Sony teased a new RX10 on its Instagram, writing 'The Wait is over'
Its previous bridge camera was the RX10 IV from 2017, which is discontinued
This latest in the series will arrive on July 9 at 7am PT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST
Sony just dropped exciting news for fans of its versatile bridge cameras — a new RX10 camera will be revealed next week.
The teaser on Sony's Instagram reveals a surprising amount of detail, including the release date plus a silhouette of the next RX10, which from we can glean some info about its lens.
Perhaps the most surprising part of all is that Sony is launching a new RX10 in the first place. Its most recent bridge camera was the Cyber-Shot RX10 IV which was released all the way back in 2017, and has been discontinued for more than two years.
The RX10 IV is still regarded as the best bridge camera available, which tells you everything you need to know about this space, which has been largely dormant for years, save for a tired Lumix re-release and the occasional cheap Kodak model.
Despite the RX10 IV's skills, we can only hope that Sony has a little more in store for the next RX10, because an upgrade on the mark IV could be super interesting. The teaser (below) gives us a little snippet of what we can expect.
The most obvious point to note is the release date, which will be July 9 at 7am PT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST. I predict that putting a Sony bridge camera back in stores will be a popular move, especially among enthusiast wildlife photographers desiring a versatile telephoto lens in a lightweight setup.
Otherwise, there's one little clue, and that's the part of the teaser when the lens is extending upwards. We can't see the focal length of the lens, but we can see the aperture range, which is f/2.4 to f/16.
That aperture range is identical to the RX10 IV, which features a 25x optical zoom with a 24-600mm focal length range. The other details in that lens silhouette also look the same as those in the RX10 IV; the Vario Sonnar T* and twin control rings.
It's harder to glean much else from the teaser — the silhouette of the camera body looks similar to the one before it, but it could very well be different.
We won't have long to wait to find out more, with the next RX10 coming in less than a week.
What do you think of Sony's teaser? Is this the next Sony camera you were hoping for? Have your say in the comments.
Malaysia beefs up action against VPN used to facilitate crimes
Misuse includes bypassing the new under-16 social media ban
Officials have stressed that owning or using a VPN is not an offence
Malaysia is set to take action if VPN are used to facilitate criminal activities or help residents bypass the new social media age limit.
According to local reports, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the government is working closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to counter VPNs and borrowed identities that are being used to slip past newly enforced social media age limits.
For the many people who reach for the best VPN services to protect their browsing, encrypt their traffic, or simply keep their data out of advertisers' hands, the reassuring takeaway is that the tool itself is not the target. What the authorities want to reach is the small share of activity where a VPN is used as a shield for something illegal.
What Malaysia actually announced
The comments came during a question-and-answer session on cybercrime and age verification. Shamsul Anuar explained that police would draw on public complaints and their own investigations to identify cases where VPNs or identity-masking tools are being abused, and that such misuse could be treated as an added element of an offence.
He was clear that the crackdown is aimed at conduct, not software. The minister framed the effort as part of Malaysia's wider push to protect children online, pointing to a sharp rise in offences.
This sits on top of Malaysia's under-16 social media ban, which took effect on 1 June 2026 under the Online Safety Act 2025. Large platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube must now verify users' ages and block under-16s from registering, with non-compliance carrying penalties reported at up to RM10 million.
VPNs enter the picture because they are an obvious way to make it look as though a user is somewhere the rules do not apply. Age verification laws elsewhere, such as Australia and the UK, have repeatedly triggered spikes in VPN sign-ups, with many often being adults looking to protect the sensitive documents these systems ask them to hand over.
What it means for everyday VPN users
For most people, this is not a reason to stop using a VPN, and it is not a ban in disguise.
Digital rights groups, however, have been sharply critical of the age-verification model underpinning the ban.
ARTICLE 19, alongside local partners, has argued the measure was rushed, is disproportionate, and risks normalising surveillance while exposing people's identity documents and biometric data to misuse.
Rockstar Games has been accused of enabling crunch conditions through employee contracts
Union members say there is a lack of transparency around pay and bonuses at the Grand Theft 6 studio
The union accuses the studio of scrapping initiatives aimed at addressing gender-based pay inequity
Grand Theft Auto 6 studio and industry giant Rockstar Games has been accused of unfair working conditions that include enabling crunch culture, failing to address gender-based pay inequity, and weaponizing bonuses.
Three members of the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU) spoke to Game Developer in a huge interview - though they wished to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals - and claimed that the studio attempts to normalize crunch.
"Crunch is prevalent enough that the company built into our contracts, as standard, an opt out of the Working Time Regulations that stops your employer being able to ask you to do more than about 10 hours extra each week," one source explained, referring to the UK protection that can be voluntarily relinquished by employees.
"The union successfully ran a campaign to inform people they could opt back in to the regulations at any time, which resulted in Rockstar management simplifying the process and removing the obligation to meet with HR," the source added.
"Part of the problem with crunch is that there is not an agreed definition, and now it seems the company thinks that offering specific and limited compensation as an incentive for overtime means it no longer qualifies as crunch."
While some teams at Rockstar never crunch, it's claimed that there are also departments that "seem to never get out of it — and often colleagues do not realize the opposite group exists."
The interview also includes claims that workers were forced to return to the office and relinquish hybrid or remote work benefits, a mandate which allegedly didn't apply to company leaders, and there is a lack of transparency around pay and bonuses.
A "considerable portion" of most employees' compensation packages comes in the form of bonuses that fluctuate, often without obvious justification. It's claimed that the compensation workers receive falls below the market rate when compared to adjacent industry work, with one source saying, "When the bonus is particularly good, it can be a windfall, but often the bonus is disappointing and one can end up being paid considerably less than expected for the year.
"The reasoning given for this is often nebulous, inconsistent between departments, even inconsistent between team members within the same department, and sometimes hinges on completely subjective or retroactive criticisms."
It's said promotions are also hard to secure at the studio because Rockstar regularly shifts the goalposts when career progression is discussed.
"The main problem is that [bonuses and progression are] all completely discretionary for the company, and they are under no obligation to show their working," the source added. "Employees want good pay, and if literally anything they do that year could affect it, they will naturally feel they have to be as pliable as possible to their boss's whims. Imagine [how you might feel if] a fifth of your salary could be withheld without any justification or based on a single surprise factor."
Gender-based pay inequity is another issue that the union members discussed, informing Game Developer that the gap between median wages for different genders has widened at Rockstar and that initiatives aimed to address that imbalance have been scrapped.
Union workers say all these issues have created a sense of imbalance and injustice at the studio and feel that employees are not adequately compensated for GTA 6, which is set to be the biggest game launch of all time.
A Take-Two Interactive spokesperson provided a statement to Game Developer in response to the claims. It reads: "We strive to make the best games possible by giving our talented teams world-class work environments and ongoing career opportunities. We have fostered a culture which is focused on teamwork, excellence, and kindness, and where we support and reward the team across all levels of the business through competitive compensation and benefits policies.
"We are proud that as a result, our employee retention is well above the industry standard. We have received a request from a union seeking to discuss voluntary recognition. We value an open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and will arrange to meet."
Audio Pro has just unveiled the A15 W (yes, late on a Friday afternoon)
The Danish brand's progeny offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and portability
Available now, priced at $400 / £299 / around AU$579
If the 2022 Audio Pro A15 was a natural Sonos Move rival, the newly launched 2026 Audio Pro A15 W might happily butt heads with the Sonos Move 2.
It could also compete with a new series of Bluetooth-only 'HYG' speakers from Jamo, the Denon Home 400 (which it resembles rather strongly), something from WiiM's expanding arsenal of products or the new Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker — top tip on that one: a review will be going live over the weekend and it's worth a read...
Back to the A15 W, though, and what you've got here is a portable wireless speaker that boasts room-filling sound, flexible streaming options and battery-powered portability that's built for both indoor and outdoor listening.
And that's where it has the edge over some (if not all of the competition), because your average Wi-Fi enabled speaker usually needs to remain hooked up to a power socket within your home.
Not so here — in fact, alongside Bluetooth capability and an 11-hour battery life, you also get a 'water resistant' IPX2 rating, so it'll survive a European shower (if not the deluges we've been seeing during World Cup matches in the US this week).
Audio Pro tells me it can also be used as a multi-room system with other A15 W speakers (or in fact any W series speaker from the Audio Pro range) but because it also supports both Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, it should be easy to welcome it into existing Apple or Android-based multi-room systems.
The (Audio) Pro mindset
(Image credit: Audio Pro)
I've long been a fan of Audio Pro speakers, starting with the Bluetooth only T3+ I listen to every day, but having tested the five-star, Wi-Fi enabled Audio Pro C20, I know very well about the decidedly 'Hygge' adjacent firm's admirable way with HDMI ARC-toting, sub-out sporting, RCA hook-up-able AirPlay and Google Cast speakers.
Interestingly, the grille looks fixed on this model, and I've always been a fan of removing the grilles on my Audio Pro speakers to see the relaxed, rock-chic driver configurations underneath.
The A15 W features a two-way speaker system with a dedicated tweeter alongside a 4.5-inch woofer. You can stream music via Bluetooth too, with better-quality aptX support, and if using Wi-Fi you'll be aided by the latest Audio Pro app, to access compatible music streaming services directly. I've used it before, and I like it a lot.
For instant access to playlists and internet radio stations, six preset buttons across the top plate are there to offer one-touch playback without working out where you've left your phone. A 3.5mm aux input also enables connection to portable music players and compatible turntables or CD players. So, no HDMI ARC, sub-out or RCA this time (its newest rival, the Denon 400 also lacks these things), but there's the same contemporary fabric finish and contrasting aluminium control buttons as I've come to expect from the brand.
The Audio Pro A15 W is available in Dark Grey and Light Grey finishes, and it'll set you back $400 / £299 (which is around AU$579), whichever color you go for.
How good does it sound? I can't vouch for that yet. But I'll be working on it…
Tesla regains momentum after two years of sales decline
China and Europe both see an increase in Tesla sales
Tesla shares still fluctuated, despite the positive news
Tesla’s second-quarter sales results have far exceeded market expectations, with growth in both Europe and China helping to drive a 25% rise compared to the same period last year.
According to The Financial Times, the electric vehicle pioneer delivered 480,126 vehicles in the three months to the end of June, up from 384,122 in the same period last year and well above analysts’ forecasts of 404,000.
Despite shifting its focus to artificial intelligence and robotics in recent years, as well as trimming its model line-up down to just two cars, Tesla has seen huge growth in Europe, aided in part by government EV incentives.
The Guardian reports that the rising cost of fuel and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles on corporate fleets could have also played an important role in boosting sales, while the consumer backlash to CEO Elon Musk’s political statements last year could also have eased.
Despite the vast improvement in sales, BYD once again surpassed Tesla to regain its position as the world’s largest battery-electric vehicle manufacturer.
BYD sold roughly 867,000 electric vehicles in the first six months of the year, compared with 838,149 vehicles for Tesla, according to The Financial Times.
“Tesla has not surprised to the upside to this degree in a while, a healthy sign the auto business is here to stay,” William Blair analyst Jed Dorsheimer told the paper.
Analysis: Demand for EVs booms in Europe
(Image credit: BYD)
Despite the CEO’s questionable political decisions and the company’s reputation for over-promising and often under-delivering, it is still difficult to argue that Tesla’s current crop of electric vehicles is anything short of excellent.
The company’s charging network remains one of the best, even if charging speeds are now being eclipsed by numerous Charge Point Operators, while its latest Model 3 and Model Y are the most comfortable, tech-focussed and luxurious they have ever been.
Thanks to increased competition from both up-and-coming Chinese EV companies and legacy automakers, Tesla has been forced to get competitive with its pricing, offering enticing monthly deals on the Model 3 and Model Y.
It has also recently started to roll-out its Supervised Full Self-Driving system in select European countries for the first time, another factor that could help improve sales further.
Proton, Windscribe, and PureVPN launched a satirical campaign to make fun of the gaming sector's digital shift
PlayStation said it will stop releasing games on discs in 2028
The satirical stunt highlights growing consumer concerns about digital ownership, server shutdowns, and game preservation
The ongoing debate over digital ownership in the gaming industry, which follows Sony's announcement to stop releasing PlayStation games on discs by 2028, has found an unlikely group of critics in VPN firms.
In a coordinated display of industry satire, several of the market's best VPN providers have begun openly trolling the gaming sector's controversial shift away from physical media.
Leading the charge is Swiss privacy company Proton, which first released a parody announcement on Thursday declaring that "in response to the gaming industry removing physical offerings moving forward, we've decided to fill in the gap by making our services entirely physical, starting 1st April 2027."
The stunt took direct aim at the frustrations gamers face as digital storefronts increasingly replace physical discs.
Rival providers quickly jumped on the bandwagon. Both Windscribe and PureVPN also took to X to join the trend, adding their own satirical jabs at the gaming industry's expense.
Proton's fake announcement outlined a hilarious reverse-digitalization strategy, presenting the idea of making completely physical versions of inherently digital services.
According to the satirical campaign, Proton Mail will soon post "encrypted letters hand-delivered by team," while its passcode service will be replaced by "someone who follows you around and remembers your passwords for you."
The jokes extended to the company's flagship networking and storage products. Proton VPN humorously claimed it would send its clients to one of their 90 plus server locations so they could browse online "like a local." Meanwhile, Proton Drive users were promised a folder would be shipped to them with "an additional folder available on request".
Artificial intelligence wasn't spared from the joke, either. The company announced its AI assistant, Lumo, would become an actual "smart" employee sent to a user's location to "answer questions, help with work, and draw things."
Please note that using the Secure Core option to fly you via Iceland is the most private option, but may cause some latency.https://t.co/qyK4ZJVWXPJuly 2, 2026
Even David Peterson, Proton VPN General Manager, joined in the fun and said that "using the Secure Core option to fly you via Iceland is the most private option, but may cause some latency."
While Proton has no intention of substituting its digital services for physical ones, the broader message resonated strongly with the gaming community.
A joke with a serious message for gamers
Behind the coordinated trolling from Proton, Windscribe, and PureVPN lies a genuine consumer rights issue. The gaming industry has aggressively pivoted toward digital storefronts and subscription models, leaving players increasingly concerned that purchasing digital titles merely grants a license for using games, not owning them.
The problem of game preservation has become a hot-button topic. As noted by the campaign's underlying message, there is a very real danger that digital games could become permanently unavailable in the case of "server shutdowns, changes in licensing agreements, or the publisher removing their products from online stores."
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING OUR SERVICE pic.twitter.com/Z8O2qR1MnwJuly 3, 2026
Physical media, while fading from retail shelves, offer tangible, long-term ownership, a stark contrast to the volatile nature of digital libraries. Many players argue that physical copies provide much stronger consumer protections.
By playing on the irony of current digitalization trends, Proton and its peers successfully weaponized satire to champion consumer rights.
The campaign aligned perfectly with the VPN companies' overarching aim of protecting users' privacy and giving them more freedom regarding their personal data. Ultimately, it proves that these privacy giants aren't afraid to have a little fun while sparking a crucial conversation around digital ownership.
We've had a couple of early reports of Steam Machine failures, describing a red light indicator of a problem that means the PC won't turn on, which is something that'll be very familiar to those who've had an Xbox in the past.
A Redditor posted (see below) that their "Steam Machine was pretty cool for the 20 minutes that it worked", detailing how things went wrong, and how the PC ended up displaying a 'Red Line of Death' and not booting – reminiscent of the 'Red Ring of Death' visited upon some unfortunate Xbox 360 owners (myself included).
The Redditor tells us that they played five minutes of No Man's Sky before noticing an update for the Steam Machine, which they installed — and then the device fell over.
Post-update it failed to boot, and the owner was left looking at a red light on the right-hand side of the Steam Machine's light bar. After a bit of digging, it was discovered that this indicates a 'GPU failure', as per Valve's troubleshooting info on the Steam Machine's LED.
The owner has contacted Valve for help, but at the time of writing, support hasn't yet got back to them (or at least they haven't updated the Reddit thread with the details of what's happening).
This isn't quite a sole complaint, as there's another report of a GPU failure with the Steam Machine on the Steam Forums. But clearly, we shouldn't go running for the hills in panic that this is going to be Valve's very own 'red ring' controversy that casts a hellish blight across this hardware launch just yet.
Analysis: faulty KITT
(Image credit: Valve)
While talk of the Redditor's Steam Machine being 'bricked', meaning permanently dead, is premature, it's not clear where things might go from here. Given that in the Redditor's case it happened after an update, perhaps it's reversible (the other post on Valve's forums, where the PC immediately failed on first boot, sounds more definitively terminal).
In both cases, though, a GPU failure doesn't sound good, and while it may be possible to resolve that via poking around and attempting a recovery with the PC, the buyer on Reddit is wisely awaiting instructions from Valve's support team.
I'm betting this will be a return in the end (with both PCs), and I think that's for the best, as I'd be worried if a device I bought had an initial problem like this, as I'd fear that it's something that might resurface later on.
Of course, some point out that the problem is that furnishing the purchaser with a new unit may not be a speedy process, given the limited stock of the Steam Machine so far. But Valve will obviously have some contingency plans in place for potential returns, as they will inevitably happen.
That's another thing to make clear here: just because we've seen a Red Line of Death (well, two) doesn't mean everyone should be panicking about the quality of Valve's hardware. There will be a percentage of faulty devices, that's just reality, and currently, we have just a pair of reports.
If these problems keep on coming, though, that's obviously a different matter, and we could be looking at a more difficult situation for Valve. Time will tell, but for now, let's stay well clear of the mentioned hills.
At any rate, at least the red line looks a lot cooler than the red ring. It reminds me of KITT in Knight Rider, or the Cylons in Battlestar Galactica, though the light really should be pulsing from side to side, of course.
US Energy Secretary urges data centers to use generators, temporarily turning off grid connections
Dirty generators risk producing more emissions amid regional heatwave and increased AC demand
Data centers are clearly putting huge strain on local grids, which are struggling to cope
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has ordered large data centers to switch from grid electricity to on-site backup generators during the ongoing East Coast heatwave, to relieve pressure on the grid.
By using generators, the aim is to free up electricity for residential air conditioning units, with energy demand surging in the region as a result of the excessive heat.
The directive primarily applies to data centers and other major consumers of electricity connected to the PJM Interconnection grid – a major operator in the region.
Data centers told to use generators amid heatwve
High consumers, like data centers, have been given permission to disconnect from the grid and revert to generators running on diesel or natural gas, despite the sustainability concerns.
The PJM notice is one of two relating to this heatwave – the Department of Energy also announced similar measures for Duke Energy in the Carolinas.
"The order authorizes Duke Energy to operate specified units up to their maximum generation output levels, notwithstanding air quality or other permit limitations arising under federal, state, or local law or regulation, or other applicable source of law," the directive reads.
"Maintaining affordable, reliable, and secure power in the Duke Energy service territory is non-negotiable," Wright added, implying that residents shouldn't suffer due to the concentration of data centers in the region.
It's believed that 35GW of backup generation is available nationally, though it's unclear how much grid capacity East Coast measures will free up.
However, what the temporary measures prove is that citizen and commercial demands are too near to generated output, and that there's not enough buffer to allow for surges in demand. Without investment in sustainability electricity, continued data center projects risk more and more scenarios like this, where unsustainable fuels are burned to create power.
With the price of some PC components right now, it's arguably better to go for a prebuilt rig. The iBuyPower 4th of July Mega Sale could help with that, as you can get up to $350 off any custom or RDY prebuilt PC over $999 with the coupon code 'JULY4'.
This RDY Element 9 Pro R08 is the overall best value option out of the prebuilt gaming PCs in the iBuyPower 4th of July Mega Sale. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB, 32GB of DDR5-6000MHz RAM, and a 2TB NVMe SSD. These are all reasonable specs for a mid-to-high-end PC, including a graphics card from AMD's latest series and ample storage compared to cheaper alternatives. Remember to use the code 'JULY4' at checkout to get an extra $350 discount.View Deal
Let's get into some of the components. First, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a couple of years old now, so not the newest, but not ancient, and still widely regarded as one of the best gaming CPUs you can buy. The Radeon RX 9070 XT, meanwhile, is the flagship card from AMD's latest graphics card series.
Together, these components can capably run modern and demanding games, as well as popular esports titles like Valorant, Marvel Rivals, and Fortnite above 1080p without dipping below 120fps. Most of them can even support up to 1440p.
As for storage, its 2TB NVMe SSD offers enough space for a variety of games without deleting old files every few months.
The 4th of July long weekend is upon us, and hopefully you have some outdoor gathering time planned. It's an especially good time to pick up some kit to upgrade your outside space too. As part of Walmart's massive 4th of July sale, I've spotted some particularly impressive discounts on things like grills, robot lawn mowers, planters and outdoor furniture. The kind of thing that could make a huge difference to how you enjoy your outside space. I've combed carefully through all the discounts to find the gems most worth considering — you'll find my top picks below.
If you have a large turf area, my top recommendation is to invest in a robot lawn mower. I tested a number of these during my years as a TechRadar Homes Editor, and I was genuinely wowed by how much time and effort they can save, and how neat and thorough they are, too. Segway Navimow and Mammotion are two brands I have first-hand experience of (I was extremely impressed with both) — and both have models included in the Walmart sale.
Looking for a smaller-scale buy? My roundup also includes a less-than-half-price planter, several bargain BBQs and a firepit I'd love in my own back yard. Scroll down for more of the best deals...
My top picks from the Walmart outdoor sale
Segway Navimow
X430 Robot Lawn Mower
WestinTrends
Malibu Outdoor Patio Porch Rocking Adirondack Chair, Dark Green
Mainstays
Black and White Striped Cabana Woven Outdoor Rug, 5'x7'
Mainstays
28-Inch Square Propane Fire Pit Table With Convertible Metal Lid
OHHANI
6 Tier Metal Corner Shelf for Indoor Outdoor Garden
Want to get some rewards for getting active? NHS England has partnered with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster to create the 'Movement 26.2' scheme, designed to incentivize people to get active and log walks digitally to achieve rewards.
By logging 20-30 minutes of walking each day, the idea is that participants will have walked around 26.2 miles at the end of each month — equivalent to a marathon.
Details around the scheme are thin on the ground at the moment, but here's everything we know so far — including the technology you'll need.
What is the 'Movement 26.2' scheme?
Announced this morning (July 3) by Foster, who founded the Great North Run, the scheme is designed to incentivize and reward people to get active by encouraging people to complete daily walking targets, logged via their smart tech.
We know the UK Government is talking to high-street brands to help add 'discounts and shopping vouchers' into the mix, as well as digital rewards like streaks and badges, presumably delivered via an app.
You can probably expect longer streaks to earn freebies and special offers at high-street coffee chains and restaurants (although that might rather defeat the purpose) or vouchers to be spent at retailers.
When does the scheme start?
According to the BBC, the scheme is set to start 'early next year', although dates are to be confirmed at this stage.
What equipment do you need to track your steps?
The BBC article linked above states that 'users will be able to log their walks online, or through their phone or smartwatch.' Users will reportedly also be able to log walks online via browser.
While the best smartwatches and best fitness trackers are great for counting steps, you will be able to do it with the phone in your pocket too, as all modern smartphones have built-in pedometer functionalities. One advantage of smartwatches is that some models, such as the best Garmin watches, now have wheelchair modes that translate distances covered by wheelchairs from steps into an equivalent number of daily pushes. So in theory, wheelchair users can take part too.
Details of how exactly the logging is going to work are currently scarce, but 'will be revealed in the coming months'. I assume there will be a dedicated Movement 26.2 app, perhaps with the ability to piggyback onto apps like Apple Health, Samsung Health or Google Health to share your step count. But this is just conjecture at this stage.
Otherwise, you'll just need some comfortable clothes and shoes. If you plan to run instead of walk, you can check out our best running shoes guide.
It seems that Microsoft explored the idea of building Windows fully around AI in the past, based on a leaked video from a couple of years ago.
Windows Central highlighted a video (see below) that's a few minutes long and was leaked via the BetaWiki Discord server, with our sister site's Zac Bowden noting that sources have provided assurances that the clip is real. It shows an AI-focused version of Windows built around Copilot and apparently codenamed Aion.
The concept shown is a lightweight web-based OS, meaning it's built on web apps rather than native Windows apps. In other words, it won't run standard Windows (Win32) software, with the idea being to stream those apps to the desktop if they're required (meaning they're run from the cloud, or more specifically, Windows 365, Microsoft's cloud PC offering).
It's kind of like Microsoft's take on ChromeOS, then, leveraging the cloud, except that it's built around the Edge browser and Copilot.
Copilot runs the show, and is the central player in the Start menu, and the idea is that AI provides contextual suggestions here, recalling previous interactions to try and anticipate what the user might need.
In the video, Microsoft explains that Aion aims to break down the "traditional app-centric" approach to grouping on the taskbar, instead using 'Spaces' that act as groups into which apps, websites or files that pertain to the same goals are deposited.
Analysis: AI-on or AI-off? It seems most lean towards the latter
The themed approach of Spaces sounds rather like the idea of Sets that Microsoft toyed with in Windows 10 the best part of a decade ago now, only to abandon the concept. Except this time around it's grouped content that's organized and curated by AI.
The Aion concept hasn't been well received by the computing public as you might guess. One commenter on the video simply states: "This company has completely lost the plot."
Another observes that it's "like ChromeOS for people who don't know how to use a computer at all."
And yet another notes: "How did they manage to even make simple web apps look slow and laggy? One of the strong points of ChromeOS is that it is very fast even on old, slow machines."
In fact, there are a few people who aren't impressed with how clunky and sluggish the operating system appears to be in the video. In fairness to Microsoft, though, it's just a concept illustration and early working code (although the evident lack of smoothness isn't a good look, it must be said). Bowden explains that the video was recorded at some point in 2024, and that it's "unclear if this was just a Hackathon project or something more."
The ideas explored within Aion could well be a hint of where Microsoft is headed with next-gen Windows, though. Which may be worrying for some, of course, but you might as well get used to these ideas.
While Microsoft has promised to trim back AI excesses in Windows 11, that's more about streamlining submenus here and there, and removing Copilot features from certain apps, than it is some kind of wholesale change of philosophy regarding AI. Windows 11 is getting AI agents, and indeed they are the next big thing for the OS, if Microsoft has anything to do with it (and, strangely enough, it does).
Whatever the case, Aion is still a thing, believe it or not: Microsoft revealed a new family of local AI models running with the same name at Build 2026. These are a "new generation of small language models that are smaller, faster, and more efficient than our previous Windows OS SLMs", as Microsoft explains here. Apparently, Aion lives on in some form, then, even if it's a very different idea to the notion of a full-on Copilot-based operating system.
The Apple Watch Series 13 is expected to feature a completely new design and advanced display technology for longer battery life. The Apple Watch Series 12, which is expected in September, could still be exciting thanks to a brand-new sensor wristband.
Deal | The Pixii Plus and the Pixii Max, which features a full-frame sensor, are currently available at a discount of up to €550 ($629) as part of a summer promotion. Alongside Leica, Pixii is currently the only manufacturer of digital rangefinder cameras.
Xbox eagerly pointed out that many first-party titles are not exclusively digital games. Ahead of the July 28th Halo: Campaign Evolved release date, buyers can pre-order a physical version . Even so, like with the PS5 disc, a download is necessary before playing the Combat Evolved remake.
Back in 2024, rumors about AirPods Pros with cameras started showing up, and several leakers backed those claims. Now, it looks like Apple’s plans have changed, and we’ll have to wait indefinitely for those models.
Up until now, SSDs for laptops have been mostly made by well known names from the US, Korea or Japan, like Samsung, Kioxia or Western Digital. In the midst of the RAM and SSD crisis, a new player has appeared: Notebokcheck has tested a YMTC SSD, which powers a Lenovo ThinkBook 14 laptop.
Sony's smartphone cameras always seem to divide opinion. On the one hand, they offer great flexibility and extensive pro modes; on the other, they aren't always ideal for snapshots. We tested the Xperia 1 VIII in Edinburgh to see what kind of photo results it can produce.
Asus has just confirmed European pricing for its NUC 16 Pro mini PC lineup, with configurations ranging from a barebone Core Ultra 5 model to a fully equipped Core Ultra X9 system. The series was first unveiled at CES and has already appeared in North America, though availability remains uneven.
The Godox C100 is one of the most unusual compact cameras in the world, as Godox uses a transparent display as an optical viewfinder, making the camera look like a small window. Thanks to its very affordable price, the camera is also an attractive option as a light meter.
The global Redmi 17 5G will be the successor to the Redmi 15 5G, as Redmi is skipping the number 16 just like Xiaomi did last year. Now, the Redmi 17 5G has been certified for sale in Malaysia by SIRIM and Taiwan by NCC.
These certifications have revealed its model number, 26062RN92G, and the fact that it will be available in four RAM/storage configurations: 4/64GB, 4/128GB, 4/256GB, and 8/256GB. The phone will pack a 7,500 mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging.
Redmi 15 5G
The Redmi 17 5G will obviously support 5G, as well as dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS. It...
Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit will take place between September 22 and 24. This will be the official unveiling of the next generation of Snapdragon 8 Elite chips (two of them) and several makers want to launch their flagship series that same month – Xiaomi, vivo and Oppo. The latest rumor claims that Xiaomi will get there first.
The Xiaomi 18 series will consist of three models. The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max will have two 200MP cameras (including a 1/1.28” LOFIC sensor in the main). The Xiaomi 18 Pro will have a larger rear screen and possibly a Privacy Display feature. The Xiaomi 18 will be...
Beşiktaş'ın yeni transferi Kassoum Ouattara, kulüp televizyonuna konuştu; sahadaki en büyük kalitesini ve transfer sürecinde yaşananları anlattı.
Beşiktaş'ın Monaco'dan kadrosuna kattığı genç sol bek Kassoum Ouattara, kulüp kanalına konuştu.
İşte Ouattara'nun sözleri:
Kendimi çok iyi hissediyorum, çok heyecanlıyım, bir an önce başlamak istiyorum. Takıma katılmak için sabırsızlanıyorum. Bu benim için yeni bir meydan okuma ve çok çok mutluyum. Çok güzel bir ülke, güzel bir şehir. Burada olmaktan dolayı gerçekten çok mutluyum. Benim için bir ilk bu, şehri zamanla keşfedeceğim. Şehir ve ülke hakkında çok iyi bir izlenime sahibim. Buradaki karşılama gerçekten olağanüstüydü.
Beşiktaş'ın ilgisini ilk öğrendiğinde neler hissettin? Aklından neler geçti?
Tabii ki çok sevindim. Beşiktaş hem Türkiye’de hem dünya çapında çok büyük bir kulüp. Bu yüzden Beşiktaş’ın bana ilgisini öğrendiğimde çok mutlu oldum.
Görüşmelerde seni en çok etkileyen ya da 'Evet, burası doğru yer.' dedirten şey neydi?
En başta yöneticilerin bana verdiği güven oldu. İlk sözlerinde, ilk temasta direkt olarak bana güvendiklerini gösterdiler. Beni tanıdıklarını, büyük işler başarabilmem için arkamda olduklarını söylediler ve bu beni hemen ikna etti.
Kararını verdikten sonra ilk kimi aradın? Ailenin ya da yakın çevrenin tepkisi nasıldı?
İlk olarak ailemi aradım. Annem, babam, kardeşlerim ile her gün konuşuyoruz. Benim adıma çok mutlu oldular. Mücadeleci olduğumu, farklı bir yol çizmek istediğimi biliyorlar. Bana, bu meydan okuma için desteklerini hissettirdiler.
Beşiktaş taraftarının sosyal medyadaki ilgisini gördün. Bu, seni şaşırttı mı?
İşin doğrusu benim için bir yenilik oldu bu. Fazlasıyla mutlu oldum ve bana çok güven verdi. Özellikle buraya gelmem konusunda beni teşvik etti. Gerçekten çok güzel taraftarımız var. Sosyal medyada taraftarlardan gördüğüm heves beni fazlasıyla motive etti ve güven verdi.
Henüz seni izlememiş taraftarlar için kendini nasıl anlatırsın? Nasıl bir oyuncu izleyecekler? Sahada seni tanımlayan özelliğin nedir?
Sahada takımı için formayı sırılsıklam edecek bir oyuncu izleyecekler. Kulübü için, taraftarları için her şeyini veren; çok koşan, aç bir oyuncu. Bendeki ilk keşfedecekleri şeyler bunlar, Kalitesi olan ve takıma katkı sağlayan birini görecekler.
Sahadaki en büyük kaliten nedir?
En büyük kalitem sanırım hiç pes etmemek. Maçı 3-0 önde de götürsek veya 3-0 geride de olsak aynı şekilde davranmayı seviyorum. Tabii ki bek oyuncusu olduğum için devamlı olarak efor sarf ediyorum. İyi bir orta açma kalitem var, iyi bir pas kalitem var, teknik olarak da iyiyim. Bütün bunları söyleyebilirim kalitelerim hakkında.
Son olarak, Beşiktaş taraftarına bir mesajın var mı?
Onlara, burada olmaktan dolayı çok mutlu olduğumu söylemek istiyorum. Bu kulüp ve takım için oynayacak, bu formayı taşıyacak olmaktan dolayı çok mutluyum. Onlar için savaşmaya ve formayı sırılsıklam etmek için ne gerekiyorsa yapmaya hazırım. Bu sezon takımla birlikte zaferler kazanmak için hazırım.
Galatasaray Kadın Futbol Takımı, Portekiz Milli Takımı'nın deneyimli kalecisi Patricia Morais ile sözleşme imzaladı.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, "Patricia Morais'e 'Galatasaray ailesine hoş geldin' diyor, sarı-kırmızılı formamız altında başarılarla dolu bir kariyer diliyoruz." denildi.
Kulüp kariyeri boyunca birçok ulusal başarıya imza atan tecrübeli file bekçisi, Portekiz Ligi, Portekiz Kupası ve Portekiz Süper Kupası'nda şampiyonluklar yaşadı.
Portekiz Milli Takımı'nda 100'ün üzerinde maça çıkan Patricia Morais, UEFA Kadınlar Avrupa Şampiyonası ve FIFA Kadınlar Dünya Kupası başta olmak üzere birçok büyük uluslararası organizasyonda kaleyi korudu.
Açıklamada görüşlerine yer verilen Morais, "Benim için Galatasaray gibi bir kulübü temsil edebilmek çok önemli. Burada olmaktan çok mutluyum. Kesinlikle kazanmak için geldim. Umarım birçok şampiyonluk kazanabiliriz. Kazanmaya çok açım. Kulüp de öyle. Bu yüzden Galatasaray'ı zirvede görebilmek için elimden geleni yapacağım." ifadelerini kullandı.
Galatasaray Kulübü, kadın futbol takımının kaptanlarından Ebru Topçu ile yeni sözleşme imzaladı.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, "Galatasaray Kadın Futbol Takımımız, Ebru Topçu ile sözleşme uzattı. Galatasaray formasıyla 5. sezonuna hazırlanan başarılı orta saha oyuncumuz, geride kalan dört sezonda çıktığı 105 resmi karşılaşmada 53 gol kaydederek takımımıza önemli katkılarda bulundu. Kaptanımız Ebru Topçu'ya sarı-kırmızılı formamız altında başarılarla dolu bir sezon diliyoruz." denildi.
Açıklamada görüşlerine yer verilen kaptan Ebru, "Galatasaray'daki beşinci sezonum. Bu yüzden çok mutlu ve gururluyum. İlk sezon olduğu gibi çok heyecanlıyım. Bir an önce ligin başlamasını bekliyorum. Yeni sezonda taraftarımızla birlikte şampiyon olup takımımızı Şampiyonlar Ligi’nde en iyi şekilde temsil etmek istiyoruz. Taraftarlarımızla her zaman daha güçlüyüz. Bizden desteklerini esirgemesinler. Herkesi maçlarımıza bekliyoruz." ifadelerini kullandı.
Trabzonspor, Kazeem Olaigbe'nin 3 milyon 750 bin Euro bedelli zorunlu olmayan satın alma opsiyonuyla Basel'e kiralandığını açıkladı.
Bordo-mavili kulüpten yapılan açıklamada şu ifadelere yer verildi:
Kazeem Olaigbe'nin, 2026-2027 sezonu için 3 milyon 750 bin Euro bedelli zorunlu olmayan satın alma opsiyonuyla Basel Kulübü'ne geçici transferi konusunda anlaşma sağlanmıştır.
Basel Kulübü'nün satın alma opsiyonunu kullanması halinde elde edilecek transfer bedelinin yüzde 50'si, daha önce yapılan anlaşma gereğince Konyaspor'a ödenecektir.
Geçtiğimiz sezonun ikinci döneminde yaptığımız anlaşma kapsamında; Kazeem Olaigbe'nin bonservis bedeli haklarının %50'si 3.020.000 Euro ve serbest statüye düşmüş Umut Nayir'in kulübümüze bedelsiz transferi karşılığında Konyaspor Kulübü'ne verilmişti.
Basel Kulübü'nün opsiyon hakkını kullanması halinde elde edilecek bedelin %50'si kulübümüz uhdesinde kalacak diğer %50'si ise Konyaspor Kulübü'ne ödenecektir.
Ayrıca kulübümüz; Basel'in oyuncuyu ilerleyen dönemde başka bir kulübe transfer etmesi halinde oluşacak net transfer bedelinin %10'u oranında pay alma hakkına sahip olacaktır.
Trabzonspor, Andre Onana'yı 1 yıllığına daha kiraladığını açıkladı.
Trabzonspor, Kamerunlu kaleci Andre Onana'nın bedelsiz olarak 1 yıllığına kiralandığını açıkladı. Bordo mavililerden yapılan açıklamada, "Profesyonel futbolcu Andre Onana'nın, 2026-2027 futbol sezonu için Kulübümüze bedelsiz geçici transferi konusunda anlaşma sağlanmıştır." ifadeleri kullanıldı.
Öte yandan deneyimli file bekçisinin 3.5 milyon Euro maaş ve 2 milyon Euro imza parası alacağı belirtildi.
Beşiktaş'ta Ersin Destanoğlu'nun kontratı tamamlandı. Siyah-Beyazlılar, yeni sezonda kadrosuna kaliteli bir yedek kaleci katmak istiyor. Bu konudaki favori isim; Konyaspor'dan Deniz Ertaş...
Yeni sezonda Beşiktaş'ın 1. kalecisi yabancı olacak. Ancak Ersin Destanoğlu'nun ayrılığı sonrasında bu bölgede bir açık daha oluştu. Altyapıdan çıkan Ersin'in sözleşmesi tamamlandı ve boşa çıktı. Siyah-Beyazlılar, uzun sezonda yedek kaleciye de önem veriyor.
AKLININ UCUNDAN GEÇİRMİYOR
Ve bu isim kesinlikle yabancı olmayacak. Çünkü Beşiktaş, 2 yabancı kontenjanını kalede kullanmayı aklının ucundan bile geçirmiyor. Şu anda Konyaspor'un 21 yaşındaki file bekçisi Deniz Ertaş konusunda pazarlıklar devam ediyor. 1.93 boyundaki eldivenin Konyaspor'la 30 Haziran 2027 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi var.
Yani genç futbolcu, kontratının son senesine girdi. Türkiye U21 Milli Takımı'nın da kalesini koruyan Deniz, gelişmeleri takip ediyor. Konyaspor'un, kısa sözleşme süresine rağmen yüksek bir bonservis bedeli talep ettiği konuşuluyor. Beşiktaş cephesi eğer rakamları istediği seviyeye indirebilirse, resmi imzalar atılacak.
TFF'nin 10+4'lük yabancı kontenjanı kararı sonrasında Aral Şimşir'in değeri daha da arttı. Trabzonspor, Galatasaray ve Beşiktaş'a katıldı. Maksimum teklifleri de belli. Ancak Lille, Türk ekiplerinin canını sıkabilir.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu, yeni sezondaki yabancı kontenjanının 10+4 olacağını açıklamıştı. İleride konuyla ilgili bir değişiklik yaşanır mı bilinmez... Ancak şu anda kulüpler mevcut kurala göre çalışıyor. Trabzonspor da onlardan biri... Fırtına, Aral Şimşir işine ciddi şekilde girecek.
Bordo-Mavililer'in, Midtjylland Kulübü'ne sunacağı maksimum teklif de belli:
- 15 milyon euro bonservis bedeli
- Sonraki satıştan pay
- Bazı bonus maddeleri
Fırtına'nın bu teklifin üzerine çıkması beklenmiyor. Şartlar kabul edilirse iş bitecek. Aksi halde bu dosya kapatılacak.
RAHATSIZ EDİCİ LİLLE!
24 yaşındaki sol kanat oyuncusu konusunda en büyük tehlike Lille... Fransız ekibi, milli futbolcuyu çok istiyor. Onların masada bulunması sadece Trabzonspor açısından "rahatsız edici" değil. Galatasaray ve Beşiktaş'ın da en büyük rakibi Lille... Önümüzdeki 10 günlük süreçte çok sıcak gelişmeler yaşanabilir.
I realize I'm probably in the minority, but I love full-size keyboards because I love 10-key numberpads. For data entry and for everything else (let's face it, I don't do much data entry). Since I often have to test keyboards that aren't full-size, I'm always on the look out for a great standalone numberpad — but the options usually consist of $15 (and under) bargain bin finds or difficult-to-justify $100+ premium picks.
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
Turtle Beach's Command Series KP7 isn't exactly in the middle — it retails for $99.99, after all — but it's an interesting option nonetheless. This 28-key modular gaming keypad is part of the brand's recently-launched Command Series, which consists of several modular, multi-input peripherals (two keyboards, three mice, and this keypad). It's designed to work with the series' flagship Turtle Beach Command Series KB7 keyboard, which is a premium TKL keyboard with a built-in touchscreen. The KP7 hooks onto either side of the KB7, turning it into a full-size keyboard with a numberpad and a bunch of extra macro keys. The KB7 retails for $199.99, so the full set is just shy of $300. But the KP7 is interesting because it works very well on its own — in fact, it might even perform better as a standalone keypad than it does with the KB7 it's designed to complement.
The KP7 is a modular gaming keypad with 28 keys, one clickable, programmable dial, and one (non-programmable) button for switching between numberpad mode and game mode. It can hook onto the right side of the KB7 to function as a typical numberpad, or it can hook onto the left side to function as a gaming keypad — complete with an extendable thumb bar. It features magnetic Hall Effect linear switch, bright per-key RGB backlighting, and its own mini wrist rest. It's available now, as a separate purchase from the KB7, for $99.99.
Design of the KP7
The KP7 is a standalone macropad that consists of a 10-key numberpad surrounded by a bunch of other keys. At the top, there are three additional Fn keys, as well as a profile switch key — it seems Turtle Beach is really trying to push multiple profiles, because if you use this with the KB7 keyboard, this marks the fourth dedicated way to switch profiles. On the right of the numberpad are two columns of keys: The first column consists of the math function keys that usually surround a numberpad, and the second column has four dedicated macro keys.
In the bottom right corner there's a programmable knob and an additional thumb button, which is set up by default as a space key. In the upper right corner there's a small button that switches between numberpad mode and game mode — game mode turns the center keys into W / A / S / D (and changes the surrounding keys to the corresponding keys on the left half of the keyboard. It essentially becomes a gaming half-keyboard, sort of like Nordic Game Supply's The Shrimp.
For the times you're using it in gaming mode, the KP7's lower right cluster of keys, including the dial, extend down and right so you can use them with your thumb while you've got your left hand on the center keys. The wrist rest is even cut out to accommodate the keys when extended, which is a nice touch.
Tom's HardwareTom's HardwareTom's Hardware
The KP7 is well-built for a standalone numberpad — it follows the same design philosophy as Turtle Beach's KB7, with a brushed aluminum top plate and a plastic chassis. It has low-profile linear switches, flat, double-shot PBT keycaps with shine-through legends, and bright, customizable RGB backlighting that extends to its silicon wrist rest, which is like a mini version of the wrist rest that comes with the KB7 (and, previously, the Roccat Vulcan II Max). The wrist rest slots into the bottom of the numberpad and is made of misty, translucent silicon with a grooved pattern that acts as a conduit for the lighting in the keypad. The wrist rest only attaches on one side of the keypad, so the lighting effect isn't quite as bright or mesmerizing as is the lighting effect on the keyboard, but it's still pretty and comfortable.
The KP7 has connectors on both sides that are designed to slot into the rails on either side of the Turtle Beach KB7 keyboard. The keypad gets its power from the keyboard when it's connected, so you shouldn't have to plug it in separately via USB-C, which is for when you want to use the keypad alone. However, I found that the keypad's lighting seemed to be inconsistent when it was powered through the keyboard — it flickered and reset itself several times throughout my testing, but this did resolve itself when I plugged it in via its own USB port. Of course, plugging it in via USB port means the KB7 and KP7 keyboard combo takes up either one USB-C and one USB-A port or three USB-A ports, which is a lot for what is essentially a single full-size keyboard.
Tom's HardwareTom's HardwareTom's Hardware
In the box, the KP7 comes with a 5.9-foot (1.8m) detachable braided USB-C to USB-A cable, a silicon wrist rest, and four glossy, textured keys keys (to replace the center W / A / S / D keys, for quicker tactile recognition), and a keycap puller. The back of the keypad has two sets of flip-out feet that raise the typing angle from flat to 5 - 7 degrees. These match the KB7, so you can raise and lower the entire setup as a single unit.
Specs
Buttons (Keys)
28 keys, 1 button, 1 clickable knob
Software
Swarm II
Interface
USB-C
Cable
5.9ft. / 1.8m USB-C to USB-A
Dimensions (W x H x D)
1008 x 4.45 x 1.14 inches / 256 x 113 x 29 mm
Weight
0.56lbs / 254g
System Requirements
Windows 10 / 11
MSRP / Price at Time of Review
$99.99
Release Date
May 2026
Performance of the KP7
It's hard to judge a keypad's performance on its own, but the KP7 has enough keys that it can function as a single-handed "controller." It features the same linear magnetic Hall Effect switches as we saw in the KB7, with the same functionality — individually adjustable actuation point (between 0.1 and 3.2mm), Rapid Trigger, multi-input, and ReacTap (SOCD). It also sports an 8,000 Hz polling rate, so I guess if you're playing a game that only requires the left half of your keyboard, this might be one way to get the ultra-low latency and speed of an 8,000 Hz magnetic switch keyboard without having to buy the whole keyboard (though it does cost exactly half of what the KB7 costs, and I don't think it's quite half the size).
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
The low-profile switches and flat keycaps make for pretty speedy input, and while the layout is slightly different from standard numberpad layouts, it's not too bad — in numberpad mode, the first column to the right of the numbers has five keys, but the bottom two keys are both Enter and the two keys above that are both + (normally, the Enter and + keys are vertical 2U keys). It's not quite the same, but it worked well enough for me for data input and other numberpad tasks.
The switches themselves are pre-lubed linear switches with a smooth, consistent keypress and no tactile or audible bump. Typing on the KP7 (well, for as much typing as you can do) is a surprisingly pleasant experience — it's not going to wow any hardcore keyboard enthusiasts, but the linear switches, slim, flat keycaps, and speedy, lightweight Hall Effect actuation is a great combo for extra gaming keys. And, as the KP7 is entirely tactile, it's much easier to integrate into your work (or game) flow. The extendable thumb bar (which just pulls away from the keyboard in a diagonal / downward direction) is also comfortable when you're using the KP7 as a gamepad. The keys on the thumb bar are well-placed, but I did find the knob difficult to turn without hitting other keys, as it's flush with the keys around it.
Software
The KP7 is programmable via Turtle Beach's Swarm II software, which originally belonged to Roccat. It's designed to work in tandem with the KB7 keyboard, but you can still program it fully without having to depend on the keyboard at all. You can use Swarm II to change the keypad's actuation, toggle on and adjust Rapid Trigger and ReacTap, and set up multi-input. You can also use it to remap keys up to four layers deep (Fn, Game Mode, and Easy Shift).
You can customize the KP7's bright, per-key RGB lighting in the software. This works pretty well when you're just customizing the KP7 alone, but I had issues getting the keypad to light up seamlessly alongside the KB7 (they were often out of sync, and/or the KP7 seemed to go into hibernation immediately and often when it was connected to the KB7 — even if it was being powered separately via its own USB-C port.
The Bottom Line
The KP7 is an interesting product — it's designed to work with the KB7, but I actually like it better as a standalone keypad. Partly because it works better as a standalone keypad — it was very finicky in my tests when it was connected to the KB7, regardless of whether it was powered separately or through the keyboard. This is probably because of the software, which, while fairly straightforward for the KP7, still wasn't great. For example, I was prompted to update the KP7's firmware everytime I connected it to the KB7 — but not when I used it as a standalone keypad.
The KP7 isn't the only standalone numberpad-slash-gaming-keypad out there, but it's the only one I've seen that manages to switch between the two modes pretty seamlessly. We tested Nordic Game Supply's The Shrimp mini-keyboard a few years ago, but that was definitely designed as a gaming keypad first and a numberpad... not at all. At $99.99, the KP7 isn't cheap, but it's versatile enough that you can definitely make it worth it.
Intel's next-gen desktop family, Nova Lake, is expected to take a generational leap in terms of performance, and a big part of that is the rumored introduction of bLLC (Big Last Level Cache). It would be the company's answer to AMD's X3D chips, but implemented even more aggressively, from what we can tell so far. Now, a new leak from Jaykihn says Intel has added two new Core Ultra 5 SKUs with bLLC to the lineup, both featuring 22 cores in total.
I made a huge mistake.It is U5 6+12+4 125W, NOT 6+8+4.So is the U9 6+12+4 65W.Sorry sorry sorry.July 3, 2026
The leaker accidentally tweeted out the wrong specs at first, so we've only embedded their correction post. According to the leak, each chip features a 22-core config comprising 6 P-Cores, 12 E-Cores, and 4 LP-E cores on a single tile. That would access to up to 144MB of bLLC. The rumor indicates one unlocked SKU with a 125W TDP and a locked SKU with a 65W TDP; there are seemingly no other differences between the two.
Dual-tile variants of Nova Lake-S could push the cache count up to 288MB, but those will likely be reserved for truly high-end SKUs. The Blue Team still offering a competitive midrange option with a lot of cache to help with gaming performance would be a welcome development. As a reminder, Nova Lake will likely use the Coyote Cove architecture for its P-cores and the Arctic Wolf architecture for its E-cores, according to leaks and rumors.
Nova Lake-S Rumored SKUs
SKU
Core Config (P+E+LP-E)
bLLC
TDP (Unlocked/Locked)
52 Cores (dual-tile)
(8+16)+(8+16)+4
288MB
175W
44 Cores (dual-tile)
(8+12)+(8+12)+4
264MB
175W
28 Cores
8+16+4
144MB
125W
28 Cores
8+16+4
-
125W / 65W
24 Cores
8+12+4
132MB
125W
24 Cores
8+12+4
-
125W / 65W
22 Cores
6+12+4
108MB
125W / 65W
22 Cores
6+12+4
-
125W / 65W
16 Cores
4+8+4
-
65W / 35W
12 Cores
4+4+4
-
65W / 35W
8 Cores
4+0+4
-
65W / 35W
6 Cores
2+0+4
-
65W / 35W
Previously, we covered how the alleged 42-core Nova Lake-S silicon could actually have 44 cores, combining 2x 8P+12E tiles, perhaps freeing up 6P+12E tiles that could be used for cheaper bLLC-equipped chips. At the time, we predicted that a Core Ultra 7 SKU with 22 cores could be the recipient of this silicon, but now this leak points toward it being used for Core Ultra 5 SKUs instead. Of course, the prospect of bLLC being limited to unlocked K-series models seems to have withered away at this point.
Nova Lake-S is shaping up to be a vast and expansive family for Intel with several SKUs that might not even make it to market by the time it launches as the Core Ultra 400 series next year. It remains to be seen how the company will name all these different models. So far, rumors indicate a CES 2027 announcement is imminent for Intel's next-gen family, but the ongoing component crisis could throw things off.
Son dakika Trabzonspor transfer haberleri: Trabzonspor, Kazeem Olaigbe'nin 3 milyon 750 bin Euro bedelli zorunlu olmayan satın alma opsiyonuyla Basel'e kiralandığını açıkladı. (TS spor haberi)Devamı için tıklayınız
Azərbaycanlı futbol mütəxəssisi Rüstəm Əliyev “Araz-Naxçıvan” klubunun əvəzedicilərdən ibarət komandasına yeni baş məşqçi təyin olunub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, komandanı yeni mövsümdə Rüstəm Əliyev çalışdıracaq. A kateqoriyalı mütəxəssislə müqavilənin müddəti 1 ildir.
Xatırladaq ki, 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümündə “Araz-Naxçıvan”ın ikinci komandasını Zaur İsmayılov çalışdırırdı. 48 yaşlı mütəxəssis 2023-cü ildən sözügedən komandaya rəhbərlik edirdi.
“Araz-Naxçıvan”ın əvəzediciləri 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümündə Əvəzedicilər Liqasında 27 oyuna topladığı 18 xalla 10 iştirakçı arasında 9-cu yeri tutub. Komanda 27 oyunda 5 qələbə qazanıb, 3 heç-heçə edib, 19 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb. Naxçıvan təmsilçisi yalnız 17 xalla sonuncu pilləni tutmuş “Şamaxı”nın əvəzedicilərini qabaqlaya bilib.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Araz-Naxçıvan” klubunda baş məşqçi Cavid Hüseynovun köməkçiləri müəyyənləşib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Naxçıvan təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, Cavid Hüseynovun köməkçiləri Vadar Nuriyev, Ceyhun Rzayev, Şahin Hüseynov (qapıçı məşqçi), Toğrul Bilallı (fiziki hazırlıq) və Şərif Hüseynov olacaqlar. Onların hər biri ilə 1 illik müqavilə imzalanıb.
Xatırladaq ki, Cavid Hüseynov bu yay “Araz-Naxçıvan”a baş məşqçi təyin edilib. Gənc mütəxəssislə 1 illik müqavilə imzalanıb.
Hüseynov “Araz-Naxçıvan”ın sükanı arxasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümü bitən kimi komandadan ayrılmış Andrey Demçekonu əvəz edib. Naxçıvan təmsilçisi ukraynalı mütəxəssisin rəhbərliyi altında ötən mövsümü 46 xalla 6-cı pillədə başa vurub.
Cavid Hüseynov futbolçu kimi müxtəlif illərdə “Turan”, MOİK, “Olimpik”, “İnter”, “Neftçi”, “Bakı”, “Qəbələ”, “Zirə”, Türkiyənin “Adana Dəmirspor” klublarının, həmçinin Azərbaycanın U-19, U-21, əsas millisinin formasını geyinib. O, məşqçilik fəaliyyətinə “Şamaxı” klubunda başlayıb. “Cəbrayıl”, “Turan Tovuz” klublarında da çalışmış 38 yaşlı mütəxəssis bir müddət “Səbail”in də baş məşqçisi olub.
“Bavariya” heyətini yeni futbolçu ilə gücləndirib.
Futbolpress.azxəbər verir ki, Münhen klubu “Ayntraxt”dan Nataniel Braunla anlaşıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. 22 yaşlı müdafiəçi ilə 5 illik müqavilə imzalanıb.
Almaniya millisinin dünya çempionatı üçün heyətində də yer alan müdafiəçi başa çatan mövsümdə komandasında 42 oyunda 4 qol vurub, 6 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
Alman mütəxəssis Yurgen Klopp yenidən baş məşqçiliyə başlaya bilər.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Almaniya Futbol Assosiasiyası Kloppu millinin “sükanı arxasına” gətirmək istəyir. Bu barədə insayder Fabrizio Romano məlumat yayıb. Assoiasiya insayderin sorğusuna cavab olaraq, Kloppla danışıqların getdiyini bildirib.
Klopp son olaraq “Liverpul”da çalışıb. O, 2024-cü ildən “Red Bull” Şirkətinin futbol direktoru vəzifəsindədir.
Almaniya millisində bu gün baş məşqçi Yulian Naqelsmannla yollar ayrılıb.
“Fənərbağça” heyətini yeni futbolçu ilə gücləndirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, İstanbul təmsilçisi “Mançester Siti”dən Natan Akeni transfer edib. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Müdafiəçi ilə anlaşmanın detalları açıqlanmayıb.
“Barselona”nın qapıçısı Mark-Andre ter Ştegen karyerasını Niderlandda davam etdirəcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Ayaks” qolkiperin icarəsi üçün kataloniyalılarla anlaşıb. Bu barədə İspaniya mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. Alman qapıçı 2027-ci ilin yayına kimi Erediviziya klubunda çıxış edəcək.
Mark-Andre ter Ştegen ötən mövsümün ikinci dövrəsini “Jirona”da icarədə keçirib.
“Zirə” yeni futbolçuyla anlaşıb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, qəsəbə klubu Hüseynəli Quliyevi heyətinə qatıb. Qapıçıyla 2 illik müqavilə bağlanılıb. 26 […]
2026/27 mövsümünün transfer çalışmalarını davam etdirən “Qarabağ növbəti transferini reallaşdırıb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, Macarıstanın ZTE klubu ilə danışıqlar […]
Milan seem to have locked down Mario Gila from Lazio, but it’s reported they also intend to buy Goncalo Inacio from Sporting CP, selling Fikayo Tomori.
Multiple sources today including Sky Sport Italia confirm that Gila has agreed personal terms with the Rossoneri, a five-year contract worth €5m per season including bonuses, with Lazio expected to accept an offer of €25m plus add-ons.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Goncalo Inacio of Sporting Clube de Portugal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Arsenal Stadium on April 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Instead, Calciomercato’s Milan correspondent Daniele Longo insists on his YouTube channel that new coach Ruben Amorim wants to completely revamp his defence with two big signings.
Gila is expected to become the figure on the right of a back three, effectively replacing Tomori, whose contract is due to expire in June 2027.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The Englishman did have a verbal agreement to extend his deal, but that was with the former club directors who have all been sacked, so the situation has changed.
Goncalo Inacio is not going to be cheap, as Sporting CP want around €40-45m including add-ons to sell the defender who turns 25 next month and is currently at the World Cup with Portugal.
The Milan defence can then consist of Goncalo Inacio, Mario Gila, Koni De Winter, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic.
The Rossoneri had been in search of a central defender and it seems as if that slot has now been filled.
Tiago Gabriel open to Benfica
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 20: Tiago Gabriel of US Lecce celebrates his team’s equalizing goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Via del Mare on April 20, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Genoa are very active on the transfer market, reportedly close to Sweden’s World Cup winger Elliot Stroud from Mjallby, while targeting Tawfik Bentayeb of Union Touarga.
The Grifone are busy rebuilding their squad now that coach Daniele De Rossi has committed to a full season, having taken over midway from Patrick Vieira.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 30: Jules Koundé #5 of France battles for the ball against Elliot Stroud #24 of Sweden during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Sport Mediaset claim that Genoa are now on the verge of securing 24-year-old left-sided winger Stroud, who made four appearances for Sweden at the 2026 World Cup.
He has been at Mjallby since January 2023 with a contract that only runs to December 31 this year.
Meanwhile, Sportitalia note that their next target for a striker is Bentayeb, who returned to parent club Union Touarga after a strong loan experience for Troyes where he scored 20 goals in 31 games.
The 24-year-old Morocco international is a centre-forward who can also play on the right of an attack, he has one senior cap.
Shore Excursions Group has highlighted its shore excursions available around the globe in a small-group format. The company noted in a statement that these are particularly well-suited to solo travelers, with this type of travel being on the rise, especially among Gen Z, millennial and female populations. The global solo travel market, which was valued...
After several days of complaints from businesses, Google has confirmed it is investigating reports of missing reviews from Google Local listings and has paused the ability of Google Business Profile listings to receive reviews.
What Google said. A Google spokesperson told us:
“When our systems detect suspicious reviews, we take a range of actions including removing reviews and temporarily pausing reviews on the profile to prevent further abuse. We are investigating the issue and will restore any reviews that were incorrectly removed.”
What is the issue. As I documented on the Search Engine Roundtable, there are dozens of complaints in the Google Business Profile Forums with business owners and local SEOs saying reviews have mysteriously disappeared. In addition to reviews going missing, many of these businesses are not even able to get new reviews on their local listings.
It seems Google’s review spam detection algorithms are picking up on patterns and aggressively removing and blocking reviews on suspected Google Business Profiles. It is unclear if this is caused by spammers abusing some Business Profiles or Google’s algorithms were tweaked and being too trigger happy.
More details. Amy Toman, a volunteer Google Product Expert in the Google Business Profiles, posted on LinkedIn:
If you or a client are in this situation, you can post on the forum if you’d like, but know that Google is aware and working on it. No timeline for resolution stated yet.
There is a new issue I’m seeing on Google listings, where after reporting fake or spam reviews, listings are receiving a review block and all reviews are being hidden. And in at least one case, their rating is reduced to 0.
Google has been alerted and they now say they’re aware of the missing review issue and are working to resolve it.
Why we care. If you noticed that many of your reviews went missing and/or you are not getting any new reviews this week, this might be related this issue.
Google is investigating the issue and hopefully we will see many, if not all, of these reviews come back and new reviews resume.
The page indexing report within Google Search Console has finally been updated after a long three-week delay. Instead of it showing data from June 11, 2206, it now shows data from June 29, 2026 – note that it was just updated within the hour.
The delay. As we documented previously, this is what the page indexing report was stuck at – June 11th:
Now, as of this morning, it is now showing data as recent as June 29th:
Page indexing report. This report shows you which pages Google can find and index on your site. It can also teach you about any indexing problems Google has encountered while crawling your website.
You can access the report in Search Console over here or by going to the Indexing section and then Pages.
The report shows a chart of indexed pages in green and not indexed pages in gray, you can even overlay impressions over the chart. It then lists out the reasons why pages on website are not being indexed, below that chart.
For more information on the page indexing report, see this help document.
Why we care. If you are trying to debug why Google has not been indexing specific pages on your website over the past couple of weeks, well, you were out of luck.
Now, Friday, July 3rd, the data has finally been updated with data through June 29th. So have at it and process the indexing report as you see best.
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For Egypt, the World Cup has always been a story of near-misses and resilience, and the call now is simple: reflect on its all-time historical records and best finishes, because the full picture is more revealing than the headlines suggest.
Egypt stepped onto the global stage once again with expectations, questions, and a sense that something more meaningful might finally be within reach. For Egypt, the World Cup has always been a story of near-misses and resilience, and the call now is simple: reflect on its all-time historical records and best finishes, because the full picture is more revealing than the headlines suggest.
The national team returned with renewed belief, but also with history quietly weighing in the background. Across decades, the Pharaohs have shown flashes of quality on soccer’s biggest stage, yet consistency at the World Cup has remained elusive.
Egypt’s World Cup story begins in 1934, when the national team became the first African and Arab side to feature at the tournament. That debut remains iconic, but it also set the tone for a long struggle to progress deep into the competition.
In that inaugural appearance, the team exited after a 4-2 defeat to Hungary, a match that technically placed it in the Round of 16 due to the format of the time. Since then, every return to the tournament has ended earlier than hoped.
ohamed Salah of Egypt celebrates after scoring a penalty during the 2018 FIFA World Cup
From long absences to modern consistency
The national team returned after a 56-year gap in 1990, showing defensive discipline and resilience. Draws against the Netherlands (1-1) and the Republic of Ireland (0-0) were standout moments, but a narrow loss to England meant another group-stage exit.
In 2018, Egypt arrived with global attention on Mohamed Salah, but the campaign ended in disappointment. The team lost all three matches against Uruguay, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, failing to pick up a single point.
Year
Host Nation(s)
Final Result
Match Record (W-D-L)
1934
Italy
Round of 16
0-0-1
1990
Italy
Group Stage
0-2-1
2018
Russia
Group Stage
0-0-3
2026
US / Canada / Mexico
Round of 32 (Ongoing)
1-2-0 (Group stage only)
More recently, qualification for 2026 marked a shift in stability. The national team combined structure and efficiency to reach North America, even recording its first-ever World Cup victory against New Zealand (3-1) during the campaign build-up to the tournament.
Esham Yakan (left) of Egypt and Williem Kieft (right) of Holland tackle each other during the 1990 World Cup
Egypt’s historical record and best finishes revealed
Across all appearances, Egypt has played 10 World Cup matches, recording 1 win, 4 draws, and 5 losses. While the numbers reflect inconsistency, they also underline a team that has rarely been overwhelmed, often competing in tight, low-scoring games.
Statistic
Egypt Men’s World Cup Record
Appearances
4 (1934, 1990, 2018, 2026)
Matches Played
10 (through the 2026 group stage)
Wins / Draws / Losses
1 Win / 4 Draws / 5 Losses (through the 2026 group stage)
Goals For / Goals Against
10 Goals Scored / 15 Goals Conceded (through the 2026 group stage)
Maiden World Cup Goal
Abdulrahman Fawzi (1934 vs. Hungary)
Biggest World Cup Win
3-1 vs. New Zealand (2026)
Officially, Egypt’s best finish is the Round of 16 in 1934, although that came through a knockout structure rather than a modern group-stage progression. In every subsequent tournament, the national team has failed to advance beyond the group stage. Despite this, the expectation remains that the current squad has the tools to rewrite that history.
Let's dive into the massive implications riding on this single match and what lies ahead for the winner.
The 2026 World Cup knockout stage has delivered a thrilling Round of 32 matchup: Australia vs. Egypt. With a ticket to the last 16 on the line at Dallas Stadium, there are no second chances. Let’s dive into the massive implications riding on this single match and what lies ahead for the winner.
Both national teams arrive at this stage carrying significant momentum and plenty of history. Australia is chasing a first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match, while Egypt is competing in its first knockout fixture after finally progressing beyond the group stage in the modern tournament era.
Australia finished second in Group D after overcoming a difficult campaign that included a defeat to the United States, a scoreless draw against Paraguay, and a crucial victory over Turkiye. The Socceroos relied heavily on defensive organization throughout the group stage, conceding only two goals.
Egypt, on the other hand, reached the knockout rounds after an impressive unbeaten run in Group G. The Pharaohs secured a victory over New Zealand and earned draws against Belgium and Iran, demonstrating both resilience and attacking quality throughout the group phase.
Pos
Team
GP
W-D-L
Pts
Status
1.
United States
3
2-0-1
6
Qualified
2.
Australia
3
1-1-1
4
Qualified
3.
Paraguay
3
1-1-1
4
Qualified (Best 3rd)
4.
Turkiye
3
1-0-2
3
Eliminated
The stakes could hardly be higher. Australia has appeared in knockout matches before but has never managed to win one, while Egypt is exploring completely new territory after making history by advancing from the group stage.
Pos
Team
GP
W-D-L
Pts
Status
1.
Belgium
3
1-2-0
5
Qualified
2.
Egypt
3
1-2-0
5
Qualified
3.
Iran
3
0-3-0
3
Eliminated
4.
New Zealand
3
0-1-2
1
Eliminated
What happens if Australia wins and Egypt loses?
A victory would represent a historic breakthrough for the Socceroos. Australia would secure its first-ever World Cup knockout-stage victory and move into the Round of 16.
Nestory Irankunda #17 of Australia.
By advancing, Australia would move into the bracket slot to face the winner of the Argentina vs. Cape Verde match. Barring a massive upset by the tournament debutants Cape Verde, an Australian win sets up a likely blockbuster Round of 16 clash against Lionel Messi and the defending World Cup champions.
What happens if the match is tied after 90 minutes?
Unlike the group stage, a draw cannot be the final result in the World Cup knockout rounds. If Spain and Austria are level after 90 minutes, the game will go to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Mohamed Hany #3, Mohanad Lashin #17 and Hamdy Fathy #14 of Egypt react.
The bracket impact remains the same: the team that eventually wins advances to face either one of Argentina or Cape Verde in the last 16. The losing side is eliminated immediately, making every minute after full time even more significant. That being said, each additional minute could significantly test squad depth, fitness, and mental resilience.
What happens if Egypt wins and Australia loses?
An Egyptian victory would extend one of the tournament’s most remarkable stories. Egypt would advance to the Round of 16 and continue a campaign that has already produced several historic milestones. The team would take that spot in the bracket and go on to face the winner of the Argentina/Cape Verde match instead.
Emam Ashour #8 of Egypt celebrates with teammates.
The Pharaohs have demonstrated a balanced blend of attacking quality and tactical discipline throughout the competition. Eliminating Australia would further strengthen their reputation as one of the surprise contenders in North America. For Australia, defeat would bring an immediate end to the tournament despite the progress shown under Popovic.
Track Ghana's official live FIFA World Ranking, coefficient point trends, and knockout form guide before their 2026 World Cup Round of 32 clash against Colombia.
The high-pressure stakes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout phase have arrived, matching up a resilient Ghanasquad against an elite, free-flowing Colombiateam in a highly anticipated Round of 32 elimination match.
Under the guidance of Carlos Queiroz, the African representatives have emerged as one of the tournament’s most volatile wildcards, shifting the live data metrics with their performances across the group layer. Reflecting this resilience on the international scale, Ghana currently occupies a live position of 65th in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking.
While the Black Stars officially arrived at the tournament occupying the 73rd spot globally on June 11, their dramatic campaign triggered a sharp upward movement on the live algorithm. However, navigating past the sudden-death stage requires overcoming a steep multi-tier gap against an opponent that is threatening the absolute top flight of the world game.
Comparing Seedings and Bracket Metrics
The tactical hurdle ahead of the West African side is clearly illustrated by a massive mathematical gulf on the international ladder. Colombia commands the 11th spot globallyon the official leaderboard, carrying a dominant tier of 1,729.30 points after comfortably topping Group K.
The table below breaks down the tournament baselines and live ranking metrics for the two sides ahead of kickoff:
Country
FIFA Rank
Group Phase Points
Goal Difference
Colombia
11th
7
+3
Ghana
65th
4
0
Queiroz’s side had to absorb tremendous pressure in Group L, advancing via a wildcard slot after recording a win over Panama, a tight loss to Croatia, and a gritty tactical draw against England.
Historical Volatility
An evaluation of Ghana’s historical trajectory on the global leaderboard illustrates a program looking to reclaim past glory. The nation achieved its absolute competitive zenith during their legendary golden era in 2007 and 2008, when they scaled the mountain to reach an all-time high of 14th in the world.
Conversely, their absolute lowest floor arrived during a severe developmental transition period in June 2004, when they dropped down to 89th globally.
Review Colombia's updated live FIFA World Ranking, coefficient points, and knockout form guide before their 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie against Ghana.
An unforgiving reality check awaits both sides as the knockout brackets officially take over the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having completed a highly calculated, undefeated run through the opening phase,Colombiais shifting into maximum-intensity mode to protect their clear technical edge over a dangerous, unpredictably physical wildcard opponent in Ghana.
Heading into this high-stakes Round of 32 clash, Colombia has climbed to an impressive live position of 11th in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking. Nestor Lorenzo’s squad officially initiated their North American campaign holding the 13th global seat on June 11, but successive victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo forced an immediate upward trend in the live mathematical coefficient.
Commanding a live baseline score of 1,729.30 points, the South American heavyweights must now comfortably carry the overwhelming burden of expectations against a lower-seeded underdog.
Comparative Knockout Baseline & Global Rank
Colombia validated their status as true dark horses of this tournament by securing 7 points to take command of Group K. Ghana, conversely, scraped into the single-elimination phase via a third-place wildcard allocation, trailing the Cafeteros by a massive 54 places on the international scale.
The table below outlines the tournament metrics and live ranking structures before kickoff:
Country
FIFA Rank
Group Phase Points
Goal Difference
Colombia
11th
7
+3
Ghana
65th
4
0
Historical Benchmarks
A look into the historical data highlights the monumental recovery job completed by the Colombian program over the last several cycles. The nation dropped down to its modern structural floor in June 2011, when severe rebuilding struggles saw them plummet to 49th globally.
Conversely, their absolute historic peak arrived in the summer of 2014 and extended into 2018, when consecutive deep tournament runs propelled them to an all-time high of 3rd in the world.
The Philadelphia Phillies are 2.5 games back from the Atlanta Braves with a month to go until the August 3 trade deadline. This team has climbed back from a 9-19 record and now looks to be a legitimate World Series contender again.
But that doesn't mean all is well with the team. A right-handed hitting outfielder and a high-leverage reliever are trade deadline needs for this team. So too is another starter, but that need might all depend on one player: Aaron Nola.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki noted how Nola's production over the next month could impact the Phillies' trade deadline plans. While other players might have a bigger impact, Nola's July will have the largest impact on the deadline than any other player.
Why Aaron Nola is Phillies' most important player in July for MLB trade deadline
"Nola's performance over the next few weeks could influence how the Phillies attack the Trade Deadline," Zolecki writes.
As things currently stand, the Phillies already have a need for a better fifth starter, with Andrew Painter getting demoted to the minors after a rough start to his big league career.
But if Nola struggles, the Phillies' top need at the trade deadline might be starting pitching. For as good as Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesus Luzardo are, the Phillies aren't getting nearly enough from their other starters.
July is a massive month for the Phillies, not only because they are hosting the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and have a chance to take the NL East lead from the Atlanta Braves, but the Phillies will also figure a lot out about this team's deadline needs this month.
Right-handed hitting outfield is a clear need, as is another high-leverage reliever (ideally a lefty to pair with right-hander Jhoan Duran).
But, starting pitching, which is already a need due to Painter's struggles, could become a must-add this summer if Nola has a poor July.
He has a 6.04 ERA this season in 17 starts with a 3-5 record and 87 strikeouts. His most recent outing was a rough seven-run loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 4.1 innings.
Nola has had a few decent starts this season, but for the most part, he's been incredibly disappointing. His next start will be on July 5 against the Kansas City Royals.
He desperately needs to pitch well in that game and carry that over for the rest of July. Not only to build up his confidence once more, but to allow Dave Dombrowski to focus on other positions rather than feel a need to add a good starting pitcher at the deadline.
Oak Grove player Eric 'EJ' Booth Jr. (3) runs to home and scores a run during the game against Northwest Rankin in Flowood, Miss., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. | Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 MLB Draft is a week away and MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo has released his latest mock draft as draft day nears. The Pittsburgh Pirates are sitting near the top with the fifth overall pick, and Mayo projects that they’ll take one of the top high school players with that selection.
The Pirates are currently projected to draft outfielder Eric Booth Jr. from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Booth is ranked as the sixth best prospect in this year’s class and is the top prep school outfielder. Perhaps the Pirates find lightning twice by drafting a top high schooler out of the state of Mississippi like Konnor Griffin.
Booth is a standout in this class for several reasons, one of which is his athleticism. His speed was on full display a year ago when he ran the fastest 60-yard dash at East Coast Pro showcase (6.33 seconds). Despite having a more compact frame (6’0” 207 lbs) he has some decent power at the plate. He’s projected to be a 20-25 home run hitter by the time he makes the major leagues, plus he’s got good bat speed and already impressive natural strength for a 17-year-old. Booth’s power has already been on display as he won the Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic last summer.
“Think of Pete Crow-Armstrong defensively. You're getting maybe the most explosive athlete in the draft. That's what the floor is.”
Dan O'Dowd takes a look at one of the top high school prospects heading into the 2026 MLB Draft, Eric Booth Jr. pic.twitter.com/T2fhxGi8wI
After a successful summer Booth has shot up prospect rankings and is being viewed now as possibly the best outfield prospect in the class. His raw athleticism has jumped off the pages as he was given a 70 run grade to go along with a 50 arm grade. The Vanderbilt commit is being looked at as an exciting hitting prospect too, garnering plenty of attention for his low strikeout rates and reliability at the plate. Booth was given a 55 hit grade with 50 power. As a defender there’s certainly some fine tuning that needs to take place within his development but he was still given a 50 arm grade and a 55 field grade.
The Pirates are once again picking in the top five picks of the draft, and they have not been afraid to take top prep talent in recent years. Just a year ago they took the best high school pitcher in Seth Hernandez with the sixth overall pick, and the aforementioned Griffin was taken ninth overall in the 2024 MLB draft. To this point both of those draft picks are paying off as Hernandez is dominating the minor leagues right now, while Griffin has been one of the top contributors in Pittsburgh since making his debut in April. A player like Booth could be another success story for the Buccos.
The MLB Draft will begin on July 11, at the Philadelphia Convention Center starting 1 p.m. ET.
HOOVER, AL - MAY 21: Infielder Ace Reese #3 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs hits a long fly ball during the SEC Baseball Tournament Quarterfinals game between Mississippi State Bulldogs and Georgia Bulldogs on May 21, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The MLB Draft is only 8 days away, which means we are firmly in mock draft season. For a while, the Nats were being heavily connected to high school two-way player Jared Grindlinger. However, as we get closer to the draft, the winds seem to be shifting towards a college hitter. Both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America mocked Mississippi State infielder Ace Reese to the Nats, with Pipeline saying that the Nats “like” Reese.
per MLB Pipeline, Nats “like” Missippippi State 3B Ace Reese
When you look at Reese’s profile, there is a lot to like. There is a strong argument to be made that Reese has been the most productive hitter in the SEC the last two seasons. After transferring from Houston to Mississippi State following his freshman year, the infielder hit the ground running. Reese hit .352 with 21 homers and a 1.140 OPS. This year he had a strong follow up campaign, hitting .336 with 24 homers and a 1.152 OPS.
With Ace Reese, you are buying the bat. He is a third baseman right now, but his speed and defense are fringy. The 6’4 slugger has a chance to stick at third, but there is also a real possibility he will have to move to first base. With that sort of profile, you have to be very sure about the bat.
There is certainly a strong case that Reese has an elite bat. He has plus in game power and makes more contact than your average slugger. Reese has a real chance to be a .260ish bat with 30 home run power. Even at first base, that bat would play in a real way.
However, his offensive profile is not perfect. The biggest flaw in Reese’s offensive profile is his tendency to chase. In each of the last two seasons, he has chased more than the average hitter. His contact numbers also took a slight step back this year, though he does not have a bad hit tool by any means.
Lot of chase to the profile (32nd percentile ‘25 and ‘26), and some swing and miss issues as well this season (77th percentile ‘25, 42nd percentile ‘26). The power is obviously exciting, but I want to be more confident in the whole offensive package to take a 1B/3B 11th overall
Between the chase rates and the slight hit tool concerns, there are more yellow flags in the offensive profile than you would like to see from a bat first guy. You have to worry a little bit about whether his chase issues could be exploited more as he gets into the upper minors and the big leagues. Reese has the power as his calling card, but with his lack of patience, he will also have to hit for a reasonably high average to be a high end bat.
Reese is in a big clump of college hitters who all had good years but left some questions. Our guy Paul made a very cool graphic comparing some of their underlying data. As you can see, Reese has elite power and is a barrel machine. However, the chase and whiff does create some risk in the profile.
We are roughly 3 weeks away from the MLB Draft, and the Nationals have been heavily linked to college hitters with the 11th overall pick. Take a look at these 10 hitters most likely to be candidates to be the Nats selections underlying metrics. What do you notice? https://t.co/shXV7CP37qpic.twitter.com/OBH3mt1AjY
Honestly, Reese’s profile is not too different from Ethan Petry, who the Nats took in the second round last year. Petry had some chase in his game, which has actually gotten better in pro ball. Reese chases more than Petry did, but he also has a better hit tool.
I am a bit higher on Reese than Paul is because I have more faith in the hit and power combination. However, if they were to pick Reese at 11, I would like it to be on an underslot deal. In the MLB Pipeline mock, the Nats take Reese over Chris Hacopian and Tyler Bell, which would be interesting to say the least. Bell is a more well rounded profile than Reese, and Hacopian might be the best pure hitter in the draft.
The appeal with Ace Reese is real though. This is a player who can hit absolute tape measure shots and has a gorgeous swing. He has good bat speed, barrels balls up with ease and has a real chance to be at least a 30 homer bat. True middle of the order bats are not easy to find, and Reese has that potential.
Statcast is ruining a generation of folklore
“445ft”
Meanwhile we could have kids reminiscing 20 years from now saying “remember when Ace Reese put one on top of the trees? Yeah it went 550ft, furthest ball I’ve ever seen” pic.twitter.com/DKwxxc0e4B
It feels crazy, but the draft is just over a week away. Paul Toboni and the scouting team are entering crunch time when it comes to who they pick. For a while, it seemed like they wanted to make a big swing on Grindlinger, and that is still possible. However, as draft day gets closer, it seems like they are falling back on the safety of taking a college hitter.
The Rossoneri had been in search of a central defender and it seems as if that slot has now been filled.
Tiago Gabriel open to Benfica
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 20: Tiago Gabriel of US Lecce celebrates his team’s equalizing goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Via del Mare on April 20, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso targets Real Madrid duo if Chelsea lose wantaway superstar – report
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso is to keep Enzo Fernández at Stamford Bridge, but if the Argentine midfielder leaves, the Spaniard already has two Real Madrid players in mind as potential replacements, reports SPORT.
Having recently taken charge of Chelsea’s long-term project, Alonso is said to be planning for multiple scenarios as he reshapes the squad.
Keen to retain Enzo
According to the report, Alonso was disappointed that Marc Cucurella completed his move to Real Madrid before he could influence the decision.
Since arriving in London, he has focused on trying to prevent another major exit by convincing Chelsea to retain Enzo Fernandez, who had been linked with Real Madrid.
Los Blancos, however, have come out and ruled out a move for the Argentine international by issuing an official statement, after the player’s agent kept hinting at a move.
Tchouameni and Guler seen as alternatives
Alonso eyeing Tchouameni. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Should Enzo ultimately move to another club, Alonso has asked Chelsea to pursue two players he knows well from his time at the Santiago Bernabeu: Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Guler.
Both were key figures during Alonso’s brief spell in charge. Tchouameni became one of the coach’s most trusted players, acting as the team’s midfield leader, while Güler flourished under Alonso’s guidance.
The report claims both Tchouameni and Güler are uncertain about their roles following Jose Mourinho’s arrival.
Although the Portuguese manager has already spoken with both players, Tchouameni has been mentioned internally as one of the squad members who could be sold if a significant offer arrives.
His estimated market value stands at approximately €70 million, although Real Madrid are believed to want at least €82 million before considering a sale.
Guler thrived under Alonso. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Guler’s case appears more complicated. The Turkish playmaker is understood to be happy at Real Madrid and currently sees little reason to seek a move elsewhere.
His long-term future could depend on the role Mourinho gives him during the coming season, but for now, the youngster remains focused on earning his place at the Bernabeu.
For now, however, there is no indication that Real Madrid are actively trying to sell Tchouameni or Guler. But should an attractive offer come along, it will be interesting to see how they respond.
While there is a consensus that Julian Nagelsmann's resignation as coach was inevitable, former players have also called for wide-ranging change in German football after the latest World Cup flop.
In addition, Thomas Hitzelsperger said that the national federation DFB should not only seek out Jürgen Klopp as a potential successor but look at other candidates.
"It is, of course, understandable that Jürgen Klopp is now the leading candidate. However, the DFB would be well advised not only to speak to Jürgen Klopp, but also to look around for alternatives," Hitzlsperger told broadcasters ARD where he is a World Cup pundit.
Nagelsmann's resignation in the wake of Monday's round of 32 exit against Paraguay was announced earlier Friday by the DFB and Hitzlsperger spoke of "a right decision."
Former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool coach Klopp has agreed in principle that he would be ready to take over.
He has long been touted a potential Germany coach. Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 and is Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer since the start of 2025.
Ex-Germany player Pierre Littbarski had also suggested on Thursday in the Bild paper to look beyond Klopp and said that a foreign coach such as Pep Guardiola, who has left Manchester City after a decade, could bring a fresh approach.
Hitzlsperger said that the DFB must also look at the general structures "and sit dowen with all the youth coaches who have a better idea whether we have a problem regarding young talent or not. These talks must be held."
Thomas Müller, a member of the 2014 World Cup winning team, agreed in a LinkedIn post.
“After five disappointing tournaments in a row, we need an approach that offers fresh, thought-provoking ideas. We need a consistent and modern player development programme that takes the future playing philosophy into account,” he said.
Germany went out in the group stage at the previous two World Cups, and at the Euros in the last 16 in 2021 and quarter-finals at the 2024 home event.
“We need a sense of responsibility, expertise and also the courage to bring about the necessary changes so that, in the future, we can once again be in the thick of it on the big football stage right until the very end,” Müller said.
His 2014 team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger and former Germany goalkeeper Oliver had raised similar concern over the past days.
"Three national team coaches all failed at the same stage: Joachim Löw, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann. Three different approaches to the game. Three different leadership styles. The same outcome," Kahn said on LinkedIn.
"This team has some exceptional footballers. What it lacks is the natural ability to take responsibility at the most crucial moment.
“The ability to remain capable of acting under the greatest pressure is no accident. It is developed over many years.
“The decisive moment does not begin when you pull on the national team shirt. It begins many years earlier, at the moment when a young player learns that responsibility is not something you pass on, but something you take on.”
Madison Square Garden Corp. Executive Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan announced Friday that he has named his son, Quentin Dolan, the new president, chief operating officer, and alternate governor of the Rangers.
Quentin Dolan, 32, previously served as MSG Sports' senior vice president, player performance, and science leader. He will now assume the day-to-day ownership responsibilities of the Rangers and AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.
James L. Dolan had held control of both the Rangers and Knicks since 1999, but is now "stepping back from day-to-day responsibilities with the Rangers." He will continue his executive chairman role with the Knicks, per the NY Post.
The team's press release says that Quentin Dolan will report to his father and that Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury will now report to Quentin Dolan.
Below are statements from James L. Dolan, Quentin Dolan, and Drury on the organizational changes:
"Since his arrival overseeing our Player Performance and Science department, Quentin has made a strong impact on the Rangers and Knicks organizations, and we are pleased that he will step into this elevated position,” said James L. Dolan. “Quentin has quickly become an incredibly valued member of the Rangers franchise and played a key role behind the scenes with the Knicks during their championship run this past season. I look forward to seeing the positive influence he can make in this expanded and critical role."
"I’ve always had a tremendous respect and admiration for the New York Rangers organization, it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” said Quentin Dolan. "I’m honored to have this opportunity to ensure our hockey operations staff, coaches, and players have all the support they need to provide our fans a product they can be proud of. I’m looking forward to immediately getting to work with Chris Drury, Mike Sullivan, and the entire staff."
"Quentin and I have worked together for several years, and I believe him taking on this role will only make the Rangers organization stronger," said Chris Drury. "The front office and coaching staff will be working in unison with Quentin in all key areas of our team in an effort to put this franchise in the best position possible to compete for a Stanley Cup."
The Colts signed Carter to a reserve/futures deal in January following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
What to know about Rob Carter Jr.
Carter played his final two collegiate seasons (2023-2024) at Robert Morris, where he was on the field for nearly 1,100 defensive snaps, 711 of which came in 2024.
Most of his playing time came at outside cornerback, where he logged five interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and allowed a completion rate of 50% over those two seasons, according to PFF.
Carter went undrafted in 2025 and, according to the Colts team site, played in 18 regular-season games in the CFL with the BC Lions. There, he logged 51 tackles, five interceptions, and a forced fumble.
Looking ahead to Rob Carter Jr.'s 2026 season
In a very crowded cornerback room, the ceiling for Carter this season is likely the Colts' practice squad.
