Guyva Mputu, a vendor at the Masina market, displays bushmeat for sale in Kinshasa, Congo, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi)2026-05-30T04:14:19Z KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The vendors of wild meat at the sprawling Masina Market in the Congolese capital don’t always display their goods openly. Customers must ask for whatever they’re looking for, whether it is a giant swamp rodent or the severed parts of an antelope.Others occasionally sell in the open, like the women who preside over impossibly large baskets of squirming caterpillars at the market in Kinshasa.For many in Congo and elsewhere in Central and West Africa wild meat is a craving and a key part of the cultural milieux. Even a disease as punishing as Ebola, currently ravaging a remote part of eastern Congo, has failed to stem demand for wild meat from the Congo Basin, an expansive forested ecosystem sometimes called Earth’s second lung. The Congo Basin is rich in all kinds of wildlife, from great apes to serpents — both of which are hunted for their meat. One consequence for locals is exposure to zoonotic diseases such as Ebola. Although Ebola is generally not spread by food, cases in Africa have been associated with hunting, butchering and processing meat from infected animals, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. “Once there is human, animal and environment interface, we have these kinds of outbreaks on a frequent level,” said Dr. Tolbert Geewleh Nyenswah of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. “And this is why one health approach in dealing with virus outbreaks is important, because we still interact with the bats, and our hunters are still killing monkeys, and we are close to the environment.” Read More The link between wild meat and EbolaThe Congolese government has confirmed more than 1,000 suspected cases, with at least 220 deaths, since it declared an outbreak of Ebola on May 15. It appears the virus spread undetected for weeks, and the World Health Organization suspects it is much larger than what has been reported.Ebola, named for a tributary of the Congo River, was first discovered in 1976 in simultaneous outbreaks in Congo and present-day South Sudan. Outbreaks are believed to start with the virus spilling over into humans from an infected animal such as a fruit bat. These cross-species infections often happen when people handle and eat wild meat, experts say. But since Ebola outbreaks happen only sporadically in communities that regularly eat wild meat, some people “don’t believe the linkage” and others are “totally ignorant” of the health threat from eating wild meat, said Dr. Misaki Wayengera, a microbiologist who advises Uganda’s Ministry of Health on epidemics.“It is very difficult to change some of these core practices,” he said. Locals have paid a heavy price for occasional outbreaks of Ebola, whose bloody symptoms can terrorize entire villages and cause many to believe they are under an evil spell. The Ebola virus is responsible for 17 outbreaks in Congo and many others elsewhere in the region. The deadliest outbreak, in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, infected an estimated 28,000 people and killed more than 11,300. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization — which studied the Ebola risk stemming from the eating and handling of wild meat after West Africa’s epidemic — animal-to-human spillovers of Ebola are rare, but “their consequences are nonetheless disastrous.” Once Ebola has infected one person, the virus then spreads through close contact with sick or deceased patients’ bodily fluids, such as sweat, blood, feces or vomit. Health workers without sufficient protective gear are seen as highly vulnerable.The current outbreak in eastern Congo is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola that has no approved medicines or vaccines.The outbreak is occurring in a part of Congo that also faces armed violence by rebel groups and the displacement of large numbers of people fleeing the violence. A need for educationWhile Congolese authorities have prohibited hunting endangered wildlife, including great apes sent to the brink of extinction by poachers, there is no blanket ban on the wildlife trade and illegal hunting persists for totemic creatures like the bonobo.Many in and around the Congo Basin have wild meat as their primary source of animal protein. The yearly extraction rate of wild meat from the Congo Basin is estimated at 4.5 million tons, according to the Center for International Forestry Research.Viande de brousse, as wild meat is known in French, is a popular food, even served in trendy restaurants. That’s intensified pressure on the dwindling resources of the Congo Basin. Despite the ongoing biodiversity losses, the Congo Basin remains the world’s largest carbon sink, surpassing the Amazon in its ability to capture and store carbon.Public health campaigners need to step up education campaigns on how Ebola starts and is spread among communities that face recurring outbreaks, said Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of the Uganda-based Conservation Through Public Health group. People need to be told that “eating meat from an unknown source, or a dead animal, is a no-no,” Kalema-Zikusoka said. “It’s a very cultural thing.”Some fruit bats are believed to be natural hosts of the viruses that cause Ebola, according to the WHO. Yet bats are known to be a delicacy in many parts of Central and West Africa. The soup of a roasted fruit bat is highly sought after, as are the parts of a wide range of monkeys.In Kinshasa’s Masina Market one recent morning, before the latest Ebola outbreak, traders said they sold antelope, rodent and snake meat sourced from the Congo Basin.They said they long ago stopped selling the meat of monkeys, possible reservoirs of the Ebola virus.One vendor, Guyva Mputu, was selling python, whose frozen flesh started to steam in the humid weather. Another, Charles Ntanga, wielded a flywhisk to swat flies that settled on the rancid carcass of a giant rodent, with a kilogram going for about $17. Ntanga said he gets clients from all walks of life. “We sell wild meat,” he said. “We make our lives through this business.”___Associated Press writer Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg, South Africa, contributed to this report. ___For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse___The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, talks with voters in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Hannah Fingerhut)2026-05-30T04:04:10Z AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrats say they want to vote in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary for the candidate who gives the party its best chance to flip a Republican-held seat in November.Some just haven’t decided which of the two state lawmakers in the race fits the bill.“I am having a lot of trouble,” said Mike Lazere, a 65-year-old Democrat who always votes on Election Day. State Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahls are seeking the nomination for the seat held by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst in the state where Republicans have an advantage but Democrats think they could have a chance.It means the primary choice carries high stakes for Iowa’s Democratic voters, who haven’t had many recent examples of successful statewide candidates to help guide their decision. The last Democrat to win federal office statewide was President Barack Obama in 2012. All six members of the federal delegation are Republicans, and the GOP has had a statehouse trifecta for nearly a decade. The most recent Democratic U.S. senator from Iowa, Tom Harkin, was elected in 2008 and retired from office six years later. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is running for the GOP nomination, and a Republican-aligned political group has already pledged $29 million to defend the seat. Turek and Wahls say the differences between them are clear, but voters still weighing their options disagree. “They both have strong legislative records. They both have compelling stories. I think they both share my values,” Lazere said Thursday outside of the Ames public library, where Story County Democrats had just held their monthly meeting.“Since they’re so close, I just want the candidate who is more likely to have a chance,” he said. “It’s an uphill battle, probably, in Iowa still.” Read More Turek says he can win independents and GOP votersAt the Des Moines Farmers’ Market last weekend, where both candidates waded through the crowds, Sundie Ruppert shouted her support for Turek as he passed by her tent, saying he had her vote.Ruppert called the race an “embarrassment of riches,” something that’s been rare as of late. She said the two stand for “virtually everything the same,” so for her, it’s a matter of who can win the crossover support to get over the finish line in November.Turek, a four-time wheelchair basketball Paralympian born with spina bifida, says his story of overcoming adversity and his politics appeal to independent and moderate Republican voters. He represents a state House district that supported President Donald Trump. Turek said he’s laser-focused on securing a livable wage, health care access and drinkable water, not the culture-war issues that he said Republicans use to distract voters from the core problems they are facing. “I’m not gonna get dragged down the rabbit hole of worrying about these distraction issues,” Turek said in an interview.“I think that if we are going to win again in a state like Iowa, it is going be a message of economic populism,” he said. “It is going to be that we as a Democratic Party stand for the workers and for the middle class. That’s the way forward.” Ruppert said she thinks general election voters are more likely to vote for Turek, even if they “have to hold their nose.”“We’ve got to get the independents,” she said. “I do believe that Josh in a red district has better pull than Wahls.”Wahls says he will stand up to leadership in both partiesAbout 37 miles (60 kilometers) north in Ames on Thursday, Shellie Orngard said she’s heard that logic and doesn’t buy it.Orngard said both are good people and strong candidates, but Wahls strikes her as “somebody with real character behind his convictions.”“I think that whether you’re Democrat or Republican or independent, you appreciate authenticity and real values,” Orngard said. “I think Zach Wahls just seems to have the character that I feel he’s the person that I want to put my vote behind.”Wahls says he’s the candidate willing to defy leadership in both parties, and he has criticized Turek for not rejecting Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer as caucus leader. He says his anti-establishment message is winning back the working-class voters, especially common across eastern Iowa, who supported Obama before they pivoted to Trump. “We’re not just talking about building a coalition that can win in November, we are already doing it,” he said. “These are voters who are not hardcore MAGA Trump Republicans. A lot of them are just really frustrated with both parties, they don’t trust Washington, they don’t trust the establishment.”“And what we hear from people all the time is, ‘Even if we don’t agree on every issue, if you are willing to take them on, you’ve got my vote,’” Wahls said. Iowa will be a tough win for either DemocratIowa has shifted considerably since Obama’s win in 2012, voting for Trump in the last three presidential elections. Democrats lag Republicans by roughly 200,000 registered voters statewide. Rob Sand, state auditor and candidate for governor, was the only Democrat to win statewide in 2022.Nearly 30,000 Democrats have already cast their ballots as of Friday, according to data from the secretary of state’s office. Still, in Ellston on Wednesday, many of the two dozen southwest Iowa Democrats waiting to hear from Turek said they’d rely on a gut feeling.“As far as I’m concerned, Ashley Hinson has got to be beat,” said Lynne Wallace, a 67-year-old from Mount Ayr. The staunch Democrat said she’d support either candidate in the general election, already eager to make calls and knock on doors, but added that she’s got “shaky faith” that either Democrat can pull it off.Lois Rose, 77, and her 79-year-old husband, John, said at the Des Moines farmers’ market that they might not vote in the primary at all since they, so far, hadn’t been able to make up their minds on whether one candidate is stronger than the other. She suggested the pair could also coordinate their votes, each casting a ballot for one of the two. John liked the idea.“They’re both so qualified,” said Lois Rose of West Des Moines. “They’re both very genuine, hence the difficulty.” HANNAH FINGERHUT Fingerhut is a government and politics reporter based in Des Moines, Iowa. mailto

Why The Killers are performing before 2026 Champions League final originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The UEFA Champions League Final is one of the biggest stages in soccer, so whoever performs beforehand gets a golden opportunity to perform in front of the world.This year, that honor belongs to The Killers, a global rock band behind one of the biggest songs in the world. The American band has a massive international fanbase, especially in Europe, and is the latest musical act to take the stage ahead of the biggest Champions League match of the season.Get to know The Killers and why they are performing on Saturday.Who are The Killers?The Killers are a rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada who has been in the spotlight for over two decades. Their most popular song, "Mr. Brightside" is one of the biggest songs in the world and hit the mainstream immediately upon release in 2004.The Killers - Mr. Brightside pic.twitter.com/ICsYUiixXZ— MP10 (@MusicPills10) May 20, 2026The band consists of a few members, primarily lead singer Brandon Flowers, guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. They have released seven albums, with an eighth on the way, but their first album Hot Fuss from 2004 remains their most popular.The Killers are largely influenced by other rock acts like Bruce Springsteen, U2, David Bowie and Queen. While they are based in America, they do have a big global influence, especially in the United Kingdom.Why are The Killers performing before the Champions League Final?UEFA announced The Killers as the pregame performer ahead of the 2026 Champions League Final in what the organization described as an "unforgettable curtain-raiser." The Killers are currently working on their eighth album, but this performance is about bringing a global band to one of the biggest stages in soccer."The Killers are an iconic band whose energy will set the perfect tone in Budapest, delivering an exhilarating start to the biggest match in European club football," co-managing director of UC3 Guy-Laurent Epstein said. "Together with Pepsi, we're proud to elevate the fan experience once again – in the stadium and for millions watching worldwide."The Killers themselves called this opportunity a huge honor."When we were asked to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi we said, 'Yes' without hesitation; some stages speak for themselves," the band said. "We're honored to celebrate the incredible teams and players at what will undoubtedly be an epic match."In the past, Champions League pregame show acts have varied from Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli to the Black Eyed Peas. Last year, Linkin Park had the honor of performing before the game in Munich, Germany.When is the 2026 Champions League Final?Date: Saturday, May 30Time: 12:00 p.m. ETThe 2026 UEFA Champions League Final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will begin at 6:00 p.m. local time in Budapest (12:00 p.m. ET), Hungary on Saturday, May 30.

What channel is Thunder vs. Spurs on? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Game 7 of NBA Playoffs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There are two words that get sports fans across the globe at the edge of their seats. Game 7. The Thunder and Spurs have brought this excitement. The Spurs tied up the series at home with a dominant Game 6 victory. Victor Wembanyama had a 28-point double-double with Dylan Harper scoring 18 in 22 minutes off the bench. The Spurs also shut down the Thunder in every capacity, with no player scoring more than 15 for OKC. The Thunder also shot just 37.2% from the floor and 25% from three.Looking to Game 7, the Spurs need to maintain this defensive prowess. In Game 6, they had 11 more defensive rebounds than the Thunder, allowing for significant second-chance points. The Spurs also dominated on the blocks game, winning 7-3 by those numbers.For the Thunder, a return to their offensive identity is much needed. OKC struggled offensively in Game 6, and made it to the free throw line just 12 times. For a team like the Thunder that specializes in drawing fouls, the Spurs shot over twice as many free throws. Here's what you need to know about Saturday's matchup between the Thunder and Spurs, including broadcast information and start time.What channel is Thunder vs. Spurs on today?TV channel: NBCLive stream: DIRECTV, YouTube TVThunder vs. Spurs Game 7 will be broadcast by NBC and will stream live on YouTube TV and DIRECTV, both of which offer a free trial to new users.Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.Thunder vs. Spurs start timeDate: Saturday, May 30Time: 8:00 p.m. ETGame 7 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Thunder and Spurs is set to tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Thunder vs. Spurs series scheduleSeries tied 3-3DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 18Game 1: Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (2 OT)——May 20Game 2: Thunder 122, Spurs 113——May 22Game 3: Thunder 123, Spurs 108——May 24Game 4: Spurs 103, Thunder 82——May 26Game 5: Thunder 127, Spurs 114——May 28Game 6: Spurs 118, Thunder 91——May 30Game 7 at Oklahoma City8 p.m.NBC, DIRECTV, YouTube TVNBA Playoffs bracket 2026Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason. EventDatesNBA Finals beginJune 3NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary)June 19NBA DraftJune 23-24Related LinksLatest NBA news and rumorsFull 2025-26 NBA schedule and scoresHow to bet on the NBAThe GOAT Debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James

O’Shaquie Foster defends the WBC super featherweight title against Raymond Ford tonight, May 30, 2026, live from Houston and streaming on DAZN.Bad Left Hook will be here with live results and reactions as the fights finish, with those updates coming in the main post. We’ll also have live discussion down in the comments section, as well as Wil Esco joining for live scoring of the fights and round-by-round updates.Join us this evening!How to watch Foster vs FordStart time: 8:00 pm ETMain event start time: approx. 10:40 pm ETLocation: Fertitta Center, Houston, Texas, USAFoster vs Ford running order and full lineupMain EventO’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford, super featherweights, 12 rounds, for Foster’s WBC titleMain Card – UndercardCharlie Sheehy vs Nike Theran, lightweights, 10 roundsOmari Jones vs Diego Zuniga, super welterweights, 8 roundsMiguel Flores vs Javon Woodard Jr, featherweights, 10 roundsPreliminary Fights (DAZN, 5:25 pm ET)Zaquin Moses vs Travis Crawford, super featherweights, 6 roundsJulian Montalvo vs Maximus Moya, super featherweights, 6 roundsFrank Espinoza vs Bryce Blackwell, middleweights, 6 roundsJahyden Franklin vs Najee West, super middleweights, 6 rounds

