About 90 such investigations are currently open, a Justice Department official told prosecutors. The tally offers a glimpse inside the scale of the administration’s efforts.

FIFA World Cup in Boston tickets 2026: How to buy, prices for 2026 Tournament matches at Gillette Stadium originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and Greater Boston is getting a real piece of the action.The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with matches taking place in 16 cities across the three countries. Boston is one of the U.S. host markets, with all local matches being played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.BUY NOW:Get tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on StubHubSeveral group-stage matchups will take place in the Boston area, featuring teams such as Haiti, Scotland, Iraq, Norway, Morocco, England, Ghana and France. That means fans in New England could get a chance to see some of the sport’s biggest names, including players such as Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and others, depending on final World Cup rosters.Here’s all you need to know about Boston hosting the tournament, including the venue, teams, key dates and ticket information.Where are 2026 FIFA World Cup Boston matches being played?All Boston-area World Cup matches will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The venue will be referred to as Boston Stadium during the tournament.Gillette Stadium is best known as the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution. The venue opened in 2002 and has a listed capacity of 65,878, making it one of New England’s biggest sports and entertainment venues.How to buy 2026 FIFA World Cup Boston ticketsTickets: StubHubOfficial World Cup tickets are sold through FIFA, but fans can also find tickets for Boston-area matches on secondary marketplaces like StubHub.StubHub listings can be a useful option for fans looking for specific matches, seat locations or last-minute availability. Prices on resale marketplaces may be higher or lower than face value and can change quickly based on demand, matchup, seat location and overall availability.Fans should also remember that FIFA operates its own official resale platform. Tickets bought outside FIFA’s official channels are not guaranteed by FIFA, though StubHub backs orders through its own FanProtect guarantee.2026 FIFA World Cup Boston ticket prices and availabilityTicket prices for World Cup matches in Boston vary by matchup and seat location.As of the latest StubHub listings, tickets for the June 13 matchup between Haiti and Scotland start around $618.Tickets for the June 23 matchup between England and Ghana are also available on StubHub, with entry prices changing based on demand and availability. Because England is one of the biggest draws in the tournament, that matchup is expected to remain one of the higher-demand group-stage games in Foxborough.Fans looking to attend any World Cup match in Boston should check StubHub regularly, as prices can move up or down as the tournament gets closer.BUY NOW:Get tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on StubHubWhat countries will play 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Boston?The following countries are scheduled to compete in Boston-area World Cup matches:HaitiScotlandNorwayMoroccoEnglandGhanaFranceFIFA World Cup 2026 in Boston schedule, ticketsSaturday, June 13: Group C - Haiti vs. Scotland (9 p.m. ET)Tuesday, June 16: Group I - Norway vs. Iraq (6 p.m. ET)Friday, June 19: Group C - Scotland vs. Morocco (6 p.m. ET)Tuesday, June 23: Group L - England vs. Ghana (4 p.m. ET)Friday, June 26: Group I - Norway vs. France (3 p.m. ET)Monday, June 29: Round of 32 (Match 74) (4:30 p.m. ET)Thursday, July 9:Quarterfinals (Match 97) (4 p.m. ET)FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures, datesThe 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 and concludes with the final on July 19. Matches will be held throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada.RoundDatesGroup StageJune 11-27Round of 32June 28-July 3Round of 16July 4-7QuarterfinalsJuly 9-11SemifinalsJuly 14-15Bronze FinalJuly 18Gold FinalJuly 19

Jun. 4—LAMOURE, N.D. — In 2024, Norah DelaBarre was thinking of leaving track and field behind forever."Track and field is something that has been a part of my family," said DelaBarre, a recent graduate of LaMoure/Litchville-Marion. "My great-grandpa coached at Minot State and so my dad was really into it."I started doing track in seventh grade," she said. "I was on varsity as a runner, a jumper and a hurdler, but it wasn't my favorite sport. It was something I did to stay in shape for basketball. My sophomore year, I was really debating not doing it — I wasn't loving it — but that's when I decided to do the discus. I really got into that, and by the end of my sophomore season, I was hooked."DelaBarre said she had never tried the discus prior to her sophomore season. What drew her to the event was the technicality, the unfamiliarity and the fact that she seemed to have a natural talent for the event. As a sophomore, she placed second at State with a season-best throw of 131 feet, 6 inches.The next year, she took home the discus title with a throw of 151 feet, 10 inches."As a junior, I hit a pretty big PR (personal record) at State, so my goal for this year was just to get back into those decent marks," DelaBarre said. "I am still working on being a really consistent thrower. ... I did hit another PR and that was probably the best day of my season, so that was great ... but entering State, I was just a little bit nervous. I had one thought in my head that calmed me, and it was that 'I practice all of the time, I have hit these throws, I know what to do, and I know these positions.' That kept me calm going into the competition. I also have the best coach in Justin Kramer, and he's taught me so much."DelaBarre's throw of 143 feet, 9 inches 2026 NDHSAA State Track and Field Championships nabbed her the Class B State runner-up title."(State) wasn't my best meet. It had been a rough technical week, so technically it was just a little bit off but overall I don't think it went too bad," DelaBarre said. "I had some pretty good throws that just snuck out of bounds, but that happens to every thrower."Getting the opportunity to go throw for the last time as a Loboe was such a great feeling," she said. "There were so many people watching and cheering, and the environment made it probably my favorite of all the state meets. Who doesn't love State track? It's such a good vibe and such a good time."Since her prep career ended, DelaBarre has been training for the start of her college track and field career at North Dakota State University. On May 30, DelaBarre competed at the Under Armour Track and Field Nationals at IMG Academy, where she threw 139 feet, 5 inches to place eighth."I am so excited to be going to NDSU," DelaBarre said. "It's been a dream of mine for my whole life. It's such a blessing to have this opportunity."DelaBarre signed with the Bison in the beginning of her junior year."I was only ever debating basketball as a sport to do in college up until the end of my sophomore year," DelaBarre said. "Once I started the discus, I was actually at a level that would attract Division 1 interest. I was determined at that point to do that."I loved basketball with everything in me, but I had the thought that discus would be the one I was going to do if given the opportunity," she said. "When I committed to NDSU, I knew that was what I was destined to do. I am so excited for this opportunity. I am going to get stronger and hopefully set some new PRs over there in Fargo."

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty ImagesFIFA has released a World Cup 2026 Power Rankings page ahead of the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States, giving supporters another way to assess the teams before the action begins.The concept is straightforward. A power ranking is a snapshot of how teams are viewed at a particular moment in time.It is not the same as the official world ranking. It is not a prediction table, a draw, or a guarantee of how the World Cup will unfold.That distinction is important, especially with the 2026 tournament set to be the largest edition ever. FIFA has approved an expanded 48-team format, which means more teams, more comparisons, and more uncertainty before the first match.What are the FIFA World Cup 2026 power rankings?Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty ImagesThe FIFA World Cup 2026 Power Rankings serve as a guide for the tournament. They provide supporters with a quick way to compare teams before the competition, based on how strong those sides appear in the build-up.This kind of ranking helps make sense of a large field. It highlights the teams viewed as leading contenders, those seen as dangerous outsiders, and the sides with more to prove before the matches begin.But it is important not to treat them as results. Football is unpredictable. Form can shift, injuries can have a major impact, draws can change the path to the final, and knockout games are often decided by fine margins.That is why power rankings are best used for context, not certainty. They offer a view of the tournament landscape, but they cannot determine what happens on the pitch.How are power rankings different from the FIFA world rankings?The main difference is that the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking is the official ranking system for national teams.It is separate from World Cup power rankings and covers the wider international game, not just one tournament.Power rankings are more focused. They are designed to reflect the outlook for a single competition, taking account of the specific context around that event.The two can align, but they are not interchangeable. A team might be high in the official rankings but still have questions around form, fitness, squad balance, or tournament route.The opposite can also happen. A lower-ranked side could arrive with momentum, a clear tactical plan, or a favourable draw.For supporters, the safest way to view the Power Rankings is as a reflection of current perception. They show how teams are being assessed before the tournament, not where they are guaranteed to finish.That makes them useful, as long as they are read in the right way.With a bigger field and new challenges, the 2026 World Cup will carry more variables than previous editions. Power rankings help frame the conversation, but the real answers will come on the pitch.Read more:IShowSpeed reacts to private DM from FIFA after World Cup song releaseWhy Thomas Tuchel’s Alex Scott call raises fair England questionsGary Lineker admits Donald Trump worry as World Cup ticket prices spark concern

Tennessee announced a coaching staff change following the 2026 baseball season.The Vols parted ways with assistant coach Josh Reynolds on Thursday. He oversaw Tennessee's pitching staff since Nov. 2025.“I want to thank Josh Reynolds for his hard work and dedication to the Tennessee baseball program during his two seasons in Knoxville, but I have decided it’s best for our program to move in a different direction from a pitching standpoint at this time," first-year head coach Josh Elander said.Reynolds served as Tennessee's director of pitching performance under former head coach Tony Vitello in 2025.Elander discussed Reynolds being promoted to an assistant coach in Nov. 2025."We're excited to announce we have promoted Josh Reynolds to be our new pitching coach here at Tennessee," Elander said. "Josh brings elite development skills, attention to detail and a proven ability to help players reach their highest potential. Our pitching staff is in the best of hands moving forward and we can't wait to continue building upon the investment he has made in our student-athletes."More: Josh Reynolds replaces Frank Anderson at TennesseeFollow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee baseball parts ways with assistant coach Josh Reynolds

George Russell (right, with Kimi Antonelli) won the sprint race in Canada but then retired from the grand prix the following day [Reuters]George Russell says this year's world championship is Kimi Antonelli's "to lose" after the Briton's retirement from the last race in Canada.Russell heads into this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix with a 43-point deficit to his Mercedes team-mate after the Briton's engine failed while leading in Montreal.Italian Antonelli, 19, has won four races in a row, while Russell's only grand prix victory this year was in the season-opening race in Australia.Monaco is the sixth round of what is now a 22-race season."If I look at it from my competitor's position, you're kind of in a position now that you've got such a buffer, it feels like you can only keep it or you can only lose it," Russell said."It's his to lose. My mindset is to enjoy every single race, try and win every single race, the same as I've done this whole season. I'm going to fight the same, I'm not going to change my mentality at all, nor am I going to let this put any more pressure on to me."How to follow the Monaco Grand Prix on the BBCWill 2026's 'yo-yo racing' mean overtaking in Monaco?Antonelli rejected Russell's reasoning. "I don't really give weight to that line," he said, "because it's still so early in the season. I continue trying to excel, trying to maximise the car and see where we end up at the end of the season."It's difficult to think you can lose something when you don't have the championship. How can I lose it when I didn't win it yet?"Russell, 28, has bemoaned a series of events going against him - including technical issues in qualifying in China, a safety-car intervention in Japan that handed the lead to Antonelli and the Canada problems - but says he has no reason to feel he cannot bounce back."I don't feel like I need to get every single result possible, because the season's long enough that over the course of the season, it will swing if you're the guy who's on top."So I just need to continue being the guy who's coming out on top, even if he's the one at the moment who's getting the results."Russell said that his retirement in Canada "hurts" but added: "That's just the way racing goes."And he pointed to his own junior career as a reason to stay positive."In Formula 2 (in 2018), I had, I think, five failures over the course of a year," he said."I came to Monaco, never been to Monaco before, and I broke down on the out lap in practice. And then went into qualifying, 15-minute session, four laps, and didn't qualify anywhere decent."I broke down on other occasions. The engine stalled, but then still went on over the course of a year to win the championship."So I take inspiration from those moments. And I think for everyone every year, you have a run of races where, I don't know why or how, everything just goes your way."And that's just how it goes sometimes when things turn. It's just a mentality I've got. I'm in a very good head space. The pressure feels off now. And there's just a huge amount of time to go."Antonelli, who is in only his second season in F1, added: "I don't feel that much pressure. I feel pretty relaxed. I just keep doing what I'm doing, trying to raise the bar."George is a super-strong team-mate and he will make my life difficult."Will Mercedes face a challenge?Mercedes have won every grand prix this season, and the only time they have been beaten to pole or a victory was by McLaren's Lando Norris in the sprint in Miami.But they are expecting to face a tough challenge particularly from Ferrari, but also McLaren, on the famous street circuit this weekend.Ferrari's car is good in the corners, and its engine deficit will be less pronounced in Monaco, which is the least power-sensitive track on the calendar. McLaren's chassis is strong in slow-speed corners.Antonelli said: "Miami is a race where we expected it would be difficult and Monaco is another. Ferrari has historically always been quick here, even when they did not have a fast car. I wouldn't be surprised if they were quick, and I think McLaren can also be quick."Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is fresh from his best result yet for the Italian team, a second place in Canada, and said: "This track would probably bode better for us than some of the others. The long straights, we lost quite a lot of time, so obviously here we would lose a lot less and I don't think power is going to be necessarily so much of an issue. And our car is good in low speeds so I think we'll be competitive."I don't think we'll necessarily be the quickest, especially because after the Mercedes upgrade at the last track they were quite quick through the low speeds. But I think we'll be competitive."Norris said he unsure about McLaren's potential in Monaco but added: "It's true that the Ferraris are not the quickest on the straights, but that's also because they have a lot of downforce and a lot of drag."So it's kind of their own punishment they give themselves, which gives them some advantage. That advantage will definitely show this weekend."Classic Monaco Grand Prix images through the yearsWill Monaco suit Ferrari more than rivals? F1 Q&ALeclerc agrees new long-term deal with Ferrari

I just realized why I liked ‘Hacks’ so much.