What we know is that with Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, and Justin Walley accounting for three roster spots, there are two to three up for grabs depending on how many cornerbacks the Colts keep.
Cam Taylor-Britt, Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, Jaylon Jones, and Cameron Mitchell are all ahead of Carter on the depth chart and vying for those available roster spots. And out of those five players, two to three won't make the 53-man roster either.
LeRoy Irvin, a Georgia native and two-time Pro Bowl punt returner and cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 68.
“We mourn the loss of Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the Rams said. The team did not give a cause of death.
Irvin was born on Sept. 15, 1957 and grew up in New Jersey before his family moved to Augusta, Georgia. He graduated from Glenn Hills High School and accepted an offer to play college football at Kansas.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Irvin in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He played 10 years for the Rams and one season for the Lions.
Irvin set a NFL record for most punt return yards in a single-game on Oct. 11, 1981. He finished with 207 punt return yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, who were playing at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. His record hasn’t been broken.
Pro Football Hall of Famer and Rams teammate Eric Dickerson paid tribute to Irvin in a social media post.
“Devastated to hear about the passing of my brother, teammate, and Rams legend Leroy Irvin. Leroy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy. Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation,” Dickerson shared.
The Florida State Seminoles turned up the heat on four-star safety Ta'Shawn Poole once he took his official visit on June 12, making him one of their top priorities as he gets set to make his decision.
The only question was when Poole would make his announcement. After much speculation, a date has been set. Poole will decide between the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers, and the Seminoles on July 17 at 6 p.m. ET.
Getting three-star safety Jemari Foreman to shut down his recruitment was a huge win for FSU. However, landing Poole would not only give them an even higher-ranked player at the position, but he would be the top commitment in the 2027 class for the Seminoles. Poole isn't just a skilled defensive back. He also brings prowess as a wide receiver and ball carrier with seven total touchdowns last year at Howard High School in Macon, Georgia.
Florida State has been consistent in their efforts towards Poole since they offered him last August and hosted him last November when they played the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. That's what's kept them at the top of his recruitment throughout the last year or so.
"They have done a great job of building a real relationship with me and my family. They have made me feel like a priority since day one," said Poole on his bond with FSU.
Poole is the nation's No. 68 overall player and the No. 5 safety per the 247Sports composite rankings. He's also listed as the No. 5 prospect in the state of Georgia.
It's been a productive summer so far for Florida State in regard to landing commitments. Adding Poole would be the icing on the cake.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience
The NASCAR Cup Series is set to arrive at Chicagoland Speedway for its 19th race of the 2026 season. It is the only date in Chicagoland, as NASCAR visits the venue once per season. In 2025, no one won the pole because NASCAR hasn't competed at Chicagoland since the 2019 season.
First, the Cup Series needs to qualify for the event at Chicagoland, and the qualifying format is simple. Every driver will make a one-lap run, with the overall lap times determining the starting lineup. There will only be one round, and the groups do not matter in setting the starting lineup by the inside or outside rows. The metric system determines the qualifying order.
Below, you can check out the NASCAR qualifying order and groups for the 2026 eero 400 at Chicagoland this weekend!
NASCAR Cup Series qualifying order for Chicagoland (July 2026):
BEREA, OHIO - JUNE 10: Deshaun Watson #4, Shedeur Sanders #2, Dillon Gabriel #6 and Taylen Green #15 of the Cleveland Browns run a drill during the Cleveland Browns Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With training camp starting in less than four weeks for the Cleveland Browns, it’s time to kick off our annual positional previews leading up to the season. We will go through each position, starting with quarterback, to give a high-level overview of who is competing for a roster spot and what their expectations or odds of making the roster are.
Last year, we were evaluating Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett as the team’s top two quarterback options leading into training camp. This year, it’s Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
As I was putting together this piece and comparing it to last year, it was pretty funny how I thought “age 30” and “10 years of experience” for Deshaun Watson made him older, until I saw it was “age 40” and “19 years of experience” for Joe Flacco last season. In that sense, Watson is still a spring chicken.
There was a time a year or two ago when we thought Watson’s days of playing with the Browns were finished for good. Now, he is the frontrunner for the team’s starting quarterback job, assisted by the team having a new head coach in Todd Monken, but mostly by the fact that the rest of the talent at the position is unproven.
It’s crazy to think that the last time Watson played a full season with productive results was back in 2020. In his first couple of years with the Browns, I attributed much of his struggles to a combination of rust and being in his own head. I’m still a strong believer that going from “being a good guy and beloved” to being the face of negativity and ridicule (for his off-the-field actions) played a big role in his performance downfall. He was paid a record amount at the time he joined the Browns, and all Cleveland has gotten out of it is maybe a solid half or two of football before he suffered an Achilles injury.
Enough time has passed to where this is as clean of a slate as Watson can ask for at this stage of his career. He will no doubt look like the best quarterback in training camp sessions, but what happens during the preseason games? Will he thrive or falter? I think more than ever, the preseason performances will dictate who gets the starting job for Cleveland this season.
We got excited for Shedeur Sanders last year. He started the Browns’ final 7 games and compiled a 3-4 record, which looks great considering the team’s 4-12 overall record. However, those final two games were also led heavily by the team’s defense if you read between the record. For the season, Sanders threw for 1,400 yards (56.6% completion), 7 TD, 10 INT, and ran 21 times for 169 yards and 1 TD.
When he first came into camp last year, Kevin Stefanski and company were so delicate with his reps and what he was given that he never saw any action with the first-team offense, even amidst a competition. The feeling was that he was a developmental player who the team liked, but did not want to rush into action, despite all of the hype surrounding him. When Flacco was traded and Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion against the Ravens, though, he was thrust into action against the Las Vegas Raiders. By that point, Gabriel had been struggling and the team was done from contention, so it was sort of a, “Well, let’s see what we have with Sanders now.”
The results were encouraging. There is a presence about Sanders that you can’t deny, and he made some great throws at times, and started to show some nice escapability and evasiveness. The results were still largely inconsistent, though, and his worst habit remained backpedaling in the face of pressure. To be fair, though, all of the Browns’ quarterbacks were basically working with one of the worst offensive lines last year and a bottom-tier performing group of receivers.
I think Sanders shines more during live game action than he does in practice, which might hurt him in the competition early on. If Monken is encouraged by what he sees as camp goes on, the potential to let Sanders grow throughout the year might out-weigh the stagnant nature of what we’ve seen from Watson. The other possibility is that if Watson wins the job, some wonder if Sanders will get traded — because if Cleveland goes all-in for a quarterback next year, then this is probably the point in which you get the most value (albeit not much) for him.
Dillon Gabriel looked sharp in training camp and the preseason last year, and was given the starting job in Week 5 after Flacco was traded away. It should have been a solid first win for Gabriel, but Minnesota pulled off a stunning game-winning drive. Still, Gabriel was an impressive 19-of-30 for 190 yards and 2 TD in that game.
For the season, Gabriel completed 59.5% of his passes with 7 TD and 2 INT. The issue as games went along is everyone started realizing that Cleveland really could not push the ball down the field when he was at quarterback. Those quick hitter, well-timed passes that succeeded in the preseason and his first start were being keyed in on by defenders who felt no threat of having to guard deeper action.
Like I mentioned with Sanders, though, Gabriel, too, could benefit from the improved offensive line and group of wide receivers this year. It’s possible that everyone — from protection, to receivers, to quarterbacks, to coaching — were abysmal last year, but it’s also possible that a subset of those contributed to the quarterbacks having no chance to succeed. I still like what Gabriel can offer in a well-protected offense, but I view him as coming in as a backup due to that lack of arm strength.
Last, but not least, we have Taylen Green. If Stefanski had the luxury of two developmental quarterbacks last year, then Monken gets his own developmental prospect this year. Taken in the sixth round, no one expects Green to vault up the depth chart to compete for a starting job. However, would anyone be surprised if he gets a start by the end of the year, given the history of the team?
Green being on the roster, and a draft pick of Andrew Berry, makes for an interesting decision. If the team is struggling to determine who should start, is it practical to hold four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster? That could be another factor that leads to a dealing of Sanders or Gabriel.
Green has great size and speed, which makes him an interesting candidate to incorporate into some type of package offensively. Maybe we’ll get an inkling of whether Monken wants to do that during camp. Throughout the offseason, DBN has had a few feature pieces on Green’s potential:
The Houston Rockets' 2025-26 season didn’t end the way they were hoping.
Although Houston fought back against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the postseason and came close to overcoming a 3-0 series deficit, they were ultimately eliminated in six games.
It’s unclear if the franchise will make any drastic moves to elevate its roster. However, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently urged the franchise to complete a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards that they couldn’t refuse.
Buckley’s hypothetical trade pitch would swap the Rockets’ 23-year-old two-time All-Star for a 33-year-old for a Los Angeles Lakers NBA champion reject.
“Big changes might yet be on the menu, then, and there aren't many realistic ones that would qualify as bigger than adding the Brow (Anthony Davis),” Buckley wrote Wednesday. “Davis might have more than his share of availability concerns, but he is an elite producer whenever he hits the hardwood.”
“You could cautiously pencil him in for 20/10/2 and realistically hope for more like 25/12/2.5. While he played only 71 games over the past two seasons combined, he made 75 appearances in the prior campaign. He also made All-NBA second team, All-Defensive first team, and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting that season.”
“The Rockets could have a cheat-code defensive combo with Davis and (Amen) Thompson (not to mention the recently signed Marcus Smart), plus an overpowered offensive pairing with Davis and (Kevin) Durant. VanVleet would be around to keep everyone fed, while Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed (Sheppard).”
For clarity, the Rockets would send Alperen Sengun and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Wizards for Davis, Justin Champagnie, and a 2029 first-round pick (via the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, or Portland Trail Blazers).
If the Rockets elect to go all-out for Davis, they’ll encounter the same issue that’s currently plaguing the Golden State Warriors. Essentially, after selecting former BYU star AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and signing Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension, the Wizards have made it clear they aren’t listening to trade offers for Davis.
With the 10-time All-Star currently carrying an injury-prone reputation, missing out on him wouldn’t be the end of the world for Houston. However, there’s no denying that Davis is dynamic when he’s at his best, as he possesses the low-post dominance, mid-post fluidity, and shot-blocking chops found in elite frontcourt contributors.
The Las Vegas Raiders pulled off a Maxx Crosby trade early this offseason, netting two first-round picks in exchange for the All-Pro edge rusher before the Baltimore Ravens backed out of the deal. If Crosby is going to be moved again, one beat writer suggests the asking price could be even higher.
Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post wrote that if the San Francisco 49ers wanted to acquire Crosby from the Raiders, the potential “framework for a suitable offer” would need to include a first- and second-round pick along with a young player.
Specifically, Bonsignore suggested that the Raiders would want San Francisco’s first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft and edge rusher Mykel Williams.
Williams, a 22-year-old pass rusher, missed the majority of last season after suffering an ACL tear in Week 9 against the New York Giants. Before that, he was the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and viewed as a high-upside defender who San Francisco hopes can develop into a Pro Bowl edge rusher.
Even coming off an ACL tear, the potential asking price feels like a stretch for San Francisco. The 49ers’ front office viewed Williams as one of the best prospects in thw 2025 NFL Draft class and his long-term potential remains unchanged.
The proposal also seems to treat Crosby’s trade value as if what happened with the Ravens’ front office never happened. While it’s highly unlikely that another club would back out on an agreed-upon trade due to medical issues, rival front offices would use the situation as leverage in negotiations to try to drive down the price. There’s also been no evidence that any other team was willing to offer a pair of first-round picks for Crosby.
It feels much more realistic to think that Las Vegas could push for Williams and a future first-round pick in a deal, with the 49ers receiving Crosby and a mid-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. However, that might not be enough to entice the Raiders to make a deal given what they had before.
The’s why a deal remains so complicated. Las Vegas will want to push for a return that matches the value it would’ve received from the Ravens. Meanwhile, every other team will use those medical concerns against the Raiders and push for a much lesser return. That’s part of the reason why Crosby will likely be on the Raiders’ roster in September and potentially through the entirety of the 2026 season.
Isaac Guerrero is the new coach of the Juventus Women’s First Team, signing a contract with the Club until 30 June, 2028.
A UEFA Pro license holder, Isaac joins Juventus to begin his second experience in Italy, and his CV is packed with international experience. He arrives in Turin having built his more-than-30-year career on coaching, methodology, and talent development.
His career began in 1994 in Catalonia, where he took his first steps as a coach and Head of Methodology at UE Sant Fost. From 1999 to 2003, he worked at UDA Framenet, where he held the roles of Head Coach, Scout, Technical Director, and Head of Methodology. He returned to the club in 2009 for a year, having spent 2003-2009 with Espanyol, continuing his career in coaching, scouting, and methodology.
Moving across the city in 2010, Guerrero joined Barcelona, where he remained until 2001, holding several leadership roles, including Deputy Director and Head of Coaching in the Methodology Department, Technical Director of the Barca Football School, member of the Barca Innovation Hub & Knowledge Area, Director and Instructor of the club’s Master’s program for professional coaches, Coordinator of the Barca Coach Development Program, and Director of the Barca Coach Academy.
All of the above experience has led to him being one of the leading figures in methodological development and in the training of coaches.
Isaac was appointed as Academy Director & Head of Coaching at Venezia in 2021, remaining with the Arancioneroverdi until 2025, and he simultaneously worked with the United States Men’s National Team as part of the coaching staff, responsible for the attacking phase and talent development, before taking on the role of Player Scout & Opposition Analyst. Additionally, he has been a member of the Expert Commission on Soccer Methodology of the RFEF (the Spanish Football Federation).
Guerrero holds a degree in Sports Science and Physical Education from the University of Barcelona, where he was also recognised as the top student of the class of 2003. He has also earned a Master’s degree in Global Training in Professional Soccer, and obtained his UEFA Pro coaching license - the highest level of European certification.
Welcome to Juventus, Isaac, and we wish you the very best of luck on this new journey with us!
With the draft just around the corner, LL’s coverage on the amateur side will be ramping up considerably over the next week and aims to provide readers with a digestible, yet encompassing guide to next Saturday’s event. Having a handful of “draft crushes” every year makes the process significantly more enjoyable, and even if they don’t end up being Mariners, it’s still a fun endeavor that has a pretty low barrier to entry. Expect additional writeups, sleepers, and even an official LL Mock Draft ™ in the not so distant future.
Today’s subject, Logan Hughes, is one the most complete offensive players in all of college baseball. Considered one of the safer picks that could be available around the Mariners’ pick, Hughes would provide this system with a steady performer that should move rather quickly through the low minors, potentially helping out the big league team in just a few short years.
Hughes, a 5’11 202lb left fielder from Texas Tech, is a force at the plate. His left handed swing is short to the ball and controlled, but still generates massive EV’s consistently. He’s amongst the best in college baseball in hard hit rate, barrel accuracy, and xwOBA, lacing the ball with authority to all fields. Perhaps even more encouraging, Hughes gets to this level of power while running good contact rates and excellent plate discipline metrics. Hughes almost never strikes out and walks more than just about everyone (50/33 BB/K ratio this season), rounding out what is arguably as ideal of an offensive profile as you can find at this stage of the draft.
The shortcoming here is relatively straightforward: ceiling. Definitively a left fielder at the next level, Hughes is a roughly average runner with decent, if uninspiring defensive abilities. He’s a far cry from a DH only, but he lacks dynamism outside of his near-spotless offensive approach. He should be a passable fielder and baserunner, but there’s not a ton in his profile to buoy him if the bat doesn’t translate to the pro ranks.
If the M’s want the guy with the best chance to be an offensive threat in their lineup inside of 3 years, Logan Hughes is likely their best bet. Lacking upside may be boring to some, but Hughes’ bat could be good enough on its own to get him into that 3 WAR per season territory, and that’s a very, very, valuable asset to have on any team. A pay cut to make him an underslot target doesn’t seem all that likely as college performers will always have suitors in the first round, but he shouldn’t break the bank in their bonus pool and would afford them some leeway in the ensuing rounds to take a bigger swing should they want to. An enticing option all the same, Hughes’ undeniable polish makes him an exciting option for the Mariners at 24 and should be on your radar next weekend.
Neymar is Brazil's record goalscorer but has played just once in four games at this World Cup (Paul ELLIS)
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar is unhappy he has had such a limited role at the World Cup but has handled the situation professionally and remains a positive influence within the squad.
The country's all-time leading goalscorer has made just one substitute appearance at his fourth World Cup, playing the final 14 minutes of Brazil's 3-0 win over Scotland in the group stage.
Neymar, 34, is again likely to be on the bench for Sunday's last-16 match against Norway at MetLife Stadium.
"He's not satisfied, but he's behaving very well. He's training very well. Neymar is very respectful, kind, and loved by his teammates," Ancelotti told Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo in an interview published on Friday.
"He's an important figure in the team because he has quality and he's a very humble person. I'm very happy with him. And, obviously, he wants to play, like he always has."
Neymar arrived at the tournament with a right calf injury.
Ancelotti insisted that Neymar is now capable of playing a full match, easing doubts over the fitness of the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star.
"The important thing is that he can play. No one knows how long he will play. He has the experience to manage his minutes in the game and the tempo. When I see that the team needs him, I'll put him on (the pitch)," said the Italian.
Brazil have never beaten Norway, drawing two and losing two of their four previous meetings. They have also not defeated a European side in a World Cup knockout match since winning the tournament in 2002.
"It's always difficult, but we are confident we will play a good game," Ancelotti said.
"They are a very well-organised team defensively and their coach is doing a very good job in that area.
"We are prepared for anything that can happen. We may concede a goal, but we are prepared to react."
While tennis fans are on Serena and Venus Williams watch for women’s doubles hoping the two do not withdraw because of Serena’s injury, 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalists and 2025 French Open champions Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani quietly withdrew from Wimbledon.
Paolini and Errani were not able to defend their French Open title last month because of Paolini’s ongoing injury issues. Errani paired with Austrian Lilli Tagger, but the two lost in the second round. It is not clear what prompted the withdrawal. Paolini remains in singles with a third round match against Maria Sakkari scheduled for July 4.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams is set to take the court on Saturday with her sister Venus for women’s doubles. The pair have not played together since Serena’s farewell tournament, the 2022 US Open.
Aug 5, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Serena Williams (USA), left, and Venus Williams (USA) during the gold medal ceremony after winning the women’s doubles competition during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wimbledon. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
In their prime, the Williams sisters were unbeatable in women’s doubles. They won 14 Grand Slams and two Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012). The 2012 Olympic gold came at Wimbledon, and their last Grand Slam win in 2016 was also at the All England Club.
Though in their mid 40s, many believe they can still be competitive in doubles. Martina Navratilova was also in her 40s when she won her final women’s doubles Grand Slam at the US Open in 1990.
The match time is yet to be determined, but the Williams sisters will face Solana Sierra (who nearly upset Coco Gauff in singles on Thursday) and Camila Osorio.
Fans and pundits love to talk about the Pro Bowl as some sort of measure of NFL greatness but we know this isn't the case. In many instances, the NFL has a hard time even finding players willing to participate and end up going five or six players deep, meaning suddenly a multitude of players are now Pro Bowlers at their position.
Looking at the Steelers current roster, the Steelers only have three players who have ever been named an All-Pro and all of them are on defense.
Defensive back Jalen Ramsey has been named an All-Pro three times. In 2017 when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars and 2020 and 2021 when he was with the Los Angeles Rams. We felt like Ramsey had an All-Pro season in 2025 once he switched to safety and he is ranked No. 82 on NFL Network's Top 100 players of 2026.
Edge defender T.J. Watt has been named an All-Pro six times total. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. He was named second-team in 2019 (as a linebacker) and 2024. Watt was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and set the single-season sack record at the time.
Finally, we have defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. He's also been named an All-Pro six times. Four times a first-team selection (2017, 2019, 2021, 2024) and twice a second-team selection (2020, 2025).
Real Madrid rule out move for Chelsea midfielder in club statement
Despite currently being focused on completing some exit operations, Real Madrid have still not ruled out some more additions to their team after having already made four new signings this summer.
The new coach Jose Mourinho reportedly still wants another midfielder and center-back for the next season, and it remains to be seen which players would arrive to reinforce these positions for the Merengue side.
For the midfield, there were two names in particular being linked with the white club, Mateus Fernandes and Enzo Fernandez. However, both of these names are now off the table. The former has already signed for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that would reach around €100 million.
Meanwhile, as Diario AS has noted, the latter’s signing has been ruled out by Real Madrid themselves, as they published an official statement today, on Friday, to clarify that they are not making any efforts to sign him and have no intentions to make such efforts either.
The full statement published by the club went as follows:
“In light of the information and statements that have emerged in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid C. F. in the player Enzo Fernández, the club wishes to state that it has not made any efforts, either directly or indirectly, aimed at signing the aforementioned player and, furthermore, has no intention of pursuing such an operation.
Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernández, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely recognized, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship.
Precisely out of respect for an institution like Chelsea FC and the principles of institutional loyalty that have always guided Real Madrid’s actions, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny these speculations, which are unfounded and do not reflect reality.
Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the absence of any action by the club, information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and only serves to create confusion among fans and unnecessarily harm the entities and individuals involved.”
This statement comes right in the aftermath of some comments from Enzo Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, who recently suggested that talks might be underway to bring the Argentine to the Merengue club. But with this statement, Real Madrid have put a quick stop to any such speculation, and thus clarified their position for everyone, including their fans, media, and any other clubs that might be interested in the midfielder.
For now, it remains to be seen if the Merengues would find other suitors to reinforce their midfield this summer, as Mourinho wishes, or continue to rely on their current players, including Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Thiago Pitarch.
Finding a franchise quarterback isn’t easy, especially when your team is regularly winning 10-plus games. The Los Angeles Rams have their guy in Matthew Stafford but his time in the NFL is dwindling, which is why they made the decision to draft Ty Simpson 13th overall in April.
Many questioned the decision but Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis completely understands the move. Having seen the Pittsburgh Steelers fail to find a successor to Ben Roethlisberger, he thinks the Rams were smart to draft Simpson when they did. He told DJ Siddiqi of Action Network that while it’s possible Stafford could play several more years, there’s also a chance he retires after this season.
“There was talk of retirement a year ago, two years ago, so it could go either way,” Bettis said. “From an organizational standpoint, do you want to take the chance of not having a quarterback for the future. I think what they're doing is the right thing. You've seen the organization that did it that way, you look at Kansas City, you look at Green Bay, you look at some of the teams that did it the way that the Rams are doing it. You can't knock what the Rams have done, because when you look at teams, for instance, you look at the Steelers. They were playing for championships, and did they ever think about the quarterback position? They did not, not until Ben was in the latter part of his career.
“And by that point they were still good enough to win games, but they didn't have the opportunity to be high in the draft. That's the scenario that you deal with, and when you don't have that luxury, you wish you had it, and that's what's happening now with the Steelers. But the Rams, I think they did the right thing.”
The Rams had no glaring holes on their roster entering the draft, which was thanks to their efforts to solidify the cornerback position and other spots in free agency. They were drafting for depth, and knowing that, Bettis thinks they were wise to add to the most important position in the game.
“When you're drafting for depth, where do you want the best depth?” he said. “At the quarterback position? So they did exactly what they were supposed to do. You draft for depth when you're a championship team, and the quarterback position is where you ultimately need the best depth over the course of the season, because when you lose your starting quarterback, you're in big trouble unless you've got depth right. You got another really good player right behind him, and that's what they've done.”
Simpson will need to compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback position this season. He certainly has more upside than Bennett as a future starter, but it remains to be seen which young quarterback will back up Stafford.
Long-term, this could be Simpson’s team after Stafford retires, and he’ll be more prepared to take over after sitting and learning for a year or two behind the reigning MVP.
Jared Dubin of CBS Sports put together his list of the top wide receiver duos entering the 2026 NFL season, and just on the outside looking in were two of the Jacksonville Jaguars' wideouts.
Dubin's rankings consisted of the top eight wide receiver pairings along with a number of duos listed as "Honorable(-ish) Mentions." In that category were Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers.
These two do form quite the pairing. Going beyond their production, for what Liam Coen wants to accomplish offensively, the two are an ideal match and set each other up for success.
The mid-season addition of Meyers allowed Thomas Jr. to handle more downfield responsibilities with Meyers operating in the middle of the field. And with Thomas Jr. stretching the field, that helped create more room for Meyers to operate.
That said, the strength of the Jaguars' wide receiver room goes well beyond these two. Parker Washington could have easily been included as well after he put together a breakout season in 2025. Travis Hunter also appeared to be on his way to a larger role as a rookie prior to his injury.
The Jaguars boast a deep receiver room, which is exactly what Coen wants. That makes it a lot more difficult for defenses to hone in on any one player, while the matchups and in-game scenarios will dictate where the ball goes, keeping defenders off-balance and guessing.
Caitlin Clark returned to Indiana Fever practice on Friday with a strong message to fans after an incident with the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas generated national headlines and controversy.
"The harassment, the hate, none of that is okay," Clark told reporters on Friday. "That goes for the opposing team, that goes for my teammates, that goes for my coaches. I don't want anybody to ever experience that."
Clark was speaking about the online vitriol that had been directed Thomas' way after the Mercury star's fist made contact with Clark's throat during a scramble for a loose ball in last Wednesday's game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark revealed more frustration with the quality of WNBA refereeing, conceding that while refs have "one of the hardest jobs in the world," she insisted that the league has to be better at safeguarding its players. She believed in real time that the Thomas incident was a flagrant foul, and she thought the officials missed a "straightforward" call.
"It's been a discussion for three years now," Clark said. "We really need to do a better job of protecting the people in this league. I've been involved in a few of those plays, but there are plenty of others across the league who haven't (gotten the call), teams make clips (to send to the league office) and nothing really changes."
Caitlin Clark on incident with Alyssa Thomas:
"I did think it was a flagrant foul. Our reffing just needs to be better ... The league has to do better protecting our players."
Clark called on the WNBA to pay referees like they are full-time employees. NBA referees can make up to $550,000 per year; WNBA officials, on the other hand, make a fraction of that, reportedly maxing out at $50,000 annually.
But the three-time All-Star's main point was that discourse around her and the incident with Thomas has gotten out of hand.
"I turn on the TV Sunday, the game was on Wednesday and that's all people are talking about," Clark said. "That's a real disservice to our league. ... For the narrative to be taken other places, that's just really not acceptable."
‘It Was Insane’ — Brady Tkachuk Dishes on Whirlwind Few Days After Box-Office Trade To Panthers
Brady Tkachuk has barely had a moment to catch his breath since being traded to the Florida Panthers. After ending his eight-year run in Ottawa, the former Senators captain says the past week has been a whirlwind as he adjusts to life with his new team and prepares to play alongside his brother, Matthew, for the first time in the NHL.
Brady Tkachuk Reveals What the Last Few Days Have Been Like With Panthers
Tkachuk has been open about why he wanted a change of scenery. Watching Matthew and the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025 made him realize he wanted the chance to compete for a championship himself, not as a spectator, but as a player on the ice.
Now officially a member of the Panthers, Brady reflected on just how hectic the past few days have been.
When Matthew asked whether the trade had finally sunk in, Brady admitted it still hadn’t. “No, honestly, it’s still just such a whirlwind,” Brady said. “Monday after, you know, Big Walt’s induction into the hall. Tuesday, emergency pod. Had to. Worked out, did the press conference, and then did the Panther Talk podcast. And then, you know, we did Pat McAfee, which was awesome.”
Brady said the attention around South Florida has been overwhelming, even during something as simple as grabbing lunch.
“Let’s go pick up lunch in Los Olas. Down the street, we’re just bumper to bumper waiting for the light. I felt like we’re just like, hey, how you doing? Hey, how you doing? Thank you. Thank you. It was insane. It was nonstop people coming up with their cars, parking, taking selfies. It was insane.”
Matthew wasn’t surprised by the reception, saying, “Florida loves you already. You’re the new golden child there.”
The trade also unfolded during one of the busiest weeks the Tkachuk family has ever experienced.
The deal came together while the entire family was gathered for the baptism of Matthew’s daughter. At the same time, their father, Keith Tkachuk, was preparing for another unforgettable moment after learning he had been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Add in Brady’s introductory press conference, media appearances, and the excitement surrounding his arrival in Florida, and it became a whirlwind few days for everyone involved.
Although his departure from Ottawa quickly became a source of frustration for many Senators fans, Tkachuk has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the eight seasons he spent with the organization, including five as team captain.
Now with a Stanley Cup contender and the opportunity to play alongside his brother for the first time in the NHL, Brady begins what could be the most exciting chapter of his career.
‘We Got a Great Young Core’ – Grizzlies’ No. 3 Pick Cameron Boozer Gets Honest on Memphis’ Decision To Sell Low on Ja Morant
When the Memphis Grizzlies used the No. 3 overall pick on Cameron Boozer in the 2026 NBA Draft, he said Ja Morant came to his mind when he thinks of the franchise.
But, just days later, the Grizzlies sent Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers, opening a completely new chapter before Boozer even stepped onto the floor for his first Summer League appearance.
As a result, the young forward found himself entering a very different situation than he first imagined.
Cameron Boozer Opens Up On Grizzlies’ Future After Ja Morant Trade
“Obviously, I didn’t know it was going to happen,” Boozer said on July 2. “Ja is a great player. It’s not our decision to make. It’s the front office’s (decision). I think we got a great young core. I think that’s what they’re looking to build off of, so I think (the future) is really exciting.”
However, Morant’s recent availability made such a move easier to understand than it once seemed.
Although the 26-year-old has an average of 22.4 points per game, he has appeared in only 79 games over the last three seasons due to injuries and suspensions.
That stretch also included a 25-game suspension after he appeared on a livestream holding a gun while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle.
As a result, Memphis did not receive the type of package many expected for a former All-NBA guard. The Grizzlies acquired Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, a return that immediately drew criticism.
However, Memphis now has a chance to reset the franchise with clearer direction, and Boozer stands at the center of that vision.
Grant may not be the most exciting return, but he still fills several important needs. Although his contract draws plenty of criticism, Grant remains a capable wing who defends, knocks down outside shots, and can create offense when needed. That skill set gives Memphis flexibility, whether it decides to keep him or move him later.
If he stays, Grant joins Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Zach Edey, and Isaiah Stewart in providing experienced defensive support for Boozer. Murray could also quietly become a useful piece if his offensive game takes a step forward.
He already brings defensive energy and can finish well when attacking open space. If his three-point shot climbs closer to league average, the Grizzlies may end up finding a valuable rotation player coming off the bench.
As a result, Memphis still has reasons to feel optimistic despite the modest trade package. Now, the Grizzlies still have room to reshape the roster through additional moves. The coming days should reveal whether Memphis adds more pieces to strengthen its new foundation.
Argentina's bid to become the first nation since Brazil more than 60 years ago to win back-to-back World Cups heads into the knockout rounds on Friday, as Lionel Messi and Co., face tournament darlings Cape Verde in Miami on Wednesday (6 pm ET).
Messi scored six goals in Argentina's three group games en route to a 1st-place finish in Group J and (what many believe is) a cushy draw in the round of 32. Messi, who turned 39 after the World Cup began, scored in all three games, including his first career World Cup hat trick in the 3-0 victory over Algeria in the opener.
Cape Verde reached the knockout rounds in their World Cup debut by drawing all three of their games in Group H — scoreless draws with tournament favorites Spain and Saudi Arabia, and a 2-2 stalemate with Uruguay.
How to watch Argentina vs Cape Verde live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:6 pm ET Friday, July 3 Venue:Hard Rock Stadium — Miami TV Channel: Telemundo Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
Argentina team news, focus
No injuries to report.
Cape Verde team news, focus
OUT: Telmo Arcanjo (hamstring)
Argentina vs Cape Verde prediction
It's hard to imagine a much better story than Cape Verde, but it's even harder to imagine anything other than a lopsided Argentina win. Argentina 4-1 Cape Verde.
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A few former North Carolina Tar Heels found new homes in the NBA following the 2026 draft a few weeks back.
Among them is former UNC center Henri Veesaar. While he was projected to be a late first-round pick by many experts, Veesaar fell to the second round and landed with the Atlanta Hawks. Veesaar faced criticism due to his fall with many believing he should have just stayed at North Carolina and entered next year's draft, which is considered weaker.
But we are past that now and Veesaar has officially signed his contract with the details now being released.
Per Kevin O'Connor, Veesaar has signed a four-year deal worth $9.3 million with the Hawks. He was the 52nd overall pick in the draft and as O'Connor mentions, the deal is structured like the 31st, 32nd and 35th picks in last year’s draft.
Henri Veesaar has signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, per sources.
Veesaar was the 52nd pick in the draft. The structure of the deal is the same as the 31st, 32nd and 35th picks in last year’s draft. pic.twitter.com/E3KV9tCnLX
While Veesaar fell to the second round, he still gets a nice contract from the Hawks. That could have been a reason why he stayed in the draft, getting a promise and a contract that suits him well.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur launched a fiery response to Toto Wolff’s surprise at Ferrari continuously bringing upgrades throughout the Formula 1 campaign - believing his Mercedes rival made claims of “cheating”.
The Scuderia has been aggressive with car updates during the first eight rounds of the 2026 season, as the second-placed team attempts to close the gap on runaway leader Mercedes.
It led to Wolff revealing after Austria last time out that “we’re a little bit surprised that Ferrari can throw these huge updates at the car in the way they do”.
The Silver Arrows boss subsequently hinted that Ferrari ‘need to be running out of cost cap money soon’ - $215million in 2026 - hoping that the team may eventually slow down with its updates.
But Vasseur has come out on the attack at this weekend’s British Grand Prix, stating Ferrari is being no more aggressive than its rivals as efficiency with upgrades will determine success in this new regulation cycle.
“I find it quite ironic coming from Toto and Mercedes,” said Vasseur at Silverstone. “When Red Bull is developing, or when Mercedes is developing, they are a genius - when we are developing, we are cheating.
“I think you have to calm down with this. We didn’t bring more parts than Red Bull or another one - I don’t know if it was a joke!”
Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur have been friends for quite some time
Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur have been friends for quite some time
When then asked to clarify his “cheating” comment and whether he thinks Wolff was making that exact claim, Vasseur responded: “If you think that we overshoot the cost cap, for me it’s going into this direction.”
But Vasseur was on the attack throughout the Friday press conference, showing signs of clear frustration whenever he was asked about Wolff’s comments from the Red Bull Ring.
On one instance, for example, the Frenchman was asked why he thinks Wolff singled out Ferrari, which is the only other team to have won a grand prix in 2026 via Lewis Hamilton at Barcelona.
Vasseur responded: “If you have to ask something to Toto, go to Toto and ask him why he spoke about me. Honestly, I have no clue.”
Vasseur and Wolff are known to be friends and have been for quite some time, but he delivered a sharp response when asked if they have since spoken.
“I think it was better to avoid to speak,” said Vasseur.
But the 58-year-old did subsequently provide a clear explanation as to why Ferrari has been aggressive with its upgrades, arguing it’s better to do so with two-thirds of the campaign still to play.
“We are all in the same boat that if we can bring something at the beginning, we do it,” he said. “It’s better to have a couple of tenths for five races than just a couple of tenths for the last two.
“But sometimes it’s difficult to find performance, sometimes you can have the feeling that we are bringing a big upgrade, but it is just the modification of some parts and nothing else.”
Josh Allen has led an elite Buffalo Bills offense year in and year out.
The 2024 MVP runs an offense that demands he read defenses, set the right protections, and use his legs in key situations.
So, what makes his processing so elite?
Allen Reads Blitzes and Non-Blitzes Before the Snap
Let’s look at his process when defenses muddy up the line of scrimmage.
On this presnap, the Chiefs are showing blitz from one direction, and sending the linebacker from the opposite side to pass rush. It becomes just a four man pass rush. It’s quite a puzzle for Allen to process. He gets Ty Johnson to split out wide in the backfield but that doesn’t send him any answers.
But on the postsnap, he processes the information quickly. The left defensive end is right in his throwing lane so it does feel like a blitz. Therefore, he has to change his throwing angle and widen it out away from the defender to get a clean throw off.
Also, because the Chiefs sent the weakside linebacker to show blitz, he can’t get back into the play because Allen got rid of the ball so fast. Johnson’s already five yards downfield and the Bills showed that they have an excellent counter.
Here’s another play, this time with a blitz called.
It’s third-and-nine with another empty backfield. Jaguars are showing blitz while the back end are playing off their man.
Routine conversion for Khalil Shakir (10)
Josh Allen checks at the line based on the pressure look from the Jags + the space, numbers, & leverage to the field. The Jags kind of muddy it on the snap (notice 29 alerting & checking) but Shakir makes a play
Allen’s counter to the blitz is a hot throw on a bubble screen to Khalil Shakir. This gets the ball out of his hands quick vs the blitz.
The Jaguars end up with an overload blitz to one side. Dawson Knox makes the key block on Shakir’s man and because Knox’s man is ten yards off the line of scrimmage, Shakir has a lane to spin his way to a first down.
It’s not the sexiest play by Allen, but it’s smart football.
Allen Making the Correct Pass Protections
One of the things a quarterback goes through on his checklist presnap is the pass protection.
It’s third-and-goal from the 15-yard line. The end zone is the only place the football is going to, so that’s where everyone ends up.
This was a Josh Allen All Verts special. Just go make something happen kind of playcall and Allen did.
The pass protection slides left on the snap which makes it clear that the process is to get Allen to roll out right and buy time for receivers to uncover.
Patriots play match quarters — meaning the outside corners and safeties take any route runner that goes 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and it turns into man-to-man coverage.
Once Dawson Knox uncovers, Allen’s throwing process becomes a bullet instead of a pass over the defender’s head since Knox’s man is out of the play.
The Bills present a similar pass protection that buys Allen room in the pocket.
It’s second-and-ten out of shotgun, so they need to cut into the needed yardage. He has a unique pass protection set up with the left guard pulls out to block the strongside defensive end. Allen does a half roll out on his dropback.
Josh Allen going through his progressions before pinning it on James Cook’s upfield shoulder, and setting set him up perfectly for some yards after catch
Allen’s vision is working towards the left side of the field with a two-on-two, but Johnson is covered on the wheel route and Brandin Cooks can’t separate on the post route.
That first and second read is taken away and the internal clock is close to expiring. So, the process now is the checkdown to James Cook and see what his running back can do with it. As he looks to Cook, he adjusts his throwing platform towards Cook.
This sort of change in the process makes it a much cleaner throw. And in that instant, the All-Pro quarterback leads the pass to Cook to make it easy for Cook to stay up field and pick up yards after the catch.
The Bills Use Allen’s Legs as a Weapon in Key Situations
A critical component to the Bills offense is Allen’s legs in key down and distance situations.
This is a design power run — a run for the quarterback to go outside. Allen must attack the D gap, which is the outside shoulder of his tight end.
One of the keys to this concept is to leave the weakside edge defender unblocked and let the left tackle, Dion Dawkins, look for work upfield. Simply put, Allen trusts himself to outrun the unblocked defender.
The Bills made Allen a threat in the run game. Nice blocks by Knox and McGovern on this TD. pic.twitter.com/PpswVyQBgx
Running laterally gets you nowhere but Allen must turn upfield as soon as he attacks the D gap.
It’s Connor McGovern who makes the key reach block — by going to the second level and taking the linebacker out of the play. As soon as Allen sees that, he can go north and go untouched for a score.
Bills run the same concept here but they see a different look defensively. It’s third-and-five. The Broncos are showing blitz, which is difficult for offenses to attempt an interior run.
Allen has the answer to call his own number and go outside.
They get the tackle, Spencer Brown, to release block and immediately get upfield to destroy the cornerback. On this power run, Allen’s goal is to outrun everyone to the sideline. The idea of turning upfield early is not on his mind.
Allen’s process worked great on this one. With the line of scrimmage crowded, Allen gets his one crucial block to give him the lane for the first down.
Entering Year 9, the arm talent and athleticism are still there. The question is no longer whether Allen can process at an elite level. It is whether he can turn that into a Super Bowl.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will have to keep out Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest player of all time [Getty Images]
Lionel Messi versus Vozinha. It is the World Cup battle no-one knew they wanted, but which fans now cannot wait to see.
Argentina and Cape Verde walk out at the Miami Stadium on Friday (23:00 BST).
Arguably the greatest player the world has seen faces a 40-year-old goalkeeper who was a complete unknown three weeks ago.
It encapsulates one of the best stories of this World Cup - Cape Verde, on their World Cup debut, defying the odds to reach the knockout rounds.
No-one gave Cape Verde a prayer against European champions Spain. Yet they drew 0-0.
It was heralded as one of the greatest ever World Cup shocks, and the African nation did not even win.
Then came draws against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, to qualify for the last 32 in second place in the group.
Next come Argentina. It could be the biggest mismatch the World Cup has ever seen.
Three-time World Cup winners v debutants
Qatar 2022 was Argentina's third World Cup success, following on from 1978 and 1986 [Getty Images]
One of the most-storied national teams - and the current world champions - face opponents who only first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
Cape Verde was a colony of Portugal when Argentina took part in the first World Cup in 1930, finishing runners-up to Uruguay.
La Albiceleste, as Argentina are nicknamed, have only failed to qualify for one World Cup, in Mexico in 1970, though they withdrew from three tournaments either side of World War Two, in 1938, 1950 and 1954.
Argentina's first World Cup success came in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3-1 in the final. In 1986, a 3-2 victory over West Germany took the trophy back to South America.
A third World Cup trophy was secured in Qatar four years ago, with France beaten on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Argentina have enjoyed extensive continental success, too, winning the Copa America a record 16 times - including the past two tournaments.
They have not been out of the top three of the Fifa world ranking since March 2022, and spent two years in the number one spot before being dethroned by France last year.
The Cape Verdean Football Federation was only formed in 1982, and accepted as a Fifa member in 1986 - just as Argentina were winning the World Cup for a second time.
The Blue Sharks first entered World Cup qualifying in 2002 but did not have a realistic chance of qualifying until 2022.
Four years ago they only just lost out to Nigeria, drawing the final group game 1-1 in Lagos when a win would have sent them to Qatar.
For the 2026 finals, despite being drawn in a group with eight-time qualifiers Cameroon, Cape Verde finished top with one defeat in 10 matches.
Such has been their recent development they only played at their first Africa Cup of Nations 13 years ago, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Ghana.
They have now played at the Afcon four times, reaching the last eight again in 2023.
But they failed to reach the 2025 Afcon, despite qualifying for the World Cup.
Cape Verde reached the Fifa top 100 in 2006, and climbed to 36th on the back of the first Afcon outing. In 2014, after qualifying for the 2015 tournament, they achieved their highest-ever ranking of 27th.
For the last nine years, Cape Verde have hovered around the 60-80 bracket, and will go into Friday's game ranked 64th.
Five Argentina players are each valued at more than Cape Verde's entire first XI
Cape Verde's transformation began in 2010 when then-coach Joao de Deus looked to their massive diaspora and called up eight uncapped players.
Many international teams in the modern game rely on their diaspora: citizens who were born and live elsewhere across the globe but are eligible to play international football for the country.
Twelve of Cape Verde's squad were born in the country, with their first-ever World Cup finals goal - in their 2-2 draw against Uruguay - scored by Kevin Pina, from the capital city of Praia.
But they do lean heavily on their diaspora, including five players born in the Netherlands, and three each in France and Portugal.
No player is based in the country's semi-professional domestic league.
Twenty-three are in Europe, but only Villarreal defender Logan Costa plies his trade in any of the continent's top five leagues.
Vozinha is one of seven who have been playing in Portugal, though full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral - who was at Benfica but is joining Trabzonspor - is the only one at a major club.
According to the website Transfermarkt, the whole squad has a value of just 54.5m euros (£46.8m).
Only nine of the 48 teams at the tournament are valued lower, with Qatar ranked last on 19.9m euros (£17.1m).
Argentina, meanwhile, have a squad stacked with household names, with their squad value of 807.5m euros (£693.7m) ranked seventh at the World Cup. France top the table on 1.52bn euros (£1.31bn).
Two of Argentina's squad play in the domestic league, for River Plate and Boca Juniors, with one at Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Midfielder Rodrigo de Paul and forward Lionel Messi are at Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, with the 21 others in Europe's top five domestic leagues.
Just two players were not born in Argentina - forwards Giuliano Simeone (Rome, Italy) and Nico Paz (Tenerife, Spain).
Taking just the first XIs, Argentina have a combined value of £360.3m, with the most valuable being Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez at £77.4m.
The whole Cape Verde team comes in at £19.77m.
Their most valuable player is Trabzonspor's Wagner Pina (£9.5m), but his only appearance at the World Cup came when Cabral was suspended against Saudi Arabia.
Cabral himself (£3.4m) and Krasnodar's Kevin Pina (£4.3m) account for a large chunk of the rest of that value.
Argentina's team is worth more than 18 times that team total, with five players valued higher than the whole Cape Verde team.
Then there's the silverware, too.
Sixteen members of the Argentina squad are already World Cup winners, and between them they have won many league titles and cups - both European and domestic.
For Cape Verde, success has been limited to winning championships in lower-level countries, such as Cyprus, Hungary and the United Arab Emirates, and also in Major League Soccer in the United States.
The highest-profile title came for Jovane Cabral, who won the Portuguese league with Sporting CP in 2020-21. Kevin Pina lifted the Russian Premier League trophy with Krasnodar in 2024-25.
From Portuguese colony to independence in 1975
Cape Verde is an archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean made up of 10 islands, of which nine are inhabited.
It can be found 450km off the west coast of the Africa, closest to Senegal.
The islands are part of the Macaronesian group along with the Canary Islands and Madeira.
Cape Verde was uninhabited until the 15th century before Portuguese settlers arrived. For a long time it was a central hub for the slave trade.
It continued as a Portuguese colony and overseas territory until it gained independence in 1975.
The islands cover 4,033 sq km, with the United Nations reporting a total population of about 530,000 - smaller than every one of the 50 US states.
This makes Cape Verde the third-smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, behind Curacao and Iceland.
But it is the smallest to make it to the knockout rounds, taking the record that Northern Ireland (1.4m) had held since 1958.
Argentina is so much bigger it seems barely comparable.
The United Nations put the population at 46 million, with the country covering an area of 2.8m sq km.
It is the eighth-largest country in the world, and the second-largest in South America behind Brazil.
Argentina's gross domestic product - the market value of all goods and services - is $683bn, compared to $3bn for Cape Verde.
For the fourth time in his 23-season career, LeBron James is hitting the open market. And this time, his agent happens to have a podcast.
As such, it was only natural that Rich Paul would address his most famous client’s free agency during the latest episode of Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul. But as he used a whiteboard to dissect James’s potential destinations, he also revealed that the visual aid wouldn’t have been necessary had this past NBA postseason played out differently.
“If the Knicks hadn’t won, there would be no board,” Paul said. “He’d be going to the Knicks.”
That’s not to say New York is now out of contention; Paul also revealed the Knicks have checked in on his star client’s availability.
Still, Paul called attention to the scrutiny James would inevitably face if he joined the reigning NBA champions, especially if New York was unable to repeat with him on the roster.
“When LeBron comes onto your team, I don’t care if you just won a championship, I don’t care if you’ve been the best player—it’s different, man,” Paul said. “Jalen Brunson would have to literally pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey man, it’s no issue with me. It’s no issue with me.’ I’m not saying that would make his decision, but you’ve gotta respect that.”
Rich Paul on LeBron James to the Knicks
“If the Knicks hadn’t won, there would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks…. Jalen Brunson would literally have to pick up the phone and say ‘hey man, there’s no issue with me.’ They (Knicks) have checked in.”
As for the rest of Paul’s whiteboard, the 76ers, Cavaliers, Heat, Timberwolves, and Nuggets stand out as the likeliest options, with the Warriors, Celtics, Spurs, Mavericks, and Knicks also listed as potential candidates.
Among the top candidates, Paul noted Philadelphia’s acquisition of Jaylen Brown from the Celtics. Asked by Kellerman if the 76ers have James’s attention, Paul replied, “How could you not have the attention when you have [Tyrese] Maxey, [V.J.] Edgecombe, Brown, and [Joel] Embiid?” The NBA superagent also pointed to James’s relationship with Philadelphia’s new president of basketball operations, Mike Gansey, whom he played against in high school and worked with during his previous stint in Cleveland.
Speaking of the Cavs—currently favored to land the latest LeBron sweepstakes on prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket—Paul highlighted Cleveland’s roster and the Akron, Ohio, native’s familiarity with the organization’s ownership and front office. In particular, he singled out Cavs assistant general manager Brandon Weems as a “brother” to James.
As for the drawbacks of a third stint in Cleveland, Paul noted the team’s decision to trade Darius Garland, who is also represented by Klutch and is a player James would have loved to join.
“He loves Garland like he loves Tyrese Maxey,” Paul said.
Kellerman questioned if Paul was trying to throw the public off the Warriors’ scent by only listing them as a fringe candidate for James’s services, considering that they had previously been viewed as one of the frontrunners.
Paul was cagey. “You can think whatever you think,” Paul said. “This is my board. You decide what you want to think.”
Paul also hinted that James’s upcoming 24th season may not necessarily be the last in his storied NBA career. As for a timeline for his current free agency, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that James and Paul are still in “fact-finding mode” and will continue their conversations about his options in the coming days.
With the NBA Summer League tipping off in less than a week, team rosters have officially been announced, and six former Michigan State Spartans will have an opportunity to impress as they continue battling for spots on NBA rosters or in the G League.
Michigan State has had a relatively lackluster imprint on the NBA in recent years, with fewer former Spartans finding long-term success at the professional level. Not only have fewer players reached the league, but even fewer have been able to carve out consistent roles once they got there.
The Spartans have also fallen off from the days when Final Four appearances felt like an annual expectation. Michigan State's last trip came during the 2018-19 season, and with less team success in East Lansing over the past several years, many talented players have struggled to earn the national recognition they once did. Despite having the talent to compete professionally, several former Spartans have found it difficult to crack NBA rotations.
Now, the latest two Michigan State graduates will get their first opportunity to showcase their talents on the NBA stage, joining four other former Spartans looking to continue their professional basketball journeys.
Jaxon Kohler – Utah Jazz
The Jazz may not have selected Kohler in the NBA Draft, but they're giving him an opportunity to show everyone around the league exactly what the "Kohler Bear" can do.
Spartan fans across the country are sad to see Kohler leave the Green and White after developing into one of Michigan State's most dependable players over his four-year career. His toughness, rebounding ability and relentless motor made him a fan favorite, and now he'll have the chance to prove those same qualities translate to the next level.
Carson Cooper – Memphis Grizzlies
The other newest Spartan getting his shot in the Summer League is the towering Carson Cooper.
Cooper truly came into his own during his senior season. Once he was given the starting role, he flourished by becoming a consistent lob threat, dependable rebounder and defensive presence in the paint. His offensive game also took a noticeable step forward, as his shooting improved immensely during his final season and even led the Spartans in scoring multiple times throughout the year.
Now he'll look to carry that momentum into Memphis.
Jaden Akins – New York Knicks
Akins went undrafted in 2025 but still earned an opportunity with the Orlando Magic's Summer League team. He later joined Detroit's G League affiliate, where he appeared in 14 games and averaged 16.1 points per game.
Akins also signed with the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 11 before being waived just two days later on Oct. 13. Now, he'll join the defending champion New York Knicks for Summer League as he looks to earn another opportunity to make an NBA roster.
Jase Richardson – Orlando Magic
Jase Richardson was the only former Spartan on a team that reached the NBA Playoffs last season, although he never saw game action, eliminating any chance for a Michigan State alum to score a postseason basket.
Richardson enters the Summer League as one of its most intriguing young players and will look to explode out of the gate. A strong showing could go a long way toward earning consistent playing time with Orlando heading into the regular season.
Tre Holloman – Orlando Magic
Joining Richardson in Orlando is fellow former Spartan Tre Holloman.
The former Michigan State teammates will reunite once again, only this time wearing Magic uniforms instead of Green and White. Holloman was always incredibly shifty with the Spartans and consistently made winning plays on both ends of the floor. He'll need to continue showcasing that versatility if he hopes to earn valuable minutes throughout Summer League play.
Frankie Fidler – Portland Trail Blazers
Lastly, Frankie Fidler will suit up for the Portland Trail Blazers during the NBA Summer League.
Fidler spent the 2024-25 season at Michigan State, appearing in all 37 games while making seven starts. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game while providing valuable depth and experience for Tom Izzo's squad.
Like the rest of the former Spartans competing this summer, Fidler will be looking to prove he belongs at the professional level.
The Spartans will look to make a stronger impact on the NBA once again, especially with Michigan State's current roster featuring several players who project as future NBA Draft picks. However, it's these former Spartans who are trying to carve out their own paths that could help reopen the pipeline from East Lansing to the NBA.
Make sure to tune into the NBA Summer League and watch your favorite Spartans take the court as they continue chasing their NBA dreams.
Apr 9, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) shoots the ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Ahead of NBA free agency, the Indiana Pacers elected to pick up former Wisconsin Badgers forward Micah Potter’s team option for the 2025-26 season, keeping him in town as Ivica Zubac’s backup.
Potter, 28, enjoyed a career year in Indiana, where he averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds across 47 appearances with the Pacers. He made seven starts, playinh 19.7 minutes per game, which was also a career high.
Not only did Potter see more minutes and average more points and rebounds, but he did so in a highly efficient manner. The big man shot 51.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three on a career high 3.6 attempts per game.
The Pacers had to make a decision on Potter’s option by June 29th ahead of free agency, and it was an easy one for the team. Potter’s contract is non-guaranteed for next year, so there still is a ton of flexibility for the Pacers, but he should have a great chance at sticking around after a quality year.
Back in May, President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard did note his expectation for Potter and Jay Huff to battle for the backup center spot. So far, Indiana’s offseason moves have made it look like that remains the plan for the 2026-27 season.
Potter signed with the Pacers back in December on a two-year, $4.33 million dead that included a club option for the 2026-27 season. That came after he was waived by the San Antonio Spurs back in October. Potter had signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Spurs heading into the season after becoming a free agent, then found his way to Indiana, where he received the opportunity for regular playing time with the NBA team.
Now, he’s set for his biggest contract yet and a chance for a big opportunity in 2026-27.
Jul. 3—GRAND RAPIDS — The Bemidji American Legion baseball team is on a roll.
The Centaurs swept Grand Rapids on Thursday in a road doubleheader to extend their winning streak to five games. Post 14 won by scores of 8-5 and 10-6.
In the first game, Bemidji put up crooked numbers in the second and fourth innings. Heaton Brodina blasted a three-run home run before Kash Rasmus brough home JD Wood with a fielder's choice to give Bemidji a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Gunner Ganske's two-run single highlighted a three-run fourth inning.
Kobe Brown was excellent on the mound. He threw 6 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts.
In the second game, the Centaurs did most of their damage in a seven-run fifth inning. An RBI single from Jack Zellmann and a pair of errors gave Post 14 a 5-4 lead. Lawson Berg and Brodina each had run-scoring hits before Grand Rapids walked in two runs with the bases loaded.
Brodina threw five of the seven innings to pick up the win. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out three batters.
Jul. 3—BEMIDJI — Jack Lundquist has big-game experience, maybe more than any other player from the Bemidji Blue Ox or the Bemidji Bucks who suited up for Family Night.
A month and a half ago, 2025 Bemidji High School graduate and Blue Ox combo player took the mound in the NJCAA Division III World Series in Johnson City, Tennessee, for Alexandria Tech, which made it out of Region XIII. Lunquist helped lead the Legends to the pinnacle of junior college baseball in his rookie season.
Still, his anxiousness in taking the mound on Sanford Family night felt comparable to his World Series start, a game in which the Legends won before bowing out of the tournament in three games.
"It was about the same level of nerves, if I'm being honest," Lundquist said. "They're both nerve-racking, but coming home and seeing this many people out to watch you play in your hometown, it's a lot of pressure. You know that if you don't pitch well, the word's going to spread."
Luckily for Lundquist and the Blue Ox, he shoved. He threw six innings, allowed one earned run and struck out five batters. He helped push the Blue Ox to an 8-6 win over the Bucks at the BSU Baseball Field in the sixth edition of Bemidji's summer amateur baseball celebration.
"For the most part, it was business as usual," Lundquist said. "It's kind of how I pitch in college — same mindset and same pitch mix. It all just came together today."
For Lundquist, Sanford Family Night is nothing new. He was raised on the diamonds in Bemidji and knows the importance of the event in terms of bringing a community together to rally around baseball.
For player/coach Bazil Zuehlke, who helped build Sanford Family Night from the ground up, Thursday was a proud moment after last year's was canceled.
"The storm kicked out butt," Zuehlke said. "We're glad to be back and doing it again. Conner (McNallan) and I were standing and stretching in center field. I just told him, 'Hey, look at this. It wasn't like this 10 years ago when we were starting out, scrapping together a couple of grandparents to come to our games.' It's pretty cool to see the community rally around baseball."
Sanford Family Night takes on a new form for Zuehlke, who has kids of his own. They're old enough to watch him play the game he loves. They even sit in on his media interviews after games.
"Yeah, it has. Absolutely," Zuehlke said, fighting his emotions when asked if he has a different perspective on Family Night now than he did when it started. "God, you just love it, don't you? I love this game. I love playing baseball. To do this in front of my family and kids ... man, I can't even describe it.
"You want to share this with so many people. To get the backing we've had, from the community, from Sanford, it's just special. It all means so much to us."
Lundquist is one of the younger Blue Ox players. His first season of college baseball was impressive, posting a record of 7-2 in 11 appearances. His earned run average of 5.74 came with 66 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings pitched.
"I think I learned how not to quit," Lundquist said. "No matter what, don't quit. You're going to get down on yourself. Things will happen that get you down. Pick your head up and keep pushing."
Like Zuehlke, Lundquist was also accompanied by his family in the crowd.
"Having them here makes it more important for me to do well," Lundquist said of his parents and grandparents. "I want to be at my best with those eyes watching me."
After both teams plated three runs in the first inning, the Blue Ox broke out in the eighth to pull ahead for good.
"Some would say scrappy. Some would say it was sloppy," Zuehlke said with a laugh, describing the Blue Oxs' performance. "I don't think it was our best display of baseball. But you're going to have those days, especially in the dog days of July. You have to find a way to win games. We've been a part of games in state and regional tournaments where you sit through a three-hour rain delay and each team has seven errors. That's the beauty of amateur baseball. Nobody gets paid to do this."
A cataclysmic defensive inning for both teams led to a scoring outburst. The Bucks put two runners on via a walk and a hit batter before Cam Justice and Dan Clusiau drove in runs with singles. A dropped fly ball in right field brought another runner home to make it 3-0.
The first four Blue Ox batters reached base, three of them by errors. McNallen drove in two runs with a double to left field before Hunter Olson tied the game with an RBI single.
Tied 4-4 to begin the bottom of the eighth inning, the Blue Ox scored the go-ahead run when Zuehlke drove home Hunter Olson on a ball that resulted in an error at first base. Fisher Ganske brought home two more with an RBI single to make it 8-5.
Justice got a run back for the Bucks in the top of the ninth inning, but the rally ended there. The Blue Ox improved to 7-6, while the Bucks fell to 4-11.
"You can hear the excitement around the dugout, and it wasn't like this four weeks ago," Zuehlke said. "We got our banter back. We got the boys doing handshakes and coming together. We're poised to make a run.
"I have chills right now thinking about how many people came here today. This is the thing kids remember. It makes you want to get out to the park and play baseball. It's just special."
Crysencio Summerville was among those who received abuse for his penalty miss (Alfredo ESTRELLA)
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said Friday it had filed a complaint to the public prosecutor over racist messages posted in the wake of the country's exit from the World Cup.
The Oranje's defeat to Morocco in a penalty shoot-out on Monday sparked an outpouring of social media abuse directed notably at black Dutch players.
The KNVB said it was transferring the messages to the public prosecutor's office for further legal action.
"Unfortunately, it is never possible to be complete and to detect and arrest every racist reaction, but the KNVB wants to send a very clear signal," the association said in a statement.
"There are limits and there are consequences for those who violate those limits."
The three-time finalists lost on penalties to Morocco in Monday's round-of-32 match in the Mexican city of Monterrey following a 1-1 draw.
The three players who missed a penalty, Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville, suffered "racist and discriminatory" abuse online following the match, according to the KNVB.
Prime Minister Rob Jetten told reporters earlier Friday that he expected the prosecutors to proceed with legal action to set an example.
What happened after the round-of-32 match was "of course completely unacceptable," said Jetten.
"One moment they are 'our boys' and we don't see their colour when they are wearing an orange shirt. Then when someone misses a penalty, vitriol pours out from every corner," added the PM.
Stoppage time is determined by the amount of time the ball isn't actually in the field of play. The officials keep track so at the end of each half, they know how many minutes need to be played to get to 45 minutes of actual action.
There are essentially five things to account for at the World Cup:
Substitutions
They have introduced rules to prevent time wasting on subs, but they still count.
Injuries
This is why stoppage time is sometimes called "injury time." A long injury can result in lots of stoppage time.
Goal celebrations
The clock keeps ticking after a goal, even as players run around in celebration. That has to be accounted for.
VAR reviews
If the ref has to wait to determine the accuracy of a call, that's accounted for.
Hydration breaks
At the World Cup, these are supposed to be three minutes, so every half should have at least three minutes of stoppage time.
Other time wasting
If the ref believes players are deliberately wasting time, they can be given a yellow card, but those seconds also have to be accounted for.
This can add up quickly and lead to halves that last longer than expected.
Why doesn't stoppage time always end right on time?
The trickiest part of stoppage time: There can be stoppages in stoppage time.
If there's five minutes of added time, but a player gets hurt three seconds into that and the injury handling takes five minutes, then there are still five minutes more to be played. They won't put up a new number, but the refs will account for it.
It ends up feeling a bit more like art than science, because it's the on-field official who has the final power to blow his whistle and end the match.
For fans of pretty much any other sport, it's fair to be confused. But this is how world football keeps time.
Jul. 3—BEMIDJI — In 2025, the Bemidji High School trap shooting team finished a respectable 29th out of 40 teams in the state tournament.
A decent showing, sure. But the Jacks were hungry for a better result. They wanted to win the whole thing, and this year, they felt like they had the squad to do it.
At this year's state tournament on June 26 in Prior Lake, confidence was sky-high for the team of Kadyn Nipp, Roman Vold, Kolter Braunhausen, Clayton Johnson and Jeremy Linn.
"I was asked, 'Do you think you could win it all?' And I said, I knew we were a contender at the beginning of the season," head coach Cory Wilson said. "The scoring and the quality of the athletes was that good."
It was a sunny day with little wind — perfect shooting weather. And after the first round, the Lumberjacks were sitting in third place out of 40 teams with a score of 241. They were in the mix, but the Jacks had to go on a run in the last round to have a chance at the state title.
Then, something clicked between the five teammates. They only missed four clays in the last round, a remarkable streak that ended their day with a total of 487 out of 500 targets.
"Every time a clay came out of the house, there was no doubt in my mind that it was breaking," Nipp said. "And to see that come to life, I've never seen a squad do that, especially on that high of a stage."
Then came the waiting game.
Bemidji was one of the first teams to shoot at the state tournament. Its score of 487 sat on top, just ahead of Lakeville South's 486. Wilson knew margins would be thin, so he made sure not to have his expectations too high.
"I had a feeling we were going to be right there. If anything, we'd maybe get second," he said. "One of the schools that was ahead of us (after the first round) shot last ... (and) they were a good school, they had good scores. I just had a feeling it'd be tough."
Once the final scores came in, Bemidji's first-place position didn't budge. The Lumberjacks were officially state champions for the first time in school history.
As expected, they were ecstatic when they heard the news. Then their minds went to all the shots they could've missed.
"We replayed things in our mind, knowing that any of the chips that we had on the clays could have very well been misses," Nipp said. "That could have been the difference between us getting first or dropping behind (Lakeville South)."
In the end, it's a whole lot easier for the Jacks to second-guess themselves when they're in the winning column rather than on the losing end.
Trap shooting can sometimes be more about mentality than skill. A focused shooter can hit more targets than a skilled shooter who wavers after a missed shot.
Getting high school shooters in a proper headspace where misses don't bother them is a difficult task, as Wilson admitted to the Pioneer last year.
Entering his second year as head coach, Wilson decided to bring in an outside coach to give pointers to Bemidji's shooters on how to properly focus.
It may sound simple and cliché, but the biggest thing Wilson and the team took away was simple: just focus on one clay target at a time.
A shooter getting ahead of themselves can be natural at times, but if they ignore their competition and focus just on the clay target in front of them, it can be extremely beneficial to their score.
"It's just that target one at a time and trying to get them to understand that," Wilson said. "I think we're getting there, right? They're still getting some nerves, but overall it's fine. The nerves are natural."
Nipp, Vold and Johnson have been shooting together for three years and have competed in the state tournaments in years past. Linn had competed at the state tournament for Detroit Lakes before transferring to Bemidji.
Four out of the five shooters having state experience certainly helped their journey to the top of the standings last weekend, but they'd first have to qualify for the state tournament in Alexandria at the Minnesota Trap Shooting Championship, where every team across the state gets a chance to compete.
The championship acts as a qualifier for the Minnesota State High School League State Tournament, with the top 40 teams competing for the state title. The Jacks finished in second, only two shots behind first-place Northfield.
"Heading into state, my confidence was really high," Nipp said. "I knew the shooters we'd be taking to state can all shoot really good. It was exciting to know that we were taking a team to state that could very well at least be on the podium, if not winning it."
After the first round, the Jacks knew they had a shot at first place. They didn't buckle under pressure and found their way to the state title.
"For me, it was overwhelming and (I'm) grateful that I got a program handed to me that was already set up to succeed," Wilson said. "I just tried to take it a step further, add a few things here and there, but not change what works. If it's working, don't break it, right?"
Genoa want Stroud of Sweden and Morocco striker Bentayeb
Genoa are very active on the transfer market, reportedly close to Sweden’s World Cup winger Elliot Stroud from Mjallby, while targeting Tawfik Bentayeb of Union Touarga.
The Grifone are busy rebuilding their squad now that coach Daniele De Rossi has committed to a full season, having taken over midway from Patrick Vieira.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 30: Jules Koundé #5 of France battles for the ball against Elliot Stroud #24 of Sweden during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Sport Mediaset claim that Genoa are now on the verge of securing 24-year-old left-sided winger Stroud, who made four appearances for Sweden at the 2026 World Cup.
He has been at Mjallby since January 2023 with a contract that only runs to December 31 this year.
Meanwhile, Sportitalia note that their next target for a striker is Bentayeb, who returned to parent club Union Touarga after a strong loan experience for Troyes where he scored 20 goals in 31 games.
The 24-year-old Morocco international is a centre-forward who can also play on the right of an attack, he has one senior cap.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark gave a five-minute opening statement to reporters on Friday, July 3 about the narratives that have grown out of Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas' flagrant-2 foul on her June 24.
The foul was missed in real-time but Thomas received the flagrant 2, a one-game suspension and a fine after the WNBA reviewed the play. In a statement, the WNBA said Thomas "recklessly" made contact with Clark and "committed a non-basketball act" in the Mercury's 111-109 victory over the Fever.
"The league's just got to do better, protecting our players in that regard," Clark said after acknowledging the officials have a tough job. "I don't really think that it was up for debate. Obviously it wasn't called in real time. Go back and watch the clip. I think it's pretty straightforward. It's kind of been a discussion for three years now.
"We have to invest in (officials), the technology can get better. We can treat the referees a little bit better. Pay them like their full time employees."
Clark also said the threats and hate directed toward Thomas and her Mercury teammates need to stop.
"I've said up here and said before, the harassment, the hate, none of that is OK," Clark said. "That goes for the opposing team we play, that goes for my teammates, that goes for my coaches. There should never be question of character.
"None of that is OK, and I don't want anybody to ever experience that."
Clark eluded to the fact she has been hurt by all of the narratives created both in the media and online about her and her Fever teammates.
"It can be really frustrating to me at times and it's difficult," Clark said. "A lot of people sometimes think I'm a robot. I'm not a robot. I have emotions, I have feelings. And it can be really difficult to go through a lot of that. I'm 24 years old, trying to navigate a lot ... there are times that it is hard, and there are times that, you know, it probably affects me a little bit more than I do put on.
"I think it's important that people do remember that part of it, too."
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: James Karinchak #00 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on June 23, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves, who are leading the NL East for now, have made a few moves before Grant Holmes takes the hill tonight versus the Mets.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Anthony Molina to Atlanta after optioning RHP James Karinchak to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game. The club also returned LHP Danny Young from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and designated RHP…
Turns out that a seven-run inning will get someone’s attention. The Braves underwent a partial bullpen-ectomy last night. The Braves have recalled RHP Anthony Molina to Atlanta after optioning RHP James Karinchak to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game. The club also returned LHP Danny Young from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and designated RHP Ian Hamilton for assignment.
The Braves returned Ian Hamilton to the DFA cycle/Cookie Carrasco Caravan as most would expect after last night. Hamilton mopped up last night after Tyler Kinley and Dylan Lee each gave up three runs and blew up the game. Ian got five outs last night. So he spent eight days with the team after his last stint was six days. James Karinchak is returning to Gwinnett. He’s been a somewhat acceptable reliever after a long time out of baseball. But giving up runs is both of his outings versus the Cardinals got him sent down. Anthony Molina has returned to Atlanta. Molina has collected a pretty forgettable 5.40/5.51/4.12 line over 5 innings. He does have a 96.7 MPH four-seam that is good but hasn’t netted a lot of time in Atlanta.
Danny Young is back from Tommy John surgery. Young was briefly a part of the 2023 Atlanta Braves team. Then was a part of the Mets bullpen before his injury. It’s interesting that he will be activated just as his old team is coming to town. Welcome back, Danny! Bring 2023 with you please.
Having recently sparred Errol Spence Jr, former Tim Tszyu opponent Brian Mendoza has offered his thoughts on their upcoming showdown. The pair will collide in Australia at a catchweight of 158lbs on July 25, with Spence ending a three-year layoff following his ninth-round stoppage defeat to Terence Crawford. Back then, their welterweight showdown was considered […]
Boxing, even in its licensed forms, has a somewhat ‘bad boy’ reputation, characterised by controversy and imbued with danger. It demands tremendous commitment and resolve – you cannot simply ‘play’ boxing as you would, say, have a kickaround in the park with a group of equally limited hobbyists. Yet there exists a sub-genre of the […]
Cyberpunk 2077 continues to sell well on PC and consoles CD Projekt Red has announced that Cyberpunk 2077 has sold over 40 million copies, showcasing the game’s strong staying power. Last November, CD Projekt Red confirmed that the game had sold 35 million units. Since then, another 5 million players have jumped into Night City. […]
I’m sure most Xbox fans, especially those who go as far back as the Xbox 360, remember the absolute tragedy that was the Red Ring of Death. Millions of Xbox 360 consoles made their way into homes, only to later overheat and fail, leading many owners to come up with all sorts of weird and wonderful DIY fixes.
In the end, it cost Microsoft more than $1.15 billion, though despite the disaster, it didn't stop the Xbox 360 from becoming Xbox's most successful console generation to date. So, how does Valve's new Steam Machine fit into all of this? Well, the Steam Machine has a front-facing LED light bar that serves a variety of purposes, including indicating downloads and hardware status.
Over on the Steam Machine subreddit, though, user me_hill reported what appears to be the system's first "Red Line of Death." According to the user, they were playing No Man's Sky, installed a system update, and the machine was subsequently bricked. According to Valve's own Steam Support page, it appears the user has experienced a GPU failure.
Given that the GPU is soldered to the motherboard, it's not something the average user can repair. To add insult to injury, some Reddit users joked that they were "beta testing" the hardware for everyone else.
Fortunately, this appears to be an isolated incident for now, and hopefully it stays that way. It would be a real shame for Valve's $1,000 mid-powered device to suffer anything resembling the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death fiasco.
Believe it or not, I actually really want a Steam Machine. That said, stories like this make me glad I'm waiting, even if my biggest reservation is still the price. I just can't justify spending $1,000 on the hardware, and while I know it's probably unrealistic, I'd be much more tempted if it were closer to the $500 mark.
Hopefully Valve can get the affected user back up and running with a replacement or repair. With that said, let me know whether stories like this put you off buying a Steam Machine, or if you're still keen to get your hands on one. Share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to take part in our poll below:
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
CD Projekt Red has announced on X that Cyberpunk 2077, its open-world dystopian sci-fi RPG, has hit a new sales milestone of selling over 40 million copies worldwide, whether individually or as part of its Ultimate Edition bundle.
Night City population: 40 million dreamers 🌃Thank you all for helping us reach this amazing milestone! 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZdrnbnbLfnJuly 3, 2026
Other factors that helped redeem Cyberpunk 2077 were constant post-launch updates that removed all the game's bugs and balance issues and an epic DLC expansion that added tons of new content while rebalancing the base game.
Of course, the biggest factor was fans who never gave up on the game, whom CD Projekt Red thanks in its message for their support in helping Cyberpunk 2077 reach this sales milestone.
CD Projekt Red isn't finished with the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, however, as it gears up to prepare a sequel while developing Witcher 4, both of which will be released sometime in the far distant future.
What do you think of Cyberpunk 2077 selling over 40 million copies? Do you think the game deserves this accolade, and are you still playing Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026 if you played it at launch?
If you have any thoughts on the matter, please let us know through the poll, the comments section, or our Reddit community.
Fight, kill, and survive the dystopian nightmare of Night City and become a legend in the hit open-world RPG, Cyberpunk 2077. The Ultimate Edition combines the base game with its Phantom Liberty DLC into one definitive package.
Minecraft is probably the most iconic game in the world. It's the one with all the blocks, where creativity comes alive. For a long time, though, players on Minecraft's Bedrock Edition were missing one of the game's most important accessibility features, despite it having been available in Java Edition for years.
In fact, as a Java player, I had no idea it hadn't already made its way to Bedrock. I'm talking, of course, about the new closed captions.
For those unfamiliar, they're an accessibility feature that provides both text and visual cues for sounds happening around you. Whether it's footsteps, a door opening, or that dreaded creeper sneaking up behind you, closed captions help you better understand your surroundings without relying solely on audio.
To enable closed captions in Minecraft Bedrock Edition:
Go to Settings.
Open Accessibility.
Enable Closed Captions and adjust the settings to your liking.
I'm all for accessibility features like this. They don't negatively affect anyone who chooses not to use them, but they can make a huge difference for players who are deaf or hard of hearing, process audio differently, or simply need a little extra help enjoying the game. Features like these allow more people to experience games without barriers, and that's only ever a good thing.
I haven't actually played Minecraft in a while myself, although the annual two-week Minecraft phase seems to come for all of us eventually. Not too long ago I covered a fan-made Halo modpack for Minecraft, and as a lifelong Halo fan, that definitely caught my attention, so I might jump into that soon.
That said, there are so many great games releasing lately that it's hard to stick with just one, let alone go back to Minecraft. Even so, it's a game I've been playing since the early beta days, long before Microsoft owned the franchise, so I know it's only a matter of time before I end up jumping back in.
Enough about my thoughts, though. I'd love to hear what you think about this feature and whether it'll make a difference to the way you play Minecraft. Let me know in the comments below, and as always, be sure to take part in our poll below:
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
For horror game fans, Bloober Team is here to provide that good news, as it has revealed a new gameplay dev diary trailer for Cronos: Lazarus, an upcoming DLC expansion for its hit survival horror game, Cronos: The New Dawn.
In this expansion, you get to play as the Warden, a mysterious character who aided the player throughout the base game with new tech and clues for the story's mysteries.
The Warden deploying a Decoy to distract enemies. (Image credit: Bloober Team)
Cronos: Lazarus will take you on a journey where you will get to experience the Warden's past while taking on a secret mission the Collective organization does not want you to complete, even if it has to kill you to prevent its secrets from being uncovered.
According to the dev diary trailer, the DLC expansion will be a lot more action-based than the base game, which played out like a classic survival horror game where you had to carefully manage your resources and check around every corner for enemy ambushes.
As the Warden, you will be granted a host of powerful weapons to blast enemies into bits with and new abilities to improve your chances of survival, like teleportation to avoid incoming attacks or deploying holographic decoys to distract enemies.
Don't take this to mean the DLC will be easy, however. Thanks to these new toys, enemies in Cronos: Lazarus will be more numerous and aggressive to deal with than in the base game, and underestimating them will get you killed fast.
To make matters worse, the Collective has dispatched a hunter to eliminate you similarly to Mr. X from Resident Evil 2, so you will need to master the Warden's arsenal quickly if you hope to live to see another day.
Our long-time survival horror fan, Jez Corden, even gave Cronos: The New Dawn a perfect 5/5 review for its insane story filled with twists to the sci-fi genre, gameplay that was satisfyingly panic-inducing without making your character feel too incompetent or too overpowered, and sublime art direction and performance.
With this new DLC that looks to be taking inspiration from more action-oriented horror titles like Resident Evil 4, we can't wait to jump back into the horrifying world of Cronos and finally learn the history of one of its most memorable characters when Cronos: Lazarus releases during Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Microsoft Edge just became a bit more like Google Chrome, but in a way people will probably like. Following a recent update, you can now sign in to Edge with a Google account, allowing you to bring your bookmarks, history, and other content into Edge with less work.
The change is part of a controlled rollout that began with version 150.0.4078.48 of Edge. It may take some time for it to roll out to your system.
We've known about this addition for a while. A Microsoft 365 Roadmap entry revealed the update last month. But now, it is shipping to everyone rather than just being in the works.
Microsoft Edge (July 2026 Update): Feature Updates
Clarify choices surrounding third-party cookie settings. Language under 'Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies' is updated to better describe the choices users have when managing third-party cookies.
Sign in to Edge with a Google account. Users can now sign in to Microsoft Edge using a Google account in addition to a Microsoft account from the profile menu and Edge sign-in screen. Available for Windows and macOS devices. Admins can control availability of this feature using the NonMicrosoftAccountSignInEnabled policy. Note: This is a controlled feature rollout. If you don't see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
Intune MAM Protected Downloads. The protected downloads feature for Intune MAM now saves downloaded files to the 'Documents > Microsoft Edge > Downloads' folder in OneDrive.
Enterprise WebView2 runtime downgrade via DowngradeVersion policy. Starting with Microsoft Edge version 150, enterprises can actively use the 'DowngradeVersion' policy to downgrade WebView2 applications. Administrators can temporarily roll back specific applications to a previous WebView2 Evergreen Runtime version (N-1 or N-2) using the new 'DowngradeVersion' policy in msedgewebview2.admx. The policy allows enterprises to mitigate critical regressions by specifying per-application executable-to-version mappings. The Edge Updater installs the target version side-by-side, and the WebView2 Loader redirects targeted applications accordingly. Downgrades automatically expire with each new WebView2 release. Applications pinned to N-1 remain on the same version (now becoming N-2) and automatically update in the next release, while applications pinned to N-2 revert to the current Evergreen Runtime. The policy applies only to enterprise-managed devices (domain-joined or MDM-enrolled). For more information, see Microsoft Edge WebView2 Policy Documentation.
Update to the "View in File Explorer" feature. When the ConfigureViewInFileExplorer policy is enabled, the View in File Explorer feature can be used in SharePoint document libraries. Microsoft Edge has updated the feature to enforce additional validation and restrictions when triggered by webpages to improve security.
Security Update Alerts in the Edge management service. Administrators can choose a severity threshold and receive alerts when a new Microsoft Edge update includes security fixes that meet or exceed that level, including zero-day fixes. This helps organizations quickly identify updates that may require attention while avoiding unnecessary notifications for routine releases. Note: This experience is in public preview and is available by opting in to Targeted Release in the Microsoft 365 admin center. For more information, see Monitoring dashboard.
Microsoft also shared some reminders about changes to Edge, including the Sidebar app list being retired.
Originally, Microsoft did not plan to integrate Google services into Microsoft Edge. But the company seems to have shifted its stance following feedback over the years.
You don't need a Microsoft account to use Edge, but until now, you did need one to sync your data. Supporting Google account sign-ins lets you have a fuller browsing experience without having to use a Microsoft account.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
According to court records and an arrest affidavit, 44-year-old Michael David Butler was driving a 2025 Tesla Model 3 through a residential neighborhood in Katy, Texas, on June 19 when the car left the street and crashed into the home of 76-year-old Martha Avila.
Samsung is expected to adopt even higher cooling standards for its upcoming Exynos 2700, with its efforts exceeding those it made with the Exynos 2600. According to one rumor, this will happen by changing the packaging of the SoC, where the DRAM module will be kept separate from the silicon. With this change, the Exynos 2700 will tame its thermals better, delivering better sustained performance. Apple’s A20 Pro and Exynos 2700 are currently the only chipsets focusing on packaging changes to improve thermals With the Exynos 2600, Samsung employed the use of smaller LPDDR5X RAM placed next to the SoC die, […]
Former PlayStation Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has tweeted a candid, mixed review of Valve's brand-new Steam Machine after spending a few hours with the new hardware, offering one of the more prominent early takes from a veteran industry voice. Yoshida's initial tweet admittedly reads like a checklist of small wins and notable frustrations rather than a wholesale endorsement or dismissal. He flagged that 3D performance felt underwhelming and that the system defaults to 1080p, a detail that struck him as reminiscent of the PS4 era rather than current-generation hardware capable of standing toe-to-toe with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series […]
Australia and Egypt will meet in a round-of-32 World Cup 2026 clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington after both teams finished second in their respective groups.
The Socceroos began their campaign with an emphatic 2-0 win over Turkey but then fell to a limp defeat by co-hosts USA. A draw against Paraguay was enough to seal a place in the knockout stage for the third time. Tony Popovic's side has looked at its best when unleashing 20-year-old Watford forward Nestory Irankunda, while Harry Souttar will again lead the back three. Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie are injured.
Egypt, meanwhile, were Group G runners-up on goal difference after collecting five points from three matches. Following a 1-1 draw with Belgium, the Pharaohs beat New Zealand 3-1 – their first win in World Cup history – before another 1-1 draw against Iran secured a first-ever knockout spot. Much will depend on Mohamed Salah, although the Liverpool star is one of a number of injury doubts after picking up a hamstring problem. Mohanad Lasheen definitely misses out through suspension.
One side will make history as neither has won a knockout match before. The victor will face Argentina or Cape Verde, who play later today.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Australia vs Egypt for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How to watch Australia vs Egypt for free
Australia vs Egypt is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN – more on that below.
Use a VPN to watch Australia vs Egypt live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Australia vs Egypt stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
Watch your free World Cup stream without limits. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections with global servers, so you can stream from anywhere with ease.
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How to watch Australia vs Egypt in the US
US viewers can watch Australia vs Egypt on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Australia vs Egypt on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
How to watch Australia vs Egypt in the UK
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Australia vs Egypt for free on BBC iPlayer. Live coverage is also available on the BBC One TV channel.
You require a TV Licence and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
How to watch Australia vs Egypt in Australia
(Image credit: free)
Australia vs Egypt will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
How to watch Australia vs Egypt in Canada
(Image credit: Other)
In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting Australia vs Egypt.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Australia vs Egypt: Match Information
What time does Australia vs Egypt start?
Australia vs Egypt kicks-off at 7pm BST / 2pm ET on Friday, July 3. That's 4am AEST on Saturday, July 4 in Australia.
What are the squads for Australia vs Egypt?
Australia
Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan (Levante), Paul Izzo (Randers), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)
Defenders: Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Harry Souttar (Leicester), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Cameron Burgess (Swansea), Kai Trewin (New York City FC), Milos Degenek (Apoel Nicosia), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK)
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Aiden O'Neill (New York City FC), Paul Okon Jr (Sydney FC), Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian)
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona)
Australia vs Egypt: Road to the last-32
Stage
Australia
Egypt
Group stage
Group D: 2nd, 4 points
Group G: 2nd, 5 points
Can I watch Australia vs Egypt on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
India is reportedly working on new VPN regulations
Companies could be forced to establish an office in the country
VPNs found workaround to previous restrictions
India is working on an expansive new legal framework to clamp down on virtual private networks (VPNs), with proposals reportedly including mandatory local offices, designated compliance officers, and even prison terms for non-compliance.
According to The Indian Express, the upcoming rules aim to make VPN providers legally liable when citizens use their tools to circumvent government-mandated content blocks.
"In the last few months, we have been observing that users are able to bypass content, accounts, and online services that have been blocked by the government on various grounds by using VPN services," an anonymous senior government official told reporters.
This new set of rules is also seen as necessary, officials admitted, as the controversial data retention law enforced in 2022 by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has proved to be unsuccessful.
The directive legally requires VPN firms, data centers, and cloud providers to log sensitive user information — including real names, verified IP addresses, and usage patterns — for up to five years, and surrender it to authorities upon request.
"They have simply refused to comply. So, the need for a full-fledged law is being felt," the senior official told The Indian Express.
What's at stake for India's VPN users?
Beyond encrypting user data to boost privacy and security, virtual private networks (VPNs) spoof IP addresses, allowing users to bypass local, state-enforced geo-restrictions.
The proposed framework aims to hand New Delhi the necessary legal teeth to force VPN providers into enforcing these content bans on the government's behalf. Digital rights groups frequently criticize India's aggressive approach to censorship; according to data trackers, the country consistently leads the world in government-imposed internet shutdowns.
While specific details of the draft framework remain scarce, leaked proposals suggest that offshore VPN companies will be required to establish a physical corporate presence in India and appoint local compliance officers to act as direct government liaisons.
Criminal penalties for non-compliance are also on the table, including potential prison sentences for local employees if an order is ignored.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
However, serious questions remain over how authorities plan to enforce these rules. For many global VPN providers, simply keeping their physical servers outside of Indian borders has previously been enough to circumvent local jurisdiction.
It is also unlikely that premium, strict no-logs services will fundamentally alter their server infrastructure to comply with New Delhi's demands — especially after resisting a similar ultimatum four years ago.
Dr. Pete Membrey, Chief Research Officer at ExpressVPN, pointed back to the company's 2022 decision to become the first major provider to pull its physical servers from India, confirming that its stance remains.
"We’ll evaluate when a proposal is published," Membrey told TechRadar, adding that "ExpressVPN will continue to work hard to keep users connected to the open and free internet, no matter where they are located."
A Surfshark spokesperson also said that the company remains committed to upholding the privacy of its users.
TechRadar reached out to India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CERT-In for further clarification on the draft framework and an expected enforcement timeline. Neither agency responded prior to publication.
Sony is already repurposing its Austrian disc-making factory
It's the only physical media plant of Sony's that's left
Existing staff will be retained to work with micro optics
We're still reeling from Sony's announcement earlier this week that it will stop releasing PlayStation games on physical discs from the start of 2028 — and now there's news that Sony's last remaining physical media factory is already being repurposed.
According to ORF Salzburg (via The Verge and Google Translate), production at the Austrian plant is going to drop to around 10% of its current levels by 2028. The factory currently makes 600,000 blank Blu-rays every day (half of which are used for PlayStation games), and Sony has made some 26.4 billion discs in total across its sites.
The existing 300 staff are going to be kept on though, as per Dietmar Tanzer, CEO of Sony DADC (Digital Audio Disc Corporation). They'll be retrained in micro optics — squeezing optical components into the smallest spaces possible.
