pentagon to discuss among things strengthening the ceasefire agreement. Earlier, the Israeli military had called on the residents of southern cities of Nabatiyeh and the city of Tyre along the Mediterranean coast to leave and stay away from it said were Hezbollah members and military posts. Israel and Hezbollah has been near-daily attacks since then. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several attacks on both Israeli troops in Lebanon and northern Israeli border villages . Following a surge in its exploding drone attacks, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military will expand the scope of its attacks in Lebanon.

A woman checks her smartphone while sitting on a bench along a sidewalk in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)2026-05-27T17:13:15Z CAIRO (AP) — Iranians began to regain internet access on Wednesday after authorities ended a monthslong shutdown. But users said service was slow and spotty in some areas, with apps like YouTube and Instagram heavily restricted, as they were before the cutoff began during nationwide protests in January.Authorities justified the outage as a military imperative after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. Their decision to lift some restrictions this week came as negotiators appeared to be closing in on a more permanent truce. But many Iranians feared access could be cut off again at a moment’s notice.Internet tracking company Netblocks said Iran’s connectivity, which measures the ability of devices to connect to the internet, is at around 86% of capacity from before the cutoff. Internet analysis firm Kentik said internet traffic, which measures the amount of data transferred and is a good illustration of usage, was at around 40%.Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity analyst, said there were still widespread disruptions. “It’s too early to say the shutdown is over,” he wrote on X. An unprecedented shutdownIran’s roughly 90 million people have been cut off from the internet for most of 2026, one of the world’s longest and strictest national shutdowns. Young people with online careers saw their incomes evaporate. Job losses and the closure of online businesses added to the war’s steep economic costs.The cutoff made it difficult for Iranian families to communicate through months of unrest and war. At some points, phone lines were also cut off, though they were later restored.A woman living in Tehran said that for months she was barely able to speak to her sons living abroad. She couldn’t believe authorities had restored access, saying she had assumed they would find some justification to prolong the outage. A taxi driver, said service was restored but weak. He expressed hope it would improve so he could use messaging apps with family and friends. Both spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Read More Prices spiked during the shutdown, with residents in Tehran at times paying around $7.50 per gigabyte. Prices are back down to around $2.25 for 30 gigabytes, roughly where they were before the protests.Even then, Iran tightly controlled access to popular social media sites, leading many to rely on virtual private networks, or VPNs. The cost of those workarounds soared during the shutdown, making them unaffordable for many as the economy was battered. A slow return to serviceBusinesses have started reappearing online, announcing their return with posts on sites like Instagram and Telegram.A gamer and tech influencer in the central city of Isfahan said the shutdown had caused him to lose a lot of his audience on YouTube and Instagram, where he had spent years building up a large following. “All my views and interactions are way down. I’ve been erased from the algorithm,” he said in a voice note sent by WhatsApp, adding that his internet connection was still slower than before the shutdown.“The situation is such that many content producers have had their income reduced to zero, have moved on to other jobs, or have been forced to sell their equipment to survive,” he said. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. Iran claimed the shutdown was a wartime necessityIranian authorities first shut down the internet in January during mass anti-government protests that were eventually stamped out in a violent crackdown. Thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands detained.That cutoff was just starting to ease when the government imposed a complete internet blackout after the start of the war, when U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader and other top officials.The government faced criticism for the prolonged shutdown, which caused even more harm to an economy devastated by inflation, strikes on key industries and a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.The internet cutoff cost an estimated $30-40 million daily, with indirect losses likely twice that much, a member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Afshin Kolahi, told a local newspaper last month. About 10 million people have jobs that depend on internet connectivity, according to Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi. Iranians still had access to a national net, but that has a far narrower reach, and users complained of poor service and heavy censorship. Senior government officials are given SIM cards granting them access to the global internet. Under pressure, the government expanded access to the SIM cards to some professions during the shutdown.

Timothy Hudson, center, charged with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, arrives for a hearing at the The James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)2026-05-27T04:04:43Z MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday allowed a teenager charged with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship to remain free for now as the judge considers arguments following a hearing in Miami.Timothy Hudson was initially arrested and charged as a juvenile, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres ruled in February that the 16-year-old could live with an uncle and be electronically monitored. But after the case was transferred to adult court, prosecutors wanted Hudson in custody until the case’s conclusion.The judge ended Wednesday morning’s hearing without making a final decision. Torres said he wanted to speak with the someone from the U.S. Marshals Service about the logistics of detaining Hudson in central Florida, closer to his family, rather than South Florida, where the trial is taking place. It’s unknown when the judge will announce his decision. In the meantime, Hudson walked out of the courthouse after the hearing, rather than being immediately taken into custody.Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Minors are rarely prosecuted in federal court. Hudson’s federal public defenders have declined to comment on the charges. Hudson’s stepsister, Anna Kepner, had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family, including Hudson. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with Hudson and another teen, a criminal complaint said. Read More The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, previously released a statement, saying the family was placing “trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with care and integrity.” “The situation is deeply painful and complex for the entire family,” Kepner said.Anna Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10576-7A fully phased genome assembly of the sugarcane foundational cultivar POJ2878 reveals extensive subgenome recombination and non-homologous chromosomal rearrangements.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10595-4Near-field radiative heat transfer between silicon nitride membranes is enhanced several-fold by using metamaterials, opening opportunities for thermal energy harvesting and infrared sensing applications.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10496-6Uniformly doped, ultrathin single-crystalline silicon nanomembranes can be vertically stacked at low temperature using a roll-transfer-printing process that is scalable to wafer scale and tolerant to substrate topology and surface roughness for constructing high-performance monolithic three-dimensional integrated circuits.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01413-yStacks of transistors built from nanomembranes that can be rolled onto a substrate have been used to fabricate 3D circuits.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10607-3Temporary carbon dioxide removal can offset short-lived non-CO2 climate forcers, providing a viable physical approach for crediting temporary carbon dioxide removal activities in industries in which non-CO2 emissions dominate and direct emission reductions are difficult.

The secretary of state visited India to reassure the South Asian giant that it can still rely on the United States. India did not gain much from the visit.

The idea of sisterhood and brotherhood flows through “Symphonie Espagnole,” Peck’s new work for New York City Ballet. We dissect two sections.

Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters for the first time on Wednesday since the opening day of the NFL Draft last month. The New England Patriots head coach was absent on Day 3 after seeking counseling after photos of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini went viral.When Vrabel last spoke, he said he was stepping away to prioritize his family. On Wednesday, he said balancing between his football life and personal life has been going "really good."“My family is great,” Vrabel said before the Patriots’ organized team activities. “I love [my wife] Jen. I love the boys [Tyler and Carter]. I love my personal friends.”Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentVrabel was back at the team's practice facility on Monday to be around for the Patriots' offseason program. The team is holding nine sessions over three weeks, wrapping up on June 11 before beginning a three-day mandatory minicamp on June 15.Vrabel was not asked directly about the Russini situation and said his focus is on coaching.“We all have to deal with things outside of here,” Vrabel said. “My focus and the excitement I have for coaching is what is most important right now. This is a great opportunity, the spring. We don’t have to worry about opponents. Our schedule is pretty much the same.”When asked if he was expecting to miss anymore days during offseason activities as he did during the draft, Vrabel wasn’t sure what the future would bring.“I mean, I can only tell you I’m gonna be there today, and I can’t tell you anything other than I’m gonna be out there today in full force,” Vrabel said. “And I mean that because, you know, who knows what’s gonna come up? Anything could happen. And so I’m gonna focus on today.”

After New York Giants players Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart found themselves at the center of a political controversy over the holiday weekend, Detroit native and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis had some advice for them, and a younger generation of players."You don't have to agree (on politics)," Bettis said in an interview with Fox News. "And that's the one thing. I mean, you don't agree with your teammate, but you got to find a way to work with them."The teammates' rift began when Dart, the Giants' quarterback and 2025 first-round pick, introduced President Donald Trump at a political rally in Suffern, New York, on Friday, May 22.Carter, who was also a first-round pick last year, seemed to call his teammate out on X before deleting."Thought this (expletive) was AI," Carter wrote in a May 23 repost of the video. "What we doing, man?"Bettis, who won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in his last season in the NFL, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015, finished his 13-year NFL career with 13,662 rushing yards on 3,479 carries."I think politics, it's always there. It's never really in the forefront in terms of sports or a locker room. So, I don't think that's ever an issue. But what you have to do is find common ground. I think that's what team sports is all about," Bettis said.It seems as if Dart and Carter have found an understanding after Carter's post to X in a since deleted tweet."Me and JD6 are good! We spoke earlier as Men," Carter wrote. "Y'all can keep y'all narratives."Bettis also did acknowledge the landscape of politics has changed since his career, which began in 1993.Bettis graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1990. He was a standout running back and linebacker earning Michigan Player of the Year honors during his senior year. Bettis later attended the University of Notre Dame where he was signed as a fullback. Bettis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and ranks sixth on the NFL's all-time rushing list.USAT contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jerome Bettis offers Giants players advice on politics. What he said

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have once again left out their IPL 2024-winning captain Shreyas Iyer from a social media post marking the second anniversary of the franchise’s third IPL title.Shreyas Iyer’s relationship with KKR has remained a talking point since the franchise released him despite leading them to their first IPL title in 10 years in 2024. Punjab Kings later signed him for INR 26.75 crore at the mega auction.Last year, Iyer had also said in an interview with TimesofIndia.com that he did not receive enough credit for KKR’s IPL-winning campaign.On May 26, 2024, KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL final to win their third title. On Tuesday, the franchise marked the second anniversary of that triumph by sharing graphics posts on social media featuring players from the title-winning squad, but former captain Iyer was missing from them.The main graphic showed Andre Russell holding the IPL trophy, while other posts highlighted performances from KKR players in the IPL 2024 final.Fans quickly noticed Iyer’s absence and criticised the franchise on social media."Like the dedication KKR admin puts to not include Shreyas Iyer in trophy celebrating posts everytime," a user wrote sarcastically.Another user posted, "The first thing KKR admin do on the morning of 26th May of every year is waking up and removing Shreyas Iyer from their trophy celebration pictures.""I thought we were more classy than this , irrespective of the differences with Shreyas we should not have done him dirty here. He won the title as skipper," another user, seemingly a KKR fan, wrote.— Avi_shastri (@Avi_shastri) This is not the first time KKR has faced criticism over the issue. Since 2025, sections of fans have repeatedly accused the franchise of not acknowledging Iyer’s role enough in the IPL 2024 title-winning campaign.Meanwhile, KKR had a disappointing IPL 2026 season under Ajinkya Rahane. The side managed only six wins in 14 matches and failed to qualify for the playoffs. KKR also suffered six consecutive defeats during the season before staying in contention for a playoff spot until their final league match.Iyer’s exit from KKR before the 2025 mega auction had surprised many fans, especially after he led the franchise to the title.

The Chicago Bears are going to need quarterback Caleb Williams to continue to make strides in his development as they look to replicate their success from last season.Working with first-year head coach Ben Johnson, Williams took a major step forward as the franchise quarterback for Chicago, throwing for 3,942 yards (a franchise record for a single season), but falling just short of becoming the franchise's first 4,000-yard passer.Upon Johnson's arrival before last season, he brought in a well-respected staff of assistant coaches around him, including quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, who worked with Johnson with the Detroit Lions. That relationship helped both coaches to rebuild the development and growth of Williams, and now in their second season together, Barrett is hoping that Williams can do more with taking less chances."We don’t have to work as hard for our money,” Barrett said, via Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. “There’s times where we could just work through our progression and get the ball out on time instead of having to create and extend plays. Late in some of those games, we were making some heroic plays . . . but it wasn’t necessary if we execute in the first quarter and second quarter, We might be up two touchdowns by the time we get to the fourth quarter. We can be efficient and take what the defense is giving. You don’t necessarily have to put the cape on and make those crazy plays because you already were killing them in the first three quarters."Williams was well-known for putting on a mythical cape for the Bears in the fourth quarter last season, leading the team to an NFL record seven fourth-quarter comebacks, leading the way to a NFC North title. One of the biggest keys for Chicago's offense will be to turn up the success and consistency earlier in games, rather than wait for late-game heroics.Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramThis article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears QBs coach JT Barrett on where Caleb Williams needs to improve

Brown County District Attorney David Lasee declined to file domestic abuse charges against Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, requesting further investigation into the allegations, according to a May 27 news release.After reviewing the available evidence, Lasee said the DA's office "is not yet prepared to make a formal charging decision." The district attorney's office requested additional investigation, "as there is reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate, and what charges would be issued," Lasee said in the release.Jacobs was arrested May 26 by Hobart-Lawrence police and booked into the Brown County Jail. Officers from the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department were dispatched at 8:37 a.m. May 23 to a disturbance complaint that ultimately led to Jacobs' arrest, according to a news release from Chief Michael Renkas.The department referred charges of battery, criminal damage of property, disorderly conduct, each with domestic abuse enhancers, as well as strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim, to the Brown County District Attorney's Office, Renkas said in the release.Jacobs has been released from custody at 12:20 p. m. May 27, according to Brown County Jail records. A final charging decision will be made in the future.Lasee said the standard for arrest is lower than the standard for issuing criminal charges. Law enforcement officers are mandated to arrest an individual if there is probable cause to believe the person committed a crime and there is "a reasonable basis" to believe the crime involved domestic abuse; to file criminal charges, the district attorney must find there is admissible evidence that rises to the level of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, Lasee said in the release.Lasee said that "it is common for our office to review referrals where law enforcement has made a mandatory arrest for domestic abuse, but our office chooses to release the individual from custody and request further investigation before making a formal charging decision."Attorneys for Jacobs said in a statement on May 26 that Jacobs "vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public."Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@usatodayco.com or (920) 431-8314.This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: District Attorney declines Josh Jacobs charges, investigation continues

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01571-zAn investigation of the Estonian Biobank and the UK Biobank has identified more than 88,000 associations between more than 8,000 genomic regions and metabolic traits. The combined size of the sample enabled the detection of many more associations than in previous efforts.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10579-4A direct, dynamical black-hole mass measurement in a strongly lensed little red dot at high redshift indicates that it is a massive black-hole seed caught in its earliest accretion phase.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01416-9Spatial maps of gene expression in whole human embryos across several weeks of early development offer insights into the molecular programs that drive organogenesis.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01661-yCellular-ageing clocks based on gene activity could be more sensitive than previous measures.

Daniela Klette, 67, was part of the Red Army Faction, which attacked American and capitalist interests until the 1990s. She was convicted of robberies committed later to finance life as a fugitive.

In Nepal, a nation wedged between India and China, a unique time zone is just one expression of a singular national identity.

Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Sunrisers Hyderabad head into the IPL 2026 Eliminator with a stronger and more balanced squad than Rajasthan Royals, insisting Hyderabad possess far more match-winners across both batting and bowling departments. The high-pressure knockout clash will take place at the PCA New International Stadium, with the losing side set to crash out of the tournament. Sharing his thoughts ahead of the game on Jio Hotstar, Kumble explained that Rajasthan appear overly dependent on a small core of players, while SRH have multiple options capable of changing the game. “If you compare the two teams man for man, SRH have more match-winners. Rajasthan, on the other hand, relies heavily on a few individuals – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Jofra Archer,” Kumble told Jio Hotstar. Kumble warned that Rajasthan’s chances in the Eliminator could hinge entirely on whether those key names step up under pressure. “If those three don't fire, their batting and bowling both look thin. That could be the difference in a knockout game,” he added. The former India coach also reflected on SRH’s earlier league-stage victory over Rajasthan, describing it as one of the defining moments of Hyderabad’s campaign this season. Kumble highlighted the impact of young fast bowlers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, who made their IPL debuts during that clash and immediately transformed SRH’s bowling attack. “The game that Sunrisers Hyderabad would remember dearly is the one against Rajasthan Royals of the league phase, where Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain made their IPL debuts. That was a turning point for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season,” Kumble noted. “Before that game, they had a different playing combination. After bringing in those young bowlers, they found a winning formula. Hinge and Hussain tore through RR's top order in that game,” he added. Kumble further hinted that Hyderabad may once again back Hinge for the crucial Eliminator encounter and suggested the youngster could replace Harshal Patel in the playing XI. “So I expect SRH might go with Hinge again in place of Harshal Patel for the eliminator. Hinge also dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi in his first game, which gives him a psychological edge going into the eliminator,” he said. With a place in Qualifier 2 on the line, both teams now prepare for a knockout battle that could define their IPL 2026 campaign.

The flag at the center of the debate is that of Iran, pre-revolution -Credit:Izhar Khan / AFP via Getty ImagesFIFA faces the prospect of legal action if it proceeds with plans to prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag at the World Cup.Given the geopolitical situation, Iran has encountered a lengthy and complex journey to the World Cup. While the U.S. and Israel continue to experience tensions with the nation, despite a ceasefire being in effect, questions emerged about the squad's security in the United States as Donald Trump fueled apprehension.The World Cup is set to kick off on June 11, and although the squad participated in a send-off event in Tehran, uncertainties remain. Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj recently stated the team has yet to obtain visas for the competition, as per The Mirror US.Zohran Mamdani takes Philadelphia swipe while announcing $50 World Cup ticketsMauricio Pochettino goes on rant defending decision to cut USMNT players via emailA non-profit group is pushing for FIFA to allow Iranian fans to display the pre-revolutionary flag during the World Cup -Credit:AFP via Getty ImagesNow, FIFA risks being dragged into court over proposals to prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag from World Cup stadiums throughout North America this summer. The Institute for Voices of Liberty has sent correspondence to FIFA expressing its objections, with legal counsel Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh warning that FIFA's reaction could result in the matter escalating through "formal proceedings in Superior Court, State of California, or Federal Courts in California on a later date."Speaking late last week, Mokhtarzadeh confirmed no response had been received after three days. He added: "We are preparing to commence appropriate legal proceedings in case of attempts by FIFA to exclude the Lion and Sun flag."Last week, reports surfaced that official venue guidelines would move to ban the flag outright. When pressed on the matter, FIFA responded by citing its list of prohibited items, which forbids any materials of a "political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature" - yet the governing body stopped short of clarifying which aspect of those criteria the flag violates, reportsPredictably, the dispute has ignited fierce backlash across the United States and among the Iranian diaspora.The Lion and Sun flag holds profound cultural and emotional weight, having served as Iran's national flag before being outlawed following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERETaj has previously weighed in on the flag controversy himself, maintaining that Iran's participation in the World Cup is contingent upon banning unofficial flags - including the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag. Prior to the tournament, Trump called for Iran's removal, and the country fired back with its own demand to exclude the USA from the competition.Just weeks prior, Trump stated he was "OK" with Iran competing in the World Cup. Iran even sought to relocate its matches to Mexico, a move warmly received by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.Earlier this week, FIFA confirmed that Iran's training base had been relocated to Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico. Iran had originally been assigned Tucson, Arizona, as their World Cup base.Iran is set to play all three of its group stage games at the World Cup on American soil, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.Iran will then take on Belgium once more at SoFi Stadium on June 21, before wrapping up Group G action against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Hoping to avoid a sweep at the hands of American League West Rival Seattle Mariners, the A’s take the field today at Sutter Health Park for game three of the three game set. Despite dropping the first two games, the A’s remain half a game ahead of the Mariners and a game and a half ahead of the third place Rangers in the West.Taking the mound today for the A’s is Jeffrey Springs. The 33-year-old lefty is 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA over his eleven starts in 2026. Over the course of his career, Springs is 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in fourteen appearances against the Mariners. He’ll be going up against 29-year-old right-hander Logan Gilbert for the Mariners. Gilbert is 2-4 with a 4.04 ERA in eleven starts this season. He is 4-1 with an ERA of 3.00 and 86 strikeouts in fifteen appearances versus the Athletics in his career.Gilbert will face this lineup today for Mark Kotsay’s Athletics:View LinkSprings will face this lineup for the Mariners:View LinkFollow the Game:Watch:Athletics – NBCSCAListen:Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast

Man City Confirm Backroom Overhaul as Pep Era EndsMan City Staff Exodus Confirms End of Guardiola EraMan City prepare for major changeMan City have formally confirmed the departure of five senior members of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff, deepening the sense that an extraordinary footballing age has closed at the Etihad.Guardiola’s exit, confirmed after a decade of dominance, already felt like a seismic moment. His final match, a 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, gave the ending a strangely human note, less grand procession than abrupt full stop. Now, with key members of his inner circle also leaving, Man City are not merely changing manager. They are changing rhythm, language and identity.Guardiola allies follow him outAmong the departures is Pep Lijnders, who arrived only last summer after a long and influential spell alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. His time at Man City was brief, but significant, part of a reshaped coaching group that helped deliver another domestic double.Lijnders even led the team at the London Stadium in March when Man City drew 1-1 with West Ham, with Guardiola serving a touchline ban. It was a small glimpse of continuity, although that continuity has now disappeared.Photo IMAGOKolo Toure, the former Man City defender who stepped into a first team coaching role last summer, will also leave. His departure carries a different kind of symbolism, linking the club’s modern playing past with a coaching future that will now be shaped by others.Etihad rebuild gathers paceFitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura, operations support figure Manel Estiarte and head of goalkeeping Xabi Mancisidor are also departing. Mancisidor had been at Man City since the Manuel Pellegrini era, while Buenaventura and Estiarte had followed Guardiola through Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester.Their exits underline how complete this reset now feels. Man City’s next manager, expected to be Enzo Maresca, will inherit not only a decorated squad but also the shadow of a system that once seemed almost impossible to separate from Guardiola himself.Club statement marks farewellCity’s statement was concise but clear: “Everyone at City would like to thank all five members of staff for their hard work and dedication and wish them the very best of luck in the future.”For Man City, the challenge now is not preserving the past. It is proving that what Guardiola built can survive without the people who helped build it.

For the sake of other guests at the beachside resort where the SEC spring meetings are taking place, it’s a good thing nobody has yet invented a BS detector that could be placed in the lobby. Imagine paying $700 a night just to hear a siren go off every time a coach or administrator steps in front of a microphone.As usual at this event, reality is measured in inverse proportion to the amount of bellyaching over the state of affairs in college sports. The more someone like Georgia president Jere Morehead refers to the current playing field as “anarchy,” the more confident you can be that their proposed fix is entirely self-serving.While they may think the rhetoric coming out of Miramar Beach sounds good in their cloistered meeting rooms or in front of the overpaid consultants who leech off their overinflated budgets, much of the country hears the SEC’s hysteria as bitterness that the rules of the game now longer allow them to stack the deck.“I’ve been a huge advocate that if we can’t find rules that everybody plays by, then we should play by our own,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters. “I’m not afraid of that. I’m not afraid to break away and say that our conference is strong enough to go out and play. If we could actually function financially, it would make our programs more stable. We could support things financially. I’m talking about all the sports and do our own rules — I’d be all for that.”Did anyone just hear an siren go off? Is there a fire somewhere? Should we be heading for the nearest exit?Oh, that was just an SEC coach trying to sell the ridiculous with a straight face. Sorry to alarm you.Despite Smart’s commitment to this bit, it shouldn’t take a genius to see what’s really going on here: Since the implementation of name, image and likeness turned the economic model of college sports on its head, the SEC is no longer the competitive behemoth that it once was.You can talk all you want about fan passion and gameday pageantry and even under-the-table cheating, but the SEC’s biggest advantage over the last 20 years was owning the real estate where the highest concentration of great athletes (and particularly football players) came from.When someone like Smart or Nick Saban could sit in a living room in Atlanta or Miami and talk about how many millions of dollars their former players were making in the NFL, there was no need to look beyond the SEC.While the SEC's brass cries and complains because they no longer own college sports, they're missing a larger point about a potential breakaway.Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesNow, college athletics is more like any other American business where most people decide where to live based on money and opportunity, not staying close to home. The SEC has great stadiums, fan bases and tradition, but SEC supremacy was largely an illusion based on favorable geography, the perception of being an NFL factory and probably a few dollars exchanging hands under the table.That’s gone now, and as it has become increasingly clear that the college sports model is never going back to the way it was, we are now hearing threats of the SEC going it alone because they’re the ones who really care about being governed by rules.“There’s been circumvention of the rules the entire time,” Smart said. “There’s always somebody trying to. It’s the policing of that and the navigating to make people follow within the guidelines and what’s happened with litigation is, there are no guidelines. I’ll just go to court, just go to court on everything. Not just player eligibility but on everything, it’s a lawsuit away from everybody backing down so they strip the power of any regulatory agency we’d put in place. At some point you have to say, ‘How do you want to do this?’”Smart is absolutely correct in identifying the problem, but only someone who has lived their entire life in the SEC bubble could believe their conference has the credibility to take that stand. They most certainly do not.Many of us are old enough to remember when Tennessee was magically finding NCAA violations to avoid having to pay Jeremy Pruitt, when Ole Miss was trying to dump a treasure trove of Hugh Freeze recruiting violations on Houston Nutt in order to save their recruiting class, when Auburn had to suspend Cam Newton over payola allegations and then work hard to restore his eligibility so he could win them a national title.If the primary issue is that schools won’t follow the rules because all they care about is winning, the SEC’s hands are stained by decades of dirt. The only thing that’s changed is that in a world without rule, the Big Ten has ascended and the SEC has declined.Now, in response, the SEC thinks the answer might be to go do their own thing under the guise of creating a more level playing field, as if that’s something they’ve ever cared about when they had the structural advantage of not having to pay their athletes. Sometimes you wonder if they even hear themselves talk.But I’ll make this very clear and simple: If the SEC breaks away from the NCAA, it will be the end of the SEC.Yes, it’ll still have a good TV deal and will still be able to fill stadiums and it’ll have plenty of media propagandists ready to parrot the contention that the SEC champion is the national champion.But are we really supposed to believe that Texas and LSU are going to allow themselves to be constrained by schools like Mississippi State and South Carolina that don’t have as big of a budget and will want more stringent rules over spending? Do we really think that the SEC’s elite programs are going to agree to a salary cap when the Big Ten doesn’t have one or even an ounce less flexibility to do the things they think are necessary to win? And is it realistic in any way to think that the SEC is going to be able to stop a politically savvy attorney general from taking it to court when it has to sanction a member school for violating rules?Not only is it a fantasy SEC utopia that doesn’t and will never exist, it will lead quickly to the breakup of the conference and the formation of a national super league. Though it has long been a concept for the top 30 or 40 football programs to pool their media rights and leave everyone else behind, there is no clear pathway to how it would happen.The SEC operating as an independent rule-enforcing entity, and the wedge it would drive between the haves and have-nots in its own league, is the match, the matchbox and the gasoline required to burn it all down.That’s probably not what Smart and Morehead have in mind. But in college sports, those who practice situational ethics and ignore practicality will be led to a place where the cure is worse than the disease. In a world where it’s become extremely easy for people to believe their own BS, maybe an alarm wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10545-0A spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas of whole-human embryos after gastrulation and previously transcriptionally undescribed stages of human development are reported.

American Hailey Baptiste has played outstanding tennis this spring including an upset win over WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid.Baptiste defeated two-time Grand Slam singles champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round and looked poised to make a deep run.MORE: French Open 2026: Iga Swiatek wins in more ways than one on Day 4In the first set of her second round match against Wang Xinyu, Baptiste suffered a lower body injury and was forced to retire. Though unconfirmed, it is speculated that her injury is ACL-related.She was slated to play doubles with Venus Williams which will unfortunately also not happen. Baptiste joins growing list of Americans out of the drawJul 21, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Venus Williams (USA)(L) and partner Hailey Baptiste (USA)(R) celebrate after winning a point against Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) and Clervie Ngounoue (USA) (both not pictured) in a women’s doubles match on day one of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesThe biggest shock was Jessica Pegula’s first round loss on Tuesday to Kimberly Birrell. On Wednesday, in addition to Baptiste, Caty McNally, Alycia Parks, and Katie Volynets lost their second round matches.Peyton Stearns is the only American woman in the third round. MORE: French Open 2026: Alexandra Eala, Victoria Mboko doubles team quietly withdrawsOn Thursday, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova, McCartney Kessler, Ann Li, Claire Lu, Emma Navarro, and Iva Jovic will attempt to join Stearns.Navarro and Jovic are playing each other for the second time in a week. At the Strasbourg Open, Navarro got the win over the American teenager.Alex Michelsen is the only American man into the third round. Tommy Paul is playing later on Wednesday to earn his spot. Learner Tien, Zachary Svajda, Frances Tiafoe, Brandon Nakashima, and Ben Shelton play their second round matches on Thursday. Conditions are problemmatic, and a freak accident already happenedHeat is a problem, and it nearly cost Jakub Mensik the match. He collapsed after his marathon five set victory and needed medical attention to get off the court.Alexander Blockx, the 21-year-old Belgian who has also had a great spring, injured his ankle in practice with Joao Fonseca. It occurred near the tarps at the back of the court. In addition to withdrawing from the tournament, he may reportedly seek legal action against Roland Garros.

Elliot Anderson: Man United make final decision over transfer fight for PL standout Eliot Anderson to Manchester United was a dream, and it may only ever be that, given the decision the Old Trafford chiefs have now made.This summer, INEOS hope to revamp their engine room. They are not only keen on replacing Casemiro but also on assembling a dream midfield capable of battling on multiple fronts.Dream targetSome fantastic midfielders have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford.Yet, of all the names mentioned, Nottingham Forest’s Anderson has consistently stood out as the dream signing. A towering presence at the heart of Forest’s midfield, he has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the campaign.A highly press-resistant, box-to-box midfielder who combines elite ball-carrying with relentless defensive endeavour, standing out for ball recoveries and successful duels, the Englishman is the embodiment of a modern Premier League central midfielder.Had United got their way, they would have signed him already. Unfortunately, however, their noisy neighbours, Manchester City, stand firmly in their path.And while Anderson is a player any ambitious club would go to war for, the Red Devils have found little encouragement in this particular race. His apparent preference for the Etihad has proven a persistent frustration in United’s pursuit.What Man United have decided about Elliot AndersonReports had suggested United remained hopeful of signing him, but The Mirror have now dropped a bombshell over this transfer battle.The UK outlet reports:“United open the door for Manchester City to press ahead with a deal to sign England superstar Elliot Anderson for around £100m.”They further explain that “United bosses are not willing to meet the asking price”, a stance that has effectively ended their interest.The report goes on to highlight that INEOS have conceded that Anderson wants to join their noisy neighbours despite Pep Guardiola’s exit.The plan at Old Trafford now is to shift focus towards alternative targets.Interestingly, The Mirror also highlights that United have contemplated a move for Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, a swoop that would shock many. Though the Argentine is not the only alternative on their radar.Ederson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes on the menuNotably, credible sources are claiming that a deal for Atalanta’s Brazilian midfielder Ederson is close, and he may well be the first piece of United’s midfield rebuild.There is also talk of moves for Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the latter understood to be a top target for Michael Carrick.Anderson to City will sting. But ultimately, United must pursue players who genuinely want to be there, because those are the ones you build a project around.Featured image Dan Istidene via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Dodgers minor league affiliate suspends bat dog program after freak Kendall George injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.A few days ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Double-A affiliate, the Tulsa Drillers, had an unfortunate freak injury happen to prospect Kendall George.After he scored, George jumped out of the way of a bat dog, and he sustained an injury after avoiding the dog. It's a freak accident, and one that should never have happened.Jack Harris of The California Post reported a few days later that, unsurprisingly, the Drillers have suspended the bat dog program following this freak injury.Dodgers affiliate suspends bat dog program after injury"I'm told the Tulsa Drillers are planning to suspend their bat dog program after Kendall George's freak injury this week," Harris reports.This situation is not likely to happen ever again, as the Dodgers' affiliate is planning to end the bat dog program. As much fun as a bat dog can be, this incident has put a damper on any of said fun.George is feared to have sustained a serious injury, as Harris reported it might be a patellar injury, which would be a very worrying one.MORE: Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problemThis freak accident is a huge shame, as the bat dog program can be a very fun one for fans if done correctly. But, in this instance, it led to a Dodgers prospect being hurt.George, the 21-year-old prospect who's one of the best in the Dodgers farm system, has elite speed. But, this injury not only will force him to miss a lot of time this season if it's as bad as it's feared to be, but it will impact him for years.This situation is a very unfortunate one, and based on this report from Harris, the bat dog program is likely ending for the Drillers.More MLB news:5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for CardinalsRoman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red SoxChase Burns becomes first Reds pitcher with elite stat line since 1922Yankees’ Aaron Judge on track to become first player in MLB history with five 50+ homer seasonsGiants continue to not start Bryce Eldridge as much as they should

Sophomore defensive lineman Chaz Coleman transferred to Tennessee from Penn State in January. On Wednesday, Pete Nakos of On3 released an update on the 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman."Tennessee edge Chaz Coleman has yet to report to Knoxville for summer workouts, sources tell Chris Low and me for On3," Nakos announced on social media. "Voluntary workouts began earlier this week."Coleman appeared in five games at Penn State in 2025 as a freshman. He recorded eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one pass deflection.Following Tennessee's Orange & White Game on April 11 to conclude spring football practices, head coach Josh Heupel discussed the status of Coleman."Ultimately, Chaz is dealing with some things off the field, and he's got to handle that and go through that process," Heupel said. "We're here to help and support him in all those ways, and we'll continue to do that, but that's ultimately the beginning of his journey right now, and there's some things he has to work with."Tennessee EDGE Chaz Coleman has yet to report to Knoxville for summer workouts, sources tell @Clowfb and me for @On3. Voluntary workouts began earlier this week.Josh Heupel: “Chaz has been dealing with some things, and we’re here to support him. We’ll continue to go through… pic.twitter.com/gTTbmkMRYE— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) May 27, 2026More: Tennessee's five must-win football games ranked in 2026Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Chaz Coleman 'has yet to report to Knoxville for summer workouts'

Triple Espresso is back.The trio of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson, nicknamed Triple Espresso at the 2024 Olympics, were named on Tuesday to the U.S. training camp roster for a pair of June matches against the Brazilian national team in Brazil. The three have not played together since the gold medal match at the Paris Games. Swanson was included on the U.S. roster for the first time since October 2024. She recently returned to her club team, the Chicago Stars, after taking time off for the birth of her daughter in November. The 28-year-old Swanson has 38 goals in 103 appearances with the national team and scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory over Brazil for the gold medal in Paris.Wilson had returned to the national team in April after taking maternity leave last year for the birth of her daughter. She has 24 goals in 61 appearances for the United States. “That front three haven’t been together since the Olympic gold medal match, that’s a long time, and we cannot waste a single minute," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “We absolutely have to put the very best players together with every opportunity that we have. But the circumstances are slightly different. We have Mal, who is coming back last, and yes, she is competing and contributing to Chicago, but like Soph last camp, it is so important to get them into the environment to reconnect with their teammates.” The United States will play Brazil on June 6 in Sao Paulo and June 9 in Fortaleza. Because the national team does not play many friendly matches away from the United States, the games in Brazil give the younger players an opportunity to experience travel routines. Additionally, Brazil is hosting next year's Women's World Cup. The United States will attempt to qualify for the tournament starting in late November at the CONCACAF W Championship. “This is another moment where we get to see how we cope with all of the environmental conditions that come with going to Brazil, whether that’s adapting to different cultures, different training facilities, different hotels, different experiences, fan experience, feeling like the away team, but with the pressure cooker of a top opponent. All of these things really, really matter," Hayes said. Hayes named 26 players to the camp roster for the international window, with 23 players to be designated as available for each match.___Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Gotham), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Emily Sonnett (Gotham), Gisele Thompson (Angel City), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)Midfielders: Croix Bethune (Kansas City Current), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Rose Lavelle (Gotham), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)Forwards: Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns)___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

New York Knicks fans, still celebrating the team making it to the N.B.A. finals, are confronting high ticket prices for the games at Madison Square Garden.

🔴 Palace-Rayo | The two clubs battle for history! Mateta v Alemao 🔥The UEFA Conference League has much more than just a trophy at stake.Tonight at the Red Bull Arena, Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano are playing for a historic night: both are chasing the first international title in their history, as well as a direct place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.It will also be a battle within the battle: Mateta, the Eagles’ main striker, against Alemao, who scored the two decisive goals against Strasbourg to send Madrid’s third team into a historic final.🔴 Article constantly updated: for live text coverage, click on the match card above; to comment, click on the speech bubble at the top right ✅ The OFFICIAL lineupsCRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Riad; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta.RAYO VALLECANO (4-3-3): Batalla; Rațiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria; Palazon, O. Valentin, Lopez; De Frutos, Alemao, Garcia.🤑 How much is winning the Conference League WORTH?From a financial point of view, winning the Conference League can change a club’s future. According to Calcio e Finanza, Crystal Palace have already earned around €17.3 million from their European run, while Rayo Vallecano have reached €18.4 million. With the final victory, thanks to the additional €3 million guaranteed by UEFA, the English side would rise to more than €20 million overall, while the Spanish side would hit the €21 million mark, not including stadium revenue and bonuses linked to qualification for the Europa League.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.