Eli Tomac will miss the remainder of the 2026 Pro Motocross season after crashing hard in the season-opener last week at Fox Raceway in Pala, California. That accident was the latest in a series of accidents that began at the end of the Monster Energy Supercross portion of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX)."I’m really bummed to get injured early on at the opening round," Tomac said in a news release. "Since the end of last year when I first threw my leg over the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition, I said I couldn’t wait to ride this thing outdoors because the engine package is unreal and I felt it would be a lot of fun racing motocross on it. It’s just a shame that a racing incident early on in Moto 1 [at Fox Raceway] has really put a dampener on my outdoors season right now, but I will follow my doctor’s orders and rest up with every intention of getting back out there sometime this season."The team has not provided a timeline for his return.Tomac crashed with Garrett Marchbanks early in the first moto at Fox Raceway and required assistance off the track. After evaluation, he was diagnosed with "a hyperextended anterior longitudinal ligament and partial tear of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle in his neck," according to the release.Tomac is not expected to require surgery, but he had been advised to allow the tear to repair before resuming competition.Tomac failed to earn points at Fox Raceway, but left there fifth in the SuperMotocross standings, 206 points above the cutline of 20th that guarantees a start in the SMX Playoffs.

🎥 Mbappé, Haaland, Ted Lasso... Nike unveils its World Cup filmStaying true to its flair for spectacle, Nike has released its World Cup video: a six-minute piece packed with stars and nods to the past.Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk, the fictional character Ted Lasso, and rapper Travis Scott are some of the names appearing in the video.The ad draws directly from the tradition of Nike’s great World Cup spots, with explicit nods to the brand’s most iconic pieces. The new one features classics such as the Brazil airport from 1998, the secret tournament from 2002, and the presence of Eric Cantona as the common thread.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

[Getty Images]Earlier this month, centre-back Fabian Schar signed a new one-year deal with Newcastle.The Switzerland international is now the second-longest serving player in the current squad, having joined in July 2018 from La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna.Swiss football expert Craig King spoke to BBC Newcastle about Schar and how he is regarded by his home nation."I think he is seen as one of the top defenders that has played the game in Switzerland. His career trajectory has been slightly unusual in that he left Basel, he did so well there, played a huge part in their Europa League semi-final run in 2013 and he was a big part of that successful side," King said."Then he moved on, and there was a time when he was at Deportivo in the Spanish league and he got relegated and you wondered what kind of level he would reach. But then of course he went to Newcastle and he has performed so consistently there for so long."I remember thinking when Newcastle got back in the Champions League whether he would be able to perform at that level still. He has done so. The period where he was at teams like Deportivo, you forget that he is good enough to still play at that highest level in the Champions League."The 34-year-old played in three of Newcastle's Champions League League phase matches last season.Schar has made 251 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies since his arrival. He has been out since having surgery on an ankle injury in January but is still a key squad member at St. James' Park, as shown by the contract extension.King added: "He's obviously not getting any younger but I think he is still a fantastic player to have around. He was showing it for Newcastle that he is a quality player. "Not just for his experience, but for the qualities that he brings, I think it is a no-brainer really. He'll generally be phased out over the next couple of years but I don't see why you won't still want to have him around your team."Listen to the full interview by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds hereSubscribe to BBC Sounds content on Newcastle

[Getty Images]New Bournemouth boss Marco Rose says he is looking forward to testing himself against the best teams in the world and believes the Cherries have a "beautiful opportunity" to showcase themselves on the European stage next season.Speaking to the club's YouTube channel, it is Rose's first interview since being announced as Bournemouth boss in April, following Andoni Iraola's exit after a three-year spell at the Vitality Stadium."First of all, I want to say congratulations to everyone that is involved or connected with the club," he said. "It was an amazing, outstanding, special, incredible, historic season with a historic outcome. "Everyone here did a great job - the employees, the lads, the staff, the fans of course, and now I'm looking forward to working together and to accomplish next season maybe other big things."This will be Rose's first job in English football, with all his previous experience coming in Germany and Austria.The German coach spoke highly of the English top-flight, saying: "The Premier League is the best league in the world. That's what I've heard, that's what I've seen and that's what I feel. So for me, it's really special to come here to join the Premier League with a top team and the Premier League is the most competitive league. "The Premier League is the league with the highest individual quality, with the highest intensity, and I'm really looking forward to measure [myself] with the best teams in the world."One of the main tasks on Rose's agenda this summer will be getting his side in the best shape possible to prepare for a season of balancing domestic football with European competition for the first time in the club's history.On prospect of this, the new head coach said: "That's our challenge - to play Premier League, the toughest competition in the world, and European football. If you have to bring it together, it's really hard and really tough. We have to be smart. "It's an exciting journey and I think it's a really big and beautiful opportunity for us to show our club, to show Bournemouth in Europe, but on the other side, it's a tough challenge."

[Getty Images]Pep Guardiola threatened to quit Manchester City "100 times" during his decade-long reign as manager but chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said this time he knew the Spaniard "actually meant it".Guardiola, 55, stepped down at the end of this season after leading the club to 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory.He had one more year remaining on his contract but said in his last news conference that the club needed a "new manager" and "new energy".Speaking in his annual interview with in-house media, Khaldoon said he realised the exit was to become a reality, adding: "I knew it and that's why I didn't fight it."Throughout these years, I've always fought it and always brought him back because I knew that was always the answer."But in this particular one, I think he knew - and I knew that he knew - and that is why it was the right thing for him and it was the natural thing."Before last month's FA Cup final victory over Chelsea, Guardiola was asked whether the visit to Wembley Stadium would be his last. He replied by saying "no way", and that he had "one more year [on his contract]".But the playful way in which he delivered that line and his quick exit from the room raised a few eyebrows, adding to the mounting speculation.Guardiola was asked after the draw at Bournemouth on 19 May whether he would still be in charge next season and he replied by saying he had to talk to Khaldoon. His decision was confirmed three days later."He's more than just the manager of the club," said Khaldoon. "To me, he's a friend. Over these years we have become close friends and I don't know if he will admit it, but I consider myself his psychiatrist."Inevitably we have had a lot of ups and some downs and in the downs, he must have quit 100 times over these 10 years."He never thought he would stay more than four years, then more than five years. So in his mind, even year four and five it was always 'OK, how much more time? How much more time?' And it always had to be done in the correct way."There was always going to be one moment where it was going to be real."

High school sophomore Becky Pepper-Jackson just won the West Virginia Class AAA girls’ shot put championship. But she might have played her last season, as the Supreme Court is expected to rule in her challenge to the state’s trans sports ban later this month, and she might be barred from participating in women’s sports going forward. “I’m not here to get an advantage,” Pepper-Jackson said as part of her legal fight. “I’ve been like pushed down and have people that just look at me nasty my whole life. And I’ve learned that that’s just something I’m going to have to deal with.” Related Trans track star forced to share first place victories with cis girls due to new “fairness” policy Pepper-Jackson, who has publicly identified as female since she was eight, came up against anti-trans sports bans when she first tried to follow her family’s tradition of running by signing up for the Bridgeport Middle School girls’ cross-country team in West Virginia. She and her parents were informed that the newly signed H.B. 3293, known by state Republicans as the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” meant that Pepper-Jackson would not be able to join the girls’ team. Her parents sued the state back in 2021, and following a federal court injunction against the bill, Pepper-Jackson has been able to compete. However, that case has now reached the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in her case in January. A decision is expected before the end of June, and while lower courts have sided with Pepper-Jackson and her family, the Supreme Court justices signaled that they will likely rule to uphold the ban, which may not be surprising after last year’s ruling in U.S. v Skrmetti. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In a letter to the Supreme Court after Pepper-Jackson’s shot put win, West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey said that her win was proof that trans women shouldn’t be playing women’s sports. “As a high school sophomore, B.P.J. is not finishing ‘near the back of the pack’ but is instead defeating every— or nearly every — female in the state in these events. I would appreciate it if you could circulate this message to the members of the court.” However, ACLU West Virginia’s Molli Kennedy points out the flaw in cherry-picking one win as proof of anything. “The girl that Becky beat in shot put at States out threw her by almost 28 feet the next day in discus,” she says, referencing the contest where Pepper-Jackson placed fourth. “In fact, if you look at this other athlete’s personal best compared to Becky’s, they’re higher for this season. And these two girls are great athletes that competed with each other several times throughout the season.” Recent studies have suggested that trans and cis women have a similar athletic ability, while others have suggested that trans women might actually be at a disadvantage. Those studies are likely a moot point in Pepper-Jackson’s case, as the ACLU has pointed out: she transitioned in third grade and never went through a male puberty that might have given her any supposed athletic advantage. The focus on physical ability and victories in school sports also ignores the importance of the social aspects of those activities. “This case is about the ability of transgender youth like Becky to participate in our schools and communities,” said Joshua Block, an attorney with the ACLU, after the Supreme Court arguments in January. Pepper-Jackson does have community support as she faces a ruling in the five-year legal case around her rights. This week, she led the Shepherdstown Gay Pride Parade as the grand marshal. She notes that she was shocked to be asked, saying, “I don’t always realize how much impact my case can have. To me, fighting for basic human rights is a no-brainer, so being offered something this amazing was a huge surprise.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Mirra Andreeva of Russia hits a shot against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in a semifinal at the 2026 French Open on Thursday in Paris. Photo by Yoan Valat/EPAJune 4 (UPI) -- Russian Mirra Andreeva required just 76 minutes to sweep semifinal foe Marta Kostyuk on Thursday and clinch a ticket to the 2026 French Open finale.Andreeva, ranked No. 8, broke the Ukrainian's serve five times and totaled 22 unforced errors, compared to Kostyuk's 34, in the 6-1, 6-3 triumph in Paris. Kostyuk, ranked No. 15, converted just 1 of 5 break point chances."Obviously, [Kostyuk] has had an amazing season," Andreeva said. "Until this match, she has not lost a match on clay. She is an amazing player and a very tough opponent."Andreeva will meet fellow Russian Diana Shnaider (No. 23) or No. 114 Maja Chwalinska of Poland in the women's singles final Saturday at Roland Garros. The men's semifinals will be Friday in Paris.Neither Andreeva, Shnaider nor Chwalinska had advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam before the 2026 French Open.No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany will meet No. 27 Jakub Mensik of Czechia in the first semifinal. No. 14 Flavio Cobolli will take on fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi (No. 104) in the second semifinal.The winners will battle in the men's final Sunday at Roland Garros.

