🚨 Cruel blow! Bundesliga star injured in friendly, misses World CupAustria’s national team will have to do without Christoph Baumgartner at the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The 26-year-old, who plays for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, suffered an injury on Monday while warming up for the penultimate friendly before the start of the tournament. The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has now announced the diagnosis. This means Baumgartner joins a long list of injury-related absences for the 2026 World Cup. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

A week after OpenAI made headlines with an A.I.-generated proof, a new “declaration” by 16 experts raises concerns that the technology threatens math as a discipline.

An Israeli campaign that started with high hopes has devolved into a kind of impasse, with Hezbollah looking more capable than it did when the war began.

The race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom has been unpredictable for months, while Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles is trying to fend off two challengers.

Democrats have a competitive Senate primary race in Iowa, where the party is hoping to make gains, while a smokejumper is running in a contested House primary in Montana.

In Chicago, the $850 million Obama Presidential Center aims to remake a neighborhood with a 19.3-acre community hub and a brooding 225-foot museum.

Today in Boston Celtics history, Hank Beenders was born in Haarlem, Netherlands, in 1916. He immigrated to the United States at the tender age of eight and won a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship with Long Island University in 1942. After he finished his college ball, Beenders joined the Providence Steamrollers, becoming one of the first international players in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), a precursor league to the NBA.He was traded to the then-Philadelphia Warriors in 1948, who then turned around and dealt him to the Celtics in that same year along with center Chick Halbert for big man Ed Sadowski.The Haarlem native would play just 8 games for Boston in 1948-49, his last stop in the BAA. He averaged 2.4 points and 0.4 assists per game – rebounds were not yet being recorded.BirthdaysIt is also the birthday of Dontae' Jones, born in 1975 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones played his college ball with Mississippi State. He was drafted with the 21st overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft and then traded to Boston for Chris Mills after the start of the 1997–98 NBA season. Jones played 15 games for the Celtics that season, recording 2.9 points, 0.6 boards, and 0.3 assists per game before being waived by the team in January 1999.Finally, it is also the birthday of Eric Riley, born this day in 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio. A Michigan alum, Riley was taken with the 33rd overall pick of the 1993 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He played for the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers as well as a stint overseas before joining Boston in 1999. He played one season for the Celtics, averaging 2.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Hank Beenders, Eric Riley, Dontae Jones born

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Fatima Yousufi escaped the Taliban, arriving in Australia with a backpack and a burning ambition to play international soccer.Through their own determination and courage, and with family support, Yousufi and others like Mona Amini had been able to study, to play soccer for clubs and for the Afghanistan women’s team. But when the Taliban returned to power in 2021 it shut down all women’s sports, and the players of the Afghan team went into hiding.After a frantic evacation, 13 of the players settled in Australia where for five years they lived, played and trained in the hope of once again being allowed to represent their country.The Afghanistan soccer federation doesn’t recognize the women’s team. But in April, soccer’s world governing body granted the Afghan women’s team eligibility for international competition. This week, 23 members of the Afghan Women United program are in a training camp in Auckland, New Zealand and will play games against a team from the Cook Islands.“It was a special day that we heard that Afghanistan can represent again our flag in international tournaments," Amini, a midfielder, told The Associated Press in a Zoom call Tuesday. “This is the result of hard work that we did in the past four or five years.”Seven months ago, the Afghan women played in the so-called “Unite” tournament in which they achieved a win over Libya. “It was a very special moment because we played in an international friendly tournament, and after three years we heard our anthem,” Amini said. “That was amazing for me.”A better future FIFA’s subsequent recognition was another important milestone on a long and perilous journey.Yousufi, a Melbourne-based goalkeeper, remembers her reaction vividly.“We’re going to have the national team! That’s the greatest thing ever that could have happened to the team," she said. “It was super important to us, especially thinking of the time when we arrived in Australia and we had lost everything: family, our childhood memories and that national team.”Yousufi said she left home with one backpack, “to be safe and to continue to be alive.”“When we came here the most important part of our life was to be a soccer player and to be a soccer team,” she said. "When we we saw we could not be (officially) a national team and we could not represent our country ... it was like I lost the game.”While many ended up in Australia, there are Afghan players spread across Europe and some in the United States. Coach Pauline Hamill holds talent identification camps and helps pull the squad together for games.Memories of their darkest days remain a strong part of the team’s motivation to succeed, and to represent women and girls still in their homeland. The Afghan women’s team played its last official competitive match in 2018. “We couldn’t play freely in Afghanistan," Amini said. “Going out from home was tough because there was the risk of the Taliban seeing us and finding that we were playing soccer. "It was a very tough time and I’m pretty sure every one of the girls, every single one of us, fought hard to create this team and we are very happy right now to stay with each other.”A student and an athleteYousufi was a student and a soccer player, and she said it was difficult even before the Taliban returned to power “for a girl to play football in Afghanistan with such difficulties as family barriers and difficulties of the society to accept a woman in sport.” “We were thinking of any other outcomes like the danger we were facing, everyday dangers in Afghanistan like bomb explosions. Considering all those things — and it was the same for the other girls — we took all those risks to be part of the national team and to be a football player.”Then life became even more difficult.“The only thing humans want is freedom, and the Taliban took our freedom,” Amini said. “It is really difficult that you cannot educate, you cannot play sport, you cannot go outside or you cannot do what you love ... (or) follow your dreams.”Role modelsAmini said the refugee players now were determined to represent all women and girls in Afghanistan.“We are here and we are going to be trying our best to do something for them, to be the voice of them so that we could have a new generation for the future for the Afghanistan women’s national team,” she said.Yousufi said she was among a group of players “adopted by the Australian government,” and “we’re now living our life and continuing our journey with football, with our education and also being a voice for all those girls who are in Afghanistan.”“Our team might be the one to change the way the people think and also the way that things are happening towards the girls and women in Afghanistan," she said. “We're all trying our best show that women and girls can be part of the society and can be someone who is in education or in sport, that women also have the right to do that.”___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) talk between plays in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Bengals News:Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams for Jared Verse, three picksGarrett has wrecked many games against the Bengals, but now he is headed to the NFC.Bengals Tackles All Business When It Comes To Myles Garrett Trade: ‘You Still Have To Go Win On Sundays’They are probably relieved, but they are strictly business after a blockbuster in the AFC North.‘Honestly, I didn’t see it coming’ – Bengals’ blockbuster move of the offseason had Ja’Marr Chase reacting like everyone elseChase wanted a big move and he got just that.DJ Turner II showing up for Bengals OTAs is a significant development for the remainder of the offseasonTurner had a choice and he appears to be locked in on 2026.4 quick Bengals OTAs storylines to watchA few things to watch as OTAs get rolling.NFL News:Eagles trade A.J. Brown to PatriotsA second NFL blockbuster, but this one was basically known for months.Odell Beckham Jr. signs with GiantsBack where it all started.Congress asks NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify about league’s embrace of streaming servicesThings are getting interesting around how the league distributes games to their consumers.Russell Wilson Reportedly to Join CBSRuss appears to be headed to the TV studio rather than a new locker room.Christian Gonzalez skipping OTAs as he seeks a long-term dealNew England’s top corner is not in Foxborough.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 5: Pat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos covers A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 5, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images On paper, the Rams and Patriots just got better — and that spells a little more trouble for the Broncos in an already stout-looking schedule.Thank goodness both teams’ new additions will be facing off against two of Denver’s greatest strengths.Week 3 the Rams come to town and this time with a two-time Defensive Player of the Year on the roster. Having given up their 2024 first-rounder in Jared Verse, plus their 2027 first-round pick, 2028 second-round pick and 2029 third-round pick, the Rams mean business in 2026.Joe Burrow's live reaction to seeing Myles Garrett get traded out of the division to the Rams pic.twitter.com/HuHPzXtWzP— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) June 1, 2026Sean Payton is feeling great about the Broncos’ offensive line, as he noted during the rookie minicamp recently.“The offensive line just in general… it’s an impressive looking group,” Payton noted.It’s going to have to be if Denver is going to stand a chance against Garrett and the Rams, which was already an impressive team that will no doubt be vying for the NFC spot in the Super Bowl once again.Two years ago when Garrett visited Mile High with the Browns, Payton recognized the challenged.“They’re different [types of] players,” Payton said then about Garrett and Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby. “They’re both elite at their position. They’re both Pro Bowl, All-Pro-type caliber players that can take over a game.”In that December Monday Night Football matchup against Denver, Garrett had a relatively quiet night by his standards, recording 1 tackle for loss, while registering 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, and 0 total tackles.But it could be A.J. Brown to the Patriots that causes the bigger issue. A regular season loss to the Pats could have playoff and home-field advantage implications if both teams come back even better this season than last.Now with a true WR1, New England could be a major scoring threat, and Denver’s vaunted defense will have to step up. especially the corners. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye was already viewed as one of the AFC’s rising stars. Now he gets a three-time Pro Bowl receiver, one of the NFL’s most physical route runners, and a legti weapon in the end zone.Once again, it’s fortunate Denver will head to Foxborough with a position of strength in their defensive back room, led of course by All Pro cornerback Pat Surtain.And once again, in a recent matchup against Brown, the Broncos emerged the victor. Pulling off a 21-17 upset victory at Philadelphia last October, the defense held Brown to just five catches for 43 yards. Now the Broncos will face AJ Brown and the Patriots in Week 17 🔥 Last time he matched up with PS2:38 Coverage Snaps4 Receptions Allowed40 Receiving Yards Allowed0 TD pic.twitter.com/N79fvd21TS— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) June 1, 2026Payton believes the true strength of its defensive back room is its depth — a key for the Broncos stopping Brown no matter who lines up opposite him.“That is the one thing that has helped us so much in the past three seasons is depth at a lot of key areas. Especially when you are looking at today’s NFL with defensive backs and corners, they are tough to find,” Payton said during rookie minicamp. “We are excited to have that much experience coming back and also the depth coming back.”Garrett and Brown will no doubt increase the drama when their respective teams take on Denver, but neither should severely disrupt the Broncos’ quest to win the AFC and head to the Super Bowl.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 30: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees comes out to talk with pitcher Ryan Weathers #40 against the Athletics in the bottom of the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park on May 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images Ask any fan, analyst, or evaluator about the Yankees’ weaknesses, and they’re almost certain to start in one place: the bullpen. The team’s disinterest in making moves to upgrade the unit over the winter, which struggled for much of 2025, drew ire as part of the club’s “Run it Back” strategy. If the bullpen wasn’t very good last year, and the Yankees did nothing over the winter to upgrade it, why should they expect it to excel this year?Many are still asking that same question over two months into the season. With trade season approaching, though, I couldn’t help but wonder: will the Yankees’ bullpen problem solve itself?Look ahead to the summer months, and the clearest way the Yankee bullpen could fix itself is through a series of internal upgrades, with the talent from the club’s stellar starting rotation trickling down. The rotation has been the talk of the town so far in 2026, and that’s with Max Fried now on the shelf and Clarke Schmidt still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. While Schmidt is still a ways off, Fried has resumed throwing and could be back sometime this month. His return would force Aaron Boone to answer a difficult, that of which quality starter would need to get bumped from his stellar rotation. The most obvious candidate is Ryan Weathers, who through little fault of his own has probably been the weakest member of the rotation thus far. Weathers also has some experience pitching in relief, having shuttled between the rotation and the ‘pen for the first few years of his career. As a lefty who can touch 98+ mph on his heater, and who has the pedigree of a mid-rotation starter, Weathers alone could be a massive addition to the bullpen. But that’s just the start of the potential reinforcements the Yankees could add internally. The aforementioned Schmidt, one of the Yankees’ best pitchers when healthy between 2024 and 2025, is targeting a late-summer return, and very well could be a bullpen addition when he returns. On top of that, the Yankees have a cavalcade of interesting arms in the minors. Carlos Lagrange is the most mouth-watering potential prospect addition, the big right-hander in possession of 103-mph gas that could surely get major-league hitters out right now. Though he’s the number-one option for a spot start at the moment, Elmer Rodriguez also figures to be a plausible bullpen by the end of the year if he’s needed there, while the likes of Yovanny Cruz and Yerry De Los Santos give the Yankees even more minor-league depth as members of the Scranton Shuttle. Moreover, there’s the fact that even as shaky as the bullpen has felt at times, the unit even as currently constructed hasn’t been that bad. A number of high-profile blown saves have left a sour taste in fans mouths, but the Yankee bullpen currently ranks fourth in the AL in ERA, fifth in FIP, and first in expected ERA. It’s plausible that even just left to their own devices, the Yankee bullpen could solve itself just by continuing to pitch largely as they have thus far, but while avoiding a few key blow-ups that lead to tough losses in close games. In any event, contending teams tend to make moves to add arms in the summer, and I don’t expect the Yankees to go through the trade deadline without making efforts to add external help. But given the club’s roster construction at the moment, is it possible they won’t even need to lift a finger to straighten out their bullpen?We’re back in business today, the Yankees hosting the Guardians for a three-game set, which Peter will preview this morning. We’ll also get our weekly minor league rundown from Michael, and a profile of Stick Michael from Jeff. Later, Madison will recap a light Monday night of action, while Peter will review the last month in the NL East, and Matt goes over what happened in May in the NL Central.Today’s MatchupNew York Yankees vs. Cleveland GuardiansTime: 7:05 p.m. ESTVideo: YES Network, Guardians.tvVenue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Plus, the rocky, unpredictable race for California governor.

President Trump has argued that the United States is “stupid” for granting citizenship at birth. Most countries don’t do so, but that can create problems.