Bulinews Player of the Season Awards: Hamburger SV's Player of the SeasonAfter an historic relegation leading ino seven long and arduous season in Germany's second division, the glory days seem to be back at Hamburger SV. Returning to the Bundesliga this campaign yielded success for Merlin Polzin's side, who after some initial struggles, found their feet. At no point throughout the season did it look like the Hanseatic club would face relegation. That observation was dramatically improved by the performances of one Luka Vušković in the heart of the HSV rearguard. Arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, few would have thought he'd settle so quickly as a 19-year-old with relatively little senior professional football under his belt. However, it wasn't long until he managed to impose himself on Polzin's plans.Safe for a yellow card suspension and a knee injury which ruled him out for a combined four games, the Croatian made 28 appearances showing in-game smarts beyond his years. A strong sense of positioning coupled with a remarkable knack of winning duels (eleventh best in the league with 316) and his tally of six goals hold all the hallmarks of a truly generational centre-half.STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:Luka Vušković's standout performance of the season came in a Matchday 4 victory over 1.FC Heidenheim, giving Hamburg their first points of the season. Despite being under the he cosh early on, the Croatian would net the opening goal. A scramble in the the box eventually fell to the centre-half who did well to fire low through bodies with the aid of a slight deflection.Although guilty for conceding a chance just a minute later, Vušković recovered to keep the shot out with HSV's goal unguarded. Rayan Philippe would double the hosts lead before Adam Kölle netted late as Hamburg hung on for a 2-1 triumph. In doing so, Vušković was the man behind 14 clearances, 4 recoveries, and 80% duel success which highlighted his dominance. HONOURABLE MENTIONS:The only other member of the Hamburger SV squad to earn a vote from our team of writers was Fábio Vieira. The midfielder arrived on loan from Arsenal with high expectations but delivered as became comfortable in Polzin's side. In his 29 appearances, the Portuguese star finished as HSV's top scorer and top assist creator with 7 and 5 respectively. Now, fans of the club will be hoping they can retain his services for another year.

Jose Mourinho, head coach of SL Benfica, during the Primeira Liga match between GD Estoril Praia and SL Benfica at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in Estoril, Portugal, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images José Mourinho will be Real Madrid’s new coach again. After a disappointing season, Los Blancos have turned to a familiar face again – just as they did in earlier seasons, going for Carlo Ancelotti’s and Zinedine Zidane’s second reigns.Florentino Pérez is betting that Mou 2.0 will be a success just as the second go-arounds for Ancelotti and Zidane were. It makes sense on some levels. On another level though, many observers are asking: is Mourinho past it?For Madrid fans, Mourinho represents a certain brand of nostalgia. Barcelona fans may respect him on some level, but they don’t like him. Funny how that turned out. Mourinho began his career as an assistant coach at Camp Nou and could have signed as head manager in 2008. Instead, Pep Guardiola was appointed by Joan Laporta to lead the Catalans, and Mou would wind up at Madrid.Mourinho’s first stint at Madrid was mixed. His crown jewel was a flying league triumph after Barcelona had dominated Madrid for a few years. But three total trophies in three seasons is a fairly slim return for Real Madrid. Madrid would go on to UEFA Champions League success after he left. Whether you think that means Mourinho set them up for the future, or whether he was the final obstacle blocking their progress, is a matter of opinion.Along the way, Mourinho became a cult hero to some and a pantomime villain to others for his combative ways. He was unafraid to insinuate refereeing conspiracies or fall out with anyone, even captain and club icon Iker Casillas. His nadir was probably sticking his fingers in the eye of Barcelona assistant manager Tito Vilanova.Since then, he took jobs with Chelsea (a very successful return) and Manchester United. His stock began to fall afterwards. He went to Tottenham Hotspur, then AS Roma, then Fenerbahçe, and then Benfica. It’s been eight years since he left United, and he’s only won one cup in the past nine years. Ancelotti’s time outside the glamour clubs, between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid appointments, was just four years.Looking at the last eight years, Mou’s record is again mixed. You could point to moments of success, like a UEFA Conference League win with Roma. Or going undefeated last season with Benfica. On the other hand, you could say Roma never got to the Champions League in three years under Mou, and they finally did so this season. Or that Benfica were undefeated, yes, but finished third, their worst finish in four years. (No one really rates his time at Fener.)A pattern emerges, though. Mourinho does seem genuinely out of date when it comes to tactics and setting up his team to do well consistently across a season, but his safety-first approach could work well in knockout competitions. Benfica were unambitious, but they rarely lost. His Roma side were much better in cups than in the league.Enter Real Madrid. His first job is to be a strict teacher to the unruly kids. He may need to ship some out to get the squad back in harmony. There may be few managers as well-poised to make those tough decisions and get everyone on the same page. He could heal Madrid’s biggest weakness.It’s an ideal situation for Mou too, because expectations are low. And yet, with a team chock-full of superstars and one of the world’s richest clubs, you could argue any professional manager should be expected to win trophies. It will be hard to do much worse than Álvaro Arbeloa did as interim manager. Just like at the beginning of the last decade, even regression to Madrid’s historical mean will look pretty good compared to where they are now. Barcelona are in the opposite situation. The vibes, as they say, are immaculate. The squad gets along well and all the players love and trust Hansi Flick as manager. His challenge is fighting complacency, not putting down rebellion.Mourinho will try to motivate his team along the lines of “us vs. them.” Players within the squad are either with Mou and must run through a wall for him, or against him, and must be nuked from orbit. It’s a powerful psychological gambit, though it’s risky – and may have not given him returns lately.Flick’s psychological approach is more harmonious. He wants everyone to get along, promoting a sense of peace and stability so that players are able to trust each other and express themselves. It’s worked well in his tenure so far. Mourinho will be hoping to disrupt that and wipe Barcelona’s smile off their face. (Maybe metaphorically this time.)

Mia Williams hit by pitch streak: Why Texas Tech softball star keeps getting plunked at Women's College World Series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For the second time in as many years — and the second time in program history — Texas Tech is in the Women's College World Series.This year's roster greatly resembles the one that made history in Lubbock one year prior. Gerry Glasco's bunch is spearheaded by NiJaree Canady, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.Other standouts like Mihyia Davis and Hailey Toney still remain. They're accompanied by an impressive group of newcomers, namely star slugger Mia Williams.Williams leads the team in dingers. The Florida transfer has kept her strong performances going in the tournament, slugging two homers as the Red Raiders advanced past two-time NCAA champion Florida.Williams has garnered attention for another reason in WCWS play: she can't stop getting hit by pitches.Here's what you need to know.MORE: NCAA softball live bracket, schedule, how to watchMia Williams hit by pitch streakWilliams has been struck in four straight contests. The Texas Tech slugger was plunked five times in three games against Florida. On Thursday, Williams took a shot to back, extending her ignominious run.Mia Williams hit in the head on first pitch… and an illegal one at that… umpiring and the SUP need audited pic.twitter.com/8nwXpfim0o— IndyGodfather® (@Pauly_Wallnutts) May 28, 2026The Red Raiders made the Mississippi State pay for their perceived insolence. In the next at-bat, Jackie Lies sent the ball hurtling beyond the bleachers."When your teammate gets hit you take that personally," Lis said postgame, per USA Today. "And if we didn't learn anything from last weekend, when Mia Williams get hit, you take it personally and you step up for your team in those moments."Williams' unlucky spell continued on the base paths. An errant throw on a pick-off attempt hit Williams in the helmet.Mia Williams is an absolute ball magnet right now! pic.twitter.com/JsLEfYuqHi— Rachel Coleman (@_coachrachel) May 28, 2026She was awarded two bases for her troubles, setting the stage for a scoring flourish that helped Texas Tech score a run-rule victory against the Bulldogs.MORE: Why does Mississippi State softball have rally broccoli?Why is Mia Williams getting hit by pitches?As one of the best players in the nation, Williams is used to getting "special" treatment from opposition pitchers. The Windermere, Fla. is a gifted power hitter, tallying 24 home runs, the joint-ninth-best mark in softball. Her .932 slugging percentage is 16th-best mark in the country.Simply put, Williams is a supernova. She has been treated as such during the postseason.She also had an unfortunate matchup in the the tournament. Williams started her career with the Gators before transferring to the Red Raiders before the 2026 season. There appeared to be some lingering animosity from the move, with Florida appearing to target her during their matchup.In Game 3 of the series, for example, Gators pitcher Keagan Rothrock hit Williams with the first pitch of the game.Keagan Rothrock hits Mia Williams with the first pitch of the game.Intentional? pic.twitter.com/dbK2fWZQOe— Andres Rodriguez (@AndresR030105) May 22, 2026Florida refused to shake Texas Tech's hands after the Red Raiders ended their season. Gators head coach Tim Walton was ejected partway through the contest, with Williams' father — a former Florida alum — suggesting his ejection was premeditated to ensure he wouldn't have to shake his former pupil's hand.That series was a full-blown WWETexas Tech heads to WCWS, beating FloridaGators plunked former player Mia Williams' numerous times, tempers were 🔥🔥Florida doesn’t shake hands. pic.twitter.com/Eqna8PF5kd— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) May 24, 2026Who is Mia Williams' dad?Williams' father is Jason Williams. If he sounds familiar, that's because he is. Williams, known by his alias, "White Chocolate", starred for Florida men's basketball before conjuring up highlights as a gifted ball-handler across 12 NBA seasons.Jason has been an ardent supporter of his daughter throughout her softball career. During that infamous Super Regional against Florida, he was ejected and escorted out of the stadium after getting into a verbal altercation with a fan who threw something at his daughter.Meanwhile there was some drama in that inning as former #Gators basketball and NBA player Jason Williams, and father of Mia Williams, was briefly removed from the game by copsWilliams claims that his daughter was hit by a fan, and it seems like said fan is leavingLots of… pic.twitter.com/HgYr6EhJL1— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) May 22, 2026Suffice to say, if Mia gets plunked again during the WCWS, Jason will have something to say about it.

Liverpool admit summer signing just isn't good enoughLiverpool’s Alisson Becker succession plan began back in 2024. Sporting director Richard Hughes agreed a deal worth an initial £24m to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia following a strong Euro 2024.The Georgian was then loaned back to Valencia for the 2024/25 season - going on to enjoy another solid La Liga campaign.The 25-year-old was finally brought to Anfield last summer as part of a major goalkeeping refit that saw Caoimhin Kelleher leave for Brentford. And owing to Alisson’s frequent injury troubles Mamardashvili has had plenty of scope to prove himself.He made 10 appearances in the Premier League last season - featuring in 20 games overall and conceding a whopping 34 times.Liverpool not convinced by MamardashviliMamardashvili has also had issues with his distribution - with the general feeling among fans that they are unconvinced with him being Alisson’s successor.With the Brazilian being targetted by Juventus - and the deal looks a real possibility - it means Richard Hughes’ succession plan for Alisson will be given an immediate stress test.There now however appears to be a U-Turn afoot at Anfield with the admission that Mamardashvili isn’t good enough to take over in the event that Alisson moves to Turin.According to a report in Football Insider the outgoing Premier League champions will seek to sign a different No1 this summer if Alisson goes rather than relying on Mamardashvili.Liverpool shopping for a new goalkeeper if Alisson leaves“They would hope to find someone with a stronger pedigree at the top level than current back-up Giorgi Mamardashvili,” the report reads.“The Georgian played more games than was planned at Anfield last term, but the club are in no doubt that they do not want him as their starting option whenever Alisson ultimately departs.”This is a damning indictment of the goalkeeping transfer strategy. Kelleher has gone on to star for a Brentford side who qualified for Europe and it’s no secret that Mamarashvili has been unhappy with the amount of football he’s been getting.The shot-stopper has been linked with another loan move - either to Valencia or else Juventus as reported in recent days.An early halt may be called to this deal and Liverpool will no doubt struggle to get their money back on Mamardashvili if they do decide to jettison him on a permanent deal.

Dante Plunkett: Man United starlet earns major Jamaica honourManchester United’s youngsters have enjoyed a positive season in spite of final heartbreak.Season of heartbreakThe under-21s reached the final of the Premier League playoffs but lost 0-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion.The under-18s also reached the final of the prestigious Youth Cup but were defeated 2-1 by Manchester City.Lastly, they also suffered defeat on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Premier League Cup final.Nonetheless, it has been a successful season on an individual level, with Jack and Tyler Fletcher, alongside Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato, making their senior debuts for the club during the season.International recognitionTyler Fletcher has also been rewarded by Scotland, as he was invited to take part in training with the senior side before they head off to the World Cup in North America.The club’s official website also reports that United youngster Dante Plunkett has received an honour.The site reports that, “Manchester United defender Dante Plunkett has received his first international call-up.”The article continues, “the 18-year-old has been added to the Jamaica squad for the Unity Cup final against Nigeria on Saturday.”The game will take place at The Valley, Charlton Athletic’s stadium, after they defeated India 2-0 in the semi-final.Plunkett joined the United academy from Aston Villa and has been a regular member of the under-18s side.The defender also came on as a substitute in the Youth Cup final earlier this month.Plunkett has played 13 matches for the youth sides this season, providing two assists in total.Dante Plunkett season statsSource: transfermarkt.comonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

NEW DELHI: Not once. Twice. Same dismissal. Same reaction. Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan suffered a bizarre dismissal during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur on Friday, getting out hit-wicket in almost identical fashion to his dismissal in Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala.With the unusual dismissal, Sudharsan became the first batter in IPL history to be dismissed hit-wicket in back-to-back innings.GT skipper Shubman Gill, batting at the non-striker's end, was visibly stunned. The Gujarat Titans captain looked distraught and even collapsed to the ground in disbelief after watching his opening partner walk back in such unfortunate circumstances.After Rajasthan Royals posted a formidable 214/6 in 20 overs, powered by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 96 off 47 balls, Gujarat Titans got off to a flying start. Openers Gill and Sudharsan stitched together a century stand and appeared to have the chase firmly under control.Just when it looked like the duo would guide Gujarat Titans to victory, Sudharsan's innings came to an abrupt end. Attempting to put away a low full toss from Brijesh Sharma through the off side, Sudharsan lost grip of his bat after making contact. The bat flew backwards and crashed into the stumps, resulting in a hit-wicket dismissal.The crowd was left stunned, while Gill dropped to his haunches in frustration at the other end."Where is the fevicol? Where is the glue?" Ravi Shastri quipped on air.Chasing 215, Gill and Sudharsan made light work of the target, adding 167 runs in just 12.5 overs before the unfortunate dismissal ended Sudharsan's innings. Despite the setback, Gujarat Titans cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals.— IPL (@IPL) After the match, Gill was asked about Sudharsan's unusual dismissal."I don't think I've ever seen anything. No one's seen anything like that, two matches, back to back in a row. The way he got out. I saw some video on social media that taping his hand, I think I'm going to have to do that in the next match," Gill said.With the win, Gujarat Titans set up a title clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