🚨 £50m deal off! Reports: El Mala turns down English clubThere was an unexpected twist on Thursday in the transfer saga surrounding Said El Mala.At first, many signs pointed to the 1. FC Köln breakout star moving to Premier League club Brentford FC. The English side submitted a €50 million offer to Köln that was on the verge of being approved.But then came the bombshell: As 'Sky' and 'Bild', among others, consistently report, El Mala and his family turned Brentford down. According to those reports, there was never a full agreement between the player and the club at any point.So the transfer saga involving the 19-year-old is increasingly turning into a drawn-out affair. Just a few weeks ago, a move to Brighton and Hove Albion also fell through. Now the second interested club from England is set to miss out as well.It remains completely open where El Mala will be hunting for goals next season...This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Maja Chwalińska came into the 2026 French Open as the 114th ranked women’s player who had never advanced past the qualifying rounds at the event. On Saturday, she’ll have a chance to win it all.Chwalińska continued her miraculous run at Roland-Garros on Thursday, taking down No. 25 seed Diana Shnaider in straight sets (7-6, 6-4)to advance to Chwalińska’s first-ever Grand Slam final.It was clear from the start fans were in for a tremendous match. Both Chwalińska and Shnaider appeared evenly-matched in the first set. When Chwalińska pulled out to a 3-1 lead, Shnaider stormed back, winning the next two games to tie things up. From that point, the pair traded off games, eventually sending the match to a tiebreak.Shnaider appeared in control early in the tiebreak, jumping to a 4-2 lead. But Chwalińska answered back emphatically, winning the next five points to take the first set 7-6. Chwalińska and Shnaider kept up that same intensity in the second set. After a Chwalińska win in the first game, Shnaider answered back with a win in the second. The pair then once again traded wins over the next six games, keeping things tied up 4-4. In the ninth game, Chwalińska finally broke that streak. She broke Shnaider’s serve to take a 5-4 lead, putting herself a game away from a trip to the final. While Shnaider took the first point in the next game, Chwalińska rallied, taking four straight points to win the game and the match.This story will be updated.

PSG target teenage goalkeeper with impressive pedigree – “could soon” be training with first teamAC Milan goalkeeper talent Alessandro Longoni could be on his way to Paris very soon, if rumours in France are to be believed.If you enjoy PSG Talk coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.PSG are enjoying their Champions League success right now, but behind the scenes, work is already underway on strengthening for the future.L’Equipe have today reported that the Parisians have their eyes on a young talent from Italy. They claim that PSG are “on the verge” of signing Alessandro Longoni from AC Milan, who would sign his first professional contract with Luis Enrique’s team.Young goalkeeper coming to Paris ready to step up a levelThe teenage goalkeeper has been appearing for various youth teams in Milan this year, and will go to the equivalent level in Paris. However there’s speculation from Get French Football News that Longoni “could soon be training with Luis Enrique’s men.”The disaster signing of Lucas Chevalier last season is creating an interesting situation in goal for PSG. There is not much conviction that Matvey Safonov is the long term answer, so Longoni could make rapid advances if he’s as good as everyone hopes.He kept 5 clean sheets in 17 appearances at youth level for Milan this season, and showed great promise as a future top goalkeeper.In other news…Yan Diomande is a player in demand this summer – and he’s happily making flirty eyes at PSG.PSG don’t just sign big stars – they’re always looking for the next big thing, and their links to a Spanish second tier defender show that.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL PSG TALK APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

⚖️ Osasuna reject El Sadar closure: unjust and disproportionateThe Anti-Violence Commission has proposed closing El Sadar for two months and fining Osasuna €200,000 for opening the stadium to the public for the final training session of the season, and the Navarrese club has now issued a forceful response.Osasuna stresses that around 5,500 fans attended that training session without any incidents being recorded, on the day the team was fighting to avoid relegation against Getafe. The club argues that it organized the event with private security and medical services, adopting the established preventive measures.Osasuna also denounces unequal treatment, pointing out that the accumulation of proceedings and sanctions in recent years has created among its supporters the feeling of being subjected to a level of scrutiny that is hardly comparable to that faced by other Spanish clubs.The Navarrese club announces that it will defend its rights "firmly" and that it will publicly denounce any action it considers harmful to its interests. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Nature, Published online: 04 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10694-2Author Correction: Physiology and immunology of a pig-to-human decedent kidney xenotransplant

In a record-breaking opening weekend for A24, horror movie Backrooms brought in $81 million at the domestic box office. The Onion shares everything you need to know about the Kane Parsons film. Q: Is this the first major motion picture based on a YouTube video? A: Not quite. Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker was based on a seven-hour video essay titled “FUCK RIAN JOHNSON.” Q: Who is in it? A: That actor from that other movie, plus the guy from that thing. Q: Is it true Kane Parsons is the youngest director in history to reach No. 1 at the box office? A: Technically, yes, but mentally, Zack Snyder is still younger. Q: What’s so scary about a bunch of carpeted yellow rooms? A: Just imagine how long they must take to vacuum. Q: What is 4chan, the site where the Backrooms lore originated? A: The reason you’ll die in a mass shooting watching Backrooms. Q: Will Backrooms make sense for viewers unfamiliar with its lore? A: Movies aren’t supposed to make sense, they’re supposed to make money. Q: Are there any jumpscares? A: At one point, the Property Brothers pop out to share some tips for improving light in extradimensional rooms without windows. The post What To Know About ‘Backrooms’ appeared first on The Onion.

PARIS — Maja Chwalińska had straightforward goals three weeks ago. There were two of them, but they were simple. Best not to muddle the mind.Chwalińska, a Polish 24-year-old who had yet to spend a full year on the WTA Tour, had the long-term goal of cracking the top 100 by year’s end. Her short-term aim was to qualify for Roland Garros.After nine wins on the clay courts of Paris, the world No. 114 is the lowest-ranked French Open finalist in the past 40 years, according to data from Opta.Chwalińska defeated Diana Shnaider on Thursday, 7-6(4), 6-4 in a semifinal that has a strong claim as the most compelling women’s match of the tournament. With unshakable composure, jaw-dropping shotmaking and extraordinary defense that was especially impressive given her diminutive stature, Chwalińska became just the second qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open Era. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open winner, was the first.She will face 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s final. It will be her 10th match this French Open, including the three rounds of qualifying.Thursday featured a semifinal slate full of young players, lesser known than the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff, especially to casual fans. It was the first Grand Slam singles event since 2011 where all of the final four women standing were under 25.Shnaider, 22 and Chwalińska (pronounced “Hva-LEEN-ska”) were the considerably less experienced pair, and it showed in the freedom with which they played. Chwalińska played the first tour-level semifinal of her career Thursday.She had the crowd on her side the entire time. Polish fans, accustomed to attending the final weekend of the French Open thanks to four-time champion Iga Świątek, showed out in droves, packing the upper deck where they waved fans and signs. The entire crowd seemed to be backing Chwalińska; when they chanted her name it echoed under the closed roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier.Crowd support aside, both she and Shnaider were tight because of the magnitude of the match and, perhaps, the way their styles overlapped. Chwalińska, short for a tennis player at 5 feet 5 inches, is a lefty used to chopping it up against her opponents and depriving them of rhythm. Shnaider, also a lefty who stands at 5 feet 7 inches, is an excellent doubles player who’s been to two Grand Slam semifinals and won the Olympic silver medal alongside Andreeva at Roland Garros.Their first two games took 15 minutes.Chwalińska and Shnaider quickly settled their nerves, but the extended rallies remained, to the crowd’s delight. They gasped at the shotmaking from both women, and even the DJ on Chatrier couldn’t resist — Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” played during a changeover in the middle of the first set.Chwalińska and Shnaider were happy to oblige. They carved each other to bits for more than an hour until inevitably reaching a tiebreak, where Shnaider finally grew frustrated that her superior power could not dent Chwalińska’s stupendous defense.Down 4-5 in the tiebreak on Shnaider’s serve, Chwalińska scrambled to get a racket on a fierce Shnaider forehand to the corner at and managed to float a lob perfectly over her head to earn set point. The crowd lost its mind. Once they quieted down, Chwalińska calmly closed out the set.The second set carried on much like the first one did, with Shnaider and Chwalińska evenly trading blows.With Chwalińska about to serve from 3-4, Shnaider called for a medical timeout and laid down on the court to receive treatment. It was Chwalińska who had played three extra matches over the course of the tournament, but suddenly Shnaider was struggling with her movement while Chwalińska appeared to have enough life left in her legs to run a marathon.She settled for extending her run here for one match more after breaking Shnaider to take a 5-4 lead and serving out the match.Regarding those goals from three weeks ago: Chwalińska is expected to climb to No. 21 in the world by making it to Saturday’s final. She’ll have a new short-term aim when she steps on court for the 10th and final time this tournament.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Tennis, Top Sports News, Women's Tennis2026 The Athletic Media Company

Credit: 104.3 The Score; AudacyMayor Brandon Johnson appeared on 104.3 The Score on Wednesday to make his pitch for the Chicago Bears to remain in the city for their next stadium, specifically on the lakefront. And during that appearance, Johnson admitted something that he probably shouldn’t have.In an attempt to explain how difficult it is to get in and out of Soldier Field on a gameday, Johnson admitted that he left a Bears game vs. the Green Bay Packers early to beat traffic.“Getting in and out of Soldier Field is an absolute nightmare,” Johnson said. “Let me tell you how bad it is. Bears vs. Packers; I’m at the game; we’re losing. I decide to leave to beat the traffic. Before I get out of the footprint, the Bears had come back to win.”Brandon Johnson notes the ingress/egress of Soldier Field must be fixed.“Let me tell you how bad it is — Bears vs. Packers, I’m at the game, we’re losing,” he says. “I decide to leave to beat the traffic. Before I get out of the footprint, the Bears had come back to win.” pic.twitter.com/pN4XfpC0gW— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) June 3, 2026There are so many other ways such a point could have been made by Chicago’s mayor over admitting that he left a game between the Bears and their biggest rival. It’s unclear which Bears-Packers game from this past season at Soldier Field that he’s referring to, but he missed an instant-classic finish either way.CALEB WILLIAMS TO DJ MOORE TO CAP OFF A BEARS MIRACLE COMEBACK WIN OVER THE PACKERS!Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady with the call for Fox. #NFLpic.twitter.com/NpWQWLlv41— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 21, 2025Johnson’s comments went viral and led to plenty of mocking on social media.There’s many issues with the media tour the Mayor of Chicago is currently on, but trying to plea to keep the Bears in Chicago while admitting you left a Bears/ Packers game early (and they comeback to win!!!) ain’t going to get it done…Yikes. https://t.co/4CPurvJ0HA— Sean Roberts (@Sean23Roberts) June 4, 2026Personally, I wouldn’t have admitted that https://t.co/vD3bqE4vXO— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) June 3, 2026why would you ever, Ever, EVER ADMIT TO THIS!! https://t.co/k1vtXfPGdX— Ken LaVicka (@KLVsays) June 3, 2026LMAOOOOHe’s right that it’s a disaster getting in and out, but why would you present “I left an amazing Bears game early to beat the traffic” as part of your sales pitch?! https://t.co/nCeMH0oGPD— Brett Taylor (@Brett_A_Taylor) June 3, 2026Leaving that game early was bad but why would you admit that to the media?Yikes. https://t.co/1MZdsLfUqg— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) June 3, 2026Impeach now. https://t.co/1QmEG1hRFI— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) June 3, 2026Additionally, even putting aside the comment about leaving the Bears game early, 104.3 The Score host Matt Spiegel ripped Johnson’s last-ditch efforts to try to keep the team on the lakefront..@MattSpiegs blasts Brandon Johnson’s last-ditch effort to keep the Bears and his reference of “term sheets.”“The mayor is emptily bloviating into the freaking wind. Obstructionist politics is the nicest way to describe it.“I drew up a term sheet for Heidi Klum in the ’90s.” pic.twitter.com/Q0GP1BPWf5— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) June 3, 2026For @SpiegsAndHolmes, mayor Brandon Johnson admitting he and the city haven’t talked to the Bears since April said everything you need to know about their last-ditch effort to keep the organization on the lakefront. pic.twitter.com/WCYTkEhrgc— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) June 3, 2026So, it wasn’t a great day for Chicago’s mayor on 104.3 The Score.The post Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson admits he left Bears-Packers early to beat traffic appeared first on Awful Announcing.

USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConA new report sheds more light on the very wide net Dallas Mavericks President Masai Ujiri is casting to find his replacement for Jason Kidd.To the surprise of many, Ujiri ousted Kidd as head coach just two years after leading the team to the NBA Finals. The Hall of Famer had to deal with the massive blowback after they shockingly traded Luka Doncic last year, and navigated through a disappointing 2025-26 campaign where Kyrie Irving missed the entire season, and Anthony Davis was traded away before the deadline.The next coach will have to build the team back into relevancy from the ground up. No easy task. That is why the Mavs President is reportedly considering all options to replace Kidd. That will surely include veteran NBA head coaches and some of the top assistants in the league.But according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the search will also include coaches outside the NBA. A pair of big names Fischer claims are on Ujiri’s interview wish list are two of the best from the college ranks. Duke’s Jon Scheyer and Michigan’s Dusty May.Yet, they aren’t the only outside-the-box options the Mavericks are considering.“There is also an expectation in league coaching circles that Ujiri, as he did after the 2022-23 season when he fired Nick Nurse and ultimately replaced Nurse with Darko Rajaković, could well opt to explore his options in both the European and women’s game in a search he is conducting alongside new Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz.”– Jake FischerIf Ujiri were to seriously consider female candidates, current Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon would be a top contender. She has won multiple championships with the Aces and was formerly a well-respected assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.Another likely candidate would be South Carolina coach and WNBA veteran, Dawn Staley. She spoke with the New York Knicks during their coaching search last summer.Related HeadlinesNBA Drops Hammer on Spurs Fan Who Ran on Court For NBA Finals Pic With WembanyamaNew Details Emerge on Jalen Brunson’s Altercation With Spurs Fan After NY Knicks Game 1 Win‘Shut the Hell Up’: Jalen Brunson’s Dad Had Hilarious Game 1 Advice for NY Knicks Coach

After five years at the collegiate level, Indiana forward Tucker DeVries is diligently working to showcase himself on and off the court ahead of the 2026 NBA draft.DeVries averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range in 32 appearances last season. He registered six 20-point performances, including a season-high 27-point outing on Nov. 9 in a win over Marquette.The 6-foot-7 DeVries ranked eighth in the Big Ten in total 3-pointers (82) and ninth in minutes per game (34.2). He was one of eight players in the country to average at least 13 points and five rebounds per game with 80 or more 3s in the regular season."I think any time you're going up against the best, you're helping yourself develop and get better," DeVries said recently of his time with the Hoosiers. "Obviously, at this level, it is the best of the best, so just kind of finding that role and how things translate, what translates, and what the best way possible is for me to be able to translate to that next level."DeVries played his entire college career for his father, Darian, beginning with three seasons at Drake and one at West Virginia before finishing in Bloomington. He was an AP All-American honorable mention in 2024 with the Bulldogs after ranking 10th in the country in scoring (734).The 23-year-old is considered one of the top shooters in the draft this year, thanks to impeccable form and release and the ability to shoot on the move or on pull-ups. He also has great touch and footwork in the paint, making him a perfect fit for any team.DeVries has conducted workouts with several teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. He wants to reaffirm his status as an elite shooter during those visits, while also showing his recent work in the weight room."I think refreshing everybody a little bit of what I'm capable of," DeVries said. "I think the improvement body-wise and slimming back down to be my more natural position a little bit and then being able to move and space a little bit better is probably the biggest thing. You are not going to change a whole lot in two months in who you are, but in that aspect, you can."This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Tucker DeVries: Indiana guard reveals mindset for predraft workouts

France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Ticket prices for tournament matches in Boston originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.France is bringing one of the biggest names in world soccer to the Boston area for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Les Bleus will face Norway on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET. The venue is better known locally as Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and Revolution, but it will use FIFA’s Boston Stadium name during the tournament.BUY NOW:Get tickets to see France in the 2026 FIFA World CupFor local fans and anyone traveling into New England, this is one of the standout group-stage matches on the Boston schedule. France won the World Cup in 2018, finished runner-up to Argentina in 2022 and enters the 2026 tournament as one of the teams expected to make another deep run.Kylian Mbappé is the obvious headliner. The France captain already has 12 career World Cup goals and would pass Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 with five more at the 2026 tournament. Norway brings plenty of star power, too, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard giving this Group I matchup even more appeal.Here’s how to buy tickets to see France vs. Norway at the 2026 World Cup in Boston.How to buy France vs. Norway World Cup 2026 tickets in BostonTickets: StubHubTickets to see France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Boston area are available now on StubHub.France will face Norway on Friday, June 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, which will be called Boston Stadium during the tournament. The Group I match is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and is one of the biggest group-stage games on Boston’s World Cup schedule.As of the latest StubHub listings, tickets for Norway vs. France start around $891 per ticket. Prices can change quickly based on demand, seat location, ticket quantity and availability, so fans should check the live StubHub listing before buying.This matchup should be one of the toughest Boston tickets to get. France brings Kylian Mbappé and one of the most talented squads in the tournament, while Norway counters with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. For local fans and supporters traveling to New England, it is a chance to see two of Europe’s most exciting teams on the World Cup stage.StubHub ticket orders are backed by FanProtect, giving buyers added protection when shopping on the secondary market.BUY NOW:France vs. Norway World Cup 2026 tickets on StubHubFrance schedule at 2026 FIFA World CupFind a complete schedule of France matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup below.DateGameTime (ET)SiteJune 16vs. Senegal3 p.m.New York, NYJune 22vs. Iraq5 p.m.Philadelphia, PAJune 26vs. Norway3 p.m.Boston, MAWhere will 2026 FIFA World Cup matches take place in Boston?All Boston-area matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. During the tournament, FIFA will refer to the venue as Boston Stadium.For France fans, that is where Les Bleus will face Norway on Friday, June 26, in a Group I match scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Gillette Stadium is best known as the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, and it has hosted major soccer events before, including international matches and club competitions.The stadium is located in Foxborough, about 22 miles southwest of downtown Boston, so fans traveling in should plan ahead for transportation, parking and traffic on match day.FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures, datesThe 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 and concludes with the final on July 19. Matches will be held throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada.You can buy tickets to every match here.RoundDatesGroup StageJune 11-27Round of 32June 28-July 3Round of 16July 4-7QuarterfinalsJuly 9-11SemifinalsJuly 14-15Bronze FinalJuly 18Gold FinalJuly 19

Lawmakers moved forward with a measure that would allow the Democratic-run state to redraw its congressional districts more often.

The Detroit Lions missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record last season. They had some ups and downs with the offense. One of the bright spots during the 2025 NFL season was running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He rushed for 1,223 yards on 243 carries and 13 touchdowns, along with averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Gibbs also caught 77 passes for 616 yards receiving and five touchdowns, along with averaging 8.0 yards per reception.Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) practices a drill during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2026.Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media on Thursday. He was asked about Gibbs’ workload for the upcoming 2026 NFL season. Campbell said,“He’s gonna be our bellcow now. … We’re gonna hang our hat on him quite a bit.”They did rely on him quite a bit last season. Gibbs did get 243 carries after all. There is a good chance that they could give him over 300 carries this season with the lack of having a second running back. At some point, Detroit will need to have a reliable second running back. Pacheco needs to be ready. If Detroit feels like they are running him into the ground too much, maybe they should make a trade for New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara?It remains to be seen what will be done for the Lions. As for now in Detroit, Gibbs is going to be asked to do everything for this franchise in the backfield here.For More Great Football ContentFollow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!The post “He’s Gonna Be Our Bellcow”: Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell Shows Praise for RB Jahmyr Gibbs as 2026 NFL Season Approaches appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 French Open quarterfinals.PARIS — The French Open has grown accustomed to seeing a Polish woman in the semifinals. There’s a reason it’s been nicknamed “Poland Garros” over the past few years.Usually, that spot is reserved for Iga Świątek, the four-time champion, who reached the semifinals five out of six times between 2020 and 2025.But Świątek was knocked out in the fourth round by Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, as the Queen of Clay continues her journey to rediscovering the tennis that helped her dominate the women’s tour for years.She needn’t have worried about who would carry Poland’s banner in her stead.In her first appearance in the main draw at Roland Garros, world No. 114 Maja Chwalińska won her eighth match in a row Wednesday, defeating No. 22 seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 to become the second qualifier — and second Polish woman, after Świątek — to reach the French Open semifinals in the Open Era.Then, on Friday, she won her ninth. Chwalińska, whose name is pronounced “Hva-LEEN-ska,” overcame Aryna Sabalenka’s conqueror, 22-year-old Russian Diana Shnaider, 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the final.“I’m just very proud that I stayed composed, and managed to win this set,” Chwalińska said in her news conference after beating Kalinskaya. “Then the second set was just a battle. So I’m very happy, happy to win.”It is Chwalińska’s composure that stands out above all as she navigates the biggest on-court achievement of her tennis career. A promising junior in Poland, she made it to the Australian Open girls’ doubles final with Świątek as her partner in 2017, but their careers diverged after that. Chwalińska dealt with injuries, including a knee surgery in 2022, as well as a period of depression. She still primarily competes in WTA 125 tournaments, held the level below the WTA Tour.Her only Grand Slam victory before last week was at Wimbledon four years ago, when she returned to tennis after taking a hiatus to manage her mental health.“I was struggling a lot. You know, I pushed at the beginning,” Chwalińska said of her sabbatical. “I thought that I just need to stay very strong, tough, and just keep practicing.“But then I just couldn’t get out of bed anymore. I was just lifeless, to be honest. … I needed to take a break, and I honestly didn’t know if I was going to come back or not.“I needed to kind of figure a few things in my head, I would say. … And I came back. I’m happy that I did.”In Paris, bigger stages and tougher competition than she’s used to have not cowed the 24-year-old. She hadn’t beaten a player ranked inside the top 50 as of May 27, but coming through three rounds of qualifying calcified her trust in her game.She knocked out Zheng Qinwen, who won Olympic gold at Roland Garros two years ago, No. 23 seed Elise Mertens, 2021 semifinalist Maria Sakkari and the Frenchwoman Diane Parry on Court Philippe-Chatrier en route to her quarterfinal appearance. Then she won some more.“I think the level is very close, like, the qualifying is not much worse than the main draw,” Chwalińska said.“And the players in the qualifying, they are so good, as well. They are great competitors. We just need to fight, and just believe that maybe some day it will click for us, as well.”Chwalińska hasn’t processed her streak enough to feel overwhelmed by making it to the final four. To that end, she abides by a strict rule these days for time spent on her phone. She publishes one celebratory post per victory, “and then I quit,” Chwalińska said with a smile, slicing her hand through the air like a knife.Chwalińska has benefited from being an unknown to most of her opponents before she faced them in Paris. She’d only played Sakkari before, and just once last year on clay.That makes her already tricky game particularly hard to grasp. In part because Chwalińska grew up a head shorter than most of her junior competitors — she is all of 5 feet 5 inches tall — she developed a style full of slice and spin, that utilizes drop shots and forces baseliners to play without rhythm.“I’m aware that it can be very annoying for other players,” she said Wednesday. “I just try to use it as much as I can.”In her spare time away from the court, she likes to play chess.Her tactics worked Wednesday against Kalinskaya on a windy, cool afternoon, and they worked again against Shnaider under the roof. Chwalińska carved drop shots out of nowhere, looped forehands and backhands out of Shnaider’s strike zone, and took the ball down the line early and often.Most of all, Chwalińska kept her cool. When it was over, she had the biggest win of her life, for the second match in a row.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Tennis, Women's Tennis2026 The Athletic Media Company

Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (60) prepares to enter the field prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images The Dallas Cowboys appear to be open to a different option at left tackle. Brian Schottenheimer spoke on Thursday at OTAs and he said that Tyler Guyton is in competition with Nate Thomas for the role.Brian Schottenheimer said there’s a competition at left tackle between Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas. He likes what Guyton has done so far but “we’re going to make Tyler earn it.”— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) June 4, 2026Schotty gave a bit of a nod to Guyton in saying that the team likes what he has done so far. It goes without saying that of the offensive linemen who Dallas has taken in the first round over the last decade and a half that Guyton is a bit of an outlier.To be fair the standard was set enormously high with the likes of Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin. But Tyler Smith lived up to it and through two seasons Guyton has struggled relatively speaking.It is worth noting that Dallas experimented a bit late last season and had Smith kick out from left guard to tackle. Many wondered if this would ripple into the 2026 season, but the team said that wouldn’t be the case and this action proves that. If someone other than Tyler Guyton is playing left tackle in 2026 then it seems Nate Thomas has the inside track.The Cowboys also drafted Drew Shelton in the fourth round this year so they have options if Guyton can’t rise to the occasion.This will be an interesting story to follow throughout training camp to say the least.

