But U.S. officials are still working to find centers in Europe to accept Americans who need advanced treatment, seen as critical to improving odds of survival.

A federal task force in the city has been targeting crime and undocumented immigrants since October. Observers say they have faced retaliation for trying to track the agents’ work.

You've got to see the refurbished outdoor tub. READ MORE...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Three weeks after the Pacers had their hearts broken in the NBA Draft lottery, news broke that the league will be overhauling the lottery system.For much of the second half of the regular season, the NBA faced calls from fans and stakeholders to address the extent of "tanking" as the league's bottom third seemed to show little interest in winning games in the season's final months with the 2026 draft class expected to be particularly strong and teams jockeying for lottery position. Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the issue with fines -- including a $100,000 fine levied at the Pacers for their personnel decisions in a Feb. 3 game against the Jazz -- and said that there would be significant rule changes made for future lotteries. After reportedly considering several options, the NBA's Board of Governors approved a drastic rule change on Thursday according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania. According to the report, the lottery is being expanded from 14 teams to 16, odds are being flattened and there is a "relegation zone" that penalizes teams with the league's worst records rather than rewarding them with the best lottery odds. Breaking: The NBA's Board of Governors has passed new anti-tanking rules that include expanding the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams, a relegation zone where the bottom 3 teams get penalized with lessened chances for the No. 1 pick, and flattened odds, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/e1oq10p2yV— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2026

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has found himself at the center of a viral social media storm, not for his presence on the baseball diamond but for his highly unconventional oral hygiene routine. A TikTok video showed Harper squeezing toothpaste directly into his mouth from the tube, bypassing the toothbrush. This peculiar morning ritual, captioned "Morning Y'all," quickly ignited bewilderment and "horror" among fans.The clip rapidly gained traction, accumulating over 2.7 million views on Jomboy Media alone. Social media users expressed amusement and disbelief with one follower writing, "Actually diabolical toothpaste application." The San Diego Padres, Harper's opponents, playfully trolled the star, displaying his unique habit as a "fun fact" on their videoboard when he came to bat: "SQUIRTS TOOTHPASTE INTO HIS MOUTH INSTEAD OF ONTO A TOOTHBRUSH WHEN BRUSHING HIS TEETH."Addressing the blowback, Harper remained unfazed. "It kind of happens when you post a little bit, right?" he told Phillies Nation. "But yeah, I’ve done it forever." The two-time NL MVP insisted this was his long-standing practice. He embraced the virality, stating, "I mean, it’s gone viral, so I’m happy about that. It always helps with my videos when it goes viral, so if that’s what makes it go viral, then I’ll take it." He added, "If I help half a person a day... then I won that day."The San Diego Padres, Harper's opponents, playfully trolled the star, displaying his unique habit as a ‘fun fact’ on their videoboard (Getty Images)The American Dental Association (ADA) quickly advised against Harper's technique. Dr. Andrew Zucker, an Ohio dentist and consumer advisor for the ADA, initially thought Harper was joking. "It is not suggested to do it that way," Dr. Zucker said. "I don't think there's anything to be gained. The only thing to be lost is just wasting a whole bunch of toothpaste." He emphasized the standard recommendation: "Just put a little pea-sized bit of it on a toothbrush and that's all you need." Dr. Zucker, whose parents are also dental professionals, noted the rarity of such a method among adults, having only seen his "3-year-old and it was because he was trying to eat it. But no, I've never seen an adult brush their teeth this way."Dr. Maria Ryan, chief clinical officer at Colgate-Palmolive, echoed concerns regarding potential hygiene issues. "My only concern would be, you have a lot of germs in your mouth," she explained. "When you're putting your mouth on the toothpaste tube, you get those germs on there. Sometimes people share toothpaste and things like that, so I worry about that a little bit."Despite the unconventional approach, Harper's method has evidently worked for him, evidenced by his sparkling smile accompanying 376 career home runs and eight All-Star appearances. Dr. Ryan acknowledged a positive takeaway: "I was glad he was brushing his teeth. It's good he's telling people you need to brush your teeth, which is very important for preventing cavities and gum disease." She concluded, however, that while it's a "unique way of doing it, for sure," she "probably wouldn't do it that way or instruct my patients to do it that way." Ultimately, the viral moment serves as a quirky reminder that even baseball heroes have their eccentricities, potentially inspiring reluctant fans to brush – albeit in a more conventional manner.

Subscribe to the College Football EnquirerApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeCollege athletics could soon be changing in a big way. A final decision is yet to be determined, but a huge step was taken on Wednesday when Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell released the Protect College Sports Act. This bipartisan bill has many layers including preventing a super league, creating a 5-year limit on eligibility and more. Two of the most noticeable parts are the ability for conferences to pool their media rights and creating a hard cap for NIL. Andy Staples and Ross Dellenger discuss the most impactful parts of this bill and the next steps for passing it. Is it possible this could pass in the coming months?Then, Andy and Ross discuss news coming out of the SEC spring meetings. Among the many topics discussed at the meetings, one that stood out the most was the concept of the SEC collectively bargaining with its athletes. The other notable idea discussed was the SEC breaking away from the NCAA and governing itself. The guys discuss both of these topics. Is collective bargaining possible? Would breaking away from the NCAA actually be in the SEC's best interest?Later, the guys chat about news for the upcoming season. More kickoff times have been released for the first few weeks of the season and Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek was not thrilled with the difficulties it will cause his team. Plus, Big Noon Kickoff's Week 1 game has been released and Greg Sankey feels that the SEC's deal with Disney is undervalued.Andy and Ross discuss all of this and more on today's College Football Enquirer.Senator Ted Cruz & Senator Maria Cantwell create Protect College Sports Act. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesTom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images0:00:00 - Explaining the impact of the Protect College Sports Act3:26 - Creating a hard cap for NIL5:30 - The potential of pooling broadcasting rights12:38 - What happens next?22:13 - SEC talks collective bargaining24:48 - SEC talks leaving the NCAA28:25 - Could a CBA work in the SEC?37:10 - Big Noon Week 1 game announced38:31 - Arkansas and the SEC upset with scheduling43:04 - How the CFP is impacting the regular season44:00 - Greg Sankey says media deal is undervalued45:36 - New bill calls for regionalization of conferences🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out all episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

In the NIL era, chaos has become the norm across college athletics. Conferences are scrambling to adapt, the NCAA is fighting battles in court, and Congress keeps dipping into the business of college sports. For fans and coaches, the constant churn has become exhausting.But one topic remains refreshingly straightforward. College Football Playoff expansion.Unlike the legal fights involving lawyers, statutes, and appeals, the CFP debate is simple. Some conferences want to leap from a 12‑team field to 24, while others prefer staying at 12 or capping expansion at 16.SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has been consistent throughout the process. He isn’t opposed to growth, but he wants real data before making a dramatic jump. His concerns go beyond the fear of a watered‑down postseason. Scheduling alone is a major sticking point. Last season, transfer portal chaos and coaching carousel news overshadowed actual playoff coverage, a sign of how crowded the calendar has become.Still, Sankey hasn’t ruled out a 24‑team model. With the SEC now playing nine conference games, the league could produce more 9‑3 teams than ever before. A larger playoff would naturally increase the SEC’s chances of landing additional bids.Fans, meanwhile, remain split. If you go by the temperature on X, 16 teams seems to be the sweet spot, big enough to include deserving teams, small enough to maintain meaning. Many point to last season as proof that even with 12 teams, only five or six felt like true title contenders.For now, though, everything remains hypothetical. Sankey reiterated this week that no votes have been taken and no substantive discussions have occurred beyond surface‑level inquiries.The future of the CFP is still up in the air and in a sport where everything else feels unsettled, that somehow feels fitting.Greg Sankey reiterates that no decisions were made on CFP issues this week: pic.twitter.com/sZGuJx4yiS— TexAgs (@TexAgs) May 28, 2026Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: CFP expansion uncertain as SEC commissioner weighs options

For most high school athletes, one dominant performance would be enough for one day — but not for Lily Bosnich.A senior at Saint Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois, Lily started her afternoon on the softball field, crushing a home run, driving in two runs and stealing three bases to help secure a 10-0 victory over Marquette.Luckily for her track team, Lily was just getting warmed up.With no time to spare, she sprinted straight to her senior night track meet while still wearing her full softball uniform. Lily lined up for the 300-meter hurdles and blazed across the finish line to take first place in an incredible time of 46.98 seconds.Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High school athlete wins hurdles race while still in softball uniform

Speaking in New York, the Canadian prime minister called for a new relationship between Canada and United States.

On a spring weekend in West Virginia, as classmates and families gathered for the state track and field championships, Becky Pepper-Jackson stepped into the throwing circle carrying a burden far larger than a shot put.The Bridgeport High School sophomore is not only a state champion. She is also the transgender teenager at the center of one of the most consequential LGBTQ+ rights cases now before the U.S. Supreme Court.Pepper-Jackson, 15, won the West Virginia Class AAA girls shot put championship Friday with a personal best throw of 38 feet, 11.75 inches, according to results reported by the West Virginia Gazette-Mail. The victory came roughly four months after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in her challenge to West Virginia’s transgender athlete ban and just weeks before the justices are expected to issue their opinion.A ruling is expected in the coming days.Related: 7 takeaways from Supreme Court arguments about bans on trans women and girls in sportsThe case, argued before the justices in January alongside a challenge to Idaho’s similar law, could determine whether states may categorically exclude transgender girls from girls' athletics under Title IX and the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. The outcome is expected to shape school sports policies nationwide.West Virginia enacted its “Save Women’s Sports Act” in 2021, barring transgender girls and women from competing on female sports teams in public schools and colleges. Pepper-Jackson sued the state with support from the American Civil Liberties Union andLambda Legal after she was blocked from participating in her school’s cross-country and track teams.According to court filings previously reviewed by The Advocate, Pepper-Jackson began receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy before experiencing testosterone-driven puberty. Her attorneys have argued that the state’s assertions about inherent competitive advantage do not reflect her circumstances and that the law unlawfully singles out transgender students for exclusion.Related: Meet the West Virginian Middle School Student Challenging a Trans Sports Ban in Federal CourtRelated: The trans athletes at the center of Supreme Court cases don’t fit conservative stereotypesThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit sided with Pepper-Jackson last year, concluding that applying the law to her likely violated Title IX protections against sex discrimination.Yet during oral arguments in January, several members of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared sympathetic to states defending sports bans. Multiple justices repeatedly framed the issue around competitive fairness and the preservation of opportunities for cisgender girls and women.Justice Brett Kavanaugh described Title IX as an “amazing” law that transformed athletics for women and girls while questioning whether transgender inclusion policies could undermine those protections.Pepper-Jackson’s attorneys countered that the state was attempting to exclude a small and vulnerable group of students from ordinary school life while relying on generalized assumptions rather than individualized evidence.“This case is about the ability of transgender youth like Becky to participate in our schools and communities,” ACLU attorney Joshua Block said after arguments in January.This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trans teen at center of Supreme Court sports case wins West Virginia state titleRELATED7 takeaways from Supreme Court arguments about bans on trans women and girls in sportsWest Virginia can’t ban transgender athletes says federal courtU.S. Supreme Court to hear major court cases on trans women in sports on Tuesday

Missouri just added defensive lineman Dami Sowumni to their class and ahead of some key official visits, the Tigers are trending for more Midwest recruits.Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong and I have made predictions for defensive end Chris Kasky and the Tigers. Kasky said recently that he’s targeting an early June decision. With the Tigers getting him this weekend for an official, that bodes well for their chances.His high school teammate Luke Injaychock is committed to Mizzou already and will be on the visit with him. Indiana has been a threat for Kasky but just picked up a defensive end commit on Thursday.I have also joined colleague Sam Spiegelman on his prior prediction of Belleville (Mich.) wide receiver Tre Britton III and Mizzou. Britton does not visit the Tigers until next weekend, but going into that, we hear good things about him and Mizzou. He had a very good visit there back in the spring and the staff has continued to prioritize him (as has some of the Tiger commits) and show him how he fits their scheme. Michigan gets his final OV and I certainly won’t write off the in-state Wolverines but the intel points to Mizzou right now.Those are the two picks but Missouri has a chance to make big progress with offensive tackle Jack Marquard this weekend. I am also close to predicting Indiana athlete Maalik Moore to the Tigers. He will OV net weekend as well.