Instead of discs, the plant's assembly lines will be producing optical microlenses instead. One of the uses of these elements mentioned in the report is for projecting car turning signals on to the street surface, but there are a multitude of potential applications.
'We own nothing now'
This will become an increasingly rare sight (Image credit: Future)
The report also quotes Markus Streibl, head of Micro Optics at Sony DADC, who says that the company recently invested €30 million (about $34 million / £26 million / AU$49 million) in the tech as it looks to develop this part of its business.
As spotted by The Verge, there's evidence that the plant in Austria has been making microlenses since at least as far back as 2024. These small components are actually produced on discs, so there'll be some crossover in terms of equipment and processes.
While Sony seems immediately ready to move on and look to the future, many of us are having a less easy time moving on: gamers are promising to quit the PlayStation platform over concerns about what these means for game ownership ("we literally own nothing now" was a comment left by one disgruntled user).
The news has tempered some of the excitement around the opening up of GTA 6 pre-orders, and it also means the PlayStation 6 is highly unlikely to have a disc drive built in. Sony has also announced the closure of the PS3 and Vita stores at the same time.
The build-it-yourself case ignores almost everything that comes after: the people required to keep things running as AI models evolve, the license fees and compute costs that compound as the landscape shifts, the upgrade cycles that never quite arrive on schedule, and the work required to unpick decisions made against a technology landscape that looked completely different six months ago.
None of these costs are hidden, exactly. They're just easy to ignore when the initial business case is about build cost.
You can run AI on-premise - just not the best AI
The frontier models - the ones getting most of the headlines - can't be self-hosted. Their providers don't make them available for private deployment.
What you can license and run internally is constantly improving, but so is the frontier. Anthropic alone released over a dozen Claude models in under two years, and they're far from the only provider.
Self-hosting means slow release cycles. Upgrades are expensive and disruptive, so firms stay on versions longer than they should. The same is true of the hardware underneath.
Specialized AI chips go out of date fast. New GPU generations arrive every couple of years, each meaningfully better than the last, and each requiring fresh capital investment. Your model is behind, the silicon it's running on is behind, and upgrading either is a major project.
Models, licenses, infrastructure, tooling, people - none of it follows a predictable refresh cycle. In the current environment, "out of date" can mean within months. Each round of investment is made under pressure, with limited time to evaluate options properly.
The talent drain
To build and run AI tools on-premise, you need engineers who aren't working on what actually differentiates your business. They're keeping up with the AI. Tweaking tools as models evolve. Troubleshooting when things break. Managing the infrastructure. Evaluating new model releases as they come out.
When it comes to data processing and reconciliation, these things are required but they're not differentiating. They need to work, but significant engineering time spent on them won't give you an edge. It's expensive maintenance of something that isn't your business.
As the internal environment expands and the technology ages, the headcount required to manage it grows. These are expensive specialists, and most of what they do doesn't move the business forward.
Why AI belongs in a cloud-native world
The argument for cloud-native AI isn't really about cloud computing. It's about whether your architecture can keep pace with a technology that's moving faster than any internal release cycle can match.
In a cloud-native world, new model capabilities arrive as features, not projects. When something better appears at the frontier, the platform absorbs it. The compliance conversation doesn't restart. The security review doesn't go back to zero. The engineering team doesn't have to rebuild anything. The capability lands, and your operations team can use it the same day.
The control argument that drove firms to on-premise in the first place still matters - but it's no longer in tension with cloud-native deployment. Permissions, audit trails, governance, data sovereignty: all of it can be enforced just as rigorously in a properly architected cloud-native platform, often more so. The trade-off has shifted. Control no longer requires standing still.
The firms that recognize this early get a head start. Their engineers focus on what differentiates the business. Their operations teams get better tooling every quarter without a procurement cycle. The question of "are we keeping up?" stops being one anyone has to ask.
What changes when you work with a trusted partner
Shifting the burden of building, maintaining, securing and testing to a specialist partner means your resources stay focused where they should be, and your capability evolves with the market.
Platforms built on infrastructure like AWS Bedrock are designed to absorb new model capabilities as they emerge - including the frontier models that can't be self-hosted at all. The underlying architecture keeps pace so the firms using it don't have to.
When a better model becomes available, the platform adapts. No new project, no additional engineers, no unravelling months of integration work. Operations teams focus on what they're there to do.
Engineers focus on the things that differentiate the firm. And the question of "are we running the right model?" stops being a quarterly investment committee discussion and starts being a setting someone flips.
This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
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SAP is cutting travel spend on refocusing on AI-related hiring
Company shares are down 46% in 12 months over software concerns
Redeploying existing workers is a priority over laying off more employees
SAP is reportedly revising how it spends money to free up more money for its AI strategy, with a new internal memo seen by Bloomberg seemingly confirming the company's intentions to restrict new hiring, pause internal travel and reduce other spend related to suppliers.
It's believed the company will still continue hiring across certain AI roles, showing a shift toward AI engineers, researchers and other specialists, but other roles will likely see a slowdown or pause.
The company told employees that AI is reshaping enterprise software, so targeting investment to keep it competitive long-term would be crucial.
SAP redirects internal spend to focus on AI
According to the report, citing an internal email, company travel unrelated to AI projects and customer relations has been suspended. The company also wants to redeploy existing workers to plug new gaps, rather than firing and rehiring. SAP laid off around 12,000 workers between 2023 and 2024.
"We are prioritizing investments in AI-related capabilities, talent, and technologies while applying greater discipline to hiring, external spending, and internal travel," a company spokesperson said.
"I don’t expect to operate with a smaller work force, but with a very, very different work force," CEO Christian Klein had previously told the New York Time (via Investing.com), implying that jobs would continue to evolve.
Despite posting a 6% increase in its most recent quarter's revenue, SAP shares have dropped around 46% over the past 12 months amid concerns that its software business might face longevity struggles amid the ongoing AI boom.
We are officially halfway through 2026 — how did that happen??? — but the world's best streaming services aren't letting up on the new movies and TV shows front.
Indeed, this week's selection might be on the smaller side, but every entry we've rounded up below is definitely worthy of your time. Quality over quantity, and all of that jazz. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find out what your next must-see film or TV series is. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
X-Men 97 season 2 (Disney+)
Get ready to hum and air-drum along to that iconic theme tune, Marvel fans, because X-Men 97 is back for its sophomore season on Disney+.
Picking up directly after X-Men 97 season 1's finale, the highly-rated animated X-Men TV show finds the world-famous mutants scattered across time as they all attempt to avert the same crisis. That being, the world falling under the totalitarian rule of the immortal superhuman known as Apocalypse.
X-Men 97 season 2's first three episodes are out now, and you'll be able to see one new entry of this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) adjacent project every week for the foreseeable future. So, grab a bowl of cereal, throw on your favorite pajamas, and settle in for some more Saturday morning cartoon-style fun... well, in-between all of the weeping that X-Men 97 season 2 will make you do, anyway. — TP
Who's ready for another round of Victorian era whimsy and detectiving (yes, that's a word, look it up)? If you raise your hand, you'll be happy to know that Enola Holmes 3 has made its debut on Netflix.
This time around, a spanner is thrown in the works of the titular character's impending wedding to Lord Tewkesbury. The reason? Her more famous cousin Sherlock has been kidnapped. Way to spoil her upcoming nupitals, Mister World's Greatest Detective...
Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helen Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge, and Hamish Patel are among the movie's starry returning ensemble. So, don't delay — load up Netflix because the case is afoot! — TP
Fictional lawyer Elle Woods is a pop culture sensation and now she's got her own Prime Video series.
Before Legally Blonde comes Elle, a prequel set in 1995 where our upbeat, pink-loving protagonist tries to navigate the tumultuous waters of high school. A tagline for the Amazon TV Original teases that it's even harder than law school was, and we'll soon learn why across this eight-part season.
Here, Lexi Minetree steps into the eponymous character's glamorous shoes, following on from Reece Witherspoon in the original movie. Our entertainment reporter Jasmine Valentinegave Elle a glowing review, but what will you think of the prequel? — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
Not to be confused with the Brendan Fraser-led movie of the same name, Lee Cronin's The Mummy is one of a few new horror movies arriving on HBO Max this month.
In it, we follow a family who is reunited with Katie, their long-missing and now mummified daughter. They soon realize something's wrong with her and what follows is a jump scare heavy, incredibly bloody, and divisive supernatural flick.
You may need to suspend your disbelief for this one, but if you're in need of a good scare this weekend, it definitely does the job. — LB
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come was not a sequel I had anticipated and, in my Ready or Not 2 review, I was certainly on the fence about it.
The sequel, which is out now on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (everywhere else), is fortunately saved by its star power, and it's particularly great to see Sarah Michelle Gellar loving every moment of the character she plays. Here, she's part of an aristocratic group of individuals with murder on their minds, who hunt down Grace (Samara Weaving) and her sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) as part of a high-stakes ritual. — LB
It's time to literally unearth more secrets at the heart of this critically-acclaimed Apple TV Original.
Indeed, with Silo back for its third and penultimate episode, the Rebecca Ferguson-led dystopian drama must start giving viewers the answers that they seek. Thankfully, Silo season 3 does just that, with its separate timelines — one of which is set centuries before the Earth's surface became uninhabitable — starting to pull back the curtain on its wider mystery.
This season's first episode has gone live on Apple's streaming platform. New episodes will air weekly, too, so prepare yourself for nine more weeks of twists, turns, betrayals, and other shocks aplenty. — TP
Finally, Netflix has a new spin-off for their Worst Ever documentary series. We've seen worst exes and worst roommates, and now we're taking a look at the neighbors from hell.
There's harassment, paranoia and, even murder across its four episodes, which features insights from local law enforcement and those involved in the neighborly disputes that got way out of hand, often ending in irreparable hurt and damage.
You won't believe some of these stories, but they're 100% true and among the most shocking you'll find in Netflix's true crime library. — LB
The EU’s top court has upheld a €4.1 billion antitrust fine against Google, confirming findings that the company abused Android’s market dominance by requiring manufacturers to pre-install Google Search, Chrome and Play. The ruling marks another major setback for Google in Europe.
Commodore’s retro-themed Callback 8020 flip phone has opened for preorders at a reduced $399, with an early promo lowering the price to $349 despite continued criticism that it remains costly for a Linux-based “digital detox” device. Fan reaction has intensified after a promotional trailer featuring generative AI elements drew backlash, even as Commodore defends its "limited, transparent AI use" and says early interest in the device has exceeded expectations.
Nothing has closed out software support for the original Phone 1 with a final update carrying the July 2026 security patch, four years after the device launched. The company is simultaneously preparing to launch the Phone (4b) on July 7, a budget device confirmed to run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and rumored to include a 6,000mAh battery and 120Hz AMOLED display.
Things haven’t been looking great for OnePlus lately as the brand is in the midst of a massive restructuring across several markets. Earlier this week we reported on how OnePlus is actively pushing Oppo devices to potential customers in Europe, and we now have more evidence that the brand is likely done for in another key market.
OnePlus smartphones out of stock on OnePlus UK
While not entirely phased out just yet, most OnePlus devices are now out of stock on the company’s official UK webstore. This includes smartphones like the OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R as well as tablets like the Pad...
Fenerbahçe Kulübü, Hollanda Milli Takımı'nın savunma oyuncularından Nathan Ake ile sözleşme imzalandığını duyurdu.
Sarı-lacivertli kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, "Kulübümüz, Hollanda Milli Takımı oyuncusu Nathan Ake ile anlaşmaya varmış ve futbolcu ile sözleşme imzalamıştır. 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası'nda forma giyen oyuncumuz, izin sürecinin ardından Avusturya kampında takımımıza katılacaktır." denildi.
Ülkesinin ADO takımında futbola başlayan Ake, altyapıda önce Feyenoord'a, sonra Chelsea'ye transfer oldu. 2013'te Chelsea'de A takıma yükselen 31 yaşındaki stoper, Reading, Watford ve Bournemouth'ta kiralık olarak forma giydi. 2017'de Bournemouth tarafından 22 milyon avroya bonservisi alınan Nathan Ake, 2020'de yaklaşık 45 milyon avro bedelle Manchester City'ye transfer oldu.
Ake, Manchester City'de kaldığı 6 sezonda birer UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi, UEFA Süper Kupa ve FIFA Kulüpler Dünya Kupası, 4 Premier Lig, ikişer İngiltere Kupası ve İngiltere Lig Kupası ile 1 İngiltere Süper Kupası şampiyonluğu yaşadı.
Tercihini Hollanda Milli Takımı'ndan yana kullanan Fildişi Sahili asıllı Ake, 65 kez milli formayı terletti.
Galatasaray, Midtjylland Kulübü'nün 22 yaşındaki stoperi Ousmane Diao için temas kurdu. Ancak Alman ekibi Leipzig de masada bulunuyor. Bu da işleri zorlaştırıyor.
Galatasaray, TFF'nin belirlediği 10+4'lük yabancı kontenjanındaki "genç" kriterini karşılayan Ousmane Diao konusunda harekete geçti. 22 yaşındaki stoperin Midtjylland Kulübü ile 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor. Tahmini piyasa değeri ise 8 milyon euro olarak gösteriliyor.
Ancak Danimarka ekibinin 8 milyon eurodan daha fazlasını talep etmesi bekleniyor. Çünkü Bundesliga temsilcisi Leipzig de pazarlıklarını sürdürüyor. Galatasaray yeni sezonda Şampiyonlar Ligi gruplarında mücadele edecek. Fakat bu faktör bir avantaj değil... Çünkü Leipzig de Bundesliga'yı 3. sırada bitirerek Devler Ligi vizesini aldı.
ÖZEL BİR TERCİHİ YOK
Hem Galatasaray hem de Leipzig cephesi, Ousmane Diao'yu savunmadaki havuzu derinleştirmek için istiyor. 1.87 boyundaki Senegalli savunmacı ise Midtjylland kiminle anlaşma sağlarsa ona gitmeye sıcak bakıyor. Şu anda Diao açısından özel bir tercih yok. Genç stoper, geride bıraktığımız sezonda 38 resmi maça çıktı. 4 gol ve 3 asist üretti.
TFF'nin 10+4'lük yabancı kontenjanı kararı ve uzun sezon sebebiyle Beşiktaş yerli havuzunu genişletmeyi planlıyor. Orta sahaya Berkay Özcan takviyesi gelebilir.
Geçen sezonu Karagümrük'te kiralık olarak geçiren Berkay Özcan, Başakşehir'e geri döndü. Ancak 28 yaşındaki futbolcu, İstanbul ekibinde fazla kalmayabilir. Beşiktaş'ın onu rotasyonda düşündüğü öğrenildi. 1.78 boyundaki merkez orta sahanın Başakşehir'deki sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2027'de bikecek.
Yani Berkay kontratının son senesine girdi. Siyah-Beyazlılar bu hamleyi uygun bir maliyetle bitirmeyi planlıyor. Oyuncu üst üste Çaykur Rizespor ve Karagümrük'e kiralık verilmişti. Berkay, Başakşehir'in yeni sezon planlamasında da yok... Bu sebeple transferde sorun çıkması beklenmiyor.
DEĞERLİ GÖRÜLÜYOR
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu'nun belirlediği 10+4'lük yabancı kontenjanı kararı sonrasında yerli isimlerin önemi arttı. Ayrıca Kartal'ı çok uzun bir sezon bekliyor. Berkay Özcan hamlesi bu sebeple değerli görülüyor. Kısa süre içinde konuyla ilgili sıcak gelişmeler yaşanabilir.
Beşiktaş, Napoli'nin Slovakyalı ön liberosu Stanislav Lobotka için nabız yokladı. Ancak hem İtalyan ekibinin hem de oyuncu cephesinin çok yüksek beklentiler içinde olduğu öğrenildi.
Beşiktaş'ta orta alan konusundaki çalışmalar devam ediyor. Kartal'ın son olarak Napoli forması giyen Stanislav Lobotka konusunda bilgi aldığı öğrenildi. Fakat hem Serie A temsilcisi hem de oyuncunun yüksek maaş beklentisinin ardından frene basıldı. İlerleyen süreçte durum değişir mi, henüz bilinmiyor.
Slovakyalı ön liberonun Napoli'yle sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2027'de tamamlanıyor. Ancak mukavelesinin son senesine girmiyor. Çünkü kontratta "kulüp taraflı +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu" mevcut... 1.68 boyundaki Stanislav Lobotka, Galatasaraylı Torreira'ya benzer profilde bir isim...
PROFİL ORTAYA ÇIKTI
31 yaşındaki futbolcu, savaşçı kimliğiyle ön plana çıkıyor. Napoli onu 2020'nin Ocak ayında Celta Vigo'dan transfer etmişti. O dönemde 24 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler. Beşiktaş Stanislav Lobotka'yı bitiremese bile ön liberoda aradıkları profil ortaya çıkmış oldu.
Galatasaray hemen hemen her transfer döneminde sağ ve sol bek için adam arıyordu. Bazen sağ bazen sol, bazen de her ikisi için temaslar kuruldu. 2026 yazında konuyla ilgili girişim yok!
Galatasaray açısından ilginç bir transfer döneminin içindeyiz. Çünkü Sarı-Kırmızılılar, belki de ilk kez bek aramıyor. Sarı-Kırmızılı ekibin mevcut kadrosunda sağlı-sollu şu isimler bulunuyor:
Ismail Jakobs
Eren Elmalı
Kazımcan Karataş
Wilfried Singo
Roland Sallai
Elias Jelert
Ali Turap Bülbül
3'Ü BÜYÜK İHTİMALLE AYRILACAK
Kazımcan Karataş'ın Samsunspor'a gitmesi bekleniyor. Kadroda düşünülmeyen Elias Jelert yeniden kiralık verilecek. 21 yaşındaki Ali Turap Bülbül'ün de sözleşmesi yenilendikten sonra kiralık olarak ayrılacağı tahmin ediliyor. Bu 3 ayrılık sonrasında bile yönetim bek rotasyonunu yeterli görüyor.
Singo ve Sallai'nin bazı talipleri var. 2 oyuncudan biri satılırsa, sağ beke takviye gelebilir. Fakat Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, onlardan son derece memnun... Sarı-Kırmızılılar şu ana kadar hiçbir bek oyuncusu için farklı ekiplerle temas kurmadı...
Intel on Friday confirmed that it had increased prices of some of its consumer and server CPUs, citing market dynamics, rising costs, and soaring demand for these products. While select enthusiast processors increased from $30 to $50, data center-grade products increased by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Intel is among many suppliers that have recently hiked prices of their products, citing increasing costs and demand that exceeds their supply.
"The recent pricing updates reflect current market dynamics, including rising supply chain costs and strong demand for our Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors," an Intel spokesperson told Tom's Hardware. "These updates are in line with recent price increases for other Intel product families based on similar factors."
This week it turned out that Intel had quietly increased recommended customer prices (RCPs) of its latest Core Ultra 200-series Plus processors for desktops — the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and the Core Ultra 7 250K Plus — by $30 - $50, depending on the model. Both processors belong to the Arrow Lake family and, like the rest of them, are produced by TSMC. Yet, Intel's original 'non-Plus' Core Ultra 200-series processors did not increase their MSRP. The flagship Core Ultra 9 285K still carries a $599 RCP, just like it did at its launch in Q2 2024. Something similar applies to the least advanced Arrow Lake processor for desktops — the Core Ultra 5 225 — that has an RCP between $183 and $236, which is a bit lower than its launch RCP of $241.
If Intel did see supply-chain inflation, it would be reasonable to expect the company to adjust prices of the whole family. Instead, the company raised prices only on select products that apparently had become unexpectedly attractive to customers who can afford them and who have probably demonstrated willingness to buy them above recommended prices. This means that we are not dealing with a simple cost pass-through, but rather with a price hike associated with strong demand for specific SKUs.
When it comes to data center-oriented processors, we see rather massive price hikes. While higher-end Xeon 6 'Granite Rapids' CPUs cost less than they used to at launch in 2024, they are noticeably more expensive after Intel slashed their recommended prices in 2025, and they can be twofold higher when compared to retail prices from mid-2025. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that select Xeon 8000-series 'Emerald Rapids' processors now carry higher RCPs than they used to when they were released in late 2023.
Intel Xeon Performance Core Processors
Model
New RCP
2025 RCP
Launch RCP
Cores/Threads
Base/Boost (GHz)
TDP
L3 Cache (MB)
cTDP (W)
Xeon 6980P (GNR)
$13,955
$12,460
$17,800
128 / 256
2.0 / 3.9
500W
504
-
Xeon 6979P (GNR)
?
$11,025
$15,750
120 / 240
2.1 / 3.9
500W
504
-
Xeon 6978P (GNR)
$12,348
$11,025
-
120 / 240
2.1 / 3.9
500W
504
400-500
Xeon 6972P (GNR)
$11,446
$10,220
$11,805
96 / 192
2.4 / 3.9
500W
480
-
Xeon 6962P (GNR)
$11,116
$9,925
-
72 / 144
2.7 / 3.9
500W
432
-
Xeon 6952P (GNR)
$10,209
$9,115
$11,400
96 / 192
2.1 / 3.9
400W
480
?
Xeon 6960P (GNR)
$10,780
$9,625
$13,750
72 / 144
2.7 / 3.9
500W
432
-
Intel Xeon 8592+ (EMR)
$12,992
$11,600
$11,600
64 / 128
1.9 / 3.9
350W
320
-
Intel Xeon 8580 (EMR)
$11,995
?
$10,710
60/120
2.0/4.0
350W
300
-
All Intel Xeon processors are produced internally (so Intel cannot blame higher costs on TSMC), and while Intel gets raw materials from its partners, it is doubtful that overpriced photoresist can significantly affect RCPs of CPUs that sell for thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, Intel has been saying for several quarters now that demand for its Xeon processors exceeds supply. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense for Intel to finally capitalize on that and increase RCPs of popular models.
There is a caveat, though. Actual prices of data center hardware tend to differ from list prices as they depend on many factors, including volumes and strategic relations between suppliers and consumers. To that end, while it is evident that Intel has increased RCPs of its Xeon CPUs, it remains to be seen how this affects its average selling prices (ASPs) for the ongoing quarter and for the whole year.
17 plaintiffs sued Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in late June, alleging the three companies, which together control roughly 90% of the global DRAM market, coordinated supply restrictions that pushed memory prices up around 700% in four years. The complaint is the third major legal assault on the DRAM industry in two decades. The first ended in criminal guilty pleas, roughly $730 million in fines, and prison terms for executives. The second collapsed in 2020; this new case must clear the same legal barrier that killed it.
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A cartel conviction, then a failed sequel
Between 1998 and 2002, DRAM makers fixed the price of memory sold to Dell, HP, Compaq, IBM, Gateway, and Apple, leading to a landmark case that saw the Department of Justice extract guilty pleas across the sector: $300 million from Samsung in 2005, then the second-largest criminal antitrust fine in U.S. history, alongside $185 million from Hynix, $160 million from Infineon, and $84 million from Elpida. More than a dozen execs served prison time in the U.S., while Micron, which admitted participating, escaped prosecution entirely by turning first under the DoJ's corporate leniency program.
Then, in 2018, Hagens Berman filed a class action alleging the same three companies colluded during the 2016-2017 upcycle, when DRAM prices roughly doubled and all three throttled supply growth in lockstep. The district court dismissed it in 2020, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision in 2022, ruling the alleged conduct was “more likely explained by lawful, unchoreographed free-market behavior” than by agreement. The plaintiffs never reached the discovery phase in that case; it instead died on the pleadings, which is where this latest case is also likely to be decided.
Parallel conduct is legal
Section 1 of the Sherman Act punishes agreements in restraint of trade, but not identical behavior. When three firms in a concentrated market watch each other's earnings calls and rationally match each other’s output cuts, antitrust law calls it conscious parallelism and permits it.
Since the Supreme Court’s 2007 Twombly decision, a price-fixing complaint can overcome a motion to dismiss only if its factual allegations make an actual agreement plausible, not merely possible, and parallel conduct alone can never reach that threshold. Instead, plaintiffs need what are known as “plus factors”: actions against each firm's independent self-interest, suspicious communications, or opportunities to conspire that produce otherwise inexplicable behavior.
In the 2018 case, the plaintiffs offered eight plus factors, including trade-press statements about supply discipline and attendance at the same industry events, and both courts found them consistent with each company independently deciding that flooding a recovering market would be stupid. An oligopolist declining to start a price war isn’t evidence of a cartel; it’s evidence of an oligopoly.
2026's HBM pivot
What’s new in this case is that the complaint alleges the three memory makers used their pivot to high-bandwidth memory as a coordinated pretext to gut commodity DRAM output, curtailing DDR3 and DDR4 production far beyond what HBM demand required and starving the market that feeds PCs, phones, and servers.
The filing stacks supporting plus factors on top, including near-simultaneous production cuts announced in late 2022, Micron's decision last year to shut down its consumer-facing Crucial memory business and remove a retail supply channel, and the makers' synchronized customer-vetting regime introduced to block hoarding and resale, which the plaintiffs read as jointly policing who gets supply. Apple’s memory-driven iPad and Mac price increases appear in the complaint as downstream proof of harm.
HBM carries far higher margins than commodity DRAM, and every maker had an independent incentive to chase Nvidia’s order book. The late-2022 cuts came during the worst memory downturn in over a decade, when SK hynix and Micron were posting operating losses, and Samsung held out on cuts months longer than its rivals, which is awkward material for a case looking to rely on a lockstep narrative. Crucial's shutdown also coincided with Micron reallocating output toward data center customers paying more. As such, every allegation in the complaint has a non-conspiratorial explanation available, and under Twombly, the plaintiffs need there to be at least a plausible conspiracy theory to have a chance of success.
Motions to dismiss likely
A leading-edge DRAM fab costs $15 billion to $20 billion and takes years to bring up, so no fourth player can arbitrage the shortage away on any timescale that’s relevant to this case. Three firms facing inelastic demand and no threat of entry can sustain supracompetitive prices through nothing more than mutual self-restraint, and current numbers show what that looks like.
SK hynix reported a record operating margin above 70% in its most recent quarter, and the investment firm Jefferies expects DRAM contract prices to rise another 40% to 50% in the third quarter and 30% to 40% in the fourth, with no meaningful relief before 2028. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has put the end of the shortage even further out. Margins that fat are indeed consistent with a cartel, but they’re equally consistent with a demand shock hitting a market built to under-supply, and courts have declined to let juries choose between the two unless a seriously high evidential threshold has been reached. Here, that doesn’t appear to have happened. In addition, China’s CXMT is rapidly expanding DDR5 output with state backing, and any sustained market share gains and price pressure from it would undercut the complaint's premise that the incumbent big three face(d) no competitive pressure.
The defendants haven’t yet responded in court and are likely to file motions to dismiss. Surviving dismissal would force three companies, which are enjoying the most profitable memory cycle in history, to open their internal communications regarding HBM allocation and commodity wind-downs to plaintiffs’ lawyers for the first time. If the court follows the Ninth Circuit's 2022 reasoning instead, the suit joins its predecessor, and 90% of the world's DRAM supply continues to be governed by three firms whose parallel restraint, in the law’s eyes, remains just good business.
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An unlucky gamer has taken to Reddit after their brand-new Steam Machine was hit with a "red line of death" after just 20 minutes of use. u/me_hill posted on the r/steammachine subreddit, saying that they played No Man’s Sky for just five minutes and then updated the machine before it bricked itself. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that the Redditor could do much to troubleshoot the issue. The Steam website says that their particular issue, which is marked by the right half of the LED bar turning into a breathing red light paired with a solid red light on the indicator LED, indicates GPU failure, a possibly fatal issue harkening back to the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death.
Valve was only able to produce a limited number of Steam Machine units for its initial run, which is why it had to resort to a randomized queue to deter scalpers. While the company did not say how many consoles it had available, it’s likely still in the thousands (if not tens of thousands), meaning there’s some chance that it will ship units that will fail within the first year. For now, it seems that this Redditor’s post is an isolated incident and it’s unclear what caused the failure. u/me_hill said that they already put in a ticket to Steam support, but they haven’t updated yet on whether the company has responded already.
This is certainly a disappointment for u/me_hill, who probably initially felt quite lucky as they were one of the selected few given the privilege of buying the first batch of Steam Machines. In an ironic twist of fate, they were also incredibly unlucky to become one of the first victims of the “red line of death,” an early nickname for the failure and a nod to the “red ring of death” that indicated a critical hardware failure on the Xbox 360 launched around 20 years ago. Nevertheless, other Redditors commented that this is par for the course for customers who buy the first run of a product, with the Redditor themselves saying, “That’s early adoption, I guess.”
We’re hoping that Valve can address this issue for u/me_hill as soon as possible, and that they don’t have to wait months before they can get their hands on a replacement unit, despite its limited stock. In the meantime, they’ll have to settle with their existing equipment (or maybe even get one of the best budget gaming laptops instead) while they’re waiting for their Steam Machine to be fixed.
Qualcomm has steadily iterated on its Arm SoC efforts in the Windows space and made further gains with the launch of the Snapdragon X platform.
Now we’re seeing a wave of new systems using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 series of Arm processors, and the HP OmniBook Ultra is the latest to take a bow. Our review unit is powered by a new flagship Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-90-100) SoC, paired with a generous 64GB of memory and a capacious 2TB SSD, and features an all-new chassis design.
The OmniBook Ultra proved to be a top contender in performance benchmarks and is a great all-around system, but about that price…
Design of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
Our OmniBook Ultra 14 review unit arrived with an entirely new design language compared to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375-equipped system that I tested in 2024. This year’s design features a more angular look and is finished in a color that HP calls “Stone Blue.” The edges of the forged aluminum-alloy chassis are highly polished to a mirror-like finish. It has a decidedly more upscale appearance compared to its predecessor, although the overall quality feels the same (which is to say, excellent).
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Upon opening the OmniBook Ultra, you’ll notice “OmniBook Ultra” printed vertically along the forward right palm rest of the keyboard deck. “OmniBook” is printed on the chassis, while the Ultra is actually engraved with the same polished finish as the chassis edges. A massive 5.4 x 3.4-inch trackpad sits at the center of the deck, while the keyboard is directly above, with the keys finished in dark “stone blue” plastic. One thing of note: the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button on the 2024 model is missing this time around.
The 14-inch display has tiny bezels on the left and right, and thicker ones along the top and bottom. The bottom bezel also features “HP” branding in the middle. The display is covered with a glossy glass, which does wonders for improving image vibrancy but tends to increase reflections.
I complained about the fussy USB-A port on the previous-generation OmniBook Ultra, which was partially covered by a spring-loaded door. This time, HP just ditched the USB-A port entirely and replaced it with another USB-C port. As a result, the new OmniBook Ultra has a single USB-C port and a 3.5 mm jack on its left side, and two USB-C ports on its right side. None of the ports support Thunderbolt, although they do feature USB Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 40 Gbps signaling rate.
Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 (Wi-Fi 7), Bluetooth 5.4
Ports
3x USB4 Type-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Camera
5MP IR
Battery
70 WHr
Power Adapter
65W, USB Type-C GaN charger
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Dimensions (WxDxH)
12.25 x 8.49 x 0.42 inches
Weight
2.81 pounds (1.27 kg)
Price (as configured)
$2,879.99
Productivity Performance on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
The OmniBook Ultra is among the first laptops we’ve tested to use the new Snapdragon X2 Elite SoC (up to 5.0 GHz clock speed, 18 cores), with the first being the Asus Zenbook A16. As we learned in our review of the ZenBook A16, the Snapdragon X2 Elite is a strong performer, and it’s made even more potent by the inclusion of 64GB of LPDDR5x-9523 in our review unit, paired with a 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite also includes an integrated Hexagon NPU, which delivers up to 85 TOPS of compute performance.
The OmniBook Ultra made a strong showing in the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark, securing a single-core score of 3,942, putting it in second behind the MacBook Air with its M5 SoC (4,168). The ZenBook A16 wasn’t far behind with 3,807. Looking at multi-core performance, the ZenBook A16 jumped up in the lead with 22,733 compared to 20,075 for the new OmniBook Ultra. The new OmniBook Ultra was also well ahead of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 model (2,846 single-core, 14,838 multi-core).
HP has opted for a PCIe 5.0 SSD on the OmniBook Ultra, and our review unit came in at a healthy 2TB of capacity. The laptop dominated our 25GB file transfer test, delivering 2,620.91 MBps compared to 1,924.84 MBps for the second-place MacBook Air.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite in the OmniBook Ultra again flexed its muscle in our Handbrake test, which involves transcoding a 4K video file to 1080p. Here, the OmniBook Ultra completed the task in 2 minutes and 11 seconds, putting it just three seconds behind the ZenBook A16. Both the AMD-equipped UltraBook Ultra and the MacBook Air took well over 4 minutes to complete transcoding.
We run Cinebench 2024 through ten loops to stress-test ultrabooks. The first run delivered the highest score at 1,099. The subsequent runs fell short of that high mark, settling between 920 and 950 towards the end of the test. The 12 Prime cores averaged 4.03 GHz, while the 6 Performance cores averaged 3.05 GHz.
Display on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
HP is using a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 display on the OmniBook Ultra, and it, like many in this segment, is an OLED panel. The panel has a 120 Hz refresh rate and a glossy finish. However, with the brightness cranked to the max, stray reflections were hardly noticeable.
I used the OmniBook Ultra to watch about half an hour of Marvel’s Thunderbolts on Disney Plus, and spent a good chunk of time watching the San Antonio Spurs blow the biggest lead in an NBA championship series via Sling TV. In both instances, the display looked great with accurate colors and excellent contrast.
In our testing, the OmniBook Ultra covered 87% of DCI-P3 and 122%of sRGB, placing it at the top of the rankings among the assembled laptops. Maximum brightness measured crested 400 nits, specifically hitting 414 nits. While impressive for an OLED display, the ZenBook A16 (429.4 nits) and MacBook Air (458.8 nits) were brighter still.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The display on the OmniBook Ultra is multi-touch-capable, and I had no trouble navigating the Windows interface or using swiping gestures. However, reaching out to touch the screen isn't a natural movement for me, and it isn’t very ergonomic. I was perfectly fine using the humongous trackpad.
Keyboard and Touchpad on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
The OmniBook's keyboard is full-size and backlit, and the lattice-free keys themselves felt good under my fingers. There’s no clickiness to the keys, and you’ll hear a gentle, low “thud” as you type along. There’s plenty of key travel, and I was comfortable typing on the keyboard for an extended period of time. My only complaint concerns the half-height up and down arrows squeezed between the full-size left and right arrows.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Using my trusty keyhero.com typing benchmark tool, I managed 87 words per minute with 97 percent accuracy. This was roughly equivalent to what I scored with the keyboard on the previous-generation model.
Complementing the keyboard is a haptic touchpad measuring a large 5.4 x 3.4 inches. It’s a haptic touchpad that provides a satisfying “click” no matter where you press on its surface. While some top-hinged touchpads require additional force to register a click as you move towards the top of the mousing surface, there are no such limitations on the OmniBook Ultra.
Audio on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
The OmniBook Ultra 14 features quad downward-firing speakers on the underside near the front of the chassis. The speakers sounded excellent, with little to no distortion at higher volume levels (80% and higher), and were loud enough to fill my home office.
I played a wide variety of music, ranging from Steve Wonder’s keyboard-heavy and soft vocals on Superwoman from 1972to the ear-splitting screaming and electric guitars of Linkin Park’s Lying from You, from the band's early 2000’s sophomore album.
Interestingly, no sound utilities are installed by default to tune the speakers further.
Upgradeability of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
Hopping inside the OmniBook Ultra is incredibly easy – there are only four screws to remove from the bottom panel, which is at least half as many as you’ll typically find on a thin laptop.
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
Once the bottom panel is removed, there’s not much that’s replaceable. The battery is at least easily accessible, with four screws securing it and one cable connecting it to the motherboard. You also have access to the PCIe 5.0 SSD, which sits beneath a heat shield. That’s about it when it comes to upgrades for the OmniBook Ultra.
Battery Life on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
Our OmniBook Ultra 14 review unit came powered by a 70 WHr battery, which is topped off using a 65-watt GaN USB-C charger. Our battery life test includes web browsing, video streaming, and WebGL tests, with the display set to 150 nits.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
We were able to extract 13 hours and 27 minutes out of the OmniBook Ultra, exceeding the runtime of the ZenBook A16 with the same Snapdragon X2 Elite chip by 3 hours. It also outlasted its predecessor by over half an hour. The only laptop that stood in its way was the MacBook Air, which lasted an impressive 15 hours and 28 minutes.
Heat on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
Heat output on the OmniBook Ultra was measured while running our Cinebench 2024 stress test. The keyboard measured around 95 degrees Fahrenheit between the G and H keys, while the hottest part of the laptop was the bottom rear near the exhaust vents, at 118 F.
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
The touchpad stayed cool to the touch at 77 degrees, the ambient temperature in the room at the time.
While we usually mention CPU temperatures in this section, HWInfo, in its current iteration, does not provide the specific values we need for reporting.
Webcam on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
HP has included a 5MP webcam on the OmniBook Ultra, which has IR capabilities to support Windows Hello biometric authentication. Like the previous generation, the image quality was decent, but not segment-leading.
My face and shirt looked slightly blurry, and my skin tones were "off." This performance would be passable for a laptop costing in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. But for a laptop with an MSRP of nearly $2,900, it's a tough pill to swallow. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition I recently tested, with an MSRP of $1,700, had a far better onboard webcam.
Software and Warranty on the HP OmniBook Ultra 14
HP loads plenty of its own utilities on the OmniBook Ultra, which seems a bit excessive. There’s an HP app that provides limited system information and access to HP’s online store to purchase accessories. There’s also HP Documentation, HP Energy Star (lets you purchase Energy Star-compliant appliances… why?), HP Privacy Settings, HP System Event Utility, and HP TV+. Finally, there’s Find My HP by Absolute, which allows you to track/locate, remote lock, and remote wipe your laptop.
And of course, there’s also the usual Windows bloat in the form of app links to Booking.com, Dropbox, and various other services. And we can’t forget McAfee, which is always an instant delete when I set up a new PC for friends and family.
The OmniBook Ultra comes with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.
HP OmniBook Ultra 14 Configurations
There are several prebuilt versions of the OmniBook Ultra with Snapdragon X2 Series chips, the cheapest starting at $1,249.99. It features a Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, a 512GB PCIe 5.0 SSD, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 OLED display.
The next prebuilt system comes with a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 2880 x 1800, 120 Hz OLED display for $2,399. For an extra $300, you get the same specs with a 2TB SSD.
Finally, our review configuration can only be obtained through the “Customize and Buy” option, which gives you a wide pricing range to play with. It has the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, 64GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a 2880 x 1800 OLED display, priced at $2,879.99.
Bottom Line
HP has built a solid foundation with the OmniBook Ultra and the Snapdragon X2 Elite SoC. Our review unit came fully loaded, with 64GB of memory and a capacious 2TB SSD. The ultrabook excelled in our productivity benchmarks, including a stellar run on our storage test. In addition, its battery endurance was only topped by the 13-inch MacBook Air. The laptop also has a beautiful 120 Hz 3K OLED panel and comes standard with a Wi-Fi 7 radio.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
On the other hand, the biggest knock against our particular unit is the price: nearly $2,900 is a tough pill to swallow for an ultrabook, primarily due to its lofty memory and storage configurations. However, if you go light on options, you can dramatically lower that price. If you go light on the options, you can opt for a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip, 32GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 3K OLED display for $1,719.99, or add a 1TB SSD for an additional $120.
At that price, the OmniBook Ultra makes a lot more sense and would help us overlook the lack of Thunderbolt ports and the so-so webcam.
Data center developer QTS has officially terminated plans to build a portion of the planned 2,100-acre “Digital Gateway” data center campus in Virginia, following years of legal battles with local residents and historic preservation groups. According to a Bloomberg report, the Blackstone-owned company formally submitted a written filing to the Virginia Supreme Court on July 2, explicitly stating it was withdrawing its last remaining appeal “after careful consideration”.
QTS’s withdrawal marked the official end of the project, as other stakeholders had earlier pulled out due to prolonged litigation. In a major win for opponents of the data center, the proposed land — situated at the edge of the Manassas National Battlefield Park, a historic Civil War battlefield — will now remain under its original rural zoning restrictions.
Digital Gateway was a planned massive 22-million-square-foot, gigawatt-scale data center complex in Prince William County, Virginia, that would have been the world's largest. QTS was responsible for 800+ of the 2,100 acres, while a second developer, Compass Datacenters, controlled roughly 800-1,000 acres. The rest of the designated 2,100-acre "Digital Gateway" zone consisted of local roadways, environmental buffer zones, and parcels belonging to individual homeowners who had agreed to sell.
Initially approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to capitalize on the soaring demand for AI and cloud computing, the project immediately faced fierce opposition from residents, despite the promise of tens of billions of dollars in capital investment and substantial local tax revenue. Opponents argued that the facility's location adjacent to the Manassas National Battlefield Park posed severe threats to the area's environmental, historical, and residential landscape, a common refrain in growing anti-data-center sentiment.
Several lawsuits followed, with the one that appears to have eventually collapsed the massive project hinging on an ironically small detail. The landmark mega project — roughly double New York’s Central Park’s size with city-sized power needs — collapsed in a domino effect after Virginia courts voided the county’s initial rezoning approval due to improper public notices. The newspaper notices publicizing the hearing at which the project was approved weren’t separated by at least 6 days, as mandated by state and local codes at that time, thereby invalidating the hearing and the resulting approval.
Virginia courts upheld the invalidity of the zoning approvals in March this year. Following the ruling, Prince William County gave up first, refusing to spend additional public funds to defend the project in court. Compass Data Center, a co-developer of the project, withdrew from the project the next month, with the company president stating, “While we still believe this project offered significant benefits for the region and our neighbors, recent legal actions and compounding regulatory hurdles have effectively closed a viable path forward.”
Only QTS remained, filing an appeal with the Virginia Supreme Court. It has now withdrawn that appeal, leaving the entire Digital Gateway project completely dead. The company says it will now “work on a responsible and orderly wind-down of development efforts”.
The “Digital gateway” case is the latest win for anti-data-center proponents and the latest blow for those on the other side of the fence. We recently covered a report that more than 75 data center build-outs worth $130 billion have been successfully blocked in the first Q1 2026, although several others have moved forward. While data centers are needed to power AI’s exponential growth, their development often raises valid concerns about water use, noise pollution, and spikes in electricity bills for nearby residential areas. There has been an uptick in protests against data centers and a corresponding rise in companies pursuing innovative solutions to the problem. SpaceX is currently building an 11-million-square-foot Gigasat factory to manufacture orbital data centers, while several companies are deploying offshore data centers. On the other hand, there are reports that China may be artificially stoking opposition to data centers in the U.S., even as Trump's administration is pushing for AI development.
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Yeni sezon hazırlıklarına devam eden Fenerbahçe'de teknik direktör İsmail Kartal, 8 futbolcuyu kamp listesinden çıkardı. İşte o futbolcular...Devamı için tıklayınız
Futbol üzrə İsveçrə milli komandasının yarımmüdafiəçisi Joan Manzambi dünya çempionatında (DÇ-2026) növbəti tarixi nailiyyətə imza atıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 20 yaşlı futbolçu mundialın 1/16 final mərhələsində Əlcəzair üzərində 2:0 hesablı qələbə ilə başa çatan görüşdə məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Bununla da o, turnirdəki məhsuldar hərəkətlərinin sayını 5-ə çatdıraraq dünya çempionatları tarixinə düşüb.
Manzambinin aktivində hazırda 3 qol və 2 məhsuldar ötürmə var. Bu göstərici sayəsində o, bir dünya çempionatında 5 məhsuldar hərəkət (qol + assist) edən ən gənc futbolçu olub.
Gənc yarımmüdafiəçi DÇ-2026 boyunca İsveçrə millisinin ən önəmli oyunçularından birinə çevrilib. O, qrup mərhələsində vurduğu qollar və yaratdığı təhlükəli epizodlarla komandasının pley-offa yüksəlməsində mühüm rol oynayıb, Əlcəzairlə görüşdə isə növbəti dəfə məhsuldarlığı ilə seçilərək rekordunu rəsmiləşdirib.
Joan Manzambi eyni zamanda DÇ-2026-nın bombardirlər və məhsuldar oyunçular siyahısında da ön sıralarda qərarlaşıb və turnirin ən parlaq gənc futbolçularından biri kimi göstərilir.
İsveçrə millisi Əlcəzairi 2:0 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək 1/8 finala yüksəlib. Murat Yakının rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda növbəti mərhələdə Kolumbiya – Qana cütünün qalibi ilə qarşılaşacaq.
20 yaşında belə bir rekorda imza atan Joan Manzambi artıq DÇ-2026-nın ən böyük kəşflərindən biri hesab olunur. O, Avropa futbolunun gələcək ulduzlarından biri kimi qiymətləndirilir.
Futbol üzrə Əlcəzair milli komandasının cinah hücumçusu və kapitanı Riyad Mahrez yığmadakı karyerasını başa vurduğunu bəyan edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 35 yaşlı vinger bu qərarı DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 final mərhələsində Əlcəzairin İsveçrəyə 0:2 hesabı ilə məğlub olaraq turnirlə vidalaşmasından sonra verib.
Beləliklə, ölkəsinin futbol tarixinin ən önəmli simalarından biri 12 illik milli karyerasına nöqtə qoyub.
Hazırda Səudiyyə Ərəbistanının “Əl-Əhli” klubunda çıxış edən Mahrez Əlcəzair millisində ilk oyununa 2014-cü ildə çıxıb. O vaxtdan bəri milli komandanın əsas liderlərindən biri olan futbolçu 119 oyunda 40 qol və 45 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb.
Bu göstəricilərlə Mahrez Əlcəzair millisinin tarixində ən çox oyun keçirən futbolçular arasında üçüncü, bombardirlər siyahısında isə ikinci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Oyun sayına görə yalnız Aissa Mandi (122 oyun), qol sayına görə isə İslam Slimani (46 qol) onu qabaqlayır.
Riyad Mahrez 2019-cu ildə Əlcəzair millisinin Afrika Millətlər Kubokunu qazanmasında həlledici rol oynayıb. O, yarımfinalda Nigeriyaya qarşı əlavə vaxtda vurduğu möhtəşəm cərimə zərbəsi qolu ilə komandasını finala çıxarmış, daha sonra Əlcəzair turnirin qalibi olmuşdu. Təcrübəli futbolçu həmçinin 2021-ci ildə keçirilən FIFA Ərəb Kubokunda çempion olan heyətin də üzvlərindən biri idi.
Klub karyerasında isə Mahrez İngiltərənin “Lester Siti” ilə sensasiyalı Premyer Liqa çempionluğu yaşayıb, daha sonra “Mançester Siti”nin heyətində çoxsaylı titullar, o cümlədən UEFA Çempionlar Liqasını qazanıb.
Macarıstanın “Zalaegerseq” (ZTE) klubunun mərkəz müdafiəçisi Bense Varkonyi bundan sonra “Qarabağ”ın uğurları üçün çalışacaq.
Arena.az bu barədə Ağdam klubunun rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Xəbərdə vurğulanır ki, 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümünün transfer çalışmalarını davam etdirən klub növbəti futbolçu keçidini gerçəkləşdirib. Macarıstan klubu ilə danışıqlar uğurla yekunlaşıb və Bense Varkonyi “Qarabağ”a transfer olunub.
Macarıstanlı mərkəz müdafiəçisi ilə 3 illik müqavilə imzalanıb. 24 yaşlı futbolçu 2029-cu ilin yayına qədər bu komandanın formasını geyinəcək. Varkonyi yeni klubunda 4 nömrəli formanı seçib.
MTK (Budapeşt) klubunun yetirməsi olan Bense karyerası ərzində bu klubun əsas komandası, həmçinin “Kozarmisleni”də də çıxış edib. O, Macarıstanın U-21 komandasında forma geyinib.
Varkonyi bu yay transfer pəncərəsində “Qarabağ”ın altıncı transferidir. Daha əvvəl Jali Muaddib, Zəkəriyyə Savo, Samuel Lobato, Bruno Lanqa, Martin Zlomisliç və Renaldo Sefas da “Qarabağ”a qoşulmuşdular.
Xorvatiya milli komandasının təcrübəli futbolçusu İvan Perişiç dünya çempionatları tarixində ölkəsinin ən məhsuldar oyunçusu adına sahib çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 37 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçi DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 final mərhələsində Portuqaliyaya qarşı keçirilmiş görüşdə hesabı açaraq mundiallardakı qollarının sayını 7-yə çatdırıb.
Bununla o, indiyədək rekordu əlində saxlayan Davor Şukeri geridə qoyub. Şuker 1998-ci il dünya çempionatında vurduğu 6 qolla uzun illər Xorvatiyanın mundiallar tarixində ən yaxşı bombardiri idi.
Perişiç dünya çempionatlarında qollarını dörd müxtəlif turnirdə vurub:
DÇ-2014 – 2 qol DÇ-2018 – 3 qol DÇ-2022 – 1 qol DÇ-2026 – 1 qol
Beləliklə, o, ardıcıl dörd fərqli dünya çempionatında qol vuran ilk xorvatiyalı futbolçu kimi də tarixə düşüb.
Portuqaliya ilə qarşılaşmada Perişiçin 53-cü dəqiqədə vurduğu qol Xorvatiyanı hesabda önə çıxarsa da, rəqib sonradan Kristiano Ronaldonun penalti qolu və Qonsalo Ramosun əlavə vaxtdakı dəqiq zərbəsi sayəsində 2:1 hesablı əzmkar qələbə qazanıb. Bununla da Xorvatiya DÇ-2026 ilə vidalaşıb.
Qeyd edək ki, Perişiç 2018-ci ildə Xorvatiya millisinin dünya çempionatında qazandığı gümüş, 2022-ci ildə isə bürünc medalların əldə olunmasında əsas pay sahibi olan futbolçulardan biri olub.
2026/27 mövsümünün transfer çalışmalarını davam etdirən “Qarabağ” növbəti futbolçu keçidini gerçəkləşdirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Macarıstanın ZTE klubu ilə danışıqlar uğurla yekunlaşıb və Bense Varkonyi kluba transfer olunub.
Macarıstanlı mərkəz müdafiəçisi ilə 3 illik müqavilə imzalanıb. 24 yaşlı futbolçu 2029-cu ilin yayına qədər komandanın formasını geyinəcək.
MTK klubunun yetirməsi olan Bense karyerası ərzində bu klubun əsas komandası, həmçinin “Kozarmisleni”də də çıxış edib. O, Macarıstanın U-21 komandasında forma geyinib.
Qeyd edək ki, Bense Varkonyi yay transfer pəncərəsində Komandanın altıncı transferidir. Daha əvvəl Jali Muaddib, Zakaria Savo, Samuel Lobato, Bruno Lanqa, Martin Zlomisliç və Renaldo Sefas “Qarabağ”a qoşulub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “atlılar” Macarıstanın “Zalaeqerseq” klubundan Bençe Varkonyini transfer edib. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
24 yaşlı mərkəz müdafiəçisi ilə anlaşmanın detalları açıqlanmayıb.
Macarıstan mətbuatının xəbərinə görə, Varkonyinin transferi üçün “Qarabağ”ın “Zalaeqerseq”ə 1 milyon avro təzminat ödəyəcək.
Almaniya millisinin baş məşqçisi Yulian Naqelsmann istefa verib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə yerli futbol assosiasiyasının mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Naqelsmann ayrılıq qərarını belə şərh edib:
“Mundiala vida etdikdən sonra çox düşündüm. Yaxınlarım və federasiya rəhbərliyi ilə tez-tez görüşdük, danışdıq. Bu qərarı vermək asan deyil. Mən hər zaman komandamın uğurunun arzusunda olmuşam. Xəyal qırıqlığı yaşadıq, ümid edirəm ki, açılacaq yeni səhifə daha yaxşı olar”.
Almaniya millisi dünya çempionatında mübarizəni pley-off mərhələsində dayandırıb. “Bundestim” Paraqvay səddini aşa bilməyib.
Jurnalist Fabrizio Romano sosial media platforması X-də PSJ və Fransa millisinin hücumçusu Bredli Barkol ətrafındakı vəziyyətlə bağlı şərh verib. Msport.az […]
“Qarabağ” heyətini yeni futbolçu ilə gücləndirib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, Ağdam təmsilçisi Macarıstanın “Zalaeqerseq” klubundan transfer olunan müdafiəçi Bense Varkonyini […]
“Roma” “Çelsi”nin futbolçusu Alexandro Qarnaçonu heyətinə qatmaq niyyətindədir. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, paytaxt təmsilçisi 21 yaşlı vingeri icarəyə götürmək istəyir. […]
“Mançester Siti”nin transfer xərcləri “Nottingem Forest”dən ingilis yarımmüdafiəçi Elliot Andersonu transfer edəndən sonra üç il ərzində 964 milyon avroya çatıb. […]
Sky Sport Italia claim Mario Gila has agreed personal terms with Milan worth €5m per season, while Lazio are ready to accept a fee of €25m plus €5m add-ons.
The defender is out of contract in July 2027, so the Aquile are forced to sell this summer before losing him as a free agent.
Gila sparked Serie A bidding war
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Mario Gila of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
There has been strong interest from Napoli for months, but the need to sell first has stalled their ability to get a deal over the line.
The same is true of Inter, who have many other alternatives, while Sportitalia reported today that Atalanta had agreed a fee with Lazio worth €25m, but the player preferred other clubs.
Ismael Koné suffered a serious injury during the 2026 World Cup, so his club, Sassuolo, is already working to find a valuable replacement on the market.
Canada star Koné suffered a shocking injury during a 4-0 win over Qatar in the group phase of the 2026 World Cup this past June, meaning that the talented Sassuolo midfielder will be forced to miss several months of action, including the pre-season with Sassuolo and a big part of the 2026-27 campaign.
“Koné means everything to this team,” said Juventus and Canada striker Jonathan David after Koné’s injury.
“If you ask the same question to any guy on this team, they will tell you the same. He is someone that we love a lot.”
Canada coach Jesse Marsch added: “Ismael is such a great kid – he’s so imperfect, but that’s part of why you love him. Because he can do great things that nobody else can do, then the next moment he loses concentration. He embodies us as a team, it’s a huge loss for us.
“He’ll be fine; we’ll get him good doctors and get him back, but that kid is a big part of our future and everything we do.”
Naturally, Koné’s club Sassuolo are already looking for a potential replacement in central midfield, and according to several sources in Italy, Fiorentina’s Marco Brescianini is one of the options already lined up by the Emilia-Romagna-based club.
Sassuolo have already undergone substantial changes since the end of the 2025-26 season, during which they secured comfortable survival under Fabio Grosso, as expected by experts at soccer betting, Canada.
Koné, 24, played a key role for Sassuolo, scoring six goals in 35 Serie A appearances in his first season in Italy’s top flight.
Brescianini spent the first part of 2025-26 at Atalanta before joining Fiorentina on loan in the January transfer window.
His switch was made permanent at the end of the season, following the Tuscans’ survival, but it is believed that La Viola will be keen to listen to offers for the Italian midfielder this summer.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Players of Canada react as Ismael Kone #8 of Canada receives medical attention during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Ironically, Fiorentina have hired Grosso from Sassuolo as their new head coach, while the Neroverdi appointed a former Fiorentina midfielder, Alberto Aquilani, who will lead a Serie A team for the first time in his career.
Another big change for Sassuolo was the departure of their CEO, Giovanni Carnevali, after 12 years, as the 65-year-old moved to Juventus to replace Damien Comolli, becoming the new Bianconeri’s CEO and General Manager.
Juventus are ready to finalise the return of Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, which thanks to his past in their youth academy will cost only €18m rather than €36m.
The 23-year-old came up through the Bianconeri system from 2021 and played for the Next Gen side in Serie C.
LECCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 24: Tarik Muharemovic of US Sassuolo Calcio celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa match beetween US Lecce and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on September 24, 2024 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
He was loaned to Sassuolo in 2024, purchased a year later at a cost of €2m, but with 50 per cent of the future sale fee going to the Turin giants.
Why Muharemovic is so cheap for Juventus
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus and Tarik Muharemovic of US Sassuolo Calcio battle for possession during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Just one year on from that agreement, Muharemovic’s value on the transfer market has soared to around €40m including add-ons, with interest from the likes of Inter, Fenerbahce, Como, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
His performances for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup also helped boost the centre-back’s profile.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Tarik Muharemovic of US Sassuolo Calcio scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on December 06, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
It means they can get him for ‘just’ €18m including €2m in add-ons, half the real cost of the transfer that would otherwise be €36m for any other club.
According to Tuttosport, his former Juventus Next Gen teammate Kenan Yildiz was a key figure in the negotiations, convincing the player to reunite in the senior squad.
Inevitably, the presence of new Juve director Giovanni Carnevali, who until a few weeks ago was in charge of the Sassuolo strategy and therefore negotiated the deal in the first place, also helped.
Former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga congratulates Unai Simón on breaking his World Cup record, but reminds he did it in a single World Cup.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new World Cup record in Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday as the match allowed him to remain unbeaten in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups.
Zenga reacts to Unai Simon’s new World Cup record
The previous record belonged to ex-Italy star Zenga, who remained unbeaten for 517 consecutive minutes during Italia 90.
“The records are made to be beaten. It had to happen sooner or later,” Zenga told RSI Sport in Switzerland, where he commented on Spain’s game as a pundit.
“I’m happy I kept the record for 36 years. That was set in just the World Cup, by the way, not across two, but it’s fine anyway. I’m happy I’ve had this satisfaction for 36 years.
“Nobody in Italy remembers it, nobody cares,” Zenga, a former Inter star, added, smiling.
“The goalkeepers’ unbeaten record tends to fade into the background, but if one scores 10 or 12 goals… they talk about goal records. People never talk about the goalkeepers.”
Inter and their striker Marcus Thuram have both been fined €5,000 after accepting a plea bargain for using insulting banners against Milan during Scudetto celebrations.
The Nerazzurri secured the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia in a Double last season, going on an open-top bus parade through the streets of Milan to celebrate with the two trophies.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: FC Internazionale Milano fans welcome the team coach as it arrives at the stadium prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
During this event, fans lined the roads and handed up banners or scarves for the players, who were not always discerning enough when taking them.
Thuram held up insulting banners
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Fans of FC Internazionale Milano display banners and flags in the stands prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
There were two banners that the disciplinary commission deemed “unequivocally insulting and offensive” towards Milan and its supporters.
Stephan El Shaarawy is a free agent after his contract with Roma ran down and is expected to sign a €10m per year contract with Al-Shabab.
It has been quite the last few weeks for the 33-year-old, because he scored one of the decisive goals against Verona to secure Champions League qualification for Roma and then got married to long-term partner Ludovica Pagani.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 17: Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on January 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Multiple sources including the Gazzetta dello Sport are confident an agreement has been reached with Al-Shabab, where he is set to earn €10m per season in wages.
It is a two-year deal, so a considerably pay day for the Little Pharaoh, who earned the nickname due to his Egyptian father.
Over different spells at the club, El Shaarawy made 348 competitive appearances for Roma, scoring 66 goals.
His other clubs included Genoa, Milan, AS Monaco and Shanghai Shenhua.
La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Inter will hold talks with Trevoh Chalobah’s agents, but the Nerazzurri are also looking at Manchester City’s Nathan Aké as a potential alternative.
Inter are looking for two new centre-backs following the departures of Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij at the end of their contracts on June 30.
The Nerazzurri are very much active in the summer transfer window as they also seek a replacement for Denzel Dumfries following Marco Palestra’s decision to join Chelsea.
Inter have clear priority in defence
A potential reinforcement at the back might also come from Stamford Bridge as the Nerazzurri are interested in the Blues’ centre-back Chalobah, according to various sources.
Gazzetta confirms that the defender’s agents will soon hold talks with the Nerazzurri, with Como also in the frame with a €25m offer rejected by the Blues last week.
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 31: Nathan Ake of Netherlands stands for the national anthem prior to the international friendly match between Netherlands and Ecuador at Philips Stadion on March 31, 2026 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chalobah’s representatives have already landed in Italy to meet both Como and Inter directors.
Chalobah remains Inter’s priority target in defence, but Gazzetta claims that the Nerazzurri are keeping a close eye on another Premier League defender as well, Aké, who has just entered the final year of his contract at Manchester City.
Manuel Akanji already switched from Man City to Inter last summer, and the Nerazzurri could try to complete a similar loan deal with an obligation to buy if they fail to land Chalobah.
Italy Under-21 international Michael Kayode has signed a new long-term contract with Brentford, just a year after completing the €18m sale from Fiorentina and amid Juventus interest. ‘It’s like a family.’
The versatile full-back, who can play on the right or left side of defence, is set to celebrate his 22nd birthday next week.
EMPOLI, ITALY – MARCH 26: Jeff Ekhator of Italy U21 celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal with Michael Kayode and Luca Kaleosho during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
He was given a very special early gift, as Brentford announced today that he has put pen to paper on a new and improved contract.
It runs to June 2032, with the Premier League club keeping an option to extend for one more year.
Kayode committed to Brentford future
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Michael Kayode of Brentford dries the ball with a towel before taking a long throw-in during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Kayode had spent time in the youth academies of Juventus, Gozzano and Fiorentina before flourishing in the Viola jersey.
He was loaned to Brentford in January 2025 with the option to buy activated for a total fee of €18m last summer.
In his first full season, the Italian made 44 competitive appearances for the club, scoring one goal with two assists, so was nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
“I feel like this club is a family, so I wanted to continue my journey here. I have amazing relationships that make me really like coming in for the morning to train and have fun with my team-mates, the staff and all the people around,” Kayode told the official club website.
“Ever since I joined the club, everything has been amazing. It feels like I’ve been playing for Brentford for 10 years. I’ve improved a lot on the pitch and outside of the pitch. That’s really important for me.”
Despite these performances, he is yet to earn his first senior cap for Italy.
Parma and Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is on sale for €30m, with Juventus reportedly joining Leeds United in showing interest.
The shot-stopper impressed last season in Serie A and further raised his profile in the summer thanks to his performances for Japan at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
GENOA, ITALY – OCTOBER 19: Zion Suzuki of Parma (2nd from L) celebrates with his teammates after the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on October 19, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Following the last-gasp elimination at the hands of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil, Suzuki is now free to focus on the next step in his club career, which is not expected to be at the Stadio Tardini.
Suzuki impressed at World Cup
TOKYO, JAPAN – MAY 31: Zion Suzuki of Japan applauds fans after the international friendly match between Japan and Iceland at MUFG Stadium on May 31, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
It would be an intriguing move, following in the footsteps of Gianluigi Buffon when he went from Parma to Juventus.
Suzuki will celebrate his 24th birthday next month and was born in the United States of America to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, but represents Japan at international level, having grown up there.
Parma paid €8.2m plus add-ons and a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee to buy him from Belgian side Sint-Truiden in 2024.
The Mario Gila situation is increasingly tense, with reports Lazio accepted a €25m offer from Atalanta, but the player is waiting for Milan, Napoli or Juventus.
The central defender is out of contract in July 2027 and negotiations for a new deal have been at a standstill for months.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 13: Mario Gila of SS Lazio reacts during the Coppa Italia final match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, the Aquile expect at least €25m including add-ons to make the sale this summer and have no shortage of interested clubs.
Gila wants step up in career
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Mario Gila of SS Lazio prior the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
According to Sportitalia, Atalanta made a proposal worth €22m plus a further €3m in bonuses, and it was accepted by Lazio.
However, the player is not convinced even with the opportunity to reunite with former Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, as he has his eyes on a bigger club.
After Spain manipulated, tempted and sliced the Austrian press into neat sections on Thursday night, it was difficult to apply much focus on the fact that Unai Simon had set an all-time World Cup record on the same night. The 520 minutes he went without conceding was a record for any goalkeeper in the past 96 years of tournaments, nudging ahead of Italian Walter Zenga by just two minutes, the headline statistic after Spain ended a surreal 16-year wait for a knockout win at the World Cup dating back to the 2010 final, equalling Italy and Switzerland as the only sides to go five games without conceding.
The reason it was so hard to pay any attention to Simon’s record, is that he basically hasn’t done anything to achieve it. In La Roja’s four outings so far, he’s faced six shots on target, none of which particularly taxing. One of two sides yet to concede with Mexico, when Sasa Kalajdzic’s flying header sailed over the bar a few minutes into the second half, it was significant. To date, it was the only real chance from open play that Spain have conceded.
Understandably, much of the focus has been on Spain’s struggles to find the rhythm, tempo and invention that have characterised the side since Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal made it their own at Euro 2024. Perhaps it has been a product of a slightly more conservative use of the ball, knowing that a game of open spaces is not as beneficial to La Roja as it was previously, but there is no escaping the fact that this is the best Luis de la Fuente’s outfit have defended since he came to the job.
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 2, 2026
For the opposition, the sense of vulnerability, that keeping Spain quiet was more important because a goal was within reach, has dissipated. As per Opta, the only area of the pitch where the opposition have more than 55% of touches of the ball is in their own box. Despite averaging over 68% possession, Rodri ranks 9th for tackles (13), Aymeric Laporte has made the joint-fourth most interceptions (9) and is fifth for successful aerial duels (14). No team starts pressing on average as high as Spain do, and their 43 high turnovers lead the tournament. Only Germany (7.6) pip Spain (8.1) in terms of passes per defensive action, but they conceded 3.25 expected goals in their four games, compared to the measly 0.4 that Simon has had to amble over and pick up.
The sharp criticism of Rodri Hernandez so far had been justified, in that his use of the ball had until now had been ponderous. Pedri Gonzalez has also looked a little monotonous rather than relentless, but if there’s something that has been functioning, it is their pressing. The sight of Pau Cubarsi and Laporte cruising back to collect a ball in front of an exasperated and exhausted striker has become the norm. What was in theory the weakest link in their chain has so far been the most reliable. For the first time against Austria, La Roja seemed to recover their identity with the ball, but the earnest attitude and security behind their attacking players has allowed them time to do so.
Image via RFEF.
“It’s very hard to play against Spain, they didn’t make a single mistake,” said Austria manager Ralf Rangnick after the match. “They’re very good, like clockwork, it’s impossible to compete against them tactically.” All of this without mentioning Marc Cucurella, who has stood out more for his marauding forward rather than his defensive work. For context, Zenga set that record behind a 1990 Italy defence including Alessandro Costacurta, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, one that played far less aggressively too.
Reasonably, the reader cries back that Spain are yet to face a side that would strike fear into the backline of any of the World Cup contenders. Next on the menu are Portugal. Should Cubarsi and company dab the side of their mouth after devouring another attack, there will be little denying that Spain’s array of technical players are being escorted by the finest defence in the competition.
Ezri Konsa is gradually getting the recognition he deserves, and it’s led to some interesting transfer links.
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If you’d asked English fans a year ago who their starting central defenders at this World Cup would be, we’re not sure many would have said Ezri Konsa.
Yet he became Thomas Tuchel’s chosen man, and it’s actually John Stones and Marc Guehi who have been shuffled around while Konsa has been a constant.
It’s evidence that the Aston Villa man is potentially underrated – his very solid career has certainly gone under the radar compared to some of his peers. But that could soon change with a move to a title contender mentioned.
Konsa wanted by Arsenal as Saliba cover
The Daily Telegraph today claimed that Arsenal could be in for the 28 year old,
The Gunners are already pretty well stocked in defence, so these rumours have sparked whispers that top man William Saliba may need surgery on a back problem following the World Cup.
That would rule him out for a few months, and make signing an experienced Premier League player like Konsa very sensible.
It’s only described as “tentative” interest by Matt Law, probably in part because the upwardly mobile Villa would demand a huge fee for a key player who is now also an England starter.
In other news…
Ayoubb Bouaddi is a top target for a number of teams this summer, and Lille are able to make some demands.
Bayern Munich haven’t let Germany’s disappointing World Cup hold them back. They’re straight in there to sign a premium defender.
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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard could reportedly be edging closer to a transfer to Galatasaray after personal terms were agreed.
Odegaard’s agent has supposedly been in Istanbul to discuss this deal, with there apparently being no remaining issues now for the Norway international to accept the move.
However, club-to-club talks still need to be finalised, with some discussions taking place so far over a potential €40m deal, according to Turkish journalist Selman Ozturk.
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Galatasaray Martin Odegaard ile her konuda anla?maya vard?. Oyuncunun menajeri Bjorn Kvarme geçen hafta ?stanbul’dayd? ve oyuncu taraf?yla herhangi bir pürüz kalmad?. Arsenal ile pazarl?klarda hedef 40 milyon euro alt? ya da uzun vadeli taksit.
The reporter’s post on X, formerly Twitter, translates as: “Galatasaray has reached an agreement with Martin Odegaard on every matter. The player’s agent, Bjorn Kvarme, was in Istanbul last week, and there are no remaining issues on the player’s side. In negotiations with Arsenal, the target is under 40 million euros or long-term installments.”
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Has the time come for Arsenal to sell Martin Odegaard?
Odegaard has been a huge part of Mikel Arteta’s project at Arsenal, and at one point he was performing so well that he was being hailed as one of the best players in the Premier League.
However, since those heights he hit in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons in particular, Odegaard just hasn’t quite been the same, and a lot of that has been down to recurring injury problems.
Odegaard at Arsenal
Games
Goals
2021/22
40
7
2022/23
45
15
2023/24
48
11
2024/25
45
6
2025/26
36
1
The 27-year-old lifted the Premier League title with Arsenal in the season just gone, but he didn’t contribute as much to it as Arteta or the club’s fans would have hoped, so maybe now would be a good time to sell.
Replacing Odegaard won’t be easy
The issue with gambling on selling Odegaard, however, is that he’s not an easy profile to replace.
On his day, the former Real Madrid youngster is elite at dictating play and contributing high numbers of goals and assists from midfield, whilst also being hard-working when it comes to pressing and doing his defensive duties.
In today’s market, it’s hard to see anyone that similar who’s available for anything other than crazy money.
If Arsenal can make €40m from selling Odegaard, that could help, but it’s still likely to be less than half what’s required when it comes to investing in a similar kind of talent.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is a man in demand this summer, and Lille hold all the cards. Teams are signing up to their demands.
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The World Cup always sees a few stars born, and nobody has entered the public global consciousness quite as much as a certain Ayyoub Bouaddi in the last month.
The Morocco midfielder was already a highly rated wonderkid, but his superb showings for his country in some really big games have really brought him into the spotlight. His composure and class is astonishing at this level for someone so young.
Bouaddi plays it cool over summer move
Transfer site TeamTalk are claiming that multiple teams want to sign him, including Arsenal, Man city and Chelsea. All of them are even apparently willing to play ball with his club Lille over their one main demand.
The French side accept that they will have to sell Bouaddi – but they would like to sell him to a team willing to loan him back to them for the season ahead. Given his age, it’s a solution that teams can be persuaded to agree to.
For his part, it seems the 18 year old is happy to go along with that, or even to just stay put there another year and see what’s on the table after that.
In other news…
Bayern Munich haven’t let Germany’s disappointing World Cup hold them back. They’re straight in there to sign a premium defender.
Chelsea are close to sending a defender to Serie A – but a Premier League swap deal could yet change those plans.
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Nathaniel Brown has joined Bayern Munich for a very handsome fee as the Bavarians look to strengthen.
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Germany are out of the World Cup after a horrible campaign ended with defeat to Paraguay on penalties in the round of 32.
The bad news has meant that their players have been released for their holidays now, which has got the transfer market in the Bundesliga up and running.
Bayern Munich have today confirmed they’ve signed Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt. The left back joins for a hefty €55m fee which appeared to be agreed some time ago.
Munich snap up another top young German talent
Brown was one of the few German players to come away from the tournament with any credit. He only improved his standing – but it wouldn’t have affected the deal anyway. Bayern have had this one wrapped up for a while.
They fended off interest from a number of different teams, including from the Premier League, who had been looking at the former Nurnberg youngster.
Now Bayern can tick off this crucial position and start to look to strengthen in other areas as they aim to improve on a really good season where they showed themselves to be back amongst the best club teams in Europe.
In other news…
Chelsea are close to sending a defender to Serie A – but a Premier League swap deal could yet change those plans.
Barcelona are considering selling a first team regular to the Premier League in order to generate some extra funds for them to spend this summer.
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Manchester United are reportedly making Aurelien Tchouameni and Alex Scott two of their top transfer targets in midfield.
However, the Red Devils also have other options under consideration, including Tchouameni’s Real Madrid and France teammate Eduardo Camavinga.
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See below for more detail as Sky Sports release a video update on Man Utd’s midfielder search, with Tchouameni and Scott seemingly the club’s preferred options, even if Camavinga might be more likely to be available…
"Two of their top targets right now" ??
Aurelien Tchouameni and Alex Scott remain high on Manchester United’s target list for a new midfielder ? pic.twitter.com/e9JR87OLgf
It seems that United are keen to add a second midfield signing after already reportedly having an agreement in place to bring in Ederson from Atalanta, as per BBC Sport‘s recent report.
Even though the Brazilian should be a fine addition at Old Trafford, there clearly seems to be room for another addition in that position.
Tchouameni and Scott are quite different players, but both look like they’d surely be an upgrade on Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to establish himself as a regular during his time at United, and who has also just suffered a serious injury whilst at the World Cup with Uruguay.
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Sky’s report above mentions that Real also have an interest in a midfield signing of their own this summer, with Manchester City’s Rodri on their list.
That should give some encouragement to MUFC, who could do well to take advantage of this situation by landing one of Tchouameni or Camavinga.
Both are fine players, but it perhaps makes sense that Los Blancos are prepared to make some changes to their squad after two seasons in a row of significant under-achievement.
Solana now beats Ethereum on trading volume, active users, and fee revenue. Ethereum still holds the money. Halfway through 2026, the question is no longer who is faster. It is whether the two chains are even running the same race.…
The biggest sporting event on Earth has become the biggest liquidity event in prediction market history. Billions in tournament volume, a $45 billion June across the sector, one very expensive longshot trap, and a CFTC probe arriving right on schedule.…
Check out Argentina's official FIFA World Ranking, coefficient points, and knockout form guide before their 2026 World Cup elimination match against Cape Verde.
The safety net of the opening pool phase has officially evaporated at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving Argentinastanding on the precipice of an unforgiving sudden-death bracket against a historic underdog story in Cape Verde. As Lionel Scaloni’s men look to navigate their way deep into the knockout ecosystem, this unique Round of 32 clash takes center stage at Miami Stadium.
Stepping onto the pitch to initiate their single-elimination campaign, Argentina holds the No. 2 spot in the FIFA Men’s World Rankingwith an elite baseline coefficient of 1,907.40 points. Their African challengers in this do-or-die environment represent a true tournament fairy tale looking to stage the ultimate sporting miracle.
Cape Verde enters the match occupying the 64th position globally on the official Inside FIFA leaderboard, carrying a baseline score of 1,402.97 points. The staggering separation of 62 places between the two camps frames this match as a pure David vs. Goliath script, putting the entirety of the psychological burden squarely on the shoulders of the South American heavyweights.
Group Record and Global Rank
Argentina validated their pre-tournament favorite billing by comfortably dictating the tempo of Group J, securing maximum points while showcasing their signature defensive control.
Cape Verde, conversely, displayed exceptional operational chemistry to navigate a highly volatile pool phase, collecting crucial results to punch their direct elimination ticket.
The table below breaks down the tournament baselines and live ranking metrics for the two sides:
Country
FIFA Rank
Group Phase Points
Goal Difference
Argentina
2nd
9
+5
Cape Verde
64th
4
0
Historical Longevity
Argentina’s return to the absolute pinnacle of the international index came at the perfect time, reclaiming the world No. 1 slot just hours before the opening match of this 2026 World Cup kicked off.
Historically, the Albiceleste have established themselves as an elite pillar of the global game, tracking over 1,680 total days at the summit across their competitive history. Conversely, their historic low floor came during a severe generational transition back in 1996, when they briefly drifted to 24th globally.
Because the mathematical algorithm governing the FIFA ranking applies its highest match-weight value to World Cup knockout assignments, today’s tactical battle features an intensely asymmetrical risk profile. Operating as the second-seeded nation in the world means Scaloni’s squad faces an unforgiving points terrain; a victory in normal time yields minimal point rewards, while a draw or an upset defeat against the 64th-ranked Blue Sharks would trigger an astronomical point penalty.
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after scoring a goal.
Check out Cape Verde's official FIFA World Ranking, coefficient points, and knockout form guide before their historic 2026 World Cup elimination match against Argentina.
The safety net of the opening pool phase has officially evaporated at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving the inspiring underdogs of Cape Verdestanding on the precipice of an unforgiving sudden-death bracket against tournament favorites Argentina.
As the lowest-ranked nation to escape the initial group layer prepares for this historic Round of 32 clash at Miami Stadium, they bring an incredible story of defensive organization to the pitch. Under the latest official metrics verified ahead of kickoff, Cape Verde occupies the 64th position in the FIFA Men’s World Rankingwith an official baseline score of 1,402.97 points.
Cape Verde booked their place in the single-elimination phase by orchestrating one of the most disciplined, resilient defensive campaigns in modern tournament history.
Bubista’s side advanced undefeated out of Group H by logging three consecutive, tactical draws: holding European heavyweights Spain to a 0-0 stalemate, securing a dramatic 2-2 scoreline against Uruguay, and locking down a final 0-0 lock against Saudi Arabia to steal the runner-up ticket.
The table below breaks down the tournament baselines and live ranking metrics for the two sides ahead of the opening whistle:
Country
FIFA Rank
Group Phase Record
Goal Difference
Argentina
2nd
3-0-0 (1st in Group J)
+7
Cape Verde
64th
0-3-0 (2nd in Group H)
0
Historical Context
To put Cape Verde’s presence inside the global top 70 into perspective, the nation’s footballing growth over the last quarter-century represents an astonishing evolution.
The island nation, which features a population of just over 500,000 people, drifted at a lowly all-time bottom floor of 182nd in the world back in 2000. Through methodical tactical modernization, they eventually climbed to a historic competitive peak of 27th globally in February 2014 before stabilizing their modern core.
Australiaenters the knockout stage looking to shatter a historical curse. The Socceroos have never won a match beyond the group phase in the tournament, falling in their two prior attempts in 2006 and 2022. Built on a rock-solid defense that has been nearly impenetrable, Australia will lean on its organization and physical resilience. With the advantage of a seven-day rest period, they have had ample time to prepare for a tactical battle against a technically gifted opponent.
For Egypt, this is uncharted territory and a moment of immense national pride. The Pharaohs have reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, fueled by an unexpectedly dynamic attack that has proven it’s more than just a one-man show. Despite their success, the pressure is immense, and the entire nation holds its breath over the fitness of star player Mohamed Salah. This match represents a golden opportunity for Egypt to make a definitive statement on the global stage.
Tactical Analysis & Match Context
The group stage painted a clear picture of two teams with contrasting strengths. Australia advanced through a mix of grit and tactical discipline, securing one win, one draw, and a loss to the host nation USA. Their progress was built on a formidable defense that conceded just two goals, but their attack has struggled to create consistent chances, ranking near the bottom of the competition for expected goals per shot.
Egypt, meanwhile, navigated their group unbeaten, showcasing an attacking flair that saw five different players find the net. Their direct, high-energy style has caused problems for opponents, but it has also exposed defensive vulnerabilities, with the team conceding in every match. The tactical clash will be a classic test of strength vs. strength: Australia‘s rigid, organized backline against Egypt‘s fluid and varied attacking movements.
The motivations for both squads are incredibly high, as a first-ever knockout stage victory is on the line. For Australia, it’s about breaking a long-standing barrier and seeking a measure of revenge for a 2021 Olympics defeat to Egypt. For the Pharaohs, it’s about capitalizing on a historic achievement and proving their footballing pedigree extends beyond their continental dominance. Expect a cagey start, as neither side will want to commit an early, fatal error in such a high-stakes encounter.
Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends
Official competitive meetings between Australia and Egypt are non-existent, making this a fresh and unpredictable matchup. The only time these two nations have faced each other was in a 2010 international friendly, which Egypt comfortably won 3-0. This lack of a shared history adds another layer of intrigue to this knockout tie.
Looking at their records against teams from each other’s confederations provides some context. In their World Cup history, Australia has faced African opponents twice, recording a win against Tunisia in 2022 and a draw. Egypt has played against Asian teams twice in the tournament, securing a draw against Iran in the current competition’s group stage and suffering one loss previously.
All signs point towards a tight, low-scoring affair. The match has been assigned one of the lowest goal lines of the entire Round of 32, suggesting that chances will be at a premium. While Egypt‘s last four games have seen both teams score, Australia’s defensive record is stellar, with two clean sheets in three group matches. However, Egypt‘s matches have consistently produced a high volume of shots, which could test the Socceroos‘ defensive resolve over 90 minutes or more.
Squad News & Projected Lineups
Both managers face key selection decisions, with Egypt sweating over fitness concerns while Australia contends with tournament-ending injuries to key personnel.
Australia‘s campaign has been hit by the loss of midfielders Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie, who are both out for the remainder of the tournament with groin and hamstring injuries, respectively. Their absence limits Tony Popovic‘s options in the middle of the park and on the wing, placing more pressure on the starting eleven to perform.
Egypt‘s primary concern revolves around the hamstring injury to Mohamed Salah, although he has been spotted in training, raising hopes he will be fit to start. The Pharaohs are also expecting the return of Hamdy Fathy and Hossam Abdelmaguid, but Mohamed Abdelmonem and Ahmed El Fotouh remain significant doubts. To compound their issues, midfielder Mohanad Lasheen is unavailable due to suspension.
Australia Projected XI (3-4-3): Beach; Souttar, Circati, Herrington; Behich, Irvine, O’Neill, Bos; Volpato, Metcalfe, Irankunda. This lineup emphasizes defensive stability with the towering presence of Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati alongside breakout teenage star Lucas Herrington. The formation relies on wing-backs to provide width, while the attack will look to the pace of Nestory Irankunda and the creative spark of Cristian Volpato to unlock the Egyptian defense.
Egypt Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Shobeir; Hafez, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hany; Saber, Ateya; Ashour, Salah, Ziko; Marmoush. This setup is contingent on the availability of Mohamed Salah, who would operate in a central creative role just behind the main striker, Omar Marmoush. The duo of Saber and Ateya will be tasked with protecting a backline that has shown some weaknesses, while the team’s attacking width will come from Emam Ashour and Mostafa Zizo.
More details on how to watch
You can watch the Australia vs Egypt match on Fubo. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and gaming consoles, as well as web browsers and mobile apps for iOS and Android.
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A subscription to Fubo costs just $14.99 per month. This plan gives you access to all live matches, on-demand content, and exclusive analysis, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action from North America and beyond.
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Check out Egypt's official FIFA World Ranking, coefficient point totals, and knockout form guide before their 2026 World Cup elimination match against Australia.
History will inevitably be written under the lights of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. For the first time in their modern footballing history, Egypthas pierced through the group stage phase of a FIFA World Cup, setting up an intriguing Round of 32 clash against Australiawhere neither country has ever won a single-elimination match at this tournament.
As head coach Hossam Hassan maps out a strategy to continue this unprecedented summer run, Egypt commands the 26th position in the FIFA Men’s World Rankingwith a coefficient baseline of 1,584.71 points. The tactical hurdle blocking the Pharaohs’ path to the Round of 16 is an exceptionally compact Asian side mirroring their exact tier on the international ladder.
Australia occupies the 28th spot globallyunder the stewardship of Tony Popovic, holding a narrow advantage with 1,581.35 ranking points. This paper-thin margin of just two places on the official Inside FIFA leaderboard sets the stage for an incredibly balanced, low-margin knockout event.
Group Standings and Form Metrics
The path to Texas saw Egypt showcase immense adaptability in Group G, remaining entirely undefeated by drawing with heavyweight favorites Belgium, taking down New Zealand 3-1, and grinding out a 1-1 tactical draw against Iran.
Australia, conversely, leaned strictly on defensive discipline in Group D, rebounding from a loss against the United States to shut out Türkiye and secure a 0-0 qualifying draw with Paraguay.
The table below breaks down the tournament baselines and live ranking metrics for the two sides:
Country
FIFA Rank
Group Phase Record
Goal Difference
Australia
28th
1-1-1 (2nd in Group D)
0
Egypt
26th
1-2-0 (2nd in Group G)
+2
Historical Context
Evaluating Egypt’s trajectory over the long term illuminates the recovery process the national team has undergone over the last decade. The Pharaohs reached an legendary all-time peak back in December 2010, when a dominant hat-trick of Africa Cup of Nations trophies propelled them to 9th in the world.
Following a severe structural transition phase that saw them collapse to a historical floor of 75th globally in 2013, the program has firmly re-established itself among the global elite.
Mohamed Salah #10 of Egypt celebrates with Mostafa Zico.
Check out Australia's official FIFA World Ranking, coefficient point totals, and knockout form guide before their 2026 World Cup elimination match against Egypt.
Australia and Egypt are set to face off in a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 showdown at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is a massive, do-or-die elimination match where continental prestige meets sudden-death stakes.
As both nations chase their first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout game, Tony Popovic’s side is bracing for an intensely physical battle. Looking at the latest global metrics verified right before kickoff, Australia holds the 28th position in the FIFA Men’s World Rankingwith a coefficient baseline of 1,581.35 points.
The challenge awaiting the Socceroos features a technical African power running completely parallel to them on the global ladder. Egypt occupies the 26th spot worldwide, commanding 1,584.71 ranking points.
Merging Form and Standing
Australia built their way into the single-elimination bracket by leaning heavily on a rigid defensive identity in Group D. After stumbling against the United States, they grounded out a 0-0 draw with Paraguay and punched their knockout ticket via a clinical 2-0 victory over Türkiye.
Egypt, meanwhile, cruised through Group G completely undefeated, showing elite tactical awareness by holding heavyweights Belgium to a stalemate and dismantling New Zealand.
The table below outlines the tournament metrics and global rankings for both opponents ahead of the opening whistle:
Country
FIFA Rank
Points
Goal difference
Australia
28th
4
0
Egypt
26th
5
+2
Historical Trajectories
The current 28th-place baseline for the Socceroos represents a steady, disciplined stabilization window within the AFC confederation.
Historically, the Australian program hit its absolute competitive ceiling during the golden generation of September 2001, when a dominant run propelled them to 14th in the world. Conversely, their absolute structural floor occurred during a difficult transition cycle in 2014, when they drifted down to 102nd globally.
With the hopes of a nation holding its breath, the ultimate question dominates the countdown to kickoff: will their warrior be fit to take the pitch, and how will these two nations deploy their forces for this sudden-death epic?
A cloud of agonizing uncertainty hangs over Egypt as it marches into a monumental Round of 32 collision with Australia. The fate of its legendary captain, Mohamed Salah, hangs in the balance following a devastating hamstring strain. With the hopes of a nation holding its breath, the ultimate question dominates the countdown to kickoff: will their warrior be fit to take the pitch, and how will these two nations deploy their forces for this sudden-death epic?
Australia reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group D. The Socceroos opened with a 2-0 victory over Turkey, suffered a defeat against the United States, and then secured qualification with a goalless draw against Paraguay.