Real Madrid set for a long and busy summer transfer window; many new arrivals expectedEven with the upcoming presidential election acting as a slight distraction, Real Madrid are locked in for the summer ahead.The club are on the verge of securing two new signings this week in the form of Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries, with the club also hopeful of officially appointing Jose Mourinho soon.But according to AS, those arrivals are just the tip of the iceberg. Florentino Perez has made clear that a major squad overhaul is coming, and the window is expected to be one of the busiest in recent memory at the Bernabeu.Defence leads the wayKonate will soon become a Real Madrid player. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)It is clear that defence is the main focus, as evidenced by Real Madrid’s pursuit of Konate and Dumfries. With David Alaba gone, Eder Militao sidelined until at least late October, Antonio Rudiger’s fitness a concern and Fran Garcia expected to leave, the backline requires significant reinforcement.Real Madrid are interested in the services of Josko Gvardiol, who could fit the profile of the second centre-back the club are looking for. However, signing him from Man City will be a tough task.Reinforcements in other areasNico Paz will return to Real Madrid this summer. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)Apart from defence, Real Madrid may also see new arrivals elsewhere, including Nico Paz.The Argentine’s return from Como is considered almost certain, and he will considerably improve the team’s creative unit.It won’t be surprising to see Real Madrid going after a new midfielder, having already been linked with moves for Enzo Fernandez and Rodri.However, the cost of operation will be a problem unless Los Blancos are willing to settle for a cost-effective option.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team most linked to ace Tarik Skubal ahead of the trade deadline, and as the Detroit Tigers slip, the chances of a deal rise.The Dodgers have been hit with multiple starting pitching injuries, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow missing a good chunk of time, while other arms like Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller are still a ways away from coming back. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation)Los Angeles certainly does not lack the arms to compete in the regular season, with plenty of depth waiting in the wings; however, without two of their four postseason starters, the Dodgers lack the needed top-end talent to put themselves in the best spot for a three-peat. This is where Skubal enters the picture as an arm who would totally elevate the Dodgers’ rotation into all-time territory, and considering he is a theoretical rental, he will come at a lower cost than a Cy Young arm tends to go for.Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesGiven the chance to add a pitcher of his caliber and get an audition period to sign him long-term, the Dodgers make a ton of sense as a team that could trade for Skubal, especially with their farm system depth.According to ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Dodgers will be involved in the talks for Skubal, one way or another.“When given the opportunity to acquire the best players in baseball, Los Angeles does not hesitate,” Passan wrote in a story for ESPN. “Paying a premium price for a short-term contract goes against how they prefer to operate, but the Dodgers have built such a good farm system — and one that, heavy on controllable arms and dynamic outfielders, matches up perfectly with Detroit’s needs — that it makes too much sense for them not to be involved in the discussions. “It ends up one of two places: They get the best pitcher in the world, or they drive up the price for others already struggling to keep up with them.”Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesWhy the Dodgers can offer the best trade package for SkubalThe Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in baseball, along with multiple pitching talents who have graduated from prospect status, like Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski.With so much talent and resources, the Dodgers are poised to make some serious noise in the trade talks, and if they really want to add him, LA can offer the best possible trade package.

Russia's Mirra Andreeva reacts after winning during the semifinal tennis match against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk at the French Open in Paris, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)2026-06-04T14:03:33Z PARIS (AP) — Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final by beating Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-1, 6-3 at the French Open on Thursday.The 19-year-old Andreeva converted her first match point when serving for the match. There was no post-match handshake between them and Kostyuk walked off quickly, turning only to wave and blow kisses to the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, which saw some fans draped in Ukrainian flags. “I am happy that I am in my first ever Grand Slam final. All of these feelings combined, it is amazing,” Andreeva said. “I just told myself no matter what happens, I am going to fight and give my best. With this kind of mindset, I ended up winning.”The atmosphere beforehand was somewhat tense as the players had separate photos taken as they each stood next to two children on their respective side of the net. Usually the players pose for the same photo, standing right next to each other by the net. Kostyuk and countrywoman Oleksandra Oliynykova have spoken out during the tournament about the impact Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having on their country. Later Thursday, the other semifinal featured left-handed players Diana Shnaider of Russia and Maja Chwalinska of Poland. Chwalinska came through three qualifying rounds and had never previously been beyond the second round at a major.Andreeva saved three break points at 0-40 in her opening service game, then raced into a 4-0 lead with a flurry of blistering forehand winners. There was a big cheer when Kostyuk held serve in the fifth game, but the Ukrainian then handed Andreeva the first set when her backhand hit the net. Read More Roof open and then closedThe semifinal began at shortly after 3 p.m. amid sunny conditions and an open roof, like on Wednesday when beaten quarterfinalists Aryna Sabalenka and Anna Kalinskaya complained of swirling wind on Chatrier and said the roof should have been closed.It was closed toward the end of the second set of Thursday’s semi, offering Kostyuk better conditions for her clay-court game. She broke back to trail 4-3, prompting huge applause and loud chants of “Marta, Marta.”But she dropped her next service game and the comeback ended almost as briefly as it began, along with Kostyuk’s 16-match winning streak on clay.“Obviously, she (Kostyuk) has had an amazing season. Until this match, she has not lost a match on clay,” Andreeva said. “She is an amazing player and a very tough opponent.” Mixed doubles Top-seeded Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy won the mixed doubles final earlier Thursday, beating Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and American Evan King 4-6, 6-3, 10-4.An Italian is guaranteed to be in Sunday’s men’s Open singles final, with Flavio Cobolli facing fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Friday in the first Grand Slam semifinal for both players.___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Besiktas offer Italiano two-year deal worth €6m per seasonVincenzo Italiano could be set to finalise his somewhat surprise move to Turkey after Besiktas formally tabled a two-year contract offer worth €6 million net per season, according to journalist Alfredo Pedullà, with the former Bologna coach understood to have signalled his openness to the deal.According to Pedullà’s report, Besiktas have also offered €2.5 million net per season to cover Italiano’s coaching staff. Negotiations are now at an advanced stage, with the two parties working to finalise the remaining details.BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 03: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)Italiano open to Turkey move as Besiktas talks reach advanced stageItaliano departed Bologna at the end of the season following contract talks that failed to produce an agreement, despite having guided the club to Coppa Italia glory the previous season and an eighth-place Serie A finish this time round.He had been linked with Napoli as a potential successor to Antonio Conte, but the Partenopei instead opted to roll the dice on Massimiliano Allegri, leaving the door open for Besiktas to move quickly.The Turkish offer represents a significant financial package, one that would make Italiano among the highest-paid coaches in the Super Lig, and the coach’s willingness to consider it suggests a move to another top European league has not materialised as expected following his Bologna exit.

Jun 3, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesThe New York Mets have been aiming for a comeback after their brutal start to the season. Now in June, the team is well below .500 in record, and in an effort to save their season, David Stearns may be forced to make some controversial moves. The most highly rumored of those? Freddy Peralta.Peralta is off to a nice start, but not quite a dominant one to begin 2026. He has a 3.63 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Nonetheless, the talent is there enough for a contending team to deal for the veteran arm. In this mock trade scenario, he goes to his most highly rumored destination: the Chicago Cubs. Fantasy Baseball ImpactWhat really matters when a pitcher is dealt? His arm shall not be affected. What can affect his stats is the team's fielding and batting, thus helping the man achieve more wins.The good news in this deal: the Cubs rank 1st in the MLB in defensive rating (+24.6). In fact, they are far better than anyone else, with the Dodgers being in 2nd (+19.1) and only 6 teams at +10.0 or higher. In contrast, Peralta's Mets rank 17th in defensive rating at -1.2. The upgrade in defense may not be a massive factor, but it would help Peralta's upside across key statistics.The next factor is that of hitting. The Cubs are in a unique situation. They rank 6th in offensive rating as a team, but they are on the ultimate slide right now, with 14 runs over their last 6 games, as of June 4. The team will be expected to bounce back and remain a top-10 offense in the MLB. With the Mets 29th in MLB, this is another factor that would aid Peralta in the win category. Peralta currently ranks around SP40 in fantasy baseball. If he were indeed dealt to Chicago, he could rise closer to SP30. A buy-low is not a terrible idea, as a trade can increase his value, and if the Mets keep him, they should also logically get better once their big injuries are sorted out. Francisco Alvarez and Francisco Lindor are due back within the next 2 weeks, or so. Mock Trade DetailsCubs Get:SP, Freddy PeraltaMets Get:C/1B, Moises BallesterosSP Prospect, Brody McCulloughOF, Jonathan LongWhy the Cubs Accept the TradeThe Cubs are a contending MLB team that has endured injuries to their pitching rotation. Cade Horton is out indefinitely, as are Justin Steele and Matthew Boyd, who remain on the IL due to knee surgery.On the current depth chart, the Cubs list a 4-man starting rotation. They can use a veteran, trustworthy arm, and Peralta provided just that with key playoff experience as a bonus. Why the Mets Accept the TradeBetween Peralta's expiring contract and a strugglesome year for the Mets, they may cut ties with their pitcher while they can. The deal can return the Mets something of value at low risk that is for the long term.Ballesteros is a former No. 1 prospect in the Cubs' farm system. He can stretch to play DH when Alvarez is starting at catcher. They also attain an aspiring 1st baseman in Long, who the Mets desperately need to play the position. Mark Vientos is not the answer, both in the field and with his bat. Long is in Triple-A, but is due to come up soon as a top-20 Cubs prospect.More Fantasy Sports On SI News:Rome Odunze's Injury Comments Spark Fantasy Football DebateChristian Watson Agrees To Four-Year Extension With Packers, Stabilizing His Fantasy ValueHow a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade to Miami Would Impact Fantasy BasketballFantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Debate: Should You Draft KC Concepcion Or Omar Cooper Jr?This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Freddy Peralta's Fantasy Baseball Stock Climbs in this Chicago Cubs Trade Scenario.