A general view of Sutter Health Park during the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. | Scott Marshall, Associated Press The former Oakland soon-to-be Las Vegas Athletics are playing in Sacramento until their 33,000-seat domed stadium under construction on the Strip opens ahead of the 2028 season.But Sactown isn’t satisfied with a temporary Major League Baseball fix. The city formally announced its pursuit of a big league expansion team Thursday. Local investors are seeking an anchor investor to lead the effort, according to Sport Business Journal.Sacramento real estate developer Mark Friedman, the founder/chairman of Fulcrum, said the city would be a could fit for baseball, citing its population and media market size; a ballpark site already zoned and entitled; significant public investment; and the potential for a strong ownership group.“We’re, I think, the most underserved market in the country if you sort of measure population and sports opportunities,” Friedman told Sports Business Journal. “Sacramento is a growing community that is really hungry for sports.”Friedman said $1.8 billion already been raised — $800 million through local investors and $1 billion from the city of West Sacramento in the form of tax increment financingA projected 35,000- to 40,000-seat ballpark would be built on the West Sacramento site of Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats and the temporary home of the A’s. It would also include privately financed mixed-use development. Friedman controls 50 of the 180 acres on the site, per Sports Business Journal.“We know overwhelmingly we’re the best market for Major League Baseball,” said Barry Broome, president and CEO, Greater Sacramento Economic Council.The A’s are averaging 10,634 fans at home so far this season, lowest in the league, per ESPN. The stadium’s capacity is 14,014. Chris Haley, 6, left, and his father Chris Haley, right, of Citrus Heights, Calif., hang out on the lawn area before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. | Alan Greth, Associated Press More competition in the WestSacramento is the latest team in the West to make a pitch for a baseball expansion franchise. In April, the city council in Vancouver, British Columbia, approved a motion to initiate a process that attracts potential ownership groups interested in pursuing an expansion team for the Canadian city. Mayor Ken Sim no taxpayer money is contemplated in the process. A man walks in Stanley Park as the skyline of Vancouver is reflected in water in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. | Jae C. Hong, Associated Press The council could decide on a private sector investor in July.The Globe and Mail in Canada reported in April that there is at least one lead investor group and that actor and Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds could be involved, per the Seattle Times. A stadium site near the Olympic Village from the 2010 Winter Games has been identified.Vancouver currently has one major league sports team, the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. The NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies played there from 1995 to 2001 before moving to Memphis. The city will host seven FIFA World Cup soccer matches in June and July.Front-runners to land MLB expansion team The Larry H. Miller Company and Miller family unveiled renderings for the Power District, a nearly 100-acre site adjacent to the Utah State Fairpark and the Jordan River, Feb. 15, 2024. Here is an aerial view of the Power District looking southeast. | Larry H. Miller Company Salt Lake City and Nashville are widely considered the leading contenders to land an MLB expansion team. Commissioner Rob Manfred favors one new team in the East and one in the West when baseball starts looking at expansion no earlier than 2029. Nashville is the leading contender in the East, while many observers see Salt Lake City as the top prospect in the West.If Vancouver and Sacramento emerge as a serious contender, they would have to compete not only with Salt Lake City but with Portland.A February story in The Athletic called Salt Lake City the frontrunner in the West. But fans in its MLB fans survey didn’t quite see it that way. The publication limited the choices to the six cities that had expansion efforts underway at the time — Austin, Nashville, Orlando, Portland, Raleigh and Salt Lake City. Survey respondents were asked to choose two.While Nashville was the runaway winner at 73%, Portland was second at 47% and Salt Lake City further back at 30%.The Rose City has a head start on the Beehive State, with a group of investors, including NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and his singer/songwriter wife Ciara, launching the Portland Diamond Project in 2017.A coalition of prominent Utahns led by the Larry H. Miller Company, which had owned the Utah Jazz for decades, created Big League Utah in 2023 to pursue an MLB team for the state. Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company, speaks during a press conference where community leaders are celebrating the launch of a community-driven plan to revitalize a half-mile stretch of the Jordan River at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News

Colorado is beefing up its recruiting pressure, as evidenced by several recent commitments and offers to highly rated prospects.Four-star defensive lineman Tyler Alexander is one of the Buffaloes' targets who set his four finalists earlier this week, and on Thursday received several expert predictions from On/Rivals.Chad Simmons, who logged a prediction for Colorado, wrote about Alexander's recent visit to Boulder (subscription required), in which the Florida native raved about his experience."This was definitely one of the best visits I've been on so far," Alexander said to Rivals. "It was my first time there, and I honestly wasn't expecting how beautiful the state was. Colorado is literally right up against the mountains and the views from the stadium almost look fake. It litterally looks like AI in person."The Flatirons can be breathtaking for many people who have never been to Boulder, and Alexander certainly seemed drawn to the picturesque views.Alexander also came away impressed with the coaching staff, saying he spent multiple hours working with the defensive line coaches, going over various scenarios.The Wellington, Florida, native seems like a natural fit, and with him narrowing his list to a final four, a commitment appears close.Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football receives prediction to land DL Tyler Alexander

OKLAHOMA CITY — Mississippi State softball is fairly used to rallying this season.In their first four SEC series, the Bulldogs lost the first game of a series but won Game 2 to force a rubber match. After losing Game 2 of the super regionals, they bounced back to win Game 3 and take the series vs Oklahoma.Now, Mississippi State (43-20) will have to regroup again to avoid being eliminated at the Women’s College World Series. They were run-ruled 8-0 in five innings by No. 11 seed Texas Tech (58-7) in its first game on May 28 at Devon Park.The Bulldogs will face No. 2 seed Texas or No. 7 seed Tennessee on May 29 (6 p.m. CT, ESPN2) in the losers’ bracket.“Still have a lot of trust in this team, what we're doing going forward,” MSU coach Samantha Ricketts said. “We've had our backs up against the wall before. They know for us to be at our best, we have to be loose, having fun, trusting our game. That's where we want to leave everything on the field come tomorrow.”Mississippi State lagged behind the Red Raiders in every facet of the game. The Bulldogs had just two hits to Texas Tech’s seven, their pitchers allowed eight runs compared to the Red Raiders’ zero, and MSU committed two errors, while Texas Tech had none.Ricketts partly attributed the Bulldogs’ slow start to being nervous. This is the first time MSU and any of its players are playing in the WCWS.“I think definitely we could tell there was some nerves,” Ricketts said. “We knew there were going to be. We talked about this week leading up to it, last night. Nerves are a good thing. It means you care. It's about how do you let that fuel you. For us, a little bit too timid early on. That's just not the way we play our best.”Kinley Keller and Morgan Stiles were the only Bulldogs to get on base against the Red Raiders. Stiles made it on with a single in the fourth inning. Keller got on twice, first with a walk in the second and then with a single in the fourth.Keller agreed with Ricketts’ assessment that MSU wasn’t aggressive enough offensively at the start of the game. Stiles said this allowed Texas Tech, particularly starting pitcher NiJaree Canady, to “punch first” while MSU was still working through its nerves at the plate.“We just came in with the plan we're going to get on top of the ball, attack her first pitch,” Keller said. “We waited with that until the third inning. I think we have to attack better starting from the first pitch, because we can do that, we're capable of it.“We let the nerves get the best of us, I think,” Stiles added. “I think we go in tomorrow having full confidence in ourselves and do what we do.”Ricketts said the key to rebounding from the loss is leaning on experience from the regular season. She compared the evening start time to a Friday night game during SEC play. Though ultimately, she added, it comes down to the Bulldogs’ mindset and whether they have faith in their ability to win.“It's the belief that we belong here, we're here to compete, that we expect to win, that we're going to play Mississippi State softball, let it fall where it may,” Ricketts said. “They need to start talking about that, believing it now, not when it's too late tomorrow night.”2026 Women's College World Series scheduleAll times CTMay 28Game 1: Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0Game 2: Tennessee vs Texas (1:30 p.m., ESPN)Game 3: UCLA vs Alabama (6 p.m., ESPN2)Game 4: Arkansas vs Nebraska (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)May 29Game 5: Mississippi State vs Game 2 loser (6 p.m., ESPN2)Game 6: Game 3 loser vs Game 4 loser (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)May 30Game 7: Texas Tech vs Game 2 winner (2 p.m., ABC)Game 8: Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner (6 p.m., ESPN)May 31Game 9: Game 5 winner vs Game 8 loser (2 p.m., ABC)Game 10: Game 6 winner vs Game 7 loser (6 p.m., ESPN2)June 1Game 11: Game 7 winner vs Game 9 winner (11 a.m., ESPN)Game 12 (if necessary): Game 7 winner vs Game 9 winner (1:30 p.m., ESPN)Game 13: Game 8 winner vs Game 10 winner (6 p.m., ESPN2)Game 14 (if necessary): Game 8 winner vs Game 10 winner (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)June 3Finals Game 1 (7 p.m., ESPN)June 4Finals Game 2 (7 p.m., ESPN)June 5If necessary, finals Game 3 (7 p.m., ESPN)Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Mississippi State softball plans to regroup, avoid early WCWS exit

Washington Wizards' John Wall, left, and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, pose for photos after Tatum announced that the Wizards had won the first pick in the NBA basketball draft lottery in Chicago, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)2026-05-28T19:34:01Z The NBA approved sweeping changes to the draft lottery on Thursday that will strip the teams with the worst records from receiving the best odds of winning the No. 1 pick, something the league hopes will prevent tanking.A vote by the league’s Board of Governors made the plan official for the next three seasons. The “3-2-1 Lottery” proposal expands the event to 16 teams, flattens odds of winning the No. 1 pick and will try to deter teams from tanking by lowering lottery chances for teams that have the worst records.They can still win the lottery, but they’ll have to buck odds to do so. The three worst teams will have 5.4% odds of winning, while teams that finish with the fourth- through 10th-worst records will all have 8.1% chances of winning.“Since October, the league office has met with key stakeholders to discuss current competitive incentives and solicit ideas aimed at discouraging tanking,” the league said Thursday in announcing the move. “That process led to the creation of the 3-2-1 Lottery.” ESPN reported the vote was 29-1, with Memphis casting the lone dissenting ballot.The vote on Thursday fulfilled a promise from Commissioner Adam Silver, who vowed that the league — which has changed the lottery system about a half-dozen times in the last 40 or so years — would strongly address the tanking issue before next season. Starting with next year’s lottery, the 16 participating teams will all get somewhere between one and three lottery balls — the 3-2-1 part — awarded in this manner: Read More — The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in games in both conferences will get one lottery ball each.— The No. 9 and No. 10 seeds going into the play-in tournament will get two lottery balls each.— The remaining 10 teams that miss the playoffs and the play-in will all get three lottery balls — with the exception of the three worst teams in the standings. They will enter “draft relegation” and have one of their lottery balls taken away, which is the anti-tanking part of the plan. Tanking was a huge — and from the league standpoint, regrettable — talking point this season. The Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 “for conduct detrimental to the league” over the way two top players were held out of the fourth quarter of a pair of games, one of which the Jazz actually won. The Jazz had reason to limit their win total this season; too many victories would have meant risking a chance to have a top-eight pick in next month’s draft, a pick that Utah wound up securing.Utah was among five teams — draft lottery winner Washington, Indiana, Memphis and Brooklyn were the others — that had winning percentages below .180 after the All-Star break. There had never been a season where so many teams lost so regularly after the break, until now.Under the new plan, the teams that finish with the three worst records cannot fall below the No. 12 pick. But the best odds of winning No. 1 would go to the other seven teams that miss the play-in and the playoffs.The No. 9 and No. 10 play-in seeds would also have a 5.4% chance of winning the lottery, and the losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in games would both have a 2.7% chance. There are other caveats within the new plan, including that no team can win back-to-back No. 1 picks and that the NBA will now have “expanded disciplinary authority” to address tanking — with potential moves including lowering teams’ lottery odds or even changing draft positions.The new rules will be in effect through 2029. The Board of Governors will have to vote again, at some point, to either extend the new plan or come up with a different one before the 2030 lottery.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba TIM REYNOLDS Reynolds is an Associated Press sports writer, based in South Florida. twitter mailto