The request for sanctions, from Colombia’s defense minister, shows failures at both ends of the supply chain for illegal gold.

Doctors nationwide are encountering more children with whooping cough, bacterial infections and other serious illnesses, as well as more adults refusing tetanus shots.

The city is moving forward with a redesign of 34th Street in Manhattan that the White House halted last year after threatening to withhold federal funding for other transit priorities.

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - JULY 04: Maxime Meyer of Canada dunks the ball during the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 quarter-final between Canada and USA at Lausanne Arena on July 04, 2025 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Vianney Thibaut/FIBA via Getty Images) | FIBA via Getty Images Duke has a tremendous freshman class coming again, and Cameron Williams, Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Deron Rippey, and Bryson Howard are getting most of the attention. Maxime Meyer is getting less, but you shouldn’t overlook his potential. Take a look at this video, and you’ll see the outlines of a promising player. He can work around the basket with either hand, for starters. He has one bucket where he gets the pass with his back to the basket and still hits it. He passes well and appears to have good shotblocking instincts. And if you watch closely, he has good instincts as a rebounder. His big problem in this video is that he can’t impose himself physically. It’s not a surprise: he’s 18 and 7-1. Most guys who grow that fast don’t fill out for a few years. However, in this much more recent clip, Meyer appears to have advanced dramatically. Weight is still a problem, but time will solve that. The progress is striking. With three talented big guys who are further along though, Meyer might redshirt this season and focus on gaining weight and muscle.But when he gets there, his combination of size and instinct is pretty promising. When his weight is closer to 250, he’ll be harder to push around. And then his post instincts and training will come into focus. He’ll be able to affect shots and work the boards. And by the way, one thing you won’t see on either video is a three-point shot. He may have that, or he may develop it later. Right now, he looks like a classic center, and with the game moving back to big men, he’s in a good position to capitalize on that.Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

The NFL landscape was shaken up considerably on June 1, as multiple blockbuster trades reshaped the league's power structure.It started when the Los Angeles Ramsacquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.Garrett – who set an NFL record with 23 sacks in 2025 – will provide the Rams a big-time boost to an already great pass rush that ranked fifth in pressure rate last season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats.Before the Garrett trade, most sportsbooks viewed the Rams and the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks as the co-favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy following the 2026 NFL season. After it, the Rams are in the pole position as clear-cut favorites to win Super Bowl 61.That said, the Rams weren't the only Super Bowl contender to bolster their roster. The reigning AFC champion New England Patriots also added a top-tier talent to their roster, acquiring three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.Brown will help the Patriots to replace the departed Stefon Diggs and give Drake Maye a true, No. 1 receiver to pair with free-agent acquisition Romeo Doubs. Brown's familiarity with Mike Vrabel from their three years together in Tennessee should the soon-to-be 29-year-old receiver to hit the ground running in New England.How much have these major trades impacted the NFL's power structure ahead of the 2026 season? Here's a look at which teams are expected to be the top contenders, according to the latest Super Bowl odds.NFL power rankings by Super Bowl 2027 oddsOdds courtesy of BetMGM as of June 1.1. Los Angeles Rams (+550)The Rams became the clear-cut Super Bowl 61 favorite after acquiring Garrett from the Browns. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year will provide a quality upgrade to a defense that ranked 10th in the NFL in defensive EPA per play last season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats.2. Buffalo Bills (+1000)The Patriots might have won the AFC last season, but their AFC East rival – the Bills – are expected to be the team to beat in 2026. Josh Allen continues to play at an MVP level and will now have a No. 1 receiver, DJ Moore, at his disposal as Joe Brady takes over as the team's head coach following a two-and-a-half-year stint as Buffalo's offensive coordinator.T-3. Baltimore Ravens (+1100)Like Allen and the Bills, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens haven't yet gotten over the hump to make a Super Bowl run. Can Baltimore do so in 2026 after a Tyler Loop missed field goal denied them a postseason berth last season? It might depend on new coach Jesse Minter's ability to get more out of a Baltimore defense that ranked 20th in defensive EPA per play last season.T-3. Seattle Seahawks (+1100)The Seahawks have moved down in the Super Bowl pecking order after the Rams' acquisition of Garrett. Seattle lost some talent from its Super Bowl-winning defense – Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen are among the most notable – along with Kenneth Walker but still have Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Mike Macdonald ready to lead the team.5. Kansas City Chiefs (+1500)Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL in his right knee but appears to be making good progress. That's good news for a Chiefs team looking to bounce back from the worst season of the Andy Reid era.T-6. Detroit Lions (+1700)The Lions missed the playoffs last season and finished last in the NFC North despite posting a 9-8 record. The good news? Their last-place divisional finish allowed them to get the NFL's easiest projected schedule in 2026. That could help Dan Campbell's squad bounce back, especially with its retooled offensive line.T-6. Los Angeles Chargers (+1700)Jim Harbaugh has led the Chargers to back-to-back 11-6 seasons in his first two years with the team. They haven't yet won a playoff game, but perhaps that will happen in 2026 if Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are able to stay healthy and better protect Justin Herbert, who was pressured a league-high 268 times last season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats.T-6. San Francisco 49ers (+1700)The 49ers have a tough path to the Super Bowl. They play in the NFL's toughest division, the NFC West, and have to take on the Super Bowl favorite Rams in Week 1... in Australia. That said, if San Francisco can find that test, the 49ers could get a third chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy under Kyle Shanahan's leadership.T-9. Denver Broncos (+1800)The Broncos were the AFC's No. 1 last season and made it to the AFC championship game. They sport a stellar defense and could once again emerge as a contender if Bo Nix is able to take another step forward and stay healthy.T-9. Green Bay Packers (+1800)The Packers have been the NFC's No. 7 seed for three consecutive seasons. They also have key questions about a couple of their top players, as pass rusher Micah Parsons is coming off a torn ACL while running back Josh Jacobs is facing domestic violence accusations. Either being unavailable would impact Green Bay's chances of winning the Super Bowl.T-9. New England Patriots (+1800)The Patriots won the AFC last season but will face a much tougher schedule in 2026. General manager Eliot Wolf did well to improve the roster during the offseason, with the Brown trade being the cherry on top for the squad, but New England's ability to re-emerge as a contender will depend on how well they can protect Maye.T-9. Philadelphia Eagles (+1800)Funny enough, the Eagles' Super Bowl odds are identical to the Patriots' after the Brown trade. Philadelphia spent the offseason preparing for Brown's departure, drafting Makai Lemon and adding some veterans like Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown to their receiver room. The bigger question is whether the unit as a whole, and Jalen Hurts, will look better in Sean Mannion's system than it did under Kevin Patullo.13. Houston Texans (+2000)14. Cincinnati Bengals (+2200)T-15. Chicago Bears (+2500)T-15. Dallas Cowboys (+2500)17. Jacksonville Jaguars (+2800)T-18. Minnesota Vikings (+5000)T-18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5000)T-20. Indianapolis Colts (+6600)T-20. New York Giants (+6600)T-20. Washington Commanders (+6600)T-23. Atlanta Falcons (+8000)T-23. Pittsburgh Steelers (+8000)T-25. Carolina Panthers (+10000)T-25. New Orleans Saints (+10000)T-27. Las Vegas Raiders (+15000)T-27. Tennessee Titans (+15000)T-29. Cleveland Browns (+25000)T-29. New York Jets (+25000)T-31. Arizona Cardinals (+30000)T-31. Miami Dolphins (+30000)This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking NFL teams by Super Bowl odds after blockbuster trades

Everything up to this point in the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason has been for show. Voluntary workouts are great but until players are required to be there, the football isn't quite the same. So today, the Steelers kick off their first mandatory OTAs of the year and we will get our best look at this new team and new staff.Here are three bold predictions for this week:Will Howard outplays Drew Allar by a mileThe gap between second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar showed itself during voluntary workouts and we predict this week, when the heat gets turned up, Howard is going to widen that gap even more.New offensive lineman show outWe have heard almost nothing about rookies Gennings Dunker and Max Iheanachor and that changes this week. The coaching staff shuffled Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick to the left, making for an entirely new right side. This week, that new right side will include Dunker and Iheanachor and they will both impress those in attendance.New look defense impressesThe Steelers defense has quietly flown under the radar with so much talk about new head coach Mike McCarthy and the changes on offense but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has been working hard. We expect the new-look Steelers defense to wow people thanks to the new additions and continued improvement of its young stars.A pair of hold-insWe predict that not only will cornerback Joey Porter Jr. hold-in for a new contract, but we expect edge Nick Herbig to join him. Both guys are in line for huge raises and we predict they will do something similar to what T.J. Watt did and come out and stretch with the team and then head to the sidelines.This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 4 bold predictions for Steelers mandatory OTAs