The 10 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All TimeNASCAR has produced legends over its seven-plus decades of competition — men who defined what it means to win on superspeedways, short tracks, and road courses. While ranking the all-time greats is always a heated debate among fans, certain names rise above the rest based on championships, wins, and impact on the sport. Here's our take on the 10 greatest drivers in NASCAR history.1. Richard Petty — "The King"No conversation about NASCAR greatness begins anywhere but with Richard Petty. With 200 Cup Series wins and 7 championships, Petty's records are so extraordinary that many will never be approached again. He won 27 races in a single season (1967), a feat so staggering it feels almost fictional. Beyond the numbers, Petty embodied what NASCAR stood for — accessible, fan-friendly, and proud of his roots.2. Dale Earnhardt Sr. — "The Intimidator"Seven championships. Seventy-six wins. And an iron-willed racing style that turned Dale Earnhardt Sr. into the most magnetic figure NASCAR ever produced. His aggressive, bumper-to-bumper brand of racing earned him the nickname "The Intimidator," and his black No. 3 Chevrolet became one of the most iconic images in American motorsport. His tragic death at the 2001 Daytona 500 shook the sport to its core and sparked sweeping safety reforms that saved countless lives.3. Jeff GordonJeff Gordon arrived on the NASCAR scene in the early 1990s as the California kid in a rainbow-colored Chevrolet — and promptly won four championships and 93 races. Gordon brought a younger, more polished image to NASCAR at a time when the sport was rapidly expanding its national audience. His versatility across track types and his ability to dominate during NASCAR's most competitive era make him one of the undisputed all-time greats.4. Jimmie JohnsonSeven championships. That alone puts Jimmie Johnson on Mount Rushmore. But what makes Johnson's career even more staggering is that five of those titles came consecutively (2006–2010) — a feat no one in any major American motorsport had ever accomplished. His partnership with crew chief Chad Knaus and Hendrick Motorsports produced one of the most dominant dynasties in racing history.5. Darrell WaltripThree championships and 84 wins place Darrell Waltrip firmly among the sport's elite. Waltrip was the dominant force of the 1980s, winning back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982 and a third in 1985. His outspoken personality made him both loved and loathed — which only added to his star power. In retirement, he became one of the sport's most recognizable broadcasters.6. Cale YarboroughThe only driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive Cup Series championships (1976, 1977, 1978), Cale Yarborough won 83 races over his career and was known for his fearless, wheel-banging style. His era coincided with NASCAR's rapid growth, and he was at the center of some of the sport's most memorable moments — including the famous Daytona 500 brawl with the Allison brothers in 1979.7. Dale Earnhardt Jr.Junior may not have matched his father in championships (he won none at the Cup level), but his cultural impact on NASCAR is unrivaled in his generation. A 26-time Cup winner and NASCAR's most popular driver award recipient for a record 15 consecutive years, Earnhardt Jr. was the emotional heart of the sport during its 2000s boom. His candor and authenticity — now on full display through his podcast and media ventures — have only deepened his legacy.8. Tony StewartThree Cup championships, 49 wins, and a reputation as one of the most talented and instinctive car racers in American history. Tony Stewart's raw speed and ferocious competitiveness made him a nightmare for opponents. He's also the only driver in modern NASCAR history to win a championship on three different tracks of thought — and he later became a successful team owner with Stewart-Haas Racing.9. Bobby AllisonEighty-four wins and a 1983 championship undersell Bobby Allison's place in racing history. He was the blue-collar racer's hero — a driver who built his own cars early in his career and earned every opportunity he got. Allison won the Daytona 500 three times and was part of one of NASCAR's first superstar family dynasties alongside his son Davey.10. Kyle BuschWith two Cup Series championships and the all-time record for wins across NASCAR's top three series (Cup, Xfinity, and Truck), Kyle Busch's career numbers are eye-popping. He's the most statistically productive driver of his generation — polarizing to fans but impossible to ignore. His relentless work ethic and willingness to compete in lower series long after he had nothing left to prove cemented his status as one of the sport's true all-time competitors.Who's Next?The current generation of NASCAR talent — led by drivers like Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and the sport's rising stars — continues to push the boundaries of what's possible on track. NASCAR's history is still being written, and the names on this list may one day be joined by drivers competing today. For the latest NASCAR news and analysis, keep checking Backfire News Racing coverage.Source: Backfire News editorial research and analysis.

The Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia lit up blue lights Wednesday night in honor of Xavier Taylor.Camden City Hall, in New Jersey, also shined blue in support of the young boy.The 12-year-old player from Maple Shade Youth Baseball was hit in the neck by an errant throw during warmups in May.He was airlifted from the field to Cooper University Hospital, where he remains in extremely critical condition while on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.The Taylor family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support as they remain focused on Xavier's recovery."I could not have asked or ever dreamt of support like this right now, but our end goal is for our son to be back on this field or whatever field is next destined for him," Greg Taylor said.His dad told Action News that Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs visited Xavier in the hospital, as the community continues to rally support for the family.Players from the Tampa Bay Rays also posted a video on social media, sending their prayers and well wishes."We're just so touched and blessed by all the prayers and thoughts and well-wishes and kind donations that everyone's been giving him over the last couple of days," Greg said after the accident. "I know some people don't like to think that, you know, that stuff helps. It has absolutely helped us get through the last couple of days as a family."Community members have also organized a Meal Train for the family and have raised more than $119,000 to assist them in their time of need.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesSpurs could turn to rookie Dylan Harper over De’Aaron Fox in Game 2 vs. LakersDe’Aaron Fox had a quiet Game 1, scoring just seven points on 3-of-13 shooting, while rookie Dylan Harper put up 16 points on 6-of-10 in much less time. In a game the Spurs lost by 10, it’s a backcourt question that San Antonio takes into Game 2.Fox’s one-year run with the Spurs hasn’t gone as anyone hoped. His numbers have dropped off since leaving Sacramento, averaging just over 13 points and five assists per game while shooting under 35% from three.With another poor showing in Game 1, questions are starting to surface about his role moving forward. While some blame coach Gregg Popovich for misusing him, Fox hasn’t exactly played his way into more minutes either.The calls for change aren’t new — they’ve been building throughout the season as Fox’s fit with the team remains unclear. There are even reports linking him to potential moves away from San Antonio this summer if things don’t turn around.Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesIs De’Aaron Fox going to be benched for Dylan Harper?Dylan Harper has made a strong first impression with the Spurs. Drafted sixth overall, he played more than expected after coming off an injury that kept him out of Summer League and much of pre-season.Praise for Dylan Harper isn’t limited to San Antonio fans; he impressed Team USA selectors earlier this summer when training with them ahead of Olympic play.Fox missed all four of his three-point attempts, turned the ball over three times, and fouled out, though he did hand out five assists.Harper, coming off the bench, went 6-for-10 with a three-pointer, eight boards, and a steal. He also became the youngest player to score 10 points in an NBA Finals game — doing it in his first six minutes.The timing made it stand out even more. San Antonio was up 95-94 with just over two minutes left when New York closed on an 11-0 run to steal Game 1 on its home floor.Fox gives Spurs a familiar setupFox is a steady presence in the backcourt, and his experience still brings value. He’s not asked to be the main scoring threat for the Spurs, but his job is to steady the offence, help ease the load on Castle and Harper, and make sure Wembanyama has room to operate.His five assists in Game 1 are exactly what was expected from him this series. But when Fox can’t knock down shots, New York will play off him without worrying about getting punished, just like we saw when he went 3-for-13 in Game 1.Harper’s 16 points were just behind Wembanyama’s 26 and Castle’s 17, matching Champagnie on the night. He made an impact by getting downhill before the Knicks could load up in the paint, playing the role he has taken on as the Spurs’ effective sixth starter throughout these playoffs.As noted by Sports Illustrated after Game 1: “It’s O.K. for the Spurs to admit Harper should be playing more than their veteran point guard.”Mitch Johnson could adjust on the fly without changing the starting five, using Fox as an organiser but giving Harper more minutes when his scoring is needed.The Spurs lost home-court advantage in Game 1, and Friday’s matchup will tell us whether Johnson sees that result as just a poor shooting night or a sign that change is needed.Read more:Josh Hart scored only three, but one sneaky play sealed Knicks’ game 1 winNBA announces lifetime ban for fan who ran onto Finals court for selfie with Victor WembanyamaYou won’t believe how one move from Victor Wembanyama exposed Karl-Anthony Towns

It took until gone 5.30 for a moment to arrive to finally lift the English gloom. It had been a wet and wild start the Test summer, rain and wickets tumbling to dull what was meant to be a bright new start to banish the Ashes woes. Bowled out for 140 inside 40 overs, the pessimistic chuntering around the hosts had long since begun by the time their last pair disappeared to the dressing room. Fresh English approach; same old story.But on a pitch offering lavish movement, and in conditions to which he was ideally suited, in the space of six balls, Ollie Robinson provided a reminder of just why England have recalled him. For more than two years, Robinson had sat and wondered – wondered what might have been, wondered, perhaps, what he had done wrong. His qualities had never been in doubt; his application, fitness and attitude perhaps so. But with a winter of error and Australian top-order terror leaving a vacancy for someone of precisely his skillset, Robinson showed the high-class new-ball bowler he remains to strike thrice in his first over and tilt a Test unlikely to go close to the distance and spare a few blushes. Ollie Robinson made a sensational return to Test cricket (Getty)There was not, in fact, much cause for embarrassment on what had nonetheless looked likely to prove a discouraging day for the hosts. The plain accounting of their collapse to 140 all outdoes not make pretty reading, but England were worn down by a relentless visiting New Zealand attack. For all the talk of a refinement in method from the hosts, this was not a day where poking and prodding or prancing and dancing made much difference – only Harry Brook (51) provided some sort of resistance, and he should have been gone for single figures.Ollie Robinson struck three times in his first over on his return to Test cricket (Getty)The visiting bowling effort was made all the more impressive by the fact it came, largely, without attack-leader Matt Henry, capable only of four overs before leaving the field with a spasming back. Kyle Jamieson was the standout with 5-62 and found strong support from Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith ensured Henry was not missed.It seemed certain they would be the story; Robinson ensured they were not. Probing and penetrating, he trapped left-handers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra in front with nip up the slope either side of removing Kane Williamson, caught at short leg. Allow me to reintroduce myself, a celebratory spreading of the Sussex seamer’s arms seemed to say. When Gus Atkinson pinned Tom Latham, 14 wickets had fallen in fewer than 50 opening-day overs – and more were to come. Robinson had time for one more, nipping one up the hill into the top of a leaving Daryl Mitchell’s off stump, and Josh Tongue got in on the act by shivering Tom Blundell’s timbers. When bad light halted play at 20 past seven, New Zealand were 61-6 and 79 in arrears. Rain may have its say again in this Test but one can probably start making alternative plans for Sunday and Monday. Daryl Mitchell was bowled leaving by Ollie Robinson (Getty)Ah, the ever-cruel, ever-capricious British summer, sun-soaked for so long yet unfriendly as the Test summer began. It had been one of those drab and dense summer mornings at Lord’s, the kind that stickies the shirt and dampens the brow. Egg and bacon umbrellas around St John’s Wood were the warning stripes of what was to come. It was a slight surprise that play commenced on time during a short spell where the clouds and crowds lifted; in they rolled, in they went, as the rain began to fall after 45 minutes. Ben Stokes had spoken at length on match eve of his desire to get going, to right the wrongs of their misadventure Down Under, to banish the bad memories of an Ashes series best forgotten. A five-month gap between Tests, Stokes rightly remarked, is a rarity in this time of fixture congestion; and perhaps untimely, given that over which England have had to chew. Rain twice interrupted the opening day of the English Test summer at Lord's (Getty)The coin falling the way of Latham, the visiting captain, could have been more gristle on what might have proved a grisly opening to the summer. It was with tentative strides that Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay had ventured out, with much anticipation over how they would play. Would a new approach be clear? The early evidence suggested so. Duckett shouldered arms to three of his first four balls with the discipline of a tee-totaller; a tally of 24 from the opening 10 overs was the joint-fewest since Stokes and Brendon McCullum were first united four years ago.There was mitigation for the sedate start, of course. Matters overhead captured immediate attention, but a glance down suggested a tricky surface, and Kiwi keeper Tom Blundell had to scoop the first delivery of the day on the hop. Gay, on debut, was always likely to be watchful; two crisp drives gave a glimpse of his stroke-making style before he was squared up by Jamieson. Mitchell pouched the edge low at first slip.One could not criticise the debutant. Gay had been handed his cap by Alastair Cook, a fellow product of Bedford School who might have warned the left-hander that he will face a tough Test education. A similar lesson might have come from his opening partner – nine balls into the restart following a two-hour rain delay, a watchful Duckett was LBW to Smith for 18.Kyle Jamieson finished with five wickets for New Zealand (Getty)Jacob Bethell followed via the same method to O’Rourke, before Joe Root nicked behind in a collapse of three for three to 34-4. It nearly became 44 for five, only for Devon Conway to grass a sharp chance off Brook at backward point. 11 runs later, though, and England were halfway gone, an error of judgement from Jamie Smith accounting for his off stump. Brook flashed and flayed to provide some fight in a stand of 39 with captain Stokes, before a superb catch from Williamson in the cordon removed the English skipper. Brook ploughed on riding his luck – Ravindra shelled a sitter at deep square leg with the batter on 45 – and reached 50 with a nick through the slips, before picking out fine leg soon after the departure of Atkinson.The rain’s return brought blessed relief for England’s batters, for there had been no let up from a varied visiting seam attack. Jamieson’s height, O’Rourke’s awkward angle and Smith’s skiddiness posed alternative questions. The breaks worked in their favour, creating moments to rest and recharge. Freshened up by an extended tea, the towering Jamieson completed a sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, before Smith extinguished the innings inside 40 overs. But then came Robinson, and at last reason for English cheer.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made several high-level, special plays and throws that highlighted a marvelous 2025 season for the former No. 1 pick. Those throws made Williams the talk of the town across the NFL, especially recently, as he was announced as the cover star of EA's "Madden NFL 27."During his reveal tour with EA Sports, Williams was asked to rank his most insane throws from the 2025 season. Whether it was the fourth-and-8 "Jumpman" conversion to Rome Odunze, the improbable touchdown pass to Cole Kmet in the divisional playoffs or the game-winner against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 Williams had an easy choice for his top throw of the year.Which pass was the best of the best? 📈@CALEBcsw | @EAMaddenNFL | @ChicagoBearspic.twitter.com/YhUMZF4J9N— NFL (@NFL) June 3, 2026Game-winning touchdown to DJ Moore vs. Packers (Week 16)"Jumpman" completion to Rome Odunze on fourth-and-8 vs. Packers (wild-card playoffs)Game-tying touchdown to Cole Kmet vs. Rams (divisional playoffs)22-yard touchdown to DJ Moore vs. Browns (Week 15)These throws helped build Williams' star power, while also bringing success to the Bears, as well as confidence that they've found their franchise guy. Williams' breakout season was also his first year with head coach Ben Johnson, so it'll be interesting to see how both the coach and quarterback build on the success and tremendous arm talent.Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramThis article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears QB Caleb Williams ranks his most insane throws from 2025