Although Australia has scored only two goals during the tournament, its defensive displays have been among the strongest in the group stage. Tony Popovic’s side has conceded just twice, relying on organization and discipline rather than attacking flair.
Egypt also arrives with confidence after making history by advancing beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time. The Pharaohs remained unbeaten, drawing with Belgium and Iran while defeating New Zealand, collecting five points to finish second in Group G on goal difference.
Emam Ashour #8 of Egypt celebrates with teammates.
The African representative has already matched its total goal output from several previous World Cup appearances combined, scoring five goals during the group phase. That attacking improvement has given Hossam Hassan’s side belief heading into its biggest match in decades.
Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar of Australia
Will Mohamed Salah play?
The biggest question surrounding Egypt has centered on the condition of captain Mohamed Salah after he suffered a hamstring strain during the draw against Iran. The Liverpool legend left the match in the 57th minute before beginning an intensive rehabilitation program.
Egypt has now received encouraging news ahead of the knockout clash, with Salah cleared to play against Australia after returning to full training with the squad. However, his minutes are expected to be carefully managed, and Hossam Hassan has not guaranteed that his captain will start the match.
Mohamed Salah #10 of Egypt participates in the training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Australia
Hassan explained the situation carefully to the media: “Salah is a passionate player and he is very much looking forward to making his own contribution.” The coach also emphasized that caution remains essential: “I’m not going to run any risk unless I’m 100% sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow. We look forward to him playing tomorrow, but we’re not sure if he’s going to be in the starting lineup.”
‘s stance on a potential heavyweight battle with has been made perfectly clear. Usyk vacated his WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles last week, but insisted that he will have one more fight before hanging up his gloves. It appears that the frontrunner for that clash is former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder, with the pair […]
As England prepare for Sunday's blockbuster World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico, St George's Crosses are once again appearing on homes, cars and pub windows as fans rally behind the Three Lions' bid to end 60 years of hurt.
But while major tournaments have long been a time for supporters to proudly display the England flag, many now feel its meaning has become more complicated.
Independent readers have been weighing in on whether the St George's Cross can still act as a unifying national symbol, revealing a deeply divided picture.
For some, criticism of the flag reflects “hypocrisy and double standards”, with English identity seen as unfairly stigmatised compared with other UK nations. Others argued the issue is not the symbol itself, but how it has been used – particularly by groups perceived to project exclusion or intimidation.
A dominant theme was that the flag has been “tainted” or “weaponised”, with several readers linking its display to political extremism or aggressive behaviour. This, they suggest, has led to a wider reluctance among many to display it, even during major sporting events.
Others pushed back on this, insisting the flag belongs to everyone and should be reclaimed as a symbol of inclusion and shared identity in a diverse, modern Britain.
Here’s what you had to say:
The double standards are apparent
It’s the left who have created the hatred for the flag and England. They celebrate flags and nationalism of every UK country except England. The hypocrisy and double standards are very apparent. You are made to feel ashamed and guilty to be English, whilst celebrated if Scottish or Welsh.
When I see an England flag I think, oh God, someone’s going to be upset but it isn’t me because I don’t care – it’s just a flag. When I see grown men, predominantly men, marching about shouting the odds, the flag is the last thing that bothers me. It’s their noise, their message, behaviour and demeanour – they could be carrying dishcloths or ribbon.
The effect is only working because we’re letting it. Imagine if it were ignored, no reference made, no having to take back control because it didn’t have control anyway. There are more conversations about bloody flags, whoever or whatever they are meant to represent, than there are about poverty. And I know what at least one of you will say – well I don’t care about that either.
The flag has been tainted by those who choose to fly it everywhere as a means to mark their territory, no better than dogs leaving their scent at lampposts. It isn’t an act of patriotism; it is meant to threaten those they perceive as ‘don’t belong’. It actually makes me think twice about putting the flag up during England games, but I will raise it today in defiance of these people – take back the flag!
I am a native-born Brit with many generations in the past. I’ve had ‘clients’ who were mid-level members of The Firm and others who are/were from the upper echelons of British popular culture. My genealogy could sit in a room on its own and qualify as a United Nations meeting, with about six member countries absent. The flag of St George is my flag too.
A flag is a symbol, a ‘standard’ that is meant to identify and unite all of those within a certain group. The UK has a diverse ethno-cultural history, and London, its capital, is regarded as one of the world’s most ethnically diverse cities, with over 170 different languages spoken every day.
…and you’re telling me that some scrawny knuckle-dragger who points at a picture of egg and chips on the menu when ordering food abroad is supposed to be the only person who can claim ownership of this flag?
It’s not about where you’re from. It’s about where you are now and what you want to do from here. You want to be part of my country, to help it grow, to drive its future? Welcome.
You want to spread division and hatred? There’s the door – get out. Oh, and leave the flag behind. It’s not for you.
The union flag should only be allowed to be flown from public offices, and the country’s flag should only be allowed to be flown from public offices on that country’s public holiday (e.g. St George’s Day in England). No private individual should be allowed to fly any flag, nor should any flags be flown from lampposts or painted on roads or walls.
Moreover, the union flag and the country’s flag should be treated with respect and never used for publicity, commercial or otherwise, design or decoration, or at political rallies. Northern Ireland should be treated differently, with both the union flag and the flag of the Republic of Ireland flown from public offices, with some relaxing of the rule for private residences.
It’s really sad. It was reclaimed from the far right but they have been allowed to have it back. I live in a very multi-ethnic area and a few years ago, if England was in a tournament – World Cup or Euros – there would be St George’s crosses up and down the street. I doubt there will be for the World Cup in the summer.
Clearly not in Bristol. There are still many roads lined with intimidating Union and St George flags. They are illegally placed there by neo-fascist groups to specifically threaten immigrants and those who don’t agree with their odious racist views. But when contacted, the council refuses to remove them, seeming to agree with the sentiments they express. Why?
Before Euro 96, although nearly everyone incorrectly called it something else, the English regarded the Union Flag as their national flag without any complication. It was not even a question. In my childhood, no one would have had any idea what Saint George’s Flag was outside certain ecclesiastical circles that were obscure even in the 1980s, but around which I did happen to grow up.
The 1966 World Cup Final is probably on YouTube – check which flag most of the English fans were waving. The present medieval revival was initiated 30 years later, which was in my adult lifetime, to sell bad beer to football’s new middle-class audience, who were the only people who could still afford the tickets – or the beer. That revival predates devolution or anything like that. But we do have it now. It can be used to advantage.
The Welsh dragon has been voted the world’s coolest flag, a sign of identity, and as it flutters in the wind it seems to be alive. The English flag is now seen by many as a sign of hate and intolerance, remembering that the Reformers decreed, initially, only the Union Jack and Cross of St George (not even an English saint) could be put on council buildings.
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London City Lionesses sign Danish international Thomsen
London City Lionesses have completed the signing of Danish international ace Janni Thomsen on a two-year deal.
WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Pride this afternoon.
The 26-year-old, who can operate at full-back or in midfield, joins London City Lionesses from American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club Utah Royals. Thomsen has spent 15 months in the United States.
Thomsen started out in her native Denmark with VSK Aarhus before enjoying a successful spell with Vålerenga where she made more than 100 competitive appearances.
On the international stage, Thomsen has been capped by Denmark on 57 occasions in which she has scored 11 goals.
After joining London City Lionesses, Thomsen said “I’m very proud to join London City. I have always wanted to play in the Women’s Super League. For me, this is the best league in the world. I’m excited to learn and experience this type of football.
“Last year, I moved to the USA which has been a great experience, now I feel ready for this adventure here in England which I’m really looking forward to.
“This project is a serious project. They have big ambitions. I’m excited to come home to Europe and to get started.”
Thomsen is London City Lionesses’ third signing of the summer transfer window.
FILE PHOTO - German football coach Juergen Klopp speaks on stage at the Telekom press conference to present the concept for the World Cup. Felix Hörhager/dpa
Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp wants to become Germany coach, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Friday after announcing Julian Nagelsmann's resignation following their early World Cup exit.
"With regard to filling the coaching post, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jürgen Klopp," a statement said.
"He has already signalled his fundamental willingness to take on the position."
German national Klopp is currently head of Red Bull's global football operations.
The 59-year-old, who clinched two German championships with Borussia Dortmund before winning the Premier League and Champions League, left Liverpool two years ago saying he wanted a break from the touchline.
Nagelsmann's fate was sealed after the four-time men's champions lost 4-3 on penalties against outsiders Paraguay in the first knock-out round game on Monday, with most of the media criticism directed at the coach.
"Stakeholder representatives and the supervisory board of DFB GmbH & Co. KG on Friday unanimously decided, on the proposal of DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, to immediately terminate the contractual relationship with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann," the DFB added.
"Nagelsmann had already asked in a confidential conversation with the federation's leadership the previous day to be released from his duties. The stakeholder representatives and supervisory board have now granted that request."
First World Cup penalties defeat
The former Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich coach, 38, landed the national team job in September 2023 when succeeding Hansi Flick.
He oversaw 37 matches, of which Germany won 23, with seven draws and seven defeats. He led the team to the quarter-finals of the home Euros in 2024, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Spain, and into the Nations League finals last year.
Nagelsmann then targeted a fifth World Cup title in North America.
After winning their first two matches, 7-1 against Curaçao and 2-1 in stoppage time against Ivory Coast, Germany lost the last group game 2-1 against Ecuador and then a penalty shoot-out for the first time at the global event following a 1-1 draw with Paraguay.
His tactics at the World Cup and brusque manner with players such as Deniz Undav, as well as some reporters, also appear to have contributed to his departure.
Reports have speculated the DFB wanted the coach gone but asked him to quit so his severance pay would not be as large as if they sacked him. His contract ran until 2028.
Departing coach 'deeply sorry'
Nagelsmann said: "The decision was anything but easy for me. My top goal was always the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance of a fresh start free of baggage."
To Germany fans, he added: "I am deeply sorry and it hurts that we disappointed you and were not able to give you any more football nights at this World Cup. You would have deserved much more!"
His two assistants Benjamin Glück and Benjamin Hübner will also leave the DFB. Managing director for sport Andreas Rettig will also quit at the end of the year but there was no mention about the future of sporting director and 1990 World Cup winner Rudi Völler.
Nagelsmann reported to Völler and was largely his choice.
Völler said: "Following a World Cup exit that was a disappointment for absolutely everyone, Julian’s decision deserves our respect.
"He is taking responsibility in an area where he would have liked to continue shaping the team’s future, and is putting the national team as a whole before his own interests."
Nagelsmann started his tenure as Germany coach with a training session in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in October 2023 and the town close to Boston also saw his final appearance as Paraguay prevailed.
A bullish Nagelsmann ruled out resigning immediately after the match.
It was the third early World Cup exit in a row for Germany, but unlike in 2018 and 2022 when Joachim Löw and Flick were retained despite not getting out of the group, the DFB has taken action.
A number of former Germany players hit out at Nagelsmann for recalling goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from international retirement, not playing captain Joshua Kimmich in midfield and not attending enough games to watch his players or opponents before the tournament.
Regular visits from family members at the World Cup also surprised pundits, who felt the squad should be concentrating on football.
Germany's next match is their Nations League start on September 24 in the Netherlands. Greece and Serbia are the other opponents in the group stage which runs until November.
The DFB will hope to have Klopp in place long before then but must first agree a deal with Red Bull's sports division, which runs clubs around the world such as RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls.
Klopp is still at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada as a MagentaTV pundit.
He would have a big job on his hands given Germany have struggled across tournaments since winning the World Cup under Löw in 2014.
Asked at this World Cup about replacing Nagelsmann when Germany went out, Klopp told Magenta: "I understand that my name is brought into play. But it is not the right moment to talk about it."
He caused a furore earlier in the tournament when he said Nagelsmann was in the job "for now." Klopp apologized for the joke.
FILE PHOTO - Red Bull Head of Global Soccer Juergen Klopp speaks as TV analyst during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ahead of the Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium (Mexico City Stadium). Klopp wants to succeed Julian Nagelsmann as Germany boss, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Friday. Tom Weller/dpaGerman national team coach Julian Nagelsmann walks through Charlotte Douglas International Airport before his flight home after Germany's defeat to Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jan Woitas/dpa
TORONTO, ONTARIO — Ask almost any fan at Thursday's FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match in Toronto about the best player on their favored team and you're going to get descriptions of the highest admiration, words that will dare you to call out exaggeration.
But don't you dare when it comes to Portuguese fans and Cristiano Ronaldo or Croatian supporters and Luka Modric.
Now note that Modric, 40, and Ronaldo, 41, had defied time just to participate in this tournament and that one was likely to be playing his last World Cup game on this sweltering occasion in Ontario. While Portugal fans told me they feared a day without CR7 in their shirt, a Croatian supporter made an even bolder proclamation.
"In our country there's Jesus Christ and then there's Luka Modric right after.," said Krunoslav Ljubanopic from nearby Mississauga. "I'm going to be completely honest with you. If Modric plays his last game we're all going to cry. He's played with us since 2006 World Cup. I was four years old when he played his first World Cup. He means a lot to us."
Furthermore, consider that this massive metropolis and its surrounding region — the Greater Toronto Area or GTA — has long been home to massive and fervent Portuguese and Croatian populations.
And finally, consider that many in this crowd had the added desperation and desire to celebrate given the fact that so many spent a good deal of savings on getting here as outlandish resale prices spiked when the identities of these two massive teams were confirmed for this big fixtures.
— Jermaine Wilson | CP24/CTV News (@Jerrmainewilson) July 2, 2026
Toronto’s history formed the perfect cauldron for Portugal vs Croatia
Almost half a million Canadians boast Portuguese heritage, and more than 110,000 live in the Greater Toronto Area according to the 2021 census, contributing to a figure of 300,000-plus in Ontario.
Canadians with Croatian heritage also make up a notable portion of the Ontario population, with nearly 100,000 in the state and a passionate base in Toronto.
The history looms larger because of Toronto Croatia, who purchased Toronto Metros in 1975 and became Toronto Metros-Croatia. This team, ironically enough, was propelled to great heights in the North American Soccer League with Portuguese legend Eusebio — the Black Pearl — helping to lead them to a Soccer Bowl '76 triumph over the Minnesota Kicks.
So the spirit around the stadium was pretty friendly before the game. After all, those who'd celebrate Modric would've cheered on Ronaldo when both were with Real Madrid, and vice versa.
"The fact that it's here with so much on the line with two massive players," said Marco Carvalho of Toronto. "One reaches the end, one goes on. It's a big deal."
Croatia fans made noise early in warm-ups but Portugal turned up the juice upon arrival, greeting even Ronaldo's kicks into empty goals with "Siiiiiiuuuuuuuuu."
And then came Ronaldo pumped up the crowd as a VAR review was announced for a possible penalty with Croatia up 1-0.
Then, the explosion as Ronaldo started his penalty run-up, stopped it, and deposited the ball into the vacated part of the goal. Chaos. Jubilation. Waves of noise that crashed with more and more power.
Ironically, of course, Portugal would find their winner from their other center forward after Ronaldo had subbed out of the game. The noise was no less powerful, though, as the Portuguese faithful celebrated the extended life in this tournament at the expense of Croatia. Ronaldo was asked about Modric after the game.
"Yeah I spoke with him," Ronaldo said. "He's a legend of football. I played so many years together with him at Real Madrid. I hope he continues to play."
Croatia's end to the tournament was less celebratory, of course, and the moment will remain rife with controversy. The spectacle of cups and other trash tossed onto the field was unwelcome and unnecessary yet human in that it came as they processed the drop from ecstasy to despair so deep in stoppage time.
Generational passion links Croatian Canadians and Portuguese Canadians
So many Croatians and Portuguese came to Canada in the middle of the 20th century, and to a person they love their nation they adopted as home.
But that only extends so far in sports. The Raptors? Sure. The Blue Jays? of course. But the World Cup?
"It's not the same passion for the game in general, maybe in different sports," said Maja Mandaric of Toronto, who was attending the game with her brothers Ante and Kristian. "I've always cheered for Cro. It's amazing to see Canada as a host but I'm not going to switch over now."
And there's pride in what their elders have built in Canada on behalf of the lands they left behind.
"It means a lot for the Portuguese population in Toronto," said Alessia Carvalho at the game with her father Marco. "My grandparents are immigrants. They came here. They worked hard. They showed the culture what it is to be Portuguese. Soccer is in our blood, in our veins."
Ljubanovic took it a step further.
"It's a religion, that's all I can say," he added. "We live and die for our country. Our families fought in the wars for a free Croatia. Thirty years ago we were not a country. Now we have more medals than England in the last 60 years, more medals than Italy, I think Brazil."
The history may be recent but is woven into the fabric of Croatia. John Saric of Manhattan, New York, has been to over 120 Croatian games including the 2018 World Cup Final.
"The scale of it... I'm going to talk on behalf of Luka and Croatia," Saric said. "We have a population of 3.9 million in Croatia. I grew up playing for the Croatian soccer club in New York. Here in Mississauga it's huge. Look, I'm getting chills just talking about it. We were freedom fighters. We fought for for a free Croatia In 94, [Davor] Suker, [Zvonimir] Boban, and the Golden Generation couldn't play because Yugoslavia qualified. For Luka it's all about the country, not his individualism. Luka doesn't have the notoriety of Ronaldo but the support they have in the Croatian community is incredible."
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michael Block is one of us. Sure, the 50-year-old golfer is better at the game than we are, but at his core, he is the guy lacing up his FootJoys in the parking lot. The guy with a flask in his bag, taking a sip of hootch for every birdie – and two sips for every triple bogey. The guy who helps you look for your ball in the woods.
The guy who, well, you get the picture. Block is You. And me.
Listen to him at the 46th U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club describe what it is like to play with younger playing partners who hit the ball farther than he could imagine.
“You know, I don’t care if you’re out playing with your three buddies at your local club or you’re playing in a tour event or a major, it feels exactly the same to be 25 yards behind the other three players,” Block said, adding that now that he is old enough for the PGA Champions Tour (50–and-over), he no longer is the shortest hitter in the field.
Have you ever walked to the first tee wondering if you’ll hit the ball left, right or not at all? So has Block.
“One of my big battles that I used to do is have a lot of negative thoughts,” he said. “I would be over the golf ball and question if I was going to hit a good shot.”
The “gulp” moments still pop up occasionally, but Block has begun telling himself he can, not he can’t.
“I started having a mantra of, ‘Why not? Why not me? Why not hit a good shot?’ ", he said. “I used to write ‘why not’ on my golf ball for probably three, four, five years. Now I think more about how I’m going to react, making the shot or making the putt, which is what you see. I make a putt, I have a reaction, and that’s an on-purpose thing because that was a premeditated thing that I’m thinking about before I even putt it.”
Good advice for amateurs.
More “Blockisms” to copy?
"I didn’t lose my s***, so that was good,” he said after shooting a scrambling 2-over 72 during the July 2 opening round of the national senior championship. “I can lose my s*** and I didn’t today, because, to be honest, it was mainly 99% my fault. When it’s my fault, I just look in the imaginary mirror … and try to learn what I’ve been doing wrong and try to fix it.”
Michael Block's 'Everyman' personality is no act
Is Block’s Everyman persona genuine? I believe so. My instincts are not always on the mark, but when it comes to golfers I’m usually more right than wrong. Hey, I thought Phil Mickelson was a phony from Day 1. And guess what? Ding, ding, ding.
Block is no fraud. That doesn’t mean he’s going to show up at Raymond Memorial as a single with a pull cart anytime soon, but unlike the vast majority of touring professionals, he believes doing so isn't beneath him.
Then again, Block does not consider himself a touring professional. He is first and foremost a family man, then a PGA teaching pro, based out of Southern California, followed by whatever you want to call his job this week at Scioto, where he is one of 156 players competing for the $800,000 first-place prize, having qualified for the Open three weeks ago.
“I’m a club professional first. I’m not a tour pro first,” Block said. “I’m a tour pro probably third or fourth. Basically, my job is to go out there and make sure that everybody at the club is having a great time, and customer service.”
Block always seems to be having fun. Yes, his performance as an entertaining fan favorite includes some schtick – he has USA shaved into the back of his head to celebrate the USMNT in the World Cup, as well as the July 4 holiday – but he genuinely enjoys interacting with fans and fellow players, as well as telling it like it is.
“I wear my personality on my sleeve. I’m not shy. I’m not afraid to say anything I need to say,” he said. “I love to talk. I love to go out, and I love to have a good time.”
Fine, fine. But can he play? Quick answer: yes. But some background is needed.
Block burst onto the golf scene at the 2023 PGA Championship, where he made a hole-in-one during the final round and finished tied for 15th, the highest finish for a club pro in decades. He extended his 15-minutes of fame with appearances in two more PGA Tour events, as well as receiving an exemption into the 2023 Australian Open.
Golfer Michael Block has some 'homebody' in him
After turning 50 on June 15, he received a sponsor invite into the Dick’s Open on the Champions Tour, tying for ninth. He may not have enough game to consistently compete on the PGA Tour, but it’s solid enough to hang with the seniors.
Block just isn’t certain that touring life is for him. He hopes to give it a try for a few years, just to see if he can make a living at it. But he is content to keep showing up at his club every day to help members hone their games.
“I mentioned to my family that I kind of want to do a two-year thing out here,” he said. “Do two years and then give up the whole tournament golf part of it after that. I know that 50 to 55 out here is kind of the prime. So for me personally, I think, if I could just do whatever I can for the first two years.”
If he is killing it against the gray hairs, two years could turn into four or five, but only if he is contending week to week.
“If I’m out here struggling, I’m out here getting 45th every time, I don't really want to go spend a week away from home and a week away from my family and a week away from my club finishing 45th and not having fun. If I’m out here playing decent for a living and having fun with everyone out there, it makes it a lot better and then you’d probably see me more often. But I don’t plan on doing this for that long. I don't really want it to be my job. Six, seven, eight events a year, something in that range would be absolutely ideal.”
The calendar has turned to July, which means the temperature is going to get even hotter across the entire country. Likewise, there are a few division races that have gotten pretty hot over the last couple of weeks in Major League Baseball . Here’s our weekly power rankings of all 30 MLB teams from worst to first as the dog days of summer begin.
Jun 23, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) hits a single in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
#30: Colorado Rockies. They still have the worst record in the league, and there isn’t much hope on the horizon.
#29: Kansas City Royals. They’ve cratered over the last week and have actually managed to fall to the level of the Rockies. The front office likely regrets giving manager Matt Quatraro that 3-year extension this winter.
#28: Los Angeles Angels. They’re so bad that they can’t even compete in the worst division in baseball. Nothing will change here until Arte Moreno sells this team. Firing Perry Minasian is akin to changing the head chef on a sinking ocean liner.
#27: New York Mets. The dumpster fire that has been the Metropolitans’ 2026 season is now fully ablaze, and in this summer heat it stinks.
#26: San Francisco Giants. There are a handful of teams that could lose 100 games this season, and the Giants are one of them.
A Mixed Bag
Mar 29, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (16) at bat in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
#25: Boston Red Sox. Even sweeping the Yankees doesn’t change the fact that this season has been a bust in Bean Town. The four straight home wins probably made the fans happy for a fleeting moment, but the reality is they still stink.
#24: Detroit Tigers. There isn’t much to pay attention to here other than the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes.
#23: Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles seem like a nice car that somebody drove into a swamp. Now we just have to watch helplessly as the car sinks further and further into the muck and mire.
#22: Cincinnati Reds. They are likely done at this point. The division is out of reach, and the wild card is pretty far out of reach. There’s enough young talent that they can reload and run it back next year with a few bullpen upgrades and some better luck with injuries.
#21: Toronto Blue Jays. There was some hope that when they got healthy, the team could hop into the wild card race in the AL. They aren’t dead, thanks to the dismal state of the AL, but they aren’t doing themselves any favors by dropping 7 games in their last 10.
#20: The Athletics. This team is sliding back and should soon be out of this weird three-legged donkey race that’s happening in the AL West. Just wait until they take the field in Vegas in 2028.
#19: Minnesota Twins. The Twins are just another turd floating in the cesspool that we’re calling the American League wild card race. They’re 4 games under .500 and right in the mix.
Playoffs? Maybe?
May 27, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) rounds the bases after he hits a home run against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
#18: Houston Astros. The American League, in general, is pretty disgusting this season. The Stros sit 3 games under .500, yet are just 2.5 games behind both a wild card spot and 1st place in the AL Waste….I mean West. Aside from Hunter Brown and Yordan Alvarez, this team is terrible.
#17: San Diego Padres. Their record is starting to reflect how bad a team they truly are. A 6-game losing streak has them right at .500, and I think there are worse days coming. Their farm system is one of the worst in the league, so AJ Preller is going to be pretty handcuffed at the deadline.
#16: Arizona Diamondbacks. The division isn’t happening, but a wild card spot is possible. The lineup is good enough to keep them relevant, but the pitching isn’t. Their current .500 record feels about right.
#15: Pittsburgh Pirates. The Bucs are at a crossroads right now as they sit at .500, just a handful of games out of an NL wild card spot. It’s a pretty big group of teams in the race, and it will be interesting to see if Ben Cherington makes a move to add to this roster. If they added Aroldis Chapman, that would move the needle. But can they add him to the roster when he’s actually in demand?
#14: Washington Nationals. Another young team that is having a great season. Like the Bucs and Cards, the Nats have the misfortune of playing in a division with other really good teams. The pitching staff isn’t anywhere close to good enough to compete this season, but this offense is super fun to watch.
#13: St. Louis Cardinals. Similar to the Pirates and White Sox, the Cardinals are a young team that’s ahead of schedule. They need a bona fide ace starting pitcher to anchor this rotation, but will they pull the trigger to add at the deadline? I tend to think they’ll wait until the offseason to address those needs.
#12: Miami Marlins. Well, look who’s caught fire a little bit. The Marlins have thrown a bit of a monkey wrench into the front office’s rebuild plan with a recent hot stretch that has them just a game out of a wild-card spot. Long term, it’s still better that they sell at the deadline, but this has been fun.
Contenders?
Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) celebrates with catcher Cal Raleigh (29) after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the third inning during game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
#11: Seattle Mariners. They’re still stuck in second gear, but they’re tied for first in the West. All of their pitching should eventually separate them from the pack. If Cal Raleigh can wake up, this team will take off.
#10: Cleveland Guardians. Life without Jose Ramirez has been rough, but the Guardians are scrappy. They aren’t going away as they sit tied with Chicago at the top of the AL Central.
#9: Texas Rangers. If I asked you who the best team in the American League was over the last month of the season, how many guesses would it take before you said the Rangers? Before we get too excited, their record is 16-11, and there are about 6 NL teams with better records over that same span. But hey, they’re sitting in 1st place.
#8: Chicago Cubs. The streaky Cubs are riding the hot bats of Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow Armstrong and have won 9 of their last 10 games. If they can add another pitcher and get a few other arms healthy, they might be good enough to win a wild-card round.
#7: Chicago White Sox. They haven’t gone away, and they may be too young and dumb to realize that they aren’t supposed to be in this position yet. Like the other young teams that are ahead of schedule, we’ll have to wait and see if the front office is willing to make moves to add to the roster. The Sox just might since the AL is so wide open.
#6: New York Yankees. What happened? With this pitching staff, how do they manage to lose 7 straight games? That’s right, the offense stinks. They have only averaged about 2.5 runs a game over the last week. They better figure something out soon since Aaron Judge is still a couple of weeks away.
Top 5
Jun 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
#5: Philadelphia Phillies. Things are getting real in the NL East. The Phils are right on the Braves’ heels now after another hot week. It feels like it’s just a matter of time before the two teams flip-flop in the standings and in our rankings.
#4: Atlanta Braves. Robert Suarez has now joined the ranks of the walking wounded and has landed on the IL with a sore elbow. The boat is leaking in a few places, and Alex Anthopoulos had better start working the phones to bring in some reinforcements. Hurston Waldrep could give them a shot in the arm, but it’s a big ask to think he’s the guy who will save this season.
#3: Tampa Bay Rays. The best team in the American League. Yep, the Rays are the prettiest pigs in the barnyard right now. Let’s not diminish what these guys have been doing, as Junior Caminero has basically put them on his back during this recent 8-game winning streak that shot Tampa past the Yankees into the top spot in the East.
#2: Milwaukee Brewers. Jacob Misioroski and Kyle Harrison are absolute studs, and now Brandon Woodruff is finally healthy and contributing. The Brewers have a roster that has a realistic shot at knocking off the Dodgers, but I feel like they are one piece short. If they were to add that one piece, they would have a legitimate shot at a World Series title this fall. That one piece rhymes with Shmarik Shmubal.
#1: Los Angeles Dodgers. The machine is on track, and it’s working its way towards a third straight title. Nothing is going to stop them from making the playoffs, and Dave Roberts has already started giving his pitchers extra rest days to save some bullets for October. The scary part is that they also have the best farm system in the league, and they can easily add Skubal just to keep him off of the other rosters.
Carlos Lagrange of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders delivers a pitch during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Among a flurry of moves the New York Yankees made Thursday involving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, one jumped off the page:
Right-handed pitcher Carlos Lagrange placed on the seven-day injured list.
Lagrange is the Yankees’ No. 4-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He has spent the last month transitioning from the starting rotation to the bullpen with New York considering him as a possible big-league relief addition. Now, that has been put on hold with his trip to the IL.
Various reports indicate that Lagrange is dealing with a shoulder injury and set for an MRI. But after Thursday’s game against the Norfolk Tides at PNC Field in Pennsylvania, RailRiders manager Shelley Duncan said he didn’t think it was anything serious.
“With a guy like Lagrange, anything pops up, you’re protective of the guy,” Duncan said. “I don’t know the details, the little ones. But it’s nothing alarming.”
During the first two months of the season, Lagrange made 11 starts and had an 0-3 record with a 4.41 ERA]. He allowed 25 runs (24 earned) and 40 hits in 49 innings with 25 walks and 63 strikeouts. He impressed with a fastball that could reach 100 mph.
Lagrange was moved to the bullpen in June and the process of making him a reliever began. He earned his first Triple-A win at Syracuse on June 3rd, pitching four shutout franes with one hit, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He notched his first Triple-A save at Indianapolis on June 25th, working the final 1.1 innings and allowing one hit with two strikeouts.
However, in his last relief outing, also at Indianapolis on June 28th, Lagrange entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and the RailRiders leading, 4-1. He recorded just two outs and gave up five runs and four hits with two walks and one strikeout and took the loss, 6-5.
In seven relief appearances, Lagrange was 1-1 with one save and a 5.02 ERA. He allowed 12 runs (eight earned) and 13 hits in 14.1 innings with 8 walks and 20 strikeouts. Overall this season, he is 1-4 with a 4.55 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. That K total ranks fifth in the International League.
Throughout the month, the Yankees and RailRiders were careful to space out Lagrange’s appearances. He pitched June 3rd, June 9th, June 14th, June 18th, June 21st, June 25th, and then June 28th. Duncan wasn’t sure if that contributed at all to his injury.
“It could be, but we don’t know,” Duncan said. “I’m sure it’s some we’ll dig into. When you transition from starter to bullpen, bullpen to starter, you have a different routine, different things. But we don’t know. We’ll look into it.”
Duncan also provided an update days earlier on the status of infielder George Lombard Jr. The Yankees’ top prospect has been on the injured list since June 18th. During a game June 16th in Columbus, he reached for a throw into a sliding runner on a stolen base attempt and suffered two sprained fingers on his left (catching) hand.
“It’s day to day,” Duncan said. “It’s nothing bad, but we don’t want to bring him back when it’s still sore and lingering. We want to bring him back when he’s 100 percent. So we’re taking our time with that and letting him go at his own pace.”
It remains to be seen how the injuries to Lagrange and Lombard will affect their status for the All-Star Futures Game on July 12th at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Both players were selected to the American League squad on Wednesday.
Elmer Rodríguez, the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, had one of his best outings of the season Thursday night at PNC Field. He threw 6.1 quality innings and allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He threw 93 pitches, 60 for strikes. Backed by four home runs, he earned the win, 7-3.
“I felt good from the start. I felt like I was attacking the hitters, comfortable throwing every single pitch,” Rodríguez said. “Obviously they got some hits and some tough spots, I kept attacking and feel like I got some good results.”
With two outs in the top of the third, Norfolk put together three consecutive singles to score its first run. The first two hits were slow rollers that found holes before Heston Kjerstad lined a hit to center field to knock in Enrique Bradfield Jr. and make it 3-1. But Kjerstad was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth, Kjerstad hit the first pitch from Rodríguez out to center field for a home run to cut the Tides deficit to 3-2. Rodríguez then walked Ryan Noda with one out and allowed a two-out single to Mike Siani. But he came back and struck out Silas Ardoin on three pitches to end the threat.
“That leadoff home run in the sixth, sometimes you have to tip your cap to the hitters,” Duncan said. “That’s not easy to do. He’s aggressive in the strike zone first pitch, doing what we wanted to do to get ahead and he got a good piece of wood on it. It happens.
“But if you look at (Rodríguez’s) performance overall, he was attacking the strike zone, finishing hitters when he got to two strikes. That’s a recipe for success right there. He had good command of his fastballl tonight, breaking balls were pretty nasty. Excellent finishing pitches tonight. That was one of the best performances we’ve seen out of him, stuff-wise and command matched together. He had a real good outing.”
Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man alumnus Robert Parish has not been shy when it comes to his opinion on whether the team he won a trio of NBA titles with in the 1980s ought to have moved on from star forward Jaylen Brown. And so it ought to come as little surprise that the Chief is no fan of the move by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and company now that the deal has been made.
But for Parish, as for many fans, the team Stevens et al. chose to ship Brown off to in the trade, the Philadelphia 76ers, stood out as an especially unpalatable aspect of an already distasteful swap for Parish. "Ouch," said the former Boston big man on a recent SiriusXM Radio appearance after the trade. "First of all, I hated to see Jaylen being moved."
"I understand it may have been about financial reasons for moving him," he added. "I’m sure moving that contract gave the Celtics some more maneuvering room to add other pieces or new pieces."
"(I) understand that," emphasized Parish. "I still do not like it. When I first heard about it, the first thing I thought about was the Dallas Mavericks when they moved Luka (Doncic), just historically a bad move."
"And I felt the same way hearing about Jaylen being moved to the 76ers. Not to mention in the same division, which is a head scratcher for me."
Detroit — The Detroit Pistons plan to re-sign Javonte Green with a one-year, $3.9 million deal, a source close to negotiations confirmed to The Detroit News on Friday.
Despite joining the team a week before the start of training camp last year, Green played a huge role in the Pistons' 60-win season. He appeared in all 82 games, averaging 6.9 points on 38.1% shooting from behind the arc, while playing 17.6 minutes off the bench.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
The Boston Celtics are keeping one of their emerging frontcourt pieces in place for the future.
Seven-foot center Neemias Queta has agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract extension with the Celtics, according to ESPN, which cited Queta’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball.
Queta has steadily worked his way up within the organization after beginning his Celtics tenure on a two-way contract. The big man has developed into a key contributor, earning increased minutes and a larger role in Boston’s rotation.
The Celtics picked up Queta's team option for next season -- and the sides add four full guaranteed years through 2030-31. After going in the second round to the Kings in 2021, the big man went onto sign three two-ways and three prove-it multiyear deals. Now locked into $56M. https://t.co/5RMydwyNdO
Queta has steadily worked his way up within the organization after beginning his Celtics tenure on a two-way contract.
The big man has developed into a key contributor, earning increased minutes and a larger role in Boston’s rotation.
The 25-year-old center averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as a starting center, establishing himself as an important part of the Celtics’ frontcourt.
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 2: Rafael Leao of Portugal and Josip Stanisic of Croatia compete for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Sanjin Strukic/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I mentioned this yesterday in an article that was talking mostly about Eli Junior Kroupi, but Portugal international and AC Milan wide forward Rafael Leao is linked with a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is apparently working feverishly to get his client out of Milan and to the Premier League, and he’s been offered to Spurs as an escape hatch.
According to two Italian media sources — Corriere della Sera and Gazzetta dello Sport (as reported by SportWitness) Mendes has offered Leao to Tottenham twice, and Spurs having him on a list along with Kroupi and Manchester City’s Savinho. Milan are said to value Leao at €60m (£51.5m), which means Spurs can probably negotiate that down a bit, and Mendes is also open to the possibility of a loan plus obligation deal for his client. There’s the thought that if Spurs wait until closer to the end of the window they might be able to get Leao for an even bigger discount.
Rafael Leao is one of the more absurdly talented players in Europe. He’s no longer a young guy — he’s 27 now — but on his day he has skills and abilities that make him incredibly exciting. He’s an exceptional dribbler and has the ability to both score and assist teammates, when he’s on his game. The problem with Leao is that he has flaws equal to his skills, and those mostly involve concerns about his motivation and work rate. He’s coming off of a down year at Milan (referred to in the article as “a shadow of himself”) and has never scored double-digit goals since the 2022-23 season when he tallied 15G+8A. That could be just his lack of motivation after many years at Madrid, and his desire to get a fresh start. But it’s a somewhat troubling pattern.
Look, when Leao is on, he is ON. We saw glimpses of that just last night as he assisted Gonçalo Ramos with a lovely cross into the box for what turned out to be the winning goal over Croatia in the World Cup. But there are real concerns about his downsides, he can be an exceptionally frustrating player to watch, and I’m really unsure what the balance is between his reported transfer fee and those downsides. He’d also be taking a step up in competition by moving from Serie A to the Premier League. Maybe that, plus Roberto De Zerbi, is enough to motivate him into finally evolving into his enhanced Pokemon form, but it’s a risk.
That said, Spurs are the kind of club that can, and maybe should, take a chance on a player like Leao. Both he and Milan are ready for a separation, but SportWitness says at present the only real interest in him is coming from Turkey, and he’s not interested. Would I take him over someone like Kroupi or Savinho? Boy, I dunno. It might depend on the price. There are tremendous upsides to signing him and it’s a high profile transfer, but a move like that could also backfire spectacularly and I have no idea which way it might go, if not both.
To be fair, there aren’t many indications that Spurs are seriously considering making an offer for Leao at the moment, but he apparently IS on a list of possibilities. It might take some time to figure out which direction Spurs wants to go and whether they think they can fix him, or if it’s better to go after someone young with potential like Kroupi and Savinho.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 18: Jordan Marshall #23 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a second half touchdown past the tackle of Alex McLaughlin #12 of the Washington Huskies at Michigan Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Special thanks to Jake Singer of Maize n Brew for joining me to discuss Michigan’s roster on this week’s podcast:
In one sense, Michigan’s 2026 staff turnover to head coach Whittingham and the assistants he brought with him from Utah and BYU closes the chapter on the Jim Harbaugh era – there are no remaining on-field coaches from the Wolverines’ 2023 title run, while the previous two years had in many ways been an attempt to keep that group together.
But on observing this program deeply and in my conversations with Jake over the last few years, I think the story is considerably more complex than that, and I find the “fresh start” and “clean sweep” narratives sometimes used in the national media to describe Michigan in 2026 to be wide of the mark.
For one thing, the “dirty” or scandal-tinged elements of that narrative don’t really make sense, since there’s a two-step timeline to it: everyone involved with the various NCAA and criminal investigations from a few years ago (Harbaugh himself, Steve Clinkscale, Jesse Minter, Chris Partridge, Denard Robinson, Connor Stalions, and Matt Weiss) were removed from the program well in advance of the 2025 season, and last year’s staff hadn’t been accused of anything … except for the head coach Sherrone Moore. It was Moore’s firing alone at the end of the year for personal incidents which toppled an otherwise “clean” group of coaches, and a set of reasons other than scandal has to be reckoned with for why they were let go.
For another, the player personnel has been essentially untouched. This was not a fire sale or anything close to it, instead the roster is on the other end of the spectrum: one of the most stable developmental pipelines I’ve studied in the Big Ten. There are some portal departures and additions, of course, and as one might expect a fair share of those additions have Utah or BYU backgrounds. But the total amount of churn is well within what’s become typical in the transfer portal era, and is more or less the same scale and quality I think I’d see if Michigan had no staff changes at all.
The third reason I think this is more complex than a “clean sweep” is also why I think it matters: as Jake and I discussed on the podcast, the real strength Whittingham has as a head coach is as a long-term program builder and personnel manager, and those impacts probably won’t arrive until 2027 at the earliest. In my many years of charting Utah in and prior to joining the Pac-12, I felt the national media consistently had this completely backwards – ascribing on-field, schematic or philosophical elements directly to Whittingham which actually came from the assistants he’d delegated those things to, while Whittingham himself ran the far more impressive operation behind the scenes as the CEO managing unique constraints and opportunities in the state.
One of the most salient ways that Whittingham’s savvy program management has shown out so far at Michigan in 2026 — and which has been, as usual, missed by superficial national analysts — is precisely where he’s pursued continuity in certain key stakeholders and program pillars rather than uniform overhaul in the staff.
The areas Whittingham dismissed immediately upon arrival were first and foremost the entire S&C staff, from the head of department to nutritionists down to the people who wipe down the benches, to replace them with the group which had been with him for 20-plus years in Salt Lake City – that’s an operations-level move, and salient as I’ll point out at certain key position groups. Whittingham dismissed many but not all of the on-field assistants: TE, WR, OL, DE, LB, and DB (there wasn’t a QB coach to fire since Moore just forgot to hire one, astoundingly), as well as the offensive and defensive playcallers. I’ll document as this article proceeds how those units were performing in the post-2023 era and the propriety of firing or reassigning them.
However, Whittingham retained the RB and DT coach, plus their assistants who are longstanding pillars (though the DT coach a month later accepted an NFL job), where I’ll document they had nominal performance. He also retained the recently hired special teams coach and his assistant, and moved the WR coach to the front office to keep his recruiting prowess and managed the transition through the signing period. This looks to me like an effort to retain local recruiting ties and institutional goodwill rather a totally imposed outside order.
What I’m most interested to see in 2026, therefore, are not the trite clichés I don’t think fit nor the typical tough talk which always follows Whittingham around, but rather the effects of the specific schematic changes his two new coordinators can immediately implement. While Jake and I agreed on the podcast there’s probably something of a ceiling until some longer-term program building can kick in, we also agreed that the 2026 returning roster has some real potential for quick gains by fixing a few concrete issues with different schematic approaches and it’ll be fascinating to watch this staff work with a significantly higher talent index than they have before.
Offense
In 2025 Michigan’s offense made a massive rebound as they returned to their typical baselines in just about every metric I track from charting, after an abysmal 2024 caused by not having a post-2023 QB transition plan plus some drama in the RB room. The challenge whenever there’s a big snapback is that baseline talent reasserting itself this “loudly” creates a lot of noise for the analyst to sift through to detect which individuals were going above and beyond the jump in performance everyone was getting, and which constituted underperformance in context even if their numbers were better than the year before.
In the passing offense, there’s some of all of it – then-true freshman 5-star #19 QB Underwood competently managed the short passing game and stayed healthy all year, and took care of the ball well before a tough bowl game, which no one in the 2024 QB room could do. Underwood finished the regular season with a 134.5 adjusted passer rating that’s about half a standard deviation below FBS median, about what historical modeling expects for true freshmen in his situation.
It was also readily apparent, as Jake and I both agreed from watching tape, that Underwood has loads of potential left to unlock from a big arm, which was evident in the overperformance vs Michigan’s historical baseline in their explosive passing rate – if and when Underwood connected with certain targets, three of them in particular, they were for enormous gains which previous Wolverine QBs hadn’t shown much of.
However, film study on both target selection and Underwood’s throwing mechanics shows significant underperformance in passing efficiency. The majority of passing targets in the route tree were mediocre to underwater efficiency options for Underwood in terms of per-target success rates given the down & distance because he just couldn’t reliably hit intermediate or deep shots with accuracy against coverage or even modest pressure.
Michigan’s 2nd & long, 3rd & short, and 3rd & long passing conversion rates were each six to eight percentage points below FBS medians at 35.5%, 27%, and 26.5% respectively – they had to stay ahead of the chains or the drive was over, and couldn’t take advantage of short-yardage defensive crowding for shot plays.
The culprit was obvious on film, Underwood’s throwing mechanics whip the ball by torquing his upper body with open hips, he wasn’t consistently or really ever using a proper throwing motion in which he points his hips, loads on his plant leg, and transfers power from his lower to upper body for a smooth delivery.
That results in a dumpoff thrower at best, and until he refines his mechanics will prevent Underwood from taking advantage of his arm talent to paint the entire field. In the 2026 Spring game I didn’t see any progress on this question, and I’ll be watching carefully during the Fall season to see if newly hired QB coach Detmer will be able to break down Underwood’s motion and build it back up for accuracy.
On the podcast, Jake and I talked about new OC Hill’s offense we had watched at Utah, and agreed that, schematically, the RPO elements are the most immediate way to boost the offense. Assuming he gets the decision-making down, they should be a match for what Underwood is comfortable throwing right now as well as free him up for more designed rushing, which was a severely underutilized asset in 2025.
I only charted 24 keeps prior to garbage time on rushing playcalls (that is, excluding sacks and scrambles on passing playcalls) during the entire season, fewer than two per game, which was suboptimal given that Underwood’s per-carry numbers were the best on the team: 62.5% success rate and 8.4 adjusted YPC, and double the explosive rate of anyone else.
It’s tough to parse what the 2026 backup QB situation is or how it might play into the decision to run Underwood. We went back and forth about this on the podcast – there’s a pretty strong argument that the backup QB room in 2025 was much better, with three experienced grad students and a mid 4-star then-redshirt freshman ready to go, and yet Jake pointed out the staff at the time was clearly nervous about putting Underwood in any danger.
All four of those transferred out in 2026, Jake told me one of their prep enrollees #17 QB Smiegel is hurt, a transfer from LSU turned around and left, and the Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi missed most of last year with an injury and still hasn’t arrived at Michigan yet. That leaves the only available backup at the moment as low 4-star true freshman #14 QB Carr.
If Fowler-Nicolosi arrives, is healthy and picks up the playbook so Hill thinks he can win with him, then the situation militates for running Underwood a lot – as Jake said, the clock is ticking and he’s too explosive not to. But if there’s any kind of hitch in the backup plan and Underwood is all they have, I expect some early non-conference defenses to test out whether they really need to honor the QB keep … and it doesn’t even occur to most Big Ten defenses to do that at all.
Running Backs
The good news for Michigan’s RB room was that they’d found a pair of primary ballcarriers in #23 RB Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes who were simply more effective cumulatively than the pair who preceded them (that’s a long story, it involves a baffling multiyear dropoff for one of the faces of the program, the previous staff taking way too long to recognize it and pivot from him, and when they did, going to a bruising back with a high success rate but low explosiveness).
Marshall ran for a 52.5% success rate and 5.5 adjusted YPC, Haynes even better at 53.6% and 5.9. Both had rushing explosiveness rates higher than just about any Midwestern back I’ve seen since I began charting every team in this league in 2021 at around 13% and 14% respectively, although still a notch below FBS median per usual for the Big Ten. That combination of moderate efficiency and high yardage indicates the backs are pretty good and show it when they break into the open field, and the major constraint is the offensive line, not the RB finding the hole.
The bad news was that injuries have had a major effect on the room. Haynes was only able to play in the first half of the year, and Marshall was hurt towards the end, held out a game, then when re-inserted he aggravated his injury and sat for the remainder of the year. #25 RB Ka’apana missed most of the last year with an injury and Coach Whittingham announced he’ll miss all of 2026 as well, and when I asked about not seeing 2025 recruit #26 RB D. Johnson in the Spring game Jake told me he’s also hurt.
Former walk-on #24 RB Kuzdzal carried the load admirably, all things considered, first as a backup when Haynes went down and then as effectively the only back in the last three games or so. He finished with a 56.1% success rate and 4.0 adjusted YPC.
Haynes transferred out, Marshall and Kuzdzal return and were playing in the Spring game. The third back in the Spring game was #5 RB Hiter, a 5-star and top prep recruit in the country. Jake indicated the program is very excited about Hiter, and I have no doubt that if everything works out he’ll be ahead of Kuzdzal and possibly even Marshall by the end of the year at his talent rating. Retaining RB coach Alford and the staff structure here, as well as the development trajectories of the previous backs vs the ones who Alford has been responsible for at Michigan and previously at Ohio State, suggests a lot of confidence in this unit’s production if there isn’t any more bad news.
The room is on a knife’s edge, however – if anything goes wrong they don’t have an alternate solution. Two of the backup options are hurt, the other prep recruit #29 RB J. Brown is a lower rated fullback candidate at 6’3”, and it was very clear from last year’s rep distribution and Jake’s comments that the other walk-on #36 RB O’Meara isn’t the same value as Kuzdzal. Any injury to the three viable RBs, or if Hiter doesn’t pop as a true freshman — high talent ratings are no guarantee of this, they only tend to predict how much production a team will get in the event that a recruit pans out — would leave Michigan in a precarious situation (although there’s one possible alternative, hang on to the end of the article for that).
Tight Ends
In 2025 Michigan used six tight ends on a regular basis, which seemed excessive given how little actual production they were getting. As Jake and I discussed on the podcast, there isn’t much point in second-guessing the personnel selection since, between the TEs and WRs, there were only three guys out of a combined twenty on the roster who had viable per-target numbers … although that points up the fundamental and longstanding development problem which ultimately got the entire skill talent staff sacked or reassigned.
It was baffling, however, that the previous staff didn’t figure out the weapon they had in #83 TE Z. Marshall, whose 60% per-target success rate and 9.15 adjusted YPT made him one of the most valueable TEs in the league. Algorithmic modeling suggests his numbers might come down a bit if he were targeted more than 1-2 times per game, but the algorithm provides no cover for starting TE Marlin Klein’s atrocious 40.5% success and 5.6 YPT on twice as many targets – an analytically informed staff would have flipped their roles by midseason. (When I had it optimize for Michigan’s offense in 2025 given their personnel efficiencies, the solution was benching Klein and the other receiving TEs plus two of the four WRs in the rotation, and giving all those targets to Marshall.)
#80 TE Hansen and #43 TE Tonielli have been snakebit, I think. Hansen played in four games, at odd points during the year which led me to think it was a strategic redshirt, but Jake told me that it was actually multiple severe injury problems. He played in the Spring game though and looked back to 100%. Tonielli is going into his fourth year in 2026 and has yet to break out, with pretty mediocre numbers and low target share each season. Jake’s thinking is that the new staff is more likely to stick to 11-pers, have Hansen back up Marshall, and cut down the rotation substantially.
Michigan has had success developing blocking TE / H-backs out of former-walk-ons, Max Bredeson graded out well on my tally sheet in that role and was drafted for it (unlike receiving tight ends who have an edge on draft day almost regardless of college effectiveness due to having such hard-to-find frames, pure blockers like Bredeson have to really prove it, and he did). As Jake has been pointing out for a couple years, #42 TE Hoffman who’s also a former walk-on, has been Bredeson’s understudy in the same role. I’ve gotten a similar development trajectory on Hoffman’s blocking grades, and I have no doubt he’ll be the one called on and effective as such if and when the new staff needs a dedicated blocker. But it’s an open question how often that’ll be; I suspect we’ll see a substantial diminishment compared to previous seasons, perhaps only situational use.
Wide Receivers
The WR unit in 2025 painted the full picture of both Underwood’s range of strengths and weaknesses as a true freshman QB, and the post-2023 Michigan staff’s development and analytical issues. The most targeted WR was the one transfer, Donaven McCulley from Indiana, a flanker who’s always had a high explosiveness rate every year I’ve charted him (26% of his meaningful targets in 2025 gained 15+ yards, and that was the lowest of his career), but his success rate was stuck at basically a coin flip, 52%, because Underwood’s deep downfield accuracy was so erratic, and the staff never made an adjustment for this.
The third and fourth most targeted receivers were below FBS medians on a per-target basis and effectively took up spots on the field without justifying it, though as we discussed on the podcast there don’t appear to have been any better options to replace them in the half-dozen other receivers who weren’t redshirting freshmen. Those two were #9 WR Goodwin and Semaj Morgan, who each had underwater success rates and adjusted YPTs below 7.0.
But the second most targeted receiver was then-true freshman #3 WR Marsh, who had spectacular numbers at 66.1% success and 10.8 YPT, and led the team in explosiveness at 31.6% (because most of these were catch-and-run type of plays rather than pure air yards, play sequencing has to set them up with some defensive manipulation, and so the predictive algorithm suggests that increasing his target share much more would have hit diminishing returns). Marsh was in the sweet spot for Underwood – at a depth-of-target point in the route tree that the young QB could hit him, talented enough to shake the defense in the open field.
The staff brought in three transfers, though only one has previous playing time and Jake told me another for eligibility purposes is functionally a true freshman. The experienced transfer is #13 WR Buchanan, who was listed as a backup TE at Utah but when I watched him for some other film study projects I think he would be better characterized as a detached Y-receiver who situationally lined up in the formation to help block. From the Spring game that looks like it’ll continue to be his role at Michigan so the label change just seems like a formality. It was pretty obvious to Jake and I what a help an inside receiver his size would be for Underwood and why the staff brought him over from Utah.
Between Marsh, Buchanan, and the tight end Marshall, three of the four receiving options seem pretty well locked in, and the question is just who the fourth guy is plus the next up in case of injury. All we have to go on is speculation at this point, but Jake seemed pretty certain that the young transfers are the staff’s preference, #10 WR Ffrench who redshirted at Texas last year, and #12 WR Moa who was recruited to Utah but didn’t play or attend classes so Jake said retained his eligibility.
When I pressed him on the matter, Jake’s read was that Ffrench and Moa would be ahead of the experienced but ineffective WR returners, and on top of that the staff would stick with 11-pers solutions even if a rash of WR injuries struck rather than go to 12-pers. By that logic I should think that, if their depth is tested, the staff would also give some playing time consideration to some of the more talented freshmen recruits, #84 WR Washington and #81 WR Browder who redshirted last year, or the prep recruit #86 WR T. Johnson, ahead of the older returners.
Offensive Line
We needed to do quite a bit of housekeeping on the podcast to get all the facts straight about the offensive line, because at two different positions the initial starter got benched, at a third position a starter missed a few games due to injury, the bowl game had almost the entire line move over a spot, there have been two defensive line converts and three guys I needed to check were actually on the roster.
Having done all of that, what remains for the 2026 situation is very straightforward: there are six returners who played on last years’ line, those six will form the five starters and 6th man on this year’s line. There doesn’t appear to be a single available lineman who could challenge any of them … or provide useful depth.
Jake and I agreed the most effective was #54 RT Sprague, who played every game last year except the bowl, and that it was downhill from there. Just like in 2024, the previous staff thought #71 OL Link could effectively play tackle, were wrong and benched him midseason, this time for #77 LT Frazier, who was better by comparison but on my tally sheet still below Big Ten medians in pass protection grades at 20.4% error rates.
#53 OL Guarenera was the eventual solution at RG last year and played center in the bowl as well as the 2026 Spring game, he seems like a lock for the center job in the Fall. However the only other option for snapping the ball appears to be Nebraska transfer #67 C Ka’aha’aina-Torres, who got I think two garbage time snaps deep in a blowout last year and was getting so badly destroyed in the Spring game that it rendered half of that tape useless.
Jake’s solution for the guards was to move Link inside to LG (he hadn’t been playing there in the Spring game so I hadn’t thought of it, but as soon as he suggested it I could see how it would work out better than the alternative), #55 OL Efobi getting the starting job at RG after wandering around the line last year as a backup guard, and pulling out former FCS transfer #70 OL Norton to be the 6th man since he can technically play tackle or guard. There’s also some hope that former 5-star #65 OT Babalola, who tore his ACL last Fall and missed this Spring, will be playable at some point during the year.
For reasons that we spent quite a while discussing on the podcast, no one else in the room looks like they’d be playable in 2026 – they’re either freshmen or have been no-shows for multiple years and the 2026 Spring game. I’m not keen about the performance of this group in the Fall with no iron to sharpen them, and I’ve also been watching OL coach Harding for too long to think he’s going to work a miracle. I think Michigan’s offensive line development has been rusting since their 2022 Joe Moore award: five of the Michigan’s last seven starting linemen to leave college — Greg Crippen, Giovanni El-Hadi, Andrew Gentry, Dominick Giudice, and Jeffrey Persi — have had no NFL interest, they went undrafted and didn’t sign a UDFA, and I don’t think that streak will end in April 2027.
Defense
Looking at the five-year totality of charting data I have on Michigan’s defense from 2021-25, there are a few trendlines which I think point to recruiting or development declines — the most notable being the year-over-year falloff in havoc generation at the DE position as with one exception new effective producers stop being recruited to the roster after the 2020 cycle and havoc drops precisely in line with the old guard’s departures — as well as a scary ongoing injury situation in the secondary that’s well outside of modeled norms.
Structurally, there are two outliers in the data. One is the 2023-24 presence of a couple of absolutely dominant 1st round defensive tackles as starters, who are personally responsible for a measurable five percentage point uptick in defensive efficiency over baseline on all downs and eight percent on 1st downs and rushing downs (it is very unusual to ascribe structural effects to individual people, but the data here are unmistakable). The 2025 return to baseline by the DT unit on their departure is perfectually natural and to be expected, though the LB unit is another matter.
The second structural outlier is the defensive scheme employed by 2025 DC Don ‘Wink’ Martindale, who was a 3-4 coordinator in the NFL and adapted his scheme when taking over the 4-2-5 defenses that previous DCs Macdonald and Minter were running; those earlier schemes had over 65% of snaps in nickel regardless of offensive personnel. Martindale used a nickel against 11-pers or lighter offenses, but when the offense brought in a second tight end, he’d automatically replace a DB with a third DT to create a bear front in what I considered a 5-2-4 (it’s technical and not very relevant at this point but I would be happy to discuss in comments why I think this is a better description than a 3-4).
In my opinion, even though Michigan’s roster had the personnel depth to pull this off, this was not a good idea in modern college football given their 2025 opponents’ short-yardage passing preferences. Martindale’s defensive subsitution rules were trivially easy to manipulate and the passing skew of the slate took advantage: New Mexico and Oklahoma were early non-con opponents who really wanted to throw the ball in short yardage, while USC, Texas and Ohio State were repeat opponents from 2024 but who had much more success in 2025 against Michigan passing out of two-TE sets against four DBs and linebackers crashing the run. On the season, this resulted in staggering -12 to -40 percentage point year-over-year declines in 2nd and 3rd short to medium situational defensive efficiency, and a six percentage point falloff in the key 3rd & long metric from 2024’s excellent 73% stop rate to a very mediocre 67%.
From talking to Jake as well as watching the 2026 Spring game and incoming DC Hill’s defense at BYU over the last three years for various projects, it seems like this is going to reverse and Michigan will return to much more nickel, or at least a 4-3 that won’t be as monomaniacally focused on run-stopping in short-yardage with transparent substitution rules.
The other interesting wrinkle Jake noted was Hill’s preference for multiple different personnel looks out of the same front – Michigan should be able to do that right away as they return multiple experienced players and quite a few developmental ones, plus at least one experienced transfer player, at every unit on the defense – there should be flexibility to experiment with multiple configurations for each position, if they wish.
Defensive Tackles
Michigan used a five-man rotation at defensive tackle (the two interior d-line spots in their 4-2-5 and three spots in their 5-2-4), which expanded to six by midseason first as injury subsitution and then as just as fatigue reduction. Modeling out the rotations, it seems like if no one ever got hurt and they stuck with the initial five-man rotation the whole way through, then the rep share in meaningful play would have been about 60% for the two 1st line tackles, Rayshaun Benny and #95 DT T. Pierce, and about 40% for the three 2nd line tackles, #17 DT E. Etta, Damon Payne, and Tré Williams. Benny and Williams had the highest grades on my tally sheet, Pierce had the lowest, Etta and Payne were about FBS average.
Pierce and Etta return and will no doubt have jobs on the line. The new staff brings over #91 DT Lea’ea from Utah, who was recruited as an end in 2023 and didn’t get much play his first two years but bulked up to 285 lbs last year and won a starting job at tackle with comparable numbers to any of Michigan’s DTs.
Picking out the fourth player in the rotation is tricky, since none got any playing time last year – the only ones who did have graduated or were converted to reserve offensive linemen. I was surprised by Jake’s guess of #54 DT Palepale, since he’s the lowest rated in the room and hasn’t seen the field in two years (I was expecting him to say #57 DT Moten, the highest rated redshirt freshman). But when Jake went on to say he thought it’d just be a three-man rotation of Etta, Pierce, and Lea’ea I understood what he meant – there’s nothing to recommend any of the returners since guys who were converted to OL got play when they didn’t last year and the prep recruits weren’t on campus for Spring ball.
While it’s my opinion that the DT unit has been nominal and a solid recruiting pipeline, and that this is why Coach Whittingham retained the assistant coaches here, it’s worth noting that the NFL interest fell off a cliff after the last draft. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, mentioned above, went in the 1st round last April, and all of these guys were in the rotation with them in that 2024 season. Benny went in the 7th round this April, while Payne, Williams, and backup Ike Iwunnah graduated without signing a UDFA.
The upshot is that this may be an underdeveloped unit in quantity and/or quality for a year or so before some of the very highly rated preps or the redshirt freshmen are ready to take over. If they really don’t have a playable fourth man for the rotation, or they find someone but an issue arises and they’re hard up for a replacement — both pretty plausible scenarios — then fatigue problems could become a real pinch in production.
Defensive End
Up through the 2020 cycle, Michigan’s defensive end recruiting was very typical for their talent profile – a few guys didn’t pan out, the expected number given the law of averages, but those who did were highly productive studs in college and bound for the NFL: Aidan Hutchinson, Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell, Kris Jenkins, Braiden McGregor.
Their 2021 and 2022 classes were bizzare, however. In 2021, they took five preps the scouting services labeled as edges, but two wound up as offensive line starters, two did nothing (though one became a playable backup at UCLA last year), and one, TJ Guy, has been in the rotation for the last four years with the lowest cumulative havoc rate on my tally sheet for any 3+ year Big Ten edge (DEs and OLBs). In 2022, they took exactly one DE, Derrick Moore, and they batted 1.000: Moore was another stud and off to the NFL this April in the 2nd round.
With the potential exception of 2025 recruit #94 DE N. Marshall — we’ll have to see how 2026 plays out for him, and any other Fall-arriving and future recruits — Moore was the last great defensive end prep recruit Michigan has gotten to campus, a rate of mediocrity or outright busts for the three 2023 recruits, four 2024 recruits, and perhaps the three 2025 recruits which is way, way off-model.
Last year, Moore had run it back for his fourth season in Ann Arbor and was by far the most productive “true” DE in the room. Guy was part of the 2nd line rotation, and #9 DE Brandt, a 2023 recruit who has, amazingly, the second lowest cumulative havoc rate in the Big Ten for a three-year edge, got a comparable rep share with Guy.
It gets tricky to describe after that point. Then-redshirt freshman #8 DE Nichols, whose havoc rate was also pretty low, had half the reps as the others, but I wouldn’t call him a specialist, he played the same type of role just less often. Similar story for Marshall the then-true freshman, he rotated in often enough, and not due to injury relief or for a specialty role … so I would call him part of the regular order, but it wasn’t enough to get a quality statistical sample for analysis.
The reason for this rep share perturbation was because Michigan had converted a linebacker — and a very valuable one, for multiple reasons we discussed at length on the podcast — Jaishawn Barham to be a pass rusher. Barham was effective at havoc generation, but only in certain pressure packages from depth, not as a “true” end defeating tackles or setting the edge. As we discussed on the podcast, this was a patchwork fix: even setting aside the opportunity costs on the linebacker room, it was a temporary and partial solution to the fundamental problem of missing havoc production off the edge, and to the extent that younger players (Marshall, maybe Nichols if I’m being too hasty writing him off) had developmental reps taken away by it, counterproductive.
Guy graduated (Michigan finished 2025 with six OL/DL/LB multiyear primary rotational players getting zero NFL interest, in case it wasn’t clear to the reader why Whittingham’s first move was to sack the entire S&C staff) while Brandt, Marshall, and Nichols return, and there’s little question that those three have positions in the four-man rotation at edge in 2026.
The upshot of the history given here is that I’ve already written off Brandt as a havoc generator not just because of his prior play but because the Barham move last year indicates that Michigan had too. The same logic applies to Nichols, though he was a redshirt freshman and he has time to flip the script. Marshall is an open question but given the ice cold streak the previous staff was on in prospect talent identification I’m not going to believe it until I see it with him.
The fourth spot in the rotation no doubt goes to #90 DE Daley, a transfer from Utah with incredible havoc generation prior to the Achilles injury which cut short his season at the end of the year. Daley missed Spring practices but is expected to play in the Fall. I was not particularly impressed with Big-XII offensive lines during my film study projects of the recently reconstructed league, an observation which has been borne out in high level postseason play and I believe properly compensated for in my predictive algorithm, so I think there’s an adjustment to be made in projecting Daley’s stats in the Big Ten. Nevertheless Daley should be productive assuming he doesn’t have any health issues.
Like the defensive tackles, my sense is that Michigan has a doughnut hole for the depth and developmental players at end. There are some highly talented younger ends who simply look like they need more time – case in point, the 5-star from the 2026 cycle Carter Meadows, a very exciting prospect but a Fall enrollee and at 225 lbs for a 6’6” frame will need a while at the training table before it’s conscionable to play him in this league. In the meantime the available options to plug in if any of the four obvious picks for the four-man rotation become unavailable, due to a lack of experience, picking up a new playbook with the incoming DC, and suboptimal mass or length, are concerning.
Linebackers
Jake and I spent quite a while discussing anomalies in the linebacker room, which I don’t think was inappropriate because there’s been a lot of Real Weird Stuff that the current and previous staffs were doing with this unit which needed to be explored for context here, for other units, and for the 2025 vs 2024 statistical changes. But I think it’s important to note that the position itself for 2026 looks strong, and could even be stronger if a certain mystery about FCS transfers is cleared up in a happy way.
So, by way of reversing that podcast approach, I’ll simply say that three pretty talented backup linebackers return from 2025, each of whom got to play a good chunk of meaningful time last year, more than they might have expected due to some … stuff. The oldest is #40 LB Bowles, a mid 4-star from the 2023 cycle who previously transferred in from Georgia — he started out the year as 5th place in the rotation / 3rd backup but all four backers ahead of him were out of the room for at least one game and he was the first beneficiary of the rep increase.
The two true freshmen last year were mid 4-star #12 LB Owusu-Boateng and high 3-star #29 LB Taylor, who were redshirting for the first eight games but then multiple simultaneous unavailabilities all hit at once and they shot up to a little under 20% meaningful rep share for the last four regular season games plus the bowl.
Jake relayed that the staff has said the 2026 rotation is going to be these three guys and everyone else is depth. That’s clear enough, there’s talent, some experience and redundancy, no size issues, plus five more non-preps and three early enrollee recruits in the room which is more than enough to find a viable backup option in case they need one. There’s no reason to think they won’t be fine either with the starters, or if they need to, in identifying the backups.
The outstanding weird thing is this: the new staff got two FCS transfers who are very productive and experienced, then gave them practically no Spring game reps and according to Jake, have been dead silent about them. And there’s no reason for this at all: one of them, #52 LB C. Pierce, set true freshman records and is the brother of the defensive tackle which is ad copy that’ll sell in Peioria, the other is #44 LB Staehling who’s the biggest LB in the room at 6’2” and 238 lbs, got two pick-sixes at North Dakota State last year, and has more playing experience than the entire Michigan linebacker room combined. Jake described the Maize n Brew staff as “dumbfounded” about this and eager to grill Coach Whittingham about it (I wish them luck, Whittingham treated non-deferential reporters like trespassers, but I thought Salt Lake City media was cowed too easily and overly solicitous).
The only danger here, to the extent that I can see one, is a scenario in which there’s a problem with one of the chosen three and an FCS guy is objectively the better choice, but the staff has picked a winner in advance and stubbornly sticks with their original choice, counterproductively. There’s I think four conditionals in that so I’m going to assign it low odds, but worth keeping in the back of one’s mind.
Secondary
The first thing to note about the secondary is the schematic change for the nickel defender. In 2025, the nickel was best understood as a second strong safety, so the main strong safety in their base configuration would play about 12 yards deep, but then in the 5-DB configuration he’d spin down to be what anybody else would call the nickel at about 8 yards deep and wide over the passing formation, while the additional (second strong?) safety would come in high at the same depth as the free safety.
So the structure had already built in frequent switching within the safety room, and then a lot more was added due to near-weekly injuries. So a position group that had two and a half starting spots and needed maybe four guys for a healthy rotation instead wound up playing ten – six guys with a hundred or more reps, three with over 40, and a walk-on with at least a dozen.
In 2026, Jake told me that the secondary under DC Hill is going to switch to more of a two-safety, three-corner system; when I went back to look at the BYU tape in my film library this week, that checked out.
There’s been some offseason drama in the cornerback room, although there didn’t seem like there’d be during the 2025 season. The starters, as they have been since 2024, were #0 CB Hill and #10 CB Berry. Hill has never graded out very well for me, but at least he’s an appropriate size for an outside corner and he stayed healthy all year. Berry has graded out even worse, I mean appallingly bad, as an outside corner at the times he’s played there, because of course he has, he’s listed at 5’11” and he might have been standing on the manifesto when they measured him.
I think Berry might be an effective inside corner, indeed I think that’s the answer to an entire mystery regarding his getting in the portal, discovering his market value, and then returning to some calumny with the freshman backups that we went back and forth about on the podcast, but at any rate he’s evidently resolute about playing outside corner so here we are.
The new staff brought in #3 CB Snowden from Utah, an experienced 5’10” senior but who missed Spring practices after hernia surgery. He should be the starter on the inside, but if there’s an issue at the beginning or during the season, Berry is the alternate solution … and arguably a better one since it opens his spot on the outside to the true sophomore backup #2 CB Earls, a 6’2” mid 4-star who got some play last year.
Indeed any of the potential non-Berry solutions is a potential improvement – Earls, Jayden Sanders who was other 2025 tall bluechip true freshman and got even more playing time as the primary backup but transferred out due to the drama (I think), the 2026 true freshman mid 4-star #24 CB Vincent whom Jake says is lighting up camp reports, maybe even #16 CB Edmond, the 6’1 mid 4-star from 2024 who’s never played … actually, probably not Edmond.
As for Hill – my predictive algorithm indicates a better than even likelihood that 2026 is the year he finally has his senior breakout, since all the markers of stability, consistent play, appropriate size, and raw talent are present. I should trust the thing, I wrote it myself and have been doing retrodictive testing for over a decade, it outperforms everything I’ve ever checked it against, but still … I’ll believe it when I see it with Hill.
The safety position was messy as heck, injuries wreaked havoc with it, the majority of meaningful reps represented transferred out, and the way it rotated has been eliminated … so I’m just going to skip the recitation.
The relevant returners are #25 DB Curtis, who played as the second strong safety for the nickel configuration (I hope the reader recalls what I’m talking about) for the most reps as Michigan DB injury roulette wheel spared him till the end of the year, #14 DB Young who was a backup to the only safety who didn’t get hurt and so got mostly rotational relief play but did get Curtis’ spot in the bowl game when the roulette wheel finally claimed Curtis, and #1 DB R. Moore who cannot stay healthy but is the final survivor of the 2023 secondary which defeated UW for a national title so I pray for him daily.
Moore is a free safety and Curtis is a strong safety. Jake told me that Young should slot in as a free safety, and #20 DB Bracy, the very productive Memphis transfer at strong. However, Jake allowed that might shake out a little differently as we get into Fall, and frankly I expect it to because of Moore’s injury history and the relative experience here – it doubles up the most experienced guys at strong while putting the least experienced guy in a position to get practically all the reps when, as seems inevitable, Moore goes down again. My guess is that Bracy is more likely than Curtis to slide over to free if that happens.
The depth is unproven, #5 DB Oden and #28 DB Winston, and my concern is that with all the injuries last year the previous staff still didn’t want to give them much play, and yet there was a massive transfer wave out – something doesn’t add up. They constitute adequate rotational relief if the unit stays healthy, but if they encounter even a mild version of the injury wave like last year they could be in trouble with untested depth like this.
That leaves one more player, possibly the most curious of them all: #26 DB Tatum, a transfer from Oklahoma who was the top recruit in the country in 2024 at his position … running back. He was pretty good as a true freshman in Norman, too, played in nearly every game and started three, 56 carries at 5.0 YPC. He sat out 2025 and I have no idea why he’s switching positions to DB, or why the unit needs a 5’10” and 212 lbs inexperienced safety when they already have four experienced guys and two inexperienced but talented and appropriate body type guys. But as Jake instantly picked up when I started to ask, the running back room is awfully light … Although in my experience with Coach Whittingham, Tatum will make a one-year pitstop as a safety and wind up as a linebacker.
Spain took a little while to pull away but eventually handled Austria comfortably. They move on to the Round of 16, where they'll take on Iberian Peninsula rival Portugal.
Lamine Yamal remains the best young player in the world, capable of changing an entire game just by his ability, usually out on the right wing.
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 19: Zyhir Hope #13 of the Tulsa Drillers swings the bat during a game against the Arkansas Travelers at ONEOK Field on April 19, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Other than the Comets’ low-scoring defeat, it was a productive day with a lot of offense in the Dodgers’ minor league system.
Player of the day
While the winning hit came from elsewhere, the Drillers went only as far as Zyhir Hope could take them, with the cleanup-hitting outfielder delivering a four-hit performance, including a home run. Hope, who hadn’t left the yard in nearly a month, now totals 14 on the season, one more than he had the entire last year.
Out of those four hits, though, the most impactful one wasn’t the long ball; it was a simple RBI single that evened the score at 7-7 in the ninth before the Comets took a commanding lead.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Easily with the worst performance across all four minor league affiliates, the Comets delivered little to no offensive production in a low-scoring 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Space Cowboys.
OKC had the 2-0 lead as Cole Irvin delivered five scoreless innings before allowing his first and only run in the sixth; then just an inning later, the Space Cowboys got to Keynan Middleton.
Designated hitter Jack Suwinski was responsible for one of the Comets’ two RBI and is now one short of 60 on the season. Suwinski, alongside Ryan Ward, represented the only two batters with multihit performances in this defeat.
Double-A Tulsa
Trailing 7-4 at the start of the eighth inning, the Drillers scored seven unanswered runs to complete one of the season’s most remarkable comebacks and beat the Wind Surge away from home.
Zyhir Hope proved the Drillers’ most effective batter with a four-hit night, including the game-tying RBI single in the ninth, but the big hit came from Jake Gelof, smashing a grand slam in the top of the ninth. That was only the second Drillers homer in that game and Gelof’s 16th on the season.
The Drillers owe a lot of this comeback to the efforts of Roque Gutierrez, who, after Adam Serwinowski delivered a blowup outing, held the Wind Surge to just two hits and one run in five innings of work out of the bullpen. Gutierrez’ efficiency was rewarded with a win, now moving to an outstanding 6-0 record.
High-A Great Lakes
When you outhomer the opposition three to nothing, a win feels almost like a formality, and that is what we saw as the Loons beat the TinCaps 6-2. Perhaps the only disappointment is that the pitching staff blew the chance of a shutout win by allowing a pair of runs in the ninth.
Samuel Munoz, Eduardo Quintero, and Emil Morales were responsible for the three Loons long balls, each of them solo shots. While that represented all the production from Morales and Munoz, Quintero stood out as the Loons’ only batter with multiple hits (2) and RBI (3).
Single-A Ontario
In a slugfest and somewhat sloppy game that saw both sides combine for 22 hits and five errors, four of them committed by the Grizzlies, the Tower Buzzers secured the 12-10 win, largely thanks to an outstanding performance from Austin Shelton. Ontario’s third baseman and cleanup hitter proved why he was batting in that spot with a three-hit, five-RBI game.
Interestingly, Shelton was the only Tower Buzzers hitter with multiple RBI, as all three of the team’s home runs were solo shots, including Shelton’s 23rd on the season. Starter Hyun Seok-Jang didn’t have a particularly effective game, allowing four runs, but it could’ve been a whole lot worse considering he walked five batters in his 5.1 innings of work.
Transactions
Left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes and righty Jonathan Hernández were both sent to Triple-A.
Thursday’s scores
Oklahoma City 2, Sugar Land 3
Wichita 7, Tulsa 11
Fort Wayne 2, Great Lakes 6
Fresno 10, Ontario 12
Friday’s schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Sean Patick) at Fort Wayne (Kash Mayfield)
5:05 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Payton Martin) at Wichita (Chris Vallimont)
5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Jackson Ferris) vs. Sugar Land (Ryan Weiss)
7:05 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) at Fresno (Austin Newton)
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a stunning blockbuster NBA trade on Wednesday, with Boston sending Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, 2031), and two second-round picks (2028, 2030). And on Thursday night, Brown went to his Twitch livestream to go off about the trade and much more.
In the latest wide-ranging rant from Brown on Twitch, he called out a “lack of respect” from Boston regarding the trade process.
Jaylen Brown says he didn’t like that the Boston Celtics didn’t tell him why he was being traded.
“I wasn’t thrilled with how the conversation was facilitated. I did feel like it was a lack of respect. At one point it was fine, and then out of nowhere it just went left. I… pic.twitter.com/FYsOP7tk7E
Additionally, Brown addressed a video from Colin Cowherd that was posted on The Volume Basketball X account on Wednesday.
First, here’s the Cowherd video:
Colin Cowherd says NBA sources told him Jaylen Brown became the “smartest guy in every room” — and the Celtics had enough
Brad Stevens made his move. #NBA#JaylenBrown#Celticspic.twitter.com/9UcK2lLpw6
— The Volume Basketball (@volumebball) July 2, 2026
“I had two NBA sources tonight — two people in the league; one an executive, one a scout — say that Jaylen Brown has, it’s a disease,” Cowherd said in the video. “He suddenly thinks he’s the smartest guy in every room he’s in… This was always, one executive told me, always a little bit of Jaylen Brown’s personality. Kind of the smartest guy in the room. And livestreaming, and throwing it out there, it’s just not a good space. It used to be ‘nothing good happens after three in the morning.’ Nothing good happens when pro athletes livestream. It’s just trouble. Stay away from it. You need PR people. Even what I do, when you’re emotional, when you’re in a terrible mood, don’t go to livestreaming.”
Brown played the clip and responded to it on his Twitch stream.
Jaylen Brown reacts to Colin Cowherd saying that pro athletes shouldn’t stream
“I think the world craves authenticity… people wanna see what the real emotions is…” pic.twitter.com/2pMjQpmtis
“He’s saying, like, the livestream and, like, you need to have PR. But I think the world craves authenticity right now,” Brown said. “Everything is so PR. Everything is so scripted. Everything is so fictional or packaged that I feel like people want to see what the real emotion is, what’s real. Rather than this fake political propaganda that we get delivered in a bunch of different industries, including sports, including music, including politics. Right?
“So, me and Colin Cowherd can agree to disagree on that. But overall, I could say a lot about what he just said. I could stand up for myself, which I’ve been doing. I feel like that’s been a narrative people have been using for a long time to try to attack me and my character.”
“Colin Cowherd; I think his last name precedes him,” Brown added.
Jaylen Brown responds to Colin Cowherd calling him a disease:
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) July 3, 2026
Brown also went off about “anonymous sources” mentioned in reporting, while naming recent sports media rivals StephenA.Smith and Bobby Marks in addition to Cowherd.
Jaylen Brown on his Twitch stream, about “anonymous sources”:
‘I’m tired of these damn anonymous sources, like, anonymous executive — Colin Cowherd, Bobby Marks, Stephen A. Smith — I think yall are the sources” pic.twitter.com/nuPvJ1FJPk
“What I really want to say to this is we’ve got to stop with the ‘anonymous sources,’ chat,” Brown explained. “I’m tired of these damn anonymous sources. He’s like, ‘Anonymous executive. Anonymous source.’ Colin Cowherd. Bobby Marks. Stephen A. Smith. Anonymous sources are saying anything. I think y’all are the sources. And if not, y’all shouldn’t even say it. If it’s something that’s this ridiculous.
“But we’ve got to stop. This is a part of the reason why I started streaming in the first place, because they used anonymous sources to hide behind how they actually feel. Or to hide behind things that could be controversial. Or to hide behind things that are examples of bigotry. This is an example of one, but this is not the first time. Stephen A. Smith said the same thing a couple years ago. He was like, ‘It’s not me. This is an anonymous source.’ And Bobby Marks said the same: ‘It’s not me. It’s my anonymous source.’ Colin Cowherd said the same thing: ‘It’s not me. It’s my anonymous source.’
“But they don’t see how much damage that can do. And now I’ve got to answer questions to my character. This is my life. Keep it basketball. Nobody has a problem. People think I have a problem with people critiquing my performance. Critique my performance all you want. But the line gets crossed, and then they want to act like the line doesn’t get crossed. The line is being crossed here.”
Jaylen Brown Calls Out Stephen A Smith, Bobby Marks, And Colin Cowherd For Using “Anonymous Sources.”
“The anonymous sources [are] super unethical,” Brown added. “When you all see these anonymous sources, don’t even take them [seriously]. These journalists that have these huge platforms. They keep doing it and act like there’s no harm in it.”
Brown concluded his stream by saying that he’ll be the NBA’s “villain” in the upcoming season.
Jaylen Brown ends the stream saying this upcoming NBA season he’s gonna be the villain:
“They are going to turn me into the villain, and I’m going to just embrace it. The villain is emerged that’s what yall want me to be lets get it” pic.twitter.com/CST0Z5Bs18
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) July 3, 2026
“They are going to turn me into the villain,” Brown explained. “And I’m going to just embrace it. So, this season, let’s get it. You know what I mean? The villain is emerged.”
NASA astronaut and engineer Christina Koch threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies’ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park. Koch made history as a mission specialist on Artemis II in April, and she was also part of the all-female spacewalk on an International Space Station mission from 2019 to 2020.
In addition to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, Koch joined Phillies play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy and color commentator John Kruk in the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast booth for the top of the third inning.
It was an informative, entertaining interview, with Koch offering insight about her experiences and the life of an astronaut.
And Kruk added to the entertainment by, well, being himself.
Kruk told Koch to “explain to the folks what rice pudding was like up in space.”
“[Kruk] ordered rice pudding at dinner, and I explained, ‘That is actually something that we have in space,'” Koch said. “But it is dehydrated. It comes in a little bag, kind of like a Ziploc, and you rehydrate it and eat it out of a Ziploc… It’s not bad… Best rehydrated overnight, maybe chill it in a little fridge. It’s pretty good.”
Kruk then asked, “Y’all have beer up there?”
“No, we do not,” Koch said while laughing. “Carbonated beverages do not do well without gravity. The bubbles do not go to the top, and that is not good.”
John Kruk to NASA astronaut Christina Koch:
“Explain to the folks what rice pudding was like up in space.”
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 2, 2026
McCarthy asked Koch, “So, you’re going around the planet; what’s your favorite thing to look at as you go around each time?”
“The coolest thing to see from space, to me, was your home,” Koch explained. “I’m from coastal North Carolina, and the first time I saw the Outer Banks come into focus, and realize what I was looking at. And that map coming around here; I’m sure you have it too. You know what this area looks like. You know this coastline. And to see it on a planet, beneath you, it took my breath away. It was amazing. But also, the Aurora, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights from space. Amazing.”
Kruk stayed true to form with his response.
“So, to be honest with you, you could’ve just stayed in the Continental United States and saw everything you wanted to see,” Kruk said.
“That’s a good point,” Koch said, while showing off a great sense of humor. “Why did I go all the way up there? Really long trip. Maybe not the Aurora.”
NASA astronaut Christina Koch explains the “coolest thing to see from space.”
John Kruk: “To be honest with you, you could’ve just stayed in the Continental United States & saw everything you wanted to see.”
The Round of 32 has almost come to an end, but Colombia and Ghana will battle it out to wrap up the first stage of knockout matches on Friday.
Colombia heads into this matchup unbeaten, having topped Group K by defeating both Uzbekistan and DR Congo, and drawing with Portugal. The South American nation now navigates the knockout stage as one of the tournament's suspected dark horses.
On the other hand, Ghana represents one of a historic nine African countries continuing into the Round of 32. The nation finished third in Group L, just scraping into the knockout stage by defeating Panama, and drawing with England. A bid to the Round of 16 would mark just the third time in Ghana's history.
Friday will be the first ever meeting between these two countries.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the Colombia vs. Ghana World Cup match, including where to watch on TV or live stream, what time the game starts and more.
Colombia vs. Ghana live stream, TV channel
TV channel: FOX
Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
Colombia vs. Ghana will be broadcast on FOX in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Colombia vs. Ghana start?
Colombia vs. Ghana kicks off Friday, July 3, at 9:30 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, KS.
Here's how that time translates across the United States time zones:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men's World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA's tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
What time do World Cup games start?
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico. They are into the Round of 16.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s summer rebuild has already become one of the biggest stories of the summer, and it could end up with Eddie Howe on the outside looking in.
Howe’s tenure in Newcastle started strongly, reached glory with a Carabao Cup triumph, but ultimately came crashing down with NUFC failing to qualify for any European competition last season and missing out on even making it to the top half of the Premier League table.
Now, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali already sold, and Bruno set for a likely departure if Arsenal ends up submitting the reported £80 million offer, the team might look entirely different next season.
So much so that former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider’s Oliver Walton that Newcastle’s squad has so many question marks that Howe may effectively need to buy a new starting eleven.
“I wrote down the Newcastle team,” Brown said. “There wasn’t one player in the team where there weren’t any questions over them.
“Right-back…well the captain’s gone. Livramento has injury problems, but there’s talk about him moving. Dan Burn is 34 now…Botman’s been injured. Don’t know what the situation is with him.
“Harvey Barnes, the left winger, comes in the side, does well. Goes out the side and there’s talk about him and moving.
“Woltemade…they’re not happy with him. He he’s not come good. They’re a bit pointy with the lad they took from Brentford (Wissa). “We have worked our way through the team, and you can see that they’d be looking for a new team.
“Now this is a team that was built by the richest owners in the world. It comes down to these constraints again, they have done Newcastle no favours.
“It almost seems like they need an entirely new starting eleven. He’s got a job on his hands there, the manager, because he’s got to rebuild. It’s not a question of adding a bit.
“He’s another one, Joelinton…in the second half of the season, he was injured. Every position in the team is questionable. When you’ve got that, you’ve got major problems.”
Brown pointed to right-back, where Kieran Trippier has left and Tino Livramento has injury issues while being linked with a move to Man City. Staying on the defensive line, Brown also raised doubts over Sven Botman’s fitness and Dan Burn’s age.
Moving up the pitch, Harvey Barnes’ future is in doubt, and Newcastle’s attacking options all seem to be more disgruntled than settled.
While Howe fought for his life last season and ended up staying put as Newcastle’s manager for next season, it’s fair to say he’ll start the year already on the hot seat. Football Insider reported that Howe could come under serious pressure and, if Newcastle starts next season poorly, his sacking might happen if NUFC drop a bunch of points during the first month of competition.
BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 1985: Don Aase #41 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a Major League Baseball game circa 1985 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Aase played for the Orioles from 1985-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we inch closer to the All-Star Break, we continue our 40-year anniversary of the game’s 57th Summer Installment which took place at the iconic Houston Astrodome on July 15th, 1986, in front of a capacity crowd of 45,774.