Every NWSL team is at least a third of the way through their seasons, and now the league is taking a month-long pause during the group stage of the men’s World Cup.The first half of the season has seen the Utah Royals go unbeaten in their last 10 matches, San Diego Wave relaxing into their dominance and the Washington Spirit finding some luck in a fake coyote.Other teams have recovered from a stutter step out of the games, like the Kansas City Current, who are benefiting from Temwa Chawinga’s healthy return, while other teams have been stuck in the table’s basement.Now, teams are waving goodbye to their international players and taking a moment to refocus, while The Athletic’s women’s soccer writers perform a midseason review, starting with the teams going into the break with some serious momentum.Trending up: A Spirit animal, Royal run and catching the WaveWashington SpiritAs Trinity Rodman put it recently, this team is “hungry” to finally win the championship that has eluded them for the past three seasons.They have the talent to do it. Their midfield is anchored by the relentless Hal Hershfelt and Leicy Santos’ ability to produce moments of brilliance in the final third. (See her direct free-kick goal against Seattle.)Out wide, the Spirit can overwhelm opponents with depth and pace, with Rodman, Rosemonde Kouassi, Claudia Martínez and Gift Monday. Their defense has gone through an evolution, especially with a heavy match schedule, but their performance against the Seattle Reign showed they can be scrappy and solid defensively when needed. They just have to overcome simple errors in front of their own goal.Beyond the roster, the front office, now strengthened by president of soccer operations Haley Carter, has assembled the resources, infrastructure and ambition required to compete for both the NWSL Shield and the Championship. The Spirit have spent much of the season looking dangerous without consistently firing on all cylinders.If they find that final gear after the summer break, the rest of the league should be very concerned. Plus, they have Jose, the coyote. Even if his magic dwindled in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, it’s back up just in time for the break. — Asli PelitUtah RoyalsFor the past two seasons, the Utah Royals have concluded their NWSL campaigns with such panache, leaving many of us asking ourselves during the offseason what this team could accomplish if they maintained that quality all season long.So far, we’ve had a glimpse of what that looks like. If anything, they started the season with a quick slump, almost as though shrugging off the last dregs of winter (and possibly struggling to fill the gap left behind by forward Mina Tanaka, who was off winning an Asian Cup title with Japan at the start of the season). They lost their first two matches to the Kansas City Current and the Denver Summit and have picked up at least a point in every fixture since. They enter the summer break with a game in hand and one point behind the No. 1 San Diego Wave, but more importantly, Utah are clicking from front to back, more assertive and disciplined on the ball than most teams in the league.It helps that Tanaka has unlocked a new level to her game. The 32-year-old has scored four goals and provided as many assists out of 10 games played — the result, perhaps, of a more free-flowing reign she was given this year by Royals manager Jimmy Coenraets and his coaching staff. This has allowed Tanaka to control the tempo of the game and draw defensive attention, freeing up fellow forwards Cloe Lacasse (who’s also scored four on the season), Paige Cronin, and Kiana Palacios.Defensively, center-back Kate Del Fava is arguably in the form of her life, which shouldn’t be taken lightly. The 2025 Iron Woman has earned her first call-up to the U.S. women’s national team with the under-23s and is primed to return from the summer break with even more inspiration to see out the season strong. — Tamerra GriffinSan Diego WaveMomentum feels relative, especially with teams having played between 11 and 13 matches heading into this month-long pause. But what I think the San Diego Wave will thank themselves for later this year is having 25 points heading into this break. These points could be the difference between a chance at a postseason or cutting their season short prematurely.The team already has consistency on the pitch — from Kennedy Wesley’s confidence in the back line and Lia Godfrey’s stellar rookie campaign to Brazilian stars Gabi Portilho, Dudinha and Ludmila’s chemistry. Now imagine what San Diego will look like with Cat Macario’s impending arrival. While her extended absence from the pitch still feels alarming, the break could provide the perfect amount of time for the attacking player to ease her way into the team and, eventually, the NWSL. At least, that’s what I am manifesting.San Diego resumes play on July 4 against 2025 NWSL champions Gotham FC, and it’s the first time the two will have played in 2026. I’m expecting appointment viewing that day, with Gotham wanting to secure another clean sheet, while San Diego will surely want to prove why they’ve floated at the top of the league table all season long. – Melanie AnzideiTrending down: Stars misaligned, Racing to the breakChicago StarsThe Chicago Stars may need this summer pause the most. U.S. forward Mallory Swanson is back and already making an impact, helping the club secure a crucial victory at Bay FC in just her second match since returning, but the challenge is integrating the rest of the roster around her.Chicago invested heavily last offseason, bringing in proven talent such as Jordyn Huitema, Michelle Alozie and Aaliyah Farmer. On paper, there is enough attacking quality to compete for a playoff spot. The break gives the coaching staff a rare opportunity to build chemistry, establish clearer roles and figure out how to maximize the talent now available.Off the field, the club’s decision to part ways with general manager Richard Feuz feels like an acknowledgment that the status quo was not working. The leadership change is a necessary first step.The next question is whether ownership is willing to be aggressive. If Chicago truly wants to salvage its season, this summer window cannot be passive. A marquee midfield signing could provide the creativity and control the team has lacked. With Swanson back and the attacking pieces already in place, the Stars have a chance to turn their season around. But with just three wins this season, they need to act now. — Pelit Bay FCThe good news for Bay is that two of their three wins in the first part of the season came against quality teams: the North Carolina Courage, who are seventh in the table, and the top-ranked Wave. They are capable of rising to the occasion, and the inclusions this season of veteran striker Cristiana Girelli (on loan from Juventus) and 20-year-old Claire Hutton have both been refreshing injections of verve to a team that struggled on and off the pitch last season.What’s worrying is that they are now winless in their last five games, making it difficult not to slip into the same despair as last season, when they closed out the season not having won a match since June. For a team that wants to possess the ball and play through the midfield, Bay will at times display the right intentions but fail to execute, or showcase technical ability but lack a plan. Intent and execution are rarely on the pitch at the same time.This may be a matter of confidence; sometimes a prolonged rest can remedy that. The few and far between moments that midfielder Onyeka Gamero has played have been promising; she offers a spark of pace and creativity that Bay needs, especially as Alex Pfeiffer, another young, dynamic player, recovers from a knee injury. — GriffinRacing LouisvilleIt is hard to fathom how Racing Louisville went from a historic 2025 season to what is shaping up to be a forgettable 2026 campaign.It’s not that Racing is necessarily bombing their performances on the pitch; their losses have all been by a single goal, and the team recently had a statement win in early May against the Portland Thorns. Racing have also managed to score 15 goals across 11 matches — a strong indicator that the team is capable of much more than their record would have you believe. However, something simply is not clicking for this team. This pause could give Racing the time to figure out what exactly that might be.It is relevant to note that ESPN reported in mid-May that Racing is “exploring” a “partial sale” to bring in additional investors into the club. — AnzideiMaking a splash this summerBoston LegacyBoston Legacy should make the most talked-about signing of the 2026 summer transfer window because they have to. For much of its inaugural season, the conversation around Boston has been dominated by Bianca St-Georges’ red cards rather than the club’s on-field ambitions. That needs to change.The foundation is already there. Boston has assembled a competitive, international roster, and ownership has shown both the resources and willingness to invest aggressively. What the club still lacks is a genuine global superstar capable of transforming results, attracting attention and accelerating its rise from expansion side to contender.Boston offers a rare opportunity for a Ballon d’Or winner seeking a new challenge — *ahem Alexia Putellas* — the chance to become the face of a franchise and one of the defining figures of the league. — PelitPortland ThornsPortland Thorns fans, close your eyes. Now, imagine one of Spain’s most dependable and athletic center-backs, Mapi Leon, striding into Providence Park with her cool-girl neck tattoos and exquisite left-footed deliveries. When the former Barcelona star is not absorbing opponents’ attacks (which Portland needs right now as it’s allowed 14 goals this season, more than the other top-four teams and the third-most among the top eight), she will be appreciating your world-class coffee and breathing in the lush forestry of the Pacific Northwest.Leon has already announced her departure from Barça after winning four Champions League titles and a slew of other trophies with them. Though she’s been heavily linked to Michele Kang’s London City Lionesses, why not at least try?For a Portland side with a lot of potential and a leaky defense, it could be a valuable match. — GriffinGotham FCThere are too many big-name players on the market right now not to expect Gotham to make a successful bid at bringing at least one of them on. The team’s motto remains “always building, never finished,” so to expect anything less would be naïve.Will we see Sam Kerr make her return to the club? Will the team make a play for Putellas or bring in a player that no one sees coming? Let’s not forget Jaedyn Shaw signed with Gotham in September last year. And no one could have predicted Guro Reiten’s arrival, but the club made it work.Does Gotham need to make a splash with their summer signing? Not necessarily. The team has incredible depth already. While they have struggled to score this season, players like Rose Lavelle and Esther Gonzalez had several chances against the Houston Dash this past weekend. But the club certainly could use all the help they can get to manage player workload ahead of 2027, so I’m more inclined to think a signing is coming. — AnzideiToo early for end-of-year predictions? No way.PelitMVP: Sophia Wilson, Portland ThornsDefender: Sarah Gorden, Angel City FCMidfielder: Claire Hutton, Bay FCGoalkeeper: Mandy McGlynn, Utah RoyalsGolden Boot: Barbra Banda, Orlando PrideRookie: Tessa Dellarose, Chicago Stars. She scored her first goal with a lone shot on target against ACFC, showing the league what she is capable of. She could easily be part of Chicago Stars’ second-half push if they get their ducks in a row.Coach of the year: Juan Carlos Amoros, Gotham FCAnzideiMVP: Banda. The Orlando Pride forward has set herself apart in this year’s Golden Boot race already and is proving to be an all-round invaluable asset. With the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, I can see her extending her dominance from club to country. This is Banda’s year.Defender: Kennedy Wesley, San Diego WaveMidfielder: Olivia Moultrie, Portland thornsGoalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan, North Carolina CourageGolden Boot: BandaRookie: Jordynn Dudley, Gotham FCCoach of the year: Robert Vilahamn, Portland ThornsGriffinMVP: BandaDefender: Kate Del Fava, Utah RoyalsMidfielder: Hal Hershfelt, Washington SpiritGoalkeeper: Abby Smith, Denver SummitGolden Boot: Ashley Sanchez, North Carolina Courage. Spicy, I know! She’s four goals behind Banda and though she’s tied with Temwa Chawinga, the two-time Malawian Golden Boot winner has taken fewer games to do it. But something is just different about Sanchez this season, and I can see her entering an even more focused and intense gear on the other side of the break.Rookie: Dudley, Gotham FCCoach of the Year: Jimmy Coenraets, Utah RoyalsFinally, every team’s song of the summerWhat better way to embrace the summer vibes than with the perfect playlist. We went through the painstaking process of assigning a song of the summer to each of the 16 NWSL teams. These songs are representative in lyrical, metaphorical and just vibing senses.This was a collective assignment so the songs are as eclectic as the league and our team. Enjoy from the top of the table to the bottom.San Diego: “Dance Tonight” by Lucy PearlIt’s no surprise that this team has fully embraced the prevailing ethos of the city it calls home: having fun is a luxury worth fighting for. For a team chock-full of creatives, the Wave are at their best when they’re relaxed and enjoying the ball. Almost like you can imagine a DJ off to the side and a disco ball hovering over the pitch. –GriffinUtah Royals: “Wickedest” by TemsNot many people understood the plan when Utah quietly churned and toiled the earth (and dealt with staggering injuries, to be fair). Now they’re harvesting, and the best thing they can do is stay the course. “I’m on my tunnel vision / I beat their allegations / I’m moving on a mission / I don’t need supervision / Yeah, one in a million.” – GriffinPortland Thorns: “Centuries” by Fall Out BoyThorns remain the only NWSL team with three NWSL championships (2013, 2017, 2022). They have been dominant this year again. Wilson is only getting better. Moultrie is having a year. This team has the chance to solidify Portland’s legacy with a historic fourth championship.“And you’re a cherry blossom / You’re about to bloom / You look so pretty, but you’re gone so soon. / Some legends are told / Some turn to dust or to gold / But you will remember me. Remember me for centuries.” –AnzideiWashington Spirit: “Don’t Stop Believin” by JourneyThis Spirit team is all about believing. They believed in Jose the Coyote and the wins started coming. Of course, it’s not all about luck. This team has some of the best football players in the world, a strong vision in the front office and is backed by billionaire Michele Kang. But their faith might just be what helps them win their second NWSL championship. –AnzideiGotham FC: “High Hopes” by Panic! At the DiscoGotham won its first NWSL championship in 2023, and then last year went from the final playoff position to champions once more. The result of a long-term vision that finally came to fruition, even if no one believed it could happen. Even now, when the team hits a snag, the lyrics make sense. “Had to have high, high hopes for a living / Didn’t know how, but I always had a feeling I was gonna’ be that one in a million.” –AnzideiKansas City Current: “The Universal” by BlurLast year’s Shield winners came agonizingly close to completing the double, but were upset in the first round of the playoffs. I heard this song while watching Lincoln City’s promotion-clinching match a few weeks ago, with thousands of supporters singing this classic ’90s Britpop anthem from the stands. Beyond the meaning, it feels especially fitting given that the Current’s ground recently hosted filming for the fourth season of “Ted Lasso.” –PelitNorth Carolina: “Pink Pony Club” by Chappelle RoanA team that has emerged from the shadows and suddenly cannot be ignored, North Carolina’s rebirth feels a lot like the way Roan burst onto the scene. This song is both powerful in message and fun, and has a whole lot of Courage. –PelitOrlando Pride: “Tive Sim” by CartolaSamba for Orlando? Groundbreaking. This masterpiece by the legendary singer Cartola touches on a comeback, moving on to a new love while respectfully acknowledging the past, which is what Orlando desperately needs. They have to stop trying to repeat what they had done and start enjoying the second half of 2026. –PelitDenver Summit: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi TerrellThis song is fitting on multiple levels for what this team has accomplished so far in their inaugural season. It’s a not-so-subtle way of referencing every goal this team has had this year, their first point, first win and eventually will ring true for their first playoff push and then their first NWSL Championship. “Although we are miles apart / If you ever need a helpin’ hand / I’ll be there on the double just as fast as I can.” A reference to Lindsey Heaps, anyone? –AnzideiSeattle Reign: “Learn to Fly” by Foo FightersSeattle desperately needs to start getting results and showing us what they are capable of. They fell short against the Spirit this weekend, but coach Laura Harvey has a month to reorganize and teach her squad to fly in the second half. –PelitHouston Dash: “Treasure in the Hills” by Leon ThomasWill we see the Dash spend the funds they acquired from the trades of Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan at the start of the season? The Dash’s rookies and other less experienced players have overperformed at times, but to ensure the longevity, and build a sturdy foundation, they need to do as Leon Thomas suggests in “Treasure in the Hills,” but you know, with its roster construction instead of a lover: “I’m trying to find me a soul.” –GriffinAngel City: “girl, get up.” by Doechii (ft. SZA)If there’s an NWSL club that would most embrace the suggestion of sipping some kombucha on a rooftop, it’s Angel City. Much less levitatin’ or meditatin,’ as Doechii and SZA sing on “girl, get up.” Which is what Angel City need to focus on during the summer break: getting back to where they were when they started the season. What they’ve lost feels more like growing pains on a new and younger team than anything else; self-reflection can go a long way. –GriffinBay FC: “Happier Times Ahead” by RAYEIt’s tough to go so many games without a win — five, in Bay FC’s case. The results aren’t there, but the team’s improvements from last season are noticeable and can be built upon. First they need to restore their confidence, then the feeling. Both of those tasks require militant optimism, which RAYE captures beautifully in “Happier Times Ahead.” –GriffinBoston Legacy: “Why don’t you” by Cleo SolSelf-reflection and acceptance. Boston needs to embrace the turbulence of its first season and the learning opportunities it bears. –GriffinChicago Stars: “Why Not?” by Hilary DuffThere is something about the way Chicago has been playing these last few matches that has me thinking they are primed for a late-season turnaround – and, honestly, why not? Swanson is back. The team has Alyssa Naeher to rally behind. The team recently fired its GM, a sign that meaningful change or investment for this club could be on the horizon. They are the team with the most to gain this offseason, so “Why Not” throw all you got into this summer transfer window? –AnzideiRacing Louisville: “The Climb” by Miley CyrusRacing’s position at the bottom of the table is one of the 2026 season’s biggest heartbreaks. The talent is there and last year they showed they are capable of making it to the playoffs. If U.S. forward Emma Sears can rediscover the form that made her one of the league’s rising stars last year, bottom-of-the-table Racing still has every chance to climb back to the playoff race. –PelitThis article originally appeared in The Athletic.Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage, Seattle Reign, Orlando Pride, Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit, Angel City, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave, Utah Royals FC, Bay FC, Denver Summit FC, Boston Legacy FC, NWSL, Women's Soccer2026 The Athletic Media Company