[Getty Images]Everton are still weighing up whether to trigger Tyrique George's option-to-buy clause this summer following his loan spell from Chelsea.The 20-year-old forward's future remains unclear, as does the value of the option, although it could be in a similar ballpark to the £22m fee agreed with Fulham on deadline day last summer.George made just one start in 11 appearances at Hill Dickinson Stadium but, at times, looked impressive from the bench.When asked about his future and that of Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish last week, Everton boss David Moyes replied: "At the moment, they go back to their clubs and we'll take it from there."As the summer goes on, we'll decide what path we're going to take on both of them. We like Tyrique, obviously we like Jack a lot – but we've not got an answer [yet]."We've enjoyed having Tyrique here – he's been an excellent boy and his work-rate and everything has been excellent, so we're happy with him."Chelsea have been looking to sell George during the past two transfer windows and would be likely to consider suitable similar offers in future.The Stamford Bridge club still need to raise funds through player sales because of their Uefa settlement agreement and, as an academy graduate, George would represent pure profit in the club's accounts, increasing the incentive to sell the homegrown winger.Multiple sources have denied rumours that manager Xabi Alonso has spoken to George, or any other player, before the new season to assure them they are part of his plans.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)2026-05-30T01:18:19Z WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday gave his endorsement to a January study by the Department of Health and Human Services that calls for cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every American child.An executive order from Trump directs federal agencies to align their policies behind the study, which recommended an overhaul long called for by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The study found that the United States recommends more childhood vaccines than many peer nations.The Trump administration previously moved to narrow the number of recommended childhood vaccines in response to the report, but the move was blocked by a federal judge in Massachusetts. The administration is appealing the decision.The study recommends vaccinating all children against 11 diseases. Several others would be recommended only for high-risk groups or when doctors recommend them in what’s called “shared decision-making.” That includes vaccines for flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV. Trump’s order adds weight behind the study at a time when the administration had appeared to be trying to shift focus away from Kennedy’s more contentious vaccine policies and toward more mainstream topics like healthy eating. The order directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the study and “take any appropriate steps” to update its vaccine recommendations. It says the CDC should “provide maximum flexibility to parents and doctors” and directs agencies to make sure all actions, regulations and funding are aligned with the study. Read More The order adds that any changes should ensure that Americans retain their current access to vaccines.States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. While CDC requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun creating their own alliances to counter the Trump administration’s guidance on vaccines. Trump directed HHS to carry out the study in December.Kennedy is a longtime activist against vaccines and has sought ways to inject his skepticism about the shots into national guidance. Last year, he announced the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women, a move questions by public health experts who saw no new data to justify the change.Last June, he fired a 17-member CDC vaccine advisory committee and later installed several of his own replacements, including multiple vaccine skeptics.The January report found that vaccine recommendations for American children had increased in recent decades. It also highlighted countries where no vaccines are required to attend school. COLLIN BINKLEY Binkley covers the White House and education policy for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington and joined the AP in 2015. twitter mailto

A man crosses a street in Havana, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Luis Banos)2026-05-29T23:02:43Z WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Latin America met with Cuban military leaders Friday in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, the latest official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on its leaders.Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U.S. military forces captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a January raid. In the months since, the Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on federal charges.Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, met with Lt. Gen. Roberto Legrá Sotolongo and other Cuban military officials.Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that both sides viewed “the meeting positively because it addressed security issues along the perimeter separating the military enclave, and they agreed to maintain communication between the two military commands.” Top Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, also have met with Cuban officials to explore possible improvements in relations. But the U.S. side has come away unimpressed from those talks, leading to even more sanctions imposed on the Cuban government. Besides the meeting, Donovan also assessed the security of the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay and discussed the “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X. Read More The U.S. maintains the base despite decades of friction with Cuba’s socialist leaders, whom Trump wants removed from power. The U.S. military has a handful of Navy ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, in the Caribbean, a much smaller force than was present at the time of the Maduro raid.On Friday, the Pentagon announced that a new unit of 1,300 sailors and Marines would be replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to the region last summer.___Associated Press writer Andrea Rodríguez in Havana contributed to this report. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, attends a meeting with senior military officers as Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, fourth left, sits near at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 29, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)2026-05-30T04:01:21Z STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Russia’s intelligence agencies have grown more aggressive in their efforts to steal Western technology and defense secrets as sanctions squeeze the country’s wartime economy, three senior European intelligence officials told The Associated Press.Moscow’s agents are building fake companies, recruiting middlemen and deploying cyber spies and hackers who are gathering information that could also be used to attack key infrastructure, they said.Four years of international sanctions have hampered Moscow’s ability to procure machinery, technology and research from Europe, while the grinding war in Ukraine has taxed key industries and pushed the country toward a potential financial crisis.“They really know what they need,” and are putting “serious effort” into acquiring advanced machine tools, factory equipment, research and dual-use technology, said Christoffer Wedelin, deputy head of operations at the Swedish Security Service. Russia seeks high-end research, defense technology and softwareIn Sweden, Russia is targeting the defense industry and high-end research on the country’s most advanced weaponry, such as the Gripen fighter jet, Wedelin said. It is also trying to procure camera and laser technology developed for civilian purposes that could be integrated into Russian weapons systems, he said.Moscow is also trying to steal technology to help it keep pace — or give it an edge — against the West in the decades ahead, said Juha Martelius, the director of Finland’s Security and Intelligence Service.“We’re talking about space technology, quantum ... arctic technology, marine technology,” he said, adding that space technology is something Russia needs “right now,” without elaborating. Countries use such technology for satellite imaging, communications and navigation. Russia also needs sanctioned computer technology and software updates for machine tools, Martelius said. Read More On Wednesday, Anne Keast-Butler, the director of the U.K’s signals intelligence agency, accused Russia of “relentlessly targeting” the U.K. and its European allies, by stealing technology and plotting sabotage and assassination attempts. In May, Swedish police arrested two people on suspicion of violating sanctions relating to a company in Turkey that has made dozens of shipments of metalworking and metal-turning machine tools to Russia.As the schemes to acquire technology grow more complex, companies need to be more aware they could unwittingly become part of Russia’s war supply chain, Wedelin said. “All of the security and intelligence services in Russia are helping out on the state’s efforts to get this,” he said. Intelligence officials say Russia cares less about getting caughtMoscow is also deploying cyberattacks against European firms and critical infrastructure in an attempt to gather information, which it could exploit “when they get the chance and when it serves their purpose,” Wedelin said. He pointed to an attack on a Swedish power plant last year.Russia-linked actors tried to “destroy” the plant but failed because the system detected the intrusion, Wedelin said. He said the attack was partly aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine.Before then, Sweden’s security services had mostly observed reconnaissance for potential attacks, intelligence gathering or activity linked to cybercriminals. The attack marked a “switch” in Russia’s modus operandi, Wedelin said. “They’re no longer caring as much about potential attribution after their activities, so they are taking greater risks to achieve their goals,” he said.Problems are mounting for Russia’s economy Russia’s increasingly aggressive tactics may reflect mounting internal concerns about its economy, which “is not doing well at all,” said Kaupo Rosin, the head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service. About a third of Russia’s gross domestic product currently goes to the war effort, Martelius said. The war and ensuing sanctions have slowed growth and fueled stubborn inflation. Russian officials planned to have a budget deficit of 3.7 trillion rubles ($52.1 billion) for the whole of 2026 and had already reached about 3.4 trillion rubles ($47.9 billion) by the end of February, Rosin said. The Iran war that erupted on Feb. 28 has provided a boost by causing oil prices to soar. The U.S. has granted sanctions waivers for the sale of Russian oil and the U.K. watered down its sanctions in an attempt to lower global fuel costs.Increased revenue since then has likely improved Russia’s budget, but “it doesn’t save them,” Rosin said, adding that if Western pressure persists, Moscow could face a financial crisis toward the end of the year.Rosin said intelligence seen by his agency shows a gloomier outlook among Russian officials over the past six months, with the narrative of “total victory” in Ukraine having vanished. Keast-Butler, of British intelligence, said almost 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in 2022. Russia and Ukraine have mostly kept their combat casualty figures under wraps.Stalled progress on the battlefield and economic woes have many Russian officials privately asking “what is this all for,” Rosin said, citing the intelligence reports.Martelius, of Finland’s intelligence service, said that while some reports on the war in Ukraine may have been “sanitized” before reaching President Vladimir Putin’s desk, he believes the Russian leader has a fairly clear picture of the economic challenges.But that does not mean there will be political change.It is “very dangerous ... to start analyzing Russia as if it is some country like ours,” Martelius said. “It is not.” EMMA BURROWS Burrows covers security, defense and intelligence for The Associated Press in Europe. She is based in London. twitter

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks during a campaign event in West Hollywood, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2026-05-30T04:02:48Z SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The end of California’s chaotic governor’s race was approaching Saturday as leading candidates rushed to deliver their closing arguments before voting concludes Tuesday.Former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra has called for “hot competence summer,” promoting his decades of public service as evidence he has what it takes to be California’s next governor. Republican Steve Hilton pledged an end to a “bloated, nanny-state bureaucracy” during remarks outside the state Capitol on Wednesday.Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer told reporters this week in Berkeley, California, that he’s made it his life’s work to advance progressive causes, a mission he’ll bring to Sacramento. They’re seeking to stand out in a field of roughly 60 candidates on a single ballot, regardless of party, under California’s top-two primary system. The two candidates who receive the most votes will face off in the general election to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who can’t seek a third term. The crowded race includes Democrats Becerra, Steyer, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose. Hilton, a former Fox News host backed by President Donald Trump, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are the most prominent Republicans in the race. As of Friday afternoon, 13% of voters had cast their ballots. That included 13% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans, according to a tracker by Democratic strategist Paul Mitchell. The breakdown is unusual because Democrats in recent years have tended to vote early while many Republicans wait until Election Day. Read More Some Democrats have been waiting to cast their ballots to see if a candidate breaks away from the pack in the final days, or because they’re unimpressed with the crowded field.Two polls conducted in mid-to-late May suggested that Becerra and Hilton each have the support of about 2 in 10 California likely voters. In one poll, Steyer landed closer to Becerra and Hilton, with Bianco and Porter trailing further behind, but similar shares of voters were supporting Steyer, Bianco, and Porter in the other poll. None of the other candidates were in the double digits in either poll. Candidates make their final pitchThe contenders have been traveling across the state that includes roughly 23 million registered voters as they seek an edge over rivals. Becerra, Hilton, Steyer and Bianco will all be in the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend. Fresno and Los Angeles have also been popular campaign stops. Becerra has been highlighting the more than 35 years he’s spent in state and federal office. “This is not a place for on-the-job training,” he said on a podcast hosted by political commentator Ana Navarro. “You better know what you’re doing.”He’ll hit a text-banking event with Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta in San Francisco and rally with the Service Employees International Union in San Jose.Hilton has been selling himself as someone who would bring a fresh set of eyes to state government, reduce regulations, and bring down housing and energy costs. He thinks it’ll be a unifying message, he told reporters this week in Sacramento. “It’s not ideological,” Hilton said. “It’s just simple, practical commonsense — $3 gas, cut your electric bills in half.”Hilton will host a town hall in Silicon Valley on Saturday night. He has been cautious not to emphasize Trump’s endorsement. If he advances to the November election, he’ll need to appeal to voters outside his party to win in the Democrat-dominated state that hasn’t had a Republican governor since 2011.Steyer, a self-described “billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires,” said the race was a contest between three candidates: Himself, Hilton and Becerra.“There is a hard-right Republican who’s endorsed by Donald Trump,” he told a crowd of supporters at a sports bar in Berkeley. “The second candidate is Xavier Becerra, who, to my surprise, is a corporate Democrat,” Steyer continued, referencing his acceptance of campaign contributions from Chevron.“And the third person’s me,” he said. “And I am running because Californians can’t afford to live here anymore.” Steyer’s headed to a campaign rally Saturday in San Francisco to put a finer point on his message to voters.Mahan, meanwhile, will mingle with voters in Los Angeles, Porter will give a speech in Orange County, and Bianco will lay out his vision at a church in San Jose. ___Associated Press journalist Terry Chea in Berkeley, California, contributed to this report. SOPHIE AUSTIN Austin covers California state government and politics for the Associated Press. She reports on environmental, education and reparations policies. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, Calif., at right, exits federal court after pleading guilty on charges of acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/William Liang)2026-05-30T04:01:50Z LOS ANGELES (AP) — In 2024, voters in the Southern California city of Arcadia elected the first all-Asian city council in the city’s history.Now, one of those politicians has pleaded guilty to being an illegal agent of the Chinese government. Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang’s plea, entered in federal court Friday, continues a saga that some residents of the area worry could bring unfair scrutiny on the broader Chinese and Asian American community.Arcadia has gone under rapid demographic change in the last two decades as immigrants from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong flocked to the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles. After Wang’s case was made public May 11, the news made national headlines and filled the unassuming suburban city with anger, disappointment and murmurs of quiet concern. On social media, fears about spies and Chinese Communist Party influence abounded.“We cannot allow this moment to become an excuse for people to paint entire communities with one brush or weaponize ethnicity for political gain,” acting Mayor Paul Cheng said in a statement. Shock in heavily Chinese communityWang agreed in April to plead guilty to doing the bidding of Chinese officials by sharing articles favorable of Beijing on a news website she ran, without notifying the U.S. government as required by law. The 56-year-old was elected in November 2022 to a five-person City Council, from which the mayor is selected on a rotating basis. She was born in Chengdu, China, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1995.The San Gabriel Valley is home to the largest concentration of residents of Chinese and Taiwanese descent in the United States. Beginning in the 1970s, real estate developers marketed the region as “Chinese Beverly Hills” to woo affluent immigrants. As the population grew, it became a haven for newer immigrants who could go about life without needing English, access business opportunities, and avoid putting their children through China’s intensely competitive education system. Arcadia’s population of about 53,000 is majority Asian, like many other cities in the region. Ted Tseng, 52, arrived in Arcadia from Taiwan nearly 40 years ago with his parents, who emigrated because they feared potential conflict between Taiwan and China. Read More Tseng was concerned Wang’s indictment would deepen animosity against Asian Americans and discredit their contributions to the region. Fears of anti-Asian racism, though hate crimes are down since the COVID-19 pandemic, still linger.“I’m just worried our image has been damaged,” Tseng said. Feds crack down on Chinese espionageThe U.S. Department of Justice has escalated efforts in recent years to combat Chinese espionage. In April, a man accused of running a secret Chinese spy outpost in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood was convicted of acting as an illegal foreign agent.Wang has suggested that she was misled by her former fiance, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, who pleaded guilty to the same charge last year and is now serving a four-year prison sentence. Sun was the treasurer for Wang’s 2022 election campaign.A statement shared by Wang’s lawyers references her “trust and love for apparently the wrong person who ultimately led her astray.” April Verlato, a former City Council member who served with Wang, said Wang and Sun lived together, and Sun accompanied Wang wherever she went.Verlato said Wang should have stepped down as soon as she came under investigation.“She was being selfish, getting sworn in as mayor and not resigning when she knew she was going to be pleading guilty to something,” Verlato said.Gene Sun, a long-time lawyer in Arcadia, agreed.“I don’t understand how she could have continued being a City Council member,” he said. Beijing seeks influence overseas It is not surprising that the Chinese government would attempt to exert political influence in the region, especially given the increased political tension and economic rivalry between China and the U.S. in recent years, said Wei Li, a professor of Asian Pacific American Studies at Arizona State University.“A lot of countries, if they have the will and if they have the means, will try to influence their diaspora,” Li said.According to his federal criminal complaint, Sun was in contact with John Chen, who also pleaded guilty to being an illegal agent of the Chinese government, regarding local politicians that Beijing could influence. In reports to Chinese officials, Sun and Chen called Wang a “New Political Star” and bragged about her contacts with mainstream U.S. politicians.They also wrote of combatting “anti-China forces” such as Taiwan independence and the Falun Gong, an exiled anti-communist spiritual movement.In a January 2023 message from Chen to Wang referenced in Sun’s criminal complaint, Chen said: “You are doing a good job, I hope you can continue the good work, make Chinese people proud.” Some fear political repercussions for Asian AmericansNot only was the news of her guilty plea like a “slap in the face,” the reaction from some community members has also been painful, said Cheng, the acting mayor.Some residents at a May 19 City Council meeting blamed remaining council members for enabling Wang and called for their resignations.“I’ve been called more names, been told to go back to China although that’s not where I’m from,” said Cheng, who came to the U.S. from Taiwan at age 2.For many Arcadia residents and workers, life was as usual the day after the news broke. Many smiled apologetically when asked about the issue, saying they don’t pay attention to politics.Aliza Mo, who emigrated from China six years ago for her children’s education, said she first thought the headlines must be exaggerated.“A lot of people wondered if it was discrimination,” she said.When she learned what Wang pleaded guilty to, she changed her mind.“I think it would be improper for anyone to be doing something like that,” she said. JAIMIE DING Ding covers California breaking news for The Associated Press. She focuses on law enforcement and the courts, and is based in Los Angeles. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