Don Aase would come on for the American League and notch the save on this night. Don reflects with us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes.
Q: I went back and watched this game in its entirety, and it appears that Willie Hernandez thinks that he’s actually going in to close out the game when manager Dick Howser makes the move. What happened there exactly?
A: Yeah, it was funny. Willie went to go running in there and then he stopped, dead in his tracks. It was mix up, kind of strange there, but I went in and did the job.
Q: So, you earn the save in your only All-Star appearance. What did that night at the Astrodome mean to you personally?
A: Oh man, that was something that you can only dream about. I couldn’t believe I got a save in that situation. I don’t know if anything can ever beat that feeling. That was a high point of my career.
Q: What did you think of Roger Clemens outing that night? He had a little extra going on being back home and it being his first ever ASG appearance.
A: He had it going no doubt. You know, all of the pitching was really good. I remember Fernando also doing his thing. It was just a great thing to watch really, and it got extra exciting towards the end.
Q: You were on fire to get there. You posted 23 saves in the first half of the 1986 campaign and the O’s weren’t even a legit contender that season. What do you remember most about that season?
A: We were in a ton of games early on and they were all close and we started off well and I was closing games it felt like daily. We tailed off because I hurt my back and I had to miss a few weeks. I still think about that and the season we could’ve had.
Q: What do you think about the closers today?
A: It’s just really amazing how big and strong these guys are now. This is coming from somebody who spends most of his time these days watching the grandkids, but it’s impressive seeing how hard everyone throws these days. It seems like everyone today throws it 10 mph faster than we did.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 01: Shea Langeliers #23 of the Athletics celebrates his solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park on July 01, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Friday A’s fans,
Earlier this week, the Athletics began a six-game stretch at home by losing two of three to the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Tonight, they welcome the Miami Marlins for the opener of a three-game series. The Marlins, who have an even lower payroll than the A’s, posted an MLB-best 20-6 record in June to jump into the National League Wild Card picture.
Miami’s pitching staff, which has the 11th best ERA in the sport, played a major role in the club’s stellar performance over the past few weeks. While the A’s will not have to face standout right-hander Max Meyer, they’ll still draw the Marlins’ Dominican duo of Sandy Alcántara and Eury Pérez on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Meanwhile, only the Colorado Rockies have a higher ERA and have given up more runs than the Athletics’ much-maligned pitching staff. Yes, the team is playing in a hitter-friendly minor league park for a second straight season. However, that does not change the fact that these are major-league pitchers league pitchers who have earned their way to baseball’s highest level. As a result, they should be capable of making the necessary adjustments to limit the damage in a hitter-friendly environment.
Currently, it seems like the Athletics can only count on J.T. Ginn and Gage Jump to consistently deliver quality starts. On Wednesday night, Ginn shut down the Dodgers for six innings, helping his team avoid the series sweep.
Two nights prior, Jump endured his first rough outing against a Dodgers’ lineup loaded with star power, so the result was not entirely surprising. The promising rookie left-hander will look to bounce back in Sunday’s homestand finale. Before that, the A’s will turn to right-handers Jack Perkins and Aaron Civale to start tonight and tomorrow night.
Offensively, the Marlins are the opposite of the Athletics. Miami relies on speed to manufacture runs, leading the majors with 94 stolen bases this season. In contrast, the A’s have some speed, most notably center fielder Henry Bolte, but their offense is still driven primarily by the long ball.
The Marlins won’t make it easy, but there would be no better way for the Athletics to celebrate the Fourth of July than by putting their June struggles behind them and taking the series.
Funny exchange between these two A’s players. Lawrence Butler would greatly benefit from listening to Shea Langeliers’ advice as Butler’s batting average is still below the Mendoza line.
𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 Lawrence Butler: “Four straight years of 20 homers, how do you do it?”
Injuries have taken a toll on this team and could be one reason behind its June swoon. The return of several key players over the next two months could fuel a rise back up the standings.
Arsenal considers signing 28-year-old Premier League defender
Arsenal have surprisingly been linked with a move for Ezri Konsa this summer as the club continues searching for ways to strengthen their squad across multiple positions.
The Gunners have already completed the signing of Piero Hincapie following his successful loan spell at the Emirates Stadium last season, although the club remain open to adding another defender if the right opportunity becomes available in the transfer market.
Konsa has established himself as one of the most consistent English defenders in recent seasons and is currently representing England at the World Cup, where he continues to perform at a high level.
The defender has maintained excellent form following a strong domestic campaign in which he helped Aston Villa secure victory in the Europa League before the international tournament began.
Arsenal considering defensive reinforcement
England remains among the strongest teams in the competition, and Konsa performances on the international stage have further increased attention surrounding his future.
According to The Sun, the Villa defender has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Arsenal as they continue evaluating potential additions for next season.
The report suggests Arsenal admire the 28-year-old’s qualities and believes he could add important depth, experience, and reliability to their defensive unit if a deal becomes possible this summer.
Konsa viewed as valuable option
After winning the league title and reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal are continuing to assess opportunities to refresh and improve the squad ahead of another demanding campaign.
Konsa’s versatility and experience in the Premier League are viewed as significant advantages, particularly as Arsenal prepare to compete across multiple competitions once again next season.
The defender is also recognised for his composure, positional awareness, and ability to perform consistently at a high level, qualities that have reportedly attracted interest from the Arsenal hierarchy.
Although no agreement has been reached and Aston Villa are unlikely to make negotiations straightforward, Arsenal remain attentive to the situation as they continue planning their transfer business for the remainder of the summer window.
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The first week of APC’s top plays of 2025 countdown concludes with a look at play number six, which came in a crucial late-season divisional matchup.
The Game
After finishing off their season sweep of the Lions the week before (in an impressive showing on Thanksgiving), the Packers faced the Bears for their first showdown of the year. The Packers came in with an 8-3-1 record, riding a three-game winning streak. The Bears came in with a 9-3 record, riding a five-game winning streak. The winner of this game would be sitting in 1st place in the NFC North.
The Situation
The Packers went into halftime up 14-3, but they stalled out on the first drive of the second half. The Bears proceeded to put together a 10 play, 64 yard drive that ended in a touchdown and two-point conversion. That put the ball back in the hands of the Packers with 8:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter, holding onto a 14-11 lead.
The Packers gained 22 yards on their first 3 plays, but now faced 3rd & 3 at the Bears 41 yard line.
The Play
The Packers are in 11 personnel in a 3×1, Trips Nub alignment (three receivers spread to one side, with the lone receiver on the other side being a TE aligned close to the line). Before the snap, Love gives a hand signal to the right side (Christian Watson relays the call with his own hand signal to Doubs on the outside). After the game, Jordan Love said, “we just changed the route with Christian and he did a great job just kinda creating that separation and be able to win across the field and just beat the guy with speed.”
This is an RPO (Run Pass Option), with the run call being a Wide Zone run with Josh Jacobs, and the pass tag being a variant of a WR Screen they’re fond of using on these RPO looks. This is a fairly standard call for them: the outside receivers to the pass side will block, while the inside receiver runs underneath them in the flat. Love has the option to hand the ball off to Jacobs or pass to Reed. It’s a pre-snap read and it’s a numbers game: if the offense has more players on the passing side, Love will throw it. If they don’t have a numbers advantage, he’ll hand it off.
My theory is that the hand signal from Love was a route adjustment based off of the defensive alignment. The call (Wide Zone with WR Screen tag) was the call, but Love had Watson and Doubs adjust to stalk-and-release routes: Watson on the slant, Doubs on the fade. That also converted this from a pre-snap read to a post-snap read, with Love needing to read a single defender (or section of the field) after the ball is snapped.
The Bears cornerbacks are tight to the line and their single-high safety is playing deep, so this looks like Man coverage, with the Bears bringing heat up front. At the snap, Love checks the line to the pass side. Based on what the Bears had been doing, it looks like Love is reading D’Marco Jackson [48] as the conflict defender. If Jackson breaks toward the line, Love pulls and throws. If Jackson drops off the line and into the throwing lane to Watson, Love will hand off to Jacobs.
At the snap, Jackson breaks toward the line, so Love pulls and throws.
Watson does a good job selling the block, gets inside position and breaks to the inside. Love gets the ball out on-time and out in front of Watson. With the safety breaking to the passing side and Watson catching the ball in-stride, there’s no one deep to the side Watson is running to.
Once Watson gets the ball, he’s gone. A true angle-eraser. Both CJ Gardner-Johnson [35] and Kevin Byard [31] take angles to make the tackle, but Watson outraces them to the front pylon.
The Packers kick the extra point and take a 21-11 lead.
The Impact
The Bears battled back – tying it at 21 with 8:00 left in the game – but the Packers ultimately won the game 28-21, taking the NFC North in the process. Don’t be surprised if you see this game come up again sometime next week.
Albums listened to: Jessica Lea Mayfield – Miss Obliteration
"NCAA Football 2003," the seventh installment in EA Sport's collegiate gridiron franchise, pulled double duty as that summer's nationwide dormitory must-have — and the University of Oregon's newfound recruiting pitch. Oregon quarterback and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year Joey Harrington graced the cover in a futuristic black-chested, green-sleeved and yellow-traipsed uniform, an extension of the university's new strategy: to use all that Phil Knight Nike money and creativity to attract the nation's top athletes. They created the wildest apparel combinations, built up the best facilities, and formed their very own aesthetic, held strong in functional art pieces like the "Deep in the Woods" basketball court design at Knight Arena. These forward thinking ideals attracted athletes the world over, including the jarring gymnast with WWE's most impossible ender, new WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion Sol Ruca.
"[Oregon is known] for their academics as well!" Ruca retorts with a laugh.
With her first major WWE championship secured, Ruca is showcasing a new style for a new generation, and she has the fight — and the flight — to flip the wrestling world on its head.
Sol Ruca has quickly become one of WWE's top young stars to watch.
WWE via Getty Images
A graduate of Western Christian High School in Upland, California, part of the appeal of the University of Oregon for Ruca was the stark contrast between her high school of 300 students and Eugene's packed stadiums and next-gen facilities to build the best athletes. "I went to a really small high school, so I didn't really get that whole high-school experience of football games and whatnot," Ruca says. "So when I decided that I was going to search for a college to go to and start reaching out for scholarships and all that, University of Oregon … when I toured them, I mean, the facilities were absolutely incredible. And I feel like once I saw that, I was like, 'yeah, this is where I want to be.'"
In 2019, she helped her Oregon Ducks Acrobatics and Tumbling Team finish as NCATA National Title runner-ups, and won an individual National Title in the Open Pyramid event.
Weighing out her post-grad options, Ruca's next move presented itself in the rarest of ways: a parent telling their child that they should wrestle. "My crazy thing is my mom was out [eating] with my brother and my grandma, and wrestling was on the TV, WWE was on the TV. And my mom had made a comment like, 'Oh, [she] should do that.' And then a few days later I'm like calling my mom like, 'Hey, I guess I have a tryout at WWE.'"
The same way she sought out schools and scholarships for college, Ruca reached out to WWE, who immediately responded. And the same way that fateful Eugene campus tour guided her to her first real life-changing decision, Ruca's initial WWE tryout let her know immediately that this was her path. "Everyone [trying out] bought into this goal of like, 'This is what we want. Like, we're all here for a reason.' And everyone was so supportive, and I kind of missed that. Then also just going through the drills, it was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done in my entire life, but it was also so fun."
Sol Ruca has already established herself as a master of the top rope in WWE.
WWE via Getty Images
Like any good recruiting trip, Ruca got to actually see game day as well. And getting to see what she'd be learning, in action, was the sticking point for her to make this her new passion. "They had the people that were on the independents do some matches at the end of the tryout," she recalls, "and being able to watch it there, in-person, I was like, 'Damn, this is kind of exactly what I wanted to do.' I just never knew that it was something I could do or even how to get into it.'"
For Ruca, the in-ring aspect of the job came quickly. In many ways, it was an extension of what she'd been doing most of her life. "I think that was because of gymnastics and also acrobatics and tumbling, because I got to work with other people [for the latter two], whereas gymnastics is a solo sport," she says. "Acrobatics is learning how to catch people, learning how to throw people, learning how to stay on time with someone."
What took a bit more time was understanding who she wanted to present, and how she'd find a way to be something fresh on a brand like NXT where standing out is paramount. Leaning into her Southern California roots, she developed the style and skills of Sol Ruca, a "Surfer" Sting meets Rob Van Dam persona with the former's beach pastiche and the latter's effortless athleticism. "[Sol Ruca] loves the beach. She loves surfing. She loves to expand her horizons and try new things," she says. "She's very laid back. She's very chill. However, if you mess with her, she's not afraid to step up and do what's necessary to put people in their place."
Everything looked so easy, most notably her mastery of the top rope. After missing a year early on with an ACL injury, Ruca came back in full force March 2024. Over the next year, she wowed crowds with her innovative moves, counters and the ability to just hang in the air before a top-rope splash or ringside dive. She highlighted the acrobatic action with the "Sol Snatcher," a springboard flipping cutter that stands out for its innovation and impact. From the top, the corner, the apron, anywhere, Ruca found new ways to blindside and batter her opponents all at once.
She flipped and finished her way to the WWE Women's Speed Championship, the NXT Women's North American Championship and a much-coveted spot on John Cena's "Last Time is Now" retirement show this past December. To date, she thinks that match against Bayley is the best on her résumé. "I talked to [Bayley] going into it about how big of a deal it was," Ruca says. "She was like, 'Hey, if I don't have [a] WrestleMania [match this year], this is the thing. Like, this is about as close as you can get to that.'
"It was really, really cool to be like the only women's match on that card, especially being someone from NXT against someone like Bayley, who is such a huge name and is well-known. It was absolutely incredible, and I was really, really honored to be that woman from NXT that came to represent."
Aside from the championships and challenges, Ruca also found the Lex Luger to her Sting, a promising powerhouse of a partner in Zaria, the South Australian bruiser with a mean look and even meaner streak. Partnering Zaria's physical intensity with Ruca's laid-back leaps in the ring — along with their "buddy cop" backstage bits — proved rewarding, as the two clicked on multiple levels. While the two split due to seemingly irreconcilable differences, Ruca credits her growth outside of the ring to her perfect stranger of a partner. "We've helped each other so much just, like, grow in general," she says.
"It was really cool to have such a different perspective and have such a difference between her and I. I think that's what made 'ZaRuca' work, was that we were so different, but we did have that common goal. … It's so much easier to bounce off things with like your best friend than someone that you may not talk to all the time or not get in the ring with all the time. So I think that whole experience, like, I'm so thankful for her. I'm so thankful that we were able to draw out this 'ZaRuca' thing for as long as we did, because we weren't supposed to tag at all. We were supposed to have like one or two matches, but people loved us, so we were together for a bit."
After losing a "Last Woman Standing" match to her former friend and feral foe, Ruca vaulted to the "WWE Raw" roster, losing her debut match to Women's Champion Liv Morgan after one final parting gift from her "ZaRuca" blood feud. Shorty thereafter, she found herself in the crosshairs of Women's Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, who took Ruca's contract signing as a personal affront. While still in its historical infancy, longtime WWE talents like Lynch, AJ Lee and Bayley have made the Intercontinental Title feel important right away with how fiercely they've fought for it and the lengths they've gone to protect it. So for Ruca, defeating Lynch for the title at WWE Clash in Italy came with both appreciation for what it's become and the challenge of helping to elevate it.
"Honestly, I'm honored, and I honestly just hope that I can do right by this title and prove that I do deserve to have this title," Ruca says.
"And I am just honored that I've come so far in a span of only four-ish years, so I'm just honored and I just want to do everyone proud. I want to do myself proud as well."
A half-decade after her collegiate days came to an end, the former Oregon Duck is doing right by her alma mater, with her unorthodox, loud outfits, forward-thinking offense and her gift of flight all honoring some of the unofficial tenets the university has leaned on in the past few decades. It's so rare to see things come so easily so quickly, but Ruca has the ability and focus to match style and substance. With a bright future and the baddest finisher around, the sky's only the limit if she aims that low.
"[Sol Ruca's] all about proving people wrong," she says. "That's exactly what [the championship] represents right now for me. I proved Becky wrong, I proved everyone else wrong that I'm just a rookie and that I'm not ready to be here, and here I am."
It’s been a dream of a past week for Owen Carey, who is showing power we’ve never seen from him before while maintaining an lengthening hitting streak. The pitching on the minor league side also had much intrigue, with Garrett Baumann pitching in Gwinnett and Lucas Braun posting his best start of the season for Columbus. Add in yet another home run from Alex Lodise and the day was full of exciting moments and big performances.
Garrett Baumann, SP: 5 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 11.49 ERA
Even with a rough start from Garrett Baumann and a lackluster performance by the offense the Stripers still had a sniff of a chance to steal this game late, but always came up just short with two-out RBI chances. The Stripers left 11 men on base in this game, but that doesn’t fully encapsulate that eight of those came in just the final three innings of this game. With the bases loaded in the eighth inning the Stripers, by some miracle, had a chance to tie the game, but Jair Camargo flew out lazily to end that opportunity. An error in the ninth inning put Adam Zebrowski on base, kicking off a rally that saw the Stripers fall tantalizingly short. DaShawn Kiersey hit a bouncer off of the back of the pitcher that would go for a single, but as the ball trickled into left field Zebrowski tried to score from second and a combination of his sub-20 speed and an admittedly impressive play from Carson Williams to get to the ball in shallow left field saw Zebrowski cut down trying to score. It probably wasn’t smart to send him, and after a single, a hit batter, and a walk scored Kiersey and left the bases loaded with two outs it seemed even worse in retrospect. Jose Azocar finished off the game with a grounder straight at Williams that would have been a routine double play if there were only one out, stranding the bases loaded for the second straight inning.
All six of the runs Garrett Baumann allowed in this game were driven in via home runs, which is an issue that has exploded over the past three outings for him. Baumann allowed seven home runs in his first 12 starts this season (11 COL, 1 GWN) but in the past three outings has allowed eight of them. While the Bulls hitters took advantage of the mistakes Baumann made and he left a few too many pitches over the plate, he didn’t really pitch that poorly. He made good pitches with his splitter, located his fastball at the top of strike zone fairly consistently, and mixed his pitches well. He ran out of steam a bit in the final inning which contributed to the middle-middle fastball that got hit for his third home run, but overall he wasn’t glaringly bad in any particular way. He got beat a few times by hitters making good swings, but this was not nearly on the level of his prior two starts when he was making too many mistakes with his command. He looked better in this outing even if the results weren’t there, and if he comes out in future outings and pitches like that the results should follow.
Lucas Braun, SP: 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 3.30 ERA
With the run environment up across minor league baseball there haven’t been too many of these true pitchers’ duels, but we got one in Tennessee on Thursday night and it was a masterpiece from Lucas Braun. It didn’t immediately look like it was going to be one of those nights for Braun. He struggled with his command to the first couple of hitters and gave up hard contact, including throwing a sinker middle-middle in a 2-0 count that got hit off of the wall in the deepest part of the park for a double. He fell behind 3-1 to the next guy before getting him to pop out and then got a ground out on a slider he hung, but after catching a series of breaks he locked in and started putting in good work. He dialed the slider in with a swinging strikeout to end the second inning, then started to dot the fastball up, slider down sequence to great success. That was the formula for the rest of the game, and his combination of being on with his command and the Smokies being willing to chase on sliders below the zone gave him the tools to get through eight scoreless innings.
The Smokies managed to match Braun with zeroes, and the Clingstones running up strikeouts undid the advantage they had with getting runners on base. Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning Columbus had gotten ten runners on base to the Smokies two, but thanks to strikeouts in key moments with runners in scoring position and a couple of outs on the basepaths they never managed to push anyone home. Shay Schanaman had an unfortunate bit of luck when he jammed the leadoff hitter but gave up a single on a slow roller to third base, but he also struggled to throw strikes. He walked two hitters to load the bases up with only one out in the inning, then gave up a walkoff single on a hard hit ball that went off of the glove of Jordan Groshans at third base.
Swing and Misses
Lucas Braun – 16
Shay Schanaman – 3
(38-38) Rome Emperors 8, (28-49) Jersey Shore BlueClaws 4
Zach Royse, SP: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 4.96 ERA
The Owen Carey fan club is eating well these days. Carey only had one hit in this game to extend his hitting streak to nine games, but he did it in a big way with a missile for a home run in the fifth inning. Carey has three home runs in his past four games with that hit, and already has beaten his total for home runs last season in just 37 games. Carey is really making solid contact in the air on the pull side early in this season, which was the biggest criticism you could have of him last season. He is maintaining his ability to hit hard line drives all over the field and make contact at a high rate while adding to his power output, and the Emperors have yet another breakout candidate making waves for them. Overall this offensive performance was mostly not driven by the elite-tier prospects for the Braves, though they’ll certainly be happy to see Dixon Williams add another to his total. Williams had a no-doubt shot in the first inning to put Rome up 3-0, banging the ball off of a billboard well past the fence in left field. Williams has homered in two straight games, and after that nasty slump he has really been crushing the ball over his past 15 games. He has five home runs and a .321/.415/.661 slash line during that timeframe, though his poor contact rates do remain a red flag.
Zach Royse had a couple of poor games in his adjustment to High-A, where he was not missing bats at the rate he was in Single-A, but this game was a quick reversal of trends as he looked strong once again. Royse’s slider was on full display as he kept going back to it until each individual hitter proved they could hit it, and some of the guys in the lineup never showed that they could. Royse’s only issue in the game is that he had a whole lot more trouble commanding his fastball, but he was able to work around that the first time through the order. The next time through the BlueClaws had a better feel for him and his velocity really started to drop off, so the earlier success he had at getting whiffs didn’t carry over. Royse did enough and his slider was good enough that Jersey Shore never got comfortable in the game, but the velocity dip and the command of his fastball are more fuel to the opinion that Royse’s future is likely in the bullpen. The quality of that slider is good enough to carry a major league middle relief pitcher’s career, but there’s certainly no reason to move him out of the starting role just yet even if it’s just to give him extra reps.
Swing and Misses
Zach Royse – 15
Jacob Kroeger – 5
(44-34) Augusta GreenJackets 10, (30-47) Salem RidgeYaks
Alex Lodise, SS: 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, .254/.342/.369
Jeremy Reyes, SP: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3.25 ERA
It was a disappointing outcome for the GreenJackets on Thursday night, but they still received big contributions from the top prospects in the lineup, especially from Alex Lodise. Lodise has yet again hit a spell where the strikeouts are piling up — he has nine over the past six games — but it hasn’t slowed down his power production one bit. He hit his 16th home run of the season and eighth over the past 14 games while adding in a double. Most of the damage Lodise has done during this hot streak has come with him lighting up the lower half of the strike zone, but this time he took a fastball in the upper half and hit it the other way. Early in this game Augusta went on a run at the plate that allowed them to open up a 6-1 lead, and a big part of that came courtesy of the Carolina League batting leader Luis Guanipa. With the bases loaded in the second inning Guanipa shot an inside sinker into the opposite gap for a bases-clearing double, netting him the first three of five RBI on the day. In another bases-loaded chance in the fifth inning Guanipa again came through with an opposite field single, helping Augusta open up a lead of 9-6 that would also eventually get blown by the pitching staff. While Guanipa has maintained his contact numbers throughout this season he hasn’t seen the home run power that he showed earlier in the season and that double in the first inning is an example of a pitch we were seeing him drive to the pull side in April and May. Guanipa’s bat speed makes it so he tends to never get beaten on the inner half, but he has shown a tendency to drift back towards getting his front foot down a bit late and shooting pitches the opposite way, which has robbed him of some of the impact he showed in the early months. Conor Essenburg added an 0-5 performance to his recent struggles, and has been locked in his worst stretch of the season for the past couple of series.
With his recent demotion you would hope for better results from Jeremy Reyes, but right now what Reyes is putting on the field is concerning for his future. His velocity is down significantly and he just doesn’t have the command to overcome that limitation, and even though his slider has had success generating whiffs at the Single-A level there just isn’t much indication of growth from him. Should the velocity return to his baseline there is a chance for him to fit in as a relief arm, but the electric potential he showed last season has not been there at all in 2026. He’s getting hit hard right now in addition to not being able to throw strikes consistently, and it’s hard to see that changing anytime soon when his sweeper is the only thing showing anything right now and that’s a pitch he can’t land near the strike zone consistently.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 01: Noelvi Marte #4 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts while crossing home plate after hitting a two run homer in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 01, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles are rapidly approaching the point where they need to go on a stretch of solid baseball to re-establish themselves as real contenders for the wild card. Between now and the All-Star break is the time where they are going to need to do it. Inching along at 5-4 might drag it out for longer. Worse comes close to putting them out of the picture entirely.
With this in front of them, they are in Cincinnati to match up for three games with the Reds over Independence Day weekend. The Reds had themselves an excellent April and have been on a bad run since, dropping a 10-17 May before a 9-17 June, with one game played and lost so far in July. It’s not too hard to figure out their problem. They’re a bad hitting team, mustering just a .228/.309/.389 batting line for the season. This quartet is carrying the offense: Elly Da La Cruz, Sal Stewart, JJ Bleday, and Nathaniel Lowe. The rest of the guys are in “slightly worse than Leody Taveras” territory.
Add to that a pitching staff that’s bottom 10 for both starter and reliever ERA and that’s a tough way to be a contender. The rotation is bad in spite of 23-year-old righty Chase Burns showing as a genuine Cy Young contender so far this season. Burns entered Thursday with a 2.36 ERA in 14 starts. Unless something weird happens, Burns won’t face the Orioles in this series because he pitched against the Brewers on Thursday. Three guys in the Reds rotation have an ERA over 5 and their notional closer has an ERA over 6. That’s a tough recipe for contention.
The Orioles have to actually play better than the Reds for any of this stuff to matter. We’ve seen quite recently as they faced the otherwise-woeful Angels that they can blow it against an obviously bad team. The Reds bring a comparable record to the Orioles into this series, so it’s not like the O’s are even “supposed” to be better than these guys. They’re in the same muck, just in different leagues. A three-game series means one of these teams is guaranteed to exit it feeling a little better about themselves. If it’s not the Orioles, the available path back to contention will have shrunk yet again.
Here’s how they’re matching up in each game of the series.
Friday: 7:10pm Eastern
BAL starter: Trevor Rogers – 4.99 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 1.311 WHIP in 15 games
CIN starter: Brady Singer – 5.12 ERA, 5.82 FIP, 1.539 WHIP in 16 games
Rogers is fresh off a month of June where, across five starts, he pitched like it was last year again. Opponents hit to just a .510 OPS off of him in those games and he had a 2.05 ERA. Yeah, that will play. However, though the Reds have a disappointing offense, they are much better against lefties than righties, with a .758 OPS against southpaws. It seems that their righty batters are actually hitting lefties. Some guys on the Orioles should try out that concept.
Singer pitched 169.2 innings a season ago and allowed 19 home runs. He’s already allowed 19 homers so far this season in not even half as many innings. It’s not only homers that are his problem. Batters are hitting .294 against Singer. He is also coming off of an improved June, though, so like Rogers, the overall season number isn’t impressive but there’s a trajectory of improvement. Also, Singers has a 3.25 ERA at home, so that tilts in his favor.
Saturday: 7:10pm Eastern
BAL starter: Brandon Young – 3.11 ERA, 3.95 FIP, 1.300 WHIP in 13 games
CIN starter: Hunter Greene (season debut after spring training surgery for bone chips in elbow)
Elsewhere on the site, I’ve noted within recent days that the only thing standing between the Orioles and complete disaster this season has been Young. The team is 10-3 in his starts and the way he’s pitched has had a lot to do with that being the case. It’s quite a stark contrast to the results he got in his first introduction to the majors last year. We have to hope that maybe Trey Gibson can find something like this after a similarly-unimpressive set of debut starts. They are going to need Young to keep pitching well.
Greene was one of the game’s great young starting pitchers in each of the past two seasons. He hasn’t had the opportunity to show whether he can continue that yet this year due to that spring training arthroscopic surgery. He destroyed Triple-A batters over his rehab outings, finishing with a 6.1 inning start that saw him throw 82 pitches. Maybe the Reds won’t push him too hard towards 100 pitches, and if so, maybe the Orioles hitters can work some counts and take advantage of this to get into that bullpen.
Sunday: 1:05pm Eastern
BAL starter: Kyle Bradish – 3.77 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 1.452 WHIP in 17 games
CIN starter: Nick Lodolo – 5.05 ERA, 5.30 FIP, 1.471 WHIP in 10 games
Note: This game will be televised only on Peacock. If you do not have access to Peacock, you will not have access to the video broadcast.
In the final game of this series, the Orioles batters will finally have to face a left-handed starting pitcher. Believe it or not, the O’s have rebounded from their horrible early record against lefty pitchers, and currently sit with a 10-15 record when facing a southpaw. That’s still bad, it’s just better than it was; they’ve gone better than .500 against lefties after losing the first several.
Lodolo has not been a good lefty this year, but as we know, that doesn’t matter for the Orioles offense. They will stink against anyone, any time, anywhere. They will make sure that you never doubt their ability to do this.
Is Bradish back or not? He’s been see-sawing between pre-surgery great results and rough ones, including his most recent start where he walked five guys in only four innings against the Nationals. Three of Bradish’s five June starts saw him pitch just four innings, and he gave up a total of 14 runs in those three starts. He was also great in two other starts, allowing just one run in 15.2 innings. Which will show against the Reds on Sunday? Your guess is as good as mine.
**
What do you think? Can the Orioles look like a good team in this series or not? Stay cool, wherever you are!
If you spend anytime online watching or listening to national analysts ranking and explaining quarterback rankings, you will probably have noted that where to putSeattle Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold is a mixed bag. He is sometimes put in the top 10 quarterbacks, and is usually between seven to 10, like on NFL.com, but that is the minority. More often than not, he is ranked between 12 to 20 like on ESPN. Per Gregg Rosenthal, he is the 13th ranked quarterback. With such a disparity in where to place the Super Bowl winning quarterback, the question remains: is Darnold a top 10 quarterback? That is what we will try to answer today.
There is no doubting that the beginning of Sam Darnold’s career was a rocky one. Drafted by the New York Jets, he was tasked with running the Peyton Manning-style offense with Adam Gase, which is similar to giving a college textbook to a middle school student and ask them to fully comprehend it. Needless to say, there would be bumps along the road. He averaged around 2,700 passing yards, 13 interceptions and 15 touchdowns a season, with an average completion rate of 59.8% and a passer rating of 78.63 in his three-year stint with the Jets. That is not good, especially being the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.
In his next stop with the Carolina Panthers, Matt Rhule tried to implement his college offense with Darnold under center. Any Seahawk fans remembering the Ryan Grubb offense in 2024, or watching the Chip Kelly offense with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, can tell you that college offenses do not work out all that well in the NFL. Darnold started 12 games in his first year with the Panthers, and six games the next season. He threw for a total of 3670 yards, 15 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 59.5% and a passer rating of 76.64. He seemed to be regressing, and most of the national media seemingly gave up on Sam Darnold.
Those were the statistics from his first two NFL stints, and he spent a year being the backup to Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. He finally got his opportunity to start again with the Vikings, then got a long term contract with the Seahawks in 2025. These last two seasons, Darnold led his teams to 14-3 regular seasons, the only quarterback to do so in back to back seasons while playing for two different teams. He also became the first University of Southern California quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl.
Best "highly accurate" throw rate seasons on attempts traveling 20+ air yards (since 2021)
1. Sam Darnold, 2025 – 52.1% 2. Joe Burrow, 2025 – 51.7% t-3. Joe Burrow, 2021 – 50.0% t-3. Brock Purdy, 2025 – 50.0% t-3. Jared Goff, 2025 – 50.0% pic.twitter.com/oRIPKknDz1
— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) June 18, 2026
There is no doubting that the last two seasons have been good for Darnold, but does his performance elevate him to a top ten quarterback? To answer this question, I took a look at 34 starting quarterbacks the last two seasons. I looked at their stats, specifically at their passing yards, attempts, completions, completion percentage, touchdowns, and interceptions. From that, I used Pro Football Reference’s passer rating calculator to calculate the quarterbacks passer rating. If they did not play all 17 regular season games, I calculated their stats for that season to see what they would have been if they had played all 17 games that season. I then averaged their stats from 2024 and 2025 together to get an average statistical look at their performance. That way, every quarterback was on an even playing field and at their peak performance.
The top 10 quarterbacks based on this calculation of their passer rating are as follows:
1. Lamar Jackson: 112.03 2. Jared Goff: 108.8 3. Joe Burrow: 105.11 4. Josh Allen: 102.01 5. Sam Darnold: 100.94 6. Drake Maye: 100.81 7. Matthew Stafford: 100.8 8. Jalen Hurts: 100.36 9. Baker Mayfield: 98.71 10. Jordan Love: 98.48
Over the past two seasons, Darnold ranked seventh in passing yards with an average of 4184, 10th in completion percentage at 66.9, seventh in touchdowns with an average of 30 per season, and tied with Patrick Mahomes at eighth in interceptions with a two-year average 13. Overall, he was the fifth ranked quarterback on average over the last two season by these statistics.
Funnily enough, Pro Football Network also has Darnold as their fifth ranked quarterback from 2025 based on their grading scale, just behind Jordan Love at fourth, Brock Purdy at third, Matthew Stafford at second, and Drake Maye at first. Just behind Darnold to round out the top 10 are Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Daniel Jones, Josh Allen, then Joe Burrow.
Nobody in NFL history has had a more dramatic rise from the bottom to the top than Sam Darnold.
First 6 years: 21 wins, 63 TD, 0 playoffs
Last 2 years: 28 wins, 60 TD, 3 playoff wins incl Super Bowl
He gave all credit to his teammates and coaches, didn't blame Jets or Panthers pic.twitter.com/y2V6Rasa6Q
— Seaside Joe: Daily Seahawks Newsletter (@seasidejoenews) June 24, 2026
Per Seahawk Nerd, they had Darnold in the top 10 in Bog Boy Quarterbacking with Expected Points Added (EPA) and success rate adjusted for expected Yards After Catch (YAC) used to calculate the best throwers of the football in the league. In their words, “EPA is great for capturing the explosiveness of big plays, and success rate is great for measuring how consistently the offense stays on schedule. Together, they provide a framework for assessing the two main goals of NFL quarterbacking.” The graph below shows the results.
Per Pro Football Focus, Darnold was in their top five most clutch quarterbacks, ranking fourth. Prescott ranked first, then Stafford and Jackson. Mark Chichester noted that Darnold this past season rated high in several quarterback stats “including accurate throw rate (73.3%, third), negatively graded play rate (8.9%, fifth) and yards per attempt (8.4, fifth),” while only having a 0.89 percent turnover-worthy play rate.
Brian Nemhauser created a tool to evaluate players, and per his tool Darnold is the eighth ranked quarterback out of 45. As noted on the graph below from the tool, Darnold rates high in passing statistics, and not as high in rushing stats. My own calculations back this, as I have him ranked 24th in average rushing yards average of 154 rushing yards, and tied for eighth in average rushing touchdowns with one. I would argue, however, he does enough with his legs to avoid sacks, and is able to scramble and get the first down if needed, averaging 17 runs for first downs the last two seasons and 3.4 yards per carry throughout his career. His longest run went for 46 yards, with his longest from 2025 was for 24 yards. While using his legs to get yards may not be his biggest tool in his toolbox, he has the tools that count the most for having a long career as a starting quarterback in the NFL: arm talent.
Conclusion
Based on the analytics mentioned above, Darnold should be considered a top 10 quarterback in the league. He is one of the most accurate throwers of the ball, one of the top big time passers in the league, and a Super Bowl champion. He also has the backing of his coaching staff and locker room, winning over teammates from both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
In playoff game statistics, which many critics held as the goal post to prove them wrong, he did that and more. Over the last two seasons he has one interception and one fumble (both with the Vikings), a completion percentage of 61.8%, and a passer rating of 102.4 in 2025. He did not turn the ball over once in the playoffs with the Seahawks. On the biggest stages, Darnold won, played clean games, and lifted the Lombardi Trophy.
I believe it is safe to say for the majority of people, those first six years really left an imprint on their view of Darnold. First impressions are hard to overcome, but in my book, he has done just that. The man who once saw ghosts has become The Ghostbuster.
May 12, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a single during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Major League Baseball issued suspensions to Cade Cavalli (7 games), Miles Mikolas (5 games), Willson Contreras (7 games), and Nate Eaton (3 games) for their roles in Tuesday’s brawl between the Nationals and Red Sox.
Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic made his predictions for this year’s All-Star Game rosters. ($) The rosters will be unveiled on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm PT.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 02: Luka Modric #10 of Croatia congratulates Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal after the 2-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The group stages of the 2026 World Cup are now complete and the 48 teams that started the tournament have been whittled down to 32.
Match: Australia vs Egypt Venue: Atlanta, USA Time: 11am PST, 2pm EST, 7pm BST How To Watch: USA – FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX One, SiriusXM FC, Futbol de Primera Radio; UK – BBC Sport Web, BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live; bein Sports Max 1; SuperSport MaXimo 1
Match: Argentina vs Cape Verde Venue: Seattle, USA Time: 3pm PST, 6pm EST, 11pm BST How To Watch: USA – FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX One, SiriusXM FC, Futbol de Primera Radio; UK – BBC Sport Web, BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live; bein Sports Max 1; SuperSport MaXimo 1
Match: Colombia vs Ghana Venue: San Francisco, USA Time: 6:30pm PST, 9:30pm EST, 2:30am BST How To Watch: USA – FS1, fuboTV, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX One, SiriusXM FC, Futbol de Primera Radio; UK – BBC Sport Web, BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live; bein Sports Max 1; Supe
Four changes confirmed to Manchester City coaching structure
Oliver Reiss has been promoted to Head Coach of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad (EDS), succeeding the departing Ben Wilkinson.
Following Reiss’ promotion to the Under-21 tier, former assistant Lauris Coggin moves up to take the reins as the new Head Coach of the Under-18s.
Long-serving coach Jan-Moritz Lichte leaves the City Football Academy setup.
Manchester City have announced four changes to their Academy coaching structure in light of Ben Wilkinson’s exit to Derby County to become a first-team coach.
The development model within the club is viewed as an integral arm of the organisation, and most recently generated elite top-flight performers like Nico O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, while simultaneously generating vital liquidity to fund senior targets like the record-breaking £116 million purchase of Elliot Anderson.
Rather than introducing outside tactical philosophies, Academy Director Thomas Krucken has chosen to reward proven internal success, ensuring the possession-oriented style of play that has dominated the English youth landscape remains intact.
Four changes in Man City’s Academy coaching structure
Now, as confirmed by Manchester City and Thomas Krucken, a new Youth Development structure has been finalised with Oliver Reiss named as the new Head Coach of the club’s Elite Development Squad (EDS).
Reiss – who joined Manchester City in July 2024 – has been selected as the successor to Ben Wilkinson, who recently left the position to become a first-team coach at Championship side Derby County.
The German coach, who spent two seasons as the Lead Coach of City’s Under-18s, follows Wilkinson who also made the move from the Under-18s to the EDS in summer 2024.
Those movements has also seen changes further down in the age categories, with Assistant EDS coach Lauris Coggin now becoming the club’s Head Coach of the Under-18s, while U16-EDS Head of Coaching Jan-Moritz Lichte has left the Club, with Jose Castro replacing him.
Thomas Krucken said of the changes, “Firstly, I would like to thank Ben for his fantastic service to the Academy during his eight years at the Club in different roles and for all his exemplary work with our young players.
“We’re excited about the new structure and in Oliver and Lauris we have two of the most knowledgeable and intelligent coaches in youth football. Their appointments show the pathway for coaches embedded at Manchester City and the Academy, from Enzo Maresca, right through the Club.”
He continued, “It is part of the culture we want to have here, whether it’s players or coaches, there is a real opportunity for progression.
“There’s a huge amount of playing talent in our Academy and it’s vitally important that we get the right people in place for our culture and to help their development.”
Why Man City have made these changes
After concluding a decade-long tenure managing youth brackets at Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin, Oliver Reiss adapted to Manchester and steered the Under-18s through a historic 21-game consecutive winning streak to secure the Under-18 Premier League North crown in his debut year.
Reiss firmly cemented his credentials over the course of the 2025/26 campaign, engineering a tactical masterclass to hoist the prestigious FA Youth Cup by dismantling local rivals Manchester United in the final, alongside retaining their regional league title.
The internal promotion of both Reiss and Lauris Coggin highlights the structural pathway now available to coaching staff inside the City Football Academy network, echoing the trajectory of Enzo Maresca, who cut his teeth managing the EDS before stepping up to senior roles.
Michigan assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. reacts to a play against Oakland during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, November 3, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Interim Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton is doing everything in his power to keep the band together. Concurrently, he is also proving he is the right man for the job long term. And thus far, job well done!
Boynton has already secured the returns of Trey McKenney, Elliott Cadeau, Moustapha Thiam and J.P Estrella, a core that is strong enough to keep the Wolverines in the mix in the Big Ten. Now, Boynton must focus on retaining a handful of others if Michigan wants any shot at one of the unlikeliest championship repeats in the sport’s history.
Here is how Boynton should prioritize his retention efforts with the current Wolverines.
1. SG Brandon McCoy
Perhaps a little controversial, but I’ll explain. Brandon McCoy is the second-rated shooting guard and the No. 10 overall player in the 2026 class. At 6-foot-5, he combines college-ready size with physicality and competitiveness that should immediately translate into an impact two-way player. His ability to play off the ball could also give Michigan a dynamic three-guard lineup to help space the floor with Thiam and Estrella dominating in the paint. McCoy’s talent has scouts projecting him as the top Wolverine in the 2027 NBA Draft, and most importantly, he is not coming off a knee injury.
2. PG L.J. Cason
L.J. Cason was the best backup point guard in the country last season before his February knee injury against Illinois. Off the bench, Cason was averaging 8.4 points, 2.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds while shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. And the numbers don’t even do his career ascent justice.
Originally expected to redshirt next year, he is now on track for a late return with the expected passage of the 5-in-5 NCAA eligibility rule. Cason could return in February for the meat of the conference slate, but he should be fully healthy for the postseason. Cason will bring leadership and continuity to this team and will help ease the pressure on McCoy’s freshman shoulders.
3. PF Jalen Reed
The 6-foot-10 LSU transfer provides valuable experience and depth to Michigan’s front court. A four-year player, however, Jalen Reed has only played in 14 games the last two seasons and is coming off consecutive season-ending injuries. But in those games, he averaged 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 46.5 percent from three.
With his ability to rebound and space the floor, Reed is the perfect complementary forward to play next to a dominant center. If Reed can replicate Nimari Burnett’s ironman turn once in Ann Arbor — Burnett only played 12 games his first two years due to injury — he could be the biggest swing role player for this team.
4. PF Quinn Costello
Quinn Costello falls under the definition of “stretch 4” in the dictionary. A lean, silky smooth offensive player at 6-foot-10, Costello has great shooting touch and a well-rounded offensive game. Despite his frame, he is coordinated off the dribble, and his catch-and-shoot ability could be his ticket to early playing time off the bench. He needs to put on weight to hold up in the Big Ten — he is listed at sub-200 pounds — especially defensively, but his offensive game is remarkably polished for a young player.
Side note: With Costello coming from Boston, Boynton must prioritize his retainment for the sole purpose of the fanbase’s enjoyment and ability to make an endless amount of The Departed references.
5. SF Lincoln Cosby
A true freshman, Lincoln Cosby is the highest-rated natural wing player on the roster, even though he will not be available until next season due to an extensive injury rehab. A reclassified, long 6-foot-8 prospect from Florida, Cosby is a fluid offensive player with a lockdown defensive game that will be his inevitable calling card. The dearly Dallas-departed Dusty May described him glowingly.
“Lincoln has great size, athleticism and versatility, and he impacts the game in a lot of ways. He can defend multiple positions, rebound, run the floor, and make plays with the ball in his hands. We’re excited to support him through his rehab process and help him come back even stronger.”
Cosby’s retention is important because it gives Boynton a future building block. A player with whom he can work with inside the program and point to as an example of his development. The reclassification cost him a star in the rankings, but it allows him to recover and train at Michigan’s state-of-the-art facilities, learn Boynton’s system and refine the deficiencies in his game.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - MAY 23: Joey Spallina #22 of the Syracuse University Orange comes up with the ball after scrum during the Division I Men's Lacrosse Semifinals held at Scott Stadium on May 23, 2026 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Larry French/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
It wasn’t the must fulfilling year for Syracuse Athletics, but several individuals had outstanding seasons.
Syracuse fans determined that Joey Spallina’s year stood out above the rest as 65% of the votes went to the Orange’s new All-Time points leader. The ending wasn’t what 22 wanted, but he certainly left his mark on the program as he helped lead Syracuse to back-to-back Final Fours.
Uche Izoje and Jamir Brown were certainly the top newcomers for Syracuse. Izoje led women’s basketball to the NCAA Tournament as she dominated the ACC rookie awards all season. Brown made the leap from Divison 3 as smoothly as he clears the hurdles.
What Syracuse athletes will challenge these two in 26-27? Let us know what you think and if you want to put a flyer on Steve Angeli’s Heisman campaign be sure to visit our partners at FanDuel.
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LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JUNE 10: Braxton Jones #70 of the Chicago Bears speaks to media after Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall on June 10, 2026 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I nearly went back to back with a position instead of a player here at number nine (much like center yesterday), but the more I thought about it, the more I realized Braxton Jones is the best case scenario at left tackle for the 2026 Chicago Bears.
He was the best case last year, too, but he could never fully recover from his ankle injury to grasp the starting job, and it ended up a training camp battle between him, Ozzy Trapilo, Kiran Amegadjie, and Theo Benedet. Jones won by default when no one outperformed him, but he clearly wasn’t 100%, and he was eventually benched before another injury landed him on injured reserve.
This year, it’s Trapilo recovering from an injury, but he won’t be back for a while as he rehabs his ruptured patellar tendon. The Bears did add Jedrick Wills Jr. to compete along with the returning Amegadjie and Benedet, but while the Bears aren’t awarding starting jobs in OTAs, Braxton was with the number ones all offseason.
With no rehab to be concerned with, Jones trained with five-time Pro Bowler Terron Armstead this offseason, and Armstead is “excited” for what his pupil will do in 2026.
Here’s what Armstead said about Jones recently, from an interview with Cassie Carslon by way of the BearsWire.
“What I’ve seen from Braxton, and what I know of Braxton moving forward, is this is a person that is sure of himself now that he knows he has the ability to go out and execute at a high level. He’s done the work, and he really wants to prove his work to himself. Not the masses, not the fans or the media, to prove to himself that he can play this game at the highest level. Because he’s starting to really, really believe that. And that’s where it has to start. If you have that doubt, that self-doubt, it’s going to reflect on the field. He’s removing that through work, through technique, through perfecting his craft.”
Jones may not have been physically all the way back last offseason, but mentally, he wasn’t ready either. He didn’t trust his surgically repaired fibula, and his play suffered.
“The procedures I’ve had is fine, and everything’s good, everything’s strong, and that’s really what it is,” Jones said a few weeks ago via FOX 32.
“Even last year, I was still in a good place, but I just didn’t trust it,” Jones continued. “I didn’t trust the positions I was putting myself in. And when you don’t trust that you’re never going to put a good outcome out there.”
The 27-year-old had some other options in free agency this offseason, but he and the Bears agreed on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $10 million.
If he can stay healthy, he’s setting himself up for a nice payday in the offseason. But that’s a big if, as the only year he went unscathed as a pro was as a rookie in 2022.
He started all 17 games that year, had a good offseason, and came into 2023 playing better, but a neck issue caused him to miss 6 games. In 2024, a knee injury and concussion kept him out of 5 games.
And then, last year, the slow recovery could have led to the knee injury that landed him on IR, with only 6 games played. He was activated off IR in the postseason, but wasn’t active on game day, so head coach Ben Johnson never really saw what Jones could do.
“I’m excited about where he’s at right now,” Johnson said about a month before the offseason workouts started. “He came in when he signed the contract, and he looked like a brand-new man as far as I’m concerned. This guy was beefed up. He was probably 310 pounds, and he looked yoked up. He’s very determined to get his career trajectory back to where it was before.”
Jones’ experience and health likely earned him the nod with the ones on the first day of OTAs, but the fact that he kept it all offseason is a good sign that his trajectory is looking up.
Jun 14, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto (22) is tagged out attempting to steal second in the sixth inning by Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The New York Mets (36-51) return from a brief stint in Canada to face their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves (50-35). The Mets, if you can believe it, actually took two out of three from the first place Braves at Citi Field in June. You can probably believe this, but it’s the last time the Mets won a series, and it represents one of only two series the Mets won since the start of June.
If you thought that the June Swoon might have been the cause of the team’s problems, well think again because the Mets kicked off July with a putrid effort in a 9-3 loss on Canada Day at Rogers Centre. It capped off a series loss in which they fell 2-1 on Monday but blanked the Blue Jays 3-0 in their lone victory.
Despite escaping with one victory in the three-game set, the offense yet again remained the biggest culprit. New York scored seven runs across the three games, with six of the seven coming via the home run. The team also did not record a single hit with runners in scoring position, going hitless in 17 tries across the series and leaving 17 runners on base. Most glaring of all was the Monday game, when they went 0-for-9 and left 7 on base, and given that they lost by one run, they squandered several chances to steal the game from Toronto. Dating back to their loss on Sunday against the Phillies, New York is 2-for-25 with RISP over their past four games.
On the bright side, I mentioned the home runs, and Francisco Lindor contributed two of the five. In doing so, he doubled his home run total on the season, with two now post-IL to match the two he hit before landing on the injured list. In addition, Carson Benge hit his tenth of the year in yesterday’s loss, a two-run blast that got New York on the board. Lastly, both Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens homered in Tuesday night’s victory.
The big story from the week was Steve Cohen joining Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman on a podcast and confirming that David Stearns is safe for the duration of his five-year deal (for those keeping track, he’s currently in the middle of year five of the contract). I’d argue that it’s not really a surprise, as Cohen is committed to Stearns’ vision and also is probably in no hurry to have to fill that role again after how long he waited to get Stearns away from the Brewers.
Fans have been out in full force against the team’s President of Baseball Operations, but it also makes no sense to cut bait now, especially close to both the draft and the trade deadline. Cohen’s comments, at the very least, put all questions to bed and turn attention to Stearns fixing this mess. Cohen did express a lot of disappointment at the team’s play and the position they currently find himself in, so while he essentially said Stearns is safe (for now), that was not necessarily a glowing endorsement of the work he’s done over the past two years, given the team’s current position. However, fans should get comfortable with Stearns at the helm for the next two seasons, which will include navigating a potential lockout.
There is, perhaps, no team in baseball happier than the Braves to see the calendar turn from June to July. Atlanta started the month by going 5-2 but ended it by dropping 12 of their final 16 games, bringing their overall record in June to 9-14. They have gone 1-1 so far in July and ended up dropping two out of three in their series with the Cardinals.
The Braves’ offense was putrid in June, which resulted in their sub-.500 record. They posted the lowest wRC+ (65) and scored the fewest runs (77) of any major league club. They also hit the fewest home runs in the month (19) and had the lowest OPS (.599). Their rotation was not any better in June, as they posted a 5.69 ERA, which is somehow even worse than the Mets’ ERA for the month (5.46), and is the fifth-worst mark in the majors. Their bullpen is just about the one aspect of their game that didn’t fall apart in June, as their relievers posted a 2.14 ERA, which is the best mark in the majors.
Friday, July 3: Christian Scott vs. Grant Holmes, 7:15 PM EDT on WPIX
Scott made his first start in 15 days after landing on the IL with a right hip impingement and was relatively effective against the Phillies. He lasted 4 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits. He struck out six in the game and walked just two. In the end, he needed 82 pitches and threw 54 of them for strikes. He did not seem to be suffering any ill effects from his injury and is set to make his next turn against the Braves. He has continued to be one of the lone bright spots for New York and has established himself as one of the faces of the club’s future.
Holmes made his first relief outing his last time out, going four scoreless innings while limiting the Giants to one hit. Atlanta put him in the bullpen because he had failed to go deep in any of his previous three starts (3 2/3 innings, two innings, and 4 2/3 innings). This outing was by far his most effective of the four, and he showed enough that the Braves feel comfortable plugging him right back into the rotation after that brief reset.
Saturday, July 4: Sean Manaea vs. Chris Sale, 8:08 PM EDT on FOX
Manaea bounced back from a rocky (and short) start against the Cubs by holding the Blue Jays to two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Unfortunately, he was bitten by a misplay to start the game, which resulted in a little league home run and put him behind one batter into his start. That was enough to saddle Manaea with his third loss of the year, despite the solid showing. Since being inserted back into the rotation on June 13, he has a 4.05 ERA and a 2.91 FIP in 20 innings across four starts, so at the very least he’s gotten his season back on track following the rough stretch in the bullpen to begin the year.
The 2024 NL Cy Young winner is having a really strong season for the Braves. He currently owns the third-best ERA (2.10) and FIP (2.55) among NL starting pitchers with at least 90 innings pitched in 2026. He’s also third in HR/9 (0.6), fourth in K% (29.6%), and seventh in BB% (7.0%). He’s probably right behind Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sánchez in the Cy Young race right now, but it’s still impressive to see what he’s doing at 37 years old. He suffered a loss in his last start to the Giants, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits over six innings. In the loss, he reached double digits in strikeouts for the second time this season. He’s also been able to give Atlanta a lot of length this year, pitching into the sixth inning in 13 of his 15 starts. He’ll be happy to see the Mets, as he owns a 1.97 ERA in 32 career innings across five starts against the Mets.
Sunday, July 5: Freddy Peralta vs. Martín Pérez, 12:30 PM EDT on NBC/Peacock
McLean enjoyed his best start of the season and looked like the ace the Mets were hoping he would be this year. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings against the Blue Jays, scattering five hits while walking two and striking out seven. The effort was good enough to get him his fifth win against five losses this year, which matched his win total from 2025. The outing also highlights a really fascinating split from the right-hander’s season. So far, he owns a 2.49 ERA in eight road starts while pitching to a much less palatable 5.03 ERA in nine starts at Citi Field. It’s curious to see just how much better he’s pitching away from home, but hopefully that trend continues, at least for this next go-around.
Pérez is coming off of a couple of tough outings. His last time out, he was charged with four earned runs on five hits over five innings in a loss to the Cardinals. Prior to that, he was charged with three earned runs on four hits over four innings in a loss to the Padres. In those two starts, he walked seven while striking out five. He also surrendered three homers in the two losses after giving up six homers in his first 15 starts. He did very well against the Mets on June 13, limiting New York to one earned run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. It ended up being the only game the Braves won in their trip to Citi Field.
Monday, July 6: Freddy Peralta vs. Reynaldo López, 7:15pm on SNY
Peralta continues to be really maddening for the Mets this year. He was tagged for five earned runs on seven hits against the Blue Jays as he picked up his seventh loss of the year. He walked three and struck out four, and again failed to pitch deep into a game. With the club all but out of it, Peralta is almost sure to be moved by the trade deadline, so his performance over the next few weeks will basically just be used to increase his value and help New York recoup some (hopefully) top prospects.
López has bounced back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen this year but appears to be sticking in the rotation for now. He is coming off one of his best showings this year, as he held the Cardinals to one earned run on two hits over five innings of work. He walked just one and struck out six, and the result was his fourth win of the season. It was just the fourth time this year that the right-hander completed five innings of work or more.
San Diego, CA - August 17: Gio Rojas pitches for the East team during the Dick's Sporting Goods Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park on August 17, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Every MLB draft seems to feature one high school pitcher who separates himself from the rest of the prep class. In 2026, that pitcher appears to be Gio Rojas. The Florida prep left-hander has been one of the premier amateur arms in the country for several years, and evaluators from every major outlet view him as the top high school pitching prospect in the class.
Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (FL)
The 6’4”, 190 pound southpaw combines a projectable frame with premium athleticism and a smooth, low-effort delivery. Baseball America praises his “great movement patterns” on the mound, noting his whip-fast arm from a low three-quarters slot, excellent balance through his finish, and a frame that should continue adding strength. Those traits have scouts dreaming not only about what he is now, but what he could become.
The biggest selling point is obvious – Rojas already throws exceptionally hard.
His fastball routinely sits between 92-96 mph and has touched 98, featuring outstanding riding life that allows it to miss bats at the top of the strike zone. But he isn’t a “Nuke LaLoosh” who has no idea where the ball is going. MLB Pipeline reports he can “fill up the strike zone” with a fastball that has “outstanding riding life” that he can command to both sides of the plate.
His slider gives him a second legitimate plus weapon. Thrown in the low 80s with high spin rates, it features sweeping action and sharp glove-side finish. MLB Pipeline calls it a “true out pitch,” while Keith Law notes hitters swung through it roughly two-thirds of the time at tracked showcase events during 2025 and 2026.
Law notes that Rojas occasionally lowers his arm slot on the slider, which can flatten the pitch and potentially tip it to more advanced hitters. Even so, the pitch is good enough that many hitters still fail to make meaningful contact. MLB Pipeline notes that Rojas can occasionally rush downhill and open his delivery too early, leading to bouts of scattered command. Given his athleticism and clean mechanics, however, those are viewed as correctable adjustments rather than long-term concerns.
His third offering, a low-80s changeup, hasn’t been needed very often against high school competition, but evaluators believe there’s enough feel for it to develop into an average or better major league pitch. Having three pitches with starter potential only strengthens projections that he’ll remain in the rotation as a professional.
Rojas has backed up the scouting reports with dominant performance. He struck out at least 120 hitters in consecutive high school seasons and starred internationally for Team USA’s gold medal-winning 18U National Team, throwing 11 scoreless innings during the 2025 WBSC U-18 World Cup. Rojas impressed scouts throughout the showcase circuit, including appearances at the East Coast Professional Showcase and MLB’s High School All-American Game, consistently cementing his status as one of the elite talents in the draft class.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas program has produced an impressive list of major leaguers, including Roman Anthony, Anthony Rizzo, and Jesús Luzardo. Committed to the University of Miami, Rojas gives teams little reason to doubt his long-term upside. Between his projectable frame, premium athleticism, electric fastball, swing-and-miss slider, and developing changeup, he possesses all the traits clubs look for in a potential frontline starter, perhaps even a true ace.
Many reports indicate the Royals have scouted Rojas extensively, and have him near the top of their draft board. Kiley McDaniel at ESPN writes that Rojas is the backup option if prep hitters Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. are both off the table, possibly as a “cut-rate option” that could sign underslot.
Prep pitchers always carry risk, but among this year’s high school arms, few offer a ceiling as high as Gio Rojas. The Royals have not historically had a great track record with high school pitchers, but that may be changing under scouting director Brian Bridges. Pitching is the currency of baseball, and if the Royals are looking to swing for the fences with the eighth overall pick, few players in this class offer a bigger payoff than Gio Rojas.
With a little tweak to the information available to this feature, I don’t always have final data at the time I’m writing. A hat tip and a thank you to Al who has taken on a little more work in helping me produce this by cleaning up the numbers in the morning. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always leave me space to contextualize the data as it comes out. I know historically some will wonder about this score or that one and how they stack up. Historically I’ve only run top and bottom WPA game scores at the end of the year, but this year there have been these changes and a flurry of significant games in June.
The month of June produced 3 of the current top 10 positive scores, including number 2 overall (and 5 of the top 12). On the negative side, the month produced four of the top 10. It was a wild month and if the July 1 game was any indication, the unexpected continues to be the normal. While that game was actually quite dull from a WPA standpoint, it was an outlier of a whole other kind. One of the highest offensive outputs in the history of the organization. I’m sure there is much, much more to come. Though you’ll see that the bar for including into the top 10 positive scores has become quite high.
Let’s start with the bad news and get that out of the way.
Bottom 10 WPA Game scores:
Jacob Webb on April 5 (-.581) The Cubs led 4-3 over the Guardians after Ian Happ hit a solo homer in the top of the eighth. Jacob Webb took the ball to start the eighth. He got the first out of the inning but the allowed a homer, single, walk and another single before being lifted with the Cubs trailing 5-4. They wound up losing 6-5.
Jacob Webb on June 20 (-.576) The Cubs led 5-3 over the Blue Jays after seven. Caleb Thielbar started the bottom of the eighth after allowing a walk and a single. Webb allowed single, single, strikeout, homer before Ethan Roberts came in to get the final out, the Cubs losing 8-5.
Ryan Rolison on May 17 (-.556) Rolison worked the bottom of the 10th inning, trying to earn a save with the Cubs leading 8-7 against the White Sox. The first batter sacrificed the runner to third which didn’t end up matter as the White Sox got a walk-off homer.
Alex Bregman on June 7 (-.545). Bregman grounded out leading off the second, Cubs down 1-0 against the Giants. Bregman struck out leading off the fourth (1-1). With runners on first and third, no outs Bregman lined into a double play (1-1). With the Giants leading 2-1 in the 10th, Alex Bregman batted with runner on third and popped out.
Hoby Milner on May 6 (-.530). Milner came into the game in the top of the ninth with the Cubs leading the Reds 4-3. He inherited runners on first and second no outs. The sequence went sacrifice bunt (all runners safe), strikeout, single, sacrifice fly, ground out. The Reds led 6-4 heading to the bottom of the ninth. Pete Crow-Armstrong homered to tie it in the bottom of the ninth. Milner walked the first batter in the 10th before departing. The Cubs did go on to win 7-6.
Caleb Thielbar on June 15 (-.508). The Cubs were leading the Rockies 2-1 in the eighth when Milner entered with a runner on first and no outs. The sequence went strikeout, walk, fly out, homer, strike out. The Cubs were trailing 4-2 heading to the bottom of the eighth. The Cubs scored one in the eighth and two in the ninth to win 5-4.
Jacob Webb on June 10 (-.453). The Cubs were leading 1-0 in the eighth when Webb was summoned. The sequence went fly out, single, homer, strikeout, single, line out. Happ did tie it at two with a homer in the ninth, but the Rockies walked the Cubs off 3-2.
Seiya Suzuki on April 11 (-.440). Seiya did not start this game. Suzuki had a pinch hit single in the sixth with one out, Pirates leading 3-1. Fly out with a runner on first and one out, Cubs trailing 3-2. Game tied 3-3 in the 10th, strikeout leading off. Pirates up 4-3 in the 11th. Seiya fouled out with the potential tying run on third to end the game.
Ethan Roberts on June 28 (-.408). Cubs were leading 4-1 when Roberts entered. Brewers had single, walk, single to cut it to 4-2 when Ethan was pulled. Cubs did go on to win 4-3.
Phil Maton on May 17 (-.406). This game was so bad, it got the Cubs twice. Maton came into the game with the score tied and one out. His sequence was ground out, walk, single, homer, line out. He entered 4-4, left losing 7-4.
An unbelievably fortunate 10 in that the Cubs won three of these games and the seven ones that contributed only contributed to six losses. To go 3-6 in your 10 worst performances is really good. (Note that there are only nine decisions in the 10 games because the May 17 game is on this list twice.)
Top 10(12) WPA Game scores:
Pete Crow-Armstrong on June 6 (.737). Flied out in the first (0-0). Infield single in the third (0-0). Homer in the sixth to tie it at one. Two out single in the seventh (1-1). Homer in the ninth to tie it at two. Cubs walked it off in 10 against the Giants.
Michael Busch on May 5 (.619). Struck out to end the second (1-0 Reds lead). Led off the fifth with a single (1-0). Batted with first and second and two outs in the sixth and drew a walk (2-0). Homered in the eighth to tie the game at two. Led off the 10th with a walk-off RBI-single.
Ben Brown on April 29 (.515). With the Cubs leading the Padres 5-3, he entered the game with the bases loaded and no out. He allowed a run on a sacrifice fly, then induced a double play. He then recorded the first two outs in the ninth with that 5-4 lead.
Jordan Wicks on June 28 (.507). Wicks entered the game with the bases loaded, no outs, the Cubs leading the Brewers 4-2 in the 10th. He walked the first batter then got a foul out and a double play for his first career save.
Michael Conforto on April 19 (.491). With the Cubs trailing 1-0, Michael pinch hit with one out in the ninth and a runner on first. He doubled off his old Mets team, the tying run coming around. The Cubs won 2-1 in 10.
Pete Crow-Armstrong on May 6 (.471). Cubs leading Reds 2-1, he flied out with a runner on first and one out in the second. Cubs leading 4-1, he batted with the bases empty and two outs, hit by a pitch. Cubs leading 4-2 in the seventh, lead off single. Cubs trailing 6-4 in the ninth, runner on first one out, homer to tie the game. Cubs walked it off 7-6.
Michael Conforto on May 4 (.466). Pinch hit with the game tied and two outs in the ninth. Walk-off homer.
Dansby Swanson on April 24 (.465). 0-0 in the third against the Dodgers, struck out to end the inning. Dodgers leading 4-0, he was hit by a pitch to start the sixth. Dodgers leading 4-0, he batted with runners on first and second with two outs, triple. Game tied in the ninth, runner on first. He homered. Cubs win 6-4.
Shōta Imanaga on May 2 (.458). Ian Happ homers in the second and then scores on a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Imanaga throws seven scoreless, allowing four hits and one walk.
Javier Assad on June 7 (.456). Javier Assad follows the departure of Jameson Taillon to injury after one inning with 6.1 innings of scoreless ball. He entered trailing 1-0 and gave the Cubs every chance to win this game against the Giants. They did get a run to tie it, but ultimately lost it 2-1 in 10.
Pete Crow-Armstrong on June 4 (.448). Bottom of the first, 0-0 hit by pitch and steal of second. Third inning, 0-0, struck out for the second out. Bottom six, A’s leading 4-0, one-out homer. Bottom 8, trailing 6-3, struck out for second out. Bottom of the ninth, game tied at six, runners on second and third, walk-off single.
Trent Thornton on June 25 (.445) Enters the game in the bottom of the 10th, Cubs leading 4-3. Line out, ground out, ground out. Save.
They win 11 of the 12 good ones. The one loss on the positive side was also one of the big negative games (June 7). There is also a win that appeared on both sides of the ledger (June 28). I think that ends up adding up to 13-6 in the 22 events. (One game had two negatives, two games had both a negative and a positive — one a win and one a loss.)
On the Boston training ground that has formed the studio for France’s “art”, to quote one insider, Kylian Mbappe and his orchestra have only really had one instruction. That is to “express themselves”, to do what “comes with instinct”.
If this sounds unusually romantic for a coach as pragmatic as Didier Deschamps, he offered up even more evocative words for the media, in speaking about that illustrious trio of Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.
“They speak the same football.”
Typically with Deschamps, mind, there is more edge to that than just nice phrasing.
France are playing like an all-time great World Cup team (Getty)
One coach at the tournament is adamant they are “one of the best attacking teams ever”.
And after 13 goals in four games, largely delivered by three attackers who are among the best five in the world, is it really that exaggerated?
France have not only been the model of a team who immediately look like they’re going to win the World Cup, such as Germany 2014, Brazil 1994 or West Germany 1990.
They’ve also been that rare “team of the tournament”, the gloriously adventurous side that elevate everything and capture the imagination.
Brazil 1994 and Germany 1990 didn’t go to these levels.
This has been more like the Netherlands 1974, Brazil 1982 or… fittingly, given the country’s own traditional football spirit, France 1982.
Such sides often have an air of tortured artists, as if their very creativity was always going to condemn them to eternal frustration.
There’s little of that with this France, not least because the manager and captain have won it as recently as 2018.
Through that, speaking of exaggeration, we may end up talking about something akin to Brazil 1970.
We may end up speaking about this France side like the greats of Brazil 1970 (Getty Images)
There is still a very long way to go, of course, but all of this shows how France have come a long way under Deschamps.
It was in the build-up to this very tournament that doubt was expressed over whether the manager’s era had already gone stale two years ago, over whether he would, in fact, suppress this attack.
Even this team, which represents such a joyous lift from Euro 2024, raises the question of whether Deschamps has actually wasted the talent of the last eight years.
Respectable as the 2018 victory was, a sense persisted of a team that dourly played within their limits rather than expanding.
The “water carrier”, as he was known as a player, didn’t fashion a team that flowed.
In the same way that was all down to Deschamps’s own instincts, though, this new trust in the attackers’ instincts may be just as much down to him.
He is still being pragmatic, but it now happens to work at the other end of the pitch.
Deschamps has the best attackers in the world… so why not? It’s logical.
Some who know the manager say there might still be a sense of rolling the dice for his last tournament, that “a winner” like him is conscious he should have won more.
So, the last ever Deschamps team now looks like the ultimate anti-Deschamps team.
France look unleashed under Didier Deschamps like never before (Getty)
The asymmetric 4-2-3-1 of 2018, which had such clearly defined roles, is now gone. In its place is fluidity and movement.
And yet, in the same way that represents a form of pragmatism, some Deschamps principles persist.
Having brought Monaco to the same 2004 Champions League final in which Jose Mourinho made his name at Porto, Deschamps has similar ideas about attack: that it doesn’t need the rigorous structure of defence. The emphasis on a mid-block just greatly tempered that freedom.
And after years when Pep Guardiola’s positional game dictated that this was obsolete, certainly in the club game, things might have come full circle.
That attacking freedom now feels revolutionary in a world where everything in football is so programmed.
There is, nevertheless, more “idea” to this than just freedom.
The intention, in the words of one insider, is that your attackers enjoy this liberty so much that the chemistry they develop becomes insatiable; that they start to deeply understand each other.
That they “speak the same football”, in other words.
Players like Dembele, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola are meanwhile described as being “released” from Luis Enrique’s rotational dogma at Paris Saint-Germain, great as it’s been for them. Mbappe gets a break from the “intense hatred” at Real Madrid, in an approach that better suits his qualities. It may be better for his mood, too. The stats show Mbappe is pressing more than double the amount he did for Madrid last season. He’s all in. Olise is meanwhile seen as “playing like he’s getting to fulfil his destiny”.
Mbappe is out from under the ‘intense hatred’ at Real Madrid and is in the mood (Reuters)
This freshness, from comparatively less taxing club seasons, especially at PSG, only further sweeps all this along. Players are left to link up in such luscious fashion.
Some will be familiar with the word for this in coaching circles: “relationism”.
Opposition sides find it difficult to prepare against because there is no pattern.
Declan Rice inadvertently touched on this when talking about facing low blocks, something that France have had no issue with.
“It’s hard because you have a structure the manager wants you to play in. And sometimes you have to do something for the good of the team, even though you feel like you don’t want to do it because you feel a bit stuck.”
There’s none of that with France, especially with Olise’s fluidity. He imposes some kind of framing, albeit within his individual interpretation, in the way that Luke Modric did for Madrid’s midfield.
France’s own midfield admittedly looks much thinner, but the attackers make it work – for now.
Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni offer the engine required.
That can occasionally mean France are exposed, and opposition coaches do believe that their defence is more susceptible than the scorelines show.
Set pieces are a particular vulnerability. Jules Kounde – one of the last remnants of the previous Deschamps teams in terms of preferring three centre-halves for the back four – has been superb at the back post.
It couldn’t be Deschamps, however, without offering some caution.
“Feel free to find the issues,” he told journalists after the win over Sweden. “Not everything should be rose-tinted; we shouldn’t get carried away.”
Spain may be suited to higher-level games than fellow World Cup favourites France (Getty)
Deschamps’s two-man midfield could find real issues against Spain’s three, if they get that far. France ultimately lack that controller; an Olise that plays further back.
And, if they get that far, there’s the possible challenge of Argentina. That is seen as “psychologically huge”, given everything that has happened from the 2022 final.
Right now, though, France seem primed to surpass that.
They can surpass many sides in history. As Deschamps himself might say, though, talk – or “speak” – is cheap.
This is still about results, but no side has an end product like this.
A solid night for the Phillies’ affiliates with three of the top four recording victories, with Lehigh Valley winning twice. There was a lot of offense on a hot night, with Lehigh Valley and Reading combining for 39 runs over three games.
Lehigh Valley 18, Rochester 3
Lehigh Valley 11, Rochester 9
The IronPigs earned not one, but two victories on Thursday thanks to a high-powered offense. The first game was a resumption of a game suspended from Tuesday. Resuming in the fifth inning with the ‘Pigs leading 2-0, the ‘Pigs proceeded to demolish the Red Wings’ pitching staff. Otto Kemp homered and Steward Berroa had two doubles as part of a three hit/four RBI effort.
In the second game, the ‘Pigs had to overcome shaky outings by pitchers Chuck King and Kirby Snead. But Otto Kemp, Keaton Anthony, and Felix Reyes all hit home runs. Reyes’ three-run shot was the capper on a five-run sixth inning that put the ‘Pigs on top.
Much like the IronPigs, the Fightin’ Phils had a good offensive night. Starting pitcher Kyle Brnovich was strong through four innings before running into trouble in a three-run fifth.
The F-Phils’ bats more than made up for it. Riley Tirotta and Kehden Hettiger both hit home runs, while third baseman Raider Tello made a strong first impression. In his Reading debut, he hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to bust the game open.
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) July 3, 2026
Rome 8, Jersey Shore 4
Jersey Shore lost its sixth straight game on Thursday, including the first three of their series against the Emperors. This one went poorly from the beginning as starting pitcher Luke Gabrysh couldn’t survive the first inning, getting tagged for four runs.
Offensively, center fielder Carter Mathison had a big night with three RBI including a ninth-inning home run. But the rest of the BlueClaws’ lineup combined for just three hits.
— Jersey Shore BlueClaws (@BlueClaws) July 3, 2026
Clearwater 4, Fort Meyers 2
Nathan Humphreys was the offensive star for the Threshers, getting on base in all four plate appearances while driving in three runs. TJayy Walton also hit a home run.
Starting pitcher Brad Pacheco pitched well, giving up just one (unearned) run in five innings while striking out seven. Tegan Cain later pitched a clean ninth inning to earn his second save.
FCL Phillies 7, FCL Blue Jays 2
A six-run fourth inning was enough to power the Phillies to a win over the Blue Jays. The big blow in the inning was a three-run home run by left fielder Jack Barker, his fourth of the season.
DSL Phillies 12, DSL Rangers 7
An eight-run third inning put this one out of reach early. Dayber Cruceta and Jose Tovar each had three hits and Juan Parra scored three runs including his second home run of the season.
Jun 9, 2026; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) trains during Buffalo Bills Minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills are in a period of transition on defense. Gone is former head coach Sean McDermott and his nickel-base, even-front system, replaced by new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and an odd-front scheme.
How will Buffalo’s holdovers along the defensive line respond to the change in systems? How will those holdovers fit into new roles and new positions? Will any of it even matter once the games start in September?
In today’s installment of “91 players in 91 days,” we discuss a defensive lineman entering the third year of his career. _____________________________________________________________________________
Name: DeWayne Carter
Number: 90
Position: DT
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 302 pounds
Age: 25 (26 on 12/10/2026)
Experience/Draft: 3; selected by Buffalo in the third round (No. 95 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft
College: Duke
Acquired: Third-round draft choice
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Carter enters the third year of his four-year rookie contract, a pact worth $5,618,048 in total. For the 2026 season, he’s due to count $1,532,195 against the salary cap if he makes the 53-man roster. If he’s released, Buffalo will carry a dead-cap hit of $441,622 for the season.
2025 Recap: Carter spent the offseason ramping up towards some more usage for his second season. He appeared in all three of Buffalo’s preseason games, rotating in at defensive tackle and totaling four tackles. He made the 53-man roster out of camp and was projected to be one of the main rotational pieces in the middle; however, he suffered an injury during practice on August 31. That injury turned out to be a torn Achilles tendon, and it led him to miss the entire 2025 season.
Positional outlook: Carter is one of eight defensive tackles on the current roster. Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, Phidarian Mathis, Deone Walker, Zion Logue, Tommy Akingbesote, and Zane Durant are the others. Additionally, Landon Jackson has added mass in a transition to a role as a 3-4 defensive lineman, and Travis Clayton has been observed working with the defensive line instead of the offensive line group.
2026 Offseason: Carter is healthy, and he not only participated in offseason work during minicamp, but he also reportedly has added nearly 30 pounds to his frame. He’s planning to play the year around 330 pounds.
2026 Season outlook: How do you negate the potential loss in explosiveness from an Achille injury? Well, one way, I suppose, is to add weight and change your play style entirely. Carter was more penetrator than he was anchor in former head coach Sean McDermott’s defense, but after the Achilles injury, new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard seems poised to use Carter as a one-tech or a nose tackle. That means that his role will shift to that of space-occupier more so than play-disruptor, and it also means that it will require a little more nuance in evaluating his play this summer.
It’s easy to tell when a defensive lineman whose job is to attack has success. Those players earn their money through creating chaos in the backfield in the form of sacks and tackles for loss. A nose tackle, though, will often make plays that lead to other people earning that glory. If Carter is going to be successful this season, he’ll need to show a big-time anchor in the run game, and he has to keep Buffalo’s middle linebackers clean to make splash plays of their own.
Will Carter make the 53-man roster to show what he can do? I think he will, but it very well may depend on how many players from this DT group the Bills choose to keep. Oliver, Walker, and Sanders are basically locks, and it’s quite possible that they are the starting trio along the line, as well. How many linemen will the Bills keep in total? I think the “next three” is probably Durant, Mathis, and Carter, and not necessarily in that order. Will Buffalo keep six down linemen, especially with players listed at OLB like Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, Javon Solomon, and TJ Parker who can put a hand in the dirt and rush the passer like a defensive end in certain packages?
We won’t know for sure until August, so Carter’s future will remain up in the air until then. I think he’s likely battling with Mathis for the right to be the second player rotating in at the nose behind Walker, who has already been tabbed the starter at nose tackle by general manager Brandon Beane. I think it’s likely that Carter makes the 53 this year, but I wouldn’t call it a guarantee.
SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — You might need to look twice to spot the McLarens at Silverstone.
Instead of their usual luminous “papaya” orange, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s cars are white with a green stripe in a throwback livery for this week's British Grand Prix.
It’s a design copied from the first McLaren Formula 1 car, the M2B of 1966, in a year when the team marks its 1,000th race. However, the colors first belonged to a team which never actually existed.
Almost 60 years before Brad Pitt suited up in black and gold for APX GP in the “F1” movie, James Garner starred in 1966's “Grand Prix” as Pete Aron, a driver for the fictional Japanese team Yamura.
In a pioneering crossover between F1 and Hollywood, the fledgling McLaren team painted its cars in Yamura’s colors so that driver and team founder Bruce McLaren could be Garner's double.
The movie was famed for its raw on-track action footage, with the McLaren prominently featured, and it won three Oscars for its cutting-edge editing and sound.
“It’s special because it’s Bruce’s first car. So it feels more like just an honor that we get to relive this, bring it back to life, and also showcase it, because not many people know that the first car Bruce had was the white, green and grey,” Norris said Thursday.
“It’s just cool that I’m one of the drivers that gets to relive that and throw it back to the beginning of the McLaren story, which is something very special."
Back in 1966, a movie-inspired livery was ground-breaking. A sponsored livery wouldn’t appear on a car in an F1 world championship race until the 1968 season.
Most teams raced in designated national colors such as red for Italian teams like Ferrari, “British Racing Green”, or blue for France. Since Bruce McLaren was a New Zealander, his team might have been expected to use green, black and silver.
F1's newest team has a special appearance this weekend, too. Cadillac has a red, white and blue look — with a matching American flag helmet for Valtteri Bottas — to mark July 4 and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence from Britain.
World Cup fans turned what might have been the game-tying goal from Croatia against Portugal on Thursday into a Zapruder film -- did the ball touch the head of Igor Matanovic before Josko Gvardiol nailed the goal late, thereby negating the offside call that would make it a no goal?
It sure looked like it didn't touch Matanovic, which means it wouldn't have been offsides and that the goal should have counted. However! FIFA revealed some noteworthy proof in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter).
"According to the data provided by Connected Ball Technology housed within the [Adidas] Trionda, the official match ball of the [World Cup]," it read, "it was proven that contact was made by Croatia's #20 Igor Matanović in the build up to the goal against Portugal, allowing the referee to correctly determine offside and disallow the goal."
According to the data provided by Connected Ball Technology housed within the @adidasfootball Trionda, the official match ball of the @FIFAWorldCup, it was proven that contact was made by Croatia's #20 Igor Matanović in the build up to the goal against Portugal, allowing the… pic.twitter.com/AyBz11N3wV
Ben Stokes has offered a heartfelt final farewell to international cricket, reflecting on a "mad 15 years" and expressing gratitude to fans and teammates following his dramatic retirement.
The all-rounder’s exit unfolded in chaotic scenes at Trent Bridge, where he announced his departure via an official statement mere moments before claiming his final England wicket on Sunday.
This marked a turbulent conclusion to one of English cricket’s most successful and colourful careers. The summer began with a morale-boosting victory at Lord’s under his captaincy, but he subsequently missed the second Test after over-celebrating at a London nightclub and breaching a team curfew. He returned for a final stand in Nottingham, having received an official conduct warning.
His last appearance was a frantic affair, culminating in his promotion to open the batting in his final Test innings and a significant 160-run defeat to New Zealand as England slumped to a 2-1 series defeat on home soil.
After spending a few days away with his family, Stokes took to X to share a personal goodbye with those who had been part of his journey.
Ben Stokes thanked his England team-mates and supporters with one final farewell on social media (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
"It’s been a mad 15 years. It’s had everything thrown in there, from the highest highs to the lowest lows (on and off the field)," he wrote.
"My time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me. But in the meantime, I just want to say I love every single England fan and every single cricket fan who’s supported me over the years.
"I love every single person I’ve walked out onto the field with representing England. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the gist of how much I loved doing what I did for 15 years. I’m looking forward to being a fan and supporting the team, and the odd day in hospitality won’t go amiss.
"Family, friends, teammates, fans…I love yas (sic) all."
There has been speculation that Stokes could change his mind and return for next year’s Ashes, but the 35-year-old remains adamant his time is up, declaring earlier this week “I’m done” when asked about a potential retirement U-turn in the future.
A year ago today, the football world was stunned by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash.
Jota, 28, had won the Premier League title with the Reds just weeks before his tragic passing - and also married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, 11 days earlier.
He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, helping them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, as well as the top flight in 2024-25.
Jota began his career at Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira before joining Atletico Madrid in 2016, although he never played a game for them as he was loaned to Porto for a season and then to Wolves, completing a permanent deal in 2018.
Across three seasons with the club, he scored 44 goals in 131 games.
Jota made his international debut for Portugal in 2019, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6-0 win against Lithuania, and won 49 caps, scoring 14 goals.
He played his last match for his country on 8 June 2025, as they beat Spain in the Nations League final on penalties.
But for all Jota achieved on the pitch, it is the character off it that is most fondly remembered by those who worked with him during his career.
Diogo Jota won the Premier League title with Liverpool in 2025 just weeks before his death [Getty Images]
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who played with Jota from 2020 to 2025, told BBC Sport:
I think about Jots (Jota) often. He was a wonderful guy and definitely one of a kind. He was always himself and stayed true to himself. He didn't care that he was a super famous footballer. He saw himself as a normal guy and stuck to his morals and that's why he mixed with everyone and why everyone at the club got on with him.
The first time that I met him was actually at the old training ground in Melwood. Due to the pandemic, we were all split into different changing rooms into fives and he was part of our five. Our friendship started there and developed over time, especially off the pitch.
He was into a lot of sports, like myself. And into things that I wouldn't expect a Portuguese footballer to be into like horse racing, darts and snooker - typical British and Irish stuff.
Me and Andy Robertson organised a trip to Cheltenham for the races because it aligned with our days off and to be honest, we didn't even have him pinned to go initially but Jots got wind of it and came over and was like, 'When are we going to Cheltenham?'. That's the kind of guy he was and I'll always remember that.
He had such an enthusiasm for whatever he did and he looked the part with his Peaky Blinders cap, a full three-piece suit and even a pocket watch. They're all such fond memories to look back on.
Honestly, he was non-stop. He was big into watching darts and even started playing it, although he wasn't any good. Some days, he'd be watching live gaming and I just admired how passionate he was.
He'd always get these strange injuries that we'd always say, 'Only Jots could get these injuries', because he'd throw himself into things that no-one else would. He had that competitive nature about him and would do anything to win and I guess that's what all the lads loved about him. You saw that in the way he played the game.
There's so many memories. On tour with Liverpool, we'd get a suitcase with the club badge and your number on it, but it wasn't massive so he couldn't fit all his gaming essentials and he ended up taking a bigger suitcase.
That ended up being a fine and most of the squad had an hour argument with him because he didn't agree with the fine. He had us all in tears when he kept saying 'sweet case' instead of suitcase.
Thinking back, I'm so happy to have had the chance to go to his wedding that took place a week before he passed away and meet all his closest friends and family. After you experience something like that, you get even closer. They're cherished memories now and I'm very grateful to have known him.
Former Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who won the Premier League with Jota, told BBC Sport:
I first met Diogo on our tour to America. Like many of the players, he arrived a little later because of the Euros. Over the months that followed, he showed us all what kind of person and player he was.
Diogo wasn't someone who only had two or three close friends within the group. He got along with everyone. Whether it was a team-mate or a member of staff, he always had time for people and made everyone feel valued.
He always put the team first and, whenever he was needed, he was ready to fight for his team-mates and for the club he loved playing for.
After we lost him, I told the players the best way we could honour Diogo was by trying to be a little like him. For me, that's how he'll always be remembered.
People will probably expect me to say that the goal against Everton was my favourite memory, and of course it was a special moment.
But when I think about Diogo now, that's not the first thing that comes to mind. I always think about the photograph he chose after we won the Premier League.
Out of all the pictures available, he picked the one with the entire team and staff in front of the Kop singing You'll Never Walk Alone. That was Diogo.
He always put the team before himself. That simple choice told you everything about the person he was, and it's the memory that stays with me.
Former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who signed Jota on loan and then permanently for the club, told BBC Sport:
He was a young lad [when he arrived at Wolves], but a very special one - warm, humble and determined to repay the faith and effort that had been invested in him.
Like every player, he found it difficult at first. The Championship is an extremely tough competition, especially for someone arriving from abroad. But it was precisely that challenge that helped shape Diogo into the player he went on to become.
He never gave up, and when things didn't go his way, he never let his head drop.
At the risk of sounding like a cliche, it's simply the truth. Everyone loved Diogo, absolutely everyone. Everyone at the club, everyone in the dressing room. Everyone.
Even now, it's difficult to think about him without feeling sad. He was an extraordinary young man, and we all miss him very much.
Former Wolves defender Conor Coady, who won the 2018 Championship title with Jota, told BBC Sport:
With Diogo, it's all good memories. The biggest memory isn't winning games and scoring goals but more within the dressing room and what a friend he was. He was an incredible human being with such honesty and humility and someone I will remember forever.
He was actually a dream team-mate to have and you add on top that he was an incredible footballer, then he was everything you wanted.
He's one of the biggest team players I've ever seen. Every day with us, he showed that selfless nature. From the first day he came in at Wolves, you saw the competitive nature that set him apart too.
He was desperate to win, even in head tennis. When the Portuguese boys came in, it helped create a culture that none of us had really seen and he was the first one to bring that. Diogo was a different animal, an absolute beast.