Michelle Wie West is on the move.She’s walking laps in her neighborhood at home in Las Vegas, so she’s also logged onto The Athletic’s Zoom call on her phone. She’s getting her steps count in, but she’s answering questions about her legacy and future at the same time — the usual. Multitasking is the only way she can operate these days.“I’m trying to get my conditioning up,” she says. “Get as much done as possible.”Wie West doesn’t need to elaborate. The former child prodigy is now a 36-year-old mother of two, the host of a premier LPGA tournament, an active investor, and, recently, has dipped her toes into golf course architecture and design.On top of all of that, three years removed from her official retirement from professional golf at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, Wie West has decided to come back to compete in a championship one more time, at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open. Add re-learning how to practice for a major like a tour pro to that list of responsibilities.It has long been a rule that winners of the U.S. Women’s Open get a 10-year exemption into the event. Wie West won her sole major championship at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst. So when she received a two-year buffer due to a maternity exemption and realized that the 2026 event would be hosted at Riviera, she immediately circled the week on her calendar. She had one last chance to do this, and in Los Angeles, at a place with close family ties, it felt right.So this U.S. Women’s Open won’t feel like the final chapter of Wie West’s ground-breaking, but tumultuous career. It won’t be a send-off from the era in which the spotlight followed Wie West’s every move. Or an end to the ever-present expectations for her success that she never seemed to escape. The five-time LPGA winner had that moment already, three years ago at Pebble Beach, when she stepped away from the game due to injury and motherhood. That was her goodbye.At this U.S. Women’s Open, Wie West is playing for herself and for her family.“It’s more of a deeply personal reason for why I wanted to come back and play this one,” she says. “Riviera is such a special place to my husband’s side of the family. His dad was heavily involved in the Northern Trust Open (now the Genesis Invitational) back in the day.“And for my daughter, now being almost 6 years old, it’s an amazing opportunity to show her firsthand that mom is working hard and practicing. I’m really excited to share this with her.”Just like at Pebble Beach, Wie West will have her husband, Johnnie West, as her caddie, but this time she’ll get the bonus of local knowledge and an emotional connection to the course. West is the son of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, who was a Riviera member and called Los Angeles his adopted home.He was credited with the reinvigoration of the PGA Tour’s annual stop at the club in the Pacific Palisades. He served as the tournament’s executive director from 2009 to 2013, and Wie West will honor her late father-in-law by playing in the first women’s major to be hosted at Riviera.However, she already has some experience winning at the esteemed venue. Before Wie West’s wedding in 2019, she and her husband organized a Ryder Cup-style guys versus girls match at the George C. Thomas-designed course. The ladies won by a landslide.“I stacked my team, let’s be real,” she says.Wie West will also play for her daughter, Makenna. She quietly started preparing for this extra major appearance last Thanksgiving, dusting off her training aids and taking her clubs out more often than she had in years. That’s when Wie West started recapping her days on the range and in the gym with her 6-year-old each night. Unsurprisingly, Makenna has taken a liking to the game that defined her mother’s upbringing.“I never realized how much of a sports mom I would be,” Wie West says. “It’s just a way of life in my household.”Wie West’s preparation felt different, first because she forgot how to structure hour-long practice sessions, finding herself wondering what to do next after only 40 minutes on the range. But also because she knew she had a young, impressionable golfer taking notes about her process along the way.“I think it’s good for Makenna to hear that everything’s not easy. I’m gonna have good days and bad days. I’d tell her straight up, I didn’t want to go practice today, but I did. I can kind of see how my inner dialogue shapes her inner dialogue,” she says.Over time, though, Wie West found a groove with her on-course regimen, and she cherished the opportunity to show off to her daughter.The last time Wie West teed it up in the U.S. Women’s Open, Makenna was asleep in her stroller. This time, she’ll be walking outside the ropes with an awareness of who her mom is and some idea of her impact on the game — thanks to ChatGPT and an at-home viewing of Wie West’s Golf Channel documentary.And that dynamic will continue next fall, as Wie West’s children watch her participate in the inaugural season of WTGL — the women’s iteration of the indoor simulator golf league, TGL.The work Wie West has put into preparing for this championship dates further back than anyone knew when she announced her entry. During the pregnancy for her second son, Jagger, in late 2024, and while dealing with a difficult postpartum period after his birth, Wie West gained 75 pounds. She set out on a journey to feel like herself again.She started running and took up tennis to rebuild her body and regain her strength and confidence. Wie West described that process as therapeutic and a welcome contrast to the final days of her playing career, which were riddled with injury.“This last part of my career has been — I wouldn’t say tainted, but a lot of memories revolve around the physio, playing in pain, working my way around it, not being able to work out fully and the anxiety around that,” she says. “But I really feel like for the past year and a half, going through a postpartum journey, really building my body back from the ground level, getting strength back, I’ve started to really feel like myself again.”To gear up for Riviera, Wie West decided to give herself a test run. Last month, she teed it up in her host event, the Mizuho Americas Open, shot 82-80 to miss the cut, and playfully told the media that her nerves took her to “dark” places throughout the round.Sticking a tee in the ground on the first hole of a U.S. Women’s Open will provide an even greater challenge, and she knows that. She hasn’t played in a major in three years, and she might never play in one again. And on top of that, tournament golf comes with complex memories for Wie West.However, the point of this experience for the LPGA star is not to post a result. Even if Wie West were to contend in the championship, it won’t change her trajectory.“Holistically, I feel very retired,” she says. “There is zero part of me that wants to come back.”But Wie West is doing it one last time, because she wants to — and she can. And to her, that experience will be worth the first tee jitters and whatever score she’ll ultimately sign for.“I’m really happy that this is going to be one of my final experiences with professional golf,” she says. “This is truly a bonus for me.”This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Golf, Women's Golf2026 The Athletic Media Company

Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit a building and damaged a hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Monday, June 1, 2026. (AP Photo)2026-06-02T09:55:47Z BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli drone strikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed eight people, including a father and his son and daughter, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel and Hezbollah agreed to dial back fighting.Israel threatened on Monday to strike Beirut’s southern suburbs, causing panic in the Lebanese capital as thousands fled to safer areas and Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel. Israeli forces recently made their deepest incursion into Lebanon in 26 years, but Beirut has been mostly spared over the past six weeks, apart from two targeted attacks on the city’s southern suburbs in May.Trump later announced after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communicating with the Lebanese militant group through mediators that “there will be no Troops going to Beirut.” Lebanon’s State-run National News Agency reported Tuesday that an Israeli drone strike hit a car on the road linking the southern town of Marjayoun with the city of Nabatiyeh, killing James Karam, a dentist from the nearby Christian town of Qlayaa, along with his daughter and son. The Lebanese army said two soldiers were lightly wounded when a separate drone targeted them on a road outside the city. A drone strike on the village of Jibchit killed two Syrians who worked at a plant nursery, the agency reported, while another on the nearby village of Toul killed two people. A third strike hit a car near the village of Harouf, killing one person. NNA also reported that an Israeli airstrike on Monday killed six in the southern village of Marwaniyeh. Read More Hezbollah said Tuesday its fighters fired anti-tank missiles on Israeli troops who were pushing into the southern village of Hadatha, about 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the Israeli border. Sirens sounded in several areas in northern Israel, the military said in a statement, adding that “a suspicious aerial target” was identified in the area in which Israeli soldiers are operating in southern Lebanon, and that no injuries were reported. Despite a Washington-brokered ceasefire reached in April, the two sides have continued to exchange strikes after Israel targeted areas in Lebanon, saying it was for self-defense. The latest exchanges came as a second round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, where Lebanese negotiators are set to seek a full ceasefire that will prevent future attacks. The Israel-Lebanon talks that began in April in Washington were the first in more than three decades between the countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations.The fighting presents a major obstacle to the emerging deal to extend the ceasefire in the Iran war that erupted after the United States and Israel struck the Islamic Kingdom on Feb.28. Tehran wants any agreement to include a complete ceasefire in Lebanon.Hezbollah has rejected direct talks, counting on pressure from Iran.The latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has killed 3,433 people in Lebanon and displaced more than 1 million people. According to Netanyahu’s office, at least 27 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have been killed in or near southern Lebanon. Two civilians have also been killed in northern Israel.Israel’s military said late Monday that a soldier was killed in southern Lebanon. It added that seven more soldiers were wounded in the incident, three of them severely.Hezbollah’s use of hard-to-detect fiber-optic drones has been deadly for the Israeli military, which is struggling to respond. 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Nature, Published online: 02 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01731-1Simulations of biological systems could transform biomedical research, but researchers are still learning how to reproduce life’s complexity without drowning in data.

Nature, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01782-4Lessons from past epidemics could help to contain the current spread of Ebola. Plus, what a rocket explosion means for NASA's Moon plans and whether ‘obesity’ should be split into two diagnoses.

Collage by Mauricio Rodriguez Pons/ProPublica. Source images: Katie Campbell/ProPublica. Kara Meredith can tell you the exact day her life turned upside down: Aug. 23, 2025. She was at her home in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, caring for her 5-week-old son, when one of her daughters ran to tell her there was water all over the bathroom floor. Her husband, Mitch Meredith, wasn’t worried — until he saw the dark liquid bubbling up around the base of the bathtub. Mitch and his relatives worked all night trying to contain it. It was near dawn when his uncle said, “This is oil.” Read more Oily Sludge Is Flooding Their Dream Home. Oklahoma Regulators Say They Can’t Help. The United States is the largest oil and gas producer in the world. All of that drilling produces hundreds of billions of gallons of toxic wastewater each year. For decades, energy companies have disposed of that briny fluid by shooting it back underground using high-pressure injection wells. But across Oklahoma, the fluid is spreading uncontrollably belowground, blasting out of old, unplugged wells, polluting land and contaminating drinking water. In a new documentary from The Frontier and ProPublica, reporter Nick Bowlin investigates a scourge of oil field wastewater seeping into the lives of Oklahomans, about half of whom live within a mile of an oil and gas operation. His reporting takes him to the headquarters of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the state agency tasked with regulating oil and gas. The agency told Bowlin that it is committed to “doing the right thing, holding operators accountable, protecting Oklahoma and its resources, and providing fair and balanced regulation.” But as Bowlin continues to dig, he discovers he is far from the first one to raise the alarm about what’s happening in Oklahoma.Watch the documentary here. Show Us What It’s Like to Live with Oil Pollution in Oklahoma We’ve reported on oil and gas pollution contaminating drinking water, killing cattle and damaging property. We need your help to show how this affects people across the state. Share Your Experience The post Toxic Ground: How Oil Field Pollution Is Threatening Oklahoma appeared first on ProPublica.

A super PAC created to counter spending from powerful pro-Israel groups will try to help Democrats critical of Israel’s wars and military actions.

As New York City faces slowing job growth and broader economic concerns, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has not offered a detailed plan to create jobs.

Gen Z might be using the abbreviation for “point of view” incorrectly. But linguists think it’s exciting.

TAMAQUA — Marian Catholic went into the PIAA playoffs Monday afternoon unsure of whom the latest shining star would be.Roman Bednarek proved the man of the hour on the mound and at the plate as he led Marian Catholic (20-4) to an 11-1 mercy-rule victory over Wyoming Seminary (14-10).“When you’re one of the last eight teams in the state, anything is possible,” Marian Catholic coach John ‘Pilsey’ Petrilyak said. “A bloop and a blast can get you a couple runs and suddenly you’re beating a team by two or three runs.”*Marian Catholic’s Brayden Grant (22) lays a tag on Wyoming Seminary’s Nieko Ravaioli (34) during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Marian Catholic’s Mitchel Knock takes a lead off of third base during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Wyoming Seminary’s John Comitz throws a pitch during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Marian Catholic’s Roman Bednarek fires a pitch during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Marian Catholic’s Chase Quinn-Gutsie scores a run during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Wyoming Seminary’s Ryan Finlay (30) takes a lead off of first base as Marian Catholic’s Jimmy Cannon holds him on (20) during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)1 of 6Marian Catholic’s Brayden Grant (22) lays a tag on Wyoming Seminary’s Nieko Ravaioli (34) during the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Monday, June 1, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)Marian Catholic advances to the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals to take on Southern Columbia on Thursday at a site and time to be determined.Bednarek shined on the mound with a five-inning complete-game win, allowing just one run and one hit and striking out six. He also made a difference at the plate when he lifted a two-run home run over the left field fence for the 6-1 lead in the fourth inning.“I felt prepared and I give a lot of credit to my team for keeping me in order today,” Bednarek said. “I think we could win it all, we’re a very good team and we showed that today.”The Colts wasted no time getting ahead of Wyoming Seminary when they scored three runs in the bottom of the first and knocked out pitcher Ryan Finlay after just two outs.Bednarek drove in a team-high four runs for Marian Catholic while Noah Bauder and Jimmy Cannon each brought in two runs. Chase Quinn-Gutsie and Bauder each had two hits while Bednarek homered and Rocco Griguoli and Bauder each doubled.“I was really happy for Noah, and he’s really come out of his shell at the plate the last few games,” Pilsey said. “He’s really picked it up these last few games.”Bednarek struck out two in the top of the first inning, but allowed the only run of the game when Nieko Ravaioli flew out to center field to score Leo Nockley for the 1-0 difference.The Colts brought home three runs in the bottom of the first inning, beginning with a Noah Bauder RBI line drive single to right field to score Quinn-Gutsie and knot the score at 1.“Our message has been the same all year and that’s to get to 0-1 and get ahead in the count and backward pitch guys,” Pilsey said. “We’ve been lucky to be able to do that and we’re in a really good spot.”Brayden Grant and Chase Grier each walked with the bases loaded for the 3-1 lead at the end of the first.Bednarek continued his romp on the mound in the top of the second, recording a 1-2-3 inning and striking out Finlay for the third out.“I tried to work all my pitches today and get comfortable with all of them and I knew all of them were working well today,” Bednarek said. “The strikeouts were a little higher than I expected and that was about it.”Bednarek drove in the Colts’ next run in the bottom of the second with an RBI groundout to third base to score Quinn-Gutsie for the 4-1 lead.Marian Catholic’s big break came in the bottom of the fourth when Bednarek drove a pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homer and the 6-1 lead.“That first at-bat, I was just trying to put the ball in play and the next at-bat they gave me my pitch. I turned on it, and I knew it was gone off the bat,” Bednarek said.Jimmy Cannon continued the scoring when he drove a two-run line drive single to right field for the 8-1 advantage.The Colts walked it off in the bottom of the fifth, beginning with a Bednarek bases-loaded walk for the 9-1 lead. Griguoli was hit by a pitch to plate Cole Defrancisco for the 10-1 lead. Bauder then flew out to right field to score Quinn-Gutsie for the 11-1 final score.Wyoming Seminary 1 — Rolland LF 2 0 0 0, Nockley SS 1 1 0 0, Ravailoli 3B 2 0 0 1, Hanson-Richart 1B 2 0 0 0, Comitz CF 2 0 0 0, Weinberger 2B 2 0 0 0, Finlay P 2 0 1 0, Aponick RF 1 0 0 0, Stevenson C 2 0 0 0. 16 1 1 1.Marian Catholic 11 — Quinn-Gutsie CF 2 4 2 0, Bednarek P 2 1 1 4, Griguoli DH 2 1 1 1, Bauder 3B 4 2 2 2, Lemus SS 2 1 0 0, Jordan 1B 1 0 0 0, Cannon 1B 1 0 1 2, Grant 2B 2 0 0 1, Grier RF 1 0 0 1, Knock 1 1 1 0, Defrancisco LF 2 1 0 0. 20 11 8 11.WYO (14-10);1;0;0;0;0;—1MAR (20-4);3;1;0;4;3;—11Wyoming SeminaryIP H R ER BB KFinlay 0.2 1 3 3 5 0Ravaioli 2.2 3 4 4 2 2Comitz 1 4 4 4 2 1Marian CatholicBednarek 5 1 1 0 2 6