Ghana World Cup 2026 Tickets: How to Buy Seats for Black Stars Match in Boston originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Ghana is bringing one of Africa’s most passionate soccer fan bases to the Boston area for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Black Stars will face England on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. ET. The venue is better known locally as Gillette Stadium, but it will use FIFA’s Boston Stadium name during the tournament.BUY NOW:Get tickets to see Ghana in the 2026 FIFA World CupFor Ghana fans in New England and supporters traveling in, this is one of the biggest group-stage matches on the Boston schedule. Ghana is back at the World Cup for its fifth appearance after winning CAF Group I in qualifying, adding another chapter to a tournament history that includes a memorable run to the quarterfinals in 2010.The matchup also brings plenty of intrigue. England is one of the biggest names in international soccer, while Ghana has enough World Cup history and attacking talent to make this more than just a showcase game. With Group L also featuring Panama and Croatia, every result will matter.Here’s how to buy tickets to see Ghana vs. England at the 2026 World Cup in Boston.How to buy Ghana vs. England World Cup 2026 tickets in BostonTickets: StubHubTickets to see Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Boston area are available now on StubHub.Ghana will face England on Tuesday, June 23, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, which will be called Boston Stadium during the tournament. The Group L match is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and should be one of the higher-demand games on Boston’s World Cup schedule.As of the latest StubHub listings, tickets for England vs. Ghana start around $763 per ticket. Prices can change quickly based on demand, seat location, ticket quantity and availability, so fans should check the live StubHub listing before buying.This matchup should bring plenty of energy to Foxborough. Ghana has a passionate fan base and a strong World Cup history, while England is one of the biggest draws in international soccer. For local fans and supporters traveling to New England, it is a chance to see the Black Stars on one of the sport’s biggest stages.StubHub ticket orders are backed by FanProtect, giving buyers added protection when shopping on the secondary market.BUY NOW:Ghana vs. England World Cup 2026 tickets on StubHubGhana schedule at the 2026 FIFA World CupFind a complete schedule of Ghana matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup below.DateGameTime (ET)SiteJune 17vs. Panama7 p.m.Toronto, ONJune 23vs. England4 p.m.Boston, MAJune 27vs. Croatia5 p.m.Philadelphia, PAWhere will 2026 FIFA World Cup matches take place in Boston?All 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in the Boston area will be played at Boston Stadium, which is FIFA’s tournament name for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.Gillette Stadium is home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, but it has also hosted major soccer events over the years. For the 2026 World Cup, the venue is scheduled to host seven matches: five group-stage games, one Round of 32 match and one quarterfinal.The stadium is located in Foxborough, southwest of downtown Boston, so fans traveling in for a World Cup match should plan ahead for traffic, parking and transportation. Gillette Stadium’s listed capacity varies slightly by source, with the Kraft Group describing it as a 65,878-seat stadium and Gillette Stadium’s own overview listing capacity at 64,628.FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures, datesThe 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 and concludes with the final on July 19. Matches will be held throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada.You can buy tickets to every match here.RoundDatesGroup StageJune 11-27Round of 32June 28-July 3Round of 16July 4-7QuarterfinalsJuly 9-11SemifinalsJuly 14-15Bronze FinalJuly 18Gold FinalJuly 19

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of the fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. | Martin Meissner For nearly a century, the world has gathered for what is recognized as the most popular sporting event in the world as national soccer teams across the globe represent their home country with millions, and even billions, of eyes watching.From the most recent final in 2022 between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, to the infamous “Hand of God” moment, the FIFA World Cup is full of moments that are debated and replayed inside the minds of soccer fans forever. As the June 11 opening of the 2026 World Cup approaches, with play in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, we revisit 10 moments (in no particular order) from past World Cups.Ball controversy of 1930Since 1970, Adidas has provided the game ball for use in the World Cup tournament. But prior to the ninth edition of the World Cup, different methods were used to decide on a game ball. In the inaugural tournament, hosted by Uruguay in 1930, both teams had to mutually agree on a ball, but the final saw a disputation that could not be resolved and resulted in the use of two different balls. According to National News, the first half the match saw Argentina’s “Tiento,” which ended in a 2-1 lead for Argentina, but the second half featured Uruguay’s “T-Model,” and Uruguay came from behind to win the final 4-2.‘Hand of God’What list could be made without the most controversial goal perhaps ever scored in soccer. In the 1986 quarterfinal match between England and Argentina, 5-foot-5 Diego Maradona scored a goal with his hand as he jumped up against a much taller goalie. The referees did not call the handball to the give Argentina the lead 1-0 in what ended as a 2-1 finish and England’s elimination. After the match when Maradona was asked about the goal he quipped it was “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”Diego Maradona infamous “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup pic.twitter.com/LAyJ7TjzxQ— Forgotten Footy (@ForgottenFootyy) June 3, 2026Materazzi headbuttIn the 2006 World Cup held in Germany, the final provided an intense ending before a penalty shootout. Tempers were flaring in extra time when Frenchman Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the chest — a moment that shocked the world. It came after some grabbing and trash talking when Zidane told Materazzi if he wanted his jersey he could have it after the match, to which Materazzi responded by disparaging the Frenchman’s family, provoking the strike from Zidane.Materazzi insulting Zidane's sister in the world cup finals lead to this explosive headbutt reaction from Zidane 🤯A moment of REVENGE forever etched in the football history. https://t.co/x7swNrkGz0pic.twitter.com/8X8mVzsnfL— 𝐌𝐨𝐢𝐬é𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐨🇪🇨 (@CaicedoEra_) January 11, 2026For his offense, Zidane received a red card and was ejected from the final professional match of his career, creating an iconic picture as he walked by the World Cup trophy. France would go on to lose to Italy in a 5-3 shootout.Suarez bite scandalLuis Suarez may be best known for his biting scandals which resulted in a nine-match international suspension and a four-month ban from any football activities. The soccer star tried to play it off following the group stage match against Italy in the 2014 World Cup, calling his bite something “that happens out on the pitch that you shouldn’t make such a big deal out of.”Luis Suarez Dropped after 4 World Cups.. almost Two decades he served Uruguay Team .. Finally No Bytes shows in the world cup pic.twitter.com/URRNyxSil5— CommonMan659 (@DheeraKL) May 31, 2026But with his previous bites occurring in 2010 and 2013, his words were unconvincing.Alberto’s icing on the cakeThe 1970 World Cup final was already in hand as the Brazilians did not need to do much more to emerge victorious in the final minutes up 3-1 against Italy. But Carlos Alberto still had energy as he scored what is considered by many one of the greatest team goals in the history of the sport. Its remarkable display of teamwork, being passed nine times, the play was finished up with an emphatic strike with Alberto coming out of nowhere and firing it through for the team’s fourth goal.I've been LOVING the World Cup channels on SS. Watched the Brazil 1970 world cup doccie and had no idea that WC meant so much to that country and the world at that time.That Carlos Alberto goal is just 🤌Incredibly insightful. pic.twitter.com/pyFvn4mGAg— Cape Town, Bru /\/¯¯¯¯¯\/ (@CapeTown_Bru) June 3, 2026Years later, ESPN reports former French footballer Eric Cantona said, “I refuse to accept that Carlos Alberto’s goal in the final was any less beautiful than the poetry of the young Rimbaud.”Messi vs. Mbappe France's Kylian Mbappe, right, watches Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. | Francisco Seco Often considered the greatest World Cup final ever played, the 2022 match featured one of the best to ever play in Messi, who held just about every achievement you can think of except a World Cup, and rising star Mbappe. The match saw both stars combine for five goals, and ultimately go to penalty kicks where Messi and Argentina spoiled Mbappe’s hat trick for the country’s third World Cup.Recap to last year World Cup when mbappe nearly shattered Messi dream of winning the World Cup. https://t.co/YRJ46p7tO1pic.twitter.com/DvEgZwX6NW— Trez (@TrezFT) June 3, 2026Baggio’s missed penalty kickAll eyes were intently watching the finish when the U.S. hosted its first World Cup in 1994. The final match at the Rose Bowl ended in a shootout following a scoreless regulation between Brazil and Italy. Down 3-2 in the shootout, Roberto Baggio’s attempt to the tie the shootout at a 3 apiece sailed over the crossbar resulting in a fourth World Cup for Brazil as celebration began immediately.July 17, 1994: After scoring 5 goals throughout the tournament, Italian 🇮🇹 legend Roberto Baggio misses the final penalty shootout kick and Brazil 🇧🇷 wins the World Cup Final.pic.twitter.com/WnGODxWmDD— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) July 18, 2024Diego Maradona’s World Cup exitContinuing with the first World Cup on U.S. soil, Argentine great, Maradona, saw his final international appearance as he tested positive for banned substances. The great’s abrupt expulsion in 1994 sent shockwaves as the world learned his final match would be played in Foxborough, Massachusetts. His final goal was scored in a 4-0 victory over Greece, iconic for his intense roar into the camera to celebrate.Este gol que le hace el Diego a Grecia, debe ser de los más lindos que tiene pic.twitter.com/cQOpn5vJbw— DIEGO (@DiegoArchives) June 2, 2026U.S. shocks EnglandIn a true “David and Goliath” game, the 1950 U.S. men’s team saw a roster of part-time soccer players, including a teacher, mailmen and a mill worker. Dubbed “Miracle on Grass,” the U.S. snagged a 1-0 victory over powerhouse England, a shocker few even thought possible. Despite the team’s historic win, two losses to Chile and Spain prevented them from reaching the knockout round, per History.Pele’s headerOne of the tournament’s most memorable players connected on one of his most memorable goals against Italy in the 1970 World Cup final. With a marvelous show of athleticism the 5-foot-8 legend towered over the Italian defender to head the ball into the net, putting Brazil up 1-0 in a match the green and yellow team ran away with, 4-1.1970 World Cup Final 🇲🇽Brazil 4-1 Italy 🇧🇷🇮🇹This match defines Pelé’s greatness 👑A goal, leadership, vision — the purest football. The night of Pelé becomes immortal 🏆⚽Is Pelé the most complete football player ever? pic.twitter.com/S1CkI6CMyn— VintageFootballTV (@Vintage77Ball) March 20, 2026