Even before I knew him, I admired him and Ruben Neves for making that shift from Portugal at such a young age. To drop out of one of the biggest teams, Porto, in Portugal like Ruben did and come to the Championship is a massive jump.
But them players coming to Wolves changed my life for the better. They made me a better player and a better person and anybody in the Wolves dressing room at the time will tell you the same things.
I remember when he first came over and I was thinking, 'I don't think he knows how hard the Championship is going to be', because a lot of people come and think, 'oh it's only the second division'.
But Diogo was totally different. He was professional, committed and a really clever fella. Straight from the get-go, you knew he meant business and you saw that when we got promoted at the first attempt.
Sometimes when players come from different countries, they stick to themselves a bit. I don't know what I'd be like if I moved abroad.
But him and the Portuguese lads that came were different. They mingled, they were getting in with the lads, organising things off the pitch and inviting everyone else. He threw himself into absolutely everything.
Whenever I think about Diogo, I think about his goal in the FA Cup quarter-final for Wolves against Manchester United, with a place at Wembley on the line. We were on the counter-attack, he took off on the halfway line, shrugged off Luke Shaw then Diogo, who was mainly right-footed, dragged it onto his left foot and smashed it into the near post.
That goal was made for Diogo Jota because not many players could score a goal like that. But he could. I admired that tenacity.
I was over the moon for him on a personal level when he moved to Liverpool. It was a bit strange because when he missed our game, that got the lads talking because Diogo would never not play.
The rumour mill in the dressing room went into overdrive and then Ruben [Neves] told us. Sometimes when team-mates leave, you're devastated and I was, of course, as his team-mate, but this was such a huge opportunity to go to a football club like Liverpool.
I couldn't have been happier for him for what he achieved and when he came back to the training ground, we took a big picture with him. If you were to pick any club for Diogo, you would pick Liverpool just ahead of Wolves. He gave everything and more for both those clubs.
To have shared a dressing room with Diogo was an absolute honour.
Diogo Jota played for Wolves from 2017 to 2020 [Getty Images]
Paulo Goncalves, technical secretary at Pacos de Ferreira, Jota's boyhood club, told BBC Sport:
My most vivid memory of Diogo Jota is from his professional debut with FC Pacos de Ferreira at the age of 17.
When coach Paulo Fonseca called him up for the Portuguese Cup match in October 2014, he immediately displayed his class, scoring a goal and winning man of the match in the 4–0 victory over Atletico de Reguengos.
I remember that, after scoring, he ran toward the stands where his parents were sitting and embraced his mother, who was moved to tears by such a special and significant moment.
I have a clear mental image of that moment and what it meant to him, as his parents had always been deeply involved in supporting his career - as had his girlfriend at the time, Rute, who had been with him since their school days. That family unity was essential to his career, which is why I highlight this moment.
Interestingly, when he signed his professional contract, the club offered to arrange a house for him to live in alone, but he said it wasn't necessary, preferring instead to keep living with his fellow youth academy team-mates.
I spoke with him a few times while he was still with the under-19s and later, after he signed his professional contract, we would talk every day at training. I remember the scramble to get him registered for the first team. Since he was only 17, the decision to register him was made quite late in the August transfer window.
However, during his physical examination, the doctor requested an additional heart test. The results confirming his health came through only in the final hours of the last day for registration with the Portuguese League.
It was a race against time, as coach Fonseca was very keen to have him in the squad for that season, and we only managed to complete the registration right at the deadline.
It was a fortunate success, as it allowed him to make his debut in the Portuguese Cup with a goal - paving the way for the fantastic career that followed.
From an early stage, younger fans idolised Diogo - not only because he came up through the club's academy and made his professional debut at 17, but also because everyone could see his career had all the makings of reaching the highest levels of world football.
That is why, whenever we took players to schools to promote club activities, everyone asked for Diogo to be among those chosen. He would always say yes and make himself available.
He enjoyed answering the youngsters' questions and playing football with them at the school before signing autographs for students who, in some cases, were barely younger than he was.
Liverpool have unveiled a memorial to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Anfield [Getty Images]The sculpture has been installed close to where tributes - including flowers, scarves, and cards - were placed in the immediate aftermath of their deaths [Getty Images]
As was the case with prominent athletes during the 2025-26 prep sports season throughout Michigan, there were many coaches who were instrumental to the success of their teams, whether they were longtime coaches experiencing something for the first time or newer coaches leading teams to new heights.
Here are the five most noteworthy high school girls coaches from the 2025-26 prep sports seasons.
Pat Williams, Grand Rapids Catholic Central tennis
Williams has been at the helm of Catholic Central’s program since its inception in 1974, an incredible run of dedication and longevity. But this spring, Williams got to experience something for the first time.
Catholic Central had never had a top-two finish at a state tournament, but Williams and the team got to haul back a state runner-up trophy after placing second at the Division 4 state tournament in Midland.
Catholic Central finished second to an Ann Arbor Greenhills team that won its fifth straight state championship and should be good again next year with its top three singles players returning.
“I’ve been coaching 52 years with this team and this is the best we’ve ever done,” an obviously thrilled Williams said after it was over.
In the Michigan High School Athletic Association record books, coaches in any sport have to reach 300 career wins to get their names etched in those list of records. Before this season, no lacrosse coach, boys or girls, was listed in the record book because none had reached 300 wins.
That changed in May when Radcliffe, who has coached for more than 20 years at South Lyon and Hartland, won her 300th game in a tournament at Saline.
In addition, Radcliffe helped guide South Lyon United to another record, a Division 1 state-best 48-game winning streak that spanned the last two seasons.
Despite the loss, Radcliffe will be the inaugural coach in the MHSAA lacrosse record books.
Kristen Woodard, Walled Lake Northern softball
In her 14th season as head coach, Woodard spent a lot of years building up the program and helping the team become an annual winner.
But Northern couldn’t get past a state quarterfinal hump. Northern finally did this year and once at the state’s final four, took advantage of the opportunity by claiming the school’s first state championship in any sport with a 2-1 win over Grand Haven in the Division 1 state final.
Northern also earned a 2-1 win in the semifinals over a Northville team that was playing as well as anyone in the state going into the game.
Northern had four players named first-team all-state in Division 1, including senior ace pitcher Lyla Turmell, who will play in college at Toledo.
Tricia Williams, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek competitive cheerleading
Following in the mold of a legendary figure in the cheerleading community, former Rochester coach Susan Wood, Williams has turned Stoney Creek into an annual power.
But this year seemed more challenging.
After winning the previous two state championships in Division 1, Stoney Creek lost out to rivals Rochester and Rochester Adams at just about every important meet — until the biggest one of all.
Stoney Creek rose up at the state meet, saving its best performance for last and winning its third straight state championship ahead of Rochester and Adams in an event that annually has become the Rochester Invitational with how the three schools in the community have dominated in recent years.
It was the fifth title overall for Stoney Creek in Williams’ tenure.
In the first year of field hockey being a sanctioned sport by the MHSAA, it couldn’t have been easy for Pioneer being such a heavy favorite, having won 30 state titles when the sport wasn’t sanctioned.
Pioneer lost six games on the season, but five of them were to powerhouse teams outside of the state as Nixon aimed to play tough competition during the regular season in order to better prepare for the state tournament.
The formula worked as Pioneer didn’t allow a goal in five tournament games.
Friedkin allocate rumored €100 million transfer budget
Roma is preparing an ambitious transfer window.
After returning to the Champions League, the Giallorossi owners want to raise the level of the squad and put Gian Piero Gasperini in the best possible condition to face a particularly challenging season.
The Friedkins’ message would be clear: significant investment to make the team more competitive, not only in Italy but also internationally.
The real news concerns the budget the American owners are reportedly ready to allocate for the summer transfer window.
According to the latest report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Friedkins have allocated a sum close to €100 million to build a superior Roma team for next season.
This is a significant strategic plan, designed to provide continuity to the work already underway and allow the new coach to build a deeper and more competitive squad.
The club’s goal is to make three or four targeted signings capable of immediately raising the team’s overall quality.
This would not, therefore, be a transfer window of simple adjustments, but a genuine structural investment to strengthen the areas deemed a priority by Gasperini and the management.
Mason Greenwood’s name also comes into play in this context.
The Marseille striker remains one of the most important prospects being pursued by Roma, and a potential deal with the French club could represent the first major move in this new strategy.
The owners want a Roma ready for the Champions League, stronger, more international, and built to compete on multiple fronts.
Milan agree terms with Lazio’s Mario Gila, push expected for transfer
Serie A side Milan have done significant business already this summer and could be lining up a formal move for Lazio defender Mario Gila.
A host of Italian clubs have been looking at the centre-back, but Daniele Longoreports the Rossoneri have agreed personal terms with the Spaniard. The agreement is total and Milan now have to beat competition from Atalanta and Napoli.
Alfredo Pedulla has also added information, claiming that Napoli have the player’s preference right now. But the Partenopei can’t sign players until they make sales. This has given a chance to Milan, who have been pursuing the defender since January.
It doesn’t end there as even Luciano Spalletti has spoken to Gila, with Juventus also monitoring the situation.
More than that, Atalanta have agreed terms with Lazio about the transfer. But Gila hasn’t shown openess towards joining La Dea, giving Milan a chance to land him.
There still is quite a bit of noise around the player, which suggests the situation is yet to fully resolved.
Report: Liverpool have set their sights on move for World Cup forward
Bradley Barcola to Liverpool, Reds Ready to Push After World Cup
Liverpool Place Barcola at Centre of Transfer Thinking
Liverpool’s search for a new wide forward appears to have sharpened, with CaughtOffside reporting that Bradley Barcola has moved to the top of the club’s transfer target list.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger, currently with France at the World Cup, has become a live name at Anfield after Liverpool’s pursuit of Yan Diomande became increasingly difficult. In transfer terms, this feels like the moment when admiration becomes strategy.
CaughtOffside claim that Liverpool’s interest is “concrete”, with Barcola now viewed as their preferred option. That does not mean a deal is close. It does mean Liverpool have identified the player they want to shape the next version of their attack.
Photo IMAGO
PSG Stance Creates Transfer Test
The complication, naturally, is PSG. Barcola is talented, young, productive and increasingly visible on the world stage. Players like that rarely leave quietly.
“Liverpool plan to go all in for Barcola,” one source said. “There are other targets too, because it won’t be easy to convince PSG, but Barcola is the one they want. Their recruitment team have done their homework on him and this is likely to accelerate after the World Cup.”
That final line matters. Liverpool are not expected to rush while Barcola remains involved with France, yet the groundwork appears to be in place.
“Liverpool love Barcola and they’re ready to invest in a top winger,” another source said. “It’s true that PSG would rather keep him, though. I can’t say for sure right now if they’ll let him go for a price Liverpool or anyone else would find reasonable.”
Arsenal Interest Feels Less Direct
CaughtOffside also report that Arsenal admire Barcola, although their stronger focus appears to be Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. That leaves Liverpool looking like the more serious suitor at this stage.
Barcola’s World Cup form has only added heat to the situation. With two goals and one assist for France so far, he has supplied the kind of tournament evidence that tends to make recruitment departments feel vindicated and selling clubs feel emboldened.
Liverpool also retain interest in Said El Mala, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo is another name mentioned. That suggests a wider winger shortlist remains active, even if Barcola is now the headline target.
Barcola Would Fit Liverpool’s Next Attack
There is an obvious appeal here. Barcola carries the ball with purpose, stretches defensive lines and offers a profile Liverpool have often prized, a winger who can unsettle shape before the final action arrives.
For a side rebuilding its attacking hierarchy, this is exactly the type of move that says something. Barcola would not arrive as a squad filler. He would arrive as a statement of direction.
Our View, Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report is exciting precisely because it feels ambitious and logical. Barcola has the glamour of a World Cup performer, the profile of an elite winger and the age curve that suits a club trying to build forwards, rather than merely buy finished reputation.
The obvious question is price. PSG do not need to sell, and if Diomande’s likely move to Paris has opened the door, it may only have opened it slightly. Liverpool will need clarity, patience and perhaps a little opportunism.
The encouraging part is that Liverpool appear to have done their work. This does not sound like a name thrown into the market for attention. It sounds like a player identified, studied and elevated because other routes have become unrealistic.
For fans, Barcola would bring pace, directness and a sense of renewal. There is always risk in buying after a strong tournament, but this interest seems to pre-date the World Cup spotlight.
If Liverpool are serious, this could become one of the defining stories of the summer.
Florida softball sophomore outfielder Taylor Shumaker earned a spot in the U.S. Women's National Team Athlete Pool, USA Softball announced earlier this week.
She joins fellow Gators Jocelyn Erickson and Skylar Wallace in the 36-member athlete pool. Amanda Lorenz, who was originally named to the group in April, is currently on leave while expecting her first child, making room for Shumaker on the roster.
The Fullerton, California, native started all 64 games for the Gators in right field or center field in 2026 and put on one of the top offensive performances in program history, posting a .445 batting average — the second-highest single-season mark in program history — while leading the team in doubles (19), walks (47), hits (93), on-base percentage (.544), and multi-hit games (31). Shumaker finished the season ranked second in the nation with a program-record 92 runs scored, while also finishing fourth nationally in total hits.
Her efforts earned her numerous accolades, including D1 Softball and Softball America First Team All-American honors, selection to the All-SEC First Team, and a top-25 finish in the USA Softball Player of the Year voting.
The WNT Athlete Pool will be used to select the 2026 USA Softball Women's National Team, which will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation World Cup Group Stage and the 2026 USA Softball International Cup. The pool will also serve as the foundation for the program throughout the 2025-28 Olympic quadrennial.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
LONDON (AP) — Naomi Osaka's day out at Wimbledon went much better than plans for her young daughter's birthday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion reached the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time Friday in a tidy 6-1, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina on No. 1 Court.
An on-court interviewer then asked Osaka about her daughter Shai's third birthday on Thursday, as the Japanese player had said they would celebrate by going to a nearby park. But apparently that didn't work out as planned.
“I don’t think I should be telling you this, but she was kind of bad yesterday,” a smiling Osaka began. “We tried to take her to the park but then she needed to go to timeout, so we’re going to try to take her to the park again today.”
As fans chuckled, Osaka added: "It was an awesome birthday. She blew out her candles. She made a wish — I hope her wish is to behave better. Today’s a new day for her.”
Osaka will next face either No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Jelena Ostapenko.
In part three of Friday's special Aston Villa Q&A, football reporter Nick Mashiter focuses on the future of three players - Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers.
James asked: What is the situation with Konsa and Watkins?
Nick: Konsa remains one of Villa's most important players, even if he does not get the headlines of Emiliano Martinez, John McGinn, Rogers or Watkins.
There is no desire to sell the defender, especially with the possibility of other key departures, and Villa would be foolish to let him go anyway.
In terms of Watkins, he turns 31 later this year and Villa have been over-reliant on him, so there does need to be succession planning, even though he has kept delivering.
Tammy Abraham offered support but not the goal return after joining from Besiktas. He still has more to prove since coming back to Villa Park.
It would be a surprise to see Watkins leave - he just needs more help.
[Getty Images]
Pete asked: With the sell-on clause to Middlesbrough, surely only a British record transfer fee for Rogers would bring Villa to the table at least?
Nick: Villa do not want to lose Rogers, a player who has become one of the best in the Premier League under Unai Emery.
When he joined from Boro two and a half years ago, he was not even guaranteed a starting spot at the Riverside - now he is with England at the World Cup.
The sell-on is 20% on the profit, but that is still a hefty figure given Rogers cost £16m (now all add-ons have been paid) and Villa will demand over £100m, with the possibility of a record fee for an English player.
However, selling players is the easiest way to comply with the financial regulations which hang around Villa's neck and have become so integral to their planning.
Come back to this page later on Friday for the final part of the Q&A. And remember, this is your Aston Villa page so bookmark it and come back for analysis, news, stats and fan views.
Lawyers and industry executives expect EU regulators to enforce MiCA differently as unauthorized crypto companies are required to wind down operations.
Upbit said it only expressed interest in potentially joining the OpenStandard ecosystem in the future, as several South Korean firms distanced themselves from the OUSD initiative.
The repair specialist says the new system will be separate from its familiar teardown scores, which have long rated devices based on factors such as ease of disassembly, parts access, documentation, and software restrictions. Instead, the NSF project is intended to become a more formal, repeatable standard that can be...
Video Game History Foundation founder Frank Cifaldi recently supported claims that piracy is the only effective way to preserve video games. The comments lay the blame squarely on game companies' refusal to keep legacy content available or allow archivists to build legal repositories.
As the Unpacked month began, leaks of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra have intensified.
Samsung is preparing three foldable phones for 2026. The lineup reportedly includes a flip phone and two book-style foldables. The company has also revamped its naming strategy for the next foldable lineup.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 would feature wide cover and main screens. It was earlier rumored to launch as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, but Samsung plans differently. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be a true successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Thinborne cases [Update – July 3]
Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, have been revealed in Thinborne cases. The devices feature a similar appearance revealed in early leaks and CAD renders.
Blind reservations in China [Update – July 3]
Offline stores in China have allegedly started blind reservations for Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones. This comes shortly after the company has officially dropped initial teasers to build the hype for the Unpacked event.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide) key specifications [Update – June 30]
Ahmed Qwaider, a trusted source in the smartphone industry, has now revealed the key features and specifications of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 (New Fold) smartphone.
Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120 Hz refresh rate
Screen size:
Cover: 5.5-inch QHD+ (16:10)
Main: 7.6-inch QHD+(4:3)
Dimensions:
Folded: 123.9 x81.9x 9.7 mm
Unfolded: 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5 mm
Weight – 201 grams
Camera specs:
Main: 50 MP Wide (F1.8)
Ultrawide: 50 MP Ultra Wide (F1.9)
Front:
Cover: 10 MP, F2.2
Inner: 10 MP, F2.2
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3 nm)
12GB+256/512 GB, 1TB
4,800mAh battery with 45W wired charging charging
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Kindsuit cases appear alongside NBTC listing [Update – June 28]
Samsung’s Kindsuit cases spotted together for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in one picture. The image has been shared by TarunVats and follows the same development for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide mode.
In addition, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Fold 8, and Fold 8 Ultra have appeared on Thailand’s NBTC certification database, confirming their launch names (via SammyGuru).
Galaxy “New Fold” Kindsuit cases emerge [Update – June 27]
Enthusiast MohammedKhatri spotted an alleged picture of Samsung Kindsuit cases. The retail boxes show a design familiar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, featuring a wide screen form factor and a dual rear camera island.
Interestingly, the case boxes feature “Galaxy New Fold,” rather than Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. If the leak is legit, Samsung may have a totally different branding planned for its iPhone Ultra foldable rival.
Flip 8 to get Snapdragon chip in the US [Update – June 24]
FCC certification of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 validates the claim made by tipster IceUniverse that the flip phone will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor in the US, while other markets could ship the Exynos 2600 version.
Global sale to start in early August [Update – June 24]
Samsung is rumored to hold its Summer Unpacked in late July 2026. If supply chain reports are to be believed, the event would be held on July 22 in London. That said, the official Samsung reveal is roughly 30 days away.
PriceBee has listed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be announced on Wednesday, July 22, and the worldwide sale may begin on Wednesday, August 5. The company may run a preorder program for about two weeks.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra price rumor [Update – June 18]
Samsung may launch Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra at higher prices than the Fold 7. The company would offer a 256GB version of the new foldable phone at around the same cost as the 512GB model of last year’s Fold device.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 series emerges on FCC [Update – June 15]
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has appeared on FCC certification database. Following the certification, the device is now approved to launch in the United States. Samsung’s SM-F976U has surfaced along with a design render on the database, via DroidLife.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 appears on BIS certification [Update – June 11]
Samsung will launch its Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide) model in India as well. This has been confirmed after the device’s model number SM-F971B surfaced on the country’s BIS certification database; however, it doesn’t reveal any other details.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 obtains FCC certification [Update – June 9]
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 has surfaced on the FCC database with the SM-F776U model number. The device has reportedly gone through an RF exposure test, specifically a SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) test report.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8 series clear BIS certification [Initial post]
Ahead of their official reveal, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 have cleared the BIS certification in India. This milestone hands the three foldables a mandatory regulatory approval for official release in the market.
Our friends over at SammyGuru spotted Samsung’s unreleased SM-F776B, SM-F-971B and SM-F976B models on the BIS database.
Image credits – SammyGuru
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy SoC will power the upcoming Samsung foldables. The clamshell model, which is rumored to be the last of its kind, is slated to bring Exynos 2600 chips to certain markets.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is reportedly getting a 5000mAh battery with 45W charging support. The camera system is staying the same, which should have been improved to justify the company’s decision to slap the Ultra tag.
Samsung has been using a 5000mAh battery in its top-tier flagship phones since the Galaxy S20 Ultra era. iPhone 17 Pro Max beat the Galaxy S26 Ultra in terms of battery capacity, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max has allegedly reached around the 5500mAh mark. Meanwhile, a new rumor suggests the Galaxy S27 Ultra is inching closer to a battery slightly smaller than 6000mAh.
The Korean tech giant had reportedly finalized a 5200mAh battery for the Galaxy S27 Ultra internally. However, Apple’s aggressive battery strategy with the iPhone 18 Pro Max may have led Samsung to revisit the battery roadmap.
X leaker phonefuturist reports that Samsung is considering testing Samsung SDI’s 5600mAh and 5800mAh battery roadmap. The target device could be the Galaxy S27 Ultra, which must surpass the aged 5000mAh capacity in 2027.
“Samsung is reportedly re-evaluating SDI’s 5,600mAh and 5,800mAh battery roadmap after previously settling on a 5,200mAh Li-ion solution.”
The batteries in testing do not feature silicon carbon technology. Samsung is staying away from a major overhaul until the solution is tested at scale. However, lithium-ion batteries of 5600mAh and 5800mAh are allegedly under testing.
Samsung still fears the Galaxy Note 7 explosion horror. Over the previous years, the company focused on offering extended battery life by other means. However, the competition is intensifying now, and Galaxy needs bigger batteries.
Take this information with a grain of salt, as the development of the upcoming S-series phones is at a very initial stage. The launch is still roughly seven months away, and any spec getting rumored today can’t be considered final.
A previously undocumented threat actor known as Armored Likho has been attributed to cyber attacks targeting government agencies and the electric power sector across Russia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan.
"Armored Likho blends financially motivated campaigns targeting private individuals with targeted cyber espionage aimed at organizations," Kaspersky said in a technical analysis published today. "
Early last month, when I was planning this half-year look at the best laptops that have so far been released in 2026, it was easy for me to pick the number one spot: the MacBook Neo.
Launched in March for $599 / £599 / AU$899, it was a shot across the bows of other laptop and Chromebook makers, as Apple showed that you could have a stylish and well-built budget laptop that didn’t have to feel cheap.
Sure, there were compromises, such as the 8GB of memory and slow USB ports, but those were easily forgiven thanks to such an affordable price — especially when so much of the MacBook Neo puts similarly priced budget laptops to shame.
However, at the end of June, Apple announced a Neo price increase, taking it up to $699 / £699 / AU$1,049. While that’s not the biggest price rise in a world that, at the moment, seems to be full of them, it’s enough to make the MacBook Neo less of an easy recommendation. Suddenly, all those compromises are harder to accept.
The MacBook Neo still earns a spot in this list, however, due to the huge influence it’s had on the laptop market. Since its launch, I’ve seen numerous laptop makers, including Acer and Dell, release products directly aimed at challenging the MacBook Neo; offering slim and stylish designs, strong performance and screens, all for around the Neo's original $599 / £599 / AU$899 price. While Apple has raised the price of the MacBook Neo, many of those new challengers haven’t — yet — done the same, which makes them even better value in comparison.
Now, it’s probably inevitable that those new MacBook Neo rivals will eventually increase in price too (thanks, AI, for gobbling up all the RAM and making price rises an everyday reality for a lot of tech). However, due to the variety of Windows 11 laptops available and where they’re sold compared to MacBooks, if you shop around you should find prices remain relatively competitive.
So, Apple might have just inspired its rivals to make better, and cheaper, alternatives. That might not be great for Apple, but for us consumers, it certainly is. So, as we’re at the halfway point of the year, let’s look at the five best — or most influential — laptops that have been released so far in 2026.
5. HP OmniBook 7 Aero
Reviewed: February 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
The HP OmniBook 7 Aero is a brilliant example of how Windows laptops are looking to beat Apple at its own game. The HP OmniBook 7 Aero is a thin, light and stylish laptop, with a capable AMD AI 5 or AI 7 CPU, integrated graphics, and a starting RAM configuration of 16GB, plus a 512GB SSD.
It launched at $949.99 / £649 (around AU$1,420), undercutting the MacBook Air and even (in the UK) the MacBook Neo after the price rise. For such a nicely designed laptop, this price is incredibly good value.
In our review we were impressed with the clear, bright, and vibrant screen and huge 26 hour battery life. Depending on the tasks you use it for, this laptop could go for multiple work or school days on a single charge, which is seriously impressive. It even manages to play games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, and while you certainly wouldn’t want to buy it as a gaming laptop, it shows how far Windows laptops, and the mobile components they use, have come in recent years.
4. Razer Blade 18 (2026)
Reviewed: June 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
This year’s Razer Blade 18 is another hit from the gaming laptop pros, which my colleague Christian Guyton, in his review, claimed "annihilates the competition". It features cutting edge mobile components such as an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX or Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti – RTX 5090 laptop GPUs, up to 128GB of RAM and a stunning 18-inch Dual UHD+ 240Hz / FHD+ 440Hz screen, which allows you to switch between resolutions to get even higher refresh rates. All of this is packed into a slim and stylish body that once again proves that gaming laptops don’t need to be big and bulky these days.
Gaming-wise, it’s a beast, hitting up to 160fps when playing Cyberpunk 2077, and 218fps with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Basically, it’ll handle any modern game you throw at it, and allow you to play at 4K resolution and the highest of settings. Its battery life — often the Achilles’ heel of gaming laptops — is pretty impressive, hitting almost eight and a half hours in our tests.
What’s the catch? Well, there’s the price, starting at a whopping $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 (around AU$4,870), but going up to $6,999.99 (around £5,200 / AU$9,735) for the highest specification. Ouch.
Razer’s devices are premium products, and when you combine that with some of the most powerful components you can get, and the ongoing memory crisis driving up prices, you end up with a brilliant laptop that’s wildly expensive. It’s a brilliant investment if you can afford it, it’s just a shame so few of us can.
3. Apple MacBook Neo
Reviewed: March 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
As I mentioned earlier, if I’d written this article before Apple’s price rises, the MacBook Neo would probably be number one in this list. When it launched, it really was a game-changer. It proved that affordable laptops could still feel premium, with exceptional build quality, modern features and solid performance.
Unlike other recent MacBooks, the Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip (which powered the iPhone 16 Pro), rather than Apple’s more powerful M-series chips. Compared to chips found in budget Windows 11 laptops and Chromebooks, the A18 Pro proved impressive on test, handling regular macOS apps with ease.
It's possible to use an iPad as a second screen, and see your iPhone’s messages and answer calls all from the desktop — features we’ve come to expect from more expensive MacBooks. The bright and vibrant screen makes a mockery of other cheap laptops that often feature dim, low resolution screens, to keep down prices.
When it first launched, this budget laptop (from a brand that’s more associated with luxury devices), which undercut and outperformed the competition, was a surefire hit. Apple has commented about how well the Neo sold, and even more importantly, it seemed to light a fire underneath many of its competitors. Not only was the MacBook Neo one of the best laptops of 2026, it was one of the most impactful.
What a difference $100 / £100 makes. While the new price doesn’t completely undermine the MacBook Neo’s value proposition, it makes it harder to recommend to everyone.
It makes some of Apple’s compromises to keep the price down, particularly the rather paltry 8GB of memory, slow USB speeds (it has two USB-C ports, but uses older USB 3.0 and the practically ancient USB 2 technology) and lack of a backlit keyboard, much harder to justify as well.
Worse, those competitors that Apple ‘inspired’ are fighting back. Acer’s Swift Air 14 (2026) will launch at the same original price of the Neo, with a great-looking display, and an Intel Core Series 3 processor. An Acer employee I spoke to at Computex 2026 was particularly pleased to point out that the Swift Air has faster USB-C ports than the Neo, an extra USB-A port and is thinner and lighter as well. The fact that it’s also now cheaper spells trouble for Apple, and it’s why the MacBook Neo has slipped down in my ranking.
2. Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewed: February 2026
(Image credit: Future)
I’ll be honest: I was torn between putting the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra or the MacBook Air (M5) in this spot. The reason I went for Samsung’s ultrabook in the end is that while the latest MacBook Air is undoubtedly a fantastic device (it sits atop our best laptops list for a reason), it’s also a bit… well… boring. It’s a simple spec update to the M5 chip, with no new design flourishes, but a new, higher price (which has since risen even higher after Apple’s price hikes).
The Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, on the other hand, feels a lot more ambitious. Samsung's laptops have never particularly impressed me, but with the Galaxy Book series, that’s changed.
As with Samsung's Galaxy phones and tablets, Galaxy Book laptops are high-end, premium devices, and as the name suggests, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra is the pinnacle of this. It’s thin, light and powerful (especially if you go for the option with a dedicated Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU), and with a strong battery life of over 15 hours, this is a great choice for anyone seeking a stylish workstation laptop that can handle heavy duty tasks such as 3D modeling.
Its AMOLED screen is also stunning, and easily one of the best displays you can get on a laptop (another category that Apple was once untouchable in).
What I really like about the Galaxy Book6 Ultra is how Samsung has been working on integrating its ecosystem of devices, so its laptops, earbuds, smartphones, and tablets can all work nicely together. It leads to some very Apple-like features, such as the ability to use a Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet as a second screen for the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, simply by moving the devices close together.
It’s not quite as seamless as Apple’s implementation, mainly because Samsung doesn’t make the software its products run on (Windows and Android), but it’s come a huge way. If you have a few Samsung devices, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra is particularly great, then, but even if you don’t, this is still a brilliant laptop that’s doing new things, not just resting on its laurels.
1. Dell XPS 16 (2026)
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewed: May 2026
(Image credit: Future)
The Dell XPS 16 is a remarkable laptop for many reasons. It’s a beautifully crafted device with a stunning OLED screen, as well as premium — and powerful — components, and it’s a great showcase for how good Windows 11 laptops can be.
It’s also noteworthy for bringing the XPS lineup back with a bang. Last year, Dell made the baffling decision to drop its XPS branding. It was one of the few product names outside of Apple that had mainstream recognition, and had long been associated with Dell’s most premium laptops. Thankfully, Dell realized its mistake and has resurrected the XPS brand for 2026, and the new Dell XPS 16 makes a fantastic statement: XPS is back, and it’s better than ever.
In our review, we gushed over this laptop's slimline design and high resolution OLED display, whilst also praising its performance. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, which has an Arc B390 integrated GPU, the Dell XPS 16 can handle demanding tasks, and even a spot of gaming. Battery life is also superb, with the Dell XPS 16 (2026) lasting well over 17 hours in our tests.
It’s pricey, but the quality on offer helps justify the investment. Welcome back, XPS. You’ve been missed.
Reacher season 4 is coming to Prime Video in mid-August
All episodes of new spin-off show Neagley will drop after the former's finale, too
Many fans had assumed it would arrive prior to Reacher 4
Reacher season 4 finally has a release date on Prime Video — and we don't have long to wait for its debut. Indeed, the hugely successful Amazon TV Original's next entry will premiere on Wednesday, August 12, which is a little over a month away at the time of publication.
We don't have a trailer for the forthcoming installment yet, but we've received some other exciting news alongside Reacher 4's launch date in the form of new spin-off series Neagley, which is also arriving soon.
Focusing on fan-favorite character Frances Neagley, the off-shoot's story is set after the events of Reacher season 3, so you'd think it would drop prior to Reacher's next season, wouldn't you? Not so, because Neagley won't released until Wednesday, September 16 — i.e. the day that the Reacher season 4 finale also comes out.
We're really jumping around the timeline here, but I'm sure long-time fans of the show will be happy to get a double dose of Reacher goodness anyway.
What do we know about Reacher season 4?
(Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)
Plot-wise, Reacher season 4 adapts the 13th novel in Lee Child's Jack Reacher book series, which is titled Gone Tomorrow. In it, the eponymous all-action hero witnesses a suicide that pulls him into a huge, multi-layered conspiracy. We can expect undercover terrorists, local police, the FBI, and more when the show returns for a gripping new story.
The forthcoming season won't be this series' last, either, because Reacher season 5 was renewed by Prime Video last month. So, we can expect even more from the hugely popular thriller series down the road.
A user got bugged to verify their identity on their new iPhone
They shouldn’t have needed to, as their local laws didn't require this
The culprit was their iPhone, which was imported from the UK
Apple has just jacked up its prices across the board, and while the iPhone is safe for now, many users are wondering if it’s only a matter of time before Apple’s best iPhones feel the weight of price rises. If that sounds familiar, you might have snapped up a second-hand iPhone in a bid to get ahead of the game — but that could leave you falling foul of an annoying, unforeseen consequence.
That’s exactly what happened to Reddit user, who said that their new iPhone was forcing them to verify their age, despite the fact that they live in Bulgaria, an EU country where age verification is not required by law.
Understandably, they were reluctant to upload their ID documents, describing the process as a “huge privacy black hole.” But due to their refusal to do so, they were unable to access “certain types of content, social apps, GTA games and other things I paid for.” As they put it, “Content and privacy restrictions, scanning my chats, FaceTime calls and photos in gallery are forced upon me without my will and consent.”
The case seems to be a confusing one, as Bulgarian users are not subject to ID verification laws that mandate them to confirm their age before accessing certain apps and services. But there is one nearby country that does have laws like this, and it proved to be the key to unlocking the mystery.
Check the model number
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The UK has enacted laws that necessitate users to verify their identities in order to access certain apps and services on their devices, with the stated aim of protecting children from online harms. But the regulations — specifically the Online Safety Act — has caused much controversy among privacy advocates and has resulted in a surge of angry users downloading the best VPNs to protect their identities and sidestep the requirements.
Back on Reddit, the age verification mystery was solved when the Redditor discovered where their iPhone originally came from. This is something you can find in the Settings app by going to General > About and looking in the Model Number section.
The iPhone's model was MFYP4QN/A and this contains several clues about its origin. For example, "MFYP4" refers to the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Deep Blue with 256GB of storage. The “QN” part of the code, meanwhile, relates to the regions where this model is sold: “Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, United Kingdom, Israel.”
In other words, although the Redditor bought their iPhone in Bulgaria, the device was likely imported from the UK. As a fellow Redditor noted, there is no official Apple presence in Bulgaria, making an import the probable answer. As they put it, “If it is a UK model, it will behave like a UK model” — which would explain why the device was asking the user to verify their identity, even though local Bulgarian laws did not require that to be done.
With different regions enforcing different privacy and age verification laws, the risk — as demonstrated on Reddit — is that you can buy a second-hand iPhone in a country that doesn’t compel you to confirm your identity, yet still get forced to do so by an imported iPhone. It’s all a bit of a mess.
If you’re thinking of buying a used iPhone and you’re at all able to check it in person, make sure you note down its model number first in the Settings app. As explained by The Apple Wiki, if the code contains the letters B, KN, QN, Z, ZD, ZF or ZM just before the forward slash — for example, MFYP4ZD/A — then it might be a UK device and therefore might act as if it is governed by UK laws, regardless of where you bought it. And that could have big consequences if you’re not prepared.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is utter joy in racing game form, and its depth, run-based structure, and deep vehicle customization options are going to keep me occupied for hours on end.
It was the game that made me grin from ear to ear the quickest out of all that I saw at Summer Game Fest 2026, and I am so excited for it. As soon as I took control of a racer and was on the starting grid, I was immediately smiling, and soon after, laughing to (or at?) myself — it really was that quick.
Blending some really excellent Burnout-style racing game features, with a level of depth and customisation that can get frankly mind-boggling, with the excellence that is Star Wars lore and settings, it has all the ingredients to be a hit this year.
Feel the burn
(Image credit: Fuse Games)
At the core of Galactic Racer is its Burnout-inspired racing experience, and let me tell you, this is fantastic.
The racers, be they landspeeders, speeder bikes, or podracers, on offer all have their own style, way of handling, and moves to master, and the team at developer Fuse Games has even added a brand-new vehicle to the roster — a whole new addition to the Star Wars universe — the Skim speeder.
Races feel intense and can get very enjoyable and chaotic very quickly. Collisions are not only a danger to you but can be of great benefit, allowing you to muscle your way through for track position or remove them from the equation entirely, so there’s always a balance to be had between taking evasive action or just going on the charge to create havoc.
The courses I tried were absurdly fun too, full of different routes to take, and plenty of opportunity for overtakes or other ways to try and gain an advantage over your competitors, crashing into your foes, and deploying skills. From inputting a series of button presses to get a bonus off the starting grid, which is a satisfying mini-game, to perhaps what is one of the best in-race features of slow-mo crashes of one of your foes — or yourself, which is amusing every time — each race is filled with moments of fun and a high overall level of sheer excitement.
It’s also incredibly beautifully realized, both on the track and off it: characters and cars look excellent, and the environments and race tracks, even though they’re passing at a high speed, are wonderfully detailed and evoke the style of Star Wars’ planets brilliantly.
The options are endless
(Image credit: Lucasfilm / Secret Mode)
Where Star Wars: Galactic Racer offers depth, however, is in, well, everywhere else: from in-race synergies between your vehicle and the environment, to the narrative, and to the amount of customisation and part combinations you can engage with, the game looks to be as deep as a Sarlacc is long.
The story here is about your racer’s rise through the ranks and is implemented in a runs-based, branching way where you pick the route of your races that are the map of your and the story’s progress. You can pick a route that’s higher risk-reward, or pick something safer to progress.
When it comes to how you can build, craft, augment, and customize your racer, we get into some serious depth. I was told by the devs at SGF that they think there are a number of vehicle part combinations that are in the order of ‘trillions’ in the game simply due to how many different things you can combine with other different things, from durability to boosts, from handling to abilities.
(Image credit: Fuse Games)
This gets further augmented by the fact that you can build specific racers for specific worlds, tracks, and conditions. Need a racer that won’t get slowed down by water? Check. Want to sacrifice durability to perhaps invest in a build which runs extremely hot for speed, but then rely on a racetrack’s water courses to cool it down? Absolutely.
The synergies between a racer’s parts and between a racer and the environments make the build possibilities seemingly endless.
As a result, Star Wars: Galactic Racer has shot up my list of anticipated games for the rest of the year, and I can’t wait for lights out when the game releases on October 6 this year, on PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC to dive further into everything it offers.
Planning permission isn't usually required unless you're in a conservation area or listed building
Cooling-only systems aren't covered by permitted development rules
If in doubt, speak to your council
If you're looking for a way to avoid the sweltering heat of yet another heatwave arriving soon, air conditioning looks awfully tempting – so much so that in the UK, portable AC units are sold out almost everywhere or going for silly money on eBay, while air con installers are booked far into the future.
With future summers expected to get even hotter, many of us are now looking into fully installed AC as a long-term investment for our homes and our health, and that means we're likely to encounter a lot of confusion and misinformation about what you can and cannot do under UK planning and building regulations.
That confusion has been partly fuelled by social media and very misleading newspaper headlines suggesting that Net Zero-crazed councils are demanding innocent homeowners 'RIP OUT' their expensive installations.
The UK government's ministry of housing, communities and local government (MHCLG) says that such coverage is incorrect. "In most cases, planning permission is not required to install [air con] for a small home if it would not materially effect the appearance of the building from outside."
The most sensational headlines have been about air con in London and reference the London Plan, a city-specific rule that prioritises passive cooling and discourages extensive use of air con due to the heat it emits outside, which can contribute to heat islands in built-up areas.
As a spokesperson for the Mayor of London told The Telegraph: "The current London Plan does not rule out air conditioning — its policy is only applicable to major developments and requires new developments to address overheating risk from the outset — through measures such as shading, ventilation and other cooling design features."
If you look at the detail of the newspaper stories you'll typically find that the problem wasn't the air con itself, but how and where it was installed.
The problem is that even the the Government's press release above saying "Air conditioning units are not banned" also then says "However, there is no blanket rule. People should speak with their local council to check the rules, and councils should take a common-sense approach." So that' doesn't exactly totally clear things up — but there are basic rules that apply broadly, which are then changed depending on the local council situation.
So here's an overview of what rules you need to know about when you're considering investing in permanent air conditioning, so you at least know where you're starting from, and you can look into your area's circumstances from there.
In this article we'll be focusing exclusively on adding domestic air con to an existing residential home that you own. If your home is a leasehold in England you may need to obtain the freeholder's consent in addition to the other criteria.
What kind of home you have matters
The rules depend very much on what kind of home you have. If you're in a listed building you'll definitely need to apply for listed building consent; if you're in a conservation area, there will be restrictions on changing the appearance of your home, so there will be limits as to where you can place the external unit on the outside of your home.
If your home is neither listed nor in a conservation area, then the rules are largely common sense: under the rules for 'Permitted Developments' you don't need planning permission provided your air con meets some reasonably straightforward technical and location criteria.
The specific criteria are similar across the UK and I've linked to them here:
If you're not sure if your system meets the permitted development criteria, we'd strongly recommend a chat with your local council's planning department: get it wrong and the council can make you remove the system at your own expense. You don't want to make what could be a very expensive mistake.
What are the core rules for home air conditioners in the UK?
The basic rules (before you get into conversation areas, and so on) differ depending on the kind of air conditioning you're thinking of installing.
If your air conditioner can heat as well as cool then it's generally allowed under Permitted Development rules under their Class G permissions, which are enforced by your local council on a common-sense basis.
Provided your external condenser unit (the part of an installed air con that goes outdoors) or heat pump isn't too big, too loud, too visible or too close to your neighbours, you don't usually need planning permission.
That's not the case if the air conditioner cools but doesn't also have a heating element. You need planning permission for that, and councils are keen to discourage such installations.
How big can your aircon be in the UK?
The Class G permissions allow you to install air con on your property or its "curtilage", which is the land associated with and immediately surrounding it including additional buildings. If you live in a castle the curtilage is anything inside the castle walls; if you're in a semi-detached the curtilage usually means your garden, driveway and garage, if you have one.
Most modern air con systems are Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), which means they can both cool and heat the air they take in and expel.
The Class G permissions were revised in 2025 to specifically include the exterior units of ASHPs, and they state that in a permitted development:
You can have up to two ASHPs on a detached house or bungalow
If you live in a semi-detached or terraced house, you may only have one ASHP
If you live in a block of two flats or more, that also limits you to one ASHP
For a terraced, semi-detached or detached house the ASHP must not be bigger than 1.5 cubic metres. For flats the limit is 0.6 cubic metres.
A cubic metre is 1m wide, 1m tall and 1m deep. That's bigger than a freestanding fridge: sizes differ by manufacturer and product, but as an example the outdoor units for Toshiba's current RAS multi-split air conditioners range from 0.12m³ to 0.25m³ with the very largest model coming in at 890 x 900 x 320mm — that fits easily within the house regulations.
What kind of air conditioner can I install?
Under Class G your equipment must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, or MCS for short. The regulations are a bit odd here because while an air source heat pump must comply with the MCS, it doesn't need to have a certificate. The details of the MCS are online here.
Where can I install my air conditioner?
The rule preventing you from installing your external unit within 1m of neighbouring properties has been scrapped. However, your installation must not negatively impact your neighbours with noise: the noise level of your external unit cannot exceed 42 decibels measured at one metre from your nearest neighbour's front door or window. MCS-compliant units will not exceed that limit.
You can't install the external unit on a pitched roof, or within a metre of the edge of a flat roof.
If you're not in a conservation area or listed building, you may install the external unit on the front wall provided it's on the ground floor.
If you're in a conservation area you cannot install an external unit on any elevation that faces a highway.
The location of your external unit is where the common-sense criteria come in: the external unit, its cabling and any ducting must be sited in such a way that it is "so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building" and sited "so as to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area".
If you have a wind turbine in your garden you're out of luck: Class G doesn't give permission for any air con installation for properties with a turbine within their curtilage.
Your air con installer will be well aware of the regulations and should be able to ensure that your air con meets all the relevant requirements, but if you have any doubts please do talk to your local council's planning officers, because again you really don't want them to actually have cause to force you to remove it.
What do I do to make sure there aren't special rules in my area?
Your council will likely have a whole website dedicated to helping with planning information, including potentially a map showing whether your home is included in any conservation areas, and what the specific orders around those areas are, so you can work out whether they'd affect air con installation.
If not, or if it's still unclear, you council will have a system for enquiries around planning permission, so you can ask if what you're planning needs a permit without going through the process — and it means that if you need one, they can tell you exactly what's needed.
The Withings BodyFit scale finally lands in the UK and Europe after its US launch
Its body composition scanning feature is said to be 'DEXA-level' implying pinpoint accuracy
The scale is also allegedly ideal at GLP-1 drug users who are prioritising keeping muscle while losing fat
Health technology company Withings announced it will be launching the Withings BodyFit smart scale in the UK and Europe, priced at £229.95. Said to be a "segmental body composition scale", the smart scale will calculate your ratio of fat, muscle and bone using a technique called Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy (BIS).
Similar to Biometric Impedence Analysis used by more of the best smart scales, BIS tech sends a harmless electrical current through your body, which moves through fat, muscle and bone at different speeds. Using this information, the Withings BodyFit can calculate how much of each material is in your body. Clever.
The Withings BodyFit uses a retractable handle for more contact points, said to provide body composition measurement as accurate as a medical-grade DEXA scan, calculating fat mass with up to 99% accuracy and muscle mass with up to 98% accuracy. The scale provides fitness goals, a calorie tracker, cardiovascular insights, nutrition logging and lots more. It's essentially a fitness tracker you can stand on, taking you on a 'personalised body composition health journey' with tips accessible in the Withings app.
The GLP-1 connection
The interesting bit is Withings is recommending its scale to a group of people who are most concerned about maintaining muscle mass, and no, it's not bodybuilders. It's GLP-1 users, who are taking drugs like Wegovy (the UK's most common GLP-1, equivalent to the more famous Ozempic in the US) to help dramatically curb weight loss. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic — semaglutide — which stabilizes blood sugar and signals to the brain that you're full.
With muscle analysis based on six 'zones' in your body, Withings says 'For GLP-1 users, Withings BodyFit provides the precise, actionable insights to ensure weight loss targets fat while actively protecting crucial muscle mass'.
The idea is that while taking these drugs and dramatically losing weight, you can maintain functionality in your body by doing workouts that prioritise maintaining and gaining muscle mass, and check you're on track with the scale's advanced muscle-scanning tech.
Muscle and fat
Building and maintaining muscle is an important part of any healthy weight loss journey. While some people will welcome the aid of GLP-1 medications, especially those that are unable to burn calories with intense exercise due to joint or disability issues, others will want to do it the way it's always been done — sweat equity.
Muscle weighs more than fat, so a reliable smart scale like the BodyFit can help shift the goalposts of weight loss (and weight gain) success from a simple number on a scale to adjusting your body's percentages of fat and muscle.
While such detail can in some extreme cases create obsessive behaviour, for most people it's going to make getting healthier easier long-term, as it's more about having some functional muscle than it is about how much you weigh.
Sales are cyclical, and it's already halfway through the year. Since this is the lowest price we've seen for the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, once it expires, I wouldn't count on seeing it again until a major commercial holiday like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Today's best headphones deal
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the manufacturer's flagship pair of headphones — and they still hold up three years later. These budget-friendly wireless headphones offer great ANC, comfort, and portability for less than the average competitor. At 50% off the launch price, these are unlikely to go lower than this record-low price before Black Friday or Cyber Monday season.View Deal
The QuietComfort are some of the best Bose budget headphones, even if the word "budget" is more comparative to the price of the QuietComfort Ultra. They are intentionally designed to be light, offer a comfy fit and focus on active noise-cancellation for an affordable price.
Overall, these cover the basics well and keep the noise out for much less than the pricier but more powerful QuietComfort Ultra counterpart. These have stayed a popular, fuss-free choice if you're looking for a reliable brand with ANC and aesthetics.
In our Bose QuietComfort Headphones review, we rated it four out of five stars for the ANC, comfort, portability, and ease of use. Our reviewer clocked up to 26 hours of battery life during testing, which is lower than many other competitors but still acceptable given the specs.
The annual 4th of July sales are more commonly associated with grills and appliances, but between you and me, it's also a great time to pick up tech. Right now, for example, Adorama and B&H Photo are featuring some of the lowest prices I've seen all year on cameras from well-known brands like Sony, Canon, and Nikon.
I've been scanning through the sale today to find the best price cuts, and in short, I've found some great options. Camera prices have really been hit in the past year, but I'm pleased to note that there are actually record-low prices available on some of our most highly rated bodies.
For example, right now you can get the excellent value Canon EOS R8 for $1,299 (was $1,649), the Nikon Z5 II for $1,596 (was $1,849), and the Sony Alpha A7R V for $3,298 (was $3,798). Some of these are discounts we've seen before, but in the case of some (like the R8), they're brand-new record lows. Just below you can see a full list of deals, including 15 models for all budgets.
According to Adorama's 4th of July sale page, customers who spend over $3,000 will also get $250 back in reward points, so it's definitely one of the better sales at the retailer this year. Note, however, it looks like the sales wrap up on Sunday, so you'll have to be quick if you're interested.
4th of July camera deals - Canon
Our Canon EOS R5 Mark II review awarded this stunning flagship camera a full five stars out of five – and it's easy to see why. Alongside incredible autofocus (easily some of the best we've ever tested), a 45MP full-frame sensor, and a host of new computational features, the EOS R5 Mark II is easily one of the best cameras on the market right now. Is it overkill for most? Arguably. However, professional photographers will love how this camera makes the most demanding of tasks easy. Today's discount is just $100 away from the record-low price from earlier this year.
If you're looking to save some cash, you could instead opt for the slightly older Mark I, which is still a stunningly effective pro-grade body. Right now, it's sitting at $2,599, which makes it significantly cheaper than the second iteration. Sure, you're missing out on the latest computational and cutting-edge autofocus features here, but this camera still has that great 45MP full-frame sensor, 8k video, and excellent in-body image stabilization. Today's discount matches the previous record low for this excellent camera.
Canon's low-cost full-frame RF-mount camera is now even cheaper with this decent Black Friday price cut. The EOS R8 packs many of the same features as the pricier EOS R6 II, including the 24.2MP sensor and 4K 60p video recording. We explained the key EOS R8 and EOS R6 Mark II differences so if you can do without in-body image stabilization and sturdier build quality, then you can make a decent saving by opting for the smaller and lighter EOS R8. Today's deal beats the previous record-low by $200, so it's definitely a very good deal indeed.
The EOS R6 Mark II is one of the best mirrorless hybrid cameras of the past few years. Our Canon EOS R6 II review awarded this excellent model an impressive four and half stars out of five, praising its autofocus, ISO handling, and burst shooting so it's an easy recommendation, even if it isn't the latest model anymore. Today's price is still about $200 off the record-low price, but it's still one of the best deals we've seen this year so far on this model.
Even cheaper still is the EOS RP: Canon's entry-level full-frame camera and the cheapest new full-frame body you'll find anywhere. As you'd expect, the EOS RP is a pretty stripped-down affair. It doesn't feature the best video specs or image stabilization, for example. It does, however, feature a decent 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, a lightweight build, and good autofocus for a body in this price range. In terms of value, it's still a good choice, especially with today's record-low price.
The Nikon Z5 II was the recipient of hefty price hikes recently, but right now, you can pick it up for a brand-new record-low price at Adorama and B&H Photo. I loved this model when I reviewed it and it's a fantastic choice if you're looking for a fully-featured full-frame camera that doesn't break the bank. As an entry point to the excellent Z-mount ecosystem, the Z5 II offers fantastic image quality, decent video, and similar autofocus performance to the much pricier high-end Z models.
TechRadar's top camera of 2025, the Nikon Z6 III, is available for a record-low price at several retailers right now. This fantastic mirrorless camera is the latest model from the brand and features an impressive 24.5MP full-frame partially stacked sensor with vastly improved autofocus and 6K video up to 60fps. Our Nikon Z6 III review awarded the camera a full five stars out of five, and it feels like excellent value now, thanks to a massive price cut at B&H Photo and other retailers.
Classic retro style, full frame 24MP sensor, Nikon's best in-body image stabilisation, smart manual focus controls, and a dedicated black-and-white color mode – all for a record-low price. The retro-style camera market is big business and it attracts larger-than-life price tags. However, Nikon's Zf packs a technological punch alongside producing excellent image quality. The record-low for this model is technically $1,799, but tariffs have disproportionately hit this model hard.
We rate the Nikon Z8 as the best full-frame hybrid camera for pros - although, of course, anyone with deep pockets will appreciate its superb 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K video capabilities, and 20fps burst shooting. Our Nikon Z8 review awarded this excellent camera a full five stars out of five, praising its awesome feature set and smaller and lighter body versus the flagship Z9. The record-low for this model is technically $3,299, but again, tariffs have unfortunately shifted the price for this one up a notch in recent months.
The Z30 is Nikon's cheapest mirrorless camera, and a great choice if you're looking to get started with either photography or video. Primarily designed for beginner vloggers, the Z30 features excellent 4K video, a flip-out touchscreen, plus a dedicated mic port. A lack of a viewfinder means this isn't the best for dedicated photographers, but if you're coming from a phone, you may not mind that.
The Sony Alpha a7R V is our current top pick for professional stills photographers, although anyone with a penchant for resolution will marvel at its incredible 61MP sensor. While you'll need some high-level glass to truly harness the full resolving power of the A7R V, its handy eight-stop image stabilization and superb tracking autofocus make it a superbly usable camera for landscape, product, or studio work. Today's price at Adorama brings the body right down to its lowest ever price, too.
While the A7 IV is no longer the latest and greatest hybrid flagship, we still absolutely rate it as a fantastic choice for both stills and video work. With an excellent 33MP full-frame sensor and game-changing auto-focus system, it's hard to believe you can get all that goodness for such a low price. Now is a great time to consider making the switch since this excellent flagship is currently sitting at a price that matches the previous record-low.
The Sony Alpha 1's eye-wateringly high price tag will mean that it's not for everybody, but a decent price cut at Adorama today means it's a little easier on the pocket. And, if you have deep pockets, then the first Alpha 1 is still an amazing do-it-all camera. With incredible autofocus, 8K video, and a 50.1MP full-frame sensor, the Sony Alpha 1 can still keep up with the competition - even if it isn't right at the cutting edge for the brand anymore.
The a7CR might just be the ultimate travel camera. With its 61MP sensor, excellent autofocus, and range-finger-esque design, it's a fantastic choice if you want a powerful camera with a compact form factor. Our Sony a7CR review almost awarded this one full marks, with our only major complaints being the price and the relatively small viewfinder, which you can forgive considering it's being squeezed onto such a small body.
We've been waiting for the stunning OM System OM-3 to get a decent price cut ever since it was released earlier this year, and here we are. While still pricey, you get the same speedy stacked 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor as the flagship OM System OM-1 Mark II, intelligent subject-tracking autofocus, and up to 50FPS continuous burst. There's also OM System's Log color profile for video and support for 4K capture at 60FPS. All that is wrapped up in a design that we think stands out as one of the most appealing on the market right now. Today's price cut is a new record-low, so it's definitely worth checking out.
This is, so far, the cheapest price yet for a camera we called 'mind-blowingly capable in our OM System OM-1 II review. Key features include a 20MP BSI Micro Four Thirds sensor with blazingly quick shooting speeds and a host of innovative built-in software features. While the OM-1 II has niche appeal, it's a superb option for adventure, wildlife, and landscape/travel photographers looking to cut a bulky kit bag down to size.
The Panasonic S5 II is easily one of our favorite hybrid flagships right now - especially because today's discount at Adorama makes it a competitive choice to the likes of the Nikon Z6 III. Highlight features for the S5 II include a new 24MP full-frame sensor with phase detection AF (a first for Panasonic), uncropped 6K / 30p video, and superb image stabilization. We were also impressed by the S5 II's rugged build quality and overall well-thought-out ergonomics, which is obviously handy when pairing up with some of the larger lenses available in the L-Mount ecosystem. Check out our Panasonic S5 II review for more details on this excellent camera.
The Lumix S1 II is an easy recommendation with today's price cut at Adorama as it addresses our main criticism of this otherwise excellent camera - the price! With a partially stacked 24MP full-frame sensor, 6K video, and an expansive range of video codecs, the S1 II is easily one of the best video workhorses on the market right now. Our Panasonic Lumix S1 II review stopped just short of awarding this one a full five stars, but it's a great choice at this price for sure.
The GFX 100S II is one of the most usable and affordable medium-format cameras on the market. Affordable, is of course, relative in this case, but you get a lot of camera for your money with the outstanding GFX 100S II. Alongside jaw-droppingly good image quality, the 8 stops of image stabilization and a surprisingly ergonomic form factor mean that this camera is a credible alternative to the full-frame flagships.
I knew that the season finale of Dutton Ranch was going to be a corker, and the Yellowstone spinoff hasn't let me down.
Last week, episode 8 saw Carter (Finn Little) flip out at Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) separately, both feeling alienated after their move to Rio Paloma and suffocated by their decisions for his life.
A week on, and Carter is no longer the main player in our drama. Beulah (Annette Bening) is now out of the hospital after a heart attack at the 10 Petal anniversary party, and her decision to announce Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) as her successor is now starting to have serious repercussions.
But in the season finale, everyone needs to watch their back. Here's a full Dutton Ranch episode 9 breakdown, including what you need to watch out for when season 2 hits Paramount+.
Beth and Rip find fentanyl in 10 Petal's latest cattle shipment
(Image credit: Paramount+)
We join episode 9 as Rip and Beth are intercepting a cattle shipment arriving at 10 Petal. Rob-Will arrives and tells the pair to get off his property, causing Rip to punch him in the face when he insults Beth.
An incredibly satisfying fight unfolds, leaving Rob-Will on the floor with a bloodied nose. Beth picks up his cattle book, calling out numbers to be hauled to one side.
Everett (Ed Harris) is called, and the separate cattle are tested. Making an incision in the first, Everett finds packages of drugs — that we later learn are filled with fentanyl — hidden in the cow, confirming that 10 Petal has been running an illegal drug smuggling business across the Mexican border.
After working through them all, Zachariah (Marc Menchaca) and Azul (J.R. Villarreal) estimate that the drugs have a street value of around $2 million, meaning that somebody is bound to come looking for it... and soon.
Beulah confesses all to Everett
(Image credit: Paramount+)
After examining the cattle, Everett returns home to question Beulah. He's furious that she's been lying to everyone around her for so long, especially after claiming that she wanted to "run away" with him at the end of episode 8.
Immediately, she tells him everything. As we already saw in episode 7's flashback scenes, Beulah confesses to ranch hand Mariano (Raoul Max Trujillo) helping her hide Luke’s body.
What we didn't already know is that Luke is Rob-Will’s father, and Beulah’s dad blames Mariano for her assault. He offered Mariana a deal: take the heat and escape to Mexico, and the family would take in baby Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba).
However, Mariano's wife was killed back at the border, meaning he had extra leverage on the Jackson family. Cut to 15 years before the events of Dutton Ranch, and 10 Petal was on its knees after a drought ruined everything they had.
Joaquin stepped in and offered financial help to Mariano, and the drug smuggling scheme was born. Beulah claims that she's been looking for a way out of it for years, but Everett tells her to leave.
Mariano returns — and immediately threatens everyone
(Image credit: Paramount+)
As you might have guessed from Joaquin's phone call at the end of episode 8, Mariano is officially back on the scene. After refusing to help Rob-Will when Beth and Rip unearth the smuggling scheme, Joaquin meets Mariano at a nearby motel.
Joaquin fills Mariano in on basically everything that's happened in the present day, with Mariano seething with rage at the idea of "strangers" being brought in to manage the ranch.
Rob-Will arrives and tells Mariano about the compromised cattle, leading Mariano to call Beth and Rip and threaten them over the phone. He then asks his guys to kill the rest of the 10 Petal ranchers and asks Joaquin to kill Rob-Will.
Oreana finds out that she's pregnant
(Image credit: Paramount+)
While all of this is going on, Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind) finds herself at a crisis point. She finds out that she's pregnant after spontaneously doing a test, having to play off her fear when Beth arrives to ask if Oreana has seen Carter.
Without Beth knowing, Oreana immediately tracks Carter down to Dwight's (Ray McKinnon) old farm, where the pair share beers and talk about their woes. Oreana convinces Carter to call Beth, who's been relentlessly trying to get hold of him since his episode 8 disappearance. He does, but puts the phone down when Beth asks him to come home.
Back at 10 Petal, Oreana convinces Carter that they should elope, not telling him about the pregnancy. Carter is only too happy to do so, and the pair begin to pack their bags while Carter sneaks home to get his stuff.
Rob-Will dies after Joaquin's drive-by murder
(Image credit: Paramount+)
While Oreana is packing, Rob-Will arrives home to see her. Oreana tells him that she's leaving, and instead of discouraging her, Rob-Will says that there's nothing for either of them at 10 Petal or in Rio Paloma, and kisses her.
However, Oreana never actually goes anywhere. A few seconds after leaving her bedroom, Rob-Will is found bleeding to death in the house's hallway following a loud gunshot. Oreana comes down the stairs quickly enough in time to see a black SUV speeding away, breaking down in tears over her dad's body.
She stays there until Beulah arrives, who cannot believe what has happened. We cut to Joaquin in the car, who is struggling to collect himself.
Mariano's men descend on Dutton Ranch — and kidnap Carter
(Image credit: Paramount+)
Not knowing what to do for the best, Beth and Rip have huge decisions to make. Beth raids Beulah's slaughterhouse, but finds nothing aside from a wrangler who wants to beat her up (don't worry, Rip gets there first).
By the time they get home, Beulah is there, with Beth pulling a shotgun on her. Rip convinces Beulah to be let inside the house, where she details the same story that she told Everett earlier.
Beulah claims that she needs the drugs before Mariano can find out that they're missing, with Rip telling her that he's already got Zachariah to load them up in her car.
Obviously, the threatening phone call means that Mariano already knows what's up, so Beth, Rip, Azul, Zachariah, and later Everett get ready for Mariano's men to storm their ranch. Sure enough, they surround the house in the dead of night, with a classic shootout then taking place.
All of Mariano's men end up dead, except one, whom Rip takes to a nearby barn and interrogates while suspending him in the air.
At the same time, we see another group of Mariano's men storm into Carter's bedroom, pinning him to the ground before bundling him into a van. Beth gets another phone call, with Mariano confirming that they've kidnapped Carter.
The final scene of episode 9 shows Beth running into the barn in tears and telling Rip, "They've got him."
Season 2 predictions
(Image credit: Paramount+)
Obviously, there are quite a few questions that need answering here. The most pressing is whether Carter will survive his kidnapping, and whether Beth and Rip can get to him before anything bad happens.
Then we'll have the fallout of Rob-Will's death, which will definitely have messed with Joaquin's mind. This is also going to affect Mariano's standing in the 10 Petal business, arguably likely to see even more power than he had before.
Beulah, meanwhile, has absolutely nothing to her name. She needs to grieve Rob-Will, but Everett wants nothing to do with her, so her next moves cannot be immediately guessed.
Then, there's Oreana. Will she keep the baby? Will Beth be there to support her? And will Rio Paloma ever be the same again?
I hope you're ready for another episode ofHouse of the Dragon season 3, because its next chapter is right around the corner.
This week's entry will be with us in less than 72 hours — and, without wanting to drum up the hype to unprecedented levels, this is easily my favorite of the four episodes I saw before writing my House of the Dragon season 3 review.
I'll refrain from saying anything else because, well, spoilers — but also because you're here to find out when and where the Game of Thrones prequel's next episode will be available. So, read on for more details.
What time can I watch House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3?
House of the Dragon's next installment will premiere on Sunday, July 5 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET in North and South America.
Meanwhile, viewers who live on other continents will have to wait until Monday, July 6 to check out the high fantasy show's forthcoming episode. Thanks to the aforementioned times, though, we know when it'll be available in other regions:
US — Sunday, July 5 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
Canada — Sunday, July 5 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
UK — Monday, July 6 at 2am BST
India — Monday, July 6 at 6:30am IST
Singapore — Monday, July 6 at 9am SGT
Australia — Monday, July 6 at 11am AEST
New Zealand — Monday, July 6 at 1pm NZST
What streaming service can I watch House of the Dragon's third season on?
For the throne at all costs. #HOTD pic.twitter.com/N6afJpX6KpJune 29, 2026
There are numerous nations, including Canada and India, in which the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned platform hasn't launched yet, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to catch it. Check out the list below to see where the series airs where you live:
US — HBO and HBO Max
Canada — Crave
UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
India — JioHotstar
Singapore — HBO Max
Australia — HBO Max
New Zealand — HBO Max
How many episodes are there in House of the Dragon season 3?
You'll be seeing plenty more of Daemon in the hit HBO TV show's third season (Image credit: Theo Whiteman/HBO)
Eight — and, just like this week's entry and the two before it, new episodes will air every Sunday in the Americas, and every Monday everywhere else, until this season's finale comes out in August.
You can find the release dates for each chapter below:
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1 — out now
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 — out now
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3 — July 5/6
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 4— July 12/13
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 5 — July 19/20
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 6 — July 26/27
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 7 — August 2/3
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8 — August 9/10
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says Sony's decision to scrap physical discs is "fairly dramatic"
Layden recalls a time when digital sales "were zero percent" because Sony didn't have a market
He believes the move will also mean the PS6 won't have a disc drive
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden has shared his opinion on Sony's decision to stop producing physical discs and its plan to move all-digital, calling it "a fairly dramatic decision."
Speaking in an interview with Eurogamer following the bombshell news, the PlayStation veteran of 32 years confirmed that he had "no idea it was going to happen and "don't necessarily agree with it."
As for why he thinks Sony has made the decision, he suggested, "Maybe it's just too prohibitively expensive to stamp out discs," but believes that any big move to discontinue a product, feature, or model is "largely" a "straight spreadsheet [decision]."
"What are disc sales compared to digital sales? And I'm old enough to remember when digital sales were like 10 percent - I'm old enough to remember when digital sales were zero percent because we didn't have a digital market! And that number just grew over time," Layden said.
The ex-PlayStation leader suggested the COVID pandemic played a role in accelerating the purchase and consumption of digital games over physical, and believes that Sony's decision could mean the PS6 won't have a disc drive.
In fact, Layden revealed that ditching the PlayStation's disc drive was something the company considered for a year while he worked there.
"I've been asked this question every year for the last 20 years. 'When are you guys going to just give up on the disc drive?' My feeling with that was always: well, when I get to a place where I'm comfortable enough to believe that worldwide, broadband throughput is good enough to support that download experience, good enough to reach the majority of customers," Layden said.
He clarified, "Majority does not mean entirety, so there is a point, a tipping point, where if I have 80 percent of the opportunity, which represents 95 percent of the revenue source, what's my incentive to keep the lights on for the other 20 percent if it's effectively only 5 percent of the business? See what I'm saying? At some point, it just becomes obvious that we can't keep this whole thing running just for this very small slice of opportunity."
While Layden admits that Sony had always been "pretty good" at determining the risk of overestimating regional internet infrastructure, "because unlike Xbox, PlayStation had a wider global fanbase, and not just in the numbers, but in the reach, because Sony Corp had reach all over the world," there are also players who do not have access to the internet, such as people in military bases.
"The idea that they could still buy a PlayStation 4 game, throw it in a machine, and play was important. You don't want to leave those people behind," Layden said.
"I don't know what went on in those conversations, but it's a fairly dramatic decision."
As Sony plans to scrap physical discs, there are also concerns about the inability to resell games or buy them second-hand in the future, which Layden said "used to be a huge factor" in the business, but the rise of digital games "kind of quashed that used-game business, and made it hard for folks who were making a nickel in the secondary market by selling them."
However, he doesn't necessarily believe this drove Sony's decision because it's been happening over time, but thinks "we've reached some kind of homeostasis where it's in a weird sort of balance."
"Second-hand gaming still occurs, obviously, but it's not material anymore to the business to worry about, I think," Layden added.
While there's no telling whether Microsoft plans to follow Sony's all-digital business practice later on, Layden believes the huge decision could influence other companies, including Microsoft and Nintendo, to follow suit.
"Certainly, this is an industry where if one company, particularly the leader of the industry, makes a decision of this magnitude, that's going to heavily influence what the other ones do," he said.
The rapid expansion of Generative AI has created a significant disconnect between the pace of software capabilities and the physical constraints of data center infrastructure.
Hyperscalers and enterprises alike are discovering that raw compute capacity alone is no longer the differentiator. Instead, the focus has shifted decisively toward the speed of deployment.
In this new era, the primary metric for success is Time to Token - the end-to-end duration from initial planning and site preparation to the moment an AI cluster powers up and begins generating its first output tokens.
This metric encapsulates far more than inference latency (the traditional "time to first token" in model serving).
It measures the full orchestration challenge - securing power, procuring hardware, navigating logistics, implementing advanced cooling and integrating systems under immense time pressure.
As AI capital expenditure rises, delays in activating capacity carry a growing commercial cost. This means that the IT infrastructure challenge is shifting from isolated component optimization to end-to-end delivery.
From silos to high-velocity orchestration
Traditional data center construction followed a predictable, linear hierarchy. Power providers, cooling specialists, civil engineers, and hardware vendors operated in silos, handing off responsibilities sequentially.
This model worked for stable enterprise workloads, but AI deployments have changed those assumptions. Where high-performance clusters are concerned, infrastructure dependencies become tightly coupled and delays in one layer of the stack can slow the entire program.
Modern AI deployments demand deep, partnership-based orchestration that brings power, cooling, and hardware vendors together from day one. The power train and thermal chain should be co-designed alongside compute as an integrated stack.
This collaborative approach compresses deployment timelines from years to months with industry leaders increasingly designing infrastructure to be "silicon-ready," with facilities prepared and waiting for graphics processing unit (GPU) shipments rather than the reverse.
The economic driver is that idle high-end AI hardware is extraordinarily expensive. When racks worth millions of pounds sit unpowered due to lack of site readiness, the financial implications are immediate and severe.
Converged infrastructure eliminates traditional bottlenecks such as mismatched power feeds, inadequate cooling loops, or incompatible networking, that once plagued brownfield retrofits.
Bridging the density gap with liquid cooling
One reason this issue has become so urgent is the sharp increase in rack density associated with AI workloads. Legacy data centers were typically engineered for 5-15 kW per rack. AI clusters now push toward 100 kW and beyond, with some next-generation designs targeting 175 kW+ or even 600 kW per rack. Air cooling hits fundamental physical limits at these densities.
Bridging this cooling gap involves integrating more advanced liquid-based solutions with traditional air cooling. IEEE Spectrum suggests that liquid cooling is essential for capturing the intense heat generated by modern GPUs. Rear-door heat exchangers or direct-to-chip systems allow legacy sites to support AI hardware without a total rebuild.
The integration of these cooling systems requires precise mechanical engineering of secondary loops. Even minor pressure drops or temperature fluctuations can destabilize hardware in high-density AI clusters. Using Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) to manage the interface between facility-side and rack-side cooling is now a baseline necessity. This orchestration allows thermal equipment to remain stable even during peak processing loads.
Hybrid approaches enable operators to retrofit existing sites, extending the life of brownfield facilities while avoiding full rebuilds. Liquid cooling also delivers significant efficiency gains, with studies showing notable increases in Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) compared to air-only systems.
The role of converged infrastructure
The rise of sovereign AI - where nations and regulated industries demand local control over data, models, and compute for security, privacy, and compliance - requires dedicated infrastructure that remains within specific jurisdictional boundaries.
Meeting this demand requires the rapid deployment of industrialized data center blocks. These converged infrastructure designs can reduce deployment times by up to 85%, allowing organizations to scale their AI capacity locally and securely.
The pre-engineered, factory-integrated blocks are validated in controlled conditions and delivered for streamlined on-site deployment, which reduces the complexity of on-site construction and improves overall reliability. By adopting an industrialized approach, organizations can bypass the traditional multi-year construction cycle. This agility is important for keeping pace with the rapid evolution of the AI sector.
Standardized modules offer predictability in cost and timeline, scalability ("pay-as-you-grow"), and higher reliability through offsite quality control. For organizations pursuing national AI strategies, this agility enables secure, localized clusters without waiting for multi-year construction cycles. Hybrid modular solutions further allow brownfield expansions or edge deployments.
A collective ecosystem for infrastructure success
The lesson from recent major AI deployments is clear. To meet deployment windows of months rather than years, the ecosystem must operate as a collective with transparent collaboration across grid operators, energy providers, critical digital infrastructure providers, and logistics partners. Heat orchestration, power management, and supply chain synchronization are now core competencies.
Organizations can overcome complexity by using digital twins for simulation, advanced automation, and real-time visibility. Facilities will need to become more adaptive, efficient, and responsive as concerns such as water usage, energy sourcing, and environmental impact face greater scrutiny alongside performance metrics.
Success in this new era will be defined by the ability to orchestrate a transparent and integrated ecosystem. This requires a tight feedback loop between grid providers, energy companies, and end-to-end infrastructure partners.
Critical digital infrastructure is no longer a static foundation - it is a dynamic, strategic asset. Deployment velocity should be treated as a core engineering discipline, orchestrating every layer from electrons to tokens with precision and speed.
The race to minimize Time to Token is about keeping pace with innovation as well as defining the next generation of digital infrastructure.
This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit
The Keychron G5 is a small and lightweight symmetrical gaming mouse designed for both work and play.
It sports a gamer-centric design, with nondescript patterns embossed all over the unit. I can’t say I found these appealing, looking dated as they did, but at least they’re reasonably discreet, given they’re close to the same shade of black as the base color. Their texture feels good in the hand, too.
With its small and ergonomic, it sits low to the ground, while the mouse buttons slope downwards quite prominently, and feature deep indents to secure your fingers. The sidewalls are similarly cinched, and the whole unit is narrower and less bulky than many of the best gaming mice.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s no surprise, then, that the G5 is also very light. Weighing just 43g, it's one of the lightest models around. Despite this, it feels well-made: the plastics used are solid and premium-feeling, and put together without a hint of looseness or rattle. All the various buttons feel stable and tightly installed, too.
However, there aren’t many of them. There are no extra inputs beyond the usual, not even a DPI button, which may prove inconvenient for those wishing to switch between productivity and gaming regularly.
All this isn’t to say the G5 is bereft of features, though. Thanks to Keychron’s Web Launcher software, accessible via your browser, there are plenty of input customizations and performance tweaks on tap. Remapping assignments include various system and media shortcuts, (although these are confined to the most basic ones), macros (a macro creator is featured here for this purpose), and DPI and polling rate toggles.
There’s also a remapping mode called Gaming Keys, which allows you to assign a key or mouse button that repeatedly triggers while holding down your chosen button. As well as selecting the number of times it fires, you can also alter the rate of fire in millisecond increments, from 10ms to 1000ms.
(Image credit: Future)
As for performance tweaks, there are three settings for the lift-off distance (0.7mm, 1mm, and 2mm), as well as toggles for motion sync, angle snap, and ripple control. You can also adjust the debounce times for every button on the G5, not just the left and right clicks. Each has a slider with a range of 0-20ms, adjustable in millisecond increments.
It’s somewhat disappointing that the G5 uses a web app for these customizations, as I usually prefer standalone apps for the sake of convenience and ease of use. However, I have to say that Keychron’s works better than many others I’ve tried, proving responsive and stable during my time with it.
In action, the G5 is very effective. It glides very smoothly and easily, thanks to that aforementioned weight and the frictionless skates. Its ergonomic proportions and textured sides made for a comfortable grip and problem-free lift-offs as well.
However, in wired mode, this maneuverability is somewhat compromised, owing to the resistance introduced by the USB cable. I didn’t find the dragging sensation as strong as other gaming mouse cables I’ve experienced, and the upwardly curved jack does help to free the cable from your desktop, like a mouse bungee does. Unfortunately, the benefit here is comparatively marginal; ultimately the cable was still detrimental to my movements.
(Image credit: Future)
The left and right clicks were also heavier than I expected, which I noticed when playing Counter-Strike 2. They failed to provide the snappiness I was after when spamming clicks. But they’re not heavy to the point of being prohibitive and they’re nicely damped, which lends them a satisfying feel.
Oddly, the scroll wheel is perhaps the most pleasing input of them all. Its soft yet textured material feels good and offers a secure grip, while the notching of the wheel itself feels excellent. It’s solid enough to prevent misfires, yet loose enough to allow for fast flicks when needed, such as when navigating web pages or documents. The middle click is also easy to actuate without triggering accidental scrolls.
Connectivity is very good, too. It connected to my devices via Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz USB dongle without issue, and I didn’t experience any drops or lag in my connections. Hot-switching between devices is also easy, thanks to the underside selector. However, I did find that the DPI value I set when connected via the dongle didn’t carry over when I hot-switched to Bluetooth, an issue that’s exacerbated by the absence of a DPI button on the G5.
I wasn’t able to extensively test the battery life of the G5, but it doesn’t seem to be particularly enduring. After about a day of use, switching between two different PCs connected via the two wireless modes, the battery depleted by about 10%.
The G5 isn’t exactly a budget mouse, but it represents good value considering its build quality, performance, customization options and multiple connectivity modes. It might not have many inputs compared to others in the sector, and the clicks are a bit too heavy for certain situations, but these are about its only drawbacks. All in all, then, the G5 makes a compelling rival to the big hitters in the space.
Keychron G5 review: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
$109.99 (about £80 / AU$160)
Available now in black
Good value for the spec
The Keychron G5 costs $109.99 (about £80 / AU$160) and is available now in black only. It can be bought directly from Keychron’s website, where international shipping is offered. Charges and additional taxes depend on your region.
For an 8K gaming mouse with multiple connectivity modes and a supremely lightweight construction, the G5 represents good value for money. Pointers from the big brands with comparable specs usually cost more, such as the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro. This mouse lacks Bluetooth support as well, although we were mighty impressed with its performance when we reviewed it, ranking among the best esports mice you can get right now.
If you need more inputs, the Logitech G502 X Plus is a prime candidate. The line to which this mouse belongs has been a perennial favorite of the gaming community for years. It features 13 buttons, all customizable thanks to Logitech’s versatile G Hub software. What’s more, it’s about the same price as the G5.
Should I buy the Keychron G5?
Scorecard
Value
Expensive in absolute terms, but for a 43g 8K mouse with multiple connectivity options and plenty of customizations, it’s a good deal.
4.5 / 5
Design
Small, super light, and very comfortable. The pattern looks a little dated, though.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Very smooth and satisfying, but those heavy clicks do let the side down a little. Connectivity is mostly great, save for the DPI reset issue.
4 / 5
Final score
The G5 mightn’t suit every gamer, but it’s certainly worth considering if you prize lightness and a comfortable form.
4 / 5
Buy it if…
You want something comfortable At just 43g, the G5 is easy to move around, and the small yet ergonomic shape is easy to grip, too.
You like to tinker Keychron’s web app offers all sorts of customizations and tweaks that should please pro-level gamers.
Don't buy it if…
You want plenty of inputs The G5 only gets the basic buttons — there’s not even a DPI cycler, although you could remap another button for this purpose.
You want the snappiest clicks While clicks are satisfyingly damped, I found them a little too heavy for spamming quickly.
Keychron G5 review: Also consider
Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro If you want to play like the pros, this is the mouse for you. We loved how well it performed when we reviewed it, and were even taken by its fantastic optical scroll wheel. It’s costlier than the G5 and lacks the same multiple wireless connectivity options, but the V4 Pro is just about the best pure gaming pointer right now in our eyes. Read our full Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro review.
Logitech G502 X Plus The G502 line has been acclaimed by gamers for years, and this edition is no less impressive. It has a lot more buttons than the G5, all of which are programmable. It also has an ergonomic shape, although it’s much larger and heavier, so not ideal for those looking to shed the weight. Read our full Logitech G502 X Plus review.
How I tested the Keychron G5
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for a few days
Used for working and gaming
Extensive gaming mouse experience
I tested the Keychron G5 for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.
I played Counter-Strike 2, a stern test for peripherals given the demands it places on quick movements and accurate aiming. I also made sure to try out as many of the mouse’s customization features via the Keychron Web Launcher.
I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a large number of gaming mice in that time. I’ve also reviewed plenty of them, across a broad range of price points, form factors, and feature sets.
You've bought one of the best TVs or best projectors. You've invested in one of the best soundbars, or a stunning home theater speaker system. Life is good. So what should you watch to make the most of your system? What are the best Blu-rays to show off your setup?
Our resident disc enthusiast, Senior TV Hardware Writer James Davidson, tests out new Blu-ray releases every month in his Blu-ray Bounty column, to see which ones really impress when it comes to visuals and immersive sound. Now that we're halfway through the year, he's picked out his six favorite discs released in 2026 that most impressed him — and that's against some hot competition.
We're not judging the movies themselves, that's obviously subjective. What we're interested in is how well they'll show off your TV or home theater setup, and how happy these particular presentations make you as a result.
The Wachowski sisters' dazzling sci-fi adventure Speed Racer is undergoing something of a revival right now, fuelled by positive posts on social media praising its visual extravagance; at the time of release there was disappointment that the sisters had made a sci-fi sports action comedy based on a 1960s manga.
But Speed Racer comes from the same incredibly inventive brains that birthed The Matrix and it's mind-blowing in its first-ever 4K HDR presentation. This has instantly entered our library for testing TVs as a new reference disc for colors and motion handling.
"Speed Racer looks astounding on 4K Blu-ray," James says. "Where it really shines is in its color reproduction. Colors are bold, vibrant and punchy throughout, taking on an almost neon-like level of saturation, which perfectly suits the movie. Whether it’s the pulsing lights of the racetrack or the 1960s-inspired clothing and decor of the neighborhood, the colors seriously pop on screen."
It's particularly good for showing off your OLED TV if you have one thanks to its deep blacks and neon brights, while its Dolby Atmos soundtrack is "ridiculously detailed."
Fight Club
(Image credit: Future / 20th Century Studios)
The 4K edition of Fight Club had a short theater release before arriving on Blu-ray, and it's had a bit of a mixed reception: while as James says it's excellent on 4K — "Textures have been upscaled well, and appear extra crisp. Close-up shots of characters' faces show fine details such as skin marks and hair with real clarity. While colors don’t play a major role in the movie, any that do have nice pop while still looking realistic" — there's been some disappointment that the audio isn't in Atmos, and that there was some fudging to elements in the movie itself.
The soundtrack is a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix. It's a great presentation that sounds fantastic, and while it's a shame it doesn't have the extra native height you'd get with Atmos, it doesn't stop this from being one of the showstoppers of 2026.
Lawrence of Arabia
(Image credit: Sony Pictures / Future)
Lawrence of Arabia is one of cinema's most iconic epics, and the 4K Blu-ray version is simply stunning. "Presented in Dolby Vision, the sheer majesty and scope of the movie’s cinematography is accurately delivered with breathtaking detail," James says. "Epic landscape shots reveal intricate textures, while close-ups of characters show weather-beaten skin and Lawrence’s sand-coated hair down to the finest margin."
The soundtrack is great too, with choices including Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD MA 5.1. We particularly liked the Atmos version, which is spacious and detailed with plenty of gusto. "Ricocheting bullets, the trotting of camel’s feet and even the wind are pinpoint and accurately mapped to the action on screen," James says, praising the "incredibly hefty" bass that delivers "huge rumble from the explosions and machine gun fire."
Ben-Hur
(Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )
Here's another iconic epic, and like Lawrence of Arabia the 4K version of Ben-Hur is a "staggering 4K Blu-ray," James says. At the time it was the largest-scale movie ever released, and the restoration "upscales textures to an almost modern-day look, with accurate, lifelike skin tones and refined details such as rocks, grass, and buildings throughout. Colors are rich and vibrant: from the reds of the Roman soldiers' capes to the glorious blue sky, every color pops on screen."
He continues: "Soldiers' gold uniforms gleam in the sunlight, and the sand-colored buildings of Jerusalem dazzle without ever over-exerting the brightness. Even the movie’s darker scenes display rich blacks with powerful contrast. As the slaves row the ship, the dark tones of the walls contrast with the light from the torches beautifully."
The audio restoration is as ambitious and impressive as the visuals. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is clean, refined and powerful, with excellent use of the surround channels in the busy market scenes and the famous chariot races. The hooves in the latter are a great workout for your subwoofer, James says.
3:10 to Yuma
(Image credit: Criterion Collection / Future )
3:10 to Yuma was released in 1957 and is today considered a classic Western, following rancher Dan Evans as he escorts an outlaw to his trial in Arizona. Criterion's restoration of the original movie is absolutely superb, James says. "Textures have been beautifully cleaned up — every weather-beaten wrinkle on people’s faces is fully restored — and looking almost modern. The movie is in black and white, and dark tones are deep while white tones are bright, with a full range of gray tones in between. Cinephiles will be happy with the amount of film grain retained, though it’s more obvious in the movie's exterior scenes."
You have two audio choices here: monoaural, as originally released, and DTS-HD MA 5.1. The original mono soundtrack has been cleaned up beautifully, but the real fun is in the 5.1 version. "There’s solid bass from the rumble of galloping horses, good surround details during gunfights with ricocheting bullets, and even a wide soundstage, letting the soundtrack breathe," James says. "Speech is also crystal clear."
Dead Man may look like it's from the same era as 3:10 to Yuma, but it's from 1995: director Jim Jarmusch chose to shoot entirely in monochrome, and the Criterion restoration delivers "dazzling whites, such as highlights in the sun, and inky blacks, such as Blake’s hair and shadowed areas within forests. Contrast is strong, with a perfect balance between light and dark tones." Detail is excellent, especially in close-up scenes, delivering "an exceptional looking disc."
There's no surround sound with this release; the audio is DTS-HD 2.0. However, what it lacks in channels it makes up for in the form of Neil Young's superb score, played solo on electric guitar and delivering "plenty of chugging and twangy Western-sounding riffs that are detailed and clear." Dialog is perfectly clear and effects such as gunfire are accurately positioned.
Can you believe it? We're at the midway point of 2026 already. That means one thing: it's time for our half-year 5-star reviews roundup. So far this year we've tested over 600 gadgets, games and appliances across all of our channels. That's way too many to put into a single roundup, so for this mini retrospective I've focused only on physical products, and only the five-star awardees.
These are the gadgets that soared through our rigorous tests, and shone in crowded markets. They're the products we just couldn't find fault with. There are speakers that wowed us with their "crystal clear, fathoms deep" sound, a "perfect" Android tablet that rivals the best Apple can offer, a soundbar that raises the — er — bar for soundbars in 2026, and a mini fan that blew the competition away.
Without further ado, let's begin our showcase of the best products we've tested so far in 2026. Click the More details button for more info and each one, and a link to the full review.
It's been all go in the world of headphones and earbuds in the first six months of 2026. In fact, we've put live no fewer than 70 audio-product reviews in the first half of the year.
In the ever-evolving wireless headphones space, the predicted uptick in open-ear designs (a 400% surge in releases of the design was cited late last year) and also wired options (the digital detox trend continues apace) means I had a lot to pick from for this little roundup.