Christoph Baumgartner ruled out of World Cup with AustriaAustria have been dealt a significant injury blow ahead of the World Cup, with Christoph Baumgartner set to miss the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Baumgartner suffered a thigh injury during the warm-up ahead of Austria’s 1–0 friendly win over Tunisia on Monday, and an MRI scan on Tuesday has confirmed that he will not be able to take part in the World Cup.“This is, of course, very bitter news for Christoph and for us as a team. He is an important player and a key figure within our squad. Our full support now goes towards his recovery,” said Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick.As for David Alaba, who was forced off at half-time, Austria received positive news as scans revealed no muscle injury. He will therefore travel to the United States with the rest of the squad as planned on Thursday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was frank in his exit interview when asked how he measures a season in which the Thunder fell short of the NBA Finals. “It was a failure,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I failed at my goal. I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve.” And in a literal sense, SGA was right. The Thunder’s goal was to win a championship. It won 64 games and fell a game shy of the NBA Finals, but it didn’t win a championship. It failed. More: Why Russell Westbrook is investing in OKC's new multipurpose stadium, districtGilgeous-Alexander left no room for nuance, even though plenty is warranted. Namely, the fact that OKC was missing Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the Western Conference Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander went back-to-back as MVP, he was heroic as the Thunder’s lone star in Game 7 against the Spurs, but his individual accolades were irrelevant in the aftermath of his team’s elimination. “I didn't get where I wanted to go this season,” he said. “There's a reason for that. Now I have to look at that reason and try to make sure it never happens again.” Joy rivals: Jaylin Williams vs. Jared McCain All 15 of the Thunder’s standard contract players cycled through the press room of the Thunder’s practice facility on Sunday for exit interviews. We covered the highlights, and you can watch each player’s full exit interview on the Thunder’s YouTube page. A note about exit-interview day: It’s not just a media thing. Players are also meeting with team personnel before many of them head out of town. Also, the emotions of an elimination loss are still raw for the players. The Game 7 loss to the Spurs wasn’t even 24 hours old. To their credit, though, each player was gracious with his time — from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Thomas Sorber. But if you’re a Thunder fan looking for a reason to smile (I imagine there are a few of you out there), the exit interviews of Jaylin Williams and Jared McCain should be atop your queue. J-Will shared a hilarious anecdote about McCain, maybe the most adored Oklahoman at the time of this writing. McCain is magnetic. Everyone knows that by now. So much so that he’s coming for J-Will’s crown as Mr. Happy. “When he first got on the team,” J-Will said of McCain, “I asked (Kenrich Williams) and I asked everybody: Is this how I was? Like, is this how y'all saw me?” Their answer: Yes. “But I don’t agree with it,” said J-Will, smiling (of course). From painting his nails, to posting TikTok dances to singing along to Olivia Dean in the shower, McCain is who he is. And everybody loves him for it. “The fact that they allowed me to be myself and have fun with this basketball stuff, it makes the job fun — it makes everything else in life fun,” McCain said. “And so I say it a lot, but just being thankful for it, for everything that’s happened in my life. This is a blessing, for sure.” Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort team options Isaiah Hartenstein has a $28.5 million team option for next season. The Thunder could pick up the option, decline the option and let Hartenstein walk, trade Hartenstein or decline the option and sign Hartenstein to a long-term extension. My bet is on the latter. But Hartenstein’s comments on his contract status seemed to scare some Thunder fans. “I love being here,” he said. “I love the organization, but it’s a lot in their hands.” That could be Hartenstein playing hard ball. It could also be Hartenstein stating the obvious: The ball is in the Thunder’s hands. It’s not called a team option for nothing. Hartenstein originally signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Thunder in free agency. It was the biggest free-agent deal ever handed out by the Thunder, and it paid off immediately. Lu Dort took a different tact in his exit interview regarding his $18.2 million team option. “I have a lot of trust in this organization and in Sam (Presti),” Dort said. “I'm really grateful for all the stuff that he did for me to this point and obviously I want to stay here. This organization and this city have really shaped me as a person and as a player.” Dort, coming off a down season, doesn’t have the negotiating leverage of Hartenstein. He’s also a Thunder lifer who’s played alongside SGA his entire career. OKC Thunder roster primer: Draft picks, contracts heading into 2026 NBA offseasonKnicks have their own Alex Caruso in Josh Hart Alex Caruso and Josh Hart were rookies together in Los Angeles. The Lakers scooped up Caruso after the Thunder let him get away, and LA acquired Hart — picked 30th overall in 2017 — as part of a draft-day deal. Had the Thunder and Knicks faced off in the Finals, Thunder fans would’ve seen in Hart what they appreciate so much about Caruso. Hart starts for the Knicks whereas Caruso comes off the bench, but both are high-end, all-effort role players. Maniacial competitors and make-the-winning-players. Their 3-point shots come and go, but you trust them in big spots. “I think it was different for me understanding that I had to be a role player,” said Caruso, looking back on his rookie year. “I think there was a window for Josh where he was kind of one foot in, one foot out, maybe trying to be a main engine guy versus being a role player.“Somewhere along the way, he figured out how his game translates into the NBA. He's done a really good job of kind of perfecting that and being super comfortable with who he is and how he can affect the game. He’s a fun player to watch.” Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander calling Thunder season 'failure' needs nuance

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 21: Juju Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates first down against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images The latestKansas City Better Off Without Trading For A.J. Brown | Heavy SportsBrown has been a disruptive force in the locker room for the best part of two seasons – even as the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX – as the All-Pro wideout continued to complain about his lack of targets in Philadelphia’s run-first offense.And whilst that kind of energy may be able to be stifled by the elite play of Drake Maye and the no-nonsense style of head coach Mike Vrabel, in KC the juice may not have been worth the squeeze.Although it is rare for receivers to be discontented whilst having passes thrown to them by Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs already have receivers with tenuous off-the-field records in Rashee Rice, and adding more controversy to that room would be a risky endeavor at the very least.Whilst Rice’s status for 2026 is technically unknown, there is little chance that he may face league consequences for breaking his parole by failing a drug test, given that it is not possible for the 26-year old face an actual league suspension for simply testing positive for marijuana per the new collective bargaining agreement that came into effect in 2020.Giants to sign former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster | The Kansas City StarSmith-Schuster, 29, first entered the league as a second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft. After five seasons with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster signed a one-year deal to join the Chiefs in 2022.That year, Smith-Schuster had 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season. The receiver’s most memorable game for the Chiefs was Super Bowl LVII, when he became Patrick Mahomes’ go-to target as Kansas City stormed back from a 10-point deficit in the second half.In that half alone, Smith-Schuster made six receptions for 48 yards. On the Chiefs’ game-clinching drive, he drew a defensive holding penalty on Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry that put Kansas City in field-goal range.After a couple of kneel-downs, kicker Harrison Butker connected on a 27-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 38-35 Super Bowl victory.Top 25 Chiefs of 2026: Ranking Every Player Based on Impact | Sports IllustratedOffensive BreakdownThis side of the ball is much more similar to last year’s collection of players. Four of the five starting offensive linemen are back, as is future Hall of Fame man Travis Kelce at tight end. At the receiver spot, the trio of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton returns. What’s different, then?The run game, and for good reason. Kansas City lacked any remnant of explosiveness in 2024 or 2025, so Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both out. In is Kenneth Walker III, who is already making a good impression.Upside is there for this unit, but it’ll take a lot going the right way. That starts with quarterback Patrick Mahomes bouncing back from a torn ACL and LCL, as well as the coaches around Walker helping him be his best self. That’s without even mentioning Rice staying out of trouble and getting back to full health.Crazier things have happened, but this is a dice roll and a bank on head coach Andy Reid being able to make up for some things.‘Somebody could have warned me’ — Mansoor Delane got a rude awakening at Kansas City Chiefs OTAs, but it’ll help him long-term | A to Z SportsChiefs HC Andy Reid has a reputation. His practices are known for rigorous on-field work and fast pace. There aren’t two-a-days in the NFL anymore, so they have to make the most of their on-field time. The players will run a lot and move their bodies during individual and team drills. It doesn’t matter if it’s a padded practice in July or a padless practice in May.“It’s been good. I say it’s a lot of running, probably. Somebody could have warned me a little bit about that,” Delane joked. “But naw, just like I said, it’s a very well-conditioned team, and obviously, I can see why people are so ready for the season. Because we come in here, we handle our business, and it’s definitely not easy. So, really just a lot more running than that, though.”With the running in OTAs being a big surprise, Delane is certainly in for a treat when the Chiefs get to St. Joseph, Missouri, for training camp. Those days can be extremely daunting, with temperatures in the 90s with 100% humidity. There’s also Coach Reid’s staple long-drive drill. Delane told Cody and Gold that he’s already been warned about training camp, and he’ll be prepared for it nonetheless.“Naw, for sure, I’ve definitely heard,” Delane said of training camp in St. Joe. “Got my fair share of warnings, but I wouldn’t even be surprised now. Really just trying to prepare as best as I can, to be ready for that, those circumstances and those climates and environments.”Every NFL Team’s Biggest Position Battle and Top Potential Breakout Players | Bleacher ReportMost Important Position Battle: Wide ReceiverKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is working his way back from a torn ACL, but it’s looking increasingly likely that he’ll be ready to go within the first few weeks of the regular season.“He’s way ahead of schedule,” GM Brett Veach told SiriusXM Radio in early May (h/t NFL.com’s Kevin Patra).While Mahomes’ recovery timeline is still somewhat uncertain, things are even murkier at wide receiver. Rashee Rice was practically Kansas City’s only dependable wideout in 2025, and he’s recovering from knee surgery while serving a 30-day jail term tied to a probation violation.Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, and rookie Cyrus Allen will all be competing for roles in camp, and the Chiefs may look to add more to the position.100 days to the 2026 NFL season: Predictions, injuries, more | ESPNPatrick Mahomes will win his third MVPLast season, the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in Mahomes’ nine-year career, and he underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. No matter. The three-time Super Bowl winner will return with a vengeance. He’ll benefit from a formidable offensive line and a rushing attack led by Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. — Jason Reid, Andscape senior writerAround the NFLBrowns trade Myles Garrett to Rams in blockbuster deal that includes 2024 DROY Jared Verse | Yahoo! SportThe Rams acquired Garrett in a blockbuster deal on Monday, the teams announced. In return, defensive end Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-rounder are heading to Cleveland.The star defensive end is the all-time single-season sack leader. Garrett set the record with 23 sacks in 2025, surpassing Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, who each had 22.5 sacks.Garrett was drafted with the first overall pick in 2017 by the Browns. He was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2025.The defensive end has played in 134 career games over his nine-year career and heads into 2026 with 125.5 career sacks, already good enough for 20th all-time since the stat was first recorded in 1982.Eagles agree to trade A.J. Brown to Patriots for 2 draft picks | ESPNThe Eagles agreed Monday to trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots for a first-round draft pick in 2028 and a 2027 fifth-round pick.The fifth-round selection will be the better of New England’s two picks in that round of next year’s draft, sources told ESPN.The trade, which has been discussed and anticipated across the NFL for months, reunites Brown and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.“Playing for this city has been an honor, and I’m thankful for every moment I had in midnight green. Thank you, Philly. Much love always. God bless,” he wrote.Brown, who turns 29 on June 30, gives Patriots quarterback Drake Maye a No. 1 target as part of a revamped top of the receiver depth chart alongside free agent signing Romeo Doubs.In case you missed it on Arrowhead PrideChiefs Mailbag after OTAs: How much will rookies play in 2026?The big change in the Chiefs’ linebacker room is the loss of Leo Chenal, who never carved out a high-snap count as Spagnuolo’s SAM linebacker. When he was on the field, however, Chenal frequently delivered splash plays in a situational role.The Chiefs largely left the position group alone despite Chenal’s departure to the Washington Commanders. Part of that may be that they simply did not think there was a comparable replacement to Chenal’s skillset available, as fellow linebacker Drue Tranquill explained to reporters on Thursday:“I don’t know that you can replace Leo. I think he is kind of one of one in what he can do. If you just throw on the tape, you can see all the different positions he lined up at for us. They do a really good job here of creating competition. Obviously, that SAM ‘backer role is kind of up for grabs, and we have a lot of guys in our room competing hard for it, and they’ll do some creative things. He’s a great player, and Washington is definitely lucky to have him.”Tranquill went on to praise how McDonald, Bassa, and Cochrane have looked in OTAs. He did not mention Christiansen, who has been on and off of Kansas City’s roster for four seasons without ever taking a defensive snap.From The FeedSocial media to make you thinkChiefs rookie WR Cyrus Allen putting in some WORK this off-season!🔥🙌#ChiefsKingdom@cyrusallen_pic.twitter.com/NwQxi7bso5— All Chief'd Up! (@AllChiefdUp) May 8, 2026Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social MediaFacebook: Like our pageInstagram: @ArrowheadPrideX: Follow @ArrowheadPrideAP Staff on X: See complete list90.9 The Bridge on X: Follow @909thebridge

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 10: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after sacking Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images Dawgs By NatureMyles Garrett’s Browns career in numbers: Stats, wins, honors, and contract salary (Jared Mueller) – From the 1st overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft to the LA Rams trade, Myles Garrett’s Cleveland Browns career in numbers.Jared Verse was the key that unlocked the Myles Garrett trade (Thomas Moore) – Cleveland GM Andrew Berry held firm that he needed more than just draft picks if he was going to trade defensive end Myles Garrett.Myles Garrett is gone from the Browns: What does it mean going forward? (Chris Pokorny) – Closing the chapter on Myles Garrett’s time with the Cleveland Browns.Browns rumor: Is Denzel Ward next? Contract provides options if CLE is willing (Jared Mueller) – Will Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward follow DE Myles Garrett out the door in a trade? An updated rumor, contract details.Browns confirm Myles Garrett trade, GM Andrew Berry says ‘best for the organization’ (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns have officially traded DE Myles Garrett to the LA Rams. GM Andrew Berry’s lengthy statement on deal.Browns 2027 mock draft: Myles Garrett trade leads to Arch Manning and much more (Jared Mueller) – What could the Cleveland Browns look like after the Myles Garrett trade? This 2027 mock draft adds QB Arch Manning and more.Browns future draft picks after Myles Garrett trade: Details on all 11 in 2027 (Jared Mueller) – Following the Myles Garrett trade to the LA Rams, the Cleveland Browns have 11 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft.Browns trade Myles Garrett to the LA Rams; full trade compensation (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns are reportedly dealing DE Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse, draft picks.Browns news: Team adds over $3 million in salary cap space (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns now have a little more salary cap space to work with post-June 1st from David Njoku, Wyatt Teller.An offensive weapon the Browns should consider trading for (Barry Shuck) – The Cleveland Browns offense is going to be run-heavy, why not add a RB to go with Quinshon Judkins? James Conner trade?The FeedWhat say you? Did the big-city guys from LA pull one over on the Browns? Or did Berry do right by the franchise?Cleveland BrownsMyles Garrett trade logical for Browns due to previous whiff (Beacon Journal) – No other NFL franchise can match the Browns’ expertise in destroying goodwill.Browns GM Andrew Berry did the best he could in Myles Garrett trade (cleveland.com) – The Browns and GM Andrew Berry probably did about as well as they could once it came time to trade Myles Garrett. After standing firm last year, they gave Garrett a massive extension that included a no-trade clause. If they ever came to another impasse, Garrett had gained a measure of control.Andrew Berry takes big swing with Myles Garrett trade, needs Jared Verse to be a star (Browns Zone) – The pressure is on Jared Verse. And Andrew Berry. That’s what happens when you’re the key piece of a blockbuster trade. And the person who made it.Thank you, Myles (Cleveland Browns YouTube) – A video tribute to Myles Garrett as he heads off to Los Angeles.NFLThe Rams are betting on the greatness of Myles Garrett — and of Sean McVay (The Athletic) – The Los Angeles Rams are all in on the Super Bowl again. For the second time in three months, the Rams have pulled off a blockbuster trade for an All-Pro defender. On Monday, they swung the NFL’s biggest trade in 2026, acquiring reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, the closest player they’ve had to Aaron Donald since the legend himself.The Rams Are Building on Two Timelines. With Myles Garrett, That May Not Matter. (The Ringer) – L.A. picked quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the draft, so it was somewhat surprising to see the Rams make a win-now move like the Garrett trade. But that’s before you remember their recent history.Myles Garrett traded: Making sense of the Rams-Browns deal (ESPN) – Months after Andrew Berry insisted that any conversation about trading “career Brown” Myles Garrett would amount to wasting breath, the Browns’ general manager sent the best player in the modern history of the franchise to the Rams.The Rams fleeced the Browns for Myles Garrett (Turf Show Times) – The Browns traded a two-time Defensive Player of the Year to the Rams for much less than he deserved.

The Buffalo Bills have a surprisingly difficult schedule upcoming despite not winning the AFC East for the first time in five years last season. But plenty of those contests en route in 2026 are some of the most anticipated in the entire NFL.The Bills have a schedule with the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots featured on it. However, a recent NFL offseason roundup by ESPN did not point out one of those on a list.Instead, it is the one right out of the gate.Buffalo opens next season on the road against the Houston Texans in Week 1. ESPN named five "most watch" games in the whole league in 2026 and that's the Bills matchup pointed out. ESPN got to that judgment because of two reasons: Recent history between the two teams and that contest being the debut game for Joe Brady as the Bills' new head coach.ESPN's full breakdown on Bills at Texans can be found below:This matchup gave us one of the most surprising results of the 2025 season, as the Texans beat the Bills 23-19 with Davis Mills starting for the injured C.J. Stroud. Now, it kicks off the 2026 season with plenty of questions.What does head coach Joe Brady do that offensive coordinator Joe Brady couldn't to beat this ferocious Texans defense? Are the Texans' investments in their running game finally going to pay off? What new life can Jim Leonhard infuse into a Bills defense that was running Sean McDermott stuff for a decade? Does Stroud look like he did in last year's regular season … or like he did in the playoffs?This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills named on list of 5 'must watch' NFL game on 2026 schedule

Just a few weeks ago, Lindy Waters III looked at a picture with a bit of disbelief.He was possibly in high school, maybe a freshman or eighth grader. He wasn’t exactly sure. His hair was shaggy.There Waters sat in the club seats at Paycom Center wearing a blue T-shirt that was on his seat. Waters smiled next to his cousin at an OKC Thunder playoff game.“I remember going to those games,” Waters said, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. More: SGA, OKC Thunder stunned by Spurs, Wemby in Game 7 to miss NBA FinalsSo, Waters knew what atmosphere to expect when he stepped into the arena for the Western Conference Finals.He had lived through Loud City as a teenager growing up in Norman. He had played on the court with the Thunder, the result of an unlikely climb to the NBA. Now, he’s back with the Spurs as a sharpshooting option deep on the bench of a team that spoiled a back-to-back championship bid.Life has come full circle.“I never would have thought I’d be in this position,” Waters said between Game 1 and Game 2 of the series. “I’m very grateful.”Waters’ rise to the NBA was full of charm.A Norman North High School graduate, Waters played at Oklahoma State, where he developed into a strong 3-point shooter and advocate for Native American heritage. Still, Waters’ options were limited.He joined The Basketball League, playing for the Enid Outlaws, in 2021. Then landed a spot on the OKC Blue in the G League. He rapidly developed into a 3-point specialist and signed a two-way contract with the Thunder in 2022.He was converted to a regular contract twice and he signed another two-way contract with OKC over the next two years. But he was traded to Golden State in the summer of 2024.Waters spent the 2024-25 season split between Golden State and Detroit.More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steve Nash come full circle as NBA MVPs | Mussatto's MinutesHe signed a contract with the Spurs last offseason. He averaged 2.4 points in 40 regular season games, shooting 34% from behind the arc. With nine playoff appearances — including three against the Thunder despite on the end of the bench in his hometown — he's in the NBA Finals at the Thunder’s expense.“I’m excited to see my family, play in such high-stakes games,” Waters said. “This is what I work for and this is what we live for. Being able to compete against the defending champs, the hometown team, seeing all of their success and being able to compete, it was a crazy feeling being back here and seeing all the familiar faces."The uniqueness of the return home was not lost on Waters. He said he reflected on his journey when the Spurs arrived in OKC ahead of Game 1. He thought of his former teammates, friends and family. Then he received a text with the picture from his early days.Waters remembered Loud City. He thought of the playoffs from 2024, his final season with OKC.And he knew what was coming.“It’s just always been Loud City,” Waters said. “Oklahoma City is so bought into the Thunder. You can still see it. It’s even louder than it was back then.”Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at junruh@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lindy Waters III, once a Thunder player, makes NBA Finals with Spurs

The Philadelphia Eagles have spent the past four seasons building an offense around A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Following Brown's blockbuster trade to the New England Patriots, that equation changes significantly. While the move creates future salary-cap flexibility and adds premium draft capital, it also forces Philadelphia to reshuffle its offensive hierarchy heading into training camp.The Eagles' offense looks dramatically different after trading A.J. Brown to the Patriots for future draft assets, and we're projecting the depth chart. Quarterback: 4Starter: #1 Jalen HurtsBackup: #14 Tanner McKee3rd: #16 Andy Dalton4th: #10 Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota StateAt quarterback, nothing changes. Hurts remains the franchise cornerstone, while Tanner McKee and veteran Andy Dalton provide depth behind him. Hurts has begun his work with Sean Mannion, and the quarterback will benefit from having the former quarterback, along with Josh Grizzard (pass game coordinator) and another former quarterback, Jerrod Johnson, on staff as senior assistants. McKee returns, while the Eagles traded a 7th-round pick to Carolina to acquire Dalton. Former North Dakota State signal caller Cole Payton joins the roster, and all four players could make the 53-man cuts.RB: 5Starter: #26 Saquon BarkleyBackup: #8 Tank BigsbyThird: #28 Will Shipley4th: #39 Dameon Pierce#34 Carson Steele#36 Cameron Latu (FB/TE)The running game should remain the foundation of the offense. Saquon Barkley remains the featured weapon behind one of the league's most talented offensive lines, while Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Dameon Pierce give the Eagles considerable depth.WR: 11#11 A.J. Brown (Expected to be traded)Starter: #6 DeVonta SmithCo-starters: #9 Makai Lemon, WR, Southern Cal/#0 Hollywood Brown5th: #80 Darius Cooper4th: #89 Johnny Wilson#86 Quez Watkins#82 Danny Gray#18 Britain Covey4th: #19 Elijah Moore -signed March 24Starter: #13 Dontayvion Wicks-- Acquired via tradeSamori ToureThe most obvious change comes at wide receiver.DeVonta Smith now becomes the unquestioned No. 1 target in the passing game. The former Heisman Trophy winner has already posted multiple 1,000-yard seasons and will likely see an increase in both targets and overall responsibility. Behind Smith, the Eagles suddenly have one of the NFL's most intriguing position battles. Veteran additions Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks are expected to step into prominent roles, while first-round pick Makai Lemon could see an expanded opportunity much earlier than originally anticipated. Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson, Samori Toure, and Darius Cooper will also compete for snaps as the Eagles search for the right combination around quarterback Jalen Hurts.TE: 8Starter: #88 Dallas Goedert2nd: #87 Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt3rd: #83 Johnny Mundt3rd: #81 Grant Calcaterra#87 Stone Smartt#84 E.J. Jenkins#36 Cameron Latu#45 Dae'Quan Wright -- Player to watchDallas Goedert could become one of the biggest beneficiaries of Brown's departure. The veteran tight end is positioned for a larger role, while second-round pick Eli Stowers provides an intriguing developmental option behind him.Offensive line: 17Starter: LT: #68 Jordan MailataStarter: LG: #69 Landon DickersonStarter: C: #51 Cam JurgensStarter: RG: #56 Tyler SteenStarter: RT: #65 Lane Johnson#72 Markel Bell, T, MiamiBackup: #76 Micah Morris, G, GeorgiaSwing tackle: #74 Fred Johnson, #78 Myles Hinton, #73 Cameron Williams, #67 John Ojukwu, #66 Drew Kendall, #61 Backup: Willie Lampkin, #75 Jake Majors, #63 Hollin Pierce, #64 Jaeden Roberts, #67 John OjukwuThe Eagles' offensive line suffered multiple injuries in 2025 but will look to rebound under the new offensive line coach. The Eagles have hired Chris Kuper as offensive line coach. The Vikings didn't retain Kuper after four years in the same position. During Kuper's tenure, Minnesota ranked 32nd in interior pressure rate allowed in three of the last four seasons, including 2025, a ranking that led to his dismissal. Landon Dickerson was excellent in 2024 but finished the 2025 regular season with a 60.3 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked only 51st among 81 qualifying guards. Jordan Mailata didn't replicate his elite 2024 campaign, but he was still Philadelphia's best offensive lineman. His 83.8 PFF overall grade ranked seventh among all offensive tackles. Lane Johnson, 35, is a future Hall of Famer with a resume that includes six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro nods, and a pair of Super Bowl wins. Johnson's value is clear: the Eagles were 8-2 with him in the lineup this season, versus 3-4 without him. During his tenure in Philadelphia, the team's record is 94-41-1 when he plays and 15-27 when he doesn't.The Eagles may have traded away one of the NFL's premier receivers, but the roster remains loaded with talent. The biggest question entering 2026 is whether Philadelphia can replace Brown's production through a deeper, more balanced offensive approach rather than relying on a single dominant playmaker.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: How Eagles' depth chart changes after trading A.J. Brown