The Packers are all-in on Christian Watson.That is the obvious takeaway after general manager Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay committed $110.5 million over the next four years to the 27-year-old receiver, who has yet to complete a full season through the first four years of his career.Packers place big bet on Christian Watson’s upsideGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) makes a catch against Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.Over at CBS Sports, analyst Jared Dubin argues that Watson’s new contract is an endorsement that the Packers believe he has true WR1 upside.“Watson enters his fifth season,” Dubin writes for CBS. “Having recorded 133 catches for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns through his first four years. He missed a portion of last season while recovering from an injury that ended his 2024 campaign, then caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six scores in his 10 games played in 2025.“Watson has largely been a rotational player throughout his career, playing between 56% and 77% of snaps, with that 77% mark coming back in 2023, when he played in only nine games. The Packers previously used a heavy rotation at wide receiver, but with the offseason departures of Romeo Doubs via free agency and Dontayvion Wicks via trade, the room should consolidate around Watson, Jayden Reed and 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden. That consolidation could allow Watson’s sparkling per-route and per-target efficiency to shine through on a full-season basis, as it hasn’t yet.”Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesAfter trading Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles, and allowing Romeo Doubs to sign as a free agent with the Patriots, all eyes and all the pressure are on second-year standout Matthew Golden and Watson to develop into top of the depth chart difference makers at receiver.Watson has shown flashes, he’s now being paid like a top target, and this season could be his first best chance to prove he belongs in that WR1 conversation.

Two gay police officers are suing the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for allegedly denying them promotions because of their sexuality. Detective Anna Fishel and Lieutenant Douglas Raguso claim the department repeatedly passed them over for promotions to roles for which they were qualified, the Seattle Times reports. Related Seattle cops raided two gay bars, finding an exposed nipple & a jock strap Fishel, a detective in the SPD’s policy unit, reportedly applied to become a sergeant in 2024. While officers are typically transferred to patrol units when they become sergeants, Fishel requested to remain with the policy unit because a transfer to a patrol unit would conflict with her duties as a single mother of a school-age child. She rose to the top position on the department’s promotion list and, with the support of several ranking supervisors, was promoted to a temporary acting sergeant and later to a permanent acting sergeant with her unit. But when she applied for a sergeant position again in 2025, the lawsuit claims, SPD Chief Shon Barnes told her the department was prioritizing sergeant positions in the patrol unit. The suit alleges that the department then gave a sergeant’s position in the policy unit to a straight man. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In November, Fishel applied for a sergeant’s position in the office of police accountability, which was filled by a sergeant from another division. Deputy Chief Yvonne Underwood allegedly told Fishel that sergeant positions were available only to officers willing to spend a year in patrol units. According to the Times, Fishel’s lawsuit notes that this requirement appears nowhere in SPD’s policies. “The city’s continued assertion that patrol is the only available promotional option fails to acknowledge and accommodate Ms. Fishel’s obligations as a mother,” the complaint states. It further alleges that Fishel’s “gender and sexual orientation have each been substantial factors in the city’s failure to promote her to a non-patrol sergeant position.” Similarly, Raguso, who has served in the SPD since 2004 and as a lieutenant since 2022, rose to the top of the department’s promotion list for captain after testing for the role in 2023. But according to the lawsuit, SPD “unofficially” froze the list with Raguso at the top. No promotions were made from that list “until a straight male officer became eligible for promotion… and took over the number one position,” seven months later. With Raguso back in the No. 1 position, the department froze the list again. Raguso remained in the top position as an eligible promotional candidate for more than 12 months before the list expired, the suit claimed. Raguso began serving as watch commander in the department’s East Precinct in early 2024 and frequently served as acting captain. After Raguso became lieutenant commander of the Real-Time Crime Center in September 2025, along with four other lieutenants, including Lt. Michael Tietjen. According to PubliCola, Tietjen was accused in 2007 of choking a man in a wheelchair and planting drugs on him. In 2020, he reportedly drove his unmarked SUV into a sidewalk full of protesters against police violence. Despite opposition from the LGBTQ+ community, SPD Chief Barnes promoted Tietjen to captain in September 2025, putting him in charge of the East Precinct in the Seattle gayborhood of Capitol Hill. The Times reports that Raguso claims Barnes blamed Raguso for leaking Tietjen’s promotion to captain. In October 2025, PubliCola reported that Barnes removed Tietjen from the Capitol Hill position, blaming the outlet’s reporting for causing “a crisis of confidence among our LGBTQIA+ community members.” Raguso’s complaint alleges that his “sexual orientation has been a substantial factor in the city’s failure to promote him to captain.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Nature, Published online: 04 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01770-8Researchers analysed the scientific impact of dual-use research in US patent records and bibliometric databases.

The center’s general counsel also said that a federal judge’s order meant the president’s name must be taken off indoor and outdoor signage by June 12.

After months of uncertainty, and without an approved budget or secured venue, the orchestra has been unable to schedule its next season.

DES MOINES − Once again, Iowa City Regina is headed to the Iowa high school boys state soccer championship game.The Regals advanced thanks to a 1-0 victory decided by penalty kicks (5-4) over West Central Valley on June 4 at Mediacom Stadium. Midfielder-turned-goalie Evan Greve vaulted into hero status, switching from the field to between the pipes for the penalty shootout and making the game-winning save to advance. This marks the ninth time Regina has reached the state finals. The Regals' high-powered offense was creating ample opportunities in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net. A large reason why was West Central Valley goalkeeper Mason Fortney, who made eight saves in the first half alone to keep the score at 0-0.Regina continued to sustain pressure deep into West Central Valley's side of the field in the second half, as the Wildcats stacked the box to disrupt the Regals' offense. By the time 80 minutes had passed, neither team could find the back of the net, sending it to overtime. In the second overtime period, Regina star senior Laird Holden had a pair of grade-A chances to score, but Fortney continued to play strong to send the match to penalty kicks."I thought they (West Central Valley) were a good team," said Regina head coach Rick Larew. "They understood how to shut us down and that was just pack things in the back. We kept coming at them, they shut down Laird from scoring. We executed our game plan as best we could, they're just a very good team that held us in check."In the first set of five penalty kicks, Regina buried three of their five shots. West Central Valley had an opportunity to clinch the game on their fifth attempt with three makes already, but Aiden Clauson's shot rang off the crossbar to keep it at 3-3 after five attempts. Then, Regina's Kevyn Dominguez and Jackson Kopecky each made their penalty kicks to get up to five for Iowa City Regina. West Central Valley's Garret Wolfe stepped up to match it, but an outstanding save from Greve sealed the deal to send Iowa City Regina to Friday's state championship game.More: Iowa high school soccer boys state tournament: Scores, bracket updatesWhile Greve is an integral part on the field for Regina, the team had all the confidence in the world for him to step up in goal, considering what they saw out of him in practice."He's a sensational goalie, he may be one of the best goalies in the state," Larew said. "For us, he plays down the field, but he's one of the best goalies in the state. It didn't surprise me he did that well, because in practice, he does that."The Wildcats end the season with a 15-2-1 record and made the program's sixth-ever state tournament appearance. Fortney was stellar in the effort with 12 total saves, but the match was left up to the always unpredictable penalty kicks.The Regals will await the winner of West Sioux and St. Albert to see who they will battle for a state title. Regina has had some good luck in the state finals in the past, winning all eight of their previous appearances. The Regals are seeking their first state title since 2019.While a victory on Friday would match Iowa City West for the most boys soccer state titles ever in Iowa, they'll take the next match five minutes at a time."Most goals are scored the first five minutes, the last five minutes of a half and the five minutes after a goal," Larew said. "This tournament showed it, so we want to play a great first five minutes."Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Regina defeats West Central Valley to make Iowa state soccer finals

First Rothesay Test, Lord's (day one of five)England 140: Brook 56; Jamieson 5-62, N Smith 3-38New Zealand 61-6: Phillips 31*; Robinson 4-10New Zealand are 79 runs behindScorecardOllie Robinson took three wickets in his first over for England in more than two years to breathe life into their post-Ashes rebuild on day one of the first Test against New Zealand.Robinson had been ignored since 2024, including on the dismal tour of Australia, but showed England what they have been missing on an astonishing day when 16 wickets fell at Lord's.After the home side lost a crucial toss and were hustled out for only 140, it was vital they made use of the favourable bowling conditions after two lengthy rain delays.And seamer Robinson did so in sensational fashion. With his third delivery he trapped Devon Conway lbw then, with the crowd singing his name, had the great Kane Williamson bat-pad to short leg.In an electric atmosphere, the Sussex seamer completed a triple-wicket maiden by having Rachin Ravindra lbw to the first ball he faced.Robinson later bowled Daryl Mitchell to have four wickets for 10 runs. When Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue took a wicket apiece, New Zealand were in tatters at 29-6. The Black Caps eventually closed on 61-6 - 79 behind.It leaves England on top of a Test match they could have batted themselves out of when they were dismissed inside 40 overs.New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, also playing his first Test in more than two years after a string of injuries, was superb in taking 5-62.England's approach to batting is so often under scrutiny, but on this occasion they deserve some leeway because of the conditions.In fact, as many of his team-mates seemed reluctant to take an attacking approach, it was the aggression of Harry Brook that gave him a priceless 56, albeit in an innings when he was dropped twice.Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

🚨 BREAKING: Liverpool announce appointment of Andoni IraolaLiverpool have formally announced the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club's new manager. The news arrives after swift negotiations, with the Reds looking to replace the sacked Arne Slot as the club gears up for the 2026/27 season. Iraola was the frontrunner for the position following a strong campaign with Premier League side Bournemouth. The Cherries finished sixth in the table, just three points behind Liverpool despite losing fewer games. “Really excited, really excited,” Iraola said in a club statement. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world.“But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club. You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool."Many would have anticipated Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso to take over following Slot's departure, but he opted to sign with Chelsea. Iraola will now take over at the club while a handful of players are away on international duty for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Why Diamondbacks sent Brandon Pfaadt to minors in intriguing move originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the mix in the National League Wild Card race and could emerge as buyers at this year's trade deadline. Of course, the next few months will have to go their way for that to happen. Before that, they've decided to adjust their pitching staff, sending a reliever to the minors to be stretched out as a starting pitcher. According to a report from Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, right-hander Brandon Pfaadt has been optioned to Triple-A Reno. "Pfaadt once looked to be establishing himself as a core rotation piece in Arizona. He came up in 2023 and gave the Snakes 96 innings. His 5.72 earned run average wasn’t strong, but he turned things on at the right time," Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors wrote Thursday. "He posted a 3.27 ERA over five postseason starts, helping the Diamondbacks go as far as the World Series that year." The D-Backs moved Pfaadt to the bullpen a few months ago, but now the organization has decided to build his pitch count. The best way to do that without impacting the Major League club is to send him to Triple-A. MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agencyIn 13 appearances this season, including three starts, Pfaadt owns a 5.92 ERA with 31 strikeouts and a 1.500 WHIP in 38 innings. Last March, Arizona signed the 27-year-old to a five-year extension that runs through the 2030 season. More MLB news:5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for CardinalsEx-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 successCubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GMYankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solutionPhillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius