GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 30: Andy Robertson of Scotland during the international friendly match between Scotland and Curacao at Hampden Park on May 30, 2026 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Visionhaus/Getty Images Good morning dear hoddlers. We are getting closer and closer to the start of the World Cup.There’ve been lots of friendlies going on in the last few days before the tournament properly starts, but there’s one I want to point out because of a new Tottenham player’s instant impact.That’s right – I’m talking about Andrew Robertson.Not only did the new Spurs signing provide an assist during Scotland’s 4-0 win against Bolivia on Saturday, he’s also captaining the squad this tournament.Another Spurs representative at the World Cup! 🫡Our new signing will captain Scotland at the tournament 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/CanM2Cc4oZ— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 5, 2026For those interested in following along our boy Robertson, here are Scotland’s three group games:vs Haiti (13 June)vs Morocco (19 June)vs Brazil (24 June)Also, speaking of Tottenham players: Djed Spence provided an assist to Harry Kane during England’s 1-0 win against New Zealand. And, for those of us tracking the English team, here are their three group games:vs Croatia (17 June)vs Ghana (23 June)vs Panama (27 June)Fitzie’s track of the day:Where Are We Going?, by Donald ByrdAnd now for your links:The Guardian: “‘Luckily I play with my feet’: Spence talks up World Cup hopes despite broken jaw”The Independent: “World Cup 2026 kits: Every home and away shirt ranked and rated”

The San Antonio Spurs are five-time NBA champions, most recently in 2014 [Getty Images]Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points as the San Antonio Spurs cut the New York Knicks' lead in the NBA Finals to 2-1 with a 115-111 win at Madison Square Garden.US President Donald Trump, in the crowd as the iconic venue hosted its first Finals game since 1999, was booed when he was shown on the big screen during the national anthem.He is the first sitting president to attend the championship series.Wembanyama, whose errors cost the Spurs in game two, added eight rebounds and six assists.He was supported by 23 points from Stephon Castle and 13 off the bench from Dylan Harper as the Spurs avoided going 3-0 down - a deficit from which no team has recovered in the Finals.Defeat ended a 13-game winning streak for the Knicks - two short of the Golden State Warriors' 2017 record - as they chase their first championship since 1973.Only five of the 37 teams who have led 2-0 have failed to win the Finals."We've done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done," said Wembanyama."We're not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come."The Spurs trailed 64-57 at half-time but went ahead with a 35-point third quarter.A three-pointer from Castle with one minutes 53 seconds left extended their lead to 111-104 and - unlike in game one, when they came unstuck against a late surge from the Knicks - the Spurs held firm.Although OG Anunoby hit a late three-pointer to cut the Spurs' lead to two points, Castle scored two free throws in the final 10 seconds.Anunoby finished with 28 points and Jalen Brunson 32 for the Knicks.The best-of-seven series continues at the same venue on Wednesday (01:30 BST, Thursday) before the teams return to San Antonio for game five on Saturday (01:30, Sunday).NBA fixtures & results

"I'm still very blurry. That's the whole problem."That's how Victor Wembanyama described himself in the immediate aftermath of Game 2, trying to get his head around the disastrous final few possessions that put the Spurs in an 0-2 hole. He said at the time he needed to slow his mind down and get some clarity."The Playoffs, it's like a — I don't know how to say that word — a whirlwind. It's hard to put your head out of the water," Wembanyama said of his headspace. "Sometimes I don't even go to watch the game back right away. I need some time off, let my brain cool down, recover. Recover as much for the body as for the mind."Wembanyama took that time off before Game 3 and found his clarity sitting in Gramercy Park in New York on Sunday, sketching a picture of a statue (of Edwin Booth, legendary Shakespearean actor of the mid-1800s, although unfortunately for him, he is better remembered as the brother of John Wilkes Booth).Victor Wembanyama drawing with his sister in a park in NYC (: hoopsnation on IG)#GoSpursGo#PorVidapic.twitter.com/FclI2m7TVv— Wemby Alien Era (@WembyAlienEra) June 8, 2026"I drew the statue in that park..." Wemby said.Was the drawing any good?"Not bad. Pretty good," Wembanyama said with a smile.His performance in Game 3 was more than pretty good.A clear-headed Wembanyama went out and scored 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting, had eight rebounds and six assists, plus three blocks. He was the best player on the court.Because of Wembanyama — and 23 from Stephon Castle on a bounce-back night for him, too — the Spurs have their first win in this Finals series, beating the Knicks 115-111 on Monday night. New York still leads the series 2-1, and Game 4 on Wednesday night becomes massive."Wemby played great," Knicks coach Mike Brown said. "He had probably seven lob dunks because we didn't follow attention to detail and try to take that away."Getting to the rimMental clarity was part of it, but for San Antonio, it was also something simple (but not always easy to do): Getting back to what they see as their style of basketball."I thought we made some strides in terms of the ball movement and playing with our teammates, setting screens, trusting the basketball would find the right guy for our shot," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "I thought we showed better poise at times."San Antonio made a point of getting Wembanyama going at the rim early — his first four baskets came within four feet of the rim. However, it wasn't just him — Castle, Dylan Harper and De'Aaron Fox all were touching paint on drives."Just us playing to our strengths, not allowing [New York packing the paint] to stop our aggressiveness getting to the paint," Johnson said. "Just understanding when we're being aggressive and touching the paint, it's not always for us to score. I feel like that opens up passing lanes and puts them in rotations. I feel like when we change sides and move the ball like that, especially after a paint touch, I feel like we're pretty hard to stop."AREA 51'S FIRST NBA FINALS WIN Wemby: 32 PTSCastle: 23 PTSFirst teammates, age 22 or younger, to score 20+ PTS in an NBA Finals game! pic.twitter.com/hv50OVlSSR— NBA (@NBA) June 9, 2026Where Wembanyama really took over was in the fourth quarter, when he scored 10 points and had a key block on Landry Shamet at the rim.Jalen Brunson has dominated the court quarters in this series, and he had a dozen in the fourth in this one, but the difference in Game 3 was that Wemby had help, and Brunson did not. De'Aaron Fox had six points in the fourth quarter and hit the dagger jumper with 12.2 seconds left, while Dylan Harper scored five points and hit clutch free throws. For the Knicks, OG Anunoby scored six in the fourth quarter, but the rest of the team shot 1-of-15.With his clear head and big game, Wembanyama earned a vulgar chant from the Knicks faithful, one usually reserved for the Knicks' biggest villains, including Reggie Miller and, more recently, Trae Young. Is that now becoming Wembanyama?"I guess," he said with a shrug, and then joked, "I'm nowhere near Trae Young level, though."Another clear-headed performance like this one and another win on Wednesday night and Wemby will reach Young's lofty level, and more.

The United States Court of International Trade is seen in front of the Jacob K. Javits Federal building in this, March 18, 2015 photo, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)2026-06-09T04:02:06Z NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency official is set to testify in federal court Tuesday about the U.S. government’s plans for refunding billions of dollars that importers paid before the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump illegally imposed certain tariffs on goods from most other countries. Court of International Trade Judge Richard Eaton said he wanted to hear details that would help him decide whether to order the government to speed up and expand its system for issuing tariff refunds. The Justice Department subsequently appealed an earlier order by Eaton to make all businesses that paid the now-defunct import taxes eligible for refunds plus interest. The Justice Department argued in a court document that only companies that were parties in any of the more than 2.500 lawsuits that challenged the tariffs were legally entitled to seek refunds. With the dispute now in the hands of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Tuesday’s hearing may provide more clarity about the next phase of the refund process. First phase of tariff refunds is still ongoingEaton ordered Customs and Border Protection in March to create a system by which “all importers of record” could apply for their share of the $166 billion CBP estimated it had collected before the Supreme Court struck down the global tariffs. The agency launched the online system April 20, saying it would first review applications from importers whose tax bills had not been finalized. Claims for refunds totaling $89.6 billion had been accepted for processing as of June 1, according to CBP, and the agency reported last month that it had so far directed the Treasury Department to issue $20.6 billion in refunds. The pace and scope of the process became a contentious matter, however, when Eaton directed CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott to appear in court to discuss the agency’s timeline for complying with the judge’s “universal” order. The Justice Department objected and asked if one of Scott’s deputies could attend the hearing instead. Read More When Eaton insisted on hearing directly from the head of the agency, Justice Department lawyers appealed both that mandate and the judge’s broader ruling on refund eligibility. On Thursday, the Federal Circuit agreed to temporarily suspend the requirement for Scott to testify. Eaton agreed to hear from Susan Thomas, the agency’s executive assistant commissioner for trade. Who gets access to the next phase of tariff refundsThe hearing is expected to focus on CBP’s capability and willingness to open the refund process to companies with tariff payments that date back the farthest. So far, the agency has limited applications to businesses that either did not have their tax bills finalized by the time the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs in late February or whose bills had been settled within the preceding 80 days. In a court declaration ahead of the hearing, Thomas said CBP was developing a way to handle refunds involving older shipments but would not process cases beyond the 80-day window while Eaton’s order requiring for all duty payers was on appeal. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. “Should the court’s order become final and require reliquidation of entries of all importers, CBP intends to fully comply with the court’s final decision as expeditiously as possible,” she wrote. At issue is the agency’s detailed and deadline-driven process for reviewing and clearing customs declarations on new imports. When foreign goods enter the U.S., importers or customs brokers acting on their behalf estimate the amount of tariffs owed and make a deposit toward the final bill. CBP then has 314 days — and up to four years, if necessary — to review the declared goods, determine the actual amount owed, and either require more or less than the deposit. The taxed merchandise then is pronounced “liquidated.” Importers have 180 days to protest CBP’s determination. Goods typically can’t be reassessed after that point. Eaton has said he is holding Tuesday’s hearing “to ascertain if it is the government’s policy to return all of the unlawfully collected duties either by complying with the court’s order, or by some other means.” Lawyers for the five companies behind the lawsuit that produced the judge’s order said it would be unconstitutional for them to pay less tariffs than other companies that also paid the invalidated duties, which the Supreme Court held Trump improperly imposed by citing an emergency powers law to usurp Congress’ taxmaking authority. The companies have asked Eaton to certify their case as a class action on behalf of “potentially tens of thousands of identically situated importers.”Meghann Supino, a partner at the law firm Ice Miller, said she thinks CBP will continue to build out the technology needed to refund all tariffs, but “whether they open it up to non-litigants and importers that do not have orders for their own sake is going to continue to be an issue with the appeal.” MAE ANDERSON Anderson reports for The Associated Press on a wide range of issues that small businesses face. She is based in New York. twitter mailto

High school students from left, Vasilije Stjepanovic, Aslan Ozhan Kilicasan and Melina Sallahi pose with a history text book at Malmo Borgarskola high school in Malmo, Sweden, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/James Brooks)2026-06-09T04:10:01Z MALMÖ, Sweden (AP) — Long championed as a leader in adopting digital technology, Sweden is set to ban mobile phones in schools beginning in the fall for the next academic year as part of a broad, international reversal on the use of screens in classrooms.Since 2023, the Scandinavian country’s center-right coalition government has pursued a policy prioritizing more reading time and less screen time, particularly among preschool students, by favoring books and other traditional learning tools. Lawmaker Joar Forsell, chairperson of the Swedish parliament’s education committee, said officials have seen a decline in the general ability to read and write in Sweden, especially among younger students.“We’re rolling the screens back because we believe that books and more traditional ways of learning are better for kids,” Forsell said.Sweden’s plans are part of a broader shift and a digital reckoning against smartphones in schools internationally after countries outfitted their campuses with laptops, tablets and learning apps for their students. Classrooms have become saturated with screens and a growing number of parents, teachers and school districts say it is time to scale back. In the Nordics, Denmark looks set to implement a similar ban to Sweden, and a law restricting use of mobile devices in schools in Finland came into effect last August. Other countries from Spain to South Korea have taken a variety of steps that range from a ban of mobile phones in classrooms to limits on screen-based homework. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the U.S., has said it will ban screens until second grade, require daily caps for screen time per grade, ban YouTube and require an audit of all education technology contracts. Backing away from screensTech-savvy Sweden, which is home to music streamer Spotify and telecoms giant Ericsson, has one of the most digitally advanced education systems in the world. But the mobile ban aims to foster learning environments with fewer distractions by building on restrictions on phones already independently implemented by many schools in the nation of over 10 million. Alongside the ban, the government this year set aside 555 million Swedish krona ($59 million) as part of a new grant for purchasing textbooks and teachers’ guides. The back-to-books policy was triggered by falling reading levels. In the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment, the latest study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders did not reach a basic level of reading comprehension. That figure is only slightly better than the European Union average of 26.2%. Read More Magnus Haake, an associate professor of cognitive science at Lund University in southern Sweden, said learning with physical materials engages the motor sensory part of kids’ brains and “boosts the whole system.” Sweden also is taking steps outside of school: Its public health agency has provided advice to parents about being better role models on use of screens, like having the same “screen-free zones” at home as their kids do. Removing mobile phones removes distractionsAt the Malmö Borgarskola high school in southern Sweden, mobiles are already banned during classes. Students place their handsets in a box — nicknamed a “Mobile Hotel” — and pick them up at the end of class.“When you have a phone, there’s always something to look at,” student Melina Sallahi, 17, said. “It’s less of a distraction.”Classmate Vasilije Stjepanovic, also 17, said apps like games or social media are “more fun than learning,” adding that students can learn better by taking away the phones.At the same time, every student is given a laptop computer. But Deputy Headmaster Patrik Sander said students are now discouraged from using them in class, unless teachers say so. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. “Nowadays, we see the push going in the other direction,” Sander said. “We have pushed back, learning that writing with your hands and a pencil helps you remember.”Starting last summer, Swedish children under 2 years old could use only nondigital materials such as books, and preschoolers in general face no requirement to use digital learning tools. A new curriculum to prioritize book-based learning is expected in 2028. Divisions over digital reckoning in classroomsNot everyone in the Nordic nation supports the shift away from digital learning. Trade association Swedish Edtech Industry said in a report that 90% of all future jobs are expected to require digital skills. A lack of this knowledge could cause a skills shortage among young Swedes, a lack of innovation in the public sector and even increased unemployment, the report warned. Peter Carlsson, CEO of Malmö-based startup Imvi Labs, which uses virtual reality headsets to train brain-eye coordination in children and adults, said not all screens disrupt learning and some software is “critical” to help children with learning or reading difficulties. “By having good tools, the teaching can become more efficient,” he said. But at Malmö Borgarskola, there is little concern over learning digital skills. One morning in May, students clutched textbooks and discussed Russian history as they prepared for end-of-year exams. “Everyone uses digital devices during their free time, so I don’t think that’s something that should be taught in school,” student Melina Sallahi said. “It’s nothing I’m worried about.” Classmate Aslan Özhan Kilicasan added, “We learn much more easily when we use books.”

Jon Stewart called the president’s interview his “worst nightmare: a woman who won’t stop asking pertinent questions.”