📸 All set: FIFA confirms Spain’s World Cup kits 🇪🇸FIFA has officially confirmed the kits that the Spanish national team will wear during the World Cup group stage. The highest governing body in international football has set the colors for the team’s first three matches of the tournament, clearing up fans’ doubts.Spain will keep its visual identity for almost the entire start of the championship. The national team will wear its traditional home kit in two of the three matches, featuring the classic red shirt, blue shorts, and dark socks against both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.The only exception will come in the decisive clash against Uruguay. Due to television contrast requirements and competition regulations, Spain will be forced to change and will play entirely in white, from the shirt to the socks.This match against La Celeste brings to mind a curious historical precedent. At the 1990 World Cup, the two countries also met in the group stage, and Spain wore an unusual combination: a red shirt and white shorts.📸 STAFFThe announcement allows the federation and the sponsoring brand to finalize the logistical details of the trip. With the kits now assigned, Spain can focus purely on football as it sets its sights on the World Cup.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Even after Jannik Sinner’s shock exit blew the French Open draw apart, Italian men have still made history at Roland Garros. For the first time in the Open Era, three Italian men are into the quarter-finals of a grand slam, with Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi showcasing the strength and depth of the country’s tennis talent by advancing to the last eight. There is guaranteed to be at least one Italian semi-finalist, with Berrettini to face Arnaldi in the quarter-finals on Wednesday while Cobolli, the 10th seed, faces fourth seed Felix Auger Aliassime for a place in the final four. Auger Aliassime is the highest remaining seed in the top half of the draw that has been wide open since Sinner’s shock second-round exit. Berrettini, the former Wimbledon runner-up, is back in the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time since 2022. A former top-10 player whose career was derailed by injuries, the 30-year-old is making his first appearance at the French Open in five years, having been forced to withdraw from the last four editions due to injury.Berrettini and Cobolli, who starred to win the Davis Cup for Italy, are both in the French Open semi-finals (Getty)Now ranked 105th in the world, Berrettini is the lowest-ranked men’s French Open quarter-finalist since 2007. In the fourth round, he recorded a straight-sets win over Jaun Manuel Cerundolo, who knocked out Sinner from two sets down as the world No 1 and tournament favourite struggled with the heat and fatigue. It was an emotional victory for Berrettini. “[Tennis] is the love of my life, if it wasn't I wouldn't be here,” he said. “After all the setbacks, all the injuries, all the bad moments, I came back once again. There were moments where it was really tough to come back and play, because I wasn't ready and I wasn't sure about my confidence, now I feel great.”Arnaldi, 25, recorded an epic fightback to beat American seed Frances Tiafoe in five sets, 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4, and reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time. Ranked one place above Berrettini at 104th in the world, Arnaldi has spent 17 hours and 42 minutes on court in his four victories so far at Roland Garros, five hours and 25 minutes of which were against Tiafoe in a match that finished after midnight. He won one of the points of the tournament to set up match point, scrambling to return several smashes from Tiafoe before the 19th eventually found the net. HOW DID MATTEO ARNALDI WIN THIS POINT!? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bG8cQGyW7L— TNT Sports (@tntsports) June 1, 2026Cobolli, 24, has enjoyed a far smoother path to the quarter-finals, his second appearance in a grand slam last eight after pushing Novak Djokovic to four sets at Wimbledon last year. The 10th seed has dropped just one set so far in his four wins, which came against Zachary Svajda in the fourth round. He is a two-time title winner on clay, and reached the Munich final this season. Cobolli stepped up in Sinner’s absence as Italy retained the Davis Cup last season, including winning the decisive match against Spain’s Jaume Munar from a set and break down and by saving seven match points to win a 32-point third-set tiebreak against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the semi-finals. Berrettini also won all three of his matches as Italy won a third consecutive Davis Cup.

Arlette Basekawike prepares meals for Ebola patients at the Evangelical Medical Center (CEM) in Bunia, Congo, Monday, June 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)2026-06-02T09:32:20Z BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Arlette Basekawike, a volunteer for the United Nations food agency in Bunia, the heart of Congo’s Ebola outbreak, spends most of her time in a small shed outside a health facility preparing meals for patients and health workers.Her hair covered by a pink bonnet, she prepares porridge, omelets and bread for breakfast for patients at the Evangelical Medical Center. The lunch and dinner menus might include fresh fish with fufu, a starchy staple made of mashed plantains, finished off by fruit.“Even though the patients have this disease, they still feel better when they eat, and the doctors have the energy to treat the sick and give them medication,” Basekawike told The Associated Press on Monday as she prepared vegetables and potatoes with goat meat in a large cooking pot. “I’m here for them like a parent, preparing food so they feel comfortable.” Her contribution may appear, on the surface, like a simple task, but it has become one of the critical supports for the region as it grapples with the rapidly spreading rare Bundibugyo virus, the species of Ebola confirmed in eastern Congo in May. As of Tuesday, 321 cases of the Ebola disease and 48 deaths had been confirmed in the Central African nation’s three eastern provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu, according to the World Health Organization. Neighboring Uganda has had nine cases and one death confirmed, according to the WHO, prompting Uganda to close its border with Congo. Read More Before the outbreak, the beleaguered region already faced one of the world’s most severe food crises due to an ongoing conflict that has displaced millions of people as government forces fight rebels. The spreading virus has added another layer of complexity that the United Nations warns might complicate the efforts to manage the spread of the virus among an already wary population. “We are in a region where we already have large segments of the population suffering from acute food insecurity linked to either war or displacement,” said Olivier Nkakudulu, who heads the World Food Program in Ituri province. “So there are already needs and Ebola is an additional crisis on top of a crisis.” The resource-strapped agency, the World Food Program, is facing a critical choice as aid cuts from the U.S. and other major partners have disrupted operations in the vulnerable region. Efforts to contain the disease, which the World Health Organization has deemed a global health emergency, have been hampered by a lack of funds as global partners either withdrew or reduced pledges.Also, attacks by suspicious residents on health workers and the slow delivery of aid due to the ongoing conflict have made it difficult to slow the spread of the disease.Despite the challenges, the agency and health workers say they have ensured patients’ nutritional demands are met so far.“Today we need to increase the amount because the number of patients has gone up,” Esther Bao, a nurse and one of the volunteers, said. There are also patients who, because of their health situation, “don’t eat just any meal,” she said. The Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine or treatment. However, treatment has targeted symptoms and five people have recovered.The outbreak continues to spread, from the three health zones affected at the onset to 22 as of this weekend, according to Congo’s Ministry of Health.On Sunday, 120 meals were served through four health facilities, bringing the total to 404 since the food assistance began on May 28, according to Nkakudulu. But the financial situation has not been easy, he said. “Without more funding, we might not be able to prioritize every suspected case,” Nkakudulu said. “We might have to focus on some and not have food to give to others.”___Adetayo reported from Lagos, Nigeria. OPE ADETAYO Adetayo is a West and Central Africa reporter for The Associated Press. He covers news and regional development across West and Central Africa. twitter facebook mailto

It is that time of year again, when teams start hosting prospects from other schools and it looks like Notre Dame is fighting to retain one of its 2027 commitments. Florida linebacker Amarri Irving committed to the Irish in November of 2025, but it looks like his father’s alma mater is going hard to flip him. According to a report by Jason Killop (subscription required), the son of former Michigan State running back Sedrick took an official visit to East Lansing over the weekend. The fact that his father played for the Spartans isn’t the only aspect for Irvin rethinking his commitment, as he originally committed when Notre Dame has linebackers coach Max Bullough, who has since left to coach as his alma mater. In recruiting relationships matter, and this is now a recruitment to watch as the potential to flip to MSU is there for Irving. NEWS: A four-star Michigan State legacy committed to Notre Dame was on campus over the weekend.. (MORE): https://t.co/gwEE4PaG0F (On3+) pic.twitter.com/k0QlVvLGK1— Jason Killop (@JasonKillop) June 2, 2026Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChenThis article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: One of Notre Dame’s 2027 commitments is officially on flip watch

The Denver Broncos won't lose a top executive to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.Broncos assistant general manager Reed Burckhardt did two interviews for the Vikings' general manager position, including an in-person interview last month. Minnesota made its decision last week, opting to hire former Seattle Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasley as their new GM.That's good news for Denver's front office because the team was in danger of losing an assistant GM in consecutive offseasons. Last year, Darren Mougey left the Broncos to take the GM job with the New York Jets, and Burckhardt was promoted in Denver to replace him. Before interviewing Burckhardt, the Vikings were also interested in Broncos GM George Paton, who opted to remain in Denver on a new, five-year contract. Paton and Burckhardt worked together in Minnesota before reuniting with the Broncos, and they are now both set to remain together for at least one more season.Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL rumors: Vikings won't poach key executive from Broncos

With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history.This next edition focuses on the second round of the 2011 draft when the Sixers selected big man Lavoy Allen out of Temple. The Morrisville, PA native brought his rough and tough style to the City of Brotherly Love and was able to produce some solid numbers averaging 4.1 points and 4.2 rebounds as a rookie.In the 2012 playoffs, Allen played a key role for the Sixers with his defense against Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett in Round 2 which allowed the 8 seed Sixers to push that Celtics team to a Game 7. He averaged 19.7 minutes off the bench and averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds along with that strong defensive presence in the 2012 playoffs.Allen spent 2.5 seasons in Philadelphia before he was traded to the Indiana Pacers along with Evan Turner. He then spent 3.5 more seasons with the Pacers before his career ended after the 2016-17 season.This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft rewind: Selecting big man Lavoy Allen in 2011

The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball season didn't end on a high note, but Greg Gard's squad picked up several notable wins during the regular season.For this list, the Big Ten Championship tournament has been excluded. It would've been easy to include the Badgers' 91-88 overtime victory over No. 9 Illinois, but instead, this focuses solely on the regular season.Wisconsin got off to a strong 4-0 start before being humbled in Salt Lake City against No. 9 BYU. Gard's team dropped an odd game, 74-63, on November 28, 2025, to TCU in the Rady Children's Invitational Championship. From there, they hit the ground running. Ranked wins would come later in the year, but a dominant 20-point victory over an in-state rival was exactly what the Badgers needed to get back on track.5. def. Marquette, 96-76, on 12/6/25Wisconsin hosted Marquette this season in a game that saw John Blackwell drop 30 points for the second time in three games. Nolan Winter grabbed 13 rebounds, the second most he had in a single game this season. Holding the Golden Eagles to 76 points was great to see. Even though this is nowhere near the Marquette team's Wisconsin faced in the past, this was still a huge win to improve to 7-2.4. def. No. 10 Michigan State, 92-71, on 2/13/26These next two games could be interchangeable, but this one, being at home, bumped it down one spot. Fresh off a stellar victory at Illinois, Wisconsin crushed Tom Izzo's Spartans in a game that proved just how good this Badgers team could be.3. def. No. 15 Purdue, 97-93, on 3/7/26One could argue that allowing 93 points is enough to put the MSU win ahead of this, but getting a big-time road win at Purdue this late in the season was crucial. John Blackwell dropped 25 with Nick Boyd adding 23 in a game that saw the Badgers knock down 18 of their 34 three-point attempts.2. def. No. 8 Illinois, 92-90 (OT), on 2/10/26In any alternate universe, this is the biggest win of the year for Wisconsin. Obviously, though, No. 1 is obvious. Wisconsin pulled out a few incredible road wins this past season, and this was one of those. Illinois led by 12 with just over eight minutes remaining and had a 98.4% chance to win. Later, Wisconsin took a commanding 89-81 lead in overtime, and that was all she wrote. 1. def. No. 2 Michigan, 91-88, on 1/10/26This isn't just the best Badgers win of the season, it's arguably the best win in the entire country. Wisconsin went to Ann Arbor and handed Michigan its first loss of the season. Remember, the Wolverines are the 2026 National Champions. This win is special, and it's a shame these two teams didn't meet again in the tournament. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin men's basketball's five biggest wins in 2025-26 season

‘I Was Challenging a Player’ — Fever HC Stephanie White Clears the Air After Heated Exchange With Caitlin ClarkWith Caitlin Clark returning from an injury-plagued 2025 season, the Indiana Fever’s dream of marching toward their second WNBA title and their first since 2012 looks promising.After losing their first game to the Dallas Wings, the Fever went on a tear, winning four of five to reach 4-2.However, the West Coast road trip, during which the Fever lost to the Golden State Valkyries and Portland Fire, not only brought them down to 4-4 but also fueled rumors that Clark and Stephanie White were out of sync after a heated debate between the two.Why Stephanie White Defended Her Viral Spat With Caitlin ClarkWhite set the record straight on Monday ahead of Indiana’s practice session. The veteran coach, who led the Fever to the 2015 WNBA Finals, defended her actions following Saturday’s viral in-huddle moment against the Fire.White said she was only trying to motivate Clark to step up and help the team overcome the big deficit.“I think what happened in that moment is I was challenging a player. It’s coaching, is what it is,”White said. “I don’t think it often becomes an issue if you’re watching it in men’s sports most of the time. But my relationship with Caitlin is great. I love Caitlin. I ride with her.”The 48-year-old noted that their competitive and stubborn personas emerged in that sequence, and she viewed it as a way to motivate each other and help one another for a common purpose: to win a championship.RELATED:‘Somebody I’ll Ride With for Life’ — Caitlin Clark Makes Feelings Clear on Fever HC Stephanie White After Heated Argument“She wants to be coached, and I want her to help me be a better coach,” White said of Clark. “We’re both competitive. We’re both stubborn. We’re more alike than different, and hopefully we continue to bring the best out of each other.”The Fever lost to the Fire by 16, dropping them to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The defeat was further magnified when a clip of the incident surfaced on various media platforms and went viral.Several sports personalities, including Hall of Famers Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller, shared their views on the issue.However, White noted that such intense moments are normal in a coach-player relationship, but that Clark is a viral personality and that social media quickly captures the moment and posts it on its platforms to earn money through clicks.“This is not a new thing. It’s just new because everything that (Clark) does gets clicks. That’s how everybody makes money,” White said.MORE:‘There’s Frustration’ — Lexie Hull Makes Feelings Clear on Caitlin Clark’s Heated Exchange With Fever HC Stephanie White“When there was player confrontation, slash tension, slash coaching, 10 years ago when I was doing this, it wasn’t on social media. That was just getting started. It happens in every sport. It happens in all walks of life, so this is not anything that’s new, and it’s not a story.”The Fever hope to end a two-game losing skid on Thursday night when they host Angel Reese and the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Dream.

We discuss the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, one of the greatest and most important figures in Liverpool FC history, has revealed he is undergoing treatment for cancer. The former player and manager, 75, said he planned to keep his treatment private, but inadvertently revealed the news on social media. “As my inadvertent social media post has indicated, I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” he said in a statement. “Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well. Ideally, this would have remained private because that's the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand.“I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected.“As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.”More follows

Real Madrid reject chance to sign Ballon d’ Or winner on Florentino Perez’s ordersReal Madrid’s search for midfield reinforcements has generated plenty of speculation in recent months, but one of the biggest names linked with the club does not appear to be part of their plans.According to recent information from Mario Cortegana while speaking on Ruben Martin’s YouTube channel, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was offered to Real Madrid some time ago, but the Spanish giants decided not to pursue the operation. The journalist mentions that despite ongoing rumours connecting the Ballon d’Or winner with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, Florentino Perez and the club’s hierarchy are not currently considering a transfer.The revelation comes at a time when Rodri’s name continues to surface in discussions surrounding Real Madrid’s presidential election, creating a political angle that has helped fuel speculation.Linked to Real Madrid through presidential campaignAs such, much of the recent conversation surrounding Rodri has been driven by presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme.Perez was offered a chance to sign Rodri. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)The challenger to Florentino Perez has repeatedly spoken about the Manchester City midfielder and made no secret of his admiration for the Spanish international.“If I were president, a player like Rodri should be at Real Madrid,” he has said.Those comments naturally led to increased speculation regarding a potential move, particularly as Real Madrid continue to assess options to strengthen the midfield.However, Rodri’s name has become more closely associated with election campaigning than with Real Madrid’s actual transfer planning.What does that mean?Perez is not interested in signing Rodri. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)With Rodri currently focused on the World Cup, there is little expectation that he would publicly put himself in the spotlight regarding the matter.Instead, the midfielder is expected to remain professional and avoid becoming involved in political discussions surrounding the club.At the same time, while Real Madrid acknowledge the need for another midfield organiser, Rodri is not viewed as a realistic sporting target under Perez’s project.Simply put, the current Real Madrid president has remained committed to protecting what he sees as the club’s long-term stability, rejecting proposals associated with rival election campaigns and maintaining confidence in the current sporting direction.

NEW DELHI: As the fireworks lit up the Ahmedabad sky and Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrated yet another IPL triumph, one man sat quietly in the stands, soaking in the moment.Abhishek Pathrod had found a spot close to the presentation stage, eagerly waiting for his childhood friend Rajat Patidar.With the coveted trophy in his hands, Patidar walked straight towards his childhood friend after the ceremony. The two embraced, their eyes moist with emotion. It was a hug that carried years of shared dreams, struggles and countless hours spent playing cricket together."Dekha, jeet gaye. Kar diya na maine," Patidar told Abhishek before pulling him in for another hug.Abhishek, who had played a significant amount of junior cricket alongside Patidar, couldn't resist reminding his friend of the remarkable journey."Yes bhai, welcome, injury replacement to two-time IPL-winning captain," he replied, triggering laughter from both.Two years ago, Rajat Patidar was just another player in the RCB dressing room. He shared space with superstars like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and several other big names, but had little identity of his own on the IPL stage.Today, the picture has completely changed.— RCBTweets (@RCBTweets) Patidar is now the only captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to win back-to-back IPL titles as captain."Usko to record pata nahi tha ki Rohit aur Dhoni ke record ko barabar kiya. His teammates told him. I remember when he took the captaincy, all of us friends got together and asked him, 'bhai 17 saal se nahi jite, pressure ka kya?'. He had smiled and said, 'kya pata iss baar jeet jayein'. He went on to lead the team to the IPL title," Pathrod remembered.The captaincy shiftLeading RCB is a completely different challenge from captaining a team like Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings. The franchise carried the burden of a 17-year trophy drought. But Patidar not only embraced the captaincy, but he also elevated his batting alongside it - something many great captains have struggled to achieve.Patidar's childhood coach and mentor, Amay Khurasiya believes the batter always possessed leadership qualities, regardless of his lack of captaincy experience."I have seen him from a very young age, I have seen him while he used to be in our camps also and we do a lot of tactical assessment, we do a lot of strategical assessment of kids in terms of asking them many questions and he was always there with a different thought process and he used to speak very less, but whenever he used to speak, he used to speak a lot of sense," Khurasiya told TimesofIndia.com."As a leader if you see, he takes his chances, he takes his decisions and you will always see him that he will accept them if they don't come his way. If things don't go his way, he will accept them," he said.When the franchise first approached him about captaincy in 2024, Patidar did not immediately accept the role. Pathrod said he wanted to return to domestic cricket, captain teams there, and understand whether he was truly ready for such a significant responsibility.Patidar first captained in domestic competitions and later led Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Although MP lost the final by five wickets, Patidar's unbeaten 81 off 40 balls, stood out.When Patidar eventually accepted the RCB captaincy, many around him felt the decision was based less on experience and more on personality. His calmness stood out."Look at the way he bats and captains. Think of Roger Federer - calm and composed. Rahul Dravid, calm and composed. Sachin Tendulkar, calm and composed. MS Dhoni. Patidar is very similar. But that doesn't mean he isn't aggressive,” said Khurasiya. “He has always been one of those people who are aggressive from within but never feel the need to show it. Rajat is the same. He is a man of few words, but whenever he speaks, he speaks sense."Not showing your emotions also takes a lot of courage and aggression. If you want to see his aggression, look at his batting and look into his eyes. He will never respond with words, but he will definitely respond with actions," he added.Rajat Patidar: Not just a spin basherPatidar finished the season with 501 runs at an average of 41.75 and striking at 192.69. But, beyond his numerous contributions and partnerships throughout the season, his explosive knock against the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 perfectly showcased his growth both as captain and a batter. `Long known as a player who dominated spin bowling, Patidar expanded his game further this season. He attacked both pace and spin with equal authority, striking at a breathtaking rate. This season, 283 off his 501 runs came against pace with a strike-rate of 177.9, while vs spin his strike-rate was 201.8.Pathrod says it was the result of the intense preparation that went into his batting before recent IPL seasons."Many call him ‘spin destroyer’ here. That's his nickname. But it's not just spin. He hits both spinners and fast bowlers equally well. He's had success against quality pace attacks too," said Pathrod."Rajat spends at least four hours batting every day at the Holkar Stadium (in Indore, Madhya Pradesh). Even now, he gives himself three to four hours of batting practice regularly. He plays spinners and fast bowlers, and there are throwdown specialists who bowl to him. In this IPL, he smashed pacers too. He did a lot of practice for this," Pathrod said. 131461261Now, with RCB having won two titles on the trot, Patidar's place in the franchise's history is firmly secured. If Kohli was the pillar around which RCB built their championship-winning teams, Patidar has been the architect who turned those dreams into reality.And after back-to-back triumphs, who knows? A historic hat-trick of IPL titles may well be waiting for Patidar and RCB in 2027.

Anthony Joshua stood with his back to the door, journalists forming a semi-circle in front of him. He towered above us, his eyes dwelling behind square black sunglasses, but as several questions about his recent car crash were lobbed up at him – however gently – one might’ve wondered if he was the intimidated one.There had been polite whispers in the minutes before he entered the room, suggestions from one side that the topic should be avoided, or limited to one or two questions, and at least approached with great sensitivity. In these situations, it’s sometimes hard to know whether it’s the athlete or their team who has made that call. Ultimately, though, there were certainly more than one or two references to the accident. And yes, it was approached deftly and with genuine sympathy, but in a prolonged scene of what might be described as nuanced discomfort. That’s how it felt to me, at least. Maybe others in the room would disagree.Anthony Joshua at a press conference for his fight with Kristian Prenga (PA)Six months on from surviving an accident that claimed the lives of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, Joshua is preparing to box again. He knew that this decision would bring media duties with it, but the truth is that he could have opted against such duties. He is one of very few athletes who could. Few would have complained, you would imagine.Still, here was the former world heavyweight champion: all black sunglasses and grey tracksuit (a familiar sight), flanked by promoter Eddie Hearn, and ushered into a dimly-lit room, underground in an event space in White City. For whatever divided opinions exist on the 36-year-old, he has always been unfalteringly polite in these environments, I have found. Here, as usual, he entered and exited with handshakes for everyone and acknowledgements of all. Hearn, not as usual, was silent throughout.Between AJ’s entry and exit, though, he was tasked with discussing Tyson Fury, whom he will fight sometime later this year; his rival-turned-friend Oleksandr Usyk; and the crash.At no point was he asked about Kristian Prenga, the unknown Albanian heavyweight whom he will box in Saudi Arabia on 25 July.Even some of the questions that weren’t about the crash contained vague references to it – references laced with hope, as though Joshua might bite on that awkward, sad thing hanging in the air, whatever it really was. To be clear, this is not in any way a criticism of those questions or their askers; a journalist has two main jobs, you could argue: to uncover news and to tell stories (there is also an overlap there, of course). Asking Joshua these questions was doing both. Maybe it’s a fault of my own that I couldn’t bring myself to ask one. Then again: maybe, if there hadn’t already been so many questions on the matter, I would have asked one anyway.Regardless, Joshua did discuss the crash, to his immense credit – not that there would have been anything wrong with skirting the topic entirely.Joshua with his late friends Sina Ghami (left) and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele (Instagram)“Everyone’s different,” he began, when asked how he has dealt with the grief of the last six months. “For me, I have to put my emotion to the side, because I’m focused on the parents if I’m honest. My emotions can come at a later stage, but I really look at their parents and understand that it must be most difficult for them.“So, I don’t make it about me; I make it about them. I make it about the mums and the dads of the two boys […] That’s, for me, number one: being a good soldier for them. Got to look after the boys’ parents.“[Burying it is] not [the best way] for everyone. Everyone deals with it differently, but I think... for me, that’s the best way I’m handling the situation. It’s not about me, it’s bigger than me.“All of the boys, there’s a few of us that knew Latz, knew Sina. It’s love. It’s good to see from my perspective, it’s really good to see.” There it came and went: Joshua’s sole reference to his friends by name.Joshua facing off with his July opponent Kristian Prenga (Getty)In other interviews on Monday, questions on the accident were largely avoided and Joshua’s references to it were translucent, apparently. Still, he was generally deemed to have been on good form. With us, he even found the verve to label Fury a “d***-rider”.Also in our interview, one question put forward was whether Joshua had considered retiring in the last six months. It was one of those questions that mentioned the crash without actually mentioning it, I suppose.Joshua insisted that he had not contemplated retirement, even suggesting that he could box for another three-and-half years, until he is 40. “I know [boxing] is the place where I am most comfortable,” he said. “It gives me a purpose in my life, so yeah, I’m content being here with you guys.”So, there is Joshua’s side, and it is naturally worth more than any of ours. One could argue that, in graciously saying he was “content” to share a room with us, he was in some way accepting a gentle probe into the most-traumatic episode of his extraordinary life. And it is a privilege for us to be granted these opportunities, of course. Still, while I can’t speak for anyone else in that room, I wish he’d been anywhere else than with us, discussing that.

Pass rusher Laiatu Latu made a big jump between his first and second NFL seasons. The Indianapolis Colts will now need him to take another good-sized step forward in 2026.A former first-round pick by the Colts, Latu totaled 38 pressures his first season. This past year, however, that figure jumped to 61 pressures, which ranked as the 15th-most among his position group. Latu also totaled 8.5 sacks.Unlike past seasons, Latu is no longer the young player in the Colts' veteran-heavy defensive end room. With Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis all departing in free agency, Latu is now the leader of this unit."I definitely understand that," Latu said, "and I know that and I carry myself in that way knowing that I'm relied on. They're looking to me to be one of the guys and a leader in that aspect. So I'm doing that part on the field and off the field."Latu has always brought impressive bend and burst to the defensive end position, but this offseason he's focused on adding more muscle to help with his power game."I definitely have," Latu said of adding strength. "I definitely lost a good (amount of) body fat, gained muscle mass on me, and I think it definitely shows. I was really locked in the offseason, really just growing a lot of strength, but keeping my bend and stuff like that."To go along with Latu's production on the stat sheet last season, he ranked 25th among his position group in PFF's pass rush win rate metric as well, showcasing his ability to regularly beat the blocker across from him.Latu has shown that he can rack up pressures; the next step is converting more of those opportunities into sacks."I mean, definitely, there's definitely stuff I can fix in my rushes where their hand might have got me here and I could have reduced certain service level or just a lot of little things that I'm watching film and I'm trying to correct out here to where you know I'm I'm winning more of the time," Latu said.Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo fully expects Latu to make another jump in his third NFL season.This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts DE Laiatu Latu details offseason focus heading into Year 3