The moment Jannik Sinner walked off the court at Roland Garros on Thursday, having been defeated by the unseasonable European heat wave as much as Juan Manuel Cerundolo, the French Open became a tournament that will be determined only in part by who plays the best tennis.The next week and a half in Paris is going to be mostly about the mind.Without Sinner or the injured Carlos Alcaraz in the draw, one of two things will happen:Either 39-year old Novak Djokovic, who is essentially a part-time player on the ATP Tour these days and struggles physically in best-of-five set matches, will win his 25th Grand Slam and prove definitively that the second tier of contenders on the men’s side is as weak as it’s ever been.Or, conversely, somebody who’s never won a major title will step up and take advantage of an opportunity that may only happen once in their career.So who’s it going to be?Alexander Zverev, arguably the best player in the history of men’s tennis without a Slam, has turned into a basket case every time he’s gotten close to the big prize. The pressure on him now is going to be unlike anything he’s ever experienced.Casper Ruud, tennis’ quintessential nice guy and a two-time French Open finalist, might finally have his big shot. But are you really going to trust someone who has never shown any killer instinct to grab this moment by the throat?Are any of the 19-year old hot shots like Joao Fonseca or Rafael Jodar truly ready for something this big?After more than 20 years where a small handful of players have dominated most of the majors, a fascinating situation is unfolding at Roland Garros.But also a situation that could make the current crop of contenders a generational laughingstock.If the 39-year-old Djokovic wins this tournament for the fourth time, it will rightly be celebrated as the monumental achievement it is. Whatever Djokovic’s legend already is, winning a Slam title this close to age 40 would amplify his claim as the greatest of all time by a level or two.Novak Djokovic uses ice cubes to cool down during his men's singles match against Valentin Royer on day 4 of the French Open.NurPhoto via Getty ImagesOn the other hand, what would it say about the collective makeup of the 20-somethings not named Alcaraz or Sinner that if they let a physically declining old guy who barely plays on the tour wrestle away the best chance they will ever have to snag a major?It would be borderline unforgivable. An indictment of a mentally soft generation of tennis players that can’t make it happen when it matters. A disgrace.With all due respect to Djokovic — and he deserves mountains of it — this should not be happening.Look, the guy is still an amazing athlete just for still being in the fight and wanting it as much as he does after winning his gold medal at the 2024 Olympics and completing any goal he ever had in tennis.It is not easy to have that discipline to train, to stay in amazing physical shape, to keep trying to find ways to improve and adjust your game when there’s no obvious motivating goal. An aging body only makes it more of a challenge — and Djokovic quite often comes onto the court these days and looks like he’s on the verge of physically falling apart.There is absolutely no reason for him to still be doing this other than this reality: Outside of Sinner and Alcaraz, he smells weakness. And with good reason.Just go back to the 2020 U.S. Open — the last time a men’s major was this wide open. If you remember, Roger Federer was injured. Rafael Nadal decided not to make the trip because of COVID concerns and his preparation for the French Open, which had been moved to the fall. Djokovic was there but got defaulted when he smacked a ball in anger and hit a linesperson in the throat.Suddenly, someone was going to win a Slam who wasn’t really supposed to. And the tennis that took place as a result was … well, let’s just say it reflected the enormity of the moment for pretty much everyone. That final — won in a fifth-set tiebreaker by Dominic Thiem over Zverev, who led two sets to none early on — produced some of the nerviest, most pressure-impacted, tentative tennis you will ever see on such a big stage.It was not pretty.But it was also a lesson — perhaps for Djokovic most of all. Even as he conceded at the 2025 U.S. Open that holding up in best-of-five matches against both Alcaraz and Sinner in the same tournament was unlikely, he knew that it would only take one injury or a bad day for this kind of opportunity to land in his lap.Now here comes a Roland Garros where everyone remaining in the draw will think they have a shot to win it. That may be more of a curse than a blessing for most of them.If all these young contenders don’t have what it takes to step up to the moment or push through their mental scar tissue at the business end of Slams, Djokovic will be more than happy to pick up the pieces.And the crazy part is that Djokovic often just looks like another guy when he plays these days — except when the pressure’s on. Since his surprise Australian Open final, Djokovic has played two tournaments, going 2-2 with losses to Jack Draper and Dino Prizmic.Even in his second round match Wednesday, Djokovic needed nearly four grueling hours to dispose of 74th-ranked Valentin Royer.But for the rest of the field, beating him at a Slam these last couple years is as much of a mental challenge as a physical one — and guess who’s got the best mind in the history of tennis? Even at 39, that doesn’t go away.If this turns into a test of who’s got the fearlessness to meet the biggest opportunity of their career, history says they will all crumble and Djokovic will go home with one more big trophy.If the Zverevs and Ruuds of the world let that happen when they’re in their physical prime, they deserve to be mocked — and Slam-less — for the rest of their careers.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes that tanking is a scourge and the biggest current threat to the league. Now he has his radical solution to "fix" this problem.By a 29-1 vote, the NBA Board of Governors voted to approve the new "3-2-1" lottery system that will go into effect next season. The new system both expands the number of teams in the lottery to 16 (up from 14) and dramatically flattens the odds, making it less likely that any one team will win. This new system actually punishes the teams with the three worst records in the league, they will have less of a chance than teams that finish 4-10, providing an incentive for teams to win games near the end of the season.It also is set to make the NBA Lottery draw into a live televised event — not an unveiling of picks drawn in a back room, as is currently done, but the picks will come out live on air.How the “3-2-1" system worksHere's how this system breaks down:• It's called the "3-2-1" system because of how many ping pong lottery balls a team gets.• The lottery now includes 16 teams: The 10 teams that miss even the play-in, the four teams that finish ninth or 10th in their conferences, plus the loser of the 7/8 play-in game.• Also, the lottery will be drawn all the way through the No. 16 pick (currently, only the top four are drawn by the lottery and it is reverse record order after that). However, the teams with the three worst records can fall no further than 12th.• The three teams with the worst records will be "draft relegated" (still a terrible name) and be penalized for their struggles by only getting two lottery balls, giving them a a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick.• The teams with the 4-10 worst records will receive three lottery balls each and an 8.1% chance at the No. 1 pick.• The teams that finish as the No. 9 and 10 seeds in each conference will each get two lottery balls and a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick (the same as the teams with the three worst records).• The teams that lose the 7/8 play-in for each conference get one lottery ball, and with it a 2.7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick (for example, this season that would have been Orlando and Phoenix).• The first 16 picks of the second round would be the reverse of the first round. To use this year's draft as an example, because the Wizards have the No. 1 pick, they would pick 46th overall in the second round, while a team that slid to 16th would have the 31st pick, the first of the second round. (That is different than the current system, where the second round is based purely on record. For example, Brooklyn had the third-worst record in the league, dropped to sixth in the first round because of the lottery, but will have the No. 33 pick, the third in the second round, regardless.)• Teams cannot win the No. 1 pick in consecutive years.• Teams cannot have top-five picks in three consecutive years. (Consider this the Spurs rule, it is clearly a direct reaction to them after some people were unhappy the Spurs got to draft Victor Wembanyama No. 1, Stephon Castle No. 4 and Dylan Harper No. 2 in three consecutive years.)• This new plan also grants Silver dramatically expanded, unchecked authority to punish teams he perceives as tanking, including fines of up to $10 million, taking away ping pong balls, or even forcing them to surrender draft picks.• This system is set to sunset after three lotteries (after the 2029 draft) and will either be retained, modified (again) or scrapped.What are pros and cons?On the positive side, this system is going to do what Silver and the owners intend: There is far less incentive to tank, and more teams will compete through the end of the season to avoid landing in the bottom three. If you believe that tanking is the biggest blight the league faces today, this is a huge win.On the negative side, there are real concerns about how this change, starting next season, will affect already-traded picks or might dampen the market for trading future first-round picks. If a team sees better odds of potentially moving up in the draft, those picks become more valuable and less likely to be traded.The lone no vote on the new plan was from Memphis, because they are screwed over by one of the odd provisions of this system, where the restrictions on a pick stay even if it is traded. Memphis owns the rights to Utah's first-round pick next year (part of the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade), but because Utah drafted fifth last year (Ace Bailey) and will pick second this year, their pick cannot fall in the top five — even though that is now Memphis' pick. Meaning Memphis can't pick higher than sixth next year with the Utah pick (Memphis did not know that at the time of the JJJ trade).The timing of this new plan is crucial for the perception Adam Silver wants. Next year at this time, he will be taking a victory lap about how there was no tanking (even as unintended consequences quickly start to appear), but the reality is there would have been less tanking next year because it's seen as a much weaker draft class. This year saw nine teams tanking by the end because it is a particularly deep class with multiple franchise-changing, cornerstone players at the top and quality players well down the board. Next year, nobody was tanking for that class before this was approved.The other knock is that this moves the league further away from the original purpose of a draft — to redistribute talent and allow the worst teams to draft the best players. It's how the NFL does it: The Las Vegas Raiders had the worst record, so they get to pick Fernando Mendoza. Now, a genuinely bad NBA team could be screwed over and drop dramatically multiple years in a row.On the positive side, it will force those same front offices to be far smarter and more creative in building out a roster rather than hoping for lottery luck.

Liverpool to land Ibrahima Konate replacement in cut-price dealIbrahima Konate has entered the final weeks of his current deal at Liverpool. As things stand the Frenchman will become a free agent on 1 July, although negotiations have been ongoing for some time to try and keep the defender at Anfield.These discussions haven’t always been productive however, and the Reds now find themselves in a stalemate.If an extension cannot be agreed Richard Hughes will be forced into signing another central defender this summer, with a deal for Jeremy Jacquet already agreed.Liverpool’s recruitment team will be keeping a close eye on the market, and one former target has just been put up for sale at a cut price.Liverpool to land former target in cut-price dealSeveral defenders have been linked with a switch to Anfield in recent months, and it isn’t just Konate who has an uncertain future.Both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are about to enter the final 12 months of their deals and, if both were to leave, Liverpool would be left with a real lack of experience at the back.The Reds can resolve that issue this summer though, as Juventus defender Gleison Bremer has now been placed on the transfer list for just €40 million (~£35m).That’s according to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, who claim that Juve need to raise funds after failing to qualify for the Champions League and that Bremer is one player they are willing to part ways with.The Brazilian is valued at €48.5 million by FootballTransfers, and Juve paid €51 million for him – so the €40 million asking price seems a very reasonable fee.Known for his strong aerial ability, the 29-year-old has experience playing in continental competitions and has made nearly 200 appearances in the Italian topflight.That experience will be vital for Liverpool as they look to rebuild their defence, and Bremer should definitely be a player the Reds look at this summer.