Because of this, I've chosen to up my usual '5 best' to '8 best' in the headphone space, and give you a 50/50 split of the best headphones and earbuds we've tested so far this calendar year. You'll also see there's a wired option in this main list, as well as a couple of open-fit earbuds. We are nothing if not trend-setters here at TechRadar HQ.
I'll kick off with earbuds and move onto headphones — and within each grouping, I'll organize by release date, so starting with the January release of the ground-breaking Shokz OpenFit Pro, moving on to the February-issue Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 and so on.
Because even eight spots isn't enough to cover all bases, I'll also add a few honorable mentions at the end of this roundup. As I said, it's already been a bumper year for headphones — and we're still only half-way through it…
The 4 best earbuds of 2026, as tested by TechRadar
1. Shokz Openfit Pro
Release date: January 6, 2026
Rating: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Finally, a set of open earbuds that sound like you're not wearing open earbuds! In the end, I didn't review the Shokz Openfit Pro because I had to have shoulder surgery — although I did do an early hands-on in which I said how impressed I was with these excellent buds. The writer who did review them is a very active man and, as you'll see if you click through, he put them through their paces for a whole range of sporting activities.
And this is honestly the Openfit Pro's greatest strength. Fans of sports-specific open earbuds and bone-conduction solutions will likely be well versed in Shokz products, but the OpenFit Pro are the first ever Shokz earbuds to feature a "synchronized dual-diaphragm driver and noise reduction". And by 'noise reduction', you absolutely must think 'active noise cancellation, but for an open-ear design'.
And I think (apart from perhaps last year's Honor Earbuds Open, which aren't especially geared for sports use) it's the first time ANC in an open design has been done really well.
Shokz would point you towards its unique new "aerospace-grade aluminum PMI dome cap" on the driver housing as one of the biggest design features. What it means is that there's a little 'nub' on the earpiece now, and it is a very good thing from a design perspective as well as sonically. It slips happily under the cimba concha (one of the inner folds of the outer ear — you'd get it if you tried them) to make them secure for a range of sports. And did I mention the sound? Oh, it's aces.
Isn't it refreshing to see something priced at $39.95 / £34.99 (about AU$55) making a 'best of 2026' roundup? And from a trusted name such as Sennheiser too?
For that nominal fee — as my colleague Harry said in his thorough review — "these wired buds offer responsive, clean bass that grabs your attention without spoiling the party for sounds in the mid and treble ranges."
They're not winning any design originality awards, but the CX 80U do feel very pleasant in the ear, even for multi-hour listening sessions (some of us struggle with sleep sometimes OK?) and none of the team ever experienced discomfort or irritation. You also get small, medium and large ear tips included in the box, helping you to find your perfect fit.
There’s also an in-line controller, which is neither too close to the face nor too far down, and because it's attached to the right bud, you'll always know which side is which in a hurry.
All in all, a bargain proposition if you're embracing the wired trend this year — and if you are on that particular train, you should know it leads on past this to Audiophile Town. On this journey, I support you!
I see a lot of earbuds with AirPods Pro looks (although it has to be said, not as many as perhaps two years ago) all vying for a slice of the AirPods' healthy sales figures. So, for me to agree that a set of earbuds classes as a "serious AirPods Pro rival" is no small statement. And the Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 are those earbuds.
For everyday listening, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 are the best earbuds you can get without spending significantly more. They score highly across the board, and make a compelling case that there’s life beyond Apple's ice-white offering — even for those who have been reluctant to shop around.
This is, as the name suggests, the fifth generation of Huawei’s FreeBuds Pro line, which has been knocking on the door patiently since 2020, waiting for people to notice them — and to be fair, we’ve always rated them rather well. The FreeBuds Pro 4 landed in November 2024 and scored four stars, i.e., strong, but not quite there. What you need to know is that the Pro 5 are a wholly different beast; good enough to go head-to-head with the best at this level, including the September 2025-issue Apple AirPods Pro 3.
The FreeBuds Pro 5 look and feel more premium than their price suggests. They’re smaller and lighter than the Pro 4 at 5.5g per bud, which is noticeable. Build quality is excellent, the stems have a high-shine finish and the case has a satiny coating that feels upscale. And the sound and feature-set? It's incredibly good sound-per-pound value at this level. Highly recommended.
Well well well… another fifth-generation set of earbuds finally breaking through the congested roster of 2026 releases to make this Best in Show list!
Anker's Soundcore sub-brand doesn't necessarily have a reputation for releasing the absolute best earbuds; we gave the Soundcore Liberty 5 (yes, take care, because those aren't these — neither is this the 5 Pro Max, which you should swerve in favor of this product, the 5 Pro) a 3.5-star score, and that tended to be par for the course. Until now.
The May-issue Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro brought a change to the brand: it really feels like the firm is coming into its own as a sound specialist, and it knows what buyers really want.
The fit here is fantastic, and while you might think we've been swayed by the fancy touchscreen case, actually no. It's fine, but what is fantastic is the companion app you get with your purchase: it'll boggle your mind given how many tools it offers. And all of the perks are useful too — the ANC is very good, the listening test is handy, and the array of array of little extras is truly impressive for the money.
The 4 best headphones of 2026, as tested by TechRadar
1. Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000
Release date: October 31, 2025 (but we got them to test in March '26)
Rating: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
You wanted the best, and these are the best. Nobody said 'best' meant 'affordable' though, so here we are. The eagle-eyed may note that these wired over-ears launched in late 2025, but owing to the very few review samples circulating (see my first point about this being an elite set of headphones), we only got our mitts on them in early 2026; and hang it all, it's my list and I need you to know about them.
If the price tag doesn't make you recoil, you've got a decent amp to drive them and you accept that they're an open-back design (so you wouldn't want to wear them on a packed commuter train or a long-haul flight in coach, say — although I'd wager owners of these cans will fly Business at least), the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 headphones are an exceptional audio investment.
Think beautifully precise and engaging audio, plus exhilarating low-end performance — and they're very comfortable too. Okay, yes, for $3,499 / £3,000 / AU$4,999 you might expect comfort, but it isn't always a given, even at this level. Give them the right source material and amplification, and these exceptional headphones will reward you no end.
Now this is how you do a follow-up set of cans. Regular readers might remember the rather extravagantly priced Nothing Headphone (1) which, well, got 3.5 stars shortly after their release owing to a congested, slightly disorganized and compressed sound. These are not those.
This March-release set — from Nothing's mid-range '(a)' series, although I know it's a confusing naming structure — sound better and do more, but weigh, and cost, less.
The clamping force is still relatively strong, but I personally love the design, including a round multi-function custom button on the top of the right ear cup that can trigger your voice assistant by default, summon EQ control, be a mic mute, or work as a camera remote trigger — a new feature for this model, and one much pricier models (including the AirPods Max 2) have also implemented.
So, Nothing's cans sat at the top of the pile for precisely… three days. Yep. The ever-evolving world of wireless ANC headphones can be brutal, and only three days after Nothing's affordable and delightfully different-looking headphones started snatching up column inches, Apple's second-generation flagship headphones landed, looking every bit the same as the first pair. And they still came out on top. Harsh, but fair…
I haven't always been an Apple headphone cheerleader. So you might think, given the complete lack of design overhaul, I'd be a little disappointed in the newest AirPods Max 2. But put them on your head, deploy the ANC and get them playing music and it becomes impossible to dislike them. The new H2 chip in each ear cup, combined with a new amplification module, is truly game-changing.
Yes, you can use the Digital Crown as a remote and yes, you can now do gestural controls, use Live Translation, or speak to someone and the headphones now adjust playback so you can chat happily, but none of these upgrades is what clinches the deal for me. What does? The noise cancellation is 1.5 times better, and if you've ever heard the first set, you'll know how remarkable an uptick in performance that is. Also, the sound is punchier and crisper, with greater dynamic nuance and insight.
The one fly in the ointment (and the reason I couldn't give them the full five-star score) is the battery life, at only 20 hours. But I'll take a hit on stamina when the bubble-of-silence ANC is this good.
A set of wireless on-ears in a 2026 'best of' roundup? How novel! And it's not just because of Marshall's continued commitment to rockstar, old guitar amp chic — although that customizable gold 'M button' on the corner of one ear cup is a beauty.
They're comfortable and you get a whopping 80 hours of playtime with ANC off, and a still-great 50 hours with noise cancelling active. But their magic is in what they combine: the Marshall Milton ANC effectively fuse everything we loved about the company's Major and Monitor models. They combine the iconic on-ear look of Marshall’s most popular headphones with the noise-cancelling capabilities and rich feature-set of their pricier over-ears, and all for an official price of $229 / £179 / AU$329.
And come on, they look much pricier than that! Marshall's Soundstage mode also makes a welcome return here, a profile intended to “make your sound more spacious”. It works nicely here, even in an on-ear design. OK, the effects aren’t as drastic as you'll get from some headphones’ spatial audio options, but you can adjust the metaphorical ‘room size’ and ‘amount’ that you'd like to get with your spatial sound. Top tip: a medium room at 80% was the sweet spot for my colleague Harry (and I happen to agree).
Future / Simon LucasFuture / James HollandCarrie Marshall / Future
We've tested swathes of headphones and earbuds since the outset of 2026, and I cannot list all of them here, although you can go to my friendly audio reviews corner of TechRadar for a full list of everything that's been through the full 12 rounds with us recently (and in chronological order).
The three products I'm shining a light on here are headphones that also gained 4.5-stars following our thorough review process (not everything gets this rating, believe me) but that didn't quite make the list.
First up is the wired Meze Audio Strada, which landed on January 21, 2026. These are closed-back headphones (great for listening with people around you) that manage to sound admirably un-closed, and deliver an awful lot that will appeal to the well-off and larger-headed listener. Ah, there's the rub! While I adore the soundstage (not to mention the Macassar hardwood ear cups and Magnesium frame), I do not own a particularly large noggin and I struggled to achieve a fit that didn't fall backwards to the nape of my neck. Still, a lovely listen for the larger-headed audiophile.
Next, cast your eye in the gallery above to the mid-March arrival of the JBL Live 780NC. I've got no issue with the fit here, and the sound is great for the money, as is the feature set and very generous 80-hour battery. It's a little disappointing that you don't get a charging cable in the box though, and if we're being truly nitpicky (and it is our job to do so) the bass here can be a little overpowering for the audiophiles among us. That said, if you love the Harman curve (and plenty of consumers do, it has been proven!) they'll likely suit you just fine.
Lastly in this little trio, I'd like to draw your attention to the Grado Signature S750. They are another wired offering, this time open-backed, that actually landed towards the end of 2025 but, owing to their $1,695 / £1,695 (about AU$3,400) price tag, we wanted to take plenty of time over. We published our review in early 2026 — and I still want you to know about them. Things we loved? The exceptionally wide soundstage with excellent positioning and pinpoint clarity. The only issue? Despite the claim of 50% more padding than earlier models, Grado's design language might best be described as brutalist. I love how they look, but they're still quite hefty and after longer listening sessions, you do start to feel that weight across your crown…
Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix face a federal class-action lawsuit accusing them of colluding to restrict consumer DRAM supply while prioritizing high-bandwidth memory for AI customers, allegedly driving prices up by as much as 700%. The case highlights mounting pressure across the tech sector, with plaintiffs seeking damages and an injunction as rising memory costs ripple through PCs, smartphones, and game consoles.
The Honor 600 is visibly close to current Apple devices in terms of design and software. Neither the iPhone-like appearance nor the borrowings of MagicOS from iOS are fundamentally problematic, and even seem coherent in the overall picture. Nevertheless, it is clear that Honor could focus more boldly on a more independent design in the future and at the same time streamline the sometimes overloaded software.
Tesla's family SUV is priced at $61,990, or $12,000 more than the Model Y Premium AWD, but boasts the kitchen sink of incentives, like free FSD, to go with it. The six-seater's Launch Edition comes with nearly every option that Tesla offers gratis.
Sony's announcement of the upcoming discontinuation of physical game disks has also confirmed that the PS6 won't have a disk drive. Moore's Law Is Dead believes that Sony's decision is primarily a way to keep PS6 profits intact.
The Ultrahuman Ring Pro was originally scheduled to ship in June. However, the smart titanium ring, which offers up to 15 days of battery life and numerous health features, is now expected to ship in August after quality control issues were identified.
The Nothing Phone (1) has officially reached the end of its software support lifecycle and will no longer receive software updates, the company confirmed in an official announcement. The smartphone debuted in July 2022 running Android 12.
Nothing has started rolling out the final software update for the Phone (1), with the release expected to reach all users over the coming days.
The update includes the July 2026 Android security patch, along with general bug fixes, performance improvements, and enhanced system stability.
While the Phone (1) will no longer receive software...
Galatasaray Yönetimi, yeni sezonda kesinlikle düşünülmeyen Victor Nelsson için resmi teklif bekliyor. Bazı kulüpler devrede... Danimarkalı stoperin ayrılığı para dışında yabancı kontenjan açısından da önemli...
Tesislere "Bu iş yerinde çalışmıyorum" yazılı şapkayla gelen Victor Nelsson, sezon başında Verona'ya kiralanmıştı. İtalyan ekibi küme düştü ve satın alma opsiyonunu kullanmadı. 27 yaşındaki futbolcunun Galatasaray'daki mukavelesi ise 30 Haziran 2027'de bitecek. Yani sözleşmesinin son senesine girdi.
1.85 boyundaki futbolcu yeni sezon planlamasında kesinlikle düşünülmüyor. Bu sebeple Galatasaray Yönetimi, tekliflere açık... 6-7 milyon euro seviyesindeki önerilerin değerlendirmeye alınacağı öğrenildi. Danimarkalı oyuncunun ayrılığı sadece maddi katkı açısından önemli değil. Ayrıca yabancı kontenjanında da 1 kişilik yer açılacak.
KENDİSİ DE GİTMEK İSTİYOR
Victor Nelsson'un adı şu takımlarla anılıyor:
AC Monza
Samsunspor
Udinese
Hull City
Oyuncuya ilgi mevcut ancak bugün itibarıyla kulübe ulaşan resmi bir teklif yok. Nelsson da ayrılmak istediği için olası teklifleri değerlendirmesi bekleniyor.
Gelecek sezon planlamasında düşünülmeyen Elan Ricardo, kamp kadrosuna da alınmamıştı. Kolombiyalı genç orta saha şu anda hayatın tadını çıkarıyor. Sözleşmesi ise 31 Aralık 2029'a kadar devam ediyor!
Beşiktaş, 2025'in Şubat ayında 1.94 milyon euro karşılığında Elan Ricardo'yu kadrosuna katmıştı. Genç oyuncunun, Atletico Madrid'in elinden kapıldığı da ifade edildi. Durumu şu gerçekle anlatmak mümkün: Kolombiyalı futbolcu, 1 kez bile Beşiktaş formasını sırtına geçirmedi!
22 yaşındaki futbolcu, 2025 yazında Brezilya ekibi Athletico'ya kiralandı. 2026'nın Ocak ayında ise Deportes Tolima'ya kiralık gitti. Bu iki kulüpteki durumu şöyleydi:
Athletico Paranaense: 2 maç, skor katkısı yok
Deportes Tolima: 10 maç, skor katkısı yok
SÖYLEMEYE GEREK VAR MI!
Beşiktaş'ın gelecek planlamasında düşünülmeyen 22 yaşındaki orta saha, kamp kadrosuna dahil edilmemişti. Şu anda tatilin ve hayatın tadını çıkarıyor. Arada paylaşımlar da yapıyor... 1.84 boyundaki futbolcunun Beşiktaş'taki mukavelesi ise 31 Aralık 2029'a kadar devam ediyor. Söylemeye gerek var mı bilinmez ama şu anda hiçbir talibi yok.
Fenerbahçe'de Fred'in Atletico Mineiro'ya transfer olması bekleniyordu. Ancak Teknik Direktör İsmail Kartal, oyuncunun kalmasını istedi. Şu anda ayrılık ihtimali rafa kaldırıldı.
Fenerbahçe'de Fred'in mukavelesi 30 Haziran 2027'de bitecek. Fakat kontratta +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu mevcut (çift taraflı). Brezilyalı futbolcunun, İsmail Kartal öncesinde ülkesinin ekiplerinden Atletico Mineiro'ya transfer olması bekleniyordu. Bugün itibarıyla şartlar değişti.
ÇOK İYİ OYNAMIŞTI
İsmail Kartal'ın, yönetimle yaptığı görüşmede Fred'in kalmasını istediği öğrenildi. Sambacının da son dönemde verdiği röportajlar, Fenerbahçe'ye sevgisini tekrar belgeledi. Brezilyalı yıldız, önceki Kartal döneminde çok iyi performans sergilemişti. Tecrübeli çalıştırıcı, ondan benzer bir grafik bekliyor.
ELDEKİ İSİMLERİN DEĞERİ
Fenerbahçe'de yabancı kontenjanı sebebiyle birçok ismin ayrılması gerekiyor. Mevcut koşullarda Fred "gönderilecekler" listesinden çıkmış gibi gözüküyor. 33 yaşındaki orta saha, bugüne kadar Sarı-Lacivertli ekipte 125 maça çıktı. 12 gol ve 21 asist üretti...
Galatasaray çok uzun bir süredir Freiburg'un orta saha oyuncusu Johan Manzambi ile ilgileniyordu. Ancak İsviçre ile harika bir Dünya Kupası çıkaran genç yetenek, Newcastle United'a imza atmak üzere...
Galatasaray, kış döneminden beri Johan Manzambi'yle ilgileniyordu. Freiburg'la çeşitli görüşmeler yapıldı fakat sonuç alınamadı. Yine de temaslar kesilmedi... Bugün itibarıyla işler içinden çıkılmaz bir hal almış gibi gözüküyor. 20 yaşındaki merkez orta saha, İsviçre ile harika bir Dünya Kupası performansı sergiliyor.
ARTI BONUS MADDELERİ
Johan Manzambi, Newcastle United'ın da ilgisini çekti. Premier Lig ekibi bir süredir Freiburg ile pazarlık yapıyordu. Tarafların 50 milyon euro+bonuslar karşılığında anlaşmaya vardıkları öğrenildi. Resmi açıklamanın Dünya Kupası'ndan sonra yapılması bekleniyor. Son 16 turuna kalan İsviçre, erken bir tarihte organizasyona veda ederse, Manzambi o süreçte açıklanacak...
UEFA FİNALİNE DE ÇIKMIŞTI
2023'ün Ocak ayında Freiburg'un U19 takımına katılan Johan Manzambi, 2024 yazında A takım kadrosuna dahil edilmişti. Kısa süre içinde performansıyla herkesin dikkatini çekti. İsviçreli yıldız, Freiburg ile Avrupa Ligi finaline de yükselmişti. Ancak Aston Villa'ya kaybettiler.
Fulham ve bir başka Premier Lig ekibi, Trabzonspor'dan Chibuike Nwaiwu konusunda bastırıyor. Bordo-Mavililer, 30 milyon euronun altına sıcak bakmıyor. Burada tek kriter oyuncunun kalitesi değil... Fırtına'nın farklı sıkıntıları var.
Trabzonspor, kış döneminde WAC Kulübü'ne 5.5 milyon euro ödeyerek Chibuike Nwaiwu'yu kadrosuna katmıştı. 22 yaşındaki stoperle 30 Haziran 2030 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Süper Lig'de 16 maça çıkan Nijeryalı savunmacı, 3 gol ve 1 asist üretti. Kalitesini kısa süre içinde gösterdi. Doğal olarak ilgi çekti.
BONUSLARLA 25 MİLYON
Şu anda Fulham ve adı açıklanmayan bir başka Premier Lig ekibinin devrede olduğu biliniyor. Trabzonspor'a bonuslarla birlikte 25 milyon euroyu bulan teklifler iletildi. Ancak bunlar geri çevrildi. Bordo-Mavililer, 30 milyon euronun altındaki rakamlara sıcak bakmıyor. Bunun arkasında da sağlam bir sebep var.
BATAGOV VE SAVİC'İN DURUMLARI
Dizinden ameliyat olan Arseniy Batagov'un kasım ortasından önce sahalara dönmesi beklenmiyor. O tarihteki durumu da soru işareti. 35 yaşındaki Savic'in sakatlık geçmişi de hiç parlak değil... Yönetimin bu sebeple Chibuike Nwaiwu'dan 30 milyonun üzerinde bir rakam beklediği belirtildi. Satış gerçekleşirse, ondan gelecek para yine transferlerde kullanılacak. Nijeryalı futbolcunun uzun süreli mukavelesi ise yönetimin elini rahatlatıyor. Trabzonspor 1 sezon daha oyuncuyu elinde tutup 2027 yazında da satabilir.
Galatasaray'ın merkez orta saha adayları arasında Chelsea'den Andrey Santos da bulunuyor. Ancak bu transferin gerçekleşmesi birçok farklı faktöre bağlı...
Galatasaray bu yaz kesinlikle merkez orta sahaya bir takviye yapacak. Konuyla ilgili çalışmalar devam ediyor. Oluşturulan listede Chelsea'den Andrey Santos'un da bulunduğu öğrenildi. Ancak şu anda farklı isimlere ağırlık verilmiş durumda... Onlardan istenilen yanıtlar alınamazsa, ibre Santos'a dönebilir.
YÜKSEK PARA DÜŞÜNÜLMÜYOR
Konuyla ilgili ikinci faktör ise Chelsea'nin satın alma opsiyonlu kiralama formülünü kabul etmesi... Galatasaray cephesi kesinlikle çok yüksek bir bonservis bedeli ödemeyi düşünmüyor. Ayrıca Sarı-Kırmızılılar, takviye öncesinde satış yapmayı planlıyor. 22 yaşındaki futbolcu, TFF'nin genç kriterine uyuyor. Santos, Chelsea'deki oynama sürelerinden ciddi şekilde rahatsız...
DEFALARCA KİRALANDI
1.80 boyundaki futbolcu, geride bıraktığımız sezonda Premier Lig'de 27 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada sadece 1.255 dakika kaldı. 1 gol üretti. 30 Haziran 2030 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi bulunan Santos daha önce defalarca kiralandı. Galatasaray da son çare olarak Brezilyalı yıldızı kiralayabilir.
Galatasaray'ın merkez orta saha adaylarından biri Tottenham forması giyen Pape Matar Sarr'dı... TFF'ye göre; +4'lük "genç"lerin en az 2003 doğumlu olması gerekiyor. Sarr ise 14 Eylül 2002'de dünyaya geldi!
Bilindiği üzere Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu'nun belirlediği yabancı kontenjanı 10+4 oldu. 1 Ocak 2003 ve sonrasında doğan oyuncular, "+4"lük genç kriterini karşılıyor. Diğerleri ise 10 kişilik bölümde kabul ediliyor. Bu kural, takımların transfer politikalarını direkt etkiliyor.
BİRKAÇ AYLA KAÇIRDI!
Galatasaray'ın merkez orta saha transferindeki adaylarından biri; Tottenham forması giyen Pape Matar Sarr'dı... Fakat burada oyuncunun kalitesinden çok başka bir faktör devreye girdi: Doğum tarihi... Senegalli yıldız, 14 Eylül 2002'de dünyaya geldi. Yani TFF'nin belirlediği "genç" tanımını birkaç ayla kaçırdı!
YİNE ALINABİLİR AMA...
Pape Matar Sarr, her şeye rağmen elbette transfer edilebilir. Ancak bu durumda, Galatasaray'ın kemik kadrosundaki yabancılardan birine veda edilmesi gerekecek. Özetle; takımlar açısından oyuncu kalitesi öncesinde artık doğum tarihlerine bakılmaya başlandı.
Galatasaray'ın Milan'dan Christian Pulisic'le ilgilendiği yönünde çıkan haberler, İtalyan ekibinin gözünü korkuttu. Sözleşmedeki özel maddeyi aktif hale getirmeye hazırlanıyorlar.
Milan'ın ABD'li kanat oyuncusu Christian Pulisic'in, Galatasaray'ın radarına girdiği iddia edildi. 27 yaşındaki futbolcunun İtalyan ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2027 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor. Kağıt üzerinde yıldız isim sözleşmesinin son senesine girmiş gibi gözüküyor. Fakat durum böyle değil...
DÜNYA KUPASI SONRASI
Christian Pulisic'in kontratında, "Kulüp taraflı +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu" bulunuyordu. Milan Yönetimi, Galatasaray iddiaları sonrasında bu maddeyi aktif hale getirmeye karar verdi. Alınan karar oyuncuya Dünya Kupası sonrasında iletilecek. Çünkü Pulisic, ABD ile dev organizasyonda yoluna devam ediyor.
NEW YORK VE ROMA
Milan, 1.77 boyundaki futbolcunun kafasını karıştırmak istemiyor. Galatasaray dışında ABD'li yıldızla New York City FC ve Roma da ilgileniyordu. Serie A temsilcisi, opsiyon hakkını kullanarak bütün söylentileri bitirmeyi hedefliyor. Pulisic, 2023 yazında Chelsea'dan 20.8 milyon euro karşılığında transfer edilmişti.
Avustralya Milli Takımı'yla Ay-Yıldızlı ekibimize gol atan Nestory Irankunda için Acun Ilıcalı devreye girdi. Watford Kulübü, ilk teklifi yetersiz görerek geri çevirdi.
Nestory Irankunda, 2-0 kaybettiğimiz Avustralya karşılaşmasında A Milli Takım'a 1 gol atmıştı. Championship ekibi Watford'da forma giyen 20 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusuna tanıdık yerden teklif geldi. Hull City'nin sahibi olan Acun Ilıcalı'nın, 10 milyon sterlinlik bir teklif yaptığı iddia edildi.
DEVAM ETMELERİ BEKLENİYOR
Fakat Watford cephesi bu rakamı yetersiz bularak geri çevirdi. Taraflar arasındaki pazarlıkların devam etmesi bekleniyor. Bilindiği üzere Hull City yeni sezonda Premier Lig'de mücadele edecek. Nestory Irankunda'nın Watford'la 30 Haziran 2030'a kadar mukavelesi var.
3 MİLYONA ALMIŞLARDI
Her iki kanat bölgesinde ve santrforda görev yapabilen Nestory Irankunda hücum anlamında tam bir joker... Watford onu 2025 yazında Bayern Münih'in 2. takımından transfer etmişti. 3 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler. 20 yaşındaki futbolcu, Championship'te 40 maça çıktı. 4 gol ve 5 asist üretti.
The SEMI industry association, which includes top memory chip manufacturers Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix, has written a letter to the Trump administration urging against any type of intervention in the memory market that would influence prices or production capacity, saying that it will worsen the shortage. According to Bloomberg, the group sent the letter after a lawmaker sent a letter (PDF) asking the Commerce Department to address the issue as the situation is projected to impact the auto industry.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) wrote to Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick in April, asking the government to take steps “to ensure that the U.S. auto industry is fully supplied with memory chips.” However, the industry group is against this. “While targeted policies can support accelerating domestic supply resilience, interventions that distort pricing or capacity decisions risk prolonging the demand downturn,” SEMI said in its message to the government. “Current market conditions are being addressed through investments in American manufacturing and an increasing focus on long-term purchase agreements.”
Apple is attempting to address this shortage by lobbying the government to let it purchase memory chips from blacklisted Chinese firm CXMT. SEMI takes a different approach for a temporary solution to the crisis. Instead of allowing a new player to enter the U.S. market, it suggested that the administration should work with Congress to pass tax deductions or credits on consumer electronics, thus offsetting the rising prices caused by the chip shortage.
The group claims that even though memory manufacturing capacity is expected to increase by around 19% annually. But even though memory makers are building fabs to help expand output, it will take years for these facilities to come online. This means that demand for memory chips, primarily driven by demand from AI hyperscalers, is expected to outstrip supply, with Samsung and SK hynix saying that the shortages could last until 2027 or even longer.
Consumers are looking for alternatives to expensive memory if they need to buy a new computer, which could be seen with increased demand for slower, more affordable DDR4. This has grown so much that companies are restarting production of DDR4 motherboards and memory kits. These are still relatively expensive, though, so the vast majority are simply delaying their planned upgrade, as seen in the 7% drop on PC purchases in the first quarter of 2026, with experts estimating a total of 14% decline in annual deliveries — the biggest market contraction in the last three years.
It's the Fourth of July weekend, which means that there are huge savings to be had on a whole host of tech from Dell to sink your teeth into. Dell and Alienware products are on sale right now, covering a host of productivity and gaming PCs, laptops, monitors, and gaming chairs.
The rapid rise of AI has caused the entire computing market to sink into disarray, with huge price rises across the board. Pre-built rigs now offer the best value for your money in many cases, although Dell has typically demanded higher prices for its products. Luckily, a sale event like this one is often the best time to pick up a bargain on a Dell or Alienware PC or laptop that will last you for years to come.
The curated list below showcases the best deals on offer right now in Dell's July 4th sale, along with a couple of deals available on Dell products at other tech retailers, too. Laptops and PCs that include the latest Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs are on offer here, along with monitors with top specs. The most popular deals can and will sell out, however, so keep a close eye on any products that you'd like to jump on.
There are two coupon codes you'll want to take advantage of, too. JULY4PC25 will knock an extra $25 off certain PCs and laptops from Dell directly, while JULY4PC50 will take $50 off. Make sure to double-check the product page to see if these codes are valid, however.
Dell and Alienware Deals for July 4th
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Get a deal on this Aurora 16-inch laptop with a 120Hz display. Under the hood, you get a Core 7 240H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 5060, plus a 1TB SSD. View Deal
This powerhouse RTX 5090 Alienware Area-51 AAT2250 gaming PC features the unstoppable RTX 5090 GPU, along with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and 4TB of SSD storage.View Deal
This Alienware Area-51 includes an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, an Intel Ultra 9 265 processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. An 850W power supply powers the components, which are chilled by a 240mm AIO liquid cooling solution.View Deal
Another powerful RTX 5090 build from Alienware, this time with the high spec AMD Ryzen 7 9950X3D CPU. 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD finish off this AAT2265 model build.View Deal
This luxurious gaming chair features shape-retaining foam cushioning, premium faux leather, and highly adjustable 4D armrests for maximum comfort during those long gaming sessions.View Deal
A 27-inch flat screen monitor with a QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution and a Fast IPS panel. The monitor supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync adaptive sync technologies, and sports a fast 180Hz refresh rate. View Deal
The Alienware AW3425DW is a 34-inch curved QD-OLED gaming monitor that offers excellent visuals with high-end performance. The panel offers a 3440×1440 resolution, 240 Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync. The display also covers 99.3% DCI-P3 and hits 1000 nits peak brightness with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification.View Deal
Grab a mighty saving on the Dell Pro 14, a laptop packing Intel's Core 7 150U processor (10 core), 16GB of DDR5 RAM @ 5600 MT/s, and a 512GB SSD for storage. The 14-inch display has 300 nits of brightness and an FHD+ resolution. View Deal
The compact Dell 14 Plus packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (47 TOPS NPU, 8 cores) and Intel Arc graphics, with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM @ 8533MT/s. A 1TB SSD provides storage, and the 14-inch display has a 2.5K (2560x1600) pixel resolution with 300nits brightness.View Deal
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Fenerbahçe'nin yabancı kuralı için talebi devam ediyor. Sarı-lacivertliler, 2003 ve sonrası doğumlu oyuncuları kapsayan +4 kontenjanının 2000 ve sonrası şeklinde değişmesini istiyor.
Bayern Münih, Eintracht Frankfurt'tan 23 yaşındaki sol bek Nathaniel Brown'u kadrosuna kattı. Bayern Münih, bu transfer için 50 milyon euro bonservis ödeyecek.
Milan, takımdan ayrılmak isteyen Rafael Leao'dan 60-70 milyon euro bonservis bekliyor. İtalyan ekibi, Rafael Leao için zorunlu satın alma opsiyonu içeren kiralık transfer seçeneğine de sıcak bakıyor.
Ve Galatasaray'ın orta saha transferini bitirmek için harekete geçtiği ve öğrenildi. İşte adı daha önce Aslan ile anılmamış o futbolcu ve detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Yeni sezon öncesi hazırlıklarını tam gaz sürdüren Fenerbahçe'de flaş gelişme... Sarı lacivertliler, tecrübeli oyuncusu N'Golo Kante ile ilgili flaş bir karar aldı. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Transferin sessiz takmı Galatasaray'dan flaş hamle... Beşiktaş'ın kadrosuna katmak istediği oyuncu için hamle yapan Aslan, bu transferi hemen bitirmek istiyor. İşte ayrıntılar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Fenerbahçe'de transfer hareketliliği devam ediyor... Sarı lacivertlilerde bu kez başkan Aziz Yıldırım'ın talimatıyla sürpriz bir transfer yapılabilir. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
2026 Dünya Kupası son 32 turunda Paraguay'a yenilerek turnuvaya veda eden Almanya'da teknik direktör Julian Nagelsmann, görevi bıraktığını duyurdu. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Fenerbahçe, 3 Temmuz Şike Kumpası'nın 15. yılı dolayısıyla bir açıklama yayımladı. Sarı-lacivertli kulübün paylaşımının ardından Trabzonspor da sosyal medya hesabından yaptığı videolu paylaşımla karşılık...Devamı için tıklayınız
Futbol üzrə Niderland milli komandasının təcrübəli müdafiəçisi Stefan de Vrey bundan sonrakı karyerasını Yunanıstanda davam etdirəcək.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 34 yaşlı futbolçu İtaliyanın “İnter” klubundan ayrıldıqdan sonra “Panatinaikos”la müqavilə imzalayıb.
Afina təmsilçisinin yaydığı məlumata görə, tərəflər arasında bağlanmış saziş 2027-ci ilin yayına qədər nəzərdə tutulub. De Vrey yeni klubuna azad agent statusunda qoşulub.
Təcrübəli müdafiəçi 2023-cü ildə “İnter”lə müqaviləsini uzatsa da, başa çatan mövsümdə əsas heyətdə müntəzəm oynamaq imkanı qazana bilməmişdi. O, 2025/2026 mövsümündə bütün turnirlərdə 11 oyunda meydana çıxıb.
De Vrey 2018-ci ildən “İnter”in şərəfini qoruyurdu. O, Milan təmsilçisinin heyətində 2 İtaliya çempionluğu, 2 İtaliya Kuboku, 3 İtaliya Super Kuboku qazanıb, həmçinin iki dəfə UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının finalında çıxış edib.
Peşəkar karyerasına “Feyenoord”da başlamış müdafiəçi daha sonra “Latsio” və “İnter”də forma geyinib. Niderland millisinin heyətində isə 70-dən çox oyun keçirən De Vrey 2014-cü il dünya çempionatının bürünc mükafatçısı olub.
Qeyd edək ki, “Panatinaikos” 2025/2026 mövsümünü Yunanıstan Super Liqasında 4-cü pillədə başa vurub.
Portuqaliya millisi futbol üzrə dünya çempionatlarında 60 ildən sonra hesabda geridə olduğu oyunun yekununda qalib gəlməyi bacarıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 final mərhələsində Xorvatiya ilə qarşılaşmış Roberto Martinesin komandası ilk hissədən sonra deyil, oyunun 53-cü dəqiqəsində hesabda geri düşüb.
Lakin portuqaliyalılar qısa müddətdə oyunun gedişini dəyişiblər. Kristiano Ronaldo 68-ci dəqiqədə penalti zərbəsini dəqiq yerinə yetirərək hesabı bərabərləşdirib. Əlavə olunmuş vaxtın 4-cü dəqiqəsində isə Qonsalo Ramos qələbə qolunu vuraraq Portuqaliyanı 1/8 finala daşıyıb.
Bu, Portuqaliya millisinin dünya çempionatlarında hesabda geridə olduğu görüşdə 1966-cı ildən bəri qazandığı ilk qələbə kimi tarixə düşüb. Komanda sonuncu dəfə həmin mundialın 1/4 finalında Şimali Koreya yığması üzərində 5:3 hesablı əzmkar qələbə qazanmışdı.
Beləliklə, 60 illik uğursuz seriyaya son qoyan Portuqaliya millisi DÇ-2026-nın 1/8 finalına yüksəlib. Roberto Martinesin yetirmələri növbəti mərhələdə İspaniya yığması ilə qarşılaşacaq. Oyun iyulun 6-da keçiriləcək.
İtaliyanın “Fiorentina” klubunun mərkəz hücumçusu Lukas Beltran yenidən keçmiş komandasına – Argentina nəhəngi “River Pleyt”ə qayıdıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Buenos-Ayres təmsilçisi öz yetirməsi olan 25 yaşlı futbolçunu 2027-ci ilin yayına qədər icarəyə götürüb.
Müqavilədə oyunçunun transfer hüquqlarının daha sonra məcburi satın alınmasını nəzərdə tutan bənd də yer alıb.
Qeyd edək ki, Beltranla daha əvvəl Rusiyanın ÇSKA klubu da yaxından maraqlanırdı. Moskva klubunun baş direktoru Roman Babayev tərəflər arasında rəsmi danışıqlar aparıldığını təsdiqləsə də, sonradan transferin şərtləri ilə bağlı fikir ayrılıqları səbəbindən prosesin dayandırıldığını bildirmişdi.
Lukas Beltran 2023-cü ildə məhz “River Pleyt”dən “Fiorentina”ya transfer olunmuşdu. O, İtaliya klubunun heyətində keçirdiyi müddətdə bütün turnirlərdə 98 oyuna çıxıb, 16 qol vurub, 9 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
Beltran cari transfer dövründə “River Pleyt”in dördüncü səs-küylü transferi olub. Bundan əvvəl Argentina klubu Nikolas Otamendi (“Benfika”), Mauro Arambarri (“Xetafe”) və Covanni Qonsalesi (“Krasnodar”) də heyətinə cəlb etmişdi.
Anar Abdullayev Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Kəpəz” Peşəkar Futbol Klubu İctimai Birliyinin İdarə Heyətinin sədri seçilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Gəncə təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, “Kəpəz” PFK İctimai Birliyinin İdarə Heyətinin iclası keçirilib. İclasda Anar Abdullayev İdarə Heyətinin yeni sədri seçilib.
Bundan başqa, Umud Tarverdiyev və Fərman Əlizadə İdarə Heyətinə üzv təyin olunublar.
Qeyd edək ki, vaxtilə Azərbaycan çempionatının ən güclü klublarından olan “Kəpəz” son illərdə autsayder statusundan qurtula bilmir. Klub rəhbərliyinin yarıtmaz fəaliyyəti səbəbindən komanda hər mövsümdə elitada qalmaq uğrunda mübarizə aparır və çətinliklə də olsa, bunun öhdəsindən gəlir. Gəncə təmsilçisi ötən mövsümdə də 33 oyuna topladıı 27 xalla 10-cu yeri tutdu və elitada qaldı. Amma bu uğurun (bunu uğur demək mümkünsə) əsas memarlarından olan Azər Bağırov bu yay komandadan ayrılaraq “Şamaxı”ya üz tutdu. “Kəpəz” rəhbərliyi isə onun əvəzində vaxtilə bu komandanı çalışdırıb, uğursuz nəticələrə imza atmış Azər Məmmədova qucaq açdı. Böyük ehtimalla Gəncə təmsilçisi növbəti mövsümdə də elitanı tərk etməyə əsas namizədlərdən biri olacaq. Çünki belə idarəçiliklə bu komandadan fərqli nəticə gözləmək olmur…
4–11 oktyabr tarixlərində Bakıda keçiriləcək cüdo üzrə böyüklər arasında dünya çempionatının rəsmi loqosu ictimaiyyətə təqdim olunub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, loqonun əsas ideyası Azərbaycanın “Odlar Yurdu” kimi tanınmasından ilhamlanır. Dizaynda istifadə olunan alov elementi ölkəmizin simvolunu əks etdirməklə yanaşı, tatamidə mübarizə aparan cüdoçuların dinamizmini, əzmini və qələbə ruhunu vizual şəkildə ifadə edir.
Loqonun rəng həlli dizayna müasirlik, dinamika və vizual dərinlik əlavə edir. Ümumi vizual dil isə dünya çempionatının beynəlxalq miqyasını, nüfuzunu və cüdonun enerjisini ön plana çıxarır.
Rəsmi loqo Bakı-2026 Dünya Cüdo Çempionatının vizual kimliyinin əsas elementlərindən biridir. O, qarşıdakı dövrdə yarışın bütün kommunikasiya materiallarında və tanıtım kampaniyasında istifadə olunacaq.
Qeyd edək ki, yarışın biletləri artıq satışdadır və azarkeşlər dünya cüdosunun ən möhtəşəm yarışlarından birini Bakıda canlı izləmək imkanı əldə edəcəklər.
“Araz-Naxçıvan”da baş məşqçi Cavid Hüseynova kömək edəcək məşqçilər müəyyənləşib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, ona məşqçi kimi Vadar Nuriyev, Ceyhun Rzayev, Şahin Hüseynov (qapıçı məşqçi), Toğrul Bilallı (fiziki hazırlıq) və Şərif Hüseynov kömək edəcəklər.
ABŞ, Kanada və Meksikanın ev sahibliyi etdiyi dünya çempionatında pley-off oyunları davam edir.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mundiala vida edən komandaların bir çox baş məşqçisi ilə yollarını ayırıb. Son olaraq bu gün Almaniya millisində Yulian Naqelsmann dönəmi başa çatdı.
Mundialdan sonra baş məşqçisi ilə vidalaşan komandalar:
1. Almaniya – Yulian Naqelsmann
2. Niderland – Ronald Kuman
3. Cənubi Koreya – Honq Min-bo
4. Uruqvay – Marselo Byelsa
5. Ekvador – Sebastyan Bekkakeke
6. Çexiya – Miroslav Kobke
7. Şotlandiya – Stiv Klark
8. Tunis – Sabri Lamuşi
“Atletik”in hücumçusu Niko Uilyams İngiltərə nəhənginin maraq dairəsinə düşüb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, “Arsenal” 23 yaşlı vingerin transferi üçün 90 […]
“Şamaxı” gələn həftə yay hazırlıqlarına başlayacaq. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, “aslanlar”ın təlim-məşq toplanışı iyulun 11-də Qəbələdə start götürəcək və avqustun […]
“Araz-Naxçıvan”da baş məşqçi Cavid Hüseynovun köməkçiləri müəyyənləşib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Hüseynova məşqçi kimi […]
“Qarabağ”ın sabiq futbolçusu Kevin Medina yeni klubunda rəsmən təqdim edilib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, kolumbiyalı müdafiəçi Malayziyanın “Johor Darul Ta’zim” […]
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Instead, he opted for the €46.2m transfer to Chelsea, but it did not prove to be a wise decision, scoring eight goals with four assists in 43 competitive games.
Only 22 of those were in the starting XI and he is by no means guaranteed to get regular playing time this season either.
An option to buy could be included, and they have secured Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years, but it remains to be seen if the player would be open to it.
Roma are seeking a wide attacking player and their first choice is Mason Greenwood of Olympique Marseille, but that is proving difficult with a €50m asking price and high wages.
Sky Sport Italia reports that Bayern Munich have shown interest in Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, but it’s still unclear whether they’ll send an offer for the Brazil international.
Juventus centre-back Bremer has attracted interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, according to Sky Sport Italia.
Bayern Munich interested in Bremer
The Italian broadcasters claim that Bremer is not considering leaving Juventus this summer, but is also unsure whether the Bianconeri will be forced to consider offers for him.
The Bianconeri failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2025-26, which will inevitably weaken the club’s finances in the 2026-27 campaign.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Bremer of Brazil reacts during the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Furthermore, the Serie A giants have broken UEFA’s “football earnings rule,” resulting in a three-year settlement agreement and a €6m fine.
Bayern Munich are preparing to sign defensive reinforcements this summer and are monitoring several potential targets, including Bremer. Yet the German giants have not tabled a formal bid for Juventus or for their player.
Currently on international duty with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, Bremer remains under contract with Juventus until June 2029.
Lazio have officially signed Alfonso Pedraza as a free agent after the 30-year-old left-back’s contract with Villarreal was allowed to expire.
The attack-minded defender turned 30 in April and had reportedly agreed personal terms with the Aquile as far back as January, pledging his future to the Biancocelesti.
Pedraza new Lazio left-back
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – DECEMBER 10: Alfonso Pedraza of Villarreal CF with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Villarreal CF and F.C. Copenhagen at Estadio de la Ceramica on December 10, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
He was a product of the Villarreal youth academy and spent his entire career on their books, save for loan spells with Lugo, Leeds United, Deportivo Alaves and Real Betis.
Today Lazio announced that Pedraza put pen to paper on a contract that will run to June 2029 at the Stadio Olimpico.
The player will immediately be at the disposal of new coach Gennaro Gattuso for the start of pre-season training.
Pedraza had just one senior cap for Spain, secured in October 2023, and 233 LaLiga appearances under his belt, scoring 14 goals and providing 30 assists.
With Villarreal, he won the Europa League in the 2020-21 campaign, and before that was part of the Spain squad that won the European Under-19 and Under-21 Championships.
Trevoh Chalobah reportedly wants a move to Serie A this summer, so his agents have arrived in Italy to hold talks with Inter and Como.
The representatives of Chelsea defender Chalobah have arrived in Italy to hold talks with Como and Inter, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Chalobah’s agents land in Italy
According to several sources, Chelsea have already rejected an opening offer from Como for the English defender, but Inter are now challenging Cesc Fabregas’ side.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
According to Romano, the defender’s agents have already arrived in Italy to hold talks with both Italian clubs.
Talks with Inter are ongoing over personal terms, but the Nerazzurri have yet to table a formal offer to Chelsea, as Sky Sport already reported.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea during the warm up during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Romano claims that Chalobah is a long-time target of Inter director Piero Ausilio, with the Chelsea defender eager to play in Serie A in 2026-27.
Inter previously sounded out Udinese’s Oumar Solet, but the two parties have not been in talks for weeks, and Chalobah is now believed to be Inter’s top target to strengthen their defence.
Multiple sources in Italy report that Milan have already decided to sell Rafael Leao for at least €60m, yet the Portuguese winger hasn’t yet received formal offers from any club, including Barcelona or Tottenham.
Milan have decided to part ways with their star winger Leao this summer.
Both Gazzetta and Sky Sport claim that the Rossoneri will consider offers of at least €60m for the Portuguese star, hoping that his performances at the World Cup will further increase his value.
Milan ready to sell Rafael Leao
Leao is under contract at San Siro until 2028, and his deal includes a €175m release clause.
Tuttosport adds that Milan owner Gerry Cardinale is “fed up” with the Portuguese and is waiting for offers for him, but is also eager to extend Christian Pulisic’s contract.
The problem for Leao is that neither he nor Milan has received any formal proposals so far.
Leao is uninterested in moving to the Saudi Pro League or Turkey and will be waiting for offers from clubs in Europe’s top leagues.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Rafael Leao of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cunard is getting ready for the Queen Mary 2 to join the Sail4th meetup of tall ships at New York Harbor on July 4 as part of the United States’ 250th birthday celebration. As previously reported, the ship will be part of what is expected to be the largest ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world. It will join over 100 vessels sailing from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge past the...
André Walter became CEO of Meyer Werft on July 1, 2026, according to a press release shared by the German shipyard. As announced in late 2025, Walter replaces Bernd Eikens, who left the company and retired on June 30, 2026. Meyer Werft said that the new CEO will lead the company together with Chief Restructuring...
Carnival Cruise Line hosted a celebration aboard the Carnival Elation at the Jaxport Cruise Terminal on July 2 to honor the United States’ 250th anniversary. The event was held as part of its America250 homeport community celebrations, which also included those in Baltimore, Long Beach and Tampa. The cruise line welcomed local community partners, veterans, business leaders and government officials to commemorate the anniversary and reinforce its connection to the Jacksonville community. “As America’s cruise line, we’re proud...
For the first time in the tournament’s near-century of history, a crypto exchange sits inside FIFA’s official partner ecosystem. Six billion viewers, sixteen host cities, one industry trying to prove it has outgrown the arena-naming era. Here is what the…
LAB price has suffered one of the steepest collapses in the crypto market this week, losing more than 60% of its value as concerns over insider holdings, token transparency, and heavy derivatives liquidations sparked a wave of panic selling. According…
Several major South Korean companies have said they were listed as members of the Open USD (OUSD) stablecoin alliance despite not formally agreeing to participate. According to a report by Chosun Biz, several Korean companies named as participants in the…
XRP price has climbed to a three-day high after Ripple’s European expansion and a fresh Supertrend buy signal revived bullish sentiment. According to data from crypto.news, XRP (XRP) price rose as much as 3% to an intraday high of $1.11…
Trevoh Chalobah appears to be close to a move to Italy, but there’s a chance he could yet be part of a swap deal.
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Trevoh Chalobah’s agents are in Milan right now speaking to Inter about personal terms for a transfer that’s clearly pretty advanced.
We haven’t heard anything about a fee being agreed though, so clearly there is still some way to go. And that means there’s still a chance for an interesting Premier League swap deal.
Chalobah will have crucial say over his future
The Blues are being heavily linked with Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. And the Sun today suggests that the defender could come to Stamford Bridge, with Chalobah going the other way (along with a hefty pile of cash).
Chalobah had a really good 6 months on loan at Palace two years ago, so they know exactly what they’re getting. He’s still just 26, has lots of Premier League and European experience and is a super reliable, top pro.
It could well come down to Chalobah himself and what he prefers – surely an adventure in Italy with Inter appears more than South East London? Things could get very interesting in the next few days if a move to either Inter or Palace starts to get advanced.
In other news…
Barcelona are considering selling a first team regular to the Premier League in order to generate some extra funds for them to spend this summer.
Leandro Trossard could leave Arsenal this summer after his contract reached its final 12 months.
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Chelsea are reportedly still pursuing the transfer of Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, but this is very much being pushed for by Xabi Alonso.
This perhaps points towards some tension already developing inside Stamford Bridge, with new manager Alonso wanting one kind of a target while the board and recruitment team have their own ideas.
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See below as the reliable Simon Phillips has quote-posted a previous report on this power struggle inside Chelsea, confirming that it’s “true” that Alonso is pushing, but that the club are not convinced, which is why their opening offer for Xhaka was so low…
This is true. Alonso pushing this and Chelsea accepted to go for Xhaka reluctantly. But even still, went in with a low £8m offer and aren’t keen to pay too much more. Alonso really wants the player though so talks continue. https://t.co/NcoKVKZpyp
“This is true. Alonso pushing this and Chelsea accepted to go for Xhaka reluctantly. But even still, went in with a low £8m offer and aren’t keen to pay too much more. Alonso really wants the player though so talks continue,” Phillips said.
This is in response to another journalist, Luca Cerchione, saying: “There is a real tug of war between Xabi Alonso and the club for Granit Xhaka. The coach, in fact, considers him necessary for the project and insists on the purchase. They are deciding whether or not to satisfy the new coach.”
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Should Chelsea deliver Granit Xhaka signing for Xabi Alonso?
There are no easy answers to this question, because there are very different but perfectly valid ways to run a football club.
Chelsea’s current model is to sign top young players for a long-term project, which should in theory be able to continue with stability regardless of potential changes in the head coach or manager.
Allowing a new manager to come in and call the shots can lead to trouble further down the line if the manager doesn’t perform or decides to leave for any other reason.
One example of this would be the strange mix of signings accumulated by Manchester United down the years, as you had Erik ten Hag bringing in a number of players he knew well, only for his successor Ruben Amorim to struggle to implement his philosophy with them.
At the same time, however, Chelsea’s current project doesn’t really seem to be going well, and that stability they’ve been aiming for seems a million miles away as they’ve chopped and changed both players and managers a great deal.
Alonso has only just joined and it will be important to keep him happy, with the Spanish tactician also arguably showing that he’s earned the chance to demand the right kind of players he wants to work with.
It would not be a great look if CFC immediately failed to deliver someone who’s clearly a priority for Alonso.
One of the most reliable Arsenal news accounts Hand of Arsenal has been heavily critical of the club for how they missed out on Jeremy Monga.
The 16-year-old Leicester City wonderkid is now widely expected to join Manchester City instead of the Gunners, with HoA slamming the north Londoners for their “dithering and stubbornness”.
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See below for a lengthy rant from the ITK account, which also provides some insight into how much Monga was keen on the move to the Emirates Stadium, as well as the huge fee Arsenal would have to pay Aston Villa to sign Morgan Rogers…
Important to ensure discussions are not labelled as crash outs. I dont have the privilege of recording a video so Im just going to explain my fair and honest thoughts thus far.
Fans are not angry at Monga going to City its more so the laid back approach of trying to outsmart a…
“Fans are not angry at Monga going to City its more so the laid back approach of trying to outsmart a market where money talks,” HoA said.
“Losing out on a talent who badly wanted Arsenal over £3/4 million is not being “disciplined” its (sic) just dithering and stubbornness. He would have gone on loan, a club would have covered his wages and you could have flipped for profit but Andrea (Berta) took too long and City should have never even had a chance.”
Arsenal’s transfer window not going to plan so far
It’s been a quiet start to the summer for Arsenal, and although it’s still relatively early and some deals will be delayed due to the World Cup 2026, it seems far from ideal for the reigning Premier League champions.
Even if Arsenal won the title and reached two cup finals in 2025/26, there is room for improvement in attack in particular, while more depth is always useful. In general, it’s rare that teams benefit from simply standing still after tasting success.
With Tottenham in particular making a fast start to the transfer window, and Manchester City also spending big as usual, it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal to repeat last season’s success unless they also invest in improving Mikel Arteta’s squad.
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Building for the future is also important and Monga looks like one of the best young talents in the country, so it’s a blow that he’s now seemingly set to join City instead.
One imagines AFC would also do well to take HoA’s advice above and try to speed things up with Rogers, and react to the market as it is, rather than as they’d like it to be.
Jules Kounde is a player Barcelona will consider selling, according to some reports which have surfaced this week.
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Barcelona have managed to build a really strong team despite their financial restrictions over the last few years, and they’re looking to improve again this summer.
They may still need to sell before they buy anyone big, and a major asset they are considering moving on is Jules Kounde, according to TeamTalk.
The France international has been great at times for Barcelona, but it seems they’re now willing to cash in on him and try to find a player even better suited to Hansi Flick’s style.
Kounde could move on to generate transfer funds for Barcelona
This report says that the Spanish side have opened the door for a sale, and have interest from a number of Premier League teams in the 26 year old. Chelsea have just signed Marco Palestra, so they’re probably out of the race.
But there are plenty of others who would consider it – Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City are all mentioned. A player with the technical and physical gifts of Kounde is always going to generate interest.
A lot will depend on how much Barcelona are asking for him, and we’d imagine it will be a lot given Kounde’s importance.
In other news…
Leandro Trossard could leave Arsenal this summer after his contract reached its final 12 months.
Charlie Cresswell is on his way to Rennes after two really strong seasons with Toulouse. Premier League clubs will be watching his progress.
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Leandro Trossard could be sold by Arsenal this summer, with Turkish side Besiktas apparently interested in him.
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Arsenal had a great season, concluding in lifting the Premier League title, but they’re not going to rest on their laurels.
They’ve slowly and steadily built a really top squad, and they want to make it even better this summer. To that end, there are rumours about some players leaving and others arriving.
Arsenal’s super sub could leave as contract enters final stages
The Sun’s piece today claims that Leandro Trossard could be one of the first out of the door.
Despite playing an important role for the Gunners, both as a sub and as a starter, there’s long been a sense that the club want to upgrade on him. To that end, they’ve got a deal lined up to take him to Besiktas in Turkey.
Now the Belgian is into the final 12 months of his contract, it makes sense for Arsenal to move him on. They won’t ask a big fee, and he’s almost 32. The timing is starting to fit together.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is the premium option who has been named as Trossard’s potential replacement, and Bradley Barcola is another dream target for Mikel Arteta’s team.
In other news…
Charlie Cresswell is on his way to Rennes after two really strong seasons with Toulouse. Premier League clubs will be watching his progress.
Charlie Cresswell is on his way to Rennes for a fee of up to €28m, sources in France are reporting.
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It’s still fairly rare to have top English players playing outside the Premier League – and it’s even rarer to see them move between foreign clubs.
But that’s just what’s happened today, with the news that Charlie Cresswell is set to leave Toulouse after two really successful seasons there, and join Rennes.
Seb Nonda of FootMercato claims the deal is almost done, with a transfer fee of €25m plus a potential €3m in bonuses on the table.
Creswell continues further down the path less travelled
After coming through the Leeds academy, Cresswell took the bold step of a move to Ligue 1 in 2024 and it’s really paid off.
A move back to the Premier League was expected this summer, and teams like Tottenham and Liverpool were linked. But instead Cresswell has taken the interesting step up moving up the ladder in France. Rennes have a great record playing young players, and he will very much be in the shop window there.
He’s an England Under 21 regular, and given how much the senior team needs top centre backs, we’re sure he will get a proper cap under Thomas Tuchel in the next cycle if he keeps doing well.
has revealed the name of a past legend that he would have loved to have shared the ring with. Davis has competed throughout multiple divisions in his career, claiming world honours at super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight. Since first becoming world champion just under a decade ago, ‘Tank’ has beaten the likes of Ryan […]
Timothy Bradley believes one man, who defeated a “monster” in his last fight, has earned the right to challenge Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian announced last week that he has vacated his WBC, IBF and WBA titles, while maintaining his status as the lineal heavyweight champion. Usyk earned this privilege by outpointing Tyson Fury in 2024 […]
Bitcoin supply dynamics pointed toward the end of the 2026 bear market after the first "buy" signal since November 2022, but analysis warned that BTC price could still go lower.
A defendant who owns one of the dormant Bitcoin wallets filed to dismiss the New York case, which seeks ownership of $229 billion worth of Bitcoin considered lost.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 02: Mateo Kovacic #8 and Luka Modric #10 of Croatia react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 started in shocking fashion. Japan nearly cemented their dark-horse status after snatching a 1-0 lead against a lackluster Brazil side going into halftime. The Seleção would eventually course-correct, responding with two goals to secure their spot in the Round of 16. The real bombshell results came just hours later.
Germany dropped the ball against a spirited Paraguay side, ultimately succumbing to La Albirroja in a drama-filled penalty shootout. The Netherlands became the next European heavyweight sent packing, and in similar fashion to their continental neighbors. Clockwork Orange squandered their lead in their penalty shootout after a resilient Morocco stood firm, getting the job done, and booking their ticket to the Round of 16 in consecutive World Cups for the first time ever.
The script writers’ pens would eventually run dry in the face of widespread criticism aimed towards European football.
Erling Haaland led Norway to the Round of 16 for the first time in 28 years, beating a talented Ivory Coast 2-1. England overcame their shaky start against DR Congo thanks to an elite performance from their captain Harry Kane. Finally, Belgium secured a dramatic, late comeback against Kalidou Koulibaly’s Senegal side after finding themselves 2-0 down.
Since Germany and the Netherland’s failures, European sides responded in a big way — and the latest Round of 32 fixtures were no different.
The Bull and the Matador
Ralf Rangnick may be responsible for the inception of the high-octane Gegenpressing, Red-Bull-style identity adopted by Austria, but Spain acted as the ultimate matador — waving the cape in the face of an Austrian side that was left bewildered and exhausted.
Despite Austria’s best attempts to deploy their iconic press, they were ultimately left chasing shadows. Rodri, Pedri, and Dani Olmo’s quick, one-touch passing and fluid movement allowed Spain to control the game from the heart of the pitch, leaving Austria’s press full of holes. This allowed Luis de la Fuente’s men the opportunity to involve their front three, who were relentless in front of goal. Speaking of…
Lamine Yamal was an absolute menace for an Austrian defense that had no answers for the winger’s electric pace and sleek dribbling. The 18-year-old may not have found himself among the goalscorers, but he is slowly starting to look like his former self after carrying a niggling hamstring injury into the World Cup. Yamal may have been the focal point for Spain’s attack, but that didn’t stop Álex Baena from quietly having an excellent game. Baena provided a pinpoint cross for Pedro Porro’s 66th-minute header while also combining perfectly on the left flank with Marc Cucurella, who helped pull the strings for Mikel Oyarzabal’s clinical brace.
It was ultimately Spain’s attack that earned them a convincing 3-0 victory over Austria, but don’t sleep on their defense. La Roja still haven’t conceded a goal in this tournament, extending their clean sheet record in the World Cup to five consecutive games. Unai Simón also made history, beating Walter Zenga’s 36-year-old record to claim the longest individual shutout streak (519 minutes). The Spanish attack may be winning games, but their defense could win them the tournament.
It’s baffling that so many have written off this Spain side after coming in as favorites to lift the World Cup. Sure, de la Fuente’s side has had a slow start to the tournament while teams like France and Argentina have been flying high. But don’t forget, the World Cup isn’t won in the group stages.
As the gears slowly start clicking into place, don’t be surprised if Spain reclaim their title as favorites.
Ronaldo gets knockout goal as Snicko robs Croatia of late comeback
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, two footballing legends of the modern era, went head-to-head in an epic encounter in the hopes of keeping their dreams of World Cup glory alive — it didn’t disappoint.
The first half was largely dominated by Portugal, who seemed to have the jump on a Croatia side who hadn’t quite lived up to their regular World Cup best. But what started as a fairly tame encounter exploded in the second half.
Croatia put their first half demons to bed after a 37-year-old Ivan Perišić found the back of Portugal’s net in the 53rd minute. Jubilation for Croatia, and an all-too-familiar situation for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal who were set for yet another World Cup disappointment. But history had other plans.
Portugal were handed a lifeline in the 64th minute after Nikola Vlašić‘s tussle with Renato Veiga was deemed a penalty by VAR. The decision set up a historical moment for Ronaldo, who despite scoring across six separate World Cups, had never scored a goal in the knockout stages of the tournament. But the 41-year-old stepped up, and in vintage Ronaldo fashion, converted his penalty — a wave of relief for Portugal and Ronaldo.
Zlatko Dalić’s side picked up their game, causing Portugal all sorts of discomfort but it would be Roberto Martínez’s men who would break the deadlock. Rafael Leão found Gonçalo Ramos with a pinpoint accurate cross in the dying embers of the game, and the AC Milan striker made no mistake in front of goal, heading home from close range. Game over? Oh no, there was even more drama to follow.
In the 105th minute,Joško Gvardiol produced the impossible, tapping the ball past Portugal’s Diogo Costa after a scramble. But the goal wouldn’t stand. FIFA’s latest connected ball technology finally got its moment in the limelight. The late equalizer was disallowed after the Snickometer detected a touch by a Croatian attacker on the cross leading to Gvardiol’s goal, despite no clear visual indications of contact.
Drama involving FIFA’s newest technological addition was always bound to happen. But, Croatia will be ruing the fact it came at the expense of their fairy tale, last-minute equalizer.
Block low, aim high
Switzerland ended an unwanted record after beating Algeria 2-0, earning their first knockout victory at the World Cup in 88 years.
Algeria started off the better of the two sides, holding possession in the hopes of pinning down the Rossocrociati. However, the North African side fell right into Murat Yakin’s low-block trap.
In the 10th minute, Algeria lost possession deep in Switzerland’s half, setting up a lightning-fast counter-attack courtesy of World Cup breakout star Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old produced a dazzling, solo run down the left flank, releasing a perfectly weighted cross to Breel Embolo, who made no mistake with his close-range finish.
Switzerland didn’t allow Vladimir Petković’s side the chance to implement any halftime tactical adjustments, scoring just 60 seconds after the restart. Algeria’s defensive clearance fell perfectly to the feet of Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye, who produced a cool, right-footed finish into the bottom corner, sending his side two goals to the good, and ultimately booking Switzerland’s ticket into the Round of 16.
Call it boring, negative, or even anti football — the defensive low-block has a place in this World Cup and Switzerland played it to perfection. The real question is: just how far can it get them?
Well, to the Round of 16 at the very least where Switzerland will have the chance to put it to the test against Colombia or Ghana.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 07: Dani Rodriguez of FC Barcelona Atletic controls the ball during the Segunda RFEF G3 match between FC Barcelona Atletic and Valencia Mestalla at Estadi Johan Cruyff on January 07, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dani Rodriguez has sent a goodbye message to Barcelona and explained why he’s opted to leave the club and join Dinamo Zagreb.
The forward looked to have a very bright future ahead of him at Barcelona but hasn’t quite been able to break into the first team.
He’s now heading to Zagreb on a permanent transfer, although Barca have retained a buy-back option and a percentage of any future sale.
Rodriguez says it’s time for a new challenge and has thanked the club for all their support over the years.
“Today closes a very important chapter in my life,” he posted on Instagram.
“After six years at Barça, the time has come to face a new challenge. I arrived as a child full of excitement and I leave having grown as a football player and as a person, with experiences and learnings that will always accompany me.
“During this journey, I have had the opportunity to learn a lot and fulfill one of my biggest dreams: debuting with the first team.
“I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, club staff, and the fans for having been part of this chapter. Now a new chapter begins. I face it with excitement, ambition and a lot of desire to continue growing.
“Thank you for these six years. Long live Barça 💙❤️“
Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan (19) led the NFL in gross average last season.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The Green Bay Packers were arguably the most disappointing team in football last year. And perhaps no one did less with more than Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur.
Green Bay headed into the 2025 season with one of the NFL’s top rosters, then traded for star defensive end Micah Parsons 10 days before the year began. Suddenly, Packer Nation was dreaming of their first Super Bowl appearance since 2010.
Instead, Green Bay went a remarkably unsatisfying 9-8-1 overall and was the NFC’s No. 7 seed for a third consecutive year. The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears.
“No way you should lose games in this league when you’re up that much,” running back Josh Jacobs said.
Green Bay, which began the year 9-3-1, finished the season with five straight losses. The Packers now enter 2026 with the league’s fourth-longest losing streak.
Collapsing late in games was the story of Green Bay’s 2025 campaign.
“That (expletive), it’s starting to get damn-near embarrassing,” safety Javon Bullard said.
Rebounding won’t be easy as the Packers were hit hard in free agency and didn't have a first round draft pick.
Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 29. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2026 campaign.
At No. 26 is punter Daniel Whelan.
No. 26
Daniel Whelan, P
Last season
Whelan set the single-season franchise record with a 51.7-yard gross average and a 43.9-yard net average. His gross average ranked No. 1 in the NFL and was the third-best single-season mark by an NFL punter (min. 40 punts) in league history. He also became the first Green Bay punter to lead the league in that category since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Whelan had 32 punts of 50-plus yards, which ranked fourth in the NFL. That was also the most by a Packer in a season dating back to 2000. Of Whelan’s 49 punts, 32 (65.3%) were 50-plus yards, which led the NFL (min. 40 punts). Whelan also had 18 punts downed inside the 20.
Career to date
Whelan, a native of Ireland, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in May, 2022, then was released two months later. Whelan played for the D.C. Defenders in 2023, earning All-XFL honors after ranking No. 3 in the league in both punting average (45.6) and punts inside the 20-yard line (11).
Whelan signed with Green Bay in May, 2023, and posted a 46.2-yard gross average in 2023 and a 46.1-yard mark in 2024. Those marks ranked No. 2 and 3 in franchise history, then Whelan shattered those numbers last season.
In 2024, Whelan became the first punter in team history to average 46-plus yards per punt and 40-plus net yards in a single season. Then he blew those stats out of the water in 2025.
After Whelan’s terrific start, the Packers signed him to a two-year, $6.2 million contract extension in Sept., 2025, which will keep him in Green Bay through the 2027 season.
Outlook
Kicking in Green Bay is not conducive to winning punting championships. Far from.
Whelan did just that, though, in 2025, and at just 27 years old, he should be in his prime years the rest of the decade. The 6-foot-5, 216-pound Whelan is long, wiry and still improving.
“He’s been outstanding,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said of Whelan. “He’s a real weapon. He’s a great dude, great in the locker room, but he’s a real weapon out on the field in terms of being able to flip the field. I feel like anytime we’ve gotten in some of those critical moments where we really need a great kick, he’s come through for us.”
They said it …
“Bombs. Honestly. From the day he showed up from the UFL, it was immediately obvious that his leg explosion was pretty impressive. I’ve never seen somebody who hits 5.0-plus punts consistently. Even in crazy wind or cold, there’s still going to be a 5.0 on the chart for the day, which is unbelievable. It’s crazy.” — Packers long snapper Matt Orzech on what he’s seen from Whelan
“Obviously had a tremendous year last year. We’ve sat down, we’ve talked. I tell the guys, we’re either getting better or we’re getting worse. You’re never really going to stay the same, so our goal’s every day to get better, and he’s been attacking it that way, he’s been great so far. Obviously limited interaction with him, so we’ll continue to get better. We’ll see where it goes.” — Green Bay special teams coach Cam Achord on Whelan
“Yeah, I’m definitely proud of myself. Obviously, a lot of work went into it, but the work doesn’t stop. Got to beat it (in 2026) and so on and so on. Just happy with where we’re at.” — Whelan on his terrific 2025 season
“I think he’s a young player who has shown a ton of growth and is going to be a real weapon for us. I told him I’d rather only see him go out there and hold, but in the event that we have to punt, I have a lot of confidence he can be a real game-changer for us in regards to playing the field-position battle.”— Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Whelan
Our preparations for the 2026/27 season have already been underway for just under three weeks as this Saturday, we head to Flachau in Salzburg for a six-day training camp.
The trip begins with a friendly match against Górnik Zabrze, the Polish Cup winners (Saturday 11:00 CEST, Sportzentrum Salzburg Mitte), after which the team bus will take the squad and staff to the Hotel Dips & Drops in Flachau. Our training sessions will take place at the USC Flachau training ground.
Our schedule includes a total of seven training sessions and one another friendly match - against FC Kharkiv in Saalfelden on Thursday, July 9, starting at 17:30.
We have trained very intensively so far and focused on different areas each week. At the training camp, the main priority will be working on positioning in the final third. We’ll be focusing on defending the box, but also on playing the ball out cleanly from there. Of course, in the afternoons we’ll also focus on the team and group dynamics. It’s important to me that we spend some time together and get to know each other better.
Danny Röhl
Training camp squad
A total of 31 players are taking part in the camp to prepare as best as possible for the new season.
Goalkeeper
Teo Hupfauf
Nikola Sarcevic
Christian Zawieschitzky
Defenders
Kevin Boma
Anrie Chase
Tim Drexler
Frans Krätzig
Stefan Lainer
John Mellberg
Leandro Morgalla
Dominik Schmid
Nikolas Veratschnig
Valentin Zabransky
Midfielders
Enrique Aguilar
Abubakr Barry
Clement Bischoff
Soumaila Diabate
Takumu Kawamura
Sota Kitano
Oliver Lukic
Filip Matijasevic
Bartosz Mazurek
Johannes Moser
Justin Omoregie
Attackers
Edmund Baidoo
Aboubacar Camara
Adam Daghim
Gaoussou Diakite
Karim Konate
Damir Redzic
Yorbe Vertessen
Further fixtures
Wednesday 15 July, 15:00, Anif:Friendly match: FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Gamba Osaka (JPN)
Wednesday 15 July, 18:30, Nonntal:Friendly match: FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Basaksehir FK (TUR)
Saturday 18 July, 16:00, Mondsee:Friendly match: FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Saturday 25 July 2026, 18:00; 1st round UNIQA ÖFB Cup 2026/27SV Klöcher Bau Oberwart vs. FC Red Bull Salzburg
Saturday 1 August 2026, 19:30; Matchday 1 ADMIRAL Bundesliga 2026/27FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. TSV Egger Glas Hartberg
One of the big headlines heading into the Boston College Football season is how the offense will look. For all the mistakes and blunders from last year, it’s time to turn the page and start off 2026-27 with a clean slate.
An area that looks to be the most different on offense comes from their QB and WR room. Tons of changes have happened, and it’s important to examine exactly how each of those positional groups will fare out.
Quarterbacks
Based on multiple reports, QB Mason McKenzie appears to be the leading candidate to take the QB1 spot this year, with Grayson Wilson as the backup. McKenzie, a redshirt junior, has never played a snap in Division I Football. Despite his inexperience, he’s clearly shown some ability where HC Bill O’Brien believes in him leading the charge.
In an early March workout, McKenzie showcased his raw ability. He’s on the smaller side (6’1”), but utilized his strengths to the best of his ability: his arm, and mobility. These skills will fit into O’Brien’s offensive scheme like a glove, where QB’s rely on RPO’s, decision making, and reading defense’s on the go. He’s received a ton of praise from past and current coaches, who all believe he’s capable of taking the next step at the highest level of college football.
Wilson, like McKenzie, hasn’t played a snap of Division I Football. He comes from Arkansas, where he was a three star recruit out of high school. He has good size (6’3”) and solid mobility skills, there just isn’t a lot of experience there post high school. Wilson likely is the backup, but if things goes south for McKenzie, don’t be shocked if changes are made.
Overall, the QB’s look to add a different element of mobility and quick decision making for 2026-27.
Wide Receivers
The receivers group in 2026-27 is underwhelming at the moment. While they added a few names from the transfer portal, no current receiver on the Eagles roster eclipsed 200 receiving yards in 2025-2026. Granted, it’s unfair to judge them solely on yards, as some were lower on depth charts, but this is an inexperienced and unproven group.
Javarius Green, Jaedn Skeete, and Dawson Pough are looking to cover the X, Z, and Slot spots. Outside of those three, the Eagles feature VJ Wilkins, Jackson Wade, Reed Swanson, Nedrick Boldin Jr, and Landon Wright. There’s talent there, but none that defenses are gameplanning against. That is of course, none of the WR’s break out, but it could very well happen. Then again, it may not.
Offensively this group should excel with McKenzie at the helm, given this group relies on speed and contested catches. It all remains to be seen.
Chester-le-Street's rain-soaked non-event has left this five-match series deadlocked before it has properly begun, and so it falls to Old Trafford on Saturday to give everyone the contest which was promised to them.
That opening night had promised much before the weather intervened. India, sent in, slipped to 6-2 inside the first two overs before Abhishek Sharma tore into the England attack. He scored 59 from just 24 balls, including a Saqib Mahmood over that leaked 21 runs.
Shreyas Iyer then anchored the innings with a composed 68, while Shivam Dube's unbeaten 42 helped India plunder 64 in the last six overs to reach 189-7. England never got a chance to reply, with steady drizzle turning to heavier rain and the match was abandoned.
There's history here too, and it doesn't exactly flatter England. India have won four of the last five meetings between these sides, that solitary bright spot for England coming back in January 2025.
England vs. India Prediction: Who Will Win?
India's T20 form lately has been nothing like you'd expect from the world champions. That series defeat to Ireland was a genuine shock and their bowling in particular has looked short on answers once you take them out of familiar conditions.
Manchester's surface could offer something for the spinners and Varun Chakravarthy may find himself central to India's plans if the pitch gives him anything to work with.
There's also the small matter of Sanju Samson, named player of the series at the T20 World Cup but yet to really fire with the bat since and another quiet outing here would only add to the questions being asked of him, especially when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is waiting in the wings!
England, for their part are a little undercooked. They haven't played a full T20 international since that 7-run defeat to India on March 5, the result that ended their World Cup semi-final hopes, so there's a first-match feel to this despite everything that's gone before. Even so, they'll go in favourites at home. It should be tight. But India, needing a response, might just find one.
ENG vs. IND Pitch Report: Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester
Old Trafford tends to offer a fairly even contest between bat and ball, with a touch of turn for the spinners. Chasing has generally worked better here, though scores above 180 have been tricky to score.
Here's how both sides are likely to line up in this game:
ENG predicted lineup to play IND
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid.
Real Madrid do not see €140 million-rated Chelsea star compatible with the current players – report
Real Madrid’s decision to distance themselves from Enzo Fernandez has not only been driven by finances, but also by tactical considerations within the squad.
According to Ramon Alvarez de Mon, the Spanish giants believe that the Chelsea midfielder is not an ideal fit alongside key figures such as Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, which explains why the club have prioritised alternative profiles in the market.
The Enzo Fernandez Real Madrid transfer story has generated significant discussion in recent days, particularly after comments from representatives reignited speculation over a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Instead, Real Madrid have opted to place their trust in the players already available while continuing their bet on new signing Bernardo Silva.
Enzo incompatible with Bellingham and Valverde
The Enzo Fernandez transfer rumours intensified after suggestions emerged that Jose Mourinho viewed the Argentine as a player capable of strengthening Real Madrid’s midfield.
Real Madrid have their reasons to move on from Enzo Fernandez. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, club officials reached a different conclusion.
According to the latest assessment, Real Madrid feel Enzo Fernandez, valued at €140 million by Chelsea, would struggle to fit naturally into a system already built around Bellingham and Valverde.
Both players are viewed as essential pillars of Mourinho’s project, and the club’s priority is to maximise their impact rather than introduce another high-profile midfielder who could alter the balance of the squad.
Real Madrid’s midfield currently features Valverde, Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler, creating fierce competition for places.
From the club’s perspective, there is little tactical space available for Enzo Fernandez unless a major departure takes place during the transfer window.
Real Madrid prefer Bernardo Silva
Another important factor behind the club’s stance is their bet on Bernardo Silva.
Real Madrid do not want to disturb the current midfield. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
While there is admiration for Enzo Fernandez’s qualities, Los Blancos believe the Portuguese veteran, who arrives from Manchester City, offers attributes that better complement the existing midfield structure.
Reports indicate that discussions involving Mourinho highlighted the need to support current leaders rather than introduce a player who may require significant tactical adjustments.
At the same time, Real Madrid are also seeking to avoid unnecessary transfer controversies.
Recent developments have encouraged the club to clarify their position publicly, distancing themselves from rumours and ensuring speculation does not spiral further.
The objective is not only to protect the institution but also to maintain a healthy relationship with Chelsea while preventing transfer stories that are driven by intermediaries and external parties from gaining momentum.
Mancini ‘frustrated’ with prolonged wait for new contract
Gianluca Mancini is waiting to extend his contract with Roma, which expires on June 30, 2027.
The Giallorossi defender is one of the leaders of Gasperini’s team.
The Roma number 23 has scored key goals this season, most notably a brace in the derby against Lazio.
The 1996-born player spoke to Sky about his contract extension a few weeks ago: “Negotiations are ongoing, I’m waiting. The people involved, my agent, myself, and the club are there: we’re talking and we’ll continue to do so. I’m waiting for answers and we’ll see what happens.”
As Corriere dello Sport reports, the Giallorossi defender expected a different timeline, given that his agent, Riso, had already considered a contract extension deal a done deal in January.
Roma, however, had other priorities, and so the situation stalled.
Inter, which is closely monitoring the situation, has once again inquired about Mancini, although Gasperini has ruled out a possible transfer to the Nerazzurri: “He’s not leaving, so Inter can do whatever they want.”
The former Atalanta player has been offered a three-year contract extension worth €3 million plus bonuses per season. He is now eagerly awaiting updates.
Sierra Enge [left] began her career at San Diego Wave FC in the USA [Getty Images]
Women's Super League newcomers Crystal Palace are set to sign midfielder Sierra Enge from French side Strasbourg.
The 26-year-old American has agreed a two-year deal with the Eagles and will join subject to international clearance.
She will become boss Jo Potter's first signing since Palace returned to the WSL after one year in the second tier.
"The WSL is the best league in the world and to be able to play in it is a dream come true," Enge said. "It feels incredible to be at Palace, the facilities are amazing and I'm just really happy to be here."
In 2023, she was selected by San Diego Wave FC in the second round of the National Women's Super League Draft before moving to France in 2024.
The former United States Under-23s midfielder helped the then-Premiere Ligue newcomers finish ninth and seventh during her two seasons, starting 21 out of 22 games in 2026-27.
Manager Potter added: "[Sierra] adds real quality and depth to our midfield as we push for success upon our return to the WSL."
The Rochester Red Wings erased a four-run deficit but could not keep pace with Lehigh Valley in an 11-9 loss Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader.
The IronPigs took the lead for good in the sixth inning and secure the win after the Wings dropped the resumed opener, 18-3.
The Red Wings trailed 4-0 in the second inning before Phillip Glasser singled to drive in a run and Yohandy Morales hit a grand slam to give them a 5-4 lead.
Otto Kemp hit a two-run homer in the third to give Lehigh Valley a 6-5 lead, but the Red Wings answered in the bottom half. Trey Lipscomb hit a two-run homer in the third inning to put Rochester ahead 7-6.
Lehigh Valley rallies in sixth
The IronPigs scored five runs in the sixth inning off reliever Luke Young. Paul McIntosh and Bryan De La Cruz singled before Berroa's infield single tied the game. Reyes hit his 19th homer to give Lehigh Valley a 10-7 lead. Tommy Pham singled and scored on Anthony's RBI hit to make it 11-7.
The Red Wings scored in the bottom of the sixth to make it 11-8 but were unable to score in the seventh despite a leadoff triple by Brady House.
Glasser finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and Andrew Pinckney had two hits, including a double, two runs and his 15th stolen base.
Kirby Snead pitched three innings of two-run ball to improve to 5-1.
Rochester used six pitchers. Luke Young took the loss after allowing five runs in the sixth inning.
Information gathered from milb.com.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
Dublin, Ireland - August 23: Marcus Neal Jr. of Iowa State Cyclones looks on during the 2025 Aer Lingus Classic match between Kansas State and Iowa State at Aviva Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images
The Starters
Marcus Neal, Jr. (JR)
After a quiet start to his college career, Marcus Neal had a breakout season in 2025. He was named third-team All-Big 12 in 2025 and tallied 77 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. He is a clear favorite to start for the Nittany Lions, who have had at least one defensive back taken in eight of the last nine NFL drafts. Neal has elite speed and is reliable against the run, which will be key against the more run-heavy offenses on Penn State’s schedule. He was named to Athlon Sports’ preseason All-Big Ten team. Expect the Penn State-to-NFL safety pipeline to continue, as he has drawn significant attention for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah Cooper (R-SR)
The most experienced player at the position for Penn State this season, Jeremiah Cooper made 35 starts at Iowa State from 2022 to 2025 until a torn ACL abruptly ended his 2025 season after just four games. He missed all of spring practice while recovering from the injury and his status for the season opener is up in the air, but once he returns, he should take his place in the starting lineup. Cooper played both cornerback and safety at Iowa State and was named first-team All-Big 12 in 2023. He had 132 tackles, eight interceptions, and a forced fumble in his four seasons at Iowa State. Though he is not quite as strong against the run as Marcus Neal, he is a dynamic playmaker against the pass. Time will show how quickly he can return to form after his injury, but the talent is there.
Jamison Patton (SR)
Patton played in 34 games for Iowa State from 2023 to 2025. He had 79 tackles and four interceptions in his three seasons in Ames. Last year, he missed most of November with a lower body injury after starting the first nine games of the season. With Penn State experiencing heavy turnover at safety this year, Patton has a good shot to crack the starting lineup.
In the Mix
Vaboue Toure (R-SO)
Vaboue Toure has appeared in seven games in two seasons at Penn State, most notably a seven-tackle effort in Penn State’s 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl last December. He is likely blocked from the starting lineup by the three Iowa State transfers, but his development will be important for Penn State moving forward. If there is an injury, Toure should be able to fill in.
Omarion Davis (SO)
Omarion Davis started two games at Boston College last season, where he recorded 13 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Like Toure, Davis is unlikely to make the starting lineup, but he should see rotational time to keep his development on a solid pace.
Ibn McDaniels (R-SO)
McDaniels played in 11 games in two seasons at Syracuse, where he made had tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup. He will likely rotate in during blowouts as starters get pulled, but he is a year away from being a major contributor on defense.
Jashaun Green (R-SR)
A State College native, Jashaun Green has appeared in only one game in his career. It is hard for me to see him cracking this lineup with the depth of talent, but he should be able to contribute on special teams.
The Freshmen
Christian Askew
Askew comes to Penn State as a three-star recruit in the 2026 class. The Georgia native was originally committed to play at James Madison but flipped to Penn State after Bob Chesney took the UCLA job. It is uncertain what his ceiling could be, but Deon Broomfield clearly liked what he saw from Askew’s tape enough to offer him.
Bryson Williams
Williams is also a three-star recruit in the 2026 class and committed to Penn State last December shortly after Matt Campbell was hired. Deon Broomfield offered him while he was at Iowa State. Both of the incoming freshmen are three-star recruits, but Broomfield had a good eye for talent during his time as safeties coach at Iowa State. Marcus Neal was a three-star recruit and has developed into an all-conference safety.
Ex-Brazil striker backs Seleção, prays for Neymar fit
In an interview with the El Fútbol podcast, legendary former striker Careca analyzed the Seleção’s identity crisis, Neymar’s role, and looked back on the golden years alongside “El Pibe de Oro” in Italy.
Antônio Careca is an authority when it comes to finding the net at World Cups.
Runner-up in the scoring charts at the 1986 World Cup and the owner of an enviable career in the yellow shirt, the former player spoke openly on the El Fútbol podcast about Brazil’s current moment, memories from his national team days, and the deep friendship he built with Diego Armando Maradona.
📸 RUDI SCHRADER - 2011 AFP
Brazil National Team
For Careca, representing Brazil in the biggest tournament on the planet was never just another game.
He recalled the 1982 and 1986 squads, packed with stars such as Zico, Sócrates and Falcão, describing the mix of pressure and glory that defines the Seleção:
"We always feel enormous pressure because the team is there representing its country. It’s always a huge responsibility, but it was also a source of pride. Every time you win, it’s phenomenal. But when you lose, it’s crap. That’s how it is."
The former No. 9, however, looks at the current 24-year drought without a world title with concern.
For him, the problem goes beyond the pitch and includes a weakening of the sense of belonging to the national team.
"It’s important [to talk about this] because we’ve lost a bit of our identity when wearing the yellow shirt. There were players who no longer wanted to wear the shirt, who no longer wanted to play in the World Cup. In the past, I had more passion for wearing Brazil’s shirt, because it’s a source of pride."
Looking at the squad heading toward the 2026 World Cup, Careca sees a chronic dependence on Neymar, whom he considers the country’s last unquestionable idol, capable of inspiring the new generation that now makes up the team.
"Today we’re in a difficult situation, but we have young players I really believe in, like Endrick, Rayan and Vinícius Júnior, who is a great player at Real Madrid. But I think we’re missing a great idol. I hope Neymar can be 100% physically fit in the final stages to help the Seleção go a little further."
Asked about the arrival of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti to take charge of Brazil, the former striker admitted it is a historic first that divides opinion, but defended the decision based on the coach’s ability to manage people.
"It’s a gamble, let’s put it that way. A big gamble. But he knows how to handle the dressing room, right? He knows how to work with players mentally. He’s a bit like a father to everyone. Ancelotti is a great manager of personalities, of people, of great idols. That’s why we’re confident he can do a good job."
Devotion to Maradona
Careca’s path with the national team collided head-on with Argentina at the 1990 World Cup, a tense clash marked by the roughness of the Argentine defenders.
Curiously, his friendship with the rival No. 10 was so strong that, after Brazil’s elimination, Careca admitted he switched sides in the stands: "From that elimination on, I’m Argentine and I’ll support Argentina."
That loyalty to Maradona was born much earlier, when Careca turned down offers from Torino and Real Madrid to sign for modest Napoli.
The reason? To play alongside his idol. And the chemistry did not take long to appear.