There seems to be only one conclusion to the future of a Manchester City keeperThe 2025-26 season didn’t exactly go to plan for James Trafford. Trafford was signed by Manchester City last summer from Burnley. Trafford had high hopes of one day becoming Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper. However, City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG on deadline day last summer, and Trafford was City’s backup and cup competition keeper last season. While James Trafford started Manchester City’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins over Chelsea and Arsenal, there is no doubt that he would’ve hoped to do a lot more last season. Entering the summer transfer window, it would be a major surprise if Trafford was still at Manchester City to begin next season.James Trafford had his moments for Manchester City last season but they were few and far between.While James Trafford started in both of Manchester City’s cup wins last season, the 2025-26 season didn’t go to plan for him. He only made 17 appearances in all competitions last season. Trafford was Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper as Gianluigi Donnarumma established himself as City’s first-choice goalkeeper. Having said all that, Trafford did have his moments last season.His best performance came when Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in last season’s Carabao Cup final. Trafford made a massive triple save early in City’s win at Wembley. His performance on that day showed why Trafford is viewed as England’s next number-one goalkeeper. Also, Trafford’s form in Manchester City’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup runs was superb. Trafford showed why he is so highly regarded with a series of composed and quality displays as City claimed a domestic cup double.However, the 2025-26 season didn’t go as hoped for James Trafford. Entering the summer transfer window, it would be a major surprise if he remained at City for next season.At this point it would be a major surprise if James Trafford didn’t leave City this summer.Dean Jones has reported for FlashScore that Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Tottenham are all interested in signing James Trafford this summer. Furthermore, Jones reports that Manchester City would rather find a loan move for Trafford than sell the England international. However, James Trafford may not want such a move to occur.James Trafford may want a fresh start this summer. Trafford may seek an opportunity to establish himself as a club’s first-choice keeper for a prolonged period. That opportunity likely won’t exist while Gianluigi Donnarumma remains at Manchester City. It would be understandable if Trafford seeks a permanent move away from City this summer. For him to become the goalkeeper he has always promised to be, he needs to be playing regularly in a good team.It would seem highly likely that James Trafford will leave Manchester City this summer. A loan move, as Dean Jones suggests, would be ideal for City. However, that may not suit Trafford. Trafford had his moments during the 2025-26 season, but he deserves to start somewhere, so the only conclusion that stands out at the moment is James Trafford will find a permanent move at some point this summer.

NEW YORK — Mike Brown knows that the instant, immediate-aftermath story coming out of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals will be the free-throw discrepancy between his New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs — a 24-8 chasm in the second half, with the Spurs outscoring their hosts by 14 points after intermission in a game they won 115-111 to get on the board in the best-of-seven series.He knows this because he spent the bulk of his 12-minute postgame press conference talking about the gap in free throws, and about his confusion over it, and about how he very much hopes that it won’t happen again in Game 4 on Wednesday night.“And it's going to be that, because I said it,” Brown said. “The story is going to be there.”But while the Knicks taking 10 fewer free throws overall and making seven fewer, in a game they lost by four is a story, it’s not the story. Not really, anyway.“That ain't cost us the game,” Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns said.No, the story is that, in the franchise’s first NBA Finals home game in 27 years, the other shoe finally dropped.Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentFor the first time in 47 days, Brown’s club ended the night on the short side of the scoreboard. The second-longest winning streak in NBA playoff history is over. The compilations of mind-bending statistics and considerations of this team’s standing in the all-time firmament are, for now, on hold. The Knicks have lost; they are no longer invincible.In fact, after a night where they couldn’t prevent Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle from playing like the ascendant megawatt talents they’d been all season before Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio, the Knicks now appear to be something that they haven’t since they couldn’t get a handle on CJ McCollum nearly two months ago: vulnerable.“They obviously kicked our ass tonight, and that doesn’t feel good,” Knicks guard Landry Shamet said. “That stings.”New York's 13-game playoff winning streak ended as turnovers mounted, Karl-Anthony Towns disappeared and San Antonio finally got on the board.Al Bello via Getty ImagesFor the third time in three games in this series, the Knicks came out on their heels, allowing the Spurs to throw the first punch and open up a first-quarter lead. For the third time in three games in this series, the Knicks responded with a stronger effort in the second quarter — this time, a 42-24 haymaker that sent them into halftime up by seven, and had a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden in full throat, dreaming of an insurmountable 3-0 lead.Those dreams were dashed, though, when the Knicks couldn’t hold onto the golden opportunity in their grasp, seeing it slip through their fingers like one of the many errant passes they tossed and bobbled on Monday.“To be in the position that we were going into halftime, to come out in the third the way we did and to not find a way to win the game obviously is disappointing,” Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns said.After committing turnovers on their first two possessions of the first half, helping San Antonio race out to an early lead, the Knicks also turned the ball over on their first two possessions of the second half. Those empty trips to start the third quarter fueled a quick 6-0 Spurs run; before the Garden faithful could settle back into their seats, that seven-point lead had been slashed to a single point.“Offensively, we were about as stagnant as I've seen us all year, which helped with the 13 turnovers,” Brown said. “If you're in an NBA Finals game and you have 13 turnovers to their eight, and on those 13 turnovers, they generated 21 points, and on their eight turnovers, we generated seven, it's going to be tough.” “Turned the ball over. Didn't execute. Didn't do what got us 13 straight wins in a row,” Towns said. “That's how you lose a game. We didn't do what we've been doing for 13. We decided to do something different, and it ain't going to work. Throwing the ball away is a clear indication of how you're going to lose the game, especially in the playoffs.”Another negative indicator for the Knicks: Towns, the most valuable player of the first two games of the Finals, scoring just 11 points on 10 shot attempts — and going scoreless and without an assist in more than 10 fourth-quarter minutes.Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson juggled his defensive matchups, more frequently putting the 6-foot-6 Castle on Towns and allowing Wembanyama to effectively roam in a roving one-man zone along the back line of the defense — a cross-match that, as has often been the case in the past, seemed to frustrate and limit Towns, stifling his driving and high-post playmaking, and short-circuiting the Knicks’ overall offensive attack in the process:It’s a continuation of a worrisome trend that’s seen Towns’ touches, shooting attempts and overall effectiveness wane since the second half of Game 2 — one that Brown attributed in large part to an overall lack of urgency, pace and intentionality in New York’s offensive approach.“It was the way we played and the things that we were doing offensively,” Brown said. “We were just coming down and just basically playing drag. We'd get the first screen, and then we literally just stood and watched. There was no movement. There was no — like, sometimes KAT has to flash to the elbow. Sometimes, he's got to post up.“Because they are junking the game up by just putting Vic in one of the two corners. So if they junk the game up, I can call a play. But sometimes, you're going to have to just move and cut, and pass the ball quicker, and drive the ball quicker, because it's almost a zone that they are in, to a certain degree, and we didn't do a good job of attacking it.”The numbers bear that out. After scoring more than 1.8 points per possession in that torrid second quarter, the Knicks managed just 1.02 points per play in the second half, and a dismal 0.87 in a fourth quarter that saw them shoot 7-for-27 from the field and 2-for-14 from 3-point range, with trip after languid trip ending with a hope-and-a-prayer bailout shot late in the clock.“I liked some of the looks [we got in the fourth quarter], but I also think we were pretty stagnant,” said Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who finished with a team-high 32 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists but also 5 turnovers. “There's definitely things that we can learn from. Especially with our approach when we start the game and with the way we start the half. I don't think we did well, and I don't think I did well either.”Sometimes, those late-game prayers were answered; Brunson scored 12 of New York’s 20 fourth-quarter points, and he and OG Anunoby made triples in the final minute that cut what had been an eight-point deficit to two with 9.4 seconds remaining. More often than not, though, the Knicks’ late looks clanged clear or rattled out, with Towns, Shamet, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combining to go 0-for-12 from the floor in the deciding frame.“I got some great looks,” said Shamet, who entered Game 3 shooting 67.6% from 3 over his previous eight games, but who went just 1-for-7 on Monday. “I had a few that were down and out. Process over outcome. I’m more upset about some of the things defensively that I’ve been priding myself on. I had a few possessions tonight where I didn’t do my job like I needed to. That’s fixable.”The Knicks walk away from Game 3 feeling like there’s plenty they can fix. Like doing a better job of limiting Wembanyama’s rolls to the basket and more effectively taking away driving lanes for Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper.“There's a couple shots that didn't fall that we had good looks on,” Hart said. “I feel like we didn't get enough stops during the game. We get stops, we play our brand of basketball, and you're not worried about makes and misses.”They can try to do a better job of avoiding early fouls — Bridges picked up two quick ones that effectively ended his night before it even started, as he utterly lacked rhythm and flow for the bulk of his 29 quiet minutes — that can put the Spurs into the bonus for large stretches of quarters. They can try to play stronger with the ball, taking better care of possessions and — maybe above all else — just moving the ball and their bodies more intently.“We were just playing a lot of drag into what we call ‘summertime,’ which is just kind of ball movement and body movement,” Brown said. “We just wanted to stand and watch one guy dribble a ton. And then, when the ball got passed, there were no quick decisions by the guy receiving the basketball [...] Sometimes you've just got to go by guys. But you've got to be smart. You have to take care of the basketball. You have to space right. You have to move the ball. You have to move bodies. We've done that quite a bit, and we didn't do a good job of it tonight.”Why, exactly, the Knicks struggled to execute those principles — the bedrock of what’s made them such a war rig over the past six-plus weeks — is the question that Brown, Brunson, Towns and Co. have to answer between now and tipoff of Game 4 on Wednesday night.“I think it was maybe just a little bit of, you know, antsiness — us trying to make plays faster,” said Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson, who checked in early after getting a DNP-CD in Game 2 and chipped in 10 points off the bench, but also committed a pair of costly turnovers. “I think as a team, it's just something we look at and we change [...] I just think it was us, you know? Coming back home. Playing this game. A lot of energy.”The energy that came with Game 3 — the first-in-27-years of it all, the heightened-security-protocols-because-of-the-president of it all — is now past the Knicks. What’s left is a team with some questions to answer, and the pressure to do it now, lest the golden opportunity they had coming home up 2-0 melt into a miserable scenario where they head back to Texas tied 2-2, with the Spurs once again holding home-court advantage in a three-game sprint to the finish line. After a miraculous month and a half, the other shoe has dropped. The Knicks need to make sure that their next step puts their best foot forward.“At the end of the day, whether we won or lost, we're going to do the same thing,” Hart said. “Watch tomorrow, get better and prepare for the game on [Wednesday]. Same mentality.”

Athletics 1B Nick Kurtz (16) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday June 8, 2026, at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas, Nevada.LAS VEGAS — The Athletics finally brought Major League Baseball to Las Vegas on Monday night, and the first regular-season game in Southern Nevada delivered exactly the kind of spectacle the franchise hopes will become commonplace when it moves into its planned $2 billion ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028.Unfortunately for the home crowd of 10,000-plus at Las Vegas Ballpark, the ending belonged to Milwaukee.The Brewers overcame a four-run deficit, survived a furious Athletics comeback in extra innings and escaped with a dramatic 15-14 victory in 12 innings when Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice brought home Christian Yelich after an errant throw to the plate by Jeff McNeil.It was a fitting finish to one of the wildest games of the season, one that featured 29 runs, 32 hits and 10 home runs as the Brewers improved to 42-23 while the Athletics fell to 31-36.For much of the evening, it appeared the Athletics were headed toward a memorable victory in the franchise’s first regular-season game in Las Vegas. Instead, the celebration turned into a marathon heartbreak.Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers wasted no time electrifying the crowd.On the first pitch of the Athletics' first at-bat in Las Vegas, Langeliers launched a towering home run off the scoreboard in left-center field, sending the crowd into a frenzy and providing a glimpse of the offensive fireworks that followed.Milwaukee struck first on Jake Bauers’ RBI single in the opening inning, but Langeliers’ leadoff blast quickly answered. The Brewers then grabbed a 4-1 lead in the third inning when Turang connected on a two-run homer and Andrew Vaughn added a solo shot off Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs.The Athletics responded with their biggest offensive inning of the season.Recently activated infielder Max Muncy, returning from a six-week absence caused by a hand injury, delivered in his second at-bat. His ground ball was misplayed by Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz, allowing two runs to score and cutting Milwaukee’s lead in half.Tyler Soderstrom followed with a three-run homer that splashed beyond the pool area in center field, and Zack Gelof added a solo shot later in the inning as the Athletics erupted for six runs and an 8-4 advantage.The offensive onslaught chased Brewers starter Kyle Hamilton before he could complete three innings.Springs, meanwhile, was positioned for his first victory since April 14. The veteran left-hander worked five innings and departed with a 7-4 lead, but ultimately received a no-decision as both bullpens struggled to contain the relentless offense.The Athletics extended their lead when Nick Kurtz homered in the sixth inning and Soderstrom launched his second home run of the night in the seventh, helping build a 10-6 advantage.But the Brewers slowly chipped away.Bauers hit a two-run homer in the seventh, Milwaukee added another run on a wild pitch in the eighth and entered the ninth trailing 10-8.Then came another momentum swing.Vaughn, who finished 4-for-6 with four RBIs, delivered a two-run double in the ninth to tie the game at 10-10 and force extra innings.The Brewers appeared to seize control in the 10th when catcher William Contreras crushed a three-run homer, giving Milwaukee a 14-10 lead.The Athletics, however, refused to go quietly.Langeliers delivered an RBI single before Kurtz blasted a two-run homer to pull the Athletics within one. Moments later, Jonah Heim lofted a drive that barely cleared the right-field fence for a game-tying solo homer, completing an improbable four-run rally and sending the crowd into another frenzy.Neither team scored in the 11th.In the 12th, Yelich came around to score the eventual winning run when Turang hit a ground ball and McNeil’s throw home sailed off target, allowing Milwaukee to reclaim the lead.The Athletics could not answer in the bottom half.Soderstrom finished with three hits and two home runs for the Athletics, while Langeliers collected three RBIs and provided the historic first-inning moment. Kurtz added a pair of home runs as the Athletics hit five long balls in defeat.Milwaukee’s offense was equally relentless. Vaughn drove in four runs, Contreras delivered the pivotal extra-inning homer, and Turang played the hero after also homering earlier in the game.The loss overshadowed what was otherwise a landmark evening for the Athletics and Las Vegas. The club is scheduled to play six games at Las Vegas Ballpark this season as part of its transition from Sacramento to Southern Nevada before opening its permanent home on the Strip in 2028.If Monday’s opener was any indication, baseball in Las Vegas will provide no shortage of entertainment.The Athletics will try to earn their first Las Vegas regular-season victory Tuesday night when they continue the three-game series against the Brewers at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Ajla Tomljanovic (right) went on to reach the quarter-finals of the 2022 US Open [Getty Images]Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson were in the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia was on the other side of the net.Friday, 2 September, 2022 would - we thought - be remembered as the day the great Serena Williams played her final professional match.But with a comeback in women's doubles taking place at Queen's Club this week, there will now be a different ending to the story of the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.Tomljanovic is in the history books as the last person to beat the American, prevailing in three thrilling sets on that star-studded New York night.But she does not mind losing the distinction."I remember feeling very conflicted when I played that match, and even after, because it was over for someone that I have looked up to for a very long time," the 33-year-old told BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March."I experienced that match and got the win - but that was more amazing for me. I'll always remember and cherish that. "In a way, I don't really care for these history books where I might not be the last one [to beat Williams]."That's totally OK with me."Ajla Tomljanovic was clinical and composed to beat Serena Williams in 2022 [Getty Images]Williams saved five match points before losing 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 to Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open.A month earlier, she had announced in an essay for fashion magazine Vogue that she would be "evolving away" from tennis after the tournament.President Bill Clinton and hip-hop singer and actor Queen Latifah had been present when Williams beat Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in the first round.Two nights later, Tiger Woods witnessed Williams stun second seed Anett Kontaveit to extend her career.But Tomljanovic had the final say on that unforgettable Friday night in the borough of Queen's against the 'Queen of Queen's' - as Williams had been introduced all week.The match lasted three hours and five minutes in front of the almost capacity 24,000 crowd."It was a crazy match," Tomljanovic recalled."I just remember being so mentally stable in that match and battling so many things that you couldn't really prepare for."I'll probably never play a match like that again and that's something that I cherish because it's very unique."A packed crowd watched Serena Williams take on Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open [Getty Images]Williams had served for the first set before losing four games in a row and was 4-0 up in the second before she weathered a Tomljanovic fightback to take it on a tie-break.But Tomljanovic remained composed in a partisan atmosphere and took advantage of a fading Williams to race away with the third set.Speaking after the match, Tomljanovic told the crowd: "I'm feeling really sorry because I love Serena just as much as you guys do. "What she's done for me, for tennis, is incredible. She is the greatest of all time."Asked afterwards if she would consider a comeback, Williams said: "I don't think so, but you never know."And she has been true to her word. She will return on the grass courts of West Kensington when she plays doubles alongside 19-year-old Canadian star Victoria Mboko at Queen's.Williams' elder sister Venus still plays on the WTA Tour and reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 US Open women's doubles, aged 45."I don't think Serena will come back and be satisfied with making the second week," Tomljanovic said before the American's return was confirmed."Even her last US Open, I think in her mind she was going to win it, so she must be feeling some sort of extra boost of energy."Maybe she's inspired by Venus."Serena Williams won every Grand Slam in singles and women's doubles at least twice [Getty Images]