Leeds United Target £14m Goalkeeper Who Could Transform Their Season: Right Call For Daniel Farke?Braga’s 6’5 goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček has been hogging the headlines across Europe with his performances this season, and Leeds United have now emerged as a genuine suitor for his signature, according to Portuguese outlet Bola na Rede. Daniel Farke has grown frustrated with his goalkeeping options at Elland Road over the past two seasons, with a new number one firmly established as a top summer priority.Leeds United target a 23-year-old goalkeeper who kept 12 clean sheets in PortugalHorníček’s numbers from the 2025/26 Liga Portugal campaign tell their own story. He conceded 32 goals and kept 12 clean sheets in 33 league appearances, posting a save percentage of 69.16% after stopping 74 of the 107 shots he faced. He prevented 2.67 goals above expectation in the league, which placed him among the very best in the Portuguese top flight. He also completed 78% of his total attempted passes, which showcases a composure on the ball that neither Karl Darlow nor Lucas Perri has consistently offered at Leeds.Leeds United face a stubborn Braga and fierce competitionBraga are expected to play hardball in any talks to sell the goalkeeper this summer, with no negotiations currently taking place between the two clubs. Braga president António Salvador has already sanctioned the sale of Rodrigo Zalazar to Benfica, and the club now regard Horníček as a player they simply cannot afford to lose in the same window. Braga are instead focused on renewing his contract at the Municipal Stadium, reflecting how central he has become to their plans.FC Porto and Benfica are both monitoring the situation, and if either club lose their first-choice goalkeeper this summer, they could move swiftly for Horníček. His inclusion in the Czech Republic’s preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup adds further weight to his growing profile and will only push his market value, currently assessed at around €14 million, higher.Should Leeds United commit to signing Horníček?BRAGA, PORTUGAL – JANUARY 30: Lukas Hornicek of SC Braga in action during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between SC Braga and S.S. Lazio at Estadio Municipal de Braga on January 30, 2025 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)This is the right call from Farke, and the reasoning is straightforward. Lucas Perri has saved just 56.7% of shots he faced this season, placing him in the bottom 8.8% of Premier League goalkeepers. That is not a small problem; it is a structural one that costs Leeds United points every month. Horníček represents a meaningful, evidence-based upgrade rather than a speculative punt.The concern, though, is timing and ambition. Braga are stalling, Porto and Benfica are watching, and a World Cup looms that will inflate his price further. Leeds United must decide quickly whether to place a serious bid or redirect resources elsewhere. Dithering at this stage, something Leeds have done before in transfer windows, could cost them a goalkeeper who genuinely fits what Farke wants to build at Elland Road.

Midfielder confirms he's ready to join LiverpoolA midfielder is ready to join Liverpool and he just confirmed it. Liverpool are expected to focus heavily on strengthening the midfield this summer, mainly because there are starting to be a few concerns around some key players in that area.Curtis Jones is the biggest talking point right now. His contract is down to its final year, and there still hasn’t been much movement over a new deal. That’s naturally led to plenty of rumours about what could happen next.At the moment, there’s a growing sense that Liverpool might be open to letting him leave if the right offer comes in. It’s not a certainty, but it’s definitely a situation the club is keeping a close eye on.Because of that uncertainty, Liverpool are also starting to think more seriously about their long-term midfield plans. Keeping stability in the middle of the pitch is becoming one of the club’s main priorities heading into the transfer window.There’s also been interest from other European clubs in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, even though both players are tied down until 2028. Neither player is expected to leave anytime soon, but Liverpool are fully aware that top clubs are monitoring them closely.That said, the situations are slightly different. Szoboszlai’s future actually looks quite encouraging right now. Discussions with the club are believed to be moving in a positive direction, and there’s growing confidence that Liverpool will eventually sort out an agreement to keep him at Anfield for the long run.Things are a little less clear when it comes to Alexis Mac Allister. Reports suggest talks over his future have slowed down in recent months, which has naturally created some uncertainty around what he wants long term, despite how important he’s become to the team.Because of that, it seems Liverpool are already starting to think ahead and consider what the midfield could look like in the future if they ever needed to replace him.For now, though, it’s still difficult to see Liverpool letting Mac Allister leave this summer. The club would only even think about it if a massive offer arrived. He’s been one of Arne Slot’s most important players, a guaranteed starter when fit, and someone the team heavily relies on in midfield.Still, Liverpool also know they can’t ignore the bigger picture. Mac Allister’s current deal only runs until 2028, and the club will eventually need to make a decision about what comes next.Age is another factor Liverpool are likely considering. Mac Allister will turn 28 later this year, and by the time his contract starts getting closer to expiring, he’ll already be approaching 30. Historically, Liverpool haven’t been keen on handing out long-term contracts to players in that age bracket.That’s why this summer could realistically represent the last major opportunity for Liverpool to sell him for a huge transfer fee if they ever decided to go in that direction.But then if Mac Allister goes, who could come in and replace him?Well the answer just became obvious. Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Adam Wharton recently and on Wednesday night he confirmed he was ready to join the Reds with a brilliant performance.Playing in the Europa Conference League final, Wharton delivered a masterful performance being named the Man of the Match on the night and helping Crystal Palace secure the first ever European trophy in the club's history.Wharton's excellent performance on the night. The way he was able to constantly play through balls and forward passes confirmed he is ready to join Liverpool.If Mac Allister is the man to depart Anfield, then Wharton will be his perfect replacement. The Crystal Palace midfielder is absolutely ready to make the next step in his career, and Liverpool would be an excellent choice for him to continue to his development as a player.

Xander Zayas looks to reach the next phase of stardom. | Getty Images As we inch closer towards the June 27 super welterweight title fight between Xander Zayas vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, both fighters sit down with Chris Mannix on behalf of DAZN to discuss their impending battle. Both fighters present extreme confidence leading into the bout and neither were willing to get caught up in the assessments of the other. Zayas on if he’s fighting Boots because it’s the most lucrative option“It’s never been about the money. Never. I mean, when I fought for the two belts it was never about the money. When they gave me the Vergil Ortiz fight it wasn’t about the money, Sebastian Fundora, wasn’t about the money. Boots, it’s not about the money. It’s about the legacy. I want to be the best and this is how you make it happen.”Zayas on calling Boots a weight bully“He was. Look at Stanionis, look at all the guys he’s faced at ‘47. He was way bigger, way more athletic than all those guys and they going in there thinking or knowing ‘once you hit me, I don’t want to get hit no more, that’s it.’ When you got a guy as big as you, as athletic as you, as hungry as you, it’s a whole different story.”Boots on the criticism from Zayas“If I would’ve fought them same two guys that he just fought, the whole world would be bashing me for sure. That’s how you know I’m on a different level and I’m going to show him there’s levels to this boxing game. Like I said, solid fighter for sure, getting better, but I’m going to be too much for him. All this is going to be too much for him.”Boots on why he thinks Zayas will be a sitting target for him“I watch a lot and I seen him and he don’t really move his head too much. I never really seen (him) fight before until recently…I been at the level for a while now. I know what it takes to be up here and it’s different up here. And like I said, I’m glad he took the fight and he going to see. I don’t really got too much to say, for real for real. If he makes any mistakes he’s going to pay, for sure. Guaranteed.”Zayas on what he sees in Boots that gives him so much confidence and his plans to take his heart from him“He’s never been uncomfortable. He’s never had to make an adjustment ‘cause all these guys were tailor made for him to look good. Come fight night he’s going to be uncomfortable and he’s going to be 10 steps behind me. Simple.“He’s going to get to a point where his head, his brain won’t be able to give him the answers he’s looking for, his body won’t be able to react. And when that times comes he’s in deep waters now, he’s in trouble. And then that’s when his heart is going to come with me. He’s not going to be able to handle it.”

UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins has agreed to a three-year contract extension, which will keep him with the Knights through the 2029-30 season.The extension follows a successful season where Dawkins led the Knights to the NCAA Tournament, marking the second at-large berth in program history. The 2025-26 campaign saw UCF open with a 12-1 start, the best under Dawkins, and finish Big 12 play with a 9- 9 record, the program’s best since joining the league ahead of the 2023-24 season. Overall, the Black and Gold finished the year with a 21-12 record, securing their second consecutive 20-win season under Dawkins.The 2025-26 season was notable for the Knights averaging 80.7 points per game, which is the highest scoring average under Dawkins and the most by a Knights team in the Division I era. The Knights earned a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they faced No. 7 seed UCLA in Philadelphia, losing 75-71. This NCAA Tournament berth was achieved despite an unprecedented roster overhaul, as UCF was one of only two teams in the country, alongside Miami, to reach the tournament without returning any scoring production from the previous year’s roster.Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel has admitted that stopping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early will be one of GT’s biggest priorities when they face Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 on Friday.The 15-year-old batting sensation heads into the knockout clash in red-hot form after producing one of the most destructive innings ever seen in an IPL playoff match. Sooryavanshi hammered 97 off just 29 deliveries against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, smashing 12 sixes and completely dismantling SRH’s bowling attack.The RR opener also equalled Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest IPL playoff half-century, reaching the milestone in only 16 balls. He came agonisingly close to breaking Chris Gayle’s all-time record for the fastest IPL century before falling three runs short. However, Sooryavanshi did surpass Gayle’s long-standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, taking his tally to 65 maximums.With Rajasthan Royals now preparing to take on Gujarat Titans for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, much of the attention has shifted towards how GT plan to contain the teenage superstar.Speaking ahead of the clash in New Chandigarh, Parthiv Patel acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary form and revealed that Gujarat Titans have already spent time analysing his batting closely."I am feeling good about the way he is batting. Hopefully, we will try to take him out early in the game. As all the teams are planning, we have seen the videos. Hopefully, we will be able to execute our plan. But what it is, we will be able to tell you when we are on the ground," Patel told reporters.Patel also praised the youngster’s fearless batting approach while making it clear that GT would prefer not to see him settle at the crease."He has been a phenomenal talent, just the way he has been playing. It's great to see. From the opposition's point of view, we hope that he doesn't get going tomorrow," he added.One of the key contests in Qualifier 2 is expected to be Sooryavanshi’s battle against Gujarat Titans’ pace attack, particularly new-ball bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.Sooryavanshi has enjoyed a staggering season with the bat, scoring 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85. His campaign includes one century, four fifties, 55 fours and 65 sixes, underlining the sheer dominance he has displayed throughout IPL 2026.

🎙️ Florentino Pérez: I won't debate Enrique RiquelmeAfter presenting the extension of his project at the helm of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez continued his campaign today by repeating attacks on his opponent at the polls: businessman Enrique Riquelme.The club’s acting president gave an interview on TVE to offer his view on topics as varied as the new coach, the role of Anas Laghrari, Riquelme’s financial guarantee, and Vinicius’ renewal.Head-on against Riquelme and NegreiraPérez admits he called elections because “I was detecting a movement in the shadows with the intention of destabilizing the club” The president has linked Riquelme’s candidacy with an old adversary. “They are the same people from Ramón Calderón, the darkest period in the club’s history,” he maintains. “I love Real Madrid very much. And if I think they’re coming after it, here I am,” he explained about the early election call.Cox’s loan📸 Angel Martinez - 2026 Getty ImagesAlthough Bloomberg has corrected the report they published about Riquelme’s business activity, Florentino attacked him anyway. “They say he has asked for a loan at 54% annual interest... How can someone ask for that? I’m saying what Bloomberg says, I’m not making anything up.”“It gives the impression that he has come because he needs the club for his company,” he explains.Florentino Pérez rejected Enrique Riquelme’s offer to hold a face-to-face debate during the election period and defended himself against accusations that he wants to privatize Madrid. “That’s what the bad guys say. LaLiga wanted to take revenue away from us to distribute it among everyone, something unheard of that we managed to stop. The only way to protect our assets is for the club’s value to pass to the members,” he explained.Who is Anas Laghrari?“They say he wants to be president, when he isn’t even old enough to be president. He simply helps us. He knows just enough about football, but he helps us in the world of technology.”New manager and renewalsOn the possibility of signing José Mourinho again, he acknowledged that “he is a good coach” but also that he had not spoken to him yet. “I’m not going to announce it,” he said.📸 FILIPE AMORIM - AFP or licensors“I want him to stay, he is one of the best in the world,” he explained regarding Vinicius Jr.’s contract renewal.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

The Vikings completed a second round of General Manager interviews on Thursday, Alec Lewis of TheAthletic.com reports.It is unclear whether the Vikings will need more due diligence before a decision, but the expectation has been that they would make a hire by early June.The Vikings reportedly had a second round of interviews with their executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt, Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Rams assistant GM John McKay and Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasley. Brzezinski has been doing the job in Minnesota on an interim basis since they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler and Lions Assistant GM Ray Agnew were other candidates in the first round and Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander declined an interview request. The Vikings fired Adofo-Mensah after four seasons on Jan. 30.

Nature, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01598-2Treatments aim to bulk up failing hearts to restore their vigour – but can the field move on from past controversy?

The collision on the Queensboro Bridge involved an e-scooter that is not legally allowed to be used on the streets of New York.

The Orlando Magic will host its sixth annual Magic of Inclusion Youth Basketball Clinic on Friday, May 29, at the South Econ Recreation Center in Orlando. The event will be facilitated by Mike Simmel, founder of Bounce Out The Stigma, and will provide 50 scholarships through the Kieran Patel scholarship fund.The clinic runs from 9 am to 1 pm. The Patel scholarship fund honors Patel, a reporter for the Magic Report and a dedicated basketball fan who passed away in January 2025.The clinic will feature expert instruction from coaches, all-inclusive skills and drills instruction. Attendees will also receive a Magic-branded basketball along with Magic swag.Limited spots are still available for the clinic. Interested participants can register by clicking here.Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

WEST LAFAYETTE − Aiden Humphrey is usually on the other side of the starting lineup introductions.The Harrison senior catcher awaits each individual's name being called and has a distinct, individualized handshake for each of them as Raider starters take the field.During Harrison's May 12 senior night game against West Lafayette, that wasn't the case. Nobody knew it yet, but a made-for-movie night at Raider Field was about to happen. The fact that Harrison won 12-4 was basically inconsequential. Anything beyond the first inning was, really.In the dugout prior to the game, Harrison baseball coach Pat Lowrey is fighting back tears, if not because Humphrey, for the one and only time, will be on the other side of those starting lineup introductions, then because Lowrey also penciled in his son, pitcher Jeremy Lowrey, along with shortstop Lannon Nicoloff, who both missed their senior seasons due to Tommy John surgeries. Injured seniors Bryce Schwartz (right field) and Charles Ellison (left field) also stood out of harm's way, but as starters, trotted off the field after that first pitch.Lowrey (Stetson) and Nicoloff (George Mason) have already signed with Division I programs, ensuring this wasn't their final time stepping on the diamond in a game.Three months earlier, Humphrey was supposed to be a pivotal part of the Raiders in 2026.In February, he felt a flutter in his chest during an offseason workout. As a precautionary measure, assistant coach Kerry Yoder advised Humphrey to see the athletic trainer. It was a decision that cost Humphrey his final chance to play varsity baseball for Harrison, but also one that possibly saved his life.Further testing determined Humphrey has a heart condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which causes an irregular heartbeat."I have an extra electrical pathway in my heart, and it's just way too much, so it causes tachycardia (a faster heartbeat)," Humphrey said.Multiple doctors ordered Humphrey to stray away from anything physical. Humphrey, though, continued to beg and plead to play his senior season, first with doctors, then coaches, then doctors again. Pat Lowrey didn't want to deprive Humphrey, but he didn't want to go against doctor's orders either. "He was in my ear, and I wanted to," Lowrey said. "But I also didn't want something to happen."The day before senior night, Humphrey showed up, smile in tow, with a note from his cardiologist permitting him to have one at-bat.On senior night, batting second, designated hitter Aiden Humphrey. More: 2026 Lafayette area IHSAA sectional baseball pairings, resultsBy the time Humphrey went to the on-deck circle in the bottom of the first inning, Pat Lowrey was already hunched in the corner of the dugout, eyes still welled from the top of the first. Jeremy Lowrey started on the mound, delivering a first-pitch fastball for a strike, with Nicoloff standing in a defensive position behind him, even though West Lafayette had made a gentleman's agreement that the leadoff hitter would take the first pitch.Both were pulled following a heartfelt embrace that lasted far longer than your typical mound visit. "It was surreal. I was so happy because I never thought I was going to step on the field this year, even for one pitch," Nicoloff said. "Getting to do that for at least even one pitch with Jeremy on the mound, it felt like it was back to the good old times."If senior night ended there, it was enough, but all eyes turned to Humphrey as his name echoed over the speakers and he stepped into the batter's box. "It was one of the cooler moments I've had on the field," said Pat Lowrey, who once pitched McCutcheon to a state title and coached Delphi to a state championship appearance. "I finally stopped crying, and then Aiden gets up there in the bottom of the first and I'm an emotional wreck again."Humphrey went up and took a huge hack, swinging for the fences. Understandable for someone who hasn't seen live pitching in at least six months. He'd work the count full, fouling off a couple pitches in the process, when he saw the pitch he'd been waiting on."He just takes a swing, and it was surreal seeing our guys react," Jeremy Lowrey said. "It was the coolest thing I've ever seen by a long shot."That's because Humphrey pulled a pitch down the left field line. Pat Lowrey stood up, trying to wave it far, à la Carlton Fisk for the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 World Series. The ball didn't need much convincing. It sailed over the fence.Humphrey, who wasn't supposed to do anything physical, broke into an adrenaline-fueled sprint rather than a home-run trot. He still wasn't fast enough to beat his teammates to home plate, who eagerly awaited to swarm Humphrey."I was happy and sad at the same time. I didn't want to cry, but I almost did," Humphrey said. "I choked up for a moment. It was one of the best moments of my life, easily. I kind of started running a little too fast. I wish I would've embraced the moment a little bit more, but running around yelling, looking at all my friends coming out of the dugout, that was an amazing feeling. All of it was very surreal."Humphrey had a supraventricular tachycardia ablation two days later, where surgeons put two catheters in his leg, went up through his main artery, and zapped the extra pathway out.In his one varsity at-bat as a senior, Humphrey's stat line reads: 1-for-1, solo home run."You see 18-year-old kids jump up and down, crying, and it was really an unbelievable moment," Pat Lowrey said. "It's one that he's earned, which is the coolest thing about it. It was a special night."Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Harrison senior hits home run after heart diagnosis

First T20, Chelmsford India 188-7 (20 overs): Rodrigues 69 (40); Bell 3-34England 150-8 (20 overs): Jones 67 (48); Sharma 3-34India won by 38 runsScorecardEngland suffered a chastening pre-T20 World Cup defeat as they were completely outplayed by India in a 38-run defeat in Chelmsford. Chasing 189 to win, England stuttered to 150-8 as questions remain around their batting line-up before the tournament begins in June. Openers Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley fell cheaply before Amy Jones made a fluent 67 from 48 balls, but the run-rate climbed out of control as they collapsed from 120-3. The returns of Danni Wyatt-Hodge from maternity leave and Nat Sciver-Brunt from injury cannot come soon enough for England's stuttering top order. Extras also proved a big difference, with England giving away 21 compared to India's three. Lauren Bell gave England the perfect start with two wickets in the first over, including star batter Smriti Mandhana from the first ball of the innings before Shafali Verma fell for two. But Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia remained unflustered, taking 27 from the second over bowled by Issy Wong to kickstart their counter-attacking third-wicket stand of 126. England's standards in the field slipped again when they were under pressure, but stand-in skipper Charlie Dean led an encouraging fightback by removing both set batters in the 14th over.Bhatia was run out for 54 and Rodrigues was caught and bowled for 69 as India slipped from 133-2 to 148-6, including debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman's first T20 wicket as Richa Ghosh was superbly caught by Wong. But Deepti Sharma, so often a thorn in England's side, struck four boundaries in her 22 from 13 balls at the death to ensure India's middle overs brilliance was not in vain as they finished on 188-7.The three-match series continues at Bristol on Saturday, where Wyatt-Hodge is in contention to feature for the first time this summer.Sciver-Brunt recovery 'going to plan' but captain yet to bowlEcclestone targets World Cup glory after mental health struggleFielding woes in the spotlight againThe all-too-familiar narrative that has followed England over the past few years is already beginning to re-emerge, of sweeping aside lower-ranked opposition with confidence before cracks are exposed against teams of a much higher quality.They immediately had India on the back foot as Mandhana inexplicably chipped her first ball to cover before Verma whacked one to mid-on for two, but that pressure eased just as quickly with Wong's wayward over which included three wides, two of which beat Jones to the boundary.Bhatia and Rodrigues were sublime in their fearless approach, targeting England's superstar in Sophie Ecclestone and both reaching 31-ball half-centuries.Rodrigues played with her usual wristy effortlessness, while England struggled to the left-handed Bhatia who was playing her first T20 since 2024.They reached 73-2 after the six-over powerplay, which is the highest powerplay score against England in T20s and their aggression forced the mistakes from England. Dunkley, Corteen-Coleman and Bell all misfielded for boundaries, while Jones missed a rare stumping with Bhatia on 51.There was plenty to admire in how Dean revived England, though. She held her nerve to assist Corteen-Coleman with Bhatia's run out off her bowling, before holding on to the sharp chance to dismiss Rodrigues who hammered the ball back at her. Wong's catch was an outlier, a fantastic effort running backwards from cover after Ghosh's reverse sweep, and Dean was proactive in bringing her seamer straight back into the attack with confidence behind her. Wong immediately delivered the wicket as England showed glimpses of fighting back, but their lack of control after Bell's opening burst proved too costly.England's middle order worryWithout Sciver-Brunt's experience and calming presence, England's batters look scrambled and they have little time to iron out the creases.Dunkley continued to attack at the top of the order, launching Kranti Gaud for an enormous six down the ground in the second over, but was caught at mid-on two balls later trying to repeat the dose.Capsey also fell to Gaud for six, and is expected to make way for Wyatt-Hodge as opener, but former captain Heather Knight's middle-order form leaves a big decision for head coach Charlotte Edwards.This was Knight's 310th appearance, overtaking Edwards' own England record, but her 24-ball 21 piled the pressure on all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson as they came in needing to score at 10-an-over from the get-go.She only managed two fours, which led to Kemp holing out for eight and Gibson caught on the boundary first ball, as England collapsed and India's fielders again displayed their remarkable improvement over the past couple of years, holding on to all of their chances with impressive calmness.The return to form of Jones is one box ticked for now, as she found fluency from a new position at three, but even that change of order suggests England and Edwards are still unsure of their best approach. With the flagship home World Cup just a few weeks away, England desperately need to find their formula before their opener on 12 June.Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett WhitlockAs soon as the Boston Red Sox appear to have a good thing on their hands, this season has shown a tendency to snatch that thing away. The Red Sox's bullpen was beginning to form a bit of an identity during their occasional May winning streaks. When righty Justin Slaten came off the injured list, Boston had a trio of relievers that could seemingly get them through the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings reliably. Unfortunately, that formula unraveled when Slaten and Garrett Whitlock had some recent rough outings, and then the news got far worse.On Thursday, prior to the series finale against the Atlanta Braves, the Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation. He was replaced on the active roster by left-hander Tyler Samaniego, who was previously optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. The #RedSox today placed RHP Garrett Whitlock on the 15-Day Injured List (retroactive to May 25) with left knee inflammation. To fill his spot, Boston recalled LHP Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester.— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 28, 2026Whitlock's season was off to a tremendous start, even after his rough outing on Sunday spiked his ERA from 2.79 to 3.20. There's really no replacing him as one of the most prolific setup men in the sport, especially as he's proven to be almost equally dominant against right-handed and left-handed batters. Samaniego has a 1.04 ERA on the year, but it's definitely a bit of a smoke-and-mirrors situation. His FIP sat at 3.88 entering Thursday, and he also doesn't have nearly the same pedigree Whitlock has in high-leverage situations. Do you have a take to get off your chest? Do you want to engage in a growing Red Sox community? Comment on our content alongside staff and fans alike!While a knee injury for a pitcher isn't necessarily as concerning as an arm injury, the Red Sox could ill afford to lose one of their best run preventers as they try to climb back from eight games under .500. All that can be done is to hope that Whitlock recovers quickly, and that relievers like Slaten, Samaniego, and Greg Weissert can hold down the fort to some degree. More MLB: Craig Breslow Talks Coaching Changes With Red Sox Job 'On the Line'

If the NWSL wants its true Galáctico moment, this could be it. Not another Brazilian winger or Mexican superstar, not another U.S. women’s national team veteran in a video holding a scarf in front of a skyline, but two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas walking into an American stadium like she owns the place. That move is no longer an EA Sports FC fantasy. Days after winning another UEFA Women’s Champions League title, Putellas announced she is leaving FC Barcelona Femení after 14 years. Now, the question is whether she will come to the NWSL. Thanks to the league’s new High Impact Player rule, also known as the “Rodman Rule,” a move for Putellas is suddenly less smoke and more of a profit and loss challenge for clubs. The rule, introduced by the NWSL last December amid fears of losing Trinity Rodman to Europe, allows clubs to exceed the salary cap by up to $1 million for marquee players who meet specific commercial and sporting criteria. Now, the question is who has the deepest pockets to sign her and lure her away from any European competitors who may be able to offer more. The Athletic explores this and which market could satisfy Putellas’ ambition to add more trophies to her collection. Boston Legacy’s secret weaponIf Michele Kang doesn’t bring Putellas to the London City Lionesses and turbocharge the club ahead of its first WSL campaign, then Boston Legacy suddenly feels like the cleanest landing spot.The fit is almost suspiciously perfect: an ambitious expansion side desperate for a global face of the project, a Portuguese manager who wants her teams to dominate the ball, and former Barcelona executive, Domenec Guasch, already in the building as the club’s general manager. Plus, it is one of the few clubs in an urban setting with direct flights to Barcelona, and thanks to the league’s new High Impact Player (HIP) rule, has the financial flexibility to structure a deal for Putellas realistically. The Boston franchise assembled a surprisingly deep and international roster for their inaugural season, bringing players like Barbara Olivieri, Josefine Hasbo and Alba Caño (who made a brief appearance for Barcelona on loan last year). The team is capable of progressing the ball, but still in need of a game-controlling attacking midfielder, the kind of player who can dictate tempo, unlock defenses and consistently produce moments of magic in the final third against opposition. Putellas wouldn’t just improve Boston’s front line, she would also fundamentally define coach Filipa Patão’s high-press, ball-dominant style. Her ability to break lines and orchestrate possession is exactly the kind of midfield gravity this team needs to function at an elite level. More importantly, she is the sort of transformational signing that changes the conversation around a club overnight. Boston would no longer look like a smartly assembled expansion side with potential, but a legitimate title contender with global ambition. From a league perspective, the storyline writes itself. Putellas lining up against fellow Spanish star Esther González and Gotham FC would instantly pour gasoline on a Boston–New York rivalry the NWSL is so desperately trying to turn into a marquee derby.The fit, though, is where things could get interesting. At 32, Putellas may still prefer Europe’s Champions League ecosystem, especially with reported interest from England already heating up. The WSL side offers shorter travel, familiar prestige and Kang apparently collects elite women’s football assets the way she collects designer handbags — and plot twist if she loans Putellas to the Washington Spirit for much-needed drama in the NWSL.—Asli PelitGotham FC’s Spanish connectionWhy would Gotham make a play for Putellas when they have – checks roster – some of the best attacking players in the world already? Let me explain.It is safe to say Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West has her eyes on the best players in the world whose contracts are expiring. The club jumped the moment they could to sign Guro Reiten from Chelsea, timing it closely with her exit from the club and avoiding major fees. I can see a similar approach with a player like Putellas. It’s clear that goal-scoring is something that Gotham has struggled with this season – Putellas would certainly help remedy that.The team also has the benefit of having two key Gotham members with ties to Spain – Putella’s Spanish teammate Esther Gonzalez and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós. This would help make the transition into the NWSL a smoother one, and can’t be ignored as a potential upside for a player when considering all her options.There’s also what Gotham can offer Putellas off the pitch. They are on the verge of a potential move to New York City, with hopes of playing at NYCFC’s new stadium, Etihad Park. Playing in the first soccer stadium in the city would be a major selling point for any player considering a move overseas. The Queens Classic against the Spirit at Citi Field in July, too, could be a potential selling point, sweetening the offer by showing an (expected) proof of concept. Gotham has mastered building a championship-winning roster within the confines of the salary cap already – having HIP funds means they now have a slight boost to continue doing what they’ve been doing so well. If any team can find creative ways to make a player of Putella’s caliber fit in their roster, Gotham can. The other question is, why would Gotham need a player like Putellas, considering their current roster? Because the NWSL season is long. We are already seeing the impact of injuries on Gotham’s roster. The defenders they rely on most (Bruninha and Mandy Freeman) haven’t even played a single minute this season; you could blame the offseason they barely had for that.The more options they have, the better, especially with the 2027 FIFA women’s World Cup coming up. Plus, Gotham loves a good marketing campaign. What’s better than “come watch two reigning World Cup champions as they prepare to defend their title in Brazil?”—Melanie Anzidei Angel City’s proven track recordAngel City only knows how to take big swings. From its star-studded group of investors, to its marquee expansion signing of Christen Press in 2021, to drafting Alyssa Thompson out of high school in 2023 (and her sister Gisele later that same year), the Los Angeles club’s aspirations have been as unapologetic and far-reaching as the Hollywood Hills.It’s taken some time for this relatively new team to align its commercial and community goals with its on-field product. Like many expansion sides, Angel City’s roster and front office have changed considerably since its inaugural NWSL season back in 2022:the club is under new ownership,Press has retired, andAlyssa has taken her talents across the Atlantic to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. But as a club, Angel City’s goals have never wavered. They’ve brought in pedigreed staff in sporting director Mark Parsons and manager Alex Straus, implemented a style of play, signed young talent eager to compete, and relocated to the largest performance center solely dedicated to an NWSL team.All that’s missing now is a star — or rather, a queen. La reina.Call it my West Coast bias, but Los Angeles is easily the best market for Putellas to continue her career after stepping away from her beloved Barcelona. Now more than ever, Angel City is in a prime position to welcome her into the team and fold her into their plans from a sporting perspective. With gritty midfielders like Nealy Martin and Maiara Niehues anchoring Angel City’s defensive exploits, Putellas would have the freedom to launch an attack and combine with Ary Borges, Sveindís Jonsdottir, Kennedy Fuller, and certainly Gisele Thompson to produce, well, absolute cinema in front of goal.I have heard concerns that European players struggling with the distance of a west coast address. That said, I have to wonder to what extent that distance might close when the player has the superstar status of Putellas, and when the adopted city is Los Angeles, where her off days will be filled with industry parties, commercial opportunities, and, just maybe, enough beach trips to blur the lines between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.—Tamerra GriffinHonorable mentionsGriffin: On the one hand, the Washington Spirit have long been spoiled with talent and depth; you don’t reach two consecutive NWSL finals (and a third in the recent Concacaf W Champions Cup) without both. And is there a front office that knows how to facilitate a HIP deal better than the Spirit? President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter spearheaded the club’s effort to keep Rodman in the league, after all. Bringing Putellas into Rowdy Audi is the kind of challenge I can see appealing to owner Michele Kang, though it would require some supreme maneuvering of funds and potentially players. Anzidei: Maybe the recency bias of hearing club president Karen Leetzow talk about the Chicago Stars’ ambitions after firing their GM has my mind wandering. It’s a long shot, but the club is clearly in desperate need of a big-name signing – to that end, the Stars should be targeting players of Putella’s caliber. They certainly seem to have the money for it and could use an attacking player after losing Ludmila to San Diego. They have a new training facility on the horizon as a selling point – and can likely make a compelling financial case for the Barcelona legend. Also, if they’re able to bring in a new GM with experience wooing big-name stars like Leetzow alluded to, then it may not actually be that big of a long shot, after all — so long as Putellas is willing to look past Chicago’s lackluster start to their 2026 campaign.Pelit: If head coach Seb Hines brings Putellas to Orlando, the second half of the NWSL season would be terrifying for the rest of the league. The Pride already have the league’s most dominant attack with unstoppable Barbra Banda, Jacquie Ovalle and Marta, operating as the connector underneath. Add Putellas into that structure, she would immediately solve the Pride’s midfield orchestration against elite defensive blocks, while also taking over the possession and final-third control they so desperately need. Financially, Orlando is one of the few NWSL clubs that could realistically pull off a move of this magnitude. The Wilf family has both the resources and the appetite to spend big, and the club has never been shy about flexing its financial muscle when it sees a chance to elevate the project.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage, Seattle Reign, Orlando Pride, Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit, Angel City, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave, Utah Royals FC, Bay FC, Denver Summit FC, Boston Legacy FC, NWSL, Women's Soccer2026 The Athletic Media Company

The Oklahoma City Thunder will attempt to close out the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals. One more victory and the defending NBA champion Thunder will advance to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks. The Spurs need to win Game 6 to force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City.How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio SpursDate: Thursday, May 28Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PTWhere: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TexasTV Channels: NBC, PeacockLive Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo SportsOddsSpread: San Antonio Spurs -3.5Moneyline: San Antonio Spurs -159 (59.0%) / Oklahoma City Thunder +134 (41.0%)Over/Under: 219.5Series schedule, resultsGame 1:Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (2OT)Game 2:Thunder 122, Spurs 113Game 3:Thunder 123, Spurs 108Game 4: Spurs 103, Thunder 82Game 5: San Antonio at Oklahoma City (Tuesday May 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)Game 6: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (Thursday May 28, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)*Game 7: San Antonio at Oklahoma City (Saturday May 30, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)** if necessary

London Spirit have unveiled a striking new blue kit for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, with the franchise incorporating the iconic “egg and bacon” colours associated with the historic Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) into the design as a tribute to Lord’s heritage.The famous yellow-and-red striped pattern has long been linked to MCC members, whose traditional ties, blazers and caps remain a familiar sight at Lord’s during Middlesex fixtures and England Test matches. The MCC also owns Lord’s and holds the majority stake in London Spirit, making the tribute a symbolic nod to the venue’s rich cricketing history.The new kit launch comes as preparations gather pace for another season of The Hundred, England and Wales Cricket Board’s 100-ball competition that was introduced in an effort to recreate the commercial and entertainment success of the IPL in India.London Spirit head into the new season with several high-profile names in their squad, including Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Adam Zampa, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton and David Willey.The franchise has also strengthened its coaching group with the appointment of former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as mentor and batting coach. The role marks Karthik’s first support-staff position with a franchise team outside the IPL.Unlike England’s traditional county structure, The Hundred features eight newly-created city-based franchises designed to appeal to a wider and younger audience. London Spirit represent the capital and play their home matches at Lord’s, widely regarded as the “Home of Cricket”.The Hundred: Format explainedThe format itself differs significantly from both ODI and T20 cricket. Each innings lasts a maximum of 100 balls, with bowlers allowed to deliver either five or 10 consecutive deliveries. No bowler can bowl more than 20 balls in an innings, while ends are changed every 10 balls rather than after each over.The competition also includes a 25-ball powerplay, during which only two fielders are permitted outside the circle. No-balls result in two runs plus a free hit, and slow over-rates can lead to fielding restrictions for the bowling side.One of the tournament’s unique features is its simplified presentation, with the competition avoiding traditional terms such as “overs” in favour of “sets of five balls”. Matches are designed to finish within approximately two-and-a-half hours to create a faster and more viewer-friendly experience.

Canada hockey World Championships schedule: Times, TV channels, live streams to watch every 2026 IIHF game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Team Canada enters the 2026 IIHF World Championships in Switzerland looking to reassert themselves as the hockey capital of the world.While the sting of their Olympic silver in Milan remains fresh, the program's recent dominance at the worlds has established a blueprint for success that relies on a relentless transition game and superior depth.This year’s squad, headlined by a new wave of generational talent, aims to solidify Canada’s grip on the world rankings and prove that their path to the top of the podium is a permanent fixture of the international hockey calendar.Here's the complete schedule for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships, including TV channel and streaming information.How to watch Team Canada men's hockey at World ChampionshipsTV channel: TSN networksLive stream:TSN.ca, TSN+Tune into every Team Canada game on the TSN networks, with coverage throughout the tournament.For the full schedule, check out below.Team Canada hockey schedule at 2026 World ChampionshipsAll of Canada's Group B games will be played at BCF Arena in Fribourg, SwitzerlandDateGameTime (ET)Watch/ScoreFriday, May 15vs. Sweden10:20 a.m.Canada 5, Sweden 3Saturday, May 16vs. Italy10:20 a.m.Canada 6, Italy 0Monday, May 18vs. Denmark10:20 a.m.Canada 5, Denmark 1Thursday, May 21vs. Norway10:20 a.m.Canada 6, Norway 5 (OT)Friday, May 22vs. Slovenia10:20 a.m.Canada 3, Slovenia 1Sunday, May 24vs. Slovakia2:20 p.m.Canada 5, Slovakia 1Tuesday, May 26vs. Czechia2:20 p.m.Canada 3, Czechia 2Thursday, May 28vs. USA (QF)10:20 a.m.Canada 4, USA 0Saturday, May 30vs. Finland (SF)2 p.m.TSN4, TSN.caCanada World Championships rosterFORWARDS (15)PlayerTeamGabriel VilardiWinnipeg JetsConnor BrownNew Jersey DevilsRobert ThomasSt. Louis BluesDawson MercerNew Jersey DevilsDylan CozensOttawa SenatorsMark ScheifeleWinnipeg JetsEmmitt FinnieDetroit Red WingsMacklin CelebriniSan Jose SharksDylan HollowaySt. Louis BluesSidney CrosbyPittsburgh PenguinsRyan O'ReillyNashville PredatorsJohn TavaresToronto Maple LeafsFraser MintenBoston BruinsPorter MartonePhiladelphia FlyersDEFENSEMEN (8)PlayerTeamDylan DeMeloWinnipeg JetsDenton MateychukColumbus Blue JacketsSam DickinsonSan Jose SharksEvan BouchardEdmonton OilersDarnell NurseEdmonton OilersZach WhitecloudCalgary FlamesParker WotherspoonPittsburgh PenguinsMorgan RiellyToronto Maple LeafsGOALIES (3)PlayerTeamCam TalbotDetroit Red WingsJack IvankovicUniversity of MichiganJet GreavesColumbus Blue JacketsCanada World Championships men's hockey coaching staffPositionNameHead CoachMisha DonskovAssistant CoachSpencer CarberyAssistant CoachRyan HuskaAssistant CoachD.J. SmithGoaltending ConsultantScott MurrayRelated LinksLatest NHL news and rumorsFull NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26How to bet on the NHL

The International Cricket Council has announced an all-female panel of match officials for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking the third consecutive edition of the tournament to feature only women officials.The marquee tournament, scheduled to begin in England and Wales from June 12, will see 14 umpires and four match referees oversee 33 matches across the competition.Among the new inclusions are Candace La Borde, Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste and Shathira Jakir Jesy, all of whom are set to make their Women’s T20 World Cup officiating debut this year.Claire Polosak set for sixth Women’s T20 World CupVeteran Australian umpire Claire Polosak will once again headline the officiating panel as she prepares for her sixth Women’s T20 World Cup appearance.Polosak is the most experienced official in the group, having already stood in 22 matches at the tournament across previous editions. Fellow umpires Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton are also set to reach a major milestone, with both gearing up for their fifth World Cup assignment after officiating in 19 matches each.Nine officials from the 2024 edition have retained their places in the latest panel, highlighting continuity and consistency in officiating standards at the global event.The four-member referee panel includes returning officials Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi and Michell Pereira, while New Zealand’s Trudy Anderson joins the group for the 2026 edition.ICC highlights commitment to representationICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said the panel reflected the governing body’s commitment towards increasing representation across all areas of the sport.“This panel of match officials for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 reflects the ICC’s commitment to expanding the scope of representation to all facets of the sport,” Gupta said in a statement.“The ICC takes into consideration a comprehensive, holistic, and evidence-based account while assessing its sports officials and their decision-making performance.“We are delighted to see the progress made by these officials and the elevated standards of officiating they demonstrated during ICC CWC 2025.”Gupta further added that the tournament is expected to become “the biggest women’s sporting event in the world”, with the officiating panel playing a crucial role in maintaining elite standards throughout the competition.The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales is expected to be one of the biggest editions in the tournament’s history, with growing global interest in women’s cricket continuing to push the sport into new territory.ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Officials:ICC International Panel of Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Anna Harris, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Candace La Borde, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Suzanne Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Jacquline Williams, Gayathri VenugopalanICC International Panel of Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michell Pereira

The hockey world continues mourning the death of NHL legend Claude Lemieux, and one of the most emotional reactions came from a man once considered his greatest on-ice enemy.Former Detroit Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty shared a heartfelt message Thursday following news that Lemieux had passed away at the age of 60.For hockey fans, the names McCarty and Lemieux are permanently tied together through one of the fiercest rivalries in NHL history. But McCarty’s message made it clear that whatever hatred once existed between the two players on the ice had long evolved into something very different away from it.Darren McCarty posts emotional statementMcCarty took to social media shortly after news of Lemieux’s death spread across the hockey world.“Just heard the news on #ClaudeLemieux,” McCarty wrote. “This is extremely sad no matter what feelings from past or present you hold. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and people who got to see the person off the ice wasn’t the person on. As I’ve said and will always call it as I see it.”McCarty then referenced the complicated relationship the two shared throughout their careers.“If your on the ICE with Claude Lemieux and your turn your back. YOU Are an IDIOT. But off the ICE I’ll turn mine.”He ended the message with a plea directed toward anyone struggling mentally.“And please. If you are struggling at all please reach out and talk to someone.”“Godspeed my friend.”Rivalry between McCarty and Lemieux became legendaryThe rivalry between McCarty and Lemieux helped define one of the nastiest eras in NHL history.Everything exploded during the 1996 Western Conference Final when Lemieux delivered a devastating hit from behind on Red Wings forward Kris Draper. Draper crashed violently into the boards and suffered multiple facial fractures, a concussion, and required reconstructive surgery.For Detroit, the incident became unforgettable.For McCarty, it became personal.The tension boiled over months later during the infamous “Fight Night at the Joe” game on March 26, 1997. McCarty attacked Lemieux during a massive brawl that erupted between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, creating one of the most iconic moments in NHL history.That game featured nine fights and 148 penalty minutes and remains one of the defining moments of the Red Wings Avalanche rivalry.Relationship softened years laterDespite years of bitterness, the relationship between McCarty and Lemieux eventually changed.As time passed, both former players appeared together in documentaries and interviews revisiting the rivalry, including ESPN’s “Unrivaled.” While McCarty openly admitted he never fully forgave Lemieux for the Draper incident, the two developed a level of mutual respect away from the rink.That history made McCarty’s emotional response Thursday especially powerful for longtime hockey fans.Lemieux’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the hockey community, with tributes continuing to pour in from former teammates, opponents, and fans around the world.For many, McCarty’s words served as a reminder that even the fiercest rivalries in sports can eventually give way to humanity, respect, and compassion.

President Trump has increasingly adopted a posture of nonchalance when pushed on the political consequences of his actions.

The disaster at the mill in Longview, Wash., that took at least two lives was greeted with sadness but not surprise by a community that knew cutbacks and other pressures had raised risks.

The American blockade and Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz have created a stalemate that is neither peace nor raging conflict, with both sides attempting economic strangulation on the water.

After attacking the Texas attorney general, who won the G.O.P. nomination, Senate Republicans are pivoting sharply to support him in what is now a competitive race.

A top administrator at the university’s College of Dental Medicine recommended Karyna Shuliak for an advanced residency program, which he oversaw.

As Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) went through negotiations about a Senate bill related to college sports, the “Lane Kiffin Rule” became part of the final text. The provision would prohibit teams from hiring coaches until after their respective seasons.While Kiffin’s name does not directly appear in the 111-page bill, titled the Protect College Sports Act, Cruz confirmed his departure from Ole Miss from LSU before last year’s College Football Playoff led to the provision. It also draws inspiration from the NFL’s rule on coaching hires.[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]“It is absolutely the Lane Kiffin provision,” Cruz said on Andy & Ari On3. “That is how we envisioned it and that’s what we drafted. It says that a university cannot recruit or hire a head coach or an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, while the season is happening or during the playoffs.”When it comes to enforcement, Cruz said it’s about giving the authority to prevent schools from hiring coaches before the offseason. He also said coaching changes before season’s end should not happen, considering it doesn’t in the pros.“I think what happened with Lane Kiffin was really unfair to the student-athletes,” Cruz said. “It’s not fair, if you’re playing, to suddenly have your coach leave in the middle of the season as you’re going into the playoffs and have your coach go to a competitor. I just think that’s bad for the system.“It’s enforced by giving enforcement authority to prevent any other school from hiring them or bringing them on board. By the way, you can still compete for coaches. Just don’t do it in the middle of the season and screw up the season for the student-athletes and for the fans.”How ‘Lane Kiffin Rule’ would fit in calendarThe “Lane Kiffin Rule” also came up during discussions about the SCORE Act, which publicly collapsed last week and was once again pulled from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was the included in the Senate’s bipartisan bill, which is drawing attention from across the college sports world.Of course, the current calendar creates questions about how the provision would apply. After the 2025 college football season, the transfer portal opened Jan. 2 – the same day 16 teams played their bowl games. Four programs were also left standing in the CFP competing for a national championship, but had their own window to enter the portal if they played beyond the two-week slot.SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business NewsletterWhen asked about how the bill would apply to the calendar, Sen. Ted Cruz said the carousel would become part of the offseason. He pointed to the NFL’s approach to barring interviews until teams are done competing.“The way we set it up is that you can’t hire or recruit during the season or until the end of the playoffs,” Cruz said. “So you’ve got the whole window of the offseason, and that’s the way the NFL works right now.“The NFL is the most successful sports business in the world, so I think if it works for the NFL, it would work just fine in college and there’d be plenty of time to recruit coaching talent in the offseason.”

The Carolina Hurricanes return home with a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in two decades, after a 4-0 road victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night."You can't come to a game and not just feel the excitement," said Hurricanes fan Denise Lingenfelser.Carolina has a sellout streak dating to 2023 and has had the best home record in the NHL during the past two seasons."I keep feeling this is the year (the Cup) is going to come back," Lingenfelser said."Watching their style of play, it's an old school style of hockey. The aggressiveness has been fun to watch," added Felipe Alzamora, who stopped by the Carolina Pro Shop on Thursday.The Hurricanes have made the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, the longest streak in franchise history, and are behind only the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning in terms of active streaks across the league.The 2026 Stanley Cup Final will start either June 2 or June 4: pic.twitter.com/wOIn4sJvPP— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 28, 2026"I definitely think that there's huge excitement because of how they've been performing the last eight seasons," said fan Corbin Smith. "I think Rod Brind'Amour being our head coach is huge, too. He obviously was a part of the Cup in (2006), so it's important now that he's our head coach."After dropping Game 1 of the series, the Canes have rattled off three straight wins, including overtime victories in Game 2 and Game 3."They roll all four lines. They have tremendous defensive pairings. (Frederik) Andersen is truly on his game in goal," said fan Nelson Dollar. "They have all of the elements that you have to have in order to have a winning hockey program.""A lot of the players that we've had for so long have been working really hard and hopefully are going to get the Cup for us," said Smith.The team's success has also brought attention to its unique culture."Southern teams tend to bring their college traditions, so they bring their tailgating, they bring their enthusiasm," Dollar said. "They bring their year-round commitment to the team, and that has now been adopted by the Carolina Hurricanes.""We've watched hockey come down here and then be a part of us, but it took a while for it to grow. I (had) never watched hockey until the Canes came down here and started this establishment, so it's just taken a while for it to grow. But you can't be around it and not feel it, and I think that's why it's such a huge fanbase now," Lingenfelser said.Michael Malloy, better known on social media as "Carolina MiC", has been creating videos backing the Canes throughout this playoff run."Once I saw the energy from the fan base and from the team and how Lenovo Center just goes berserk, it was hard not to want to do something for the fans," Malloy said.He said fans have been reaching out for Hurricane video requests."I couldn't have written a movie or planned a script of what's going on right now," he added.Game 5 is Friday night at 8 at the Lenovo Center.Download the ABC11 News app