A drunken lifeguard. A laptop with no disk space. A millenial regularly buying and consuming avocado toast. The San Francisco Giants bullpen.What do they have in common? They’re not good at saving.That was the case Friday night at Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies hit two home runs and scored five runs off Caleb Killian (1-3) in the bottom of the 9th inning, sending the Giants to their fourth straight loss and their eighth loss in their last 10 games.Hunter Goodman hit a three-run homer to tie the game. Then with two outs, Ezequiel Tovar finished the shot with a two-run shot to left that gave Colorado an 8-6 victory and prompted the Rockies social media department to quote a song from “The Lizzie Maguire Movie,” which is about Lizzie Maguire traveling to Italy and meeting a pop star who looks exactly like her — a plot point only slightly more improbable than this Giants loss.Hey now! Hey now!This is what Rockies sweet dreams are made of ☺️#Rockies x @denvermattresspic.twitter.com/1IdVsSg17m— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 30, 2026Just a note: That film pre-dated Hannah Montana, a series where Miley Cyrus leads a double life as a regular teenager and a famous pop star, but no one notices because she wears a blonde wig. Also for some reason, Haylie Duff does the singing for her sister’s Italian doppelganger.Was that a digression? Sure, but isn’t it better than talking about the 2026 Giants?Perhaps the Giants should have been more wary of a clutch two-run homer from Tovar, considering he did it one inning earlier to pull the Rockies to a 4-3 deficit in the 8th. Tovar hit it off Keaton Winn and the official 441-foot measurement honestly seems low.Tovar Tank! pic.twitter.com/FTrMBKqb0h— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 30, 2026How did the Giants get enough of a lead to set up their epic bullpen collapse? Logan Webb returned from the IL and fought his way through 4 1/3 innings that included three hits, three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and surrendering a steal of home on a Little League-caliber trick play.We got a double steal 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wDSnV8YYjl— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 30, 2026But the Giants still held a 3-1 lead after five innings, even after SF nemesis Goodman (2-for-4, 3 RBI, BB) doubled the pitch-hit Tyler Freeman to third and Jung Hoo Lee, also fresh off the IL, made a very creative catch in right field.HOW DID JUNG HOO LEE CATCH THIS!? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Cjcr3GKbj0— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 30, 2026You know who else is bad at saving? People not lucky enough to join the Safeway Select Club.The Giants got on the board when DH Bryce Eldridge (1-for-1, two walks and a sac fly) doubled in the third and scored on a Willy Adames sac fly. They took the lead in the third with two walks, a Daniel Susac sacrifice fly, a single from Lee (4-for-5, two runs) and an RBI single from Harrison Bader.Giants take the lead 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DO27tD8bsF— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 30, 2026The Giants scored three runs on sacrifice flies and another when Lee scored from second on Bader’s single, and not one player was thrown out at home plate. Welcome back to the third base coaching box, Ron Wotus!Like the outs at home plate, the Giants also solved their season-long aversion to insurance runs Friday night. Lee doubled and Eldridge drove him home to make it 4-1 in the 8th. In the 9th, the Giants made it 6-3 after Rafeal Devers tripled home Luis Arraez, and Matt Chapman followed with an RBI single.Rafi unhitched the trailer on this one 😅 pic.twitter.com/urBjMQVOI7— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 30, 2026That missionary who tried to convert the tribespeople of North Sentinel Island, that guy was really bad at saves.But a three-run lead wasn’t enough at Coors Field. Killian allowed an infield single to himself to start the 9th. Freeman singled and Goodman hit a Carlton Fisk-esque bomb to left field that just barely stayed fair. The umpires reviewed the play and confirmed the home run, which Goodman appreciated because he was “pretty gassed.”HUNTER GOODMAN TIES IT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH! pic.twitter.com/sy9ZvHL5ug— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2026That was Goodman’s fifth career home run against the Giants and his 24th-26th RBIs, which is 11 more than he has against any other team. He’s also slugging .591 against the Giants and he may have advised the Giants to buy the Curran Theatre in the offseason.Jose Mejia (1-4) got his first win of the season and did not deserve it one bit after giving up two runs and three hits in the 9th, while also hitting a batter. Tovar ended up doubling his 2026 home run total in two at-bats, having gone deep twice in his first 202 trips to the plate this season before duplicating that feat after the 7th inning.We should note that Tovar’s walkoff didn’t just give the Rockies a win. It gave the Rockies fans discounted tacos. At participating Denver-area Taco Bells, four crispy tacos can be had for just $3 from 4-6 PM tomorrow night. Just a warning — fans still have to pay for their own toilet paper after that promotion gives them diarrhea.Saturday night Adrian Hauser takes the mound for the Giants as they face right-hander Ryan Feltner, who is coming off the injured list. He’ll probably throw a no-hitter.

Keven Schlotterbeck planning Augsburg exit in search of game timeFC Augsburg's Keven Schlotterbeck is said to be looking for a change of scenery during the upcoming summer transfer window.As reported by Kicker.de, the 29-year-old has informed Augsburg's management that he wishes to leave this summer.Schlotterbeck lost his starting position towards the end of last season, despite wearing the captain's armband for a spell.Even in the absence of Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, the left-footed defender, who already considered a move last summer.With the likes of Chrislain Matsima, Cedric Zesiger and Noah-Kai Banks for competition, reclaiming his place seems unlikely.While Schlotterbeck is still under contract at the Bavarian club until 2027, all signs point to a departure for the German.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 24: Song Yadong of China prepares to face Sean O'Malley in a bantamweight bout during the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live THIS MORNING (Sat., May 30, 2026)with UFC Macau, streaming live online via Paramount+. The event goes down in the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China. Tonight’s card is headlined by Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo.UFC Macau PreviewThe UFC’s latest trip Asia comes with another early start for us in North America. I’m not complaining, though. I love these events being all wrapped up before noon. The main event for this one sees two Bantamweights coming off losses to contenders. Song Yadong could not find a way past Sean O’Malley’s striking when they met in January. And Deiveson Figueiredo was powerless to stop Umar Nurmagomedov’s pressure wrestling game. They’ll meet today, but a win will still leave them pretty far back in the title fight pecking order.The co-main event gives Zhang Mingyang a shot at redemption. Last year he was given a lay-up in Shanghai in the form of Johnny Walker. However, ‘The Mountain Tiger’ couldn’t convert and was beaten by a shock second round TKO. He’s been served up Alonzo Menifield this time, with UFC seemingly really wanting a heavier weight Chinese star to further develop this market.Rounding out our main card today is Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison Teixeira, Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman, Jake Matthews vs. Carlston Harris and Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji. A lot of those guys are firmly stuck in the shadows, in their respective divisions, so they’ll be hoping for a big flashy win under the bright lights of the oyster city.The “”Prelims” are headlined by Yi Sak Lee vs. Luis Dias de Assis. The undercard has lots of Contender Series and Road to UFC grads, as well as some guys pulled right off the regional scene. The biggest name on the “Prelims” is Angela Hill, she meets former ONE champ Xiong Jingnan.UFC Macau Start Date and TimeSet your alarms, folks! We’ve got another early start time for you today. UFC Macau is happening at prime time for fans in Asia, so those of us in North American will need to be up very early to watch the whole thing. Here are the start times:UFC Macau’s “Prelims” will begin at 4 a.m. ET.UFC Macau’s main card is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. ET.All of UFC MAcau airs on Paramount+, which you can stream here.The live blog here starts rolling below at4 a.m. ET. Come in and say hi!UFC MACAU QUICK RESULTSMain card135 lbs.: Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo205 lbs.: Zhang Mingyang vs. Alonzo Menifield265 lbs.: Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison Teixeira135 lbs.: Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman170 lbs.: Jake Matthews vs. Carlston Harris125 lbs.: Alex Perez vs. SumudaerjiPrelims205 lbs.: Yi Sak Lee vs. Luis Dias de Assis170 lbs.: Ding Meng vs. Jose Henrique135 lbs.: Aoriqileng vs. Cody Haddon125 lbs.: Rei Tsuruya vs. Luis Gurule115 lbs.: Angela Hill vs. Xiong Jingnan145 lbs.: Zhu Kangjie vs. Rodrigo Vera115 lbs.: Loma Lookboonmee vs. Jaquline AmorimUFC MACAU PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATESLive stream begins at 4 a.m. ET. ..For more UFC Macau: “Song vs. Figueiredo” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

The Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will not be available to watch for free in the UK for the first time in the modern era.Ever since the European Cup was rebranded to the Champions League 34 years ago, the final has been available to watch without a subscription to any premium TV service – shown on ITV from 1992 to 2015 and then streamed for free by TNT Sports and its forerunner, BT Sport, for the past decade.However, UK rights holder TNT Sports (owned by Warner Bros Discovery) has confirmed that this year, viewers will only be able to watch the clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday 30 May on either its own platform or HBO Max, both requiring a subscription.Arsenal v PSG LIVE: Mikel Arteta reveals Jurrien Timber fitness ahead of Champions League finalThe move prompted UK prime minister Keir Starmer to speak out and write to TNT Sports in a bid to reverse the decision, while the broadcaster maintained a subscription for HBO Max was “exceptional value” from £4.99.“I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that the Champions League final will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK,” wrote Starmer. “The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football. I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.“Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that. This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out. Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.”In response, a TNT Sports spokesperson said last week before Uefa’s finals: “It has been a privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season. Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English football and something that we are proud to continue to support.The Uefa Champions League trophy as the shirts of Paris St Germain and Arsenal are kept on display (Reuters)“We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions.”The same also applied to the other two European finals, also involving English clubs – when Aston Villa defeated Freiburg in the Europa League final and Crystal Palace won the Conference Leagueagainst Rayo Vallecano a week later.TNT Sports can be accessed through HBO Max, BT, Sky, Virgin Media or Amazon PVC, with subscriptions typically costing between £25 and £34 a month, while a separate HBO Max plan in the UK starts from £4.99. HBO Max is also available to Sky entertainment customers at no additional cost.Arsenal have reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history, and the first since 2006, with reigning champions PSG standing in the way of Mikel Arteta’s men, who will try to seal a remarkable double as they also aim to outduel Manchester City for a first Premier League title for 22 years.Arsenal have reached the Champions League final for just the second time (Getty)TNT Sports are set to lose TV rights to all three European competitions from the 2027-28 season, having been outbid by Paramount for the Champions League and by Sky Sports for the Europa League and Conference League in Uefa’s media rights auction last year.

Daniel Siebert will referee Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest.The German official has been appointed by the Uefa Referees Committee and will be tasked with officiating one of the biggest games in football at the Puskas Arena on Saturday, 30 May.The 42-year-old has 11 years of experience since beginning his career in 2015 and brings experience from nine Uefa Champions League matches from this season alone. Siebert was the referee in the quarter-final first leg between Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal, one of two games officiated this term with the Gunners, who ran out 1-0 winners on that night.Arsenal v PSG LIVE: Mikel Arteta reveals Jurrien Timber fitness ahead of Champions League finalHe was also in charge in the semi-final second leg between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, another 1-0 win for the Gunners, which will appeal to Gunners fans ahead of the match.Siebert is yet to show a yellow card to an Arsenal player, and has shown just three yellow cards across both matches. While he has also officiated one PSG match this season; the goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao in December, where he brandished four yellow cards.Siebert averages more yellow cards on average overall, with 4.44 per game from nine games in the Champions League this term, according to Who Scored, and 0.22 red cards per game. That's up from his Bundesliga average, from 15 games this term, with 3.20 yellow cards per game and 0.13 red cards per game.Further experience comes from last year’s Uefa Europa League semi-final between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao, and he also officiated two games at the Uefa Euro 2024 and three games at Uefa Euro 2020.​Atletico Madrid's Robin Le Normand speaks to Referee Daniel Siebert (AP)Following Arsenal’s victory over West Ham, and the high-profile VAR incident that ruled out Callum Wilson’s equaliser for the Hammers, Mikel Arteta has publicly confessed his admiration for the pressure officials operate under. Notably Chris Kavanagh and how he observed 17 replays over four minutes and 17 seconds before deciding to rule out the goal due to Pablo’s arm impeding David Raya."When I had to be critical, I have been," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Today I have to congratulate them [VAR]. You needed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action."When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave. The action deserved that. In my opinion, it is very clear. They are the rules and we ask for consistency."Referee Daniel Siebert gestures during Sporting v Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals (Getty Images)Uefa Champions League final 2026 refereeing teamReferee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)Assistants: Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn (both from Germany)4th Official: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)Reserve AR: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso (Spain)VAR: Bastian Dankert (Germany)Assistant VAR: Robert Schröder (Germany)VAR Support: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