A Somali referee chosen to officiate at the World Cup has been denied entry into the United States. Omar Artan was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon his arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.CBP confirmed on Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry.Although the CBP statement on Monday did not explicitly name the individual, Artan is the sole World Cup referee representing Somalia.“During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” CBP said in its statement. (AP)“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.”CBP noted that all travelers seeking entry into the U.S. — including athletes, coaches and staff — are subject to CBP inspection and vetting.“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP statement said. “CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”Artan is the sole World Cup referee representing Somalia this summer (Getty)Meanwhile, Iran’s World Cup team arrived in Mexico this weekend wearing lapel pins that paid tribute to the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school at the start of the war with the United States and Israel.The gold-colored pins, worn by players on their jackets upon arrival in Tijuana, Mexico, on Sunday, bore the number "168."The number refers to the victims, predominantly children, who were killed in a February 28 strike on a school in Minab, southern Iran, an attack widely attributed to the U.S.Iran’s embassy in Hungary on Monday acknowledged the pins in a social media post, specifically referencing Minab.The gesture follows a similar tribute by the team in March, prior to a warmup game in Antalya, Turkey. On that occasion, players displayed pink and purple school backpacks during their national anthem, drawing attention to the same incident.

A view of the Basilica of Montserrat at the Monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, Spain, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)2026-06-09T05:07:18Z BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV will bridge 1,000 years of church history Wednesday, visiting a medieval monastery on a mountaintop that local Catholics consider sacred and then celebrating Mass at Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia Basilica.Montserrat, a healthy drive from the city followed by a steep ascent, is dear to many of the Catalan people in northeastern Spain. Annually, 2 million people travel to the complex that includes an 11th-century Benedictine abbey as well as a 16th-century basilica. Its Black Madonna statue, which studies show originally was white but turned dark by centuries of smoke and incense before being painted black, is widely revered.But for many Catholics watching from afar — and especially non-Catholics — the highlight of the Chicago-born pope’s seven-day trip to Spain will be his evening Mass at the Sagrada Familia — the Basilica of the Holy Family — commemorating the centennial of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí. Leo will speak almost exclusively Spanish on the trip, with some comments in Catalan. The visit illustrates his balancing act of upholding centuries-old religious traditions in a country where faith is waning while reaching a global audience from a basilica that is more a magnet for tourists than believers. Yet the two sites share a connection even some locals don’t know. A view of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the city in June. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) A view of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the city in June. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Read More A pulpit for the worldThe Sagrada Familia fuses the universal language of nature — trees, birds, reptiles, cornucopias of fruit — with scenes from Christ’s life. Beyond that unique aesthetic, its allure stems from allowing visitors to bear witness to a great church’s ongoing construction.That began 144 years ago, with the first cornerstone laid in 1882 during the pontificate of Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII.Its claim to “the new” is what sets Gaudí’s masterpiece apart from Europe’s other cathedrals and why it has captivated millions. Leo’s Mass is an opportunity to link him with this breathtaking place of worship. “Its stones and stained glass speak of the possibility of conjuring up 2,000 years of Christian history from a modern and even postmodern view,” Ferran Sáez, professor of humanities at Barcelona’s University of Ramón Llull, told The Associated Press. “It is a building that expresses very complex ideas while coming across as comprehensible for anyone who is receptive, whether they are Christian or not.” Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. The Sagrada Familia is an international sensation, featuring on virtually any self-respecting globetrotter’s bucket list. Foreigners account for 90% of its visitors, whose entrance fees fund its construction, and more Americans visit than Spaniards, according to the basilica.While there aren’t statistics on visitors’ average age, it is hugely popular among adolescents and twentysomethings. That’s in stark contrast to the graying parishioners at most Spanish churches at a moment the Catholic Church strives to engage with and remain relevant to youth. The basilica’s latest superlative — world’s tallest church, with its recently raised Tower of Jesus Christ — has made it an even greater beacon. Visitors take photos inside the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the city in June. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Visitors take photos inside the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the city in June. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Catalans see Montserrat as a spiritual homeThe Sagrada Familia is a global pulpit, but it’s set in a country where Christianity is receding. Spain underwent a religious crisis in the late 20th century during its return to democracy. Just over half of Spaniards polled by the state opinion agency in 2024 self-identified as Catholics, but only about 1 in 5 called themselves practicing Catholics.And Catalonia is one of Spain’s most secular provinces, Sáez said. Catalonia’s Catholics are reserved in their practice, without flamboyant Easter Week processions like those in Seville and other Spanish cities.The force of their faith rests in its holy places: the Sagrada Familia, the Poblet monastery and the Romanesque churches dotting the foothills of the Pyrenees. And, above all, in Montserrat, where pilgrims arrive by bus, cable car, cog railway and strenuous trails.“It is home to our most beloved representation of Mary, the Black Madonna,” Catalan theologian Francesc Torralba told AP. “Many Catalans pray to her and feel close to her in times of need. Montserrat is a key to our culture, as well as our efforts to maintain our language and our traditions.” While Montserrat is the region’s religious epicenter, its faith is “culturally expressed in its artistic creations” like the Sagrada Familia, he added. Tourists pose for a photo at the main square of the Monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, Spain, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Tourists pose for a photo at the main square of the Monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, Spain, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Throngs of touristsAnd it’s that unbridled and unique artistry that draws so many visitors. Many Barcelona residents feel the Sagrada Familia’s fame has driven some of overtourism’s worst ills. Tour buses flood the area with day-trippers from cruise ships, and streets facing the church are full of fast food restaurants and souvenir shops. Protesters who squirted tourists with water guns last year were planning to reach the Sagrada Familia until police stopped them.“Where there are two people (tourists and locals), there can be friction, and that happens in the best marriages,” the Sagrada Familia’s rector, the Rev. Josep Turull, told AP. “So we try, just like with a marriage, for these small crises to be growing pains, and that’s why we try to not just welcome pilgrims and tourists but also make sure that our parishioners feel that this is their basilica.” Leo could bring even more tourists. Pope Benedict XVI’s consecration to make it an operating basilica in 2010 boosted visits from about 3 million a year to nearly 5 million in 2025, according to Xavier Martínez, the CEO of the Sagrada Familia’s construction project.“I believe that on June 10 we will experience something similar to what we saw in 2010,” Martínez said. “At that time, the world discovered the interior of the Sagrada Familia. Now the world will discover the towers of the Sagrada Familia.” Tour guide and historian Mònica Santín has seen the Sagrada Familia’s stunning power for believers and nonbelievers alike; some even weep upon crossing the church’s threshold. As personally fulfilling as it is to help tourists achieve these life-changing moments, she is concerned Leo’s Mass could drive tourism to levels that are unsustainable for the community. A view of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, May 30, 2026, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Barcelona in June. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) A view of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, May 30, 2026, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Barcelona in June. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The sacred sites share a connectionSantín has reserved her spot to see Leo in person, but it won’t be at the basilica. She will instead make the journey to the Montserrat monastery.Santín’s grandmother made the same pilgrimage, walking barefoot to a mountainside cave where legend has it shepherds discovered the Black Madonna statue and prayed for protection for her husband during the Spanish Civil War. Today, Santín wears the ring her grandmother gave her.“I don’t know how it doesn’t fall apart,” Santín said, gently touching her ring, with its profile of the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia, barely visible after so many years. Tourists are reflected in the glass of a museum on the main square of the Monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, Spain, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Tourists are reflected in the glass of a museum on the main square of the Monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, Spain, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More And she notes that Montserrat and the Sagrada Familia have a shared, but little-known, connection.A young Gaudí apprenticed with an architect building the mountaintop chapel for the Virgin of Montserrat, according to Santín, who is researching her doctoral thesis on the architect at Barcelona’s ISCREB theology school. That same architect was originally hired to build the Sagrada Familia, but material costs made his neo-Gothic proposal inviable and the commission went to Gaudí. As part of his radical design, he introduced elements of the mountain.Even the basilica’s sandcastle-like towers resemble the spirelike rock formations that every Catalan can identify as jutting from Montserrat.“Montserrat is our holy mountain,” Santín said. “The Sagrada Familia is like a Montserrat in the middle of the city.” JOSEPH WILSON Wilson covers Spanish news and sports for The Associated Press. He is based in Barcelona. twitter mailto

Braves $20 million bust expected to be traded before MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.With how well the Atlanta Braves have played this season, there is really no debate that they're going to go out and make the necessary moves to improve on all fronts at this trade deadline. The Braves have done well enough to make the big move many fans are hoping for, though they might have to get a bit creative with their trade offers. The Braves have a rather average farm system and not a ton of guys who will bring back a massive return at the deadline. However, there are some players on the big-league roster who could be thrown into some of those packages, or at the very least, moved for other reasons.One of them is Ha-Seong Kim, who MLB.com's Braves reporter recently floated the idea of trading with one of their top pitching prospects to have a team pay the remainder of his $20 million salary.“Kim wouldn’t be the centerpiece of any deal. But it doesn’t feel like he has a fit in Atlanta with both Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo looking like better options at the shortstop position. Pairing Kim with a top pitching prospect and agreeing to pay the remaining portion of his $20 million salary to a middle infield-needy team could net a decent return,” Mark Bowman wrote.The Braves shouldn't really be in the market to shed salary here, but I don't think that's the case if they were to move on from Kim. Unfortunately, Kim just hasn't been the guy the Braves have been looking for this season, as he's currently 5-for-52 and has dealt with too many injuries. The 30-year-old was once viewed as a very good player with the San Diego Padres, but hasn't been great over the past year and a half, with those injuries being at the top of the list as to why.More MLB news:Perfect Anthony Volpe replacement for Yankees could be available, just not for New YorkPhillies need to replace Andrew Painter, and can if they trade for Mike Trout and one other Angels starMets should trade Freddy Peralta now, or they’ll lose value because another ace will go for half the priceBlue Jays' top trade candidate is a 22-year-old some fans might not even knowRed Sox apparently fired a lot of people last year and are now paying the priceFormer Dodgers hyped up prospect expected to be traded, proving Los Angeles right once again

Perfect Anthony Volpe replacement for Yankees could be available, just not for New York originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There's a lot to like about what the New York Yankees have done on both sides of the baseball when healthy this season, but I'm still a bit worried that they aren't as good as they need to be. The Yankees have a chance to win a World Series because of some of their top guys, but the bottom of their lineup definitely needs to be improved. The Yankees replacing guys in the bottom of their lineup with players who can come in and not only make an impact but also be among the better hitters on their roster would be a scary thought. It's impossible to say that the Yankees have all the ammo they need to make every trade at the deadline, but they have enough to land most players.One player that I'd love for them to go after is Jeremy Pena of the Houston Astros. I know there are questions about him being available, but MLB.com recently brought up the idea that he could be on the move, and that should excite a lot of Yankees fans if they get involved.“The Astros, who have gotten several stars back from the injured list in the past couple of weeks, still think they can make a run at the postseason now that they’re getting closer to full strength and are in a weak division, so it’s unlikely they would trade anyone from their Major League roster. “If they do fall out of contention by the Trade Deadline, Peña becomes a possible trade chip. He will be a free agent after next season and has already turned down a contract offer to remain in Houston beyond 2027,” Brian McTaggart wrote.From a pure player standpoint, there's no debate that Pena would be exactly what the Yankees are looking for. I understand New York and Houston have a rough history because of the Astros' cheating scandal, but replacing Anthony Volpe with the former World Series champion would be as big an upgrade as the Yankees can realistically make right now.More MLB news:Phillies need to replace Andrew Painter, and can if they trade for Mike Trout and one other Angels starMets should trade Freddy Peralta now, or they’ll lose value because another ace will go for half the priceBlue Jays' top trade candidate is a 22-year-old some fans might not even knowRed Sox apparently fired a lot of people last year and are now paying the priceFormer Dodgers hyped up prospect expected to be traded, proving Los Angeles right once againCubs’ Jed Hoyer is doing Chicago a disservice if his latest comments are truthful

Liverpool take first step to agree mammoth Premier League dealLiverpool are reportedly in the race for a mammoth Premier League transfer. They've taken the first step.Liverpool may nor may not replace Ibrahima Konate this summer. The Reds will lose the defender on a free transfer to Real Madrid but it appears they're picky when it comes to centre-backs.After all, the club do have several other areas to shop for over the transfer window. They've also got four centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni - even if the latter battles injury issues.There's little doubt that Liverpool would sign the ideal centre-back if he becomes available, though. And there's a chance he has.Jan Paul van Hecke is up for grabs. Or at least, clubs seem to think he is, prompting Tottenham Hotspur into two bids for the Brighton star. Both bids were promptly rejected but there's a sense that the right money could get the defender.Voetbal International reports that Liverpool are in the fight, too. They've supposedly made initial contact over a deal and could push forward if the price were right.That's unclear, though. It's thought that Van Hecke is pretty set on a move to Spurs, as well, which makes it extra difficult for Liverpool to pull this one off.One to watch this summer, however.Jan Paul van Hecke: Situation SummaryBrighton & Hove Albion Campaign and StatsAs of 8 June 2026, Jan Paul van Hecke remains a Brighton & Hove Albion player, though he is currently at the centre of intense transfer speculation. The 25-year-old Dutch defender enjoyed a standout 2025/26 campaign, making 36 Premier League appearances, scoring three goals, and providing three assists. His commanding performances at the heart of the Seagulls' defence earned him a reputation as one of the league's premier ball-playing centre-backs, further cementing his place in the Netherlands national squad.Tottenham Hotspur Transfer PursuitThe defender’s future is currently subject to a high-stakes transfer battle. Tottenham Hotspur, seeking to rebuild following a difficult 2025/26 season, have made Van Hecke a primary target. Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has officially confirmed that the club has rejected two separate bids from Spurs, maintaining that the Seagulls are firm on their valuation, widely reported to be in the region of £50 million. With only 12 months remaining on his contract, Brighton face a critical decision this summer to either secure a lucrative transfer fee or risk losing him for free in 2027.

Phillies need to replace Andrew Painter, and can if they trade for Mike Trout and one other Angels star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Unfortunately for the Philadelphia Phillies, I don't know how they can feel confident in Andrew Painter continuing to go out there every five days. The truth is that Painter obviously isn't ready to throw at the highest level, and the Phillies probably should have understood that last year when he really struggled in Triple-A. The young man has dealt with some injuries throughout his career and probably just needed another year in the minor leagues before getting called up.The Phillies also need some help in the outfield, with many fans hoping that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout will be available and be the guy the Phillies go after. That's definitely wishful thinking in a sense, though there's reason to believe that the Phillies could make a trade with the Angels for two of the better players who could be available, with Trout and now right-hander Jose Soriano, who has been one of the better starters in baseball this season. According to MLB.com, the 27-year-old Soriano is being viewed as a trade candidate.“Soriano got off to an incredible start to the season, and while he’s cooled off a bit, he still has an impressive arsenal of pitches that includes his power sinker, knuckle curve and splitter. The Angels could be reluctant to trade him but could get a big haul, as he’s under team control through 2028. He still has issues with walks but has improved his strikeout rate and induces ground balls at an elite rate,” Rhett Bollinger wrote.If the Phillies could walk out of the trade deadline with guys like Soriano and Trout, I'd be pretty close to calling them one of the top three teams in the National League right now. Now, I have the Phillies somewhere around fifth, and I think that's fair. At any given moment, they can beat any team, but they're also a bit inconsistent and can lose to many teams. Adding those two guys would be a sign that they're trying to win and are at least going all in while the window still seems open.More MLB news:Mets should trade Freddy Peralta now, or they’ll lose value because another ace will go for half the priceBlue Jays' top trade candidate is a 22-year-old some fans might not even knowRed Sox apparently fired a lot of people last year and are now paying the priceFormer Dodgers hyped up prospect expected to be traded, proving Los Angeles right once againCubs’ Jed Hoyer is doing Chicago a disservice if his latest comments are truthfulMets now know how much Freddy Peralta is looking to get in his next contract

Mets should trade Freddy Peralta now, or they’ll lose value because another ace will go for half the price originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.All eyes are on the Detroit Tigers at the Major League Baseball trade deadline, with the possibility of Tarik Skubal being traded. However, the Tigers also have other intriguing options who could be dealt, including former No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize. Mize, who has been very good when he's on the mound, has dealt with a lot of injuries throughout his career. Had the former Auburn star been healthy throughout more of his career, we'd probably be looking at one of the more above-average pitchers in the game. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case, though Mize has been healthy this year, and there's a chance the Tigers can finally move on from him at the right time. According to MLB.com, he's currently viewed as the Tigers' most likely trade candidate, and there's reason to believe that could impact the New York Mets.“Yeah, we get it, Tarik Skubal will be the biggest name in baseball around the Deadline. But if the Tigers indeed end up becoming sellers, Mize is a sneaky name to watch. The former No. 1 overall pick is off to the best start of his career, even better than his All-Star campaign last year. “He entered Sunday ranked seventh in bWAR among AL pitchers at 2.2 despite missing time on the injured list with an adductor strain. His splitter is back to being a nasty out pitch, allowing him to raise his strikeout rate to a career-best 26.5%. And like Skubal, Mize is a free agent at season’s end,” Jason Beck wrote.While Mize definitely isn't the same caliber of arm as Freddy Peralta, at least career-wise, it's fair to mention how good he's been this season. With the Mets looking for a big return at the deadline if they move on from Peralta, any other starter who gets traded could have an impact on the Mets. That's unfortunately going to happen here if Mize gets traded, as teams will probably want to land him over Peralta because he'll be much cheaper in a potential deal.More MLB news:Blue Jays' top trade candidate is a 22-year-old some fans might not even knowRed Sox apparently fired a lot of people last year and are now paying the priceFormer Dodgers hyped up prospect expected to be traded, proving Los Angeles right once againCubs’ Jed Hoyer is doing Chicago a disservice if his latest comments are truthfulMets now know how much Freddy Peralta is looking to get in his next contractYankees have an obvious Aaron Judge replacement, but the cost might be too high

Liverpool’s stance on Curtis Jones explained after bold declaration from Inter chiefIt’s now an open secret that Inter Milan are eyeing a move for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones this summer.Fabrizio Romano reported over the weekend that the Serie A champions are ‘very interested’ in the 25-year-old, who was claimed to be ‘keen’ on the idea of joining Cristian Chivu’s side.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYNerazzurri sporting director Piero Ausilio added fuel to the fire by publicly stating that they’ve been ‘paying attention’ to the Scouser’s situation and ‘will try again’ from him over the summer, having sought to bring him to San Siro in January (Football Italia).What’s Liverpool’s position on Jones amid Inter’s open interest?Liverpool’s stance on Jones was outlined in the latest version of The Athletic‘s Transfer DealSheet, which went live on Tuesday morning.Anantaajith Raghuraman wrote: ‘Liverpool do not want to lose Jones – the only Scouser in the team – but will reluctantly sanction a sale if he asks for a move and a suitable offer is on the table.‘The 25-year-old is valued at around £35m, as he’s a versatile squad member who started 28 games in all competitions last season and is still young enough to step up another level in the years ahead.’It was added that ‘the sticking point will be whether Inter are prepared to match Liverpool’s valuation’.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool are facing an unenviable dilemma with JonesHaving reportedly sought Federico Chiesa’s advice about life in Italy (Gazzetta dello Sport), and with only 12 months remaining on his contract, there’s a growing sense that Jones could potentially leave his boyhood club this summer.Reds fans have become all too accustomed to seeing players depart on free transfers in recent years (Bobby Firmino, James Milner, Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, among others), and the Scouser is at a point in his career where he’d ordinarily command a tidy fee.It’s only right that Liverpool would want to keep their number 17, whose value to the team was illustrated by his readiness to deputise at right-back in their time of need over the past few months and who’s accrued a wealth of experience from 228 senior appearances.However, if it becomes apparent towards the end of the summer that the midfielder is unlikely to sign a new contract at Anfield, then FSG might play the percentages and decide that taking £35m for him this year would be preferable to losing him for nothing in 2027.Hopefully his future will be amicably resolved before it gets to a stage where the Reds are faced with that unenviable dilemma.

Manchester United want Leeds United goalkeeper Karl DarlowManchester United are plotting a summer transfer move for Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow, according to The Athletic. Man United want an experienced backup goalie at Old Trafford next season and Darlow is set to be a free agent at the end of this month. The 35-year-old Wales international is expected to leave the Elland Road club, but Leeds want to keep him and are expected to offer him a new deal. A move to a club playing in the Champions League could appeal to Darlow, but more suitors are likely to join Man United in his pursuit.Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana are expected to leave the Red Devils this summer, and the club want Darlow to provide quality cover and competition for Senne Lammens. The Leeds star, who was once dubbed ‘a great goalkeeper’ by Eden Hazard, could fancy his chances of becoming Man United’s first-choice. He dislodged Lucas Perri to make 22 Premier League appearances in 2025-26 and was one of the best in his position last term. The Red Devils also have Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Sam Johnstone as an option and have discussed about signing the 33-year-old. The former England international came through Man United’s academy and would count towards their homegrown quota like Darlow.

Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman gets intriguing trade deadline update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As things currently stand, the Toronto Blue Jays should probably be buyers at the trade deadline. At 32-34, the Blue Jays haven't played well and are still on the outside looking in in terms of a playoff spot, but there's a lot of reason to believe that once this team is healthy, they're going to be more than fine and things are going to go as planned. The Blue Jays are only 0.5 games out in the American League Wild Card and are right in the mix to get back to where they were a year ago, so long as they get healthy.It's unfortunate that the Blue Jays have dealt with these injuries, which could force them to move on from some of their top players if things go off the rails over the next few months. There are certain guys who would be more valuable than others to move on from, including right-hander Kevin Gausman. Gausman has been great for the Blue Jays throughout the past five years, but the veteran is set to hit the free agency market at the end of next season, and as a result, could fetch Toronto a decent return. According to ESPN, he could be a guy who gets dealt."It seems unlikely, but factor in all the injuries and some of the surprising performances in 2025, and it's not out of the question that the Jays just have one of those down years -- similar to 2024," David Schoenfield of ESPN wrote. "If that's the case, Gausman could be the biggest target at the deadline."If Gausman ends up getting traded, and in the event that the Detroit Tigers don't move on from Tarik Skubal and the New York Mets don't trade Freddy Peralta, there might be a scenario in which Gausman is the best starter available. At that point, it might not be the worst idea for the Blue Jays to move on from him.More MLB news:Alex Rodriguez tells Yankees they don’t need to trade for expected $400 million starCubs have no choice but to double down on Alex Bregman contract mistake, and it could lead to 24-year-old being tradedPhillies reportedly don’t want to trade top prospect, but history says they shouldMets’ Clay Holmes trade report is worst possible outcome for New YorkMariners looking to move on from $24 million fan favorite who is also a three-time All-StarBraves $20 million bust expected to be traded before MLB trade deadline

Real Madrid lock in official presentation date for Mourinho; club icon will not be on his coaching staffReal Madrid are now preparing for one of the most significant moments of their new project as Jose Mourinho edges closer to his official return to the Santiago Bernabeu.Following Florentino Perez’s re-election as club president until 2030, the long-anticipated managerial change is entering its final stage. Mourinho has already signed his contract and is expected to lead the club into a new era after agreeing terms on a deal that runs until 2029.While excitement continues to build, fresh information has also brought clarity regarding the composition of Mourinho’s backroom staff.Mourinho’s official unveiling date now confirmedMourinho will be presented on Wednesday. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)According to El Chiringuito TV, Real Madrid have scheduled Mourinho’s official presentation for Wednesday, June 10, when the Portuguese coach will formally be introduced as the club’s new manager.The appointment marks the beginning of Mourinho’s second spell in Madrid, more than a decade after his first stint at the club came to an end. His return has generated enormous attention, particularly given the expectation that he will oversee a major sporting rebuild aimed at restoring Real Madrid to the very top of European football.The 63-year-old is expected to begin work immediately after the presentation, with preparations already underway ahead of the new campaign.However, alongside the confirmation of Mourinho’s unveiling, another important update has emerged regarding his coaching staff.What is that?Pepe will not return to Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Despite previous reports suggesting otherwise, the aforementioned outlet confirms that former Real Madrid defender Pepe will not be joining Mourinho’s technical team.The news comes as a surprise given the growing belief in recent days that the Portuguese legend was in line for a return to the Bernabeu in a coaching capacity.The possibility of Pepe working alongside Mourinho had naturally excited many, as the pair enjoyed a highly successful relationship during their time together in the Spanish capital.Nevertheless, the latest information suggests Mourinho will move forward with different plans for his backroom team.

Alex Rodriguez tells Yankees they don’t need to trade for expected $400 million star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New York Yankees need to be active at the trade deadline, and if history repeats itself, they're going to make the necessary moves to improve on both sides of the baseball. The only question now for the Yankees is how big they're willing to go, as they could go after a few arms. The biggest of the bunch would be the production that Tarik Skubal would give them. I think the Yankees need to be all-in on him, depending on the price, but others don't, including former Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez. Skubal, undoubtedly the best pitcher in Major League Baseball at the moment, could give the Yankees a massive boost. The Yankees could also go for a cheaper, different option, though they shouldn't expect to get the same level of production from a lesser player. While I think the Yankees need to be all over Skubal, that isn't the case for others, including former Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez.“I would stay away from Skubal. I think he’s one of the best pitchers, if not the best pitcher in the game… If you think about the Yankees, they have probably the best starting rotation when healthy, since we won in 2009,” Rodriguez said, H/T Heavy.I understand why Rodriguez doesn't think the Yankees need him, as the starting rotation is very good. However, I'd still argue that adding a starter of his caliber for any contending team would be a wise decision, even if they feel they have enough pitching.More MLB news:Cubs have no choice but to double down on Alex Bregman contract mistake, and it could lead to 24-year-old being tradedPhillies reportedly don’t want to trade top prospect, but history says they shouldMets’ Clay Holmes trade report is worst possible outcome for New YorkMariners looking to move on from $24 million fan favorite who is also a three-time All-StarBraves $20 million bust expected to be traded before MLB trade deadlinePerfect Anthony Volpe replacement for Yankees could be available, just not for New York

Health workers prepare for duty at the Mongbwalu treatment center in Mongbwalu, Congo, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)2026-06-09T06:35:30Z BUNIA, Congo (AP) — At least 100 people have died from Ebola less than a month after authorities declared an outbreak of the disease in eastern Congo, authorities said.Attacks on health workers from angry residents, skepticism among some locals and armed conflict in hot spots continue to challenge efforts to stop the spread.Out of the 550 cases of the disease confirmed as of Sunday, there have been 101 deaths and 19 recoveries, according to the latest situation report late Monday. The number of cases though is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed weeks late, and response has been challenging also because the virus has no approved vaccine or treatment.The latest Ebola disease outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which does not have an approved vaccine or treatment unlike the Zaire virus responsible for most of Congo’s past 16 outbreaks of the disease.

Bears trade proposal brings in $68 million 14.5 sack star as Maxx Crosby alternative originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There's no debate that the Chicago Bears need to improve on the defensive side of the football, and there could be a lot of players available for them if they're willing to make a blockbuster trade to do so. One player that would make a lot of sense for the Bears to go after is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith. Highsmith, 28 years old, is one of the better linebackers in the NFL. He's also proven that he has the ability to get off the edge and get to the quarterback, posting 14.5 sacks in 2022 and 9.5 in 2025 in just 13 games. The question for the Bears would be centered around what they'd have to move for him, and one Heavy.com writer recently brought up the idea of moving a third-round pick in 2027 for the Steelers veteran.“In that context, Highsmith in exchange for a third-round pick in 2027 makes plenty of sense for the Bears, as he has averaged more than 8.5 sacks annually over his past six seasons and also provides a multiple-year runway of likely production given his age/current career trajectory,” Max Dible wrote.If all it would take was a third-round pick and perhaps another late-round selection, there's no reason not to at least give it a try. Perhaps the Steelers don't want to move on from Highsmith right now, but if they're willing to do so eventually, he'd be a great option. He's set to be a free agent in 2028, so Pittsburgh might be willing to trade him now to get the best value for him in return.More NFL news:Browns insider floats idea of landing Brendan Sorsby with Jeremiah Smith in strange wayBrowns’ Jared Verse makes Myles Garrett comment that shows he isn’t the same competitor Cleveland legend isStefon Diggs linked to Rams, Chiefs, Commanders after Patriots releaseHarold Fannin Jr. will need to prove his worth in Todd Monken’s Browns offenseBengals fans should worry about second-year linebackers in 2026

Browns insider floats idea of landing Brendan Sorsby with Jeremiah Smith in strange way originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After it was announced on Monday morning that Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby won't be allowed to play college football again, it remains unclear what will happen with the supplemental draft. Perhaps the NCAA goes back on the court ruling and attempts to make Sorsby sit out, but the NCAA has been absolute mayhem recently, and I wouldn't bet on that happening.Regardless of whether he ends up being in the supplemental draft or the regular draft, the Cleveland Browns can use a quarterback, and one Browns insider believes that there's a possibility of landing him and Jeremiah Smith to team up at some point.“Much better prospect than anything Browns have right now,” Anthony Lima posted on X. “Imagine redshirting first half of season and developing under QB whisperer [Todd] Monken and THEN having a chance to draft Jeremiah Smith 👀👀.”The Browns would need to have a top-five pick, at the very least, to land Smith. The Ohio State product is expected to be the first non-quarterback selected next year, with the possibility of him even going first overall. Sorsby will be a different situation to watch, though that should get interesting as well.More NFL news:Browns’ Jared Verse makes Myles Garrett comment that shows he isn’t the same competitor Cleveland legend isStefon Diggs linked to Rams, Chiefs, Commanders after Patriots releaseHarold Fannin Jr. will need to prove his worth in Todd Monken’s Browns offenseBengals fans should worry about second-year linebackers in 2026Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori can be an All-Pro if he plays better in pass coverage

Heat get good Celtics update on Giannis Antetokounmpo amid Miami rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For the Miami Heat to get the perfect outcome with Giannis Antetokounmpo, they'll need other teams not to outbid them. If history repeats itself here, the Heat probably aren't going to get Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately, the organization hasn't proven that it can get the stars when they become available. All Heat fans are hoping this won't be the case again, but anything is possible in the NBA, and that's just the unfortunate reality the Heat are currently dealing with.However, if they were worried about the Boston Celtics, it sounds like there isn't too much to worry about just yet. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Celtics don't appear to be on Antetokounmpo's list.“I have not heard that Boston is on Giannis’s list,” Windhorst told Celtics on CLNS. “I have not heard that Giannis is prepared to sign the extension with Boston.”“Now let’s have a discussion,” Windhorst said. “But I haven’t heard that. Just because I haven’t heard doesn’t mean it’s not true. But until those two things are true, I don’t think it’s really something that’s in the world of reality.”Any team that he can eliminate from these sweepstakes should be a good one. Miami has a decent package, though it's unclear what's really available to the Bucks right now. The Bucks have to worry about what they can get, and the Heat have to hope that they can get Antetokounmpo for a lower price than Milwaukee might be looking for.More NBA News:Celtics trade pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo includes a fan favorite Boston might not want to moveGiannis Antetokounmpo just said what Knicks fans have been waiting to hearBlockbuster trade idea involves Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and the WarriorsNew York is about to become the undisputed center of the sports worldJames Harden reaches another NBA milestone as Cavaliers face elimination

Chelsea ace Omari Kellyman set for another loan spell after Cardiff successChelsea have decided to send Omari Kellyman out on another loan spell away from Stamford Bridge.According to the BBC, the Blues are planning the next stage of the 20-year-old’s development following an encouraging loan spell at Cardiff City.The 20-year-old forward joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in a deal worth around £19 million ahead of the 2024/25 season. However, his start to life at Chelsea was hardly a fairytale.A series of hamstring injuries disrupted his progress and eventually led to surgery, forcing him to focus on recovery rather than making an immediate impact for the Blues.Despite those setbacks, Kellyman has worked hard to get his career back on track.His loan spell at Cardiff City proved to be an important turning point, giving him the opportunity to play regularly while carefully rebuilding his fitness.The talented attacker enjoyed a productive season in League One, scoring 11 goals and adding two assists in 36 appearances.His performances played a key role in Cardiff’s successful promotion campaign, helping the Welsh club secure a return to the Championship.Just as importantly, Kellyman managed to complete the season while gradually increasing his workload.Both Cardiff and Chelsea took a cautious approach with his playing time, ensuring that he could regain full fitness after a difficult period of injuries.His performances in the lower leagues have now opened the door to a new challenge.Chelsea are understood to be exploring another loan move for the talented forward, with the club keen for him to continue gaining experience at a higher level.A move abroad is one option being considered, but any international loan deal could be affected by FIFA regulations.Several Championship clubs are also reportedly monitoring Kellyman’s situation and could offer the youngster a chance to test himself in the second division.

Among Ben Stokes’ strengths as England captain has been his capacity to show the way. At the start of his tenure, as he sought his team to forge a new, ultra-attacking style with the bat, it was Stokes who led the charge with as cavalier an approach as any. When, during the Ashes, Stokes urged his teammates to “show some dog”, it was he who first abandoned those long-held principles with a blockathon in Brisbane. Good captains have a mantra of never asking a player to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself. As the make-up of the squad has changed, that ability to set an example has become all the more important. Ben Stokes’ future as England captain could be in doubt as he faces an ECB investigation (PA Wire)In that context, and with the backdrop of all that happened in Australia, the news that broke on Monday evening is scarcely believable. After a first Test win over New Zealand to somewhat cleanse the palate following the sour taste of an Ashes defeat, it would seem that Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson visited a Chelsea nightclub at which there was an altercation also involving a member of the Saracens academy. Details remain scant, but it would appear that neither Stokes nor Atkinson were the aggressor in the incident in that question. That may not, and perhaps should not, matter; they have breached team curfew and put themselves in the most risky of situations.Stokes and Gus Atkinson breached team curfew (PA)Ahead of the first Test, in an in-house interview with the ECB, Brendon McCullum warned his players to banish the off-field mistakes of the Ashes. “Nothing good ever happens after midnight, and don’t do anything that lands you on the front page of the paper,” the England head coach cautioned – a warning his captain, it seems, has failed to heed. It feels an act of staggering stupidity after a winter in which you and your bosses have been forced, at length, to deny accusations of a drinking culture and a set-up that allows its players too much freedom. The introduction of a curfew was itself a sign of an environment perhaps not functioning as it should, but came after it emerged that Harry Brook, Stokes’ vice-captain, had been involved in a fracas with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington the night before he had been due to skipper England in a one-day international (ODI). Brook was fined thousands of pounds and given a stern censure.Harry Brook could now end up captaining England despite his own misdeed this winter (PA Wire)There is a certain irony in the fact that Brook is now in line to step in should Stokes, as is expected, be dropped from the second Test squad, and perhaps relinquish the captaincy altogether. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are investigating the incident but their statement on Monday very much hinted that neither the current captain nor Atkinson will be named in a squad due to be released early this week. The investigation will have to run its course but it would be sensible, regardless of the outcome, to take the pair out of the public eye.For while as an isolated incident, this could be brushed over as a small lapse of judgement and unfortunate scenario, the ECB have a right to be furious that it has transpired. In the wake of the Ashes, they had backed McCullum, Stokes and the rest of the hierarchy on a change manifesto; a vow that things would be different, on and off the field. That promise has been broken at virtually the earliest opportunity. Of course, players have a right to celebrate a success like that achieved at Lord’s, but the embarrassment caused by an incident like this will only further fray already threadbare connections with a public losing their love of this team. Once again, the focus is taken off of the cricket and on to the culture – which again appears to have come up short.There is some sympathy to be felt for Stokes in all of this. As a leader, he has had to shoulder a remarkable burden over the last four years, speaking often not just for himself but his team and his sport. The all-rounder, who turned 35 during the Lord’s Test, will have been hit hard by the events of the winter and has faced a disrupted start to the year, with his return from a groin problem delayed by a nasty facial injury suffered while bowling in the nets at Durham. The example he set Down Under was positive, even if other members of the team could not say the same. He had given up alcohol last year during his recovery from hamstring surgery as he sought to be fully fit for a real tilt at Australia. He was; his team was not. Stokes may have left England head coach Brendon McCullum with little choice (Getty)While it is right that he faces punishment, and it is difficult to see him remaining skipper, there will be a duty of care to him as well. In 2021, Stokes stepped away from cricket to prioritise his mental well-being, processing the death of his father and the saga relating to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, in which he was acquitted on a charge of affray but punished by the ECB for bringing the game into disrepute. He has, broadly, been a force for real good as England captain, and it would be a shame to see it end under such circumstances, but this latest misstep may have left England with little choice.

NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had made his mark in IPL 2025 and then stepped it up further with performances for the age-group Indian team in different tournaments and tours. After producing 252 runs across seven innings in the previous IPL, the 15-year-old stepped up and how: 776 runs at an average of 48.50 and strike rate of 237.30. A staggering 72 sixes edged Chris Gayle's record for most maximums in a single season. And he came within a whisker of breaking the milestone of the quickest century too.Even though his IPL franchise (Rajasthan Royals) didn't make the final, the boy from Bihar sprawled at the Narendra Modi Stadium to collect a gluttony of awards. Orange Cap. Emerging Player of the Season. Super Striker of the Season. Super Sixes of the Season. Most Valuable Player of the Season.Less than a week later, his prolific scoring has earned him a place in India's senior squad for the T20Is in Ireland and England.Even if there is apprehension attached to a 15-year-old being called up for international cricket, there is a sense of excitement too. An excitement that is brought on by the fact that Sooryavanshi can walk in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, who made his India debut at 16.And then there is the obvious thrill of watching Sooryavanshi bat -- making best in the world look ordinary. Even, clueless.A closer look at those 776 runs in IPL 2026 showcases how he's changed the game.Sooryavanshi against bowler typeRunsBallsOutsSR4s6sDot %Left-arm Chinaman1430466.66020.00Left-arm Fast1880225.001237.50Left-arm Medium58303193.336550.00Left-arm Orthodox29101290.002320.00Right-arm57172335.293723.53Right-arm Fast110451244.4451335.55Right-arm Legbreak26132200.001338.46Right-arm Medium4051717236.84423130.99Right-arm Offbreak59300196.663633.33By virtue of facing the right-arm bowlers more than the left-armers, -- 276 balls vs 51 -- he was more lethal against the former. 657 of his 776 runs, or 84.66%, came against the right-hand bowlers.Subsequently, he also fell to right-arm bowlers more than left-arm bowlers. He was dismissed 12 times by right-arm bowlers and four times by left-armers. Look further and the biggest challenge appears to be right-arm pacers. The Samastipur-born was sent back 10 times by a right-arm pacer.Yet, how much he goes on the attack cannot be ignored too. He faced 233 balls against right-armers, right-arm fast and right-arm medium bowlers throughout the memorable campaign. He scored 572 runs against these bowlers, scoring at a strike rate of 245.49. A grand 101 boundaries - 50 fours and 51 sixes - also came to the right-arm bowlers who largely bowled with pace.LengthRunsBallsSRWktsAveDot%Boundary %Short22370318.57455.7530.055.71Back of a length15591170.32277.5034.027.47Length ball24190267.77640.1630.047.77–41400.000–0.0100.00Full13444304.54267.0020.456.81Yorker21216.6612.0083.30.00Half tracker010.000–100.00.00Full toss131776.47113.0052.95.88Beamer41400.000–0.0100.00When Pat Cummins, and countless other bowlers, said they were running out of ideas where to bowl to Sooryavanshi, they were not exaggerating.Bowl him a length ball, as bowlers did 90 times in the campaign, he thumped it for 241 runs at a strike rate of 267.77.When the bowlers went short or bowled back of the length, it resulted in 378 runs from 161 balls at a strike rate of 274.78, even if it had high percentage of dot balls and dismissals.How Sooryavanshi is able to achieve such scoring"Sooryavanshi is changing what length means in the modern game. As has been documented, his strike rate against length balls this season is 240+, while others against the same length are operating closer to 140+," said renowned coach Zubin Bharucha to TimesofIndia.com."What enables him to achieve this is a superbly coiled upper half, combined with a considerable bend in his torso at the top of his swing. This allows his head to get outside the line of most deliveries."As a result, he is seeing balls well outside off stump directly in front of his eyeline, whereas for most batters that same ball exists outside their eyeline and as result more difficult to judge. "At the same time, his weight is almost completely loaded into his back leg. He is effectively operating on one leg, which in itself suggests the weight has to remain back. If you attain this position and then do not move your hips forward, in the traditional batting sense, that has been taught since the inception of the game, your front foot cannot really go forward, or if it does, it only moves a fraction without much weight transferring onto it. Given the lack of weight on this front foot you often see him finishing the shot with his front foot flayed open and his ankle turned over, you cannot turn your ankle over like that if there is any weight on it or it will break."What this position on the crease also achieves and enables is the bat to do all its operations (movements) in-front of the stumps with the body staying inside the line of the ball. For most other batters the body stays more inline with the ball and the bat operates slightly outside of that. This is driven from the deep bend of his back which enables his hands to operate in-front of the stumps like some of the former greats did when they stood well outside leg stump to ensure the bat was operating in-front of the stumps and the body was well inside the line. This resulted in (Donald) Bradman being LBW some less than ten times in his entire career and players like Graeme Pollock who never got out LBW in his whole career. It’s accentuated by the bend of his back and even though he is not taking an outside leg stump guard, Vaibhav is still able to attain these positions on the crease similar to these former greats. "It is all driven by the hip not sliding forward, and this enables him to remain in such a strong coiled position on one leg, from which he can create that hip-and-shoulder separation and attack every ball. The moment the hip slides forward, as batting has been taught for the last 150 years, you become committed to one length and lose the ability to do what Sooryavanshi does on every ball: get into a position from which every ball becomes a hittable option," he explained the technical aspect of the 15-year-old.If the bowlers think going full would possibly steal time from the left-hander, they were wrong. Sooryavanshi tackled 44 full deliveries in the IPL, hitting 134 runs, a strike rate of 304.54, with 56.81% being smacked for a boundary.Not surprisingly, Sooryavanshi was kept quiet by yorkers - scoring just 2 runs in 12 balls. But what is surprising is that a full toss appears to be his undoing. He produced just 13 runs from 17 balls at a strike rate of 76.47. 131604165The numbers alone make Sooryavanshi's season extraordinary, but they only tell part of the story. More significant is the manner in which he has forced bowlers to rethink long-held cricketing belief. Length balls disappeared, short balls were punished and even full deliveries offered little respite.As he prepares for a potential India step up, the challenge for bowlers will be to find answers and for the 15-year-old to stay a step ahead.

Tatjana Maria has won four WTA singles titles and is a Wimbledon quarter-finalist [Getty Images]Tatjana Maria says Queen's should show more respect to its defending champions after she had to go through qualifying to reach the main draw.The German, then aged 37, became the first women's singles champion at the London club for 52 years when she beat eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in last year's final as a qualifier.Four lower-ranked British players were awarded wildcards for the tournament, while Maria had to win two qualifying matches on Sunday.She will face Greece's Maria Sakkari in the first round on Tuesday."It didn't feel [different to last year]. It feels almost like a normal tournament because I had to start over again in qualifying," Maria, an honorary life member at the club, told BBC Sport."Already what I did last year was amazing and to be a champion here, I thought I deserved a wildcard and to get a little bit of respect."In further comments to reporters, Maria added: "I did it last year. It was not five years ago."I was surprised when I got the message of [tournament director] Laura Robson saying all the wildcards would go to the British players, which I understand. But as a champion, it's tough for me."It is something that should be normal. If you are champion of an event and you don't get in the year after, I think automatically this should be considered."Maria, watched by her two daughters, beat four top-20 players en route to the title, becoming the oldest winner of a WTA 500 tournament.She is ranked 52nd in the world - too low to earn direct entry for the 28-strong main draw but higher than each of the four British players awarded wildcards.This year's recipients were Katie Boulter (world number 73), Fran Jones (98), Harriet Dart (160), and Mika Stojsavljevic (261).BBC Sport has contacted the LTA for comment.Live scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phone

Luca Hoole featured 41 times in all competitions for Shrewsbury last season [Getty Images]Defender Luca Hoole has signed a new two-year deal with Shrewsbury Town.The 24-year-old had come to the end of his previous deal with the League Two side, but has decided to stay on at a club where he scooped player of the year awards for the 2025-26 season.BBC Radio Shropshire report that Shrewsbury beat stiff competition to retain his service, with clubs in League One interested in picking up the former Bristol Rovers defender.Hoole has featured 85 times for Shrewsbury since moving to the Croud Meadow in the summer of 2024."Luca has already shown the qualities he can bring to the team, but I firmly believe his best years are ahead of him," Shrewsbury manager Gavin Cowan told the club website.

NEW DELHI: Ben Stokes’s future as England Test captain is under serious doubt after he was involved in a nightclub incident in Chelsea following England’s win over New Zealand at Lord’s. The ECB has launched an investigation into the actions of Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson after both players reportedly broke the team’s midnight curfew.According to reports, the pair became caught up in an altercation involving a Saracens academy rugby player. The rugby player allegedly threw a punch aimed at Atkinson but instead hit an ECB security guard, who later needed stitches. Stokes and Atkinson were not injured, and ECB sources insist the England players were “not the aggressors”. The reports also claim that police were not called to the scene.ECB begins investigationThe timing is particularly damaging because England recently introduced stricter rules on player behaviour, including a midnight curfew, after concerns raised during the Ashes. While several players celebrated in London after the Lord’s Test, only Stokes and Atkinson are believed to have stayed out beyond the permitted time.With the investigation ongoing and the matter referred to the Cricket Regulator, Stokes is reportedly considering whether he can continue as captain. He and Atkinson are expected to miss the second Test at The Oval, with vice-captain Harry Brook likely to lead the team.Saracens confirmed they are investigating the involvement of one of their academy players, stating: “We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening.”A senior rugby source defended Stokes, saying: “The Saracens player caused this and has a rep. I would not want the England cricket captain to lose his job over this.”Spotlight returns to Stokes’s pastThe incident has revived attention on Stokes’s disciplinary history, including the 2017 Bristol brawl that cost him the England vice-captaincy. Recently, he had appeared to move beyond those issues, having largely stopped drinking and focused on his fitness and recovery.After England’s win at Lord’s, Stokes had said: “I was obviously very, very happy that we won this week... I probably won’t be real happy and smiling until I get up there and share a proper beer with the boys.”The controversy is especially awkward because coach Brendon McCullum had recently reminded players, “The first thing I said to these boys is ‘don’t do anything that lands you on the front page of a newspaper’ and ‘nothing good happens after midnight.’”The ECB has delayed naming its squad for the next Test while it completes its investigation, leaving both Stokes’s captaincy and Atkinson’s place in the team uncertain.

George Brown made his senior debut in February [SWpix.com]Leeds Rhinos have handed teenage half-back George Brown a new contract to keep him at AMT Headingley until the end of the 2029 Super League season.Brown, 19, is a product of the Rhinos' pathway and has enjoyed a rapid rise through the club's scholarship, academy and reserve systems before making his senior debut in February.Brown told the club website: "I'm really pleased to have agreed a long-term deal with the club and I would like to thank Brad Arthur and Ian Blease for having faith in me."As our transition coach, Chev Walker's influence has been a huge boost to me too. We got to both Grand Finals last year with the Academy and Reserves and I'm excited to be part of this group going forward in the next few years."Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur, who signed a two-year contract on Friday, said: "George is a young player we're excited about and one who we believe has a very bright future at this club."What has impressed me most since I arrived is the rate of his development. He's probably progressed quicker than I expected and every opportunity he's been given, he's handled it really well."

NEW CHANDIGARH: It’s very easy to lose Manav Suthar in the crowd. His unassuming demeanour on the cricket field doesn’t quite tell how important he is to India’s plans to reclaim red-ball supremacy. He is a part of a red-ball spin project which has been meticulously designed by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) over the last three years. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!By the time when he was adjudged the player of the match on his debut against Afghanistan in the one-off Test here on Monday afternoon, Suthar became a household name. That India registered a win by an innings and 300 runs inside three days—their biggest margin in Tests—almost felt secondary. It was never expected of an inexperienced Afghanistan team to push India here. For captain Shubman Gill and the team management, the match was more about planning for the coming nine months of Test cricket. Suddenly, the debate is about accommodating him in the XI when India have all their spin resources available with Ravindra Jadeja coming back. The team management, selection committee and the coaching staff at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had seen enough of Suthar to know he will be the next spinner to be drafted into the Test team for the immediate future. The spell of 6/33, exhibiting the wile of conventional left-arm spin, to bowl out the Afghanistan in the first innings for 152 before lunch was enough for the world to know why the caretakers of India’s talent pipeline are so protective of him. Suthar was given the new ball after the Afghanistan were asked to follow on before letting senior spinners Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav have a decent spell. Washington and Kuldeep finished with 4/36 and 3/30 respectively to wrap up proceedings, bowling out Afghanistan for 112 in 35.5 overs. In the 94.2 overs India bowled in the match, Suthar bared his armoury. He even brought out a lethal arm-ball to get his only wicket of the second innings. The Afghanistan batting may not be at par with the quality of batters that Suthar bowls to in domestic cricket. Yet, it was important for him to not lose control over his craft. For large parts of the Test match, especially when the pitch offered minimal slow turn on Day Two, Suthar emerged as a more potent option than Washington and Kuldeep. Jadeja’s bowling over the last couple of years has the team management and the selectors worried. His steady contributions with the bat in the middle-order in England last year have given his career a lease of life. In the background, though, Indian cricket has been preparing for life beyond Jadeja. “Manav has been part of the system for three years. BCCI’s system gave him exposure from Ranji Trophy to Emerging India team and then there was India ‘A’ and IPL in between,” batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said after the Test before adding: “He bowled well but he batted really well. That is actually very satisfying.” It’s well established that head coach Gautam Gambhir prefers players with dual skills! Washington, with consistent all-round performances, has become an indispensable part of the Test XI. In the buildup to this Test, the team management announced they were looking for a fourth spin option besides the regulars in Jadeja, Washington and Kuldeep. As things stand now, Kuldeep’s indifferent performances in the home season last year can also open up an opportunity for Suthar if India decide to play on the presumably turning tracks in Sri Lanka in Aug. Suthar has got a deluge of overs under his belt in Indian conditions. India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final may boil down to the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy when Australia come visiting in Jan. 131604228The indications are that India are reluctant to play on raging turners where the batters have surrendered to overseas spin attacks twice in the last two years. The underwhelming returns from the spinners on a decent pitch in the last Test in against South Africa in Guwahati last Nov has led to a demand for more potency in the spin attack. Suthar is a long-term project. It will be interesting to see how soon the Indian team management feels he is a first-choice spinner in the XI.

Phil Neville: Former Man United man consulted by Thomas TuchelFormer Manchester United defender Phil Neville has been consulted by England head coach Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup.United careerNeville broke into the Manchester United first team in the 1990s after coming through the youth ranks alongside the likes of his brother Gary, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.He played 386 times for the club between 1994 and 2005, scoring eight goals.Neville then moved to Everton and spent eight seasons at the Toffees, playing 303 times for them. He was also made captain of the side.Managerial careerNeville led the England Women’s national team from 2018 to 2021 and was also manager of Inter Miami between 2021 and 2023.His latest stint was a three-year spell as Portland Timbers head coach.The club announced his departure last month.Consulted by TuchelThe Telegraph report that, “Thomas Tuchel spoke to English coaches who have worked in the United States, including Phil Neville and John Herdman, as part of his detailed preparations for the World Cup.”The paper reports that, “Telegraph Sport understands that at one stage consideration was even given to adding one of them, as a consultant, to the England staff for the duration of the tournament to help with acclimatisation and logistics.”Nonetheless, it was decided that a series of calls would suffice, and Neville was consulted owing to his five years of experience preparing Major League Soccer teams.Such issues touched upon were the differing climates across the huge nation and the impact of crossing time zones across various states.Traffic delays in certain cities, as well as the effects of playing at high altitude, were also on the agenda.England will face Costa Rica in a friendly tomorrow before facing Croatia on 17 June in their opening World Cup game.online pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

It's not a secret that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk wants to play for the Washington Commanders. His best friend is Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels, a teammate of his in 2019 at Arizona State. But one problem remains: Aiyuk is still under contract with the 49ers, even though he wants no part of them, and they've already said he's played his last down in San Francisco. Over the weekend, things took an interesting turn when we finally heard from Aiyuk. First, on Saturday, he posted two pictures of himself on Instagram. In the first photo, a shirtless Aiyuk was wearing a Commanders' helmet. In the second photo, he was holding a Washington football. On Sunday, Aiyuk actually spoke, almost daring the 49ers to release him. As expected, Aiyuk was a hot topic on Monday, with "The Insiders" on NFL Network, discussing his future. "First of all, here's what the San Francisco 49ers would like," Ian Rapoport said. "They have his rights. He's not due any guaranteed money because he forfeited by not showing up to his rehab. So they would like to trade him, probably to the Commanders, with his old friend Jayden Daniels and an organization that obviously knows him well, considering (GM) Adam Peters was in San Francisco and all of that."Rapoport then focused on what he thought Washington would like to do here."What the Commanders would like to do is sign him without having to trade (for) him. So, Tom, we're in a situation where no one wants to move at all. They're all staring at each other. There's really no deadline to make a move at all. So until or unless everyone gets tired of Brandon Aiyuk sending Instagram messages, this is going to be a storyline that takes us through the summer."From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The Brandon Aiyuk saga, which got weird over the weekend, shows no sign of ending. pic.twitter.com/YmNWOsB24e— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 8, 2026There are no surprises here. While everyone thinks the 49ers have the upper hand, they don't if Aiyuk shows up. However, with their mandatory minicamp canceled, the next mandatory event in training camp, which is over seven weeks away. If Aiyuk shows up, he can force San Francisco's hand because GM John Lynch will not risk him practicing and suffering another injury and then be on the hook for his 2026 salary. So, yes, San Francisco holds the upper hand until training camp, then it's up to Aiyuk to show up. While it would make sense for him to show up, can anyone say for sure he will?So much for a drama-free summer for the Commanders. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: NFL insider confirms obvious with Brandon Aiyuk

EAST RUTHERFORD - Arvell Reese has wasted no time earning the respect of the New York Giants.The way the rookie linebacker carries himself on the football field is only part of that. When the Giants' No. 5 overall pick offered up his mission statement for how he planned on fitting in this spring, the words spoke volumes about his presence.With a defined purpose, the 20-year-old Reese sent a message to anyone willing to listen and all those ready to judge his impact."I want to show the team right away that I'm one of those guys that would rather be seen and not heard," Reese said. "Especially as a rookie, that's what you've got to do. You've got to know what you're doing on the field before you say what you're about."Even the grandest of plans the Giants harbored for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the first of the John Harbaugh era, did not include the best non-quarterback on their board.Was this overkill for the Giants, considering they already have edge players Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster? Not in the least, given the fact that the Giants see Reese as a starting inside linebacker, their WILL, with a vision of eventually turning him into a defensive weapon that can alter the game in different areas.The Giants saw him as the best off-ball linebacker in the Class of 2026, the perfect blend of power and speed. They also love his potential as a pass rusher, but he's here because of who he is now. What Reese can become is a bonus.Reese is just scratching the surface of what he can be. He was considered to have the highest ceiling of any player in the Class of 2026, and Reese is locked in as a franchise cornerstone after signing his four-year, fully guaranteed rookie deal worth $47.8 million, including a signing bonus of $31.2 million, plus a fifth-year team option, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record.Early returns have been impressive, and Giants teammates are taking notice. It's impossible not to."Never seen a linebacker duo like that, just off first glance, but Arvell has been amazing," outside linebacker and defensive captain Brian Burns said, referring to Reese and Tremaine Edmunds. "I always speak to when he said, like, he wants to be seen, not heard, and he's embodying that every day. He don't speak out too much, don't talk back or nothing like that. He just does what he's told, works hard, and it’s showing up on the field and the film, and he's earning the respect of the older guys for sure."Burns paused before adding with a laugh: "If I was [Giants quarterback Jaxson] Dart – yeah, I'd be nervous."Kidding aside, with Reese next to Edmunds at inside linebacker, the middle of the Giants' defense is - as Burns noted after Monday's minicamp practice - "scary as hell.", and there is no question Harbaugh sees him as embodying similar qualities that made many of his defenders during his tenure in Baltimore great."Speed and violence," Reese said. "[Being Harbaugh's first Giants pick], I think that says a lot about me. I think I’m ready for the challenge.”As for which of those qualities past Harbaugh defenses were known for, Reese said: “I think both are very important. But just playing defense, you’ve got to be violent."What Arvell Reese has shown on the field so farReese's speed is incredibly unique given the position he plays, especially for someone who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 243 pounds. On one play in a team period last week, he was matched up man-to-man on Tyrone Tracy, who lined up in the slot and crossed the formation in motion. Reese traveled with him and was seemingly there step for step.Awareness and explosiveness. He always seems to be in the right position whether that's in coverage or in the run game. And that burst - wow - he came late on a blitz around the left side and closed on Dart for a would-be sack, forcing the coaches to blow the play dead.Freakish athleticism. Reese has gotten the assignment in coverage against tight ends such as Isaiah Likely and Theo Johnson, and he's stuck with them in both man and zones. His instincts and spatial awareness in different schematic situations have stood out.During pre-draft evaluations, the 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese drew comparisons to Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons, who began his pro career in Dallas as an off ball linebacker.He can attack gaps from the weak side, turn loose to chase plays sideline to sideline by using his 4.46 speed. Reese has an ability to show something pre-snap and then another thing post-snap, lining up on the edge one play, but then as a stacked linebacker at the next."To me, Arvell Reese was the best player in the draft, and I think a part of that is the hybrid nature of all the ways he can impact your defense," The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler told NorthJersey.com and The Record back in March. "And I think some people see that, and they're a little scared off by, 'Oh well, he doesn't have a true position.' This isn't a tweener. And there's a big difference between being a tweener and then being versatile, being able to do a lot of different things."This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Arvell Reese is earning NY Giants' respect one play at a time

Michael Olise scored his first international hat-trick against Northern Ireland on Monday [Getty Images]With more than 100 goals combined across club and country last season, France unleashed four of the game's best attackers in their final World Cup warm-up on Monday.But while Kylian Mbappe's bid to match Olivier Giroud's France goalscoring record fell short and, after winning the Champions League with PSG, Ousmenne Demebele and Desire Doue were kept relatively quiet, it was Michael Olise who stole the show against Northern Ireland.The Bayern Munich winger scored his first international hat-trick to give France a winning send off to Boston, Massachusetts.His first goal had a touch of fortune as he latched onto Dembele's deflected shot, but his second was a thunderous finish before he completed his hat-trick with a delightful, curling effort.Before the game, in his BBC Sport column, Gael Clichy, who coached Olise at the Paris Olympics, said he had the potential to be the breakthrough star at the tournament.For former France striker Louis Saha, the star showing from Olise was "what we expect from such a player" - and he has a big target in mind."Consistency is the hardest and from his point of view, you have to be in that conversation every time you want a Ballon d'Or," said BBC Sport NI pundit Saha."That is what he wants and that is why those performances are the norm for [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I think that is what he is dreaming of and that is what we want in the World Cup."When asked if 24-year-old Olise, who was born in England, can take a step into Ballon d'Or contention, Saha highlighted Olise's "mentality" during his three years at Crystal Palace as being pivotal, before he moved to Bayern Munich in 2024.And, referring to Mbappe and last year's winner Dembele, he added: "It is unbelievable in this [France] squad to have three possible Ballon d'Or winners."Olise scores hat-trick as France beat Northern IrelandWhy Olise can be one of France's very best - ClichyManager Didier Deschamps, who took charge of his last match on French soil as he prepares to end his 14-year tenure after the World Cup, said Olise had "built a lot" since he made his debut in 2024, after he impressed at the Paris Olympics."Michael is amazing. You can see it, he's really confident right now," Deschamps said."He's decisive and clinical. For an offensive player, he's making the efforts to defend as well. We'll definitely need Michael at this level, and also other players too, of course."Deschamps said it took time for Olise to settle on the international stage. He did not score in his first five appearances but Monday's hat-trick has taken him to seven goals in 12 games.France head to the World Cup with a wealth of riches in attack. Aside from the four players who started in Lille, there is also the likes of Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki and Warren Zaire-Emery in their 26-man squad. But Deschamps feels that Olise is key if France are to win the World Cup for a third time."It took some time for him to feel relaxed. His temperament is really more of an introvert player," Deschamps added."It's our job also to move along with him, to help him integrate. We'll need him to play at his best level."No worries over MbappeDeschamps won the World Cup as a captain and manager with France, but said he would not be drawn into the emotion of his last game on home soil. His attentions are solely on France's World Cup opener with Senegal on 16 June in New Jersey, with further Group I matches against Iraq and Erling Haaland's Norway to follow.Before the game, there was a ceremony and Deschamps' name was sung on several occasions by the home support.After the match, when there was a lap of honour, a number of France's 2018 World Cup winners were on the pitch, including Giroud, who plays his club football in Lille, and Rapahel Varane."There have been many testimonies and messages, and it's really nice to hear so much love, to see so much love," Deschamps added."This is part of life. I'm not nostalgic. Just like the first day, each, every minute, I've been trying to enjoy as much as I can."As he chases Olivier Giroud's record, Kylian Mbappe had a frustrating night against Northern Ireland [Getty Images]While Olise shone in Lille, for Mbappe it was a night of frustration as his wait to equal Giroud's record of 57 of goals for France continued.Despite a club form of 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid, Mbappe has scored one goal in his past four international appearances. The 27-year-old had a goal disallowed on Monday after Doue was offside in the build-up, and he also spurned a number of chances as Olise stole the headlines. When asked by a French reporter if he was worried about Mbappe's international form heading into the World Cup, Deschamps gave it short shrift."You do what you want, but I'm not going to worry," he said."It's true that he's had a few occasions, a few opportunities. "He hasn't been efficient, but he has said he is keeping that efficiency for the USA, so that's fine."

NEW CHANDIGARH: The Indian team management expects Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya to join the ODI team for the three-match series against Afghanistan, which starts in Dharamshala on June 13. Rohit and Hardik are due to get fitness clearance from BCCI’s medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.Both were picked for the series subject to passing fitness tests. Rohit missed a substantial part of the IPL due to a hamstring injury while the BCCI wants to verify if Hardik is fit enough to bowl 10 overs in an ODI.“I’ve honestly not got the news whether they have been cleared or not, but I’m sure they’ll be there. Whatever I heard, they are fine. But they have to go and do that fitness test or whatever the rule is. Before coming here (for the press conference), I have not asked the physio when they were actually going,” India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Monday. 131604310“The ODI players will join the team here and there may be a light practice day after tomorrow evening,” he added.TOI understands that Rohit was due to visit the CoE on Monday while the younger Pandya brother has been there since June 2.

Mason Greenwood agrees to Roma moveMason Greenwood (24) has reached an agreement on personal terms with AS Roma, as per a report from Corriere dello Sport. Greenwood is being heavily linked with a move away from Olympique de Marseille. The club are needing to raise funds amid fears of exclusion from next season’s UEFA Europa League. La Provence understands that the former Manchester United forward has already returned the keys to his house in Aix. Fenerbahce have been heavily linked with a move for Greenwood, however, the result of the club’s recent presidential elections have taken that option off the table, Fabrizio Romano understands. Roma’s interest, however, remains very strong.Corriere dello Sport understands that the Serie A side have reached an agreement with the forward. It is a progressive salary, beginning at €4m (net plus bonuses). An agreement must also be found with OM. The publication adds that a €40m bid is being readied, but Les Phocéens value the player at €55m. GFFN | Luke Entwistle

🚨 Lyon and Monaco unveil their new home shirts!A beautiful jersey showdown!This Wednesday morning, not one but two Ligue 1 heavyweights decided to unveil their home kits for next season.OL were the first to reveal their new strip, once again made by Adidas. The big new feature is the return of the blue sleeves, which, as the Lyon club pointed out, are back for the first time in 30 years.Adidas Football & OLAt the same time, AS Monaco unveiled their new home shirt. Without any major revolution, this kit sticks to the basics of Monaco shirts with the red diagonal over white. Still worth noting is the return of the polo-style collar.Mizuno and AS MonacoSo, which one is the best-looking?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Official: Barcelona secure future of highly-rated La Masia defensive gemBarcelona’s commitment to protecting the future of La Masia remains stronger than ever, and the latest contract renewal is another sign of the club’s confidence in its next generation of talent.The Catalan giants have officially secured the future of Luca Perez, one of the most promising young defenders emerging from the academy. The 16-year-old centre-back has signed his first professional contract with Barcelona, ensuring that his development will continue under the club’s supervision after years of steady progress through the youth ranks.The announcement was confirmed by Barcelona through the club’s official channels, with youth football coordinator and methodology director Sergi Mila present for the signing.Barcelona reward years of developmentLuca’s story is one that perfectly reflects Barcelona’s long-term academy philosophy.The defender joined the club from Damm in 2018 and has spent the last eight years developing within La Masia. Throughout that period, coaches have closely monitored his progression, with the youngster consistently earning praise for his maturity and defensive reliability.This season marked another important step in his journey after making his debut for Juvenil B despite still being at an age where many players are only beginning to establish themselves in youth football.As such, Luca is the latest academy talent to receive a professional contract, following several other promising youngsters whose futures have recently been secured by the club.Who is Luca Perez?Standing out for his physical presence and defensive instincts, the centre-back has built a reputation as a reliable defender who thrives in one-on-one situations. While he is comfortable in possession and capable of helping build attacks from deep, his biggest strengths remain his defensive fundamentals.Luca may still be years away from challenging for first-team opportunities, but Barcelona clearly believe he possesses the qualities required to continue climbing through the academy structure.

Real Madrid’s mystery €150 million transfer plan has Europe’s biggest clubs worried – reportFew transfer stories have generated as much intrigue in recent days as Florentino Perez’s promise of a historic summer move.With Real Madrid already making significant changes to the squad and Jose Mourinho preparing to lead a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu, attention has now shifted towards what could become the biggest transfer operation in the club’s history.In fact, according to AS, clubs across Europe are anxiously waiting to discover the identity of the player who could be the subject of a €150 million bid from Real Madrid. Furthermore, the uncertainty has created a wave of speculation, with some of the continent’s biggest teams monitoring the situation closely.Perez’s promise has put Europe on edgeThe anticipation comes from comments made by Perez during the presidential election campaign, comments that have become one of the biggest talking points in the football world.Perez has entire Europe in a frenzy (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Speaking about the club’s transfer plans, Perez declared, “Next Tuesday I will make a bid of 150 million euros for a player who is not from the Premier League and is not Olise. “It will be the biggest bid in Madrid’s history.”Those remarks immediately triggered a frenzy of speculation, as several elite names have since been linked to the mystery offer. Midfield stars such as Vitinha and Joao Neves have been mentioned, while Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has also emerged in discussions despite the obvious difficulties involved in any potential deal.Big clubs are tremblingAs such, the outlet mentions that the uncertainty surrounding the target appears to be creating nervousness across Europe. Perez has promised a Galatico signing. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)In fact, clubs connected to the rumoured candidates have already begun publicly reinforcing their positions.The most fascinating aspect of this story is not simply the size of the proposed offer, as Real Madrid have spent huge sums before.What makes this situation different is the mystery surrounding the target.Normally, major transfer pursuits become public knowledge weeks before an official bid arrives. This time, Europe appears to be reacting to a proposal without knowing exactly where it is heading.

Kickabuda Promotions is bringing quad and side-by-side (SxS) racing to the Stephenson County Fairgrounds for the first time on June 20.The event will be held at the ABC Supply Co. Freeport, IL Grandstands, located at 2250 S. Walnut Road in Freeport, according to a community announcement.Gates will open at 2 p.m., with general admission set at $5 and pit passes available for $10. All transactions will be cash only.For those interested in racing, the pits will open at 11 a.m. Entry is $20 per class, with an 80/20 payback structure, meaning most of the entry fees will go back to the competitors.Racing classes for all agesThe event will feature a wide range of racing classes. Kids as young as 4 can participate in the Kids Quad Classes, which are divided by engine size and age group, from 50cc up to 350cc for teens aged 12 to 15.Adult sport classes for riders 16 and up will cover both 2-cycle and 4-cycle machines across a broad range of engine sizes, topped off by an open class for anything under 1,200cc. There will also be a 450cc Stock class designed to keep things fair and grassroots, with stock engines, no sway bars and no race tires.SxS classes will be available for kids ages 5 to 15 and adult divisions in both non-turbo and turbo configurations. Powder Puff classes are available for women in both quad and SxS categories, and there's an "Ol' Man Play" class open to riders 40 and older.Safety measures in placeSafety is a priority at the event. All racers are required to wear a helmet, long-sleeve shirt, long pants and riding or heavy-duty work boots. SxS drivers must have a belt harness, and every machine needs a working kill switch. Riding gloves, chest protectors, elbow pads and a neck brace are strongly recommended. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a release form before racing.The June 20 event is the first of several races scheduled for the year, with a second race date already set for Aug. 16, according to the announcement.For more information, visit stephensoncountyfair.org/races or find Backroad Raceway at Stephenson County Fairgrounds and Kickabuda Promotions on Facebook. This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.​This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Affordable family racing day hits Freeport fairgrounds June 20

Wolves’ Marshall Munetsi unlikely to remain at Paris FCMarshall Munetsi (29) enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Paris FC during the second half of last season, but according to a report from Le Parisien,he is unlikely to remain in the French capital beyond the summer. Having struggled at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Munetsi arrived at Paris FC back in January. In 16 appearances, he scored four goals and registered two assists. His performances helped lift Les Parisiens out of relegation contention and towards a mid-table finish in Ligue 1.Retaining Munetsi was thought to be one of Paris FC’s priorities heading into the summer. The midfielder is unlikely to be retained by Wolves, relegated to the EFL Championship, but his €15m price tag is perhaps inaccessible for Paris FC. The Ligue 1 club have, in any case, failed to advance in talks regarding a permanent move.The midfielder’s entourage are now looking at other options outside of Ligue 1.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Real Madrid cool interest in Spanish midfielder as Florentino Perez changes transfer planFor much of the past few months, Rodri’s name has repeatedly surfaced whenever discussions turned to Real Madrid’s midfield plans. The Manchester City star seemed like an obvious fit on paper, but as the summer transfer window looms, the reality appears very different.According to Guillermo Rai of The Athletic, Rodri is no longer considered one of Real Madrid’s leading midfield targets, with his chances of arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu having dropped significantly in recent weeks.The development is a notable shift in direction for a club that continues to assess potential additions in midfield ahead of a major squad rebuild under new manager Jose Mourinho.Slipping out of Real Madrid’s transfer plansReal Madrid have lost interest in Rodri. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Rodri became a frequent topic during Real Madrid’s recent presidential election campaign.Enrique Riquelme, who challenged Florentino Perez for the presidency, publicly promised to bring the Manchester City midfielder to the Bernabeu if he won the election. The pledge generated excitement and inevitably intensified speculation surrounding the player’s future.However, the aforementioned outlet confirms that Real Madrid’s approach has evolved.So what now?While the club remains active in exploring midfield reinforcements, Rodri is no longer viewed as one of the most realistic options available. Rodri could sign an extension with Man City. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Recent links between the player and Los Blancos have lost momentum, and there is little indication that a transfer is currently advancing.One of the biggest reasons is that Manchester City are reportedly working to secure a contract extension, with negotiations progressing positively.Yet it must be remembered that City’s position is not the only factor influencing Real Madrid’s decision-making.As such, there is also a growing feeling within the club that the focus should be directed towards younger profiles capable of becoming long-term pillars of the project, which is why Rodri can now be ruled out.

Iran's ​football federation (FFIRI) said on Tuesday that its ⁠ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled ⁠just ​days before ⁠football's global showpiece kicks ⁠off.This leaves supporters ​who ⁠had already ‌made travel plans unable to ‌attend their team's ‌matches.“This is despite the fact that ⁠many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the ‌necessary plans ​to attend ‌the matches,” ⁠the FFIRI added ⁠in a statement. More follows

João Neves and Vitinha considered ‘untouchable’ at PSGAmid the presidential race at Real Madrid, doubts began to emerge about the futures of two of Paris Saint-Germain’s most important players: João Neves (21) and Vitinha (26). However, it is Fabrizio Romano’s understanding that neither will depart this summer. Neves and Vitinha have become key players for PSG. The former is utilised largely in the UEFA Champions League (14 matches, two goals, three assists) but is often rested in Ligue 1. Vitinha, meanwhile, is an ever-present in all competitions. As well as playing 17 times in the Champions League last season (six goals, one assist), he made 50 appearances overall in all competitions.Both are essential cogs in Luis Enrique’s system at the Parc des Princes. Consequently, both are considered “untouchable” by PSG, as per Romano. Should Real Madrid show interest in the pair following the re-election of Florentino Perez, Les Parisiens, who retained their European crown last month, would not respond favourably.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Shoshana Gordon/ProPublica. Source images: Records obtained by ProPublica, USDA Forest Service photo by Andrew Avitt. A little over a year ago, Sen. Tim Sheehy floated an audacious proposal to reshape the way the federal government fights wildfires. It called for expanding the use of private planes and helicopters to quickly attack blazes while also eliminating the U.S. Forest Service’s rigorous airworthiness inspections for those aircraft. The idea stood to benefit Sheehy, a Montana Republican, personally. Before running for Congress, he founded and ran an aerial firefighting company called Bridger Aerospace, which is known for its scoopers, aircraft built to retrieve water from lakes or oceans and drop it onto fires. Since 2021, the Forest Service has paid Bridger more than $235 million for use of its scoopers, according to public records. Sheehy’s ownership of Bridger is well known, but what hasn’t been reported is that the same month the proposal leaked, a Forest Service inspector had discovered a crack in a wing of an aircraft Bridger had presented as ready for service. The scooper had failed the very inspection Sheehy sought to eliminate. Forest Service inspectors have flagged problems with Bridger’s scoopers for years, according to sources and documents obtained by ProPublica under the Freedom of Information Act. The records were heavily redacted by the agency, including the problem that the inspector discovered last April. But a former government official with direct knowledge of the inspection told ProPublica it had revealed a crack in a wing. “It was a big crack,” the official said. Other experts said that kind of finding is rare and could have proved catastrophic. “Very seldom do you find a crack in a major component,” said Paul Markowitz, a former national aviation maintenance manager for the Forest Service. Detecting such problems is the reason the Forest Service operates an airworthiness program, he added: “It’s to keep people alive.” Veteran fire officials noted that Sheehy’s proposals would eliminate costly oversight of the company he founded and others like it while increasing spending on aerial firefighting. At the time the document leaked, he owned Bridger stock worth between $13 million and $15 million. Within the Forest Service, the company was known to resist oversight, officials told ProPublica. Five current and former Forest Service officials say Bridger Aerospace has chafed at the agency’s rigorous inspections, even as records and sources indicate the company has presented aircraft in need of maintenance and repairs as ready to fight fires. The sources asked not to be named for fear of reprisal. Bridger did not answer questions about the failed inspection but said in a statement, “Safety is the bedrock of our company, and we spare no expense.” It added, “Our investment in maintenance and training runs into the tens of millions annually and reflects the high safety standard we believe this work demands.” Bridger’s aircraft have never been involved in a crash, according to records maintained by the National Transportation Safety Board. Sheehy’s office did not respond to interview requests. But he has been open about his frustration with the Forest Service’s inspections and contended that Bridger’s scoopers, because they are built to fight fire, require less oversight than other firefighting aircraft that were originally designed for other purposes. In response to detailed questions about Sheehy’s role in reshaping the fire service, a spokesperson for the senator said he stands by his efforts to eliminate Forest Service inspections. The process is “a relic of a bygone era and has become an unnecessary barrier to asset availability,” the spokesperson said in an email. The spokesperson also said that Sheehy has no conflict of interest because he has since moved his assets into blind trusts, adding, “The senator will continue to be adversarial toward anyone protecting a broken status quo that has allowed cities to burn to the ground.” Former Forest Service officials say it’s common for companies to complain about inspections. What sets Bridger apart is its connection to a senator who is seeking to change how wildfire aviation is managed. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, did not answer questions about Sheehy’s relationship with the agency. Last June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to consolidate their wildland fire programs, an idea Sheehy and others have long favored. The order left Forest Service inspections in place. But as fire officials discuss consolidation, an influential industry group that Sheehy helped shape is advocating for ending them. The United Aerial Firefighters Association was launched in 2022, with Sheehy serving as a founding board member. The group now wants to allow contractors to develop their own inspection standards. “Industry inspects itself all the time. Industry inspects automobiles. Industry inspects baby formula,” said Tiffany Taylor, UAFA’s senior policy director. “Why can’t we be inspecting ourselves?” In a U.S. Forest Service inspection document, a Bridger scooper is noted to have had its wing repaired. In a separate inspection, the same aircraft had multiple “fails,” including for an unspecified engine issue. Obtained, highlighted and redacted by ProPublica Contractors like Bridger own the vast majority of aircraft that the federal government uses to fight wildfires. In 2022, the last year for which data is available, only 5% of the Forest Service’s flight hours for firefighting came from aircraft it owns. Regardless of their ownership, aircraft must be inspected before flying. That job falls to about 25 aviation safety inspectors, most of whom work for the Forest Service. The Federal Aviation Administration certifies aircraft but does not conduct regular inspections. The agency instead relies on companies to ensure their planes and helicopters are airworthy. Even when the FAA performs inspections, fire officials and contractors say, they do not account for the stresses inflicted by steering aircraft through wildfires. “The Forest Service is way more in-depth,” said Britt Coulson, president of Coulson Aviation, a prominent air tanker contractor. Forest Service officials often say the agency’s rules governing aviation are written in blood. A pair of shocking crashes in 2002 ignited the push for more rigorous inspections. That June, an air tanker was dropping retardant in California when its wings folded upward, like a bird in flight, and detached. The plane burst into flames and fell to the ground. The harrowing moment was caught on video. Three people onboard were killed, and the NTSB later attributed the accident to undetected cracks in one of the plane’s wings. One month later, in Colorado, another tanker contracted by the Forest Service crashed after a wing separated from the fuselage. Two pilots were killed. Once again, the NTSB said the accident was caused by unidentified wing cracking. Since 2010, when the Forest Service implemented its current airworthiness program, the accident rate for aircraft it owns or contracts has plummeted. Between 1993 and 2010, it reported 85 accidents that killed 63 people — an average of nearly four deaths per year. Between 2011 and 2023, the last year for which data is available, the agency reported just 17 accidents and seven fatalities. Inspectors examine everything from the fuselage to the altimeter. When they find problems, they require the contractor to make changes before they issue a certifying document known as a card. In a separate procedure, inspectors issue cards to contractors’ pilots. By 2018, Bridger had a modest fleet of surveillance aircraft, but Sheehy had bigger ambitions. According to Sheehy’s 2023 book, “Mudslingers: A True Story of Aerial Firefighting,” his brother, Matt, a Bridger co-founder, helped connect the company to the Blackstone Group, which invested a reported $150 million. Bridger used the funds to buy six scoopers from Viking Air. Sheehy wrote that the day of the first aircraft’s arrival in 2020 was “among the proudest of my life.” In his book, he described that aircraft as a “brand new” model CL-415 but according to FAA records and aviation experts, this was inaccurate. The records show Bridger’s first scooper was built in 1985 and that it is in fact a precursor to the CL-415 model. Viking Air is now part of a larger company called De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited. A De Havilland spokesperson declined to comment about the aircraft’s age. Records also show that Bridger’s first scooper had undergone extensive repairs before the company bought it. The skin of the fuselage had cracked from stress, and both wings had been repaired. One repair, done in 2012, fixed a crack in the left spar — a load-bearing beam extending outward from the fuselage. Experts say any repair to a wing spar is significant. “A spar is what’s holding the damn thing together,” said Markowitz. According to Sheehy’s account, in 2020, the Forest Service’s airworthiness chief at the time, John Nelson, insisted that Bridger’s scoopers meet an updated standard of maintenance and inspection. Sheehy was extremely upset. “Unfortunately, the relationship between industry and the USFS Airworthiness Branch is at an all-time low,” he wrote in his book. (Nelson did not respond to questions about Sheehy’s characterization.) The next year, Bridger’s first scoopers received cards, allowing the government to pay for their use. By 2023, the company had six contracted scoopers. Inspectors soon found more problems with the aircraft, according to the records. In January 2024, Bridger presented its first scooper as ready for service, only to have a Forest Service inspector find issues with the engine and electronics. The problems and reasons for the failed inspection were redacted in documents obtained by ProPublica. The scooper received its card the next month. According to experts who examined the Bridger inspection records at ProPublica’s request, these issues are common in the aerial firefighting fleet. But they said it’s extraordinary for inspectors to find a problem like the one identified last spring. In early April 2025, Bridger presented two scoopers for carding, saying they were ready for service. During one of these assessments, a Forest Service inspector found a crack in a wing. The Forest Service records show that Bridger completed a repair in Montana by April 18. Within a week, both aircraft had been cleared for flight. Bridger did not answer specific questions about the repair. In a statement, the company said, “For a 30,000-pound aircraft that skims bodies of water repeatedly at 100 mph to scoop 11,700 pounds of water in 12 seconds, regular maintenance and periodic repairs are an inherent part of the job.” The company added, “We welcome the rigorous certification process.” But the relatively quick repair was not a reflection of the severity of the issue. Gil Elmy, a former Forest Service official who wrote the agency’s aircraft inspector guide, said such a finding “should not happen.” Markowitz said the finding evoked an uncomfortable historical echo. The 2002 crash, which was caught on camera and precipitated the Forest Service’s reckoning and its modern airworthiness program, was caused by unidentified wing cracking. As Bridger’s scooper was being repaired, officials in the wildland fire community were responding to a proposal from the senator’s office that would have ended the airworthiness program. In March 2025, Sheehy asked Brooke Rollins, the secretary of the Department of Agriculture, to stop the inspections, and in mid-April, a draft executive order that proposed eliminating them leaked from his Senate office. Metadata showed the draft had been edited by one of Sheehy’s policy advisers at the time as well as a lobbyist for Bridger. The United Aerial Firefighting Association also shaped the draft. “Senator Sheehy’s office circulated a living, breathing document to members of congress, outside policy experts, and industry stakeholders on ways to improve the way we fight fire in this country,” wrote Sheehy’s spokesperson. When Sheehy resigned from Bridger in July 2024 to run for the Senate, he owned 21% of the company, making him its largest individual shareholder. Four months after taking office, in May 2025, he moved most of his stock into two revocable blind trusts, claiming they eliminated any conflict of interest he might have. But the trusts appear to be managed by executives at Tallgrass, an energy infrastructure company that until March was run by Sheehy’s brother, Matt, who was also a significant early investor in Bridger. Neither Matt Sheehy nor representatives for Tallgrass responded to questions about the trusts. In an email, a spokesperson for the senator did not dispute the Tallgrass executives’ stewardship but pointed out that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics had vetted the trusts. The spokesperson wrote, “Senator Sheehy’s blind trusts are completely independent — he has no control over them.” According to Cynthia Brown, senior ethics counsel at the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a decision to entrust stock to such close associates undermines the purpose of a blind trust, which is to ensure that a lawmaker’s investments are independently managed. In an email, Brown said, “Selecting a family member’s company appears to do that exact thing that the rules mean to prohibit.” Since last spring, Sheehy has said little about airworthiness inspections. But he has pushed other policies that would increase business opportunities for aviation companies, such as requiring a response within 30 minutes to all wildfires on federal land. At the same time, he has driven an agenda that could debilitate his longtime foe, the Forest Service. In statements, on podcasts and in the New York Times opinion section, he has advocated for a single national fire service. And at almost every turn — including in proposed legislation — he has insisted that the Forest Service’s vast wildfire apparatus be moved within the Department of the Interior’s smaller operation. It would hollow out the Forest Service, which draws more than half its budget from fire operations. “It would be a fatal wound,” said Doug Crandall, the agency’s former legislative affairs director. There are inefficiencies in a fire aviation system spread between agencies. The rush for a couple dozen inspectors to certify hundreds of planes and helicopters before wildfire season can cause delays, temporarily grounding aircraft and cutting into contractors’ revenues. And the agencies have sometimes required duplicative inspections. But even officials and firefighting labor advocates who support consolidation, which requires congressional approval, have questioned why Interior should absorb the Forest Service’s fire program. Some liken it to forcing a minnow to swallow a whale. The Forest Service employs about twice as many full-time wildland firefighters as the Interior Department, and it spends at least three times more on aviation contracting. It is also responsible for the vast majority of inspections. According to a recent organizational chart reviewed by ProPublica, only five aviation safety inspectors currently work for the Interior Department. Bridger carries significant debt and in 2024 warned shareholders that it had “substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.” But last year, the company reported a profit for the first time since going public. It also purchased two more scoopers and predicted that efforts to unify fire agencies “could increase contracting opportunities for private aerial providers.” In another recent filing, Bridger said, “the legislative and policy environment has never been more aligned with our mission.” Last year, six Forest Service aviation safety inspectors resigned or retired, according to the agency. The recent organizational chart reviewed by ProPublica shows the same number of positions remain unfilled, representing more than 20% of Forest Service aviation safety inspector jobs. It’s unclear what would happen to the rest of the inspectors if the Interior Department were to absorb the Forest Service’s fire operations. In an emailed statement, Adam Mendonca, the Forest Service’s deputy director of fire and aviation management, said the agency “has no intention to change our aircraft inspection standards,” adding that it was “working closely with the Department of the Interior to streamline aviation operations.” In late March, the Forest Service announced a dramatic reorganization that will move its headquarters to Salt Lake City. The Department of Agriculture reiterated the administration’s desire to fold the Forest Service’s fire operations into the Interior Department. By that point, blazes had ignited in the Midwest. With the arrival of fire season, the Forest Service’s airworthiness inspectors performed their close examinations. At hangars across the country, they looked for cracks. The post A U.S. Senator Pushed to Cut Firefighting Aircraft Inspections the Same Month His Former Company Failed One appeared first on ProPublica.

There is a lot to gripe about. There’s also a lot to like.