When the ball fell into SUNY Niagara third baseman Mike Schaefer’s glove and the dog pile on the mound started, head coach Matt Clingersmith was in tears. They were not tears of sadness but happy tears as he thought about all that it took to win a national championship.The process culminated with a 12-8 win over Rowan College South Jersey-Gloucester, Wednesday night at the NJCAA College World Series. But, it started long before that when Clingersmith was first hired 20 years ago and tried to build the program into what it is today.It even started before he was ever hired on as a part-time head coach at the junior college. It started when he was playing at the NJCAA level with Erie County Community College. He made it to the college world series as a sophomore hurler and learned what it took to get there. But now, over 30 years later, the journey is complete.Clingersmith did not pave the road to a national championship overnight. He had to fall short and take his time building a level of sustained success.“No one knows how hard I’ve worked to do it 20 years,” Clingersmith said. “I wasn’t full-time right away, so it was a lot of sacrifice, a lot of travel, a lot of miles on my car to recruit great players, a lot of hours spent in basketball gyms in the winter, 7 to 11, all those hours. So just tears of joy, more for our guys because they were there with me and they believed in me and their parents did.”In Clingersmith’s first season, the program went 6-11 before having its first winning season the next year at 24-23. That was just the beginning for the Thunderwolves and their success. He reached the Region III tournament for the first time in 2008 and reached the College World Series for the first time in 2012.The win completed a run for SUNY Niagara that started back when head coach Matt Clingersmith was first hired 20 years ago. HIs teams have always had success as evidenced by his 754-233-1 overall record, 94-38 record in the postseason and a 23-18 record at the NJCAA Division III World Series. But they had never won the whole thing.“Every team is a little bit different. We’re writing our own story this year,” SUNY Niagara head coach Matt Clingersmith said. “Last year was unbelievable. I think that (2021) team set the path and gave us experience to that. … So I think that team set the tone for this and to get better players in the past and the upcoming years. You can clearly see they’re both special to me.”The Thunderwolves runs to the national championship game have not come in years where they have been necessarily dominant. That has been the case in each of the team’s four trips to the national championship game. This year’s title came one year after SUNY Niagara won a then program record 51 wins and headed into the tournament rolling at 49-0.In every one of the previous three trips to the final game, SUNY Niagara won significantly more either the year before or the year after the run. In 2011, the Thunderwolves went 48-11 before making it the next year at 39-22-1. The next time they made it was in 2017 when they went 47-10, one year after going 45-7 and one year before going 40-7.That trend once again continued by taking a 34-11 record into the final game in 2011 before falling short with a 49-11 record in 2022. After last year’s perfect season being ruined in the college world series, it left Clingersmith wondering whether or not his team would ever win the whole thing. That question was answered by a team that Clingersmith said stuck together, even after they lost six games heading into the college world series, this year’s squad was inseparable.Between 2012 and 2017, the Thunderwolves failed to make the college world series twice. But since 2017, the team has made it five times including this year.“I had a vision that we'd get to the World Series. I never thought we'd win one,” Clingersmith said. “Obviously, we came close. We were three-time national champ runner-up, and then that started to become a reality. And then I was like, maybe it's not ever going to come for me. And then last year I thought we'd have it. And fortunately, this year’s team didn’t fold.”Last year’s team were riding high heading into the college world series with the aforementioned 49-0 record having run through the Region III tournament while only giving up seven runs in five games. But then they faced Century College and lost 4-1 and they had to figure out a way to regroup, which they did winning the next two games before the season came to an end with a loss to Dallas College Richland.This year’s team was tested earlier than last year’s team, they started 11-0 before suffering its first two losses of the season. They would suffer four more losses this season including one late in the season to Corning Community College on May 2, which served as a turning point in the season.It forced the team to come together and live up to the team’s motto of “Forget about me, I love you.” on a daily basis no matter the obstacles they were facing.Even though they were trying to make history, the players were not thinking of it like that. They took the proverbial rear view mirrors off and were just looking through the front windshield.“We were focused on this year's team, not last year's,” sophomore Cooper Rossano said. “And we were just focused on getting the championship and focusing on our story, and not last year's being rewritten.”

ORCHARD PARK — Signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was the first real sign the Buffalo Bills were looking to become a little more feisty, a little meaner and more physical.Gardner-Johnson is by no means a dirty player, but he plays with an edge. He’s the type of player Bills fans are going to love and opposing fans are going to hate. The Bills wanted more such players.But the first notion the Bills were seeking a different breed of player came at the NFL scouting combine, when new head coach Joe Brady uttered the phrase, “Bills Red.”“We talk a lot about Bills Blue-type of players. We also want some Bills Red guys,” Brady said. “Some guys that have an edge, a little bit of personality to them.”The term “Bills Blue” became public a few years ago as a tag the team uses for draft prospects that fit the culture, character and work ethic the Bills are searching for. It has nothing to do with draft position, as players like Josh Allen, Landon Jackson and Zane Durant are among the players to earn the designation over the years.The Bills Red tag is a little less defined. In the past, the Bills have used a “Rambo” tag on players. That’s a prospect that seeks violence on the field.He’s got to have what the Bills call B.S.U. or “Blow S— Up.” At the minimum, a Bills Red player must have an edge or toughness to the team, but there’s no series of boxes to check.“When we get through Bills Blue, we say they must check all these boxes,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane told GNN Sports. “If they don’t check one of them, they’re not Bills Blue. Red’s not exactly like that. It’s not like an official thing in our manual. But it’s kind of understood an edgier attitude (or) personality to whatever side of the ball.”Every organization has standards for prospects, and some are considered untouchable in the draft. There are frequently highly-graded players who tumble in the draft or are undrafted because of personality, criminal or injury history.The previous coaching staff was more rigid in the players they felt were right for the Bills, whether it was on-field concerns or off. The Bills still aren’t interested in players who run afoul with the law, but they want more players that can flip a mean switch when they step onto the field.Offensive lineman Alec Anderson was the player Brady was speaking about when he first mentioned Bills Red. Anderson has been an enforcer for the Bills whenever he’s gotten an opportunity to play. He got into a scuffle with undrafted rookie Hayden Harris during training camp last year, leading to Anderson’s ejection from practice.Anderson hasn’t been accused of dirty play by any other teams or teammates, but former coach Sean McDermott was blunt in calling that particular situation dirty. Any time Anderson is on the field and there’s a scrum, he’s likely the reason it started or he’s at the center of it to defend a teammate.“You can never be tough enough,” Beane said. “You have to go into some tough environments on the road. Guys that have no fear of any situation, any moment. And if we came across some guys, it wasn’t like we said we have to add five of those or we need them at these positions. It’s just like if the right player with the right skill set with the right Bills Red mentality, and it all fits, let’s add it to the group.”In the past, players could thrive in the sport — even in the NFL — by being physical. It could often be a tiebreaker for a player on the roster bubble. But the league has largely taken hitting out of practices.Teams only being allotted 16 padded practices during the preseason. And they are given 14 in the regular season, with 11 in the first 11 weeks in and three over the last six.“Because that’s their comfort zone, a lot of these guys coming from college (say), ‘I’ll just make it physical. Then I’ll show them who I am,’” Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said. “NFL rules don’t always allow for that.”But physicality still matters in games. It can mask other physical deficiencies a player might have and it can be the difference in winning and losing games.Whether it’s in the trenches or running backs that run through tackles or linebackers who run through ball carriers, it’s usually an indicator of what the final outcome will be. Wide receivers and cornerbacks who battle every play can gain an advantage through a willingness to play with or play through contact.Even Allen has demoralized opponents when he slips out of a tackle or a sack due to the brute force he plays with.“Every year you say not the most talented team won, the most physical team won,” Beane said. “... Tone-setters, like guys coming across the middle. Legally, how much can you intimidate them? Obviously the rules have changed over the years and you can’t decapitate a guy, but there are ways of how physical you can be within the rules of the game to send messages at whatever position you play.”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Olivia Miles could hardly have found a better place to launch her WNBA career. The Minnesota Lynx might well have landed their latest franchise player.In a season of transition and transformation across the league, coach Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx have shrugged off the loss of a big chunk of their formidable 2025 team to start 5-2 and take sole possession of first place after a surgical victory over Atlanta on Wednesday.With star Napheesa Collier sidelined following ankle surgery and five of the top eight players from last year gone, Miles has calmly and confidently taken over as the point guard for a title contender. That's an uncommon situation for the second overall pick in the draft, but there's nothing ordinary about Miles.“She has this pause and burst that’s really, really special. She plays with her eyes so well. Her manipulation of defenders is like no player I’ve ever seen,” said Reeve, who has started her 17th season as head coach and fourth with the dual role of president of basketball operations. “There’s just so many places she can go from a tempo standpoint, to help us play a little faster.”Off to a strong startMiles, an All-American who led TCU to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament two months ago after putting off the draft by a year and transferring from Notre Dame for her final college season, had 21 points and eight assists in her WNBA debut for the Lynx three weeks ago. She was the first rookie guard to start the opener for Minnesota since Monica Wright in 2010. Miles has scored in double digits in all seven games, the longest streak to start a season for a Lynx rookie since Seimone Augustus had nine straight 10-plus-point games in 2006. Miles is the fourth player in league history to average at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists through her first seven career games, following Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker. “I always kind of think to myself that I’ve got this,” Miles said. “I always have to walk on the court with that energy, especially as a point guard, in the most humble and confident way, just being the leader on the court and trusting in my work and what I can do.”Fitting in just fineMiles has repeatedly been able to use her vision and quickness to get to the rim, pleasantly surprised to find more open space in the lane than in the college game. She has seamlessly formed a productive pick-and-roll duo with newcomer Natasha Howard, too. Playing defense for the demanding Reeve, who desires intense ball pressure from her guards, has been the steepest learning curve, but Miles has by all measures handled herself well on that end of the floor.She has the right personality to fit in with a veteran team, too.“I have to have the confidence to speak up and to let my game flow and get my teammates open and reassure them that everything’s going to be OK," Miles said.She is a cat lover and a self-proclaimed video game nerd who seeks regular time outside in nature as an antidote to the high-pressure environment she's in on the court. The native of New Jersey is proud of her roots, too: She had the names of her parents and brother sewn into the suit she wore to the draft. The bookish look Miles sports with goggles on the court and glasses off of it is not for show, either. Smarts run in the family, with her mother Maria (chemical) and father Yakubu (software) both engineers by trade.For the foreseeable future, Miles will be a professional basketball player, a “generational point guard” that Reeve coveted in the draft. She had one a decade ago in Lindsay Whalen, who just happens to be an assistant coach on the staff. Miles promised Whalen she'd pepper her with questions about playing the position in the league and for Reeve, and soon after the draft she was looking up Whalen highlights to refresh her memory of her style and skills.“She wants to get better. She wants to work every single day,” Whalen said. “I love her energy.”With only four returning players from last season's final roster, Minnesota is tied with Washington for the fewest among the non-expansion teams in the league. That includes Collier, who has yet to play. So while there's plenty being asked of this rookie right away, Miles has already endured her share of challenges, from a torn ACL that kept her out of action for more than a year at Notre Dame to the criticisms that came her way after she left for TCU.“I learned my self-worth and to bet on yourself in moments where it may seem risky or it may not work out, and look where I’m at now?” Miles said. “I’m just so grateful that I waited one more year, or else I wouldn’t be here.”___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

A key moment at a Senate primary debate in Michigan showed how pro-Israel Democrats are approaching the issue with caution.

Treasury Secretary Bessent backed the idea, which would require legislation allowing a living person to appear on currency.

Abhijeet Dipke’s “Cockroach Janta Party” has emerged as the unexpected voice of young people feeling let down by the government and struggling to find jobs.