Yellow police tape is seen on May 27, 2026 outside the Longview, Wash. paper mill where a deadly chemical tank failure occurred. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)2026-05-30T04:01:05Z LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — From his living room window, Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson can see the paper mill where a chemical tank ruptured this week in Longview, killing 11 people. He used to perform work there as the owner of an environmental cleanup company, and when he heard the sirens go past, he called his son, who works on the larger industrial site, to make sure he was safe.“I personally have been inside that tank and near that tank many times,” said Wilson, who has lived in Longview for 56 years. “I can assure you that we all know somebody there. … The casualties are our friends and neighbors.”The tank, which contained more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of a mixture used to break down wood for making paper, collapsed Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. The rupture expelled a flood of caustic chemicals powerful enough to overturn pickup trucks and damage buildings at the site. The chemical disaster, one of the deadliest U.S. workplace accidents in recent decades, has struck at the heart of a community where generations of families have worked in local mills. Longview itself was founded by a timber baron to support the first mills established there, and over its roughly century-long history, residents’ lives have become intertwined with the lumber and paper industries. Supporting victims and worrying about the futureAmid immediate concern about supporting grieving families, there is also worry about what the accident could mean for the future of the plant: It provides crucial jobs in an industry that once powered the forested region but has dwindled in recent decades.The plant’s parent company, Tokyo-based Nippon Paper Group, said in a statement that it was assessing the accident’s impact on its financial performance.“Last night at the vigils, people who work in mills told me that they’re proud of their jobs and they’re proud of their work, and they don’t want to lose it,” U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, whose district includes Longview, told reporters Wednesday. Read More Residents who spoke with The Associated Press similarly highlighted how important those jobs are for the city.”If you’re a waitress, a grocery store worker, a teacher, a paraeducator as I was for 30 years — every walk of life here knows somebody and is related to somebody from these mills,” Cindy Stiebritz said in the antiques store where she volunteers. Generations in the mills Stiebritz said her husband’s parents met while working at the lumber company owned by the city’s founder, Robert A. Long.“Those mills, that is the backbone of this town,” Stiebritz added. “You feel like you’ve lost part of your family.”Longview’s industrial zone lies along the Columbia River and hosts timber, paper and chemical businesses. Many residents in the city of nearly 40,000 can see the facilities or the steam from the boilers from their homes, or smell the sulfuric odor of the pulp and paper industry.The city’s mill history is also imprinted on its downtown, where R. A. Long Square serves as a central landmark and gathering place, including for the vigil held after the disaster. A park around a man-made lake, another project of Long, features a burst of greenery where pedestrians enjoy its walking paths or the nearby tree-lined streets. Authorities said the cause of the tank’s collapse is still under investigation. The facility, which dates to 1953 and employs about 1,000 people, makes material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, cartons and other goods.According to fundraisers organized for the victims’ families, those who lost their lives include a grandfather who was always willing to help anyone; two brothers, one of whom was the sole provider for his partner and three children; and a husband who left behind two children and a wife with a baby on the way.Brianna Pesio, a server at the Mill City Grill downtown, said her father has worked at the plant for over 30 years. She described the fear Tuesday morning when her brother, who works at the lumber mill next door, told her he couldn’t get a hold of him.“I just didn’t know if I lost my dad or not,” said Pesio, whose husband also works in a paper mill. “I drove over to my dad’s house and pounded on his door until he did wake up. He had just gotten off shift at 5 a.m.”At the nearby Country Folks Deli, longtime server Gayle Leavitt said her in-laws also worked at the mill for decades, adding: “That’s how this town has survived.” ‘This is not the virtual world’Officials representing the area echoed the pride residents take in the mills and the economic importance of their good-paying jobs in a region where other areas have been hit hard by the decline of the timber industry.“This is a place where real people make real things. This is not the virtual world,” state Rep. Jim Walsh said at a news conference at the plant on Tuesday. “Real things and real industry always carries risks. But it’s our job to make sure that risk like this is well managed and, to the extent it can be, controlled.” Stiebritz, the antiques shop volunteer, said she hopes authorities find out the cause “so it never happens again.”“If anything comes out of it, I hope lives can be saved,” she said, tearing up as she thought of the children who have lost their parents.“This town is family. It’s one big family,” she added. “But we’ll make it though. We’re strong. We’ve got a lot of love.” CLAIRE RUSH Rush is an Associated Press reporter covering Oregon state government and general news in the Pacific Northwest more broadly. twitter mailto

The UFC Macau: Song vs. Figueiredo live results from Galaxy Arena in Macau, China begin at 4 a.m. ET on MMAWeekly.com. The event is headlined by a bantamweight bout between No. 5 ranked Song Yadong and No. 7 ranked former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. It will be the fight promotion's fifth visit to the special administrative region of China.UFC Macau Official ResultsMAIN CARD (Paramount+, 6 a.m. ET)Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Alonzo Menifield vs. Zhang Mingyang Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison TeixeiraKai Asakura vs. Cameron SmothermanCarlson Harris vs. Jake MatthewsSu Mudaerji vs. Alex Perez PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 4 a.m. ET)Luis Felipe vs. Yi Sak LeeMeng Ding vs. Jose HenriqueCody Haddon vs. Aori QilengLuis Gurule vs. Rei TsuruyaAngela Hill vs. Xiong Jing NanRodrigo Vera vs. Kangjie ZhuJaqueline Amorim vs. Loma Lookboonmee

🥐Champions final, transfers, rumours... the day's 5️⃣ storiesAll eyes are on the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal, but there are other things worth paying attention to as well.PSG and Arsenal, glory awaitsIt’s the big day: Arsenal and PSG are battling for the European crown to see who will be crowned champions of Europe. The French side are looking to defend last season’s title, while the Gunners are aiming to taste glory for the first time and seal a historic double.A very Gordon signing for BarcelonaThe English forward has become the Blaugrana side’s first signing for next season in a deal worth 70 million plus add-ons.Atleti grow tired of the 'Julián case'With everything going on surrounding Julián Álvarez and Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid have made their frustration clear and, as proof, posted a series of tweets featuring players like Pedri, Lamine and Raphinha wearing the red-and-white shirt.The World Cup is 12 days awayIt’s hard to believe, but the start of this World Cup is practically just around the corner. The national teams are putting the finishing touches on their squad lists and, from tomorrow, everything will revolve around the biggest event of the year.An emotional day in the 'Hypertension' LeagueToday marks the start of the final matchday of the Segunda División season, when it will be decided which teams go straight into the promotion play-offs and which ones confirm their relegation.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Champions League Final Budapest | Credit: SmartFrame Images | Zuma PressThe question we were asking on Friday was – As a Newcastle United fan, who do you want to win the Champions League final?The final is in Budapest today.A 5pm (UK time) kick-off at the Puskas Arena.Things now reaching the climax of the top European competition.So as Newcastle United fans, which of the two clubs do you want to win this Champions League final?Arsenal – Are you a Newcastle United fan who likes to see all the English teams do well and would prefer to see Mikel Arteta lift the trophy?PSG – Or is it the French club you’d like to see retain the trophy? Newcastle United remaining the only English club that PSG can’t find a way to beat.These are the results from the Newcastle United fans who voted, the percentage siding with Arsenal and those with PSG.23% Arsenal77% PSGA decisive vote in favour of PSG winning (and Arsenal losing!).Many thanks for taking the time to vote.Source

The clubs to have reached consecutive Champions League finals this centuryParis Saint-Germain are in the midst of a golden era with the Parisians reaching the Champions League final again this season.The European champions face Arsenal in Budapest this evening, seeking back-to-backChampions League crowns.Luis Enrique's side can become only the second team to defend the trophy in the Champions League era, while only five clubs have reached successive finals this century.Valencia — 2000 & 2001Valencia endured successive heartbreaks at the turn of the century, after losing consecutive Champions League finals. The Spanish side faced Real Madrid in the first-ever same country final in 2000, but lost 3-0 in Paris.Valencia had finished above Real Madrid in La Liga, but froze on the big stage as goals from Fernando Morientes, Steve McManaman and Raul sealed success for the capital club.A year later, Hector Cuper's team returned to the decider. However, it was more misery for Valencia, who were beaten by Bayern Munich on penalties.Manchester United — 2008 & 2009Manchester United came out on top in the first-ever all-English Champions League final in 2008. After a tight final against Chelsea ended all square after extra-time, the Red Devils won on penalties in Moscow.Sir Alex Ferguson's side returned to the Champions League final the following season, though hopes of defending their title were dashed in Rome. Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi earned Barcelona a 2-0 win, as the Spaniards outclassed the holders.Real Madrid — 2016, 2017 & 2018Real Madrid became the first team to defend the trophy in the Champions League era, as part of an incredible three-peat under Zinedine Zidane.The Spaniards beat rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2016 decider, before an emphatic 4-1 win over Juventus in Cardiff in 2017. Real Madrid made it a hat-trick of Champions League wins by beatingLiverpool in 2018, courtesy of Gareth Bale's brilliant brace.Liverpool — 2018 & 2019Liverpool reached back-to-back finals in 2018, and atoned for that aforementioned loss to Real Madrid. That first final ended in disaster as Loris Karius made two calamitous mistakes in Kyiv, but the Reds returned with renewed intent in 2019.An early Mohamed Salah spot-kick and Divock Origi's late goal sealed a 2-0 win over Spurs, and Liverpool's sixth Champions League title.Paris Saint-Germain — 2025 & 2026Paris Saint-Germain secured their maiden Champions League crown last season after a destructive performance against Inter Milan.Luis Enrique's side ran riot to claim a 5-0 win, a record scoreline in a Champions League final. PSG have overcome a slow start to their defence to reach a second straight decider, beating Bayern Munich in an epic semi-final. Arsenal await in a fantastic final for the neutrals.

‘He trusted me a lot’ – Bayer Leverkusen star opens up on Real Madrid rumours and Xabi Alonso’s sackingAlejandro Grimaldo addressed the speculation that linked him with Real Madrid, while also offering his thoughts on former manager Xabi Alonso and his future ambitions.The Spanish full-back enjoyed some of the best football of his career under Alonso at Leverkusen, becoming one of the key figures in the German side’s rise. Their successful partnership naturally led to rumours that a reunion could take place elsewhere, particularly when Alonso returned to Real Madrid as a manager.Now, Grimaldo has reflected on those rumours and explained how he viewed the possibility of working with the coach again.On Alonso’s sackingDuring an interview with AS, Grimaldo was asked about Alonso’s managerial journey and whether he was surprised by the way things unfolded at Real Madrid.Grimaldo was surprised when Alonso was sacked. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)The defender admitted he expected the former midfielder to succeed and remains convinced that Alonso has all the qualities needed to become one of football’s elite coaches.“Yes, I was surprised. I was one of those who said he was going to be successful, and I still think he will be.“Sooner or later, he’s going to be one of the best coaches in the world. I’ve been around him, I’ve worked with him, I know his mindset, his ideas about soccer, and I know he has an incredible future ahead of him.“But the Madrid locker room… in the end, it’s all about results. Although I don’t think they were doing badly at the time he left the club. “But anyway, I don’t get involved in that.”Signing for Real MadridThe conversation then turned towards the transfer rumours that linked Grimaldo with Real Madrid when Alonso was in charge of Los Blancos.Grimaldo was linked to Real Madrid. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)The Leverkusen defender acknowledged the close relationship he built with the coach but admitted that a move never materialised.“In the end, with Xabi, ever since he brought me to Leverkusen, we’ve been very close. We’ve had a lot of success together, and he trusted me a lot.“I was thrilled to be with him, but in the end, when you go to a club like Madrid, well, I guess you can’t bring in every player you like.“We had to go our separate ways, and he’s now at Chelsea. I wish him the best; he’ll have an incredible future,” he concluded.

Previous World Cup appearances: 3Best performance: Quarterfinals (2002)First appearance: 2002 (South Korea and Japan)Top goal scorer: Papa Bouba Diop (3)Most appearances: Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly, Ismaila Sarr (7)Player to watch: Sadio ManeFIFA world ranking: 14In their first ever World Cup match in 2002, Senegal shocked the world by beating the defending champions France 1-0, and went on to top a tricky group that also included Denmark and Uruguay.The Lions of Teranga followed up that upset by knocking out Sweden in the last 16 and narrowly fell to Turkiye 1-0 in the quarterfinals.Nearly a quarter of a century on, Senegal arrive at their third consecutive World Cup as arguably – if not quite officially – the best side in Africa, and potential outsiders to lift the trophy.Senegal were unbeaten in qualifying, and made a strong statement against England recently, becoming the first African side to beat the Three Lions winning 3-1 at Wembley last June.Their recent AFCON final against Morocco may have been marred by farce after they temporarily left the pitch in protest at a penalty, but there’s no doubting their individual talent or strength as a unit.Senegal have “big dreams” to “achieve great things”, coach Pape Thiaw said as he unveiled a 28-man squad earlier this month – which he will have to trim by two players before the tournament.Mane’s final World Cup actVeteran forward and captain Sadio Mane, 34, is set to play in his last World Cup – he said he will retire from international football after the tournament. While age has eroded his once blistering pace, he remains no slouch and retains world class touch, vision and leadership to go with his experience.Mane was named AFCON player of the tournament in January after inspiring Senegal’s run to the final, scoring a sensational goal in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Egypt before going on to lift the trophy.He also emerged with credit when some of his teammates and coaches embarrassed themselves as he refused to follow them by leaving the pitch and called them back on to finish the game.Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr, Mane scored a fairly mediocre return of 10 goals and six assists in the Saudi Pro League, but he did help his side win the title.Mane will be extra desperate to go out on a high after missing the last World Cup through injury while at the peak of his game.He is Senegal’s all-time top scorer with 53 goals in 126 appearances, and will be looking to add several to that tally if Senegal are to mount a genuine challenge.Mane won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr this season [File: Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images]Questions over Thiaw’s judgementThiaw replaced long-serving coach Aliou Cisse as manager in late 2024, and led his side to an undefeated qualification, the famous win over England, and victory in the AFCON 2025 final.However, his judgement in that final was sorely lacking after he called for his players to leave the pitch when Morocco were awarded a controversial last-minute penalty.Brahim Diaz eventually missed, and Senegal went on to win in extra time. But while Thiaw’s recklessness may have contributed to Diaz missing the spot kick, it may have also played a role in costing his side their title after The Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped them of the cup.The nation of Senegal will hope Thiaw can be more level-headed when facing inevitable adversity in the World Cup, because he has built an extremely dangerous side.Packed with talentMany of Senegal’s players will be familiar to followers of Europe’s major leagues.Nicolas Jackson – on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea – is a physical, fast striker who gets in all the right positions, even if his finishing sometimes lets him down.The pacy winger Ismaila Sarr has excelled at Crystal Palace, helping them to an FA Cup and Europa League wins, and was instrumental in the victory over England.Pape Matar Sarr is a dynamic all-round talent in midfield, even if he has endured a miserable season at Spurs.Sunderland’s Habib Diarra is emerging as a highly exciting young midfielder, and is attracting interest from bigger clubs, while Idrissa Gana Gueye and Lamine Camara are solid anchors in the middle of the park, and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is a class act out wide.Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, now 35, brings a calm and vastly experienced nous to central defence.There are also exciting teenagers coming through the ranks, with Bayern’s 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye and PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye announced in the squad.If there are weaknesses, it may be that some of the main stars are ageing and the creative players can be a little inconsistent – and also that the group is possibly the closest to being the tournament’s “group of death”.Jackson in action with Heidenheim’s Patrick Mainka in the Bundesliga [File: Angelika Warmuth/Reuters]How does Senegal’s group look?Group I features formidable sides in France and Norway, as well as a potentially tricky game against Iraq.Senegal will look to repeat their shock 2002 in the opener against the French, who will surely not be underestimating their African opponents this time.The second game, against Norway, could be just as tough as Koulibaly and co will have to try to stop the goal machine Erling Haaland if they are to get something from the game – although they will take heart from their frequently watertight defence which was so stingy in qualifying.The Senegalese will back themselves to comfortably see off Iraq, who qualified through a late intercontinental playoff, although they may not feel they have the luxury to rest any stars depending on how the first two games go.Ultimately, even the matches against the most rarefied opposition in their group will hold little fear for a confident and talented Senegal.Senegal’s group matches at the World Cup⚽ June 16: France vs Senegal (New Jersey, United States), 3pm ET (19:00 GMT) ⚽ June 22: Norway vs Senegal (New Jersey, United States), 8pm ET (00:00 GMT) ⚽ June 26: Senegal vs Iraq (Toronto, Canada), 3pm ET (19:00 GMT)Al Jazeera’s predictionQuarterfinals.Senegal will likely impress but may ultimately lack the talent and creativity to be challengers.Senegal World Cup 2026 squadGoalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahly), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvann Diouf (Nice)Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Assane Diao (Como)

Ridiculous reason Liverpool ended Ibrahima Konate talksLiverpool apparently ended their contract talks with Ibrahima Konate for a ridiculous reason.Ibrahima Konate will not re-sign with Liverpool. The centre-back’s contract ends this summer and there’s no new deal, meaning he leaves the club on a free transfer.It’s a shock. Konate himself talked about feeling he was close to a new deal with Liverpool towards the end of the season. Instead, nothing has developed and talks are now finished.So how has this happened? Well, The Times says that the club ultimately decided against giving Konate what he wanted as they felt the money must be saved for elsewhere.Primarily, Liverpool want to save the money to replace Mohamed Salah and find cover while Hugo Ekitike is injured. Now, ignoring the fact that never, at any point, was it suggested that Ekitike’s injury hurt talks with Konate, this makes still makes little sense.Liverpool are now down a starting centre-back. 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet, an unknown Premier League quantity, is in line to replace Konate at the back - and he’ll have to do it after returning from shoulder surgery.The club do need a new senior option, then. Especially as Joe Gomez is expected to leave. His departure would mean Liverpool have a 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk, Jacquet, and a teenage Giovanni Leoni returning from as serious knee injury as their centre-backs.Some sort of starting defender is necessary - but now you’ll have to pay a transfer fee to find one. Surely that takes more money than simply paying Konate? Or is the suggestion that Liverpool just won’t replace him, instead spending the money in an area where they spent £300m in 2025?Something doesn’t add up.Ibrahima Konate: Situation SummaryAnfield Departure ConfirmedAs of 29 May 2026, Ibrahima Konaté is officially set to leave Liverpool as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of June. Despite the 27-year-old French defender publicly stating in April that a contract renewal was close, talks between his representatives and sporting director Richard Hughes have completely broken down over wage valuation. Having joined from RB Leipzig for £35 million in 2021, Konaté finishes a five-year Anfield stay that included a Premier League title, making his final appearance in Sunday's 1–1 draw against Brentford, where he played the full 90 minutes.Future DestinationsThe powerhouse centre-back's availability on a free transfer has alerted Europe's elite. Reports indicate Konaté heavily favours a move to La Liga, though a return to his hometown with Paris Saint-Germain remains a strong possibility. He has also been named in Didier Deschamps' France squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

How will the Washington Commanders replace tight end Zach Ertz?Ertz will be 36 in November, and he went down with a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during a Week 14 game against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury occurred on December 7, 2025, prematurely ending his 13th NFL season.Commanders GM Adam Peters, knowing how dependable Ertz had been as a receiver, determined to pursue and sign TE Chig Okonkwo, a free agent who had played his first four seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. The former Maryland Terrapin is much younger, turning 27 in September. Okonkwo caught 56 passes last season for 560 yards (10.0) for eight touchdowns. But don't kid yourself into thinking Ertz was no longer effective as a receiver. Though Ertz was not a very good blocker on running plays, Ertz did know how to read a zone defense, find, and sit down in the open areas of zone coverage. Missing four games, Ertz still managed to be on the receiving end of 50 receptions for 504 receiving yards (10.1) and four touchdowns.Say hello to Chig Okonkwo.I’m excited about this dude in the Commanders offense. pic.twitter.com/exACCU0bhg— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 27, 2026Ertz provided a little more size and more experience at finding openings in the zone. Okonkwo will provide more quickness and, therefore, possibly more yards after the catch. Ertz was also quite the leader. Remember how the very week after his injury, Ertz still came in and watched film with then-second-year tight end Ben Sinnott, attempting to help prepare Sinnott for the increased playing time he was going to receive due to Ertz's absence.Okonkwo played last season with rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Don't you think he is eagerly anticipating having Jayden Daniels as his quarterback in 2026? With Sinnott and John Bates also available, it is very possible the Commanders could be lining up in two-tight end formations.Of course, die-hard Redskins fans recall a two-tight-end offense brought to town by Joe Gibbs. He was pretty successful with it, don't you think?This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: TE Chig Okonkwo was signed to replace Zach Ertz

How Arteta's psychology rebuild took Arsenal to a Champions League final originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Make it happen.Walk through Arsenal's Sobha Realty Training Centre and the psychology of Mikel Arteta's rebuild is written into the building itself. On the walls. In the gym. In the corridors. Some messages are clear, others more cryptic."Everything matters.""Have you made your car faster?""Me x me = we."To an outsider, it can look like motivational wallpaper. To Arteta, it is the language of belief.On one wall the outline of the Premier League trophy is featured, with an empty black silhouette left deliberately blank.It is a space waiting to be filled, a reminder of what the players are chasing. It sits in the background as they arrive for training, catching the eye behind interviews. Arteta has spoken about it. The belief was always that one day they would fill it, and light it up. SN Arsenal are champions of England for the first time in 22 years. Arteta has been named Manager of the Season. The set-piece work will take headlines and the recruitment will take credit, but ask the manager what mattered most and he points somewhere less obvious."The best part of the rebuild at Arsenal was changing the culture inside the organisation," Arteta told Sky Sports once the title was confirmed."I wanted to understand deeply how people felt about working inside Arsenal, and I was not happy or impressed with how they described it. Changing the culture was much deeper than changing tactics or the way the team played. It became the foundation for everything we built after that."Nothing was too small. Arsenal even reshaped the away dressing room at the Emirates, making it tighter and less welcoming for visiting teams.It was classic Arteta: no detail too small, no edge too marginal.The professor in the buildingThe Sporting News can reveal that highly regarded Professor Tim O'Brien spent several years at Arsenal under Arteta, brought in to analyse and change the culture around the club.He conducted a research analysis of the culture and supported Arteta in making radical changes to it. O'Brien has a track record of supporting global businesses in culture transformation.A chartered psychologist, he also worked closely with the men's team. O'Brien was not new to the training ground, having first worked at Arsenal in the days of Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, spending close to a decade behind the scenes under Arsene Wenger.He is the Honorary Professor of Psychology and Human Development at the world-leading UCL Institute of Education in London and a Professor, part-time, at the University of Limerick in Ireland. He is also an award-winning practitioner with international standing. O'Brien's work sits in the space where thinking, emotion, behaviour and performance meet.His view of what a football team actually is goes to the heart of what Arteta has built.O'Brien never speaks about any of the players he has worked with. In a rare interview, with me in 2016, he said:"Football squads are a small community of people who need each other, and this applies to the staff as well.""You must have people whose psychological orientation is about the team and they have to be willing to serve the team. To do that you must put other people's needs before your own when the team requires you to do so." Getty Images/Arsenal FC That idea of the self in service of the group runs straight through Arteta's squad, as does O'Brien's belief that leadership can be held by more than one player.Martin Odegaard is Arsenal's captain, but this season leadership is shared across a wider group that includes Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber and David Raya."You need distributed leadership throughout a team. It cannot be left to a captain to lead on his or her own. Some supporters will see the captain as needing to be loud on the pitch, but the captain has to be someone who gains the respect of their colleagues by living the values of the team both on and off the pitch."A community of mindO'Brien has a phrase for the thing every manager chases, but few truly get."A team is a community of mind. Individuals have their personality but the team also has a personality. They may be from different backgrounds and cultures, with different life experiences, but fundamentally a team is a community of mind. A strong sense of togetherness is critical in creating it.""It is always possible for a team with high levels of togetherness to beat a team that has high levels of technical quality. The history of the FA Cup provides evidence of that."Resilience, he argues, is not something players either have or do not have. It is built. O'Brien told me that he believes resilience is emergent in individuals and in teams."I do not see resilience as a personality trait, something a person has or does not have. That is a pessimistic view of people. There are people who can surprise us with how resilient they are, especially in adversity. I see resilience as an unfolding process in the mind that can be nurtured. In a team, it depends on feeling a sense of belonging. A team that works on its togetherness is providing the climate for resilience too."Pressure is a privilegeThere is a difference, O'Brien says, between pressure and stress. At the sharp end of a season, that distinction matters."Some people perform well under pressure in the big games. They love it because they believe they have, or can develop, the psychological resources to perform when demands are highest. When pressure flips into stress, you start to feel you don't have the resources to cope. If you're stressed you cannot perform well."Arteta reached for the same idea during the run-in when he showed his players a speech by actor Tom Hiddleston, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, who borrowed Billie Jean King's famous line that 'pressure is a privilege'."The chemical you produce when you're nervous is the same one you produce when you are excited," Hiddleston said. "I choose to say that I am excited. Pressure is a privilege. If you feel any weight of expectation, you are breathing rare air that few of us get to live inside."The message to the squad was simple. What a privilege to lead the league. What a privilege to be chased by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.But psychology at Arsenal is not just about slogans on walls or speeches before big games. It is also about understanding the stories players carry into the dressing room.O'Brien has written about how everyone has their own 'Inner Story'. Our experiences, and how we process them, will inform what it means to be who we are. His book of the same name explains how, in teams, this has to be understood and acknowledged because players are people and not simply performers.William Saliba lost his father at 17 and his mother two years later before having to build a new life and career away from home. Bukayo Saka missed a penalty for England at 19, suffered racist abuse, responded with the words "love always wins" and is now a Premier League champion. Eberechi Eze was released by Arsenal at 13 and has spoken about crying for a week; years later, Arsenal paid £67million to bring him home. Gabriel Magalhaes was attacked outside his own home and fought off the assailants. Declan Rice was told by Chelsea at 14 that he was not good enough.Some have dealt with grief, rejection, abuse, pressure, danger or doubt long before lifting a trophy. That is why the psychological side of Arteta's Arsenal matters so much.It was not always this calm.Rewind to 2020 and Arsenal looked very different.Leaks were coming out of the club, agents were briefing the media, some players were unhappy with Arteta's decisions and a few tried to undermine him.Things even spilled onto the grass, with a training-ground confrontation between David Luiz and Dani Ceballos later making its way into the public domain.Arteta's response set the tone for everything that followed as he told the squad he would "destroy" whoever was behind the leaks. Then came the harder part: moving on those who did not fit.Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke later said the motto around the club was: "Tune out the noise, keep your heads down, have each other's backs.""At times, everyone needs an arm around the shoulder," he told Arteta.But the Gunners' dressing room learned a harder truth too: the only people you can truly trust are the ones in the room with you.Indeed, Arteta's team talks have become theatre since the All or Nothing documentary aired in 2022. He uses props to emphasise his message and has introduced music to Arsenal's training sessions.The hardest part of the rebuild wasn't tactics but deep cultural change inside the organisation - Mikel Arteta ❤️Say what you want about him but he's so pure ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gp3ytha7QO— Cannon Of Arsenal (@CannonOfArsenal) May 27, 2026"It's something we've been doing for many years now," he said."And as part of training we use music as another element of our sessions to build the energy, to change some purposes that we want in the training session and I think the players enjoy it."It depends on the drill, depends on the day. Some players pick the first song, the first two songs, the last song. It's definitely interesting."Soon, supporters will see more of it for themselves. Arsenal have filmed heavily behind the scenes this season and footage of Arteta's motivational talks is expected to be released. It is understood the material will form part of the club's tie-up with Paramount+.There is one prize left.On Saturday, May 30 in Budapest, Arsenal face holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, as they seek to secure a European crown the club has never won.An AI song that names every member of the squad, and which Arteta will only say "came from somewhere", played loudly in the manager's garden the night Arsenal were confirmed as champions. His sons love it. So do the players.It carries one of his favourite phrases: make it happen.And now it is the guys in the room, the ones Arteta trusts, who could be about to do exactly that.

Journalist confirms Man City are interested in another Chelsea star, it’s not Enzo FernandezNew Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca is interested in reuniting with Marc Cucurella at the Etihad according to reports.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STOREChelsea face a critical summer in terms of recruitment with serious reinforcements required in key areas of the squad.It’s not just incomings, a number of players need to be moved on, whilst others want to leave the club after another disappointing season.Manchester City interested in Marc CucurellaOne player facing an uncertain future is Cucurella, with the Spain international having just two years left on his contract.Cucurella signed improved terms last year, but his contract length remained the same, and he’s made it clear he’d like to return to Spain at some point.The 27-year-old. like many of his team-mates had a poor season, where his form massively dropped off from what he’s capable of.Cucurella has been strongly linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, and journalist Matteo Moretto has reported Enzo Maresca and City are interested, along with Atletico and Barcelona.Despite his poor campaign, Cucurella is still one of the best left backs in world football, and losing him would be a blow for Chelsea.It’s not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch he’s very popular within the squad, and is one of very few leaders at the club.If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.In other news…Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly has urged Xabi Alonso to make a move for Al-Hilal striker Darwin Nunez, with the 26-year-old expected to leave Saudi Arabia.More Stories / Latest NewsReport: Chelsea rule out summer move for £60m rated star for one key reason 30th May 2026, 08:45amJournalist confirms Man City are interested in another Chelsea star, it’s not Enzo Fernandez 30th May 2026, 08:15amAshley Cole shares doubt he has over new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso 30th May 2026, 07:45amThe Blues have a number of decisions to make in the striker department with doubts over the future of Liam Delap, whilst it’s unclear what the plan is with Emmanuel Emegha, whilst Nicolas Jackson could also stay at the club.Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

MACAU, CHINA - MAY 29: (L-R) Song Yadong of China and Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil face off during the UFC Fight Night official weigh-ins at Galaxy International Convention Center on May 29, 2026 in Macau, China. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) MMA Fighting has UFC Macau results for the Song vs. Figueiredo fight card, a live blog of the main event, and more from the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, on Saturday morning.In the main event, Song Yadong takes on Deiveson Figueiredo in a bantamweight contenders’ contest. Song —currently No. 7 at 135 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings — looks to bounce back from a recent loss to Sean O’Malley when he takes on Figueiredo (No. 9), a two-time UFC flyweight champion mired in a 1-3 slump.Zhang Mingyang and Alonzo Menifield compete in a light heavyweight contest in the co-main event.Check out UFC Macau results below.Main Card(Paramount+ at 7 a.m. ET)Song Yadong vs. Deiveson FigueiredoZhang Mingyang vs. Alonzo MenifieldSergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison TeixeiraKai Asakura vs. Cameron SmothermanJake Matthews vs. Carlston HarrisAlex Perez vs. SumudaerjiPreliminary Card (LIVE NOW) Yi Sak Lee vs. Luis Felipe DiasDing Meng vs. Jose SouzaAoriqileng vs. Cody HaddonRei Tsuruya vs. Luis GuruleAngela Hill vs. Xiong Jing NanZhu Kangjie vs. Rodrigo VeraJaqueline Amorim def. Loma Lookboonmee via submission (armbar) (R1, 4:04)

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 14: Jake Johnson #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies tackles Jamarr Robinson #11 of the Maryland Terrapins November 14, 2009 at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images There was excitement when the Virginia Tech Hokies scheduled the Maryland Terrapins for a four-game series on the gridiron, beginning in the 2026 season. After all, it only seemed natural that the former ACC rivals face one another again. Maryland and Virginia Tech will play in 2026, Sept. 19 in College Park, to be exact. The Hokies and Terrapins were supposed to meet a total of four times over the next four seasons. However, that will not happen, as the two schools agreed to cancel the 2027 and 2028 games. The teams will meet again in 2029, with that game in Blacksburg. The two canceled games are the 2027 game in Blacksburg and the 2028 game in College Park. Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock released the following statement. “These adjustments reflect our commitment to building a schedule that best serves Virginia Tech football and our fans,” said Babcock. “We look forward to two great matchups in 2026 and 2029.”Head coach James Franklin also commented. “We’re pleased to keep the 2026 and 2029 games with Maryland on the schedule,” said Franklin. “It’s a good regional matchup for our players and fans, and these adjustments give us valuable flexibility as we continue to position our program for long-term success.”The two teams have met a total of 32 times, with Maryland holding a slight 17-15 edge. They last met in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl, with the Terrapins blowing out a depleted Hokies squad. That was the year that the Hokies fired Justin Fuente. The Terps have won the last two meetings, but the Hokies won the previous five, including a 4-1 mark as ACC rivals. It’s good to see these schools playing again. They often compete for similar players on the recruiting trail, and the Hokies have been busy in Maryland since Franklin arrived in November. While Maryland fans immediately claimed the Hokies backed out because they were afraid of them, that’s not the case. With a nine-game ACC slate, Notre Dame and Liberty already on the 2027 and 2028 schedules, this result is not surprising. In case you were wondering, James Franklin loves to beat Maryland, with a 9-2 all-time mark vs. the Terps, with six of those wins coming by 30 or more points.

[Getty Images]For a campaign which at times has attracted a certain amount of cynicism, be it about style of play or their ability to last the course, Arsenal's players stand on the precipice of sporting immortality.Should they become the first winners of the Champions League or European Cup in the club's long history, they will effectively eclipse the greatest sides of the Arsene Wenger era. Perhaps the most poignant method of victory for Mikel Arteta's men would be scoring a winning goal from a corner.Arsenal's expertise from set-pieces and their defensive solidity was the bedrock of a first Premier League title in 22 years, and those key assets may also provide their best hope of dethroning PSG.The Gunners have scored 64 set-piece goals since the start of 2023-24 – at least nine more than any other team in the top five European leagues.Arsenal are also the only unbeaten side in this season's Champions League, having trailed for a grand total of 43 minutes (away to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16). They have conceded just six goals in 14 matches.PSG, though, have headlines of their own to make and Luis Enrique's outfit pose an almost unparalleled threat.They are aiming to become only the second club in the Champions League era (since 1992-93) to successfully defend their title, a feat only previously achieved by Real Madrid when they won three in a row between 2016 and 2018.Did you know?PSG and Arsenal will be facing each other for the eighth time, with their head-to-head record perfectly balanced at two wins each and three draws. However, the French giants won the two most recent meetings in the 2024-25 semi-finals.PSG have prevailed in each of their past five Champions League knockout ties against English clubs. Manchester City were the last English side to eliminate them, in the semi-finals of the 2020-21 tournament.[Getty Images]Key PSG players - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and VitinhaKvaratskhelia has been involved in more goals than any other player in the 2025-26 Champions League knockout phase (10), scoring seven times and providing three assists. He is the first player to score or assist in seven consecutive knockout-stage appearances in the same Champions League campaign.Vitinha has made 227 line-breaking passes in the competition this season – 44 more than any other player. Declan Rice, with 94, has played the most for Arsenal.Team newsAchraf Hakimi has not featured since the first leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich because of a hamstring injury and he remains a doubt.Ousmane Dembele also sat out an internal training match between squad players last weekend, but he has said he expects to be "100% fit" for the final.Arsenal made nine changes for an effective dead rubber against Crystal Palace on Sunday, when Mikel Merino played his first minutes since foot surgery in January.Jurrien Timber has not played since 14 March, while Ben White is out for the season. Noni Madueke will be assessed for a tight hamstring.

Mikel Arteta (left) and Aaron Ramsey (right) spent five years together at Arsenal [Getty Images]Aaron Ramsey has described former team-mate Mikel Arteta as an inspiration, as the former Wales captain eyes a career in management.Ramsey, 35, is studying for his pro licence – the top coaching qualification available – with the Football Association of Wales (FAW), just as Arteta did a decade ago.Arteta leads Arsenal in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday having already won the Premier League title – and Ramsey's aim is to emulate the Gunners boss."It is inspiring because Mikel was here [studying] around 10 years ago, in the same position starting his journey," said Ramsey."That's inspiring for us, to see him 10 years later, lifting the Premier League and in the Champions League final."I want to win all the big things in the game. That's the goal, that's the target - to get as good as I can to make that a reality."The Welsh Way - Inside the 'Harvard of coaching'Beauty forged in pain: Ramsey, Wales' 'best midfielder ever'Roberts and Davies return from injury for WalesRamsey was an Arsenal player for 11 years, with Arteta alongside him between 2011 and 2016.Wales legend Ramsey won three FA Cups during his time with the London giants, but the closest he came to the top-flight title was a second-placed finish in 2016.Arsenal's Premier League triumph this season was their first since 2004 – and Ramsey was thrilled to see Arteta end the club's long wait."From a friend's perspective, I am really pleased for him, I know the amount of work he's put in and the dedication he has to making sure that he gives absolutely everything for his role and that club," he said."And I am so pleased for my team to have been able to win the Premier League this year."Ready for a return to the touchline Ramsey has been part of Craig Bellamy's Wales staff in an unofficial capacity in recent months.He says he feels ready to move into a coaching job having called time on his 19-year playing career in April.As a player, Ramsey joined Arsenal from boyhood club Cardiff City, then had spells with Juventus, Rangers and Nice before rejoining the Bluebirds in 2023.He had a brief stint as Cardiff's interim boss in 2025 before ending his playing career with Mexican side Pumas UNAM last year.Having had a break since making his last playing appearance last September, Ramsey says he wants to return to football because "it's always important to have a purpose in life"."It's not in my DNA to just put my feet up," he added."I feel ready, but that all depends on the opportunity, doesn't it? So what that will look like will be different from different clubs, different age groups and all of that."For me, I feel ready to coach, to manage, to be inspiring to a group of players, and we'll see what comes up."Aaron Ramsey was Cardiff's interim boss for the final three games of the 2024-25 Championship season, but could not save the club from relegation [Getty Images]Ramsey will be remembered as one of Wales' greatest players, having scored 21 goals in 86 international appearances and representing his country at three major tournaments.He says Wales' defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-offs in March signalled the end of his time as a player."The thing for me was that the sort of carrot being dangled was the World Cup and obviously, every time I put on that Welsh shirt, it is the pinnacle of the game really for me," he said."I'm so proud to represent my country, so that was the thing that was keeping me going, really."Obviously [the World Cup] didn't come, but I'm extremely proud of what I've done as a player and now I have bigger plans to go into coaching."Which Wales players could move this summer?

When David Stearns addressed the media on April 29, a few days after the Mets had snapped their 12-game losing streak, the club's president of baseball of operations wanted to make sure that the skid did not define the team."It's really tough for me to take two weeks, even in two weeks where we didn't win a baseball game, but take two weeks and say that's going to dramatically alter who we think we are," Stearns said. "I still think we're a good team."Later that night, the Mets were walloped by the Nationals to fall to 10-20.Two weeks later, the Mets had stumbled on the tail end of their west coast trip, dropping two out of three to the Diamondbacks after scoring a combined two runs in the defeats. Stearns stepped to the podium with the Mets sitting at 15-25."I think we have the talent on the roster and the character on the roster to make a run," Stearns said. "We've got a lot of season left. I'm not going to say it's early. It's not. We're a quarter into the season. It's not early anymore, but we do have enough season left to make a run, and I think we have the talent to do that."On Friday afternoon, Stearns took a seat in the press conference room at Citi Field. The Mets sat at 23-33 at the bottom of the NL East standings.Noticing a trend? But now, the realization is setting in for the Mets that unless something drastic happens in the win and loss column or their identity will be defined in an ugly way."We have not had a good year so far. There's no question," Stearns said. "We're not where we thought we would be. We've dug ourselves a hole. It's not an insurmountable hole but it's definitely a hole, and we're gonna have to play better baseball to do what we want to do this year."In the past, there has been talk about players playing to the back of the baseball card or to their "custom levels."As the offense has sputtered, the Mets have not seen the step in production that they might have hoped from Mark Vientos and Brett Baty, who have shown at points in their careers - Vientos in 2024 and Baty in the second half of 2025 - they can be a cornerstone of the offense. Both have a sub-.700 OPS.Sean Manaea's regrrssion led to his demotion to the bullpen heading into the 2026 season despite his lucrative $75 million contract. Kodai Senga has been hit by injuries and inconsistent performance since his stellar 2023 campaign.Those performances and absences loom large."I think in certain situations that we've encountered, we think we know the reasons and are working, and in certain cases, we don't," Stearns said. "That's the reality of what baseball is, the reality of player evaluations and the reality of trying to help players get the best out of themselves and the most out of any individual team."It would be wrong to ignore the injuries. The front office was counting on the usually-durable Francisco Lindor to be a lineup cornerstone, alongside Juan Soto and Bo Bichette. The injury bug bit down again and contaminated the upside of Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. early in the season."We've had an enormous amount of potential impact in our lineup on the IL pretty much for the entire season," Stearns said. "That has put some other players in positions that we did not expect them to be in, to take impact and regular playing time at times that we didn't expect to be in. It's had an impact. It's also our responsibility to overcome that and we need to do that."So as Stearns addressed the state of the team on the heels of back-to-back series losses to the Marlins and Reds, the line of questioning took on a different tenor.When would trades be considered? Should prospects be called up to assess their readiness? How does the trade market look?For right now, Stearns provided a similar counter: "We're not there yet. We've got time."Soon, the Mets could have Polanco back after he played in his second rehab game on Friday night. Francisco Alvarez and Francisco Lindor are each progressing, with the former nearing a rehab assignment well ahead of schedule for his torn meniscus.The injury report will no longer be there as an excuse. And if the Mets are 10 games under .500 when Stearns strides into the room next homestand, the long-term questions will deserve some answers.Because right now, not much has changed week to week.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: As David Stearns advises patience, it continues to be deja vu for Mets

After Gujarat Titans pulled off a record chase in Qualifier 2, Shubman Gill won the Player of the Match award for his stunning century during the chase. And here's how he celebrated with his family after Gujarat Titans qualified for the IPL 2026 final.Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 7 wickets in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2026. Skipper Shubman Gill smashed a magnificent 104 off just 53 balls to comfortably chase down a daunting target of 215 at Mullanpur, Chandigarh. With this emphatic win, GT advanced to the grand finale, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while RR's campaign came to an end.It was the highest successful chase in any IPL Qualifier or Playoff match.Highest targets chased down in IPL playoffs215 - GT vs RR, Mullanpur, 2026 Qualifier 2204 - PBKS vs MI, Ahmedabad, 2025 Qualifier 2200 - KKR vs PBKS, Bengaluru, 2014 Final191 - KKR vs CSK, Chennai, 2012 Final189 - GT vs RR, Kolkata, 2022 Qualifier 1After the successful chase against Rajasthan Royals, Shubman Gill was seen hugging his parents with a heart full of joy after leading his team to their third IPL final.— IPL (@IPL) Yuvraj Singh also shared a heartfelt post on X, praising his protégé Shubman Gill and Gujarat Titans' emphatic victory in Qualifier 2:"Glorious Gill steals the day! Just reminded us that quality hitting through the line works in a crunch game 👌🏻. @ShubmanGill and @sais_1509's partnership took the game away from @rajasthanroyals! It was great to see #BossBaby @VaibhavSV12 playing with power and maturity at such a young age. Great signs of what's to come in Indian cricket 🏏."— YUVSTRONG12 (@YUVSTRONG12) Now, Gujarat Titans move to Ahmedabad, their home ground, where they will face RCB, who defeated them in Qualifier 1. Although Gujarat may have the advantage of playing at home, it will still be a tough challenge against an in-form RCB side.

Jaqueline Amorim scored another first-round armbar at UFC Fight Night 277.Amorim's (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) grappling proved to be too much when she got Loma Lookboonme (10-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) down to the ground and submitted her with an armbar at the 4:04 mark of Round 1 on Saturday's prelims at UFC Fight Night 277 at Galaxy Macau in China.Check out the video of Amorim's finish below (via X):KICKING OFF #UFCMACAU WITH A BANG 💥Jaqueline Amorim gets the night started with a RD1 submission victory![ LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gDU6sI7DMO— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2026Amorim has now scored first-round armbar finishes in three of her past four wins. She called for a top 15 strawweight after rebounding from her loss to Mizuki Inoue at UFC 321.Up-to-the-minute results of UFC Fight Night 277 include:Jaqueline Amorim def. Loma Lookboonme via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 4:04This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Macau video: Jaqueline Amorim submits Loma Lookboonme in Round 1

Roma to send Venturino back to GenoaIn January, Roma acquired Lorenzo Venturino from Genoa on loan with an option to buy set at around €7 million. This deal was completed alongside the transfer of Baldanzi to Genoa under the same terms (€10 million). The 2006-born player didn’t find much playing time in Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, which managed to finish third in the league table, surpassing AC Milan and Juventus. The Italy Under-21 winger made just one start, and that was at Genoa. The result was poor: 45 minutes of mediocrity before being substituted at halftime. Gian Piero Gasperini intends to overhaul his attacking lineup for next season. As Il Messaggero reports, Lorenzo Venturino is among the players set to leave the capital. After 198 minutes of interesting performances, Roma will not exercise their right to buy the 2006-born player. Evaluations are underway for the other forwards in the squad, with loan deals ending and players with limited market value, such as Dovbyk, whom the club hopes to release to finance its acquisitions.

NEW DELHI: As Gujarat Titans celebrated their place in the IPL 2026 final, a distraught Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sat quietly in the Rajasthan Royals dugout. The 15-year-old hid his face in his Orange Cap and wiped away tears, unable to mask the disappointment of seeing his team's campaign come to an end.It was a rare sight. Throughout the season, Sooryavanshi had played with freedom and a smile, fearlessly taking on some of the world's best bowlers and lighting up stadiums with his breathtaking strokeplay. But on Friday night in Mullanpur, the teenager was left heartbroken.He had done almost everything he could. A brilliant 96 off 47 balls powered Rajasthan Royals to a commanding 214/6. However, his valiant effort was not enough as Gujarat Titans secured a seven-wicket victory to book their place in the IPL final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.Chasing 215, Gujarat Titans were led by captain Shubman Gill, whose unbeaten 104 helped his side reach the target with eight balls to spare in New Chandigarh. The knock overshadowed Sooryavanshi's second successive 90-plus score in the playoffs.Sooryavanshi had carried Rajasthan Royals' batting for much of the season, amassing 776 runs, smashing 72 sixes and rewriting record books along the way. Yet, in that moment, none of those achievements seemed to matter.Even as skipper Riyan Parag addressed the broadcasters during the post-match presentation, Sooryavanshi remained seated in the dugout, struggling to contain his emotions. A member of the support staff sat beside him, offering comfort to a youngster who had given everything for his team but fallen agonisingly short of the final hurdle.— thecamgreen (@thecamgreen) "I can't really put it in words. There's one way where you just go and slog and then you get a lot of runs. But the way he's batted, it's not just slogging. It's not blind slogging. You can't do what you just did today if you were just going from ball one," RR captain Parag said after the match.— IPL (@IPL) "He calculates, he assesses conditions. He does literally everything well. I still can't figure out how. But hopefully he keeps doing that. Hopefully he represents our country and brings more laurels to the country. And hopefully he keeps on playing for Rajasthan Royals and gets us to that second championship," Parag added.At just 15 years of age, Sooryavanshi showed that behind the fearless batting, towering sixes and record-breaking performances is a young cricketer who deeply cares about his team. Individual milestones and personal accolades could not ease the pain of elimination.His IPL 2026 journey may have ended in tears, but it also marked the arrival of one of the brightest young talents in the game. Rajasthan Royals' season is over, but for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, this feels like just the beginning.

Lewis Steele: Liverpool exit is more ‘advanced’ than fans thinkLiverpool Midfield Debate Deepens as Curtis Jones Exit LoomsLiverpool’s summer planning was picked apart on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, as Dave Davis and Lewis Steele discussed whether Arne Slot’s squad needs strengthening in midfield.The conversation came amid wider uncertainty around Liverpool, with Ibrahima Konate set to leave, attacking reinforcements needed and questions across the squad. Davis framed the midfield issue directly, saying there was “a good line” from Steele that “a true holding midfielder or a DM is as important as a Mo Salah replacement.”That point captured the scale of the debate. Liverpool need forwards, but the midfield remains a major talking point after a season where Steele felt they were too easy to play through.Lewis Steele questions Liverpool’s midfield linksSteele was careful not to claim that a midfield signing was guaranteed. “The names are few and far between for these midfielders, aren’t they?” he said. “Which makes me just wonder whether they are going to sign one.”He clarified that when he had written about midfielders, it had largely been from the perspective of what Liverpool should do, rather than what he had been told they definitely would do.“I think whenever I’ve written about the midfielders, it’s been more from a place of I think they should sign one. Not necessarily I’ve heard that they will sign one.”That was an important distinction. Liverpool’s midfield need may be clear in analysis, but Steele suggested the market noise around specific targets had not yet become strong.Curtis Jones uncertainty adds pressureOne reason the issue may become more urgent is Curtis Jones. Steele said, “I think that they will because Curtis Jones is likely to leave as it stands today.”Later in the podcast, Davis returned to Jones and said it sounded like “there’s negotiations” and that “this one could move quite quickly.” Steele said people he speaks to in Italy had suggested the situation was “a bit more advanced than we think over here.”He added that they believed “they’ve already spoken with Jones’s entourage and talking money.” However, the issue was the club to club side, with Steele saying Liverpool wanted “35 mil” while Inter wanted “closer to 20”, which he thought was in euros.His conclusion was stark. “I struggle to see a scenario where Curtis stays at Liverpool as we sit here on the end of May.”Photo: IMAGODefensive midfielder remains a clear needSteele’s strongest footballing argument came around Liverpool’s lack of a defensive midfielder. “There’s not many midfielders actually out there where you think that they can definitely improve Liverpool,” he said.Even so, he pointed to what top sides usually possess. “You look at all the teams that win the Premier League have a quality defensive midfielder,” he said, referencing the kind of impact Fabinho once made.For Steele, the problem in Arne Slot’s side was clear. “Liverpool don’t have that and they get played through too easy.”That line was central to the midfield discussion. It was not only about numbers, or whether Jones leaves, but about balance, protection and control. Steele said, “I think that needs to be a priority for me.”The difficulty is that Liverpool have other urgent needs. Steele immediately added, “But now all of a sudden you’re like, well, maybe the new defender needs to be a priority.”Davis also raised Adam Wharton, asking about a possible sequence involving “Ederson to Man United, Elliot Anderson to Man City City, Adam Wharton to Liverpool.” Steele said the first two seemed “pretty much nailed on” from what he had heard, but on Wharton, “we’ve not really heard anything to suggest it’s actually a goer.”He added that it “just seems to be the one that makes most sense.”

Sky Sports: Crystal Palace have found their Oliver Glasner replacement and talks are already underwayDino Toppmöller to Crystal Palace: Managerial Search Takes Intriguing TurnCrystal Palace’s search for Oliver Glasner’s successor has taken an intriguing direction, with Sky Sports reporting that former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller is among the candidates under consideration at Selhurst Park.The original report from Sky Sports, states: “According to Sky Sport information, Dino Toppmöller is one of the candidates to succeed Oliver Glasner at Premier League club Crystal Palace.” That line alone gives this story genuine weight. Palace are not merely browsing familiar domestic options, they appear willing to explore a coach with Bundesliga experience, European grounding and a point to prove after his Frankfurt exit.Crystal Palace Manager Search Enters Fresh PhasePalace are approaching a crucial moment. Glasner’s departure leaves a sizeable gap, particularly after guiding the club to Conference League success. Replacing a coach who delivered silverware and tactical clarity is never straightforward, especially when expectations have shifted.Sky Sports add that “Talks are underway with the Conference League winners.” That suggests Toppmöller’s name is more than background noise. It points towards an active process, with Palace assessing whether his profile fits the club’s next stage.Photo: IMAGOToppmöller, 45, was dismissed by Eintracht Frankfurt in January, yet his reputation remains intact enough to attract interest across Europe and beyond. Sky Sports report that he “is ready for a new task,” which frames him as a coach keen to rebuild momentum rather than wait passively for the perfect role.Toppmöller Profile Offers Experience and RiskDuring his time at Frankfurt, Toppmöller took charge of 121 competitive games and averaged 1.55 points per match. That is not an overwhelming figure, but it does suggest stability, structure and a coach capable of handling pressure at a club with demanding supporters and European ambition.His recent links underline that he remains respected. Sky Sports note he “has recently been linked with several clubs – including Napoli, Al-Ittihad, Wolfsburg and Cologne.” That range is significant. Napoli represent high pressure elite football, Al-Ittihad point to financial ambition, while Wolfsburg and Cologne show continued Bundesliga relevance.For Palace, the question is whether Toppmöller can adapt quickly to Premier League intensity. English football offers less breathing space, greater physical demands and intense scrutiny. Yet Palace have shown in recent years that smart recruitment, both on the pitch and in the dugout, can help them compete beyond their financial bracket.Selhurst Park Needs Clear IdentityPalace need a coach who can protect recent progress while adding fresh ideas. Toppmöller’s Frankfurt spell was mixed, but it also provided experience in managing transition, expectation and European football.The report ends by asking: “Is he now drawn to the Premier League?” That is the central question. Palace can offer him a platform, a talented squad and a fanbase that responds strongly to front foot football. Toppmöller can offer Palace a continental coaching profile and renewed tactical curiosity.This would not be the most obvious appointment, but it would be a fascinating one. Palace must decide whether they want familiarity or upside. Toppmöller represents the latter, and that makes this developing story one worth watching closely.Our View – EPL Index AnalysisFrom a Crystal Palace perspective, this report is both exciting and slightly unnerving. After winning the Conference League under Oliver Glasner, Palace fans will understandably want ambition, not a safe appointment that feels like a step backwards.Dino Toppmöller is not a household Premier League name, but that does not automatically make him the wrong fit. Palace have often thrived when they have thought differently. The key issue is whether he can build on Glasner’s work rather than rip everything up too quickly.His 1.55 points per game at Frankfurt is respectable, though not spectacular. Supporters will ask fair questions about why he was sacked in January and whether he has the personality to handle Selhurst Park, Premier League tempo and the expectations created by recent success.Still, there is intrigue here. Links with Napoli, Al-Ittihad, Wolfsburg and Cologne suggest Palace are not looking at an unknown quantity. They are looking at a coach still valued in the wider market.For many fans, the ideal appointment would combine tactical intelligence, emotional connection and willingness to trust young talent. If Toppmöller can show that, then this could become a bold and progressive move. Palace should do their homework carefully, but this is a name supporters should not dismiss too quickly.

The tennis world has reacted after Spanish star Rafael Jodar strongly refuted pushing a ball girl after footage emerged from his French Open third-round win.As Jodar was seen between sets in his five-set win over American Alex Michelsen, with the viral footage showing him throwing a water bottle into his box as a ball girl walked across his path. The footage was inconclusive, though the girl briefly lost her standing before regaining her balance, with the 19-year-old rejecting any accusation that he made contact. "I didn’t touch her," Jodar strongly stated. "No, no, no. I could never do that." While tennis legend Martina Navratilova quoted the clip, adding: “Hmm… not ok.”But others defended Jodar and pointed to the tarp at the back of the court, noting: “The girl tripped on the tarp. The angle makes it look like he pushed her but to me, it’s very clear she tripped on the tarp trying to get out of his way.”And former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs agreed that the tarp had proven to be a hazard once more: “I finally saw the video of Jodar. He didn’t touch the ball kid. He walked close to her no question while gesturing at his dad but the girl clearly trips over the court tarp trying to get out of the way as he walks out of the court.”The rigid courtside covers and tarps have proven a controversial topic this year at Roland Garros, with injuries to Katie Boulter, Zeynep Sonmez, and Alexander Blockx blamed on the hazard. He explained that he was gesturing to his father, who was in his player's box, to hand him items after a toilet break. "I didn’t push her or anything. I was telling my dad to give me the things that he was going to give me after a toilet break when I was coming back," Jodar clarified after the match. "She was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way. She was going backwards, but I think she, like, fell, but not because I push(ed) her."The 27th seed attributed the ball girl's stumble to the court cover. "It was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards, she fell with that," he said, emphasising his respect for the young helpers. Jodar overcame Alex Michelsen in a five-set battle (Getty)"I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing. I know it’s difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there, so I appreciate. I could never, you know, push a ball kid."Despite the controversy, Jodar went on to secure a hard-fought 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, advancing to the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time in his career.Following his win on Friday, Jodar will now face fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the next round for a place in the quarter-finals.This year’s men’s tournament will see a new grand slam champion crowned after Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat by Joao Fonseca on Friday evening at Roland Garros.AP contributed to this piece

Organized Team Activities in the NFL are non-contact practices. So Lions coach Dan Campbell says they're not much of a way to evaluate a football player.Asked by a reporter which players had stood out in OTAs, Campbell scoffed at the idea that a player could do anything meaningful to stand out at this time of year. Campbell said that when players put on the pads and hit each other in training camp he'll have a better idea of whether they're the kinds of players he wants on his roster."A lt of guys have done really well for two days in pajamas," Campbell said. "I'm done with the hype of a pajama party in May. . . . We'll find out in training camp who's who. This will be the most competition we've had. Top-tier competition. This will be good, across the board."Campbell said the players fighting for a roster spot will need to do that fighting in training camp."Nobody's gonna win a job in the spring," Campbell said.

Arsenal predicted XI v PSG: Jurrien Timber to startThe major question mark going into Saturday night’s UEFA Champions League final for Arsenal has been about who will play at right-back, in order to counter the threat posed by Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. L’Équipe understands that it is Dutchman Jurrien Timber who will get the nod in Budapest. Timber is expected to start over other options such as Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera. Ben White is, of course, injured and will miss the final this evening, Arsenal’s first UCL final since 2006. L’Équipe also understands that it will be Myles Lewis-Skelly who will get the nod in midfield, ahead of Spain international Martin Zubimendi. On the left wing, it is Leandro Trossard who is expected to start over Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli.Arsenal likely line-up v PSGDavid Raya; Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber; Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice; Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka; Viktor Gyokeres. (L’Éq)GFFN | Luke Entwistle

TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: Kumar Sangakkara, Rajasthan Royals (RR) director of cricket and head coach, on Friday did not hold back and questioned Sam Curran's absence from the playoffs after the England all-rounder was ruled out with a "season-ending" groin injury but has played for Surrey in three Vitality Blast matches.The England all-rounder had moved from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to RR last November via a trade, which included Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja."We were told that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but I think I saw him playing for Surrey for two or three games now, so that was disappointing," he told reporters after RR bowed out of IPL 2026, losing Qualifier 2 by seven wickets to Gujarat Titans."We'd have loved to have had him here playing for us, but we got Dasun Shanaka as a replacement after we were informed early."Curran has played three games for Surrey, scoring 141 runs, but the all-rounder is yet to bowl a single over in the competition.Sangakkara also questioned Curran's commitment while citing the examples of several players who didn't get much game time, but admitted the unavailability of players is affecting the IPL."A proper, tight policy around that is always a requirement. The BCCI has a strict policy on that. Every player goes through injuries, and if it's a serious injury, a season-ending injury, of course we understand," he said."We've had quite a few injuries. We've also had players like Adam Milne and Hetmyer, who've come here and not had much of a game. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is another one."Kwenna Maphaka is another one. They've been here. They've done the hard yards. They've practised. They've carried water for the team, and they've really worked as hard as anyone else to support the team on this journey. It's really up to that individual player to decide whether they want to come or not."But I think the BCCI policy around it is very strict now, and that's the way it should continue to be, to make sure that contractual obligations are met properly and genuinely. I think every side in the IPL will benefit from that," he added.Before the start of IPL 2026, in a conversation with BBC, Curran had said he had been carrying the injury since the 2026 T20 World Cup."It's an injury that I've kind of been battling with a little bit. It has gradually gotten worse. Missing the IPL was very disappointing," he had said.Curran was bought back by CSK for Rs 2.4 crore for IPL 2025, which he finished with 114 runs and only one wicket in five games. It will be interesting to see whether the England all-rounder is retained by RR for next season.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the wonderkid of IPL 2026, has been earning praise from all over the world for his fearless batting displays. Now, apart from the cricket fraternity, WWE superstar Drew McIntyre has joined the list of admirers with a heartfelt message for the 15-year-old prodigy.Drew McIntyre is one of WWE's biggest superstars and currently performs on the SmackDown brand. Known as "The Scottish Warrior," he has built a massive global fanbase through his intense promos, brute strength, and high-profile championship storylines. Earlier, McIntyre was seen training in a Rajasthan Royals jersey as a tribute to cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.— mufaddal_vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced another historic batting display against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2026, despite Rajasthan Royals (RR) crashing out of the tournament. The 15-year-old batting prodigy smashed a brilliant 96 off 47 balls, leading a remarkable recovery after RR were reduced to 9/2 early in the innings. His knock helped RR post a challenging total of 214/6, but GT chased it down comfortably with seven wickets in hand, leaving a visibly emotional Sooryavanshi in tears in the dugout.After narrowly missing out on a century once again and seeing his team's campaign come to an end, Vaibhav received a special message from Drew McIntyre on Instagram. The WWE star shared a heartfelt caption praising the youngster's extraordinary achievements."Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing stuff that is unheard of at 15 🤯🤯🤯🤯Halla Bol, young man!"View this post on InstagramA post shared by Drew McIntyre (@dmcintyrewwe)Gujarat Titans secured a place in the IPL 2026 final with a dominant 7-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur. RR posted 214/6, powered by a brilliant 96 off 47 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a late cameo from Donovan Ferreira.In response, GT captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a stunning 104 off 53 balls, while Sai Sudharsan chipped in with 58 off 32. Their massive opening partnership put GT firmly in control as they chased down the target in just 18.4 overs, finishing on 219/3. Gill was named Player of the Match as Gujarat Titans advanced to the final with one of the most impressive chases of the season.