"It was a dream to make that happen together with Diego. When I arrived in 1987, I met Diego there and within five or ten minutes we already understood each other. It was all spectacular."
More than a football genius, Careca describes his friend as a fundamental pillar in his adaptation to southern Italy, where the passion of the fans could be suffocating, preventing the players from having a normal life on the streets of Naples.
Away from the spotlight and the photographers surrounding their homes, the two created a family-like bond.
"Diego was a very simple, lovable person, with a giant heart. He was always at my house to eat the feijoada with black beans that he liked, and also barbecue, although for me Brazilian barbecue is better than Argentine."
The news of Maradona’s death, years later, caught Careca off guard in a cruel way: he was informed by phone by former player Vampeta while the latter was live on a radio show.
In disbelief, he hung up and sought confirmation from Claudia, the Argentine star’s ex-wife.
"It was a friendship, a true and sincere love. Because I cared very deeply for Diego. It’s a sin that he left so early. Today Diego is no longer with us, but he is in our hearts."
Jul. 3—Golfers and spectators at the Moscow Elks Lodge Golf Club will celebrate Independence Day together with the 77th annual Ken Jordan Sole Survivor tournament.
The tournament, which is a "horse race style golf tournament," according to Sole Survivor Committee Chairperson Tracy Dorigo, is an elimination format. It narrows down its 10-man field one hole at a time, where the worst score is eliminated after each hole until the winner stands alone after the ninth hole. Spectating the event will be open to the public, and tee time will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The women's and senior competitions will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, on Sunday.
Other attractions include free hot dogs, cake, lawn games and the "annual decorated cart parade."
Opening ceremonies, which will include an opening statement from former Moscow mayor Bill Lambert and the national anthem sung by an Elks' member, will begin at 1:30 p.m.
"It has been around for 77 years," Dorigo said. "It is known as an event over the Fourth of July at the Elks, where we welcome the community out and welcome the golf community out, and as a golfer myself, playing that style of tournament, it's hole by hole. It's consistency; you have to have good holes for nine holes. So it's a personal challenge for all these golfers. And then just the name of being the Sole Survivor — who doesn't want to be a sole survivor, right?"
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A large turnout
Dorigo said that planning the event starts in early May.
The golf committee at the Moscow Elks Lodge Golf Club realizes that two of their signature events are the Sole Survivor and the qualifiers for the Sole Survivor.
She said planning starts with introspective questions.
"'How did it go last year? What can we add? How can we make this bigger and better?' And that's our goal as a golf committee: let's make everything run as seamlessly as possible, and improve on it every year, make it more competitive, make it more of a draw, make more activities for people to participate in if they're not golfing," Dorigo said.
Dorigo said that there has been an increase in non-Elks golfers; pools of golfers from around the Palouse and the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley have added to the event.
"We welcome the entire community, and we had a lot of people come out for qualifiers this year," Dorigo said.
She said that there were more than 60 golfers on the course during qualifiers, which was narrowed down to the final field of 10.
A mix of players
The Ken Jordan Sole Survivor consists of a mix of returners and players new to the field.
Kyle Nelson, the winner of the last two Sole Survivor tournaments, is back to defend his victories.
Other past winners include Sean Dorigo (2012, 2016, 2022), Jerry Curtis (2001, 2004, 2013, 2017) and Kevin Peterson (2016, 2021).
Taylor Riedner is a returning player who has won the Junior Sole Survivor and the Women's Sole Survivor.
Riley Nelson is the son of Kyle Nelson and competed in the event last year, and Ben Mack is a returning player who has won the Junior Sole Survivor.
New to the field include: Michael Wagner, the head golf professional at the University of Idaho Golf Course; Andrew Grizzell, the son-in-law of Ken Jordan Sr.'s daughter, Sharon Kimberling; and Jared Kuhn.
What the event means to the community
Dorigo said that the history of the event is based around the "Elks family" and that continuing the event for 77 years has been terrific for the community.
"Not only coming together around golf, but just coming together as a group of people who appreciate each other, and really just hang out for a day like a large family," Dorigo said. "That's a big part of it too, is it's one of the few events where we all see each other, and that's within the Elks family."
She said that the event has helped create a community for the Moscow Elks Lodge Golf Club, which has been capable of donating "tens of thousands of dollars" to the local community to help those in need, and the tournament is a great way to invite people to "come out and enjoy lunch, live music and have fun with us for the day."
"I think it matters because anytime you can get a group of people together regardless of where they come from or what they do or who they are, just to celebrate the fantastic country that we have and be together as people having fun — that's a benefit to any community," Dorigo said.
Sole Survivor contestants (past wins in parentheses)
1. Kyle Nelson (2024, 2025); 2. Sean Dorigo (2012, 2016, 2022); 3. Jerry Curtis (2001, 2004, 2013, 2017); 4. Kevin Peterson (2016, 2021); 5. Michael Wagner; 6. Andrew Grizzell; 7. Riley Nelson; 8. Ben Mack; 9. Taylor Riedner; 10. Jared Kuhn.
Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.
The Boston Red Sox have reached a point where simply tweaking the roster is no longer enough. The organization has spent years searching for consistency, yet the results continue to fall well short of expectations for one of MLB‘s premier franchises. If the Red Sox are serious about building a sustainable winner, the biggest change shouldn’t come on the field, it should come in the front office.
Craig Breslow’s tenure as chief baseball officer has come under increasing scrutiny, and ownership has to finally be questioning whether he’s the right person to lead the organization long-term. So, waiting until the end of the season to fire him serves little purpose.
Dec 9, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow speaks with the media at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The MLB trade deadline is one of the most important moments of any season, especially for teams trying to sell, or reshape their future. Those decisions can alter the direction of a franchise for years. If ownership ultimately decides to move on from Breslow after the season, why should he be the one deciding which which players get traded, and even more importantly, which players the Red Sox acquire in the trades.
Those are decisions that should belong to the executive who will actually be leading the Red Sox into the future. The Red Sox do have some quality pieces they can trade for future assets, and Breslow has proven over the past several years that his eye for talent is lacking. Just look at the success of Dustin May and Kyle Harrison this season, two players he had in the organization just one year ago.
The Next GM Should Shape the Franchise
Hiring a new head of baseball operations before the trade deadline would allow that person to immediately begin implementing their vision. Whether the new leadership chooses to aggressively pursue a larger retool, or focus on building around the club’s young talent, those choices should reflect the philosophy of the person who will be accountable moving forward. Allowing an executive whose future is uncertain to make franchise-altering decisions creates unnecessary risk.
The Red Sox have one of baseball’s largest markets, one of its richest histories, and a fan base that expects to compete for championships, not simply remain competitive, or in the case of this season, be in last place.
Too often in recent years, the organization has lacked a clear direction. One season they appear committed to winning immediately, while the next they seem focused on the future. That uncertainty has left the franchise stuck in the middle. If ownership believes a change at the top is inevitable, then delaying it only postpones the rebuilding of the organization’s identity.
Time for a New Direction
No front office decision guarantees success, but continuing down the same path hasn’t produced the results Red Sox fans expect. The trade deadline represents an opportunity to begin a new chapter. If ownership has lost confidence in Craig Breslow, the club should make the change before the deadline rather than after the season, giving a new baseball operations leader the opportunity to shape the roster from day one.
The Red Sox don’t just need new players. They need a new vision, and that vision should come from the person who will be responsible for bringing championship baseball back to Boston.
The Austrian national team's World Cup journey has come to an end. Facing the reigning European champions, Spain, Austria bowed out of the North American tournament with their heads held high, putting up a real battle despite the 0–3 defeat.
One of the undisputed standout performers for Austria yesterday was our very own Alexander Schlager! The goalkeeper thwarted chance after chance from the star-studded Spanish side, recording a total of six saves. There was little the 30-year-old could do about the three goals conceded - hats off to him for that performance!
Around 4,000 cheer Austria on in Red Bull Arena
Just as we did for the group stage match against Argentina, we teamed up with the City of Salzburg to host an official World Cup public viewing event at the stadium. Thanks to increased capacity, around 4,000 fans in red and white came to cheer on their side together in front of the big screens, ensuring the match became a real highlight of this World Cup summer, despite the defeat.
We go again in a month
For now, things are quiet at the Red Bull Arena again - but not for long. We will be back in action on Saturday 1 August when we host TSV Hartberg at home for our Bundesliga season opener at 19:30! You can secure your spot at the best possible price with a season ticket:
DURHAM — Oyster River High School junior midfielder Demetrius Tsakiris was voted by the community as 2026 Seacoast high school boys lacrosse Player of the Year.
Tsakiris won the online poll by receiving over 31.92% of the votes. Dover senior Cooper Ketcham finished second with 23.26% of the votes.
Portsmouth junior Sam Biddle (12.4%), Marshwood senior Hayden Demeroto (10.21%) and Spaulding junior Jackson Shapleigh (6.43%) placed third through fifth, respectively.
More on Demetrius Tsakiris of Oyster River High School
Tsakiris was a Division II first team All-State selection this season, helping Oyster River to the Division II semifinal game - a 16-7 loss to Winnacunnet.
"(Tsakiris) has earned (this award)," Oyster River head coach Brendan McKenna said. "He’s obviously very talented but he also busts his tail. He does whatever the team needs to win and can play any position."
Tsakiris, a team captain and National Honor Society member, finished the season with 31 goals and 19 assists, reaching 100 career points.
"Beyond happy to see him recognized for his effort," McKenna said.
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says rivals Newcastle selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m is "probably a positive thing" for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe's side have effectively needed to trade to reinvest with Alexander Isak, Antony Gordon and now Tonali all leaving the club in the space of less than a year.
"Newcastle have had an issue for a number of years with the financial situation and selling players for that value, and replacing them with younger players, will make a huge change to their squad cost ratio," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"It's probably a positive thing in many respects but it all hinges on what they do in this window, who they get in, and how they react to this move.
"It's sad for the fans because you get attached to players but the reaction will only play out when you see who starts the season for you."
Sep 14, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Fireworks before the fourth quarter between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northern Iowa Panthers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
You’re seeing it all correctly. Do not adjust your antennae.
Minnie is BACK!
This week on the Five Heart Podcast, the unexplainable legal trouble of current and former Husker athletes. How does the distraction affect the Huskers? Will this provide some on-the-field clarity as far as who will be the designated number one RB in the Fall?
Also, the wonderful people at ESPN put out a list of the best football players to wear the numbers. You have to assume 0-99. Why would we not? How many Huskers made the list? And how wrong will ESPN be?
While we thought we were done mentioning a certain disgraced former college football quarterback, Minnie says there’s just a little more meat on the Brendan Sorsby bone, so we will have that as well.
Also, news from our “friends” in the great cheddar state – it appears Wisconsin is hiring former (and again, disgraced) Nebraska Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst. We will join Minnesota Tony in laughing at their misfortune, talking about the Badgers adding a Culvers(tm) patch on their uniforms, and discuss a similar patch on Nebraska’s new unis.
dpatop - 03 July 2026, Hesse, Frankfurt am Main: The DFB logo and a banner displaying the dates of the World Cup are visible in front of the DFB Campus. According to consistent media reports, J. Nagelsmann is stepping down as head coach of the German national team following the team's elimination in the round of 32 at the World Cup. Photo: Florian Wiegand/dpa (Photo by Florian Wiegand/picture alliance via Getty Images)
When the announcement hit that Julian Nagelsmann was going to resign, it was clear that the former head coach was not going to be the only one impacted.
Kicker (via @iMiaSanMia) had information about a more widespread action for change:
The DFB are considering a more drastic change than just the coach. In addition to Nagelsmann, the future of sporting director Rudi Völler and managing director Andreas Rettig is also uncertain. A meeting of the DFB supervisory board is taking place today to make the decisions.
As it turns out, Kicker was correct. Andreas Rettig also resigned from his role within the DFB (as captured by @iMiaSanMia):
Official: DFB managing director Andreas Rettig announces that he will not be extending his contract, which expires at the end of this year.
While this is not wholly unexpected, these also might not be the final moves for the DFB, which needs to make massive, organizational moves with personnel and strategy to improve German international football.
Nathaniel Brown has completed his move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Bayern Munich.
The German international has signed a contract with the Bundesliga champions that runs until the summer of 2031.
“Nathaniel Brown has a profile that is very much in demand in modern football. He’s developed really well recently with his speed and dynamism, and we all believe that he’s an excellent fit for FC Bayern," said FC Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.
"We want to take the next step together, and this transfer also underlines our aspiration to bring top young German players to FC Bayern early. That’s always been a part of our DNA and should remain the case in the future.”
Brown commented:
“FC Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world. It means so much to me to have the chance to play for this club and it fills me with pride. I also come from Bavaria, which makes it even more special.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the biggest titles at the highest level; I set myself the highest goals and want to get the maximum out of me every day. I quickly had a great feeling in talks with the management. Vincent Kompany in particular showed me how he sees me and my development and absolutely convinced me.”
Brown made 75 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring seven goals and providing 13 assists.
The 23-year-old has also earned eight caps for the German senior national team.
Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick off its 2026 football season on August 29 when the Trojans host San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.
Today, we look at former USC offensive lineman Justin Dedich.
Position: Offensive line
Years played at USC: 2018-2023
Career highlights: After redshirting his freshman year on campus in 2018, Dedich served as a backup offensive lineman for the Trojans for the majority of the next three seasons. He emerged as a starter towards the end of the 2021 season, and was the full-time starter at right guard in 2022. Taking advantage of his extra COVID year of eligibility, Dedich returned to USC in 2023, starting at center.
Dedich drew acclaim for his strong leadership during his time in Cardinal and Gold. In both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he was named a team captain. Dedich was known for firing up his teammates in the huddle with passionate, energetic speaches prior to kickoff.
After USC: Dedich signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. Although he did not initially make the team, Dedich was signed to the active roster early in the year due to injuries on the offensive line.
Over the past two seasons, Dedich has appeared in 32 games for Los Angeles, making 10 starts. He will look to take on an even bigger role with the team this fall.
Prodrive says it is exploring a return to top-level prototype competition, describing the current endurance racing landscape as "very appealing".
The British engineering firm is one of the notable absentees from the WEC's thriving Hypercar class, which has attracted unprecedented manufacturer interest under the LMH and LMDh regulations.
While Prodrive remains involved in the WEC through the LMGT3 ranks, the Aston Martin AMR-One from 2011 remains the last prototype built by Prodrive for the top echelon of sportscar racing.
Although he stopped short of confirming any concrete plans or timeline, Prodrive CEO David Richards revealed that the company is considering at a possible manufacturer tie-up to fight for outright victories at races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Asked what would bring Prodrive back to prototype racing, Richards told Motorsport.com: “Obviously, a partner, a manufacturer partner, and we've got some ideas around that at the moment, and we're exploring some ideas there, but it's certainly very appealing now.
“The thing I like about it is that it's such a competitive series now. and so popular. That's a measure of the success that the ACO have done with putting the regulations together. I think they've done a superb job.
“And what don't I like about it? Well, inevitably it's quite expensive, but that's a consequence of popularity as well.
“It's more expensive than I anticipated. It's just the competitiveness of the whole series now. With so many competitive manufacturers, everyone's come into it, and when that happens, costs go up.”
The Aston Martin Racing AMR-One was Prodrive's last prototype entry
The Aston Martin Racing AMR-One was Prodrive's last prototype entry
However, Richards warned that the current level of manufacturer participation in sportscar racing isn’t sustainable, suggesting Hypercar and IMSA’s GTP class could eventually follow the boom-and-bust cycles that have characterised sportscar racing in the past.
Lamborghini has already pulled out of both WEC and IMSA, while Acura’s successful programme with the ARX-06 will also be halted at the end of the year. Further, Porsche also exited Hypercar last year to focus on its involvement in IMSA.
Richards believes more manufacturers could eventually leave once success becomes harder to achieve.
“You watch, though, what happens in motorsport at the top level with car manufacturers' interest,” he said.
“Car manufacturers sort of rush in with the new regulations, but if you actually do a bit of research on this, go back over the years and find out the average number of car manufacturers participating in a championship, it always ends up at about three.
“Because you get to six or seven and the people at the back of the grid say, ‘we can't justify being here and not winning. So, they drop off.
“And then once it gets down to three, four, two, three, suddenly they say,’ well, there's an opportunity to come back in again now’ and you get new people coming back in again. So, it's a cycle that's inevitable and car manufacturers don't like losing. And so that's a fact of life.”
Many of Guernsey FC's side were part of the Guernsey FA team that beat Jersey in May's Muratti Vase final [BBC]
Guernsey FC and Jersey Bulls have both been drawn at home in their opening ties for the 2026-27 FA Cup.
Guernsey FC will host Isthmian League South East Division Crowborough Athletic in the extra preliminary round on Saturday, 8 August.
Should they win that game they would travel to either Epsom and Ewell or Chipstead a fortnight later in the preliminary round.
Meanwhile Jersey Bulls, who play in a division higher than Guernsey FC, have been given a bye into the preliminary round - they will host either Crawley Down Gatwick or Sheerwater at Springfield on 22 August.
In the FA Trophy Bulls have a home tie against Isthmian League South Central rivals Hayes and Yeading United on 15 August in the preliminary round.
Meanwhile Guernsey will travel to Southern Combination Premier rivals Newhaven in the first qualifying round on 15 August.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 30: Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox shouts towards Cade Cavalli of the Washington Nationals (not in photo) during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, we know have (temporary) closure on the Willson Contreras/Cade Cavalli incident. Major League Baseball has suspended both players for seven games, with Contreras’s suspension being specifically linked to behavior “during and following” the episode, meaning, i.e., that he’s being punished both for the helmet throw and for his subsequent social media post. Nate Eaton has received an additional three game suspension, whille Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas received a five-gamer. Of course, Cavalli is a starting pitcher, meaning that a seven-game suspension is really just something that bumps his regularly scheduled start a few days. If MLB actually wanted send a message about his remarks, they would’ve given him at least nine games. Both players have the option to appeal the suspension, during which the suspension will be put on hold. Otherwise, Contreras, easily the Red Sox best overall player this season, is set to miss the entirety of a crucial six-game road trip that will likely be the last chance the Red Sox have of getting back into the playoff race before the trade deadline. (Jen McCaffrey Spencer Nussbaum, The Athletic)
Being in the middle of an on-field controversy isn’t anything new for Contreras, who is known for playing the game with more passion and verve than the typical Major Leaguer. “To be honest, there’s not a lot of people that like me, and that’s fine,” Contreras said recently. “There have been a lot of teammates that, when they’re on the other side, they hate me, but when they’re on your side, they love me, because they know what I’m willing to do. I’m willing to do anything to win for them. It’s a survival game. You have to survive. At the same time you might make people uncomfortable. To survive, you have to make people uncomfortable. That’s how I see it.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Contreras isn’t the only important piece the Sox will be without for the foreseeable future, as lefty Connelly Early was placed on the IL on the same day as the Contreras-Cavalli fight. Thankfully, though, an MRI revealed no structural damage to Early’s elbow. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
It’ll likely be Patrick Sandoval who will take Early’s place in the rotation. It’s been just over two years since the lefty has stepped on a big league mound. “I don’t want to speak too soon,” Sandoval said, “but I feel good right now.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Hopefully Sandoval fares better than Payton Tolle did during his most recent start, which was the worst start of of the precocious pitcher’s young career. In Tolle’s defense, it was so hot that catcher connor Wong claims to have lost six pounds during the game. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
The Hall of Fame Indexwas first published in 201o. It had been in the works for nearly a decade at that point. The whole point was to establish a systematic way of looking at Hall of Fame candidates and those already in the Hall of Fame. At its best, it measures fitness for the Hall of Fame and aims to put players into groups with other similar players so we can compare them.
The sequel was published in 2020. It obviously updated numbers for players that were currently active, but also adjusted the formula as we got more information. One of the key things in statistical analysis is that we are always learning something new. The formula is similar to JAWS, but has a couple of key differences. First, it combines baseball-reference.com WAR and Fangraphs.com WAR into one number. I do that for two main reasons. First and foremost, the more data the better in most instances. It gives us a cross-section of what keen sabermetric minds feel about a player.
The second reason is that there is always an intellectual divide on these things. The old formulas included win shares, but since Bill James retired, there is no longer an update on current win shares, so that one has been dropped from the formula. Like JAWS, the index includes a peak value element. However, the peak value is made up of ten seasons. I have gotten push back on this and the push back is perfectly reasonable. I chose ten years because you need to play at least ten years to get into the Hall of Fame and ten years gives you slightly more data than the seven years that JAWS brings.
That is important distinction because I do not profile any players until they have been in the league for at least ten seasons. So, as we compare Carlos Correa to his contemporaries, there are five shortstops that make the list. I will not speak for Jay Jaffe (the creator of JAWS) but the index was never meant to rank order players. It was meant to place players into groups with other similar players so that we can directly compare them using other means. I have done this before with Correa, but since we are at the midway point of the 2026 season, it is a good time to revisit it.
Hall of Fame Index
BWAR
FWAR
BWAR10
FWAR10
Index
Francisco Lindor
55.8
60.9
54.1
58.6
229.4
Trea Turner
41.7
47.7
41.4
47.5
178.3
Carlos Correa
47.1
41.6
44.6
39.3
172.6
Xander Bogaerts
42.9
45.0
39.9
41.7
169.5
Corey Seager
44.1
41.7
42.7
40.9
169.4
I repeat this every time I do this. The index was not meant to rank order players. What we see here is that four of these shortstops are very similar in value. Every player accrues his value differently. So, I am not suggesting that any of them are better or worse than the other. The whole point is that they are similar. Lindor is not similar and that is the first giveaway that he is the Hall of Famer in the group. Obviously, this season has been a wash from him so far, but he is still young enough to put up some good seasons.
The whole point of the index is to compare players with other similar players. If you are similar to players that are in the Hall of Fame and should be then you probably should be in the Hall of Fame. If you are similar to other players that are not in the Hall of Fame then you probably shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame. This seems easy enough but we have seen a number of players that are similar to players not in that somehow get into the Hall of Fame.
Offensive Numbers
OPS+
rOBA
Rbaser
ROV
OW%
Francisco Lindor
120
.357
22
.299
.601
Trea Turner
118
.366
41
.298
.624
Carlos Correa
124
.358
-4
.293
.597
Xander Bogaerts
113
.351
37
.277
.587
Corey Seager
135
.369
-2
.308
.655
Again, we see some similarities in the offensive numbers with the exception of Corey Seager. Seager ends up looking better in the long run offensively which tells us that either his defense isn’t there or his durability isn’t there. Correa also looks good in this grouping. Probably the one significant weakness at the plate is a lack of speed on the basepaths and that is relative to Bogearts, Turner, and Linfor. If ten runs is equal to a win then we see him lose about three or four wins over the course of his career.
The key point is that no single test qualifies or disqualifies a player. These players are all fairly similar, so this test either qualifies all of them or disqualifies them all. This is why we look at multiple tests before we make any determinations. We need to look at fielding numbers, awards voting, and playoff numbers as well. So far, these players look fairly similar.
Fielding Numbers
Rfield
DRS
OAA
FRV
Francisco Lindor
52
52
141
116
Trea Turner
-10
-11
23
2
Carlos Correa
56
56
26
22
Xander Boagearts
-72
-70
-17
-16
Corey Seager
19
19
-6
-8
Fielding is one of those subjective things normally and Correa is chief among these. When he was at his best there was no one better. Yet, he has not been a consistent performer with the glove. I’m not sure why that happens. Perhaps fielding is like hitting where fielders go through slumps. Rfield is what B-Ref uses for its WAR formula. It is essentially the same thing as defensive runs saved (DRS). So, the really interesting point happens when we look at outs above average (OAA) and fielding run value (FRV) because that is what Fangraphs uses for its formular.
Lindor obviously separates himself here and we can see why he is head and shoulders above the other shortstops is the index. Simply being the best fielder is not justification by itself. After all, we aren’t putting Mark Belanger in the Hall of Fame. However, when you couple good offense with great defense then you have more than enough to get by. The other three are more or less league average (or worse in Bogearts case), so Correa might have a bit of an edge here over them.
MVP Voting
Voting
BWAR
Diff
Top
Francisco Linfor
26
19
7
0
Trea Turner
14
13
1
0
Carlos Correa
7
16
-9
1
Xander Bogaerts
11
6
5
0
Corey Seager
15
16
-1
0
The MVP test serves two purposes. First, it is another way of looking at peak value. It answers the question of whether a player was ever the best player in the league. Correa was in 2021. None of the other players were. That doesn’t mean that Correa definitely belongs in or that the other players definitely don’t. It is simply another data point.
Points are weighted based on how high they finished. The BWAR rankings are based in how they finished in BWAR in a particular season. Four of the five players are similar, but we notice Correa is the only one with a negative number. That means he has been under appreciated throughout his career. He never put up gaudy offensive numbers that MVP voters like, but when he was at his best defensively (2021 was his best season) he was worth close to three wins with the glove alone.
Playoff Numbers
PA
SLASH
HR
Runs
RBI
SB
Francisco Lindor
179
.263/.348/.474
8
24
21
2
Trea Turner
288
.256/.306/.376
6
35
16
14
Carlos Correa
358
.242/.352/.508
18
38
63
1
Xander Bogaerts
219
.230/.301/.378
6
26
21
1
Corey Seager
346
.251/.347/.505
19
55
41
3
The playoff test is idiosyncratic in nature. Ask most casual fans who they would rather have in the playoffs and they would probably answer Seager. Seager is one of our players in MLB history to win the World Series MVP award twice. That fact alone might be enough to get him some Hall of Fame votes. Yet, if you look at the slash statistics, Correa is slightly better and we know he was the better defender as well.
Postseason performance is best used as a tiebreaker. Neither Correa nor Seager really should be considered Hall of Famers at this point. We don’t know how their career will end, so leave the door open and if they are close their postseason records could throw them over the top. However, we are talking about two to three months worth of baseball here. In a 15-20 year career that doesn’t amount to much. So, he is not worthy of the Hall of Fame yet, but if he can put up two or three more good seasons he could find himself in the conversation.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 2: Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single in the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ross Turteltaub/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Outside of a measly one-run showing on Wednesday in Sacramento, the Dodgers offense has been rolling over their last six games.
Against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, they overcame a six-run deficit while tying a season-high with 17 hits in a 12-7 victory, marking the second time over their last three meetings that the Dodgers put up 17 hits over San Diego. One of the unsung heroes of Thursday was Kyle Tucker, connecting for four hits after walking four times in the finale against the Athletics and having reached base in nine consecutive plate appearances.
While Tucker hasn’t yet lived up the expectations that his contract demands, Tucker has been finding his stride over his last seven games, slashing .417/.548/.583 with a home run and five RBI. Tucker spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA about his four-hit performance following Thursday’s win, where he noted that he’s starting to play at the level that fans had been expecting from him.
“The last four games feel a lot better… Swing feels a lot better, and even my takes have been a lot better, so I’m happy with those.”
Dalton Rushing was the other Dodger with a four-hit game on Thursday, adding a home run to his credit and finishing a triple shy of the cycle.
The last 10 games have produced a whirlwind of results for Rushing, from having to be consoled by his manager to adding another huge night against San Diego, and he spoke with Watson about how Thursday’s performance gave him a boost of confidence in setting the table for the top of the lineup.
“It’s a boost of confidence. You feel ready for the next however many [games] you get. Anytime you can get your game started like that, it’s going to be a good game.”
The Dodgers offense had to do the heavy lifting after another frustrating start from Roki Sasaki, who tossed 89 pitches over three innings while allowing six earned runs and three home runs.
While Sasaki showed flashes of brilliance, especially in his two starts against the Angels, the right-hander has not only fallen back down to Earth, but cratered on the landing. Sasaki spoke with Watson about his rough performance, noting that while he felt his stuff wasn’t bad, there’s still some tinkering in store.
“They fouled off a lot of pitches, but maybe because my intensity of my fastball or maybe my command issues. I feel like I have to work on those things to improve.”
The 26-year-old joins Crystal Palace following a spell playing her football with French club Strasbourg. Enge spent two years in France, helping Strasbourg to establish themselves in the Arkema Première Ligue.
Enge started her senior career in the American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) with San Diego Wave. She helped the club to win the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024.
On the international stage, Enge previously represented the United States at Under-20 level. She has never featured for The Stars and Stripes at senior level.
After joining Crystal Palace, Enge said “The WSL is the best league in the world and to be able to play in it is a dream come true.
“It feels incredible to be at Palace, the facilities are amazing and I’m just really happy to be here.”
Enge is Crystal Palace’s first signing of the summer transfer window. The club are expected to be very active in the transfer window as they look to cement their place in the Barclays Women’s Super League after winning promotion at the end of last season.
LeBron James has left the Los Angeles Lakers. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer let the franchise know he will not be re-signing with it in free agency on Tuesday morning, just hours before the official start of NBA free agency.
He still hasn't decided which team he will sign with, although he will almost certainly continue to play in the NBA this fall for a 24th season. The Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and perhaps the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are thought to be the teams with a real shot at landing him.
His son, Bronny, is still a member of the Lakers, and the 21-year-old guard's contract is now guaranteed for the upcoming season. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers could make a move with the younger James, and he strongly implied that the move could be to reunite the younger James with his famous father on the latter's next team.
"LeBron has spoken at length about how meaningful it has been to be teammates with his son, and those feelings only grew late last season when they shared the court in competitive games," McMenamin wrote.
"... It's easy to think the James family would want that connection to continue.
"... Once LeBron makes his decision on his next team, there could be a subsequent move made with Bronny."
The younger James didn't make any sizable strides this past season, his second in the NBA, but he did get meaningful playing time late in the regular season after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves went down with injuries. In the last six games of the schedule, he averaged 7.2 points in 17.2 minutes a game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
The jury is still out on whether he will ever be worthy of a spot in the regular rotation of an NBA team.
The New York Giants selected former Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Johnson has flashed his potential on numerous occasions across his first two seasons in New York. The rising star was consistently a top target at Jaxson Dart’s disposal last season, and he could quickly build upon that success in 2026.
Johnson was recently asked for his thoughts on the Giants’ tight end room as a whole before training camp. The former Penn State star said the group will be a huge part of the passing game moving forward.
“We are going to be a huge part of the passing game,” he told Giants Huddle. “We are going to have very good, capable receivers out there. But even if they are out there, we are going to play a big role.”
Johnson is credited with 859 yards and six touchdowns over his first two seasons in New York. The Giants signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely this offseason as well, and the veteran should quickly shine alongside Johnson in 2026.
Both Johnson and Likely have proven to thrive as pass catchers in the past. The duo could undoubtedly play a significant role in the Giants’ passing game this season, and Johnson’s comments are an excellent sign before training camp at the end of July.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 02: Brayan Rocchio #4 of the Cleveland Guardians watches his walk-off two-run home run during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on July 02, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the White Sox 6-5. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The opposite of waking up after a bullpen meltdown is waking up after a walkoff win and I much prefer today’s feeling.
Here’s your recap of yesterday’s 6-5 win over the White Sox. I still feel pretty mad about Vogt leaving Cecconi in that game.
Good game from Kwan yesterday going 1 for 2 with 2 walks. I still can’t get over looking at his line and seeing an OPS under .600.
Mike Mahoney and I did a Disgusting Baseball Podcast during the game.
The Oklahoma Sooners have the makings of a legitimate national championship contender. One of the biggest questions for any team that has a chance at winning it all is health.
For Oklahoma, it is even more important as the Sooners saw how a season can change with a major injury just last season. Oklahoma's offense changed dramatically after star quarterback John Mateer suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand.
In the first four games, he threw for 1,215 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for 190 yards and five touchdowns. Oklahoma was 4-0, Mateer was at the top of the Heisman race and they had an above-average offense.
However, after the injury, he threw for 1,670 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 241 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the final eight games of the season. The Sooners' offense regressed sharply and finished the season as one of the least efficient units in the country.
Despite that, Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff. That was a great season, given the circumstances, but if the Sooners want to be a legit contender, like many believe they are, On3's Kaiden Smith believes it's likely going to come down to Mateer's health.
"Healthy John Mateer, man, I think the ceiling is there," Smith said on the 'Hard Count.' "If he's, like you said, before Michigan John Mateer, is really making plays... I feel really good about them. I feel really good about him being a Heisman contender."
Oklahoma has already shown it can reach the College Football Playoff even when the offense is far from its best. But if the Sooners want to take the next step and compete for a national title, they will need a fully healthy Mateer throughout the season.
With him at full strength and a defense capable of carrying its weight, Oklahoma has the tools to finally turn championship potential into championship reality.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
Auburn football relied on several younger players last season, especially on the defensive side of the football. One of those players is poised to reach "breakout status" in 2026.
Deas logged 12 tackles as a true freshman, including a season-high four in Auburn's overtime road loss at Vanderbilt, and created eight pressures while rotating at linebacker with Robert Woodyard, Xavier Atkins, Elijah Melendez, and Demarcus Riddick. Three of those four linebackers return to Auburn's unit this season, but Hummer and Zeitz expect Deas to make a name for himself this season.
"He's athletic as hell," a source told 247Sports when mentioning Deas.
Deas signed with Auburn as the No. 27 linebacker from the 2025 class and the No. 12 player from Maryland. Deas is one of six players on Auburn's roster to graduate from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, and was one of three players from the school to sign with Auburn's 2025 recruiting class, joining defensive lineman Darrion Smith and cornerback Blake Woodby.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Size might not matter to one of the Carolina Panthers' newest hog mollies.
Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com recently covered center Luke Fortner's transition to Charlotte. After splitting the first four seasons of his NFL career between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints, the former third-round pick joined the reigning NFC South champs on a one-year deal this past spring.
Part of that transition will include building chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young, who is quite a bit shorter than the previous passers Fortner worked with. As opposed to the 6-foot-6 Trevor Lawrence and the 6-foot-5 Tyler Shough, Fortner now has to snap to the 5-foot-10 Young.
But does the contrast in height make his job more difficult?
"There's really not much," Fortner said of the difference, via Hill. "The only thing is Trevor might be able to catch a snap that's a little higher than Bryce, but put it where it's supposed to be, you don't have to. I mean, there's no world in which it's not my fault on that one."
Fortner, at least according to Pro Football Focus, is fresh off the best season of his pro tenure. He graded out with career-highs in overall offense (66.5), pass blocking (72.5) and run blocking (65.3) in 2025.
Given his experience, Fortner may be the early favorite to win the starting center job over rookie Sam Hecht—whom the Panthers selected in the fifth round of the 2026 draft. The winner of that position battle will be first up to try and replace Cade Mays, Young's primary center from the last two campaigns.
Luckily for Fortner, his spring workouts with Young apparently went rather well.
"It feels a lot better because you get to experience this time of year and these OTAs in the spring with Bryce," Fornter stated. "So, I'm really excited about the way it's feeling."
This week, the UFC is idle for the July 4th holiday.
The promotion returns to action next week for UFC 329, which features the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor, who competes in a rematch against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Elsewhere, veterans of the promotion are competing in various combat sports. Scroll below to see how last week's UFC vets fared on the regional scene, and check out the names and details of the upcoming weekend's competitors.
Despite having already secured one quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class, the Washington Huskies are one of three programs among the finalists for coveted three-star Crean Lutheran passer Caden Jones.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller from Southern California made official visits to Arizona, Baylor, and UW, with the Wildcats viewed as the heavy favorites, after receiving over 40 offers throughout the recruiting process.
Jones, who also holds a basketball scholarship offer from UW but whose older brother, Carter, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Wildcats, is the No. 36-ranked quarterback in the '27 class by 247Sports, and would be an intriguing depth addition if Jedd Fisch's coaching staff can come from behind and earn his pledge in the final hours before his announcement.
Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran quarterback Caden Jones will make his college commitment on Friday at Noon
Jones will choose between Arizona, Baylor and Washington, all three of which hosted the two-sport athlete — who doubles as a standout point guard — for an official visit.
UW already has its headliner quarterback secured with Desert Edge (Goodyear, Arizona) four-star Blake Roskopf in the fold, though there is a belief that the program could add another quarterback before the start of next spring with a pair of redshirt freshmen, Treston McMillan and Dash Beierly, and true freshman Derek Zammit on the roster along with starter Demond Williams Jr. and backup Elijah Brown, a transfer from Stanford.
Jones made multiple unofficial visits to the school over the past few years, meeting with Fisch and former offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty, while several members of the coaching staff traveled to Southern California to visit the promising athlete. Jones also visited with men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle, though there isn't a belief that the hardwood will wind up being his path over a potential college football career with his brother in Tucson.
As a junior at Crean Lutheran, the talented quarterback threw for 3,044 yards and completed 81.5 percent of his pass attempts, helping lead the California high school to a 10-1 overall record in 2025.
The 2026 Tour de France begins — in Spain — Saturday, July 4, in Barcelona.
The 113th Tour, cycling's signature event, features two-time defending champ Tadej Pogacar and the back-to-back winner in 2022-23, Jonas Vingegaard.
Prominent among the Americans entered is Phoenix's Brandon McNulty, a Deer Valley High alum.
The Tour can be seen on NBCSN and Peacock, with Saturday's broadcast beginning at 7 a.m. MST (10 a.m. Eastern).
While the Slovenian Pogacar and Vingegaard, from Denmark, are the dominant riders and top choices in the sportsbook odds, McNulty is in a tie for 22nd, per DraftKings.
McNulty finished 19th at the 2022 Tour de France. Now 28, he is a key teammate on the UAE squad led by Pogacar.
After a sickness slowed McNulty earlier this year, he's recovered and eager to compete.
“All spring was rocky, and then I ended up having a virus,” he told Escape Collective. “From there, three weeks off, and then from May 2 or 3 I was able to start riding, and then just training full for the Tour, and I’ve trained well, and came back well, so I’m back in shape.”
The 2026 Tour de France concludes July 26 in Paris.
Julian Quinones' path to being a Mexican hero has been unorthodox - not least because he is from Colombia - and he will hope to become a legend against England on Monday morning.
The World Cup last-16 tie in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium will kick off at 01:00 BST, a game you can watch live on BBC One.
England fans will be more than aware of Mexico's number nine Raul Jimenez, the Wolves striker who also had a spell at Fulham.
But Quinones, last season's Saudi Pro League golden boot winner, has been making waves on the left wing - and could cause problems in England's highly debated right-back position in the high Mexican altitute.
The 29-year-old has already scored three times at the World Cup - including the tournament opener against South Africa, against the Czechs and in the last 32 against Ecuador.
Quinones was born in Magui Payan in southern Colombia, not too far from the Ecudorian border, and grew up in some poverty.
"It's a very far away, forgotten village," he said in a recent interview.
"Knowing I could overcome everything, even with all the difficulties and the lack of support, motivates me even more to keep on fighting, doing my best with every ball I get and in every match. I also do it for my family."
At the age of 17 he left his amateur team Futbol Paz to join Mexican side Tigres.
"I was young and I hesitated when thinking about leaving my country, in order to pursue new goals and paths," he said.
He would come to think of Mexico as 'my country' and now has a Mexican wife and children.
Quinones spent eight years there with Tigres, Atlas and Club America - plus three loan moves too.
Having previously represented Colombia at youth level in 2017 and 2018, he heard nothing from his homeland while he was banging in the goals - over 70 of them - in the Mexican top flight.
By the time a call from Colombia came in 2023 he was eligible to play for Mexico through naturalisation - and so joined their squad instead.
"I found a very generous country," he said. "People welcome you, help you stand out, grow personally, and I loved it, so, little by little, I started to settle, I felt welcomed. I'll always be very grateful for those moments.
"Mexico made me a great person. I didn't have great references from Colombia, because I was not very wise back then, but Mexico welcomed me with arms wide open, knowing one has good and bad moments in life. I learnt a lot from that."
He won six league titles in Mexico, two with each of his permanent teams - although the Mexican league has two champions each year.
Outscoring Ronaldo in Saudi league
Less than a year after becoming a Mexico international, Quinones left the country in a deal worth roughly £12m to join Al-Qadsiah, who had just been promoted to the Saudi Pro League.
He has scored 62 goals in 68 games in all competitions since that move - and last season won the league's golden boot.
His 33 goals saw him finish one above England's Ivan Toney and four clear of Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
That was despite Brendan Rodgers' side only finishing fourth in the league.
And he has carried that form into the World Cup.
Three goals, one assist, two man of the matches
With three goals and an assist in four 2026 World Cup games, no Mexican player has ever been involved in more goals in one edition of the world's greatest tournament since that data started in 1966.
Luis Hernandez was also involved in four goals (all goals scored) in 1998, the joint record.
Quinones scored the first goal of the World Cup, drilling the ball through South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams' legs just nine minutes into the tournament. He also hit the woodwork later in the 2-0 win.
He pounced from close range to score the second goal in Mexico's 3-0 win over the Czech Republic.
And then he netted the opener in their 2-0 win over Ecuador in the last round, running onto a long ball down the left before firing in a fine strike.
He was also named man of the match against South Africa and Ecuador.
"I'm confident we'll get far," he said.
"Our team is complete and competitive. We know what our goal is and we believe we can do it."
Whoever plays at right-back for England on Monday might have a real task on their hands.
Broncos Wire's 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at seventh-year offensive lineman Matt Peart, No. 79.
Before the Broncos: Peart (6-7, 318 pounds) was a third-round selection (99th overall) in the 2020 NFL draft by the New York Giants. In four years with the Giants, Peart played 43 games (seven starts), with appearances at both left and right tackle. Peart finished his rookie contract in East Rutherford in 2023 before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Broncos tenure: Peart signed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2024 with Denver. Peart made the most of his opportunity as a backup, dressing for all 17 games, even starting two of them, parlaying his playing time into a two-year, $7 million extension. In 2025, Peart dressed for six games, with one start. In his one start, Peart struggled to play through a serious knee injury. The team later learned that Peart had torn his MCL on the third play of the game and went on to play every snap. Peart spent the rest of the season on injured reserve.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss-up. After selecting Kage Casey in the fourth round of April's NFL draft, Denver got even deeper up front. Peart won't be a lock to make the team, but he'll get an opportunity to compete for a spot after he agreed to take a pay cut this spring.
During a recent appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, former Kansas City Chiefs center Mitch Morse discussed Patrick Mahomes’ quick rise to becoming an MVP quarterback in the 2018 season.
“What I also remember that year, specifically, was Patrick Mahomes becoming Patrick Mahomes,” said Morse, “That was 2018, the first year he started. Came out against the Los Angeles Chargers, and then the next week scored six touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We were all holding our breath to see if it would end. It didn’t.”
In 2018, Mahomes passed for 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He joined the Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning as the only players to record 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in an NFL season.
“He (Mahomes) became the MVP in his first year out. We were just along for the ride. That, in particular, was a special season. I would go back to that Week 2 game in Pittsburgh,” said Morse, “He threw for six TDs, and they came back to see his competitive poise in the infancy of his career was profound. You see those guys that have that killer charisma, he’s had that from the jump.”
Morse played center for 10 seasons in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022. He also played college football for the Missouri Tigers.
The 113th edition of the Tour de France begins on Saturday, 4 July in Barcelona, with 184 riders competing for cycling's biggest prize.
But how many previous overall winners of the race can you name?
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The Atlanta Falcons are headed into the 2026 season ready to change the narrative on the franchise and find a way to get back to the playoffs for the first time in a decade after some very torturous seasons.
Under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta hopes to take things to the next level and find a way to capitalize on what is a very talented roster in the building despite some underachieving in recent years.
One of the reasons Stefanski even took this job was because of Bijan Robinson, and while he is unquestionably going to be the bell cow for this offense, the room as a whole has some exciting pieces as well.
Here's a look at everyone who is currently projected to contribute out of the backfield.
Bijan Robinson, RB1
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the top dog in this room is. Not only is he the team's lead back, he might be the best in all of football and is the most important weapon in this offense. Between what he does both on the ground and in the air, the unit runs through Robinson.
If he can have his best season yet, the Falcons might have some serious hope at having one of the better offenses in football, which would likely mean a return to the playoffs.
The way he's trended, it would be foolish to bet against Robinson.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB2
From one Robinson to another, Atlanta brought in the former Alabama standout this offseason on a one-year free agent contract. Interestingly, he did a nice job in a similar role behind a superstar last season, racking up 400 yards for the San Francisco 49ers while spelling Christian McCaffrey.
Assuming the former Robinson is healthy, the Falcons don't need the latter one to be superman, they just need him to be reliable when called upon and not turn the ball over. After not fumbling in 92 rushes last year, Atlanta will hope he can do just that again.
Tyler Goodson, RB3
A former undrafted free agent out of Iowa back in 2022, Goodson spent the first three years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts largely with the practice squad, but he does have some game experience with 54 career carries for 264 yards and a touchdown.
Another one-year deal brings Goodson to a new stop for the first time and it will likely be a similar role in which he is asked to serve as depth and potentially a carry or two per game.
Nathan Carter, RB4
Carter will battle with Goodson for the third running back spot as it's likely a toss up whether they carry four on the roster on a week to week basis. He does have the advantage of being with the team last year -- he had 60 yards on nine carries -- but under a previous regime, this may not matter a whole lot.
His age could work to his advantage over Goodson given he has less tread on the tires, but either way, the battle between the two for reps is worth watching.
For most players, a contract year serves as extra motivation to earn a big payday. For Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, it also comes at the perfect point in his career.
Henley has quickly developed into one of the Bolts' most dependable defenders since being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Washington State. After spending much of his rookie season developing behind veterans, he has emerged as one of the league's most productive young linebackers over the past two years. Now entering the final season of his rookie contract, the 2026 campaign has all the ingredients to become a career year for the 26-year-old.
His play style has always been built around speed and instincts. His ability to chase down ball carriers from sideline to sideline and his versatility allows him to impact every level of the defense. He has proven he can stop the run, cover tight ends and running backs, while also generating pressure as a blitzer when called upon.
While Henley has already established himself as a reliable tackler, the difference between very good linebackers and the league's elite often comes down to splash plays. Forced fumbles, interceptions, sacks and tackles for loss are the moments that swing games and earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition.
That said, Henley appears well-positioned to increase those numbers in 2026 as the timing couldn't be any better.
Henley is entering the final year of his rookie contract, meaning every performance holds significance. Another standout season would likely put him in line for a large payday, whether that extension comes from the Bolts prior to free agency or after testing the open market.
The organization has invested heavily in building a young core around quarterback Justin Herbert, and Henley has become just as important on the defensive side of the football. Locking up homegrown talent has been a priority for successful franchises across the league, and another breakout season from Henley would only strengthen the case for Los Angeles to make him one of its long-term building blocks.
More importantly, Los Angeles is expected to contend for a division title this upcoming season, and they'll need Henley to continue playing at a high level if they're going to accomplish that goal. He serves as the communicator in the middle of the defense, and with first-time defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary taking over, a certified green dot linebacker is essential.
Coming in at No. 3 on the Indianapolis Colts' 12 Most Important Players of 2026 list is RB Jonathan Taylor.
Without a consistent quarterback at the helm, running back Jonathan Taylor has arguably been the face of the Indianapolis Colts since being drafted in the second round in 2020.
As a rookie, he broke the franchise's single-game rushing record (253 yards). He's been a First-Team All-Pro and made three Pro Bowls. He led the NFL in rushing yards once and in carries and touchdowns twice. Taylor is currently fifth in NFL history in rushing yards per game (90.5), only behind Hall-of-Famers Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, and Eric Dickerson. Taylor broke Edgerrin James' franchise career rushing touchdown record last year and is just over 1,600 rushing yards away from that record as well.
So, no matter how it eventually happens, parting with Taylor will not be an easy decision for the Colts, and they likely won't force it before it's necessary.
Recently, with Taylor entering the final year of his contract, national outlets have begun tossing his name into hypothetical trade scenarios.
While anything can happen and the Colts trading Taylor certainly isn't an impossibility, here's why it's seriously unlikely.
The Colts Can't Afford to Willingly Part with One of Their Best Players In a Win-Now Season
Winning is urgent for the Colts in 2026. They have an all-hands-on-deck approach now, as missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year could mean that ownership blows things up in 2027 and starts over. Trading away your best offensive weapon, someone who ran more than any other running back last year, is not going to help the Colts win.
The point has been made in some of these national pieces that the Colts would only consider trading Taylor if the season begins to go sideways. Trading Taylor by the early-November NFL trade deadline would mean the Colts are throwing in the towel with half of their games left to play. They would have to be really bad. Even if things are starting to turn in the wrong direction, you can expect this team to be battling until the final whistle in the fourth quarter in Week 18.
The Colts Should Be Giving Daniel Jones As Much Support As Possible
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is returning from a torn right Achilles suffered last year. They invested $60 million in guarantees in a new two-year contract this offseason in him, so they trust he can succeed and intend to help with that. Already, Jones is a not the type of quarterback to carry a team, so the Colts certainly will not expect him to do that without a strong run game to complement him. Having Taylor take pressure off Jones will be essential.
Taylor Doesn't Strap Them, Financially
Taylor has the fifth-highest salary cap hit on the team this year ($15.5 million), but the Colts still have over $31 million in space, so they have the flexibility to make just about any kind of move that they want. If they intend to re-sign Taylor, they already have nearly $70 million in projected cap space in 2027, with several heavy contracts expiring.
The Colts Have No One Else to Carry the Run Game
If the Colts trade Taylor, there is no proven player behind him to run the ball. Behind Taylor on the depth chart are DJ Giddens, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley IV, Lincoln Pare, and Anderson Castle. The group has a combined 10 games of NFL experience, with 27 total carries.
Giddens was a promising mid-round pick last year who was active for just nine games. He has some development to do this summer just to earn the right to be active on game days. McGowan was a seventh-round pick this year who could do well in a limited short-yardage and pass protection role.
So, What Would Make a Trade More Likely?
The Colts have been down this road with Taylor before. The two sides were in a contract dispute in 2023, where Taylor did not play until Week 5 before signing a three-year, $42 million extension. He's taken a different tone this time around, publicly stating he wants to be "a Colt for life," but that doesn't mean things can't change.
The most convincing catalyst for a Taylor trade could be if Taylor wants a new deal and the Colts show no interest in negotiating on his timeline. If the Colts find themselves in a hole ahead of the trade deadline and Taylor wants out, that could certainly ripen the situation.
Still, tempering expectations for a Taylor move would be wise. He's too critical to their 2026 plans.
Rugby fans are set for some blockbuster fixtures on the opening weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship as 12 of the best teams in world rugby begin their quest for a new trophy.
The newly formed competition brings together teams from the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship, along with Fiji and Japan; with matches being played in July and November.
The biennial international tournament concludes with a finals weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, running from Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29.
The Sporting News looks at the key fixture schedule this week and how to follow the matches.
Nations Championship rugby 2026live streams, TV channel in US
TV channels: N/A
Live streams: RugbyPass TV
There is no TV broadcaster for the Nations Championship 2026 in the US. Instead, RugbyPass TV has the exclusive streaming rights to the entire tournament.
Fans can sign up to a RugbyPass TV subscription for free in the US to watch the action.
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Chalobah’s agents arrive in Italy for talks with Inter and Como
Trevoh Chalobah reportedly wants a move to Serie A this summer, so his agents have arrived in Italy to hold talks with Inter and Como.
The representatives of Chelsea defender Chalobah have arrived in Italy to hold talks with Como and Inter, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Chalobah’s agents land in Italy
According to several sources, Chelsea have already rejected an opening offer from Como for the English defender, but Inter are now challenging Cesc Fabregas’ side.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
According to Romano, the defender’s agents have already arrived in Italy to hold talks with both Italian clubs.
Talks with Inter are ongoing over personal terms, but the Nerazzurri have yet to table a formal offer to Chelsea, as Sky Sport already reported.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea during the warm up during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Romano claims that Chalobah is a long-time target of Inter director Piero Ausilio, with the Chelsea defender eager to play in Serie A in 2026-27.
Inter previously sounded out Udinese’s Oumar Solet, but the two parties have not been in talks for weeks, and Chalobah is now believed to be Inter’s top target to strengthen their defence.
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh | Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The period form early June to late July is the NFLs only true “off-season”. This is the time of year when no news is good news, and nothing of consequence should be happening.
And while that leaves (hopefully) us bereft of real news regarding the New York Giants, the lack of a daily or weekly grind does give us a chance to step back and look at the NFL as a whole.
Matt Okada of NFL.com offered his offseason grades for every NFL team. He has the Giants setting the bell curve and gives the Giants the only “A+” in the entire NFC, and one of just two such grades in the whole NFL.
With the help of NFL Pro data and insights and NFL IQ, I’ve evaluated every franchise’s signings, releases, trades and picks — and the ones that weren’t made — to grade the overall offseason effort and highlight what it could mean for the 2026 campaign (and beyond).
Let’s take a look at just what Okada likes so much about the Giants’ offseason.
New York Giants: A+
Standout moves:
Hiring HC John Harbaugh
Trading DT Dexter Lawrence
Drafting LB Arvell Reese, OL Francis Mauigoa
The Giants started the 2026 offseason with a bang, hiring Harbaugh after his departure from Baltimore. The new coach wasted no time rebuilding the roster in his image. New York signed four players who played for the Ravens last year — including breakout TE candidate Isaiah Likely — and notable defenders like LB Tremaine Edmunds, CB Greg Newsome II and DTs DJ Reader and Shelby Harris.
Then Big Blue proceeded to absolutely crush the draft, picking up Reese at No. 5, Mauigoa at No. 10, CB Colton Hood at No. 37 and WR Malachi Fields at No. 74. My colleague Gennaro Filice ranked their draft class second among all 32 teams. The G-Men arguably improved in every facet this offseason and are one of my favorites sleeper teams in 2026.
Chris’ thoughts
As I wrote in response to Seth Walder’s offseason grades for ESPN, this offseason is all about Jaxson Dart. From getting the foundation and culture set by John Harbaugh, to improving the coaching staff to help raise Dart’s game as well as that of the players around him, building around Giants’ young quarterback and putting him in position to succeed is the Giants’ only priority in 2026.
If the Giants can successfully do so, then the A+ grade is more than earned.
That said, I definitely agree that the Giants seem to have done very well this offseason. We might eventually look back on hiring John Harbaugh as a turning point in franchise history. Likewise, it’s possible that the Ravens being just bad enough to fire Harbaugh while the Giants lose enough games they should have won to fire Brian Daboll and get Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, and Colton Hood, could be one of the strokes of luck that create a “team of destiny.”
As Okada says at the start of his piece, having a good (or in this case, great) offseason doesn’t guarantee a playoff berth. However, it certainly seems like the Giants have made good moves at almost every opportunity this year.
Granted, their free agency period was “whelming”, but it was more about filling in the mortar between the building blocks than rebuilding the roster. The decision to create the Matt Nagy/Brian Callahan/Greg Roman triumvirate is confusing. I suspect that the plan is for Callahan and Roman to cover each other’s blind spots in play design, while Nagy balances the offense as a whole, but we’ll have to wait and see how that plays out.
The Giants’ first three picks have the potential to become core pieces for them at three premium positions, which would be a home run however you slice it. I have concerns about Malachi Fields, but he has the potential to be a good, useful player if he can consistently play up to the flashes we saw at Notre Dame and the Senior Bowl. We shouldn’t put expectations on the Giants’ three sixth-round picks (DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, OL JC Davis, and LB Jack Kelly) but they all have the traits to be useful players. Getting even solid depth and rotational play is a win at that stage of the draft.
I’m not going to argue with anyone who says they like what the Giants did this offseason, and not just because they’re saying things I want to hear. I think the Giants have made at least “good” moves at just about every turn, with several that have the potential to be legitimate home runs. If they can get the existing roster to play up to it’s potential, this team has the chance to really surprise some people.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Andrew Luck in the clubhouse against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on April 22, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This six-part Colts What If series looks back at some of the biggest turning points in franchise history, from the Peyton Manning draft decision to playoff heartbreak, quarterback pivots and coaching chaos, while revisiting what happened, what could have changed, and how different the Colts might look if one major moment had gone the other way.
For the final piece, there was only one place this series could end.
Andrew Luck’s retirement is the biggest what-if in Colts history, and honestly, one of the biggest NFL what-ifs since 2000. Some moments change a game and some change a season. Luck walking away changed the entire direction of a franchise that looked like it was finally ready to start seriously winning again.
That is the part that still hurts.
The Colts were not rebuilding. They were not stuck with an old roster. They were not trying to squeeze one last run out of a fading quarterback. They had just gone 10-6, won a playoff game on the road against the Texans, and had Luck coming off arguably the best season of his career in his first year with Frank Reich. The offensive line had finally been fixed as Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith had arrived, the defense had young talent and the team looked like it had finally escaped the damage of the previous era.
Then Luck retired.
Everything after that has been fallout.
The quarterback carousel, the Philip Rivers bridge year, the Carson Wentz trade, the Matt Ryan trade, the Jeff Saturday hire, the Gardner Minshew stopgap, the Anthony Richardson swing, the Daniel Jones pivot, the endless debate about whether the Colts are good enough, close enough, aggressive enough, or stuck in the middle. It all traces back to the night the franchise lost the one player its entire plan was built around.
Luck did not just retire from the Colts. He retired from the version of the Colts they were supposed to become.
The Colts were arriving, not rebuilding
That is what separates Luck’s retirement from almost every other franchise-changing departure.
He did not leave a team that was falling apart. He left a team that was ascending.
In 2018, Luck returned from the shoulder injury that had cost him the entire 2017 season and immediately looked like an elite quarterback again. He threw 39 touchdowns, played efficient football in a new offense, protected himself better, got the ball out quicker, and helped turn a 1-5 start into a playoff run. The Colts beat Houston on the road in the wild-card round and then lost to Kansas City, which felt less like an ending and more like the first step in a bigger climb.
The environment around him had finally changed too. For years, Luck had been asked to survive chaos. He carried bad offensive lines, absorbed brutal hits, played through pain, and was treated like a quarterback talented enough to cover every organizational mistake. By 2018, that was no longer the case. Nelson was an immediate star at guard. Smith became a quality right tackle. Ryan Kelly was in place at center. Anthony Castonzo was still a reliable left tackle. For the first time in his career, Luck had the kind of protection a franchise quarterback is supposed to have.
The Colts had finally built the setup they should have built around him from the beginning. Luck had Reich calling plays, a strong offensive line protecting him, and a front office with the flexibility to keep improving the roster. He was not being asked to drag a broken team anymore. He was being placed in a structure that could actually support him.
And then it was gone.
Luck and Reich were the partnership the Colts never got to fully explore
Luck had one season with Reich.
One!
That is almost impossible to believe when you think about how much of the next several years were spent trying to recreate that offense with lesser quarterbacks. Reich’s system worked with Luck because Luck could do everything it asked. He could play fast, diagnose pressure, attack the middle of the field on time, throw with anticipation, create outside outside the pocket when needed, and still threaten defenses downfield. Rivers could run parts of it because he had the mind. Wentz had the physical tools but not the consistency. Ryan had the mind but not the body. Richardson had the body but not the readiness. But it was Luck was the one who had all of it.
That 2018 season was not perfect, but it showed the blueprint. Quick game, tempo, protection answers, tight ends involved, receivers working the middle, backs used intelligently, and a quarterback who could solve problems before and after the snap. Reich did not need to hide Luck. He could build through him.
The Colts spent the next several seasons trying to keep that structure alive without the player who made it special. That is why the offense always felt temporary after Luck retired. Every quarterback came with a limitation that had to be managed.
The offensive line had finally caught up to the quarterback
This part cannot be overstated.
For most of Luck’s career, the Colts failed him up front. That is not dramatic. He was hit too much, asked to extend too much, and forced to make too many plays under pressure. The punishment built up over time, and eventually the cycle of injury, rehab and pain became too much.
By 2018 and 2019, the offensive horror show was finally behind him.
Nelson was already one of the best guards in football. Smith gave them a legitimate right tackle. Kelly was a quality center. Castonzo was still steady. The Colts had gone from one of the league’s most irresponsible protection situations to one of its better offensive lines.
That is a massive part of this what-if because it changes the projection for Luck’s future. This was not the same environment that had broken him down earlier in his career. If he stays, he is likely playing behind the best protection of his life, in an offense designed to get the ball out, with a coach who understood how to reduce the burden on him.
As of this writing, Luck would be 36 years old. That is not ancient for a quarterback of his caliber. It is more or less still within the football prime for many great passers, especially if the body holds up and the offensive line is strong. The idea that Luck could still be playing high-level football right now is not some wild fantasy. It is completely reasonable.
That is what makes the whole thing feel so unresolved.
The Colts did not lose Luck at 39 after a full career. They lost him before the second act really began.
The quarterback carousel never happens
This is the clearest football consequence.
If Luck never retires, the Colts do not spend the next several years searching for a quarterback every offseason. They do not hand the 2019 season to Jacoby Brissett as the full-time starter. They do not sign Rivers as a one-year bridge. They do not trade a first-round pick and a third-round pick for Wentz. They do not trade for Ryan. They do not spend a top-five pick on Richardson in 2023. They do not use precious cap space years later on a Daniel Jones prayer. They do not keep selling the fan base on the next temporary answer.
The Colts spent the 2020s trying to replace a player they were never supposed to lose.
That is the simplest way to explain the entire era.
Every offseason became a quarterback conversation. Every roster evaluation had the same caveat. Are they good enough if the quarterback is average? Can they win with this guy? Is this the year the stopgap works? Is this the year the young quarterback develops? Is this the year the front office finally solves it?
That uncertainty shaped everything.
It affected draft strategy. It affected cap space. It affected coaching. It affected fan patience. It affected the way every good player on the roster was viewed because no matter how well the Colts drafted a guard, linebacker, running back, defensive tackle or receiver, the same question always sat on top of the franchise.
Do they have the quarterback?
With Luck, they did.
That one answer changes almost every other question.
The fallout is still being felt today
This is not an old wound that healed.
The Colts are still living inside the consequences of Luck’s retirement. That is what makes it different from a normal roster loss. When a star leaves, a team usually adjusts after a year or two. When a franchise quarterback leaves unexpectedly at 29, the aftershocks can last a decade and those shocks are still being felt.
The Colts are still paying for it in 2026, and realistically, they may keep paying for it until 2029 or 2030, which is around when Luck probably would have been approaching the natural end of his career anyway.
Think about that: if Luck stays and plays into his late 30s, the Colts likely have a stable quarterback plan for the entire 2020s. Instead, they have spent that same window using picks, money, coaching resources and emotional energy trying to find the next answer. The opportunity cost is massive. They did not just lose Luck’s production. They lost the ability to build normally.
A team with a star quarterback can plan years ahead. It can draft for fit. It can add veterans who complement the core. It can take calculated risks because the most important piece is already in place.
A team without a quarterback is always reacting.
That has been the Colts since Luck retired. Even when the roster had talent, the plan felt temporary. Even when there was hope, it was conditional. Rivers was fun, but short-term. Wentz had upside, but risk. Ryan had reputation, but decline. Richardson had traits, but no certainty. Daniel Jones is another attempt to buy stability where none has existed.
That is the real cost.
Luck’s retirement did not create one quarterback problem. It created a decade of quarterback instability.
Ballard’s legacy looks completely different
No one’s reputation changes more in this alternate timeline than Chris Ballard’s.
Ballard is a complicated general manager to evaluate because the roster has rarely been terrible, yet the results have rarely been good enough. He has found excellent players. Nelson, Leonard, Smith, Taylor, Pittman, Stewart, Raimann and others all support the argument that he can identify talent. He has also missed at premium spots, been too passive at times, and failed to solve quarterback after Luck.
That last part defines him more than anything.
If Luck stays, Ballard’s biggest weakness disappears. Not because Ballard solved it, but because he no longer has to. Instead of spending years trying to patch the most important position in sports, he gets to build around an elite quarterback already in place. That allows him to do what he does best: find talent in the trenches, add defensive pieces, maintain flexibility, and keep stacking the roster.
Luck would not have made Ballard flawless. He still would have needed to be more aggressive at times. He still would have needed better receiver investment earlier. He still would have had premium-position misses. He still may have been too patient with his own guys. A franchise quarterback does not erase every front-office mistake, but it does cover a lot of them.
That is the reality of the NFL. Great quarterbacks make roster-building look cleaner. They raise the floor. They hide small weaknesses. They make decent players more productive. They make free agents more interested. They keep the team competitive during imperfect seasons.
With Luck, Ballard probably looks like a strong general manager who built one of the AFC’s better rosters around a franchise quarterback. Without Luck, he looks like a general manager who built a lot of decent teams that never had the one player required to matter.
That is a massive difference, and it may be the single biggest reason this what-if changes the way the entire era is remembered.
Reich probably lasts much longer
Frank Reich’s legacy changes too.
Reich’s best season in Indianapolis came with Luck. That is not a coincidence. He inherited a quarterback who could run the full offense and immediately helped him produce one of the best seasons of his career. The coach-quarterback fit worked. It looked sustainable and it looked like the Colts had found the partnership that would define the next several years.
Then Reich spent the rest of his tenure trying to win with replacements.
Some of that was handled poorly. Reich deserves criticism for the Wentz push, the offensive decline, and the way things eventually fell apart. He was not perfect, and Luck staying does not guarantee he becomes one of the best coaches in the league.
Still, very few coaches survive losing a franchise quarterback and spending the next several years cycling through replacements. The job becomes completely different. Instead of developing an offense around one elite player, Reich had to redesign it every year around a new limitation. Rivers needed one version. Wentz needed another. Ryan needed another. The offense never had continuity because the quarterback never had continuity.
With Luck, Reich almost certainly lasts longer. He is not fired in 2022 if the Colts are still winning with a franchise quarterback. The Wentz experiment never defines him. The Ryan disaster never happens. The offense likely never collapses into the same level of desperation.
Reich may still have had flaws exposed eventually, because coaches always do, but he would have been judged in a completely different environment.
He would have been coaching the team the Colts actually intended to build.
The AFC would have been brutal, but the Colts would have belonged
Luck staying does not mean the Colts automatically run the AFC.
That needs to be said clearly because the conference became loaded. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs turned into the NFL’s defining power. Josh Allen and the Bills emerged. Lamar Jackson became an MVP. Joe Burrow took Cincinnati to a Super Bowl. Justin Herbert entered the league. The AFC quarterback landscape became ridiculous.
The Colts would not have had an easy path.
They would have had wars with Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore. Eventually, Cincinnati enters the picture too. Some years, the Chiefs may still be better. Some years, the Bills may still have more firepower. Some years, injuries, defensive flaws or roster holes may cost Indianapolis.
The difference is that the Colts would have belonged in the room.
Instead of watching the AFC’s new quarterback class form without them, the Colts would have had their own answer. Luck would have been 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 through the heart of this era. If healthy, he is probably still a top-six or top-seven quarterback for most of that stretch, with top-five seasons very much on the table.
That puts Indianapolis near the top of the conference every year.
Maybe not first every year. Maybe not always better than Kansas City. Still, they are not the team hoping a stopgap catches fire. They are not the team trying to steal a wild-card spot with average quarterback play. They are one of the teams everyone else has to account for.
That is a completely different existence.
The year-by-year picture changes fast
The alternate timeline does not need exact records to make sense. The direction is obvious enough.
In 2019, the actual Colts went 7-9 with Brissett. They lost close games, dealt with offensive limitations, and never had the same ceiling. With Luck, that team is probably a playoff team. Maybe not a Super Bowl favorite, depending his health and how the roster develops, but likely a 10- or 11-win team with a chance to build on 2018 instead of taking a step backward.
In 2020, the picture gets much more interesting. The actual Colts went 11-5 with Rivers, added DeForest Buckner, drafted Taylor and Pittman, and played a competitive playoff game in Buffalo. Replace Rivers with Luck, and the ceiling jumps. The defense had serious pieces. The offensive line was strong. Taylor arrived late in the season. Pittman was developing. Luck in that environment would have made the Colts a true contender.
In 2021, the argument gets even stronger. Taylor had his monster season. The Colts went 9-8 with Wentz and still should have made the playoffs. With Luck, that team is probably one of the better teams in the AFC. Taylor and Luck together would have been a nightmare for defenses. Load the box, and Luck punishes you. Play lighter, and Taylor wrecks the game. That may have been the cleanest Super Bowl window of the alternate timeline.
By 2022, the roster issues that hurt the Colts may still start showing up. The offensive line regressed. Some key players aged. The pass rush still needed more. The receiver room still had questions. Luck does not make every problem disappear, but he keeps the team competitive through them. Instead of the Ryan collapse, the Colts are probably still a playoff-caliber team trying to retool around their quarterback.
In 2023, everything changes because the Colts are not drafting Richardson fourth overall. Maybe they use that pick on another premium player. Maybe they are not picking that high at all because Luck keeps them from bottoming out. Either way, the entire roster-building path changes. The pick that became part of the next quarterback gamble becomes something else entirely.
From 2024 to 2026, Luck would still be in his mid-30s. If healthy, there is no reason to assume he would be finished. He may not be the same athlete he was early in his career, but his brain, size, accuracy, toughness and command would still translate. This could still be a high-level quarterback on a team built to contend.
By 2027 to 2030, the end of the timeline becomes more uncertain. Maybe Luck retires somewhere in that range. Maybe the injuries catch up. Maybe the Colts eventually need to plan for the next quarterback. The important part is that the search happens near the natural end of his career, not in the middle of what should have been his prime.
Taylor, Pittman, Pierce, Downs and Hilton all benefit
Luck staying also changes the careers of the skill players around him.
Taylor is the biggest one. His prime has been spent with unstable quarterback play, which has forced him to carry more of the offensive burden than he should have. With Luck, Taylor becomes even more dangerous because defenses cannot treat the passing game as secondary. The play-action game becomes terrifying. The red-zone offense improves. Late-game leads become easier to close. Taylor still gets his production, but it comes in a healthier offensive ecosystem.
Pittman benefits too. He has built a strong career despite inconsistent quarterback play, but with Luck, his numbers and reputation probably look different. He would have had a high-end passer who could throw with anticipation, attack tight windows, and give him more chances to win in rhythm. Instead of constantly being judged through the lens of limited offensive environments, Pittman may have been viewed as a more productive and more nationally respected receiver.
Pierce’s vertical ability would have mattered more with Luck. Downs’ route running and third-down skills would have fit beautifully with him. Even T.Y. Hilton’s final years may have been more meaningful because he would have had one last stretch with the quarterback who knew him best.
That is another hidden cost of Luck’s retirement. It did not only hurt the quarterback position. It changed the way every offensive player after him was used, evaluated and remembered.
Quarterbacks shape careers. The Colts lost the one who could have shaped this entire generation of skill players.
The defense gets judged differently too
The same is true on defense, even if it is less obvious.
Defensive players are often judged by team success. When the quarterback situation is unstable, the defense feels more pressure. More bad field position. More tight games. More possessions where one mistake becomes fatal. More seasons where good defensive stretches get forgotten because the offense cannot carry its weight.
With Luck, the Colts’ defensive pieces probably feel more important because they are attached to winning.
Buckner on a Luck-led contender is viewed differently. Darius Leonard’s prime is viewed differently. Grover Stewart, Kenny Moore, Bobby Okereke, Julian Blackmon and others all play in a different context. Leads create pass-rush opportunities. Better offensive efficiency changes game scripts. Playoff games give defensive players a bigger stage.
The Colts had good players after Luck retired. Too many of them played on teams that were not serious enough at quarterback for the rest of the league to care.
With Luck, those same players may have been part of something much bigger.
Luck probably has an MVP window
There is also a strong chance Luck eventually wins an MVP.
That might sound bold, but it really is not. He was already an MVP-caliber talent, and in 2018 he threw 39 touchdowns in his first year back from a major shoulder injury, in his first season with Reich, while learning a new offense. Now imagine the next several years with better protection, more continuity, Taylor entering the backfield, Pittman and other weapons developing, and the Colts winning 11 or 12 games.
That is an MVP recipe.
He would have had to compete with Mahomes, Rodgers, Lamar, Allen and others, so nothing is guaranteed. Still, there were seasons where the MVP race was decided late, or where no candidate ran away from the field until the final stretch. Luck absolutely could have inserted himself into those conversations.
One MVP over seven additional seasons feels very realistic.
That would change his individual legacy in a major way. Luck is already remembered as one of the great “what could have been” players in NFL history. In this timeline, he may be remembered as a Hall of Fame quarterback with deep playoff runs, MVP-level seasons and a much fuller career arc.
That is the difference between a brilliant career interrupted and a brilliant career completed.
Could the Colts have won a Super Bowl?
This is the biggest question, and the honest answer is yes.
Not definitely. Not automatically. Yes, they could have.
Over a seven-year window with Luck, it is hard to imagine the Colts not having at least one or two serious Super Bowl pushes. If they were viewed as 15-1 (odds) contenders in a given season, that is roughly a six percent championship chance. Over seven years, even that modest annual chance creates a real title window. If their odds were closer to 10 percent in their best seasons, which feels reasonable for a Luck-led team with a balanced roster, the chance of winning at least one title becomes much more serious (over 50% mathematically).
That is the mathematical way to look at it.
The football way is simpler.
Top quarterbacks give teams repeated chances. That is how championships usually happen. You do not need everything to line up once. You keep getting into the tournament with a quarterback good enough to win it, and eventually the right roster, matchup, health situation and playoff run can come together.
Luck would have given the Colts that.
The 2020 and 2021 seasons stand out as the best potential windows. The 2020 roster had Buckner, Taylor arriving, a strong offensive line, and a defense capable of playing winning football. The 2021 roster had Taylor at his absolute peak and enough talent to be dangerous, even though the actual season ended in humiliation with Wentz.
Put Luck on either of those teams, and the Colts are not just playoff hopefuls. They are legitimate Super Bowl threats.
Maybe the big dogs of the AFC block them more often than not, but the Colts are dancing every year that Luck is healthy.
Luck’s health still has to be part of the story
The only honest caveat is health.
Luck did not retire for no reason. He retired because he was tired of the cycle. Injury, pain, rehab, setback, repeat. It cannot be brushed aside just because the alternate timeline is more fun.
Even if Luck never retires in 2019, there is no guarantee he plays seven clean seasons.
The cleanest version of this what-if is not necessarily Luck playing forever. It is Luck giving the Colts three to five more prime years, maybe seven if everything goes well. Even the shorter version changes the franchise. Three more years gives the Colts 2019, 2020 and 2021 with a franchise quarterback. Five more years carries them through most of the post-Luck chaos. Seven more years brings us close to the present.
Any of those outcomes would have changed the team dramatically.
So yes, health matters. Burnout matters! Luck’s decision came from something real, and that is part of why the whole thing is so complicated.
Still, from the Colts’ perspective, even a few more years would have been enough to alter the entire era.
The fan experience changes most of all
There is also the emotional side, which is harder to measure but maybe easier to feel.
Since Luck retired, being a Colts fan has meant talking yourself into quarterbacks.
Every year brought a new sales pitch and that wears on a fan base.
Luck staying would have given the Colts something they have not had since he walked away: certainty. Not certainty of winning the Super Bowl, because no one has that, but certainty that the franchise had a center. A reason to believe. A quarterback who could make the whole thing make sense.
That is what Manning gave the Colts for more than a decade. That is what Luck was supposed to give them next.
When he retired, the Colts did not just lose a great player. They lost the feeling that the future was already in place.
The final verdict
Andrew Luck never retiring changes everything.
It changes the 2019 season immediately. It makes the 2020 Colts a true contender. It turns the 2021 team into one of the most painful missed possibilities of the era. It likely prevents the quarterback carousel, the Wentz trade, the Ryan trade, the Richardson desperation swing, and the continued search that still defines the team today.
It changes Ballard’s legacy. It changes Reich’s career. It changes Taylor’s prime. It changes Pittman’s production. It changes how the defense is viewed. It changes the way the Colts fit into the AFC during the Mahomes, Allen, Lamar and Burrow era.
It probably gives Luck at least one MVP-caliber run. It likely puts the Colts in one or two Super Bowls. It gives them a very real chance to win another championship.
Nothing is guaranteed, because football does not work that way. Luck could have gotten hurt again. The AFC could have been too strong. Ballard still could have missed on important positions. Reich still could have had flaws. The Colts still would have needed to keep building.
Even with all of that, this remains the biggest what-if in Colts history.
The other moments in this series changed draft boards, playoff games, coaching timelines and quarterback plans. Luck’s retirement changed the entire life of the franchise.
The Colts have spent years trying to recover from a retirement that did not just end one career.
Intel confirms Core Ultra 200S PLUS CPU price increases An Intel spokesperson has issued an official statement regarding the recent price increases for the Core Ultra 200 PLUS series CPUs. The company has stated that “rising supply chain costs and strong demand” have forced Intel to raise its prices. The company also stated that these […]
User reports the first Steam Machine “Red Line of Death” following alleged GPU failure Early Steam Machine units have started arriving with customers, and one unit has already stopped working. A Reddit user called “me_hill” has reported a “red line of death” on their system that appeared on their system after 20 minutes of use. […]
World Update 22 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024was first revealed during the Xbox Showcase at Summer Game Fest, due for release on July 4, aka America's 250th birthday.
It made total sense since it's a very American update, but even better is that it's already live in advance of the holiday weekend.
World Update 22: US National Parks is a free update to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for all players on Xbox, PC, and PS5. To get it, simply make sure you've got the latest version of the simulator and grab the World Update 22 package from the marketplace.
World Update 22 brings with it 30 new locations focused on national parks across the United States, from the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore, and many, many more.
There are also three new guided tours to take in, at Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, and the Grand Canyon. Not only do we get the stunning new locations, but the Goodyear Blimp is also added as a new free aircraft to fly.
This is probably one of the most visually impressive updates to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to date, showing off some of the most stunning parts of the United States.
It's been some years since I saw the Grand Canyon for real; now I can fly over it in my home. (Image credit: Windows Central | Richard Devine)
Personally, I can't wait to check out the Grand Canyon Guided Tour. It's been a long time since I saw it in person (it's not exactly local for someone living in the UK) but to date it's one of the most awe-inspiring things I've ever seen. Cliche, perhaps, but I remember being actually speechless walking up to it for the first time.
Exploration like this is one of the things I enjoy the most about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 as well. Flying planes is a lot of fun, but so is where you fly them. Thanks to the detailed recreations in the simulator, it's as close as many of us may ever get to the real deal.
As for the Goodyear Blimp, it'd be rude not to fly it over a stadium, right?!
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Thermaltake today introduced the Dr. Power III Pro (model: AC-083-OO1NAN-A1), a handy tool to test modern ATX 3.1 power supplies. This was first showcased by Thermaltake at the 2026 CES. The tester lets you check voltages and stability of the various connectors of an ATX 3.1 PSU, including a 600 W-capable 12V-2x6 connector, a 24-pin ATX, a 6+2 pin PCIe power, a 4+4 pin EPS, SATA power, and 4-pin Molex. The tester lets you check if the various voltage domains are within safe ranges, so you know if your PSU is broken. An LED segment display puts out measurements for the various domains, while a buzzer sounds alarm if something is off-range. Available from July 9th, the Thermaltake Dr. Power III Pro tester is priced at $49.99.
Lim Jenny and Woon Guo Jie Aaron are accused of handling proceeds tied to the alleged scheme, with investigators tracing more than $926,000 in each of their bank accounts to criminal activity. Authorities also seized a high-end property valued at $42 million that was allegedly purchased using those funds and...
War Thunder, Gaijin Entertainment's free-to-play military action MMO, has just rolled out its latest major update, and it's a genuine showcase of how much content the game continues to deliver years after launch. Following on the previous "Ninth Wave" update, the Heavy Cavalry update brings a massive wave of new vehicles across every domain (ground, air, and sea) alongside meaningful quality-of-life upgrades that make combat feel sharper and more authentic than ever. If you've been on the fence about jumping into War Thunder, this update is as good a time as any to dive in. New Ground Vehicles: More Firepower […]
So, it's true that Intel increased the prices of these processors, but they didn't disclose the reason publicly. Intel Confirms Price Hike for Core Ultra 200S Plus Series by $30-$50; Says, "Rising Supply Chain Costs" and "Strong Demand" are the Reasons for the Hike Recently, we spotted changes in the recommended customer price for some Intel Arrow Lake chips, particularly the Core Ultra 200S "Plus" series. The price hike was sudden and unexpected. However, it wasn't a mistake on Intel's part, as it has finally confirmed that the price hike is official. That said, the new processors will now officially […]
PlayStation's decision to end production of game discs in 2028 has quickly become one of the most hated decisions ever made by a gaming company, and not only by those that still purchase retail releases, due to the massive implications this decision will have for the entire gaming industry. Chances of the company backtracking, however, are slim, and not only because factories are being repurposed from making discs, but also because this "spreadsheet" decision has been a long time in the making, according to former PlayStation Boss Shawn Layden. “I don't necessarily agree with it but I don't work in […]
Apple was aiming to "change the world" with its upcoming camera-equipped AirPods Pro. Yet, this supposedly revolutionary product has apparently again fallen foul of that near-constant bane of Apple's recent existence: its lagging AI capabilities. A relatively accurate tipster has just published a single-word denouement for Apple's ambitions around the camera-equipped AirPods Pro We first reported back in February that Apple was working on a new camera-equipped AirPods Pro. Do note that Apple received a patent back in July 2025 for leveraging cameras - akin to the Face ID's dot projector - in proximity detection and 3D depth-mapping use cases, which obviously retains […]
GMKtec has launched another powerful machine for local AI workloads, but it does more than that. GMKtec Debuts EVO-X3 Mini PC, Featuring Slim Design; Hosts 16-Core/32-Thread Zen 5-Based Ryzen AI Max+ 395 for Powerful Computing Popular mini PC and hardware maker, GMKtec, has been launching numerous mini PCs for a while. The company has a dedicated lineup for AMD and Intel-based mini PCs, and has already launched powerful mini PCs based on the latest AMD Zen 5 architecture. The latest addition is the EVO-X3 mini PC, which isn't the only one to boast the flagship Strix Halo CPU. Apart from […]
A massive Samsung leak revealed European price details of the upcoming foldables and watches this weekend. Every upcoming device is getting a price hike, and it signals that shoppers around the world will face the burden.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the successor to the Z Fold 7, is getting a price hike ranging from 100 euros to 280 euros. Galaxy Z Flip 8 is in the same situation, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide) may start at 1,999 euros in Europe.
Galaxy Z Flip 8
256 GB = 1,299.00 (+100 euros)
512 GB = 1,499.00 (+180 euros)
Galaxy Z Fold 8
256 GB = 1,999.00 euros
512 GB = 2,199.00 euros
1 TB = 2,599.00 euros
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
256 GB = 2,199.00 (+100 euros)
512 GB = 2,399.00 (+180 euros)
1 TB = 2,799.00 (+280 euros)
As expected, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 are also seeing a price jump. The standard smartwatch costs are jumping by up to 50 euros. The second-generation Watch Ultra is also raising its launch price by 50 euros.
Galaxy Watch 9
40 mm BT = 409.00 (+40 euros)
44 mm BT = 439.00 (+30 euros)
40 mm LTE = 459.00 (+50 euros)
44 mm LTE = 489.00 (+30 euros)
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
LTE = 749.00 (+50 euros)
The pricing information is coming from a credible source: WinFuture. The prices can be considered final for certain European countries. However, the costs can’t be directly converted to USD for retail prices in the United States.
A new report from the Citizen Lab has revealed that former Member of the European Parliament Stelios Kouloglou had his mobile device repeatedly hacked with the notorious Pegasus spyware while serving on a committee that was tasked with investigating the abuse of such commercial surveillance tools in the bloc.
"Through forensic analysis of his device, we found that the attackers could have had
iPhone Photography Awards 2026 winners announced, with top prize going to Robyn Jensen
Their winning image of a volcano eruption was taken on an iPhone 15 Pro
12 other category winners announced, along with the varied iPhones used
The iPhone Photography Awards has announced its prize winners for 2026 — and the image that received the Grand Prix genuinely stopped me in my tracks.
Shot by Robyn Jensen from the Cayman Islands and submitted in the 'Nature' category, the winning image is a stunning low-light capture of a volcanic eruption in Yepocapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Showing the moment a gout of ash erupts from the crater of the volcano, with red-hot trails cascading down around it, the image frames the moment of drama perfectly against a starlit night sky.
Winner, Grand Prix. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro, 6.765mm (24mm equiv), f/1.8, 1s, ISO 12500 (Image credit: Robyn Jensen)
What's more, this image wasn't even shot on the latest iPhone, but was captured on a phone two generations old — the iPhone 15 Pro. I love how effectively it uses the phone's inherent qualities to its advantage; for instance, the smaller sensor of the iPhone 15 Pro, or any smartphone, is going to have a more limited dynamic range than a mirrorless or premium compact camera.
Robyn has made use of that, exposing for the brightest spot in the image — the lava and the light it's casting on the underside of the ash cloud — and allowing the rest to be shrouded in darkness. This heightens the impact of the image, sacrificing detail in the mountain for legibility of the key subject. But fortunately, we just about get those beautiful stars in the background.
Robyn has also used the wider 24mm equivalent lens, resisting the temptation to zoom in with the telephoto, and doing this allows us to appreciate the moment in its fuller context, giving a sense of scale. Her exposure is a full second long, meaning either the phone was mounted to a support, or she was aided by the iPhone 15 Pro's excellent OIS (optical image stabilization). And the phone has pushed her ISO to 12,500, and still come away with a pretty clean shot. It's a superb image, and a deserving winner.
Right place, right time
Winner, Gold. Shot on iPhone X, 4mm (28mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/1500s, ISO 20 (Image credit: Gellért Gombai)
Something I particularly love about the iPhone Awards is the sheer breadth of style and subject matter, and this couldn't be better illustrated than by the contrast between Robyn's image and the winner of the Gold award, an image submitted in the 'Children' category by Hungarian photographer Gellért Gombai. A beautiful grab shot of a precious summer moment, its interplay of light and shadow is heightened by the decision to convert to monochrome — and it was shot on an even older phone, the iPhone X released in 2017!
And this sense of breadth continues when you look at the Silver and Bronze winners (below) — even though they're both by American photographers and are both images of animals! Arnold Plotnick's street shot of a cat, Silver winner, has a feel of total serendipity, a perfectly framed moment well-spotted. Also note how again, the lower dynamic range from the iPhone actually helps the image, with the loss of detail in the cat's fur and the doorway shadow increasing the shot's contrast and impact.
Winner, Silver. Shot on iPhone 16 Pro, 6.765mm (29mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/60s, ISO 320 Arnold PlotnickWinner, Bronze. Shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.765mm, f/1.8, 1/40s, ISO 250 Catherine Wang
Catherine Wang's Bronze winner, meanwhile, couldn't be more different. It's a meticulously set-up still life, with the elements of the watermelon, mug and parrot clearly having been arranged very precisely, and the end result looking like something from a gallery wall.
For me, almost all of the winning images exemplify one of the iPhone's strongest assets for photographers — it's the camera you always have on you. While there are exceptions, such as Catherine Wang's still-life, most of the images have the unmistakeable feel of grab shots, of a photographer who was at the right place at the right time, and had the means to make the most of it.
1st Place, Abstract. Shot on iPhone 8 Plus, 3.99mm (28mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/120s, ISO 50 Barry Mayes1st Place, Animals. Shot on iPhone 14 Pro, 9mm (77mm equiv), f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 32 Peter Crome1st Place, Architecture. Shot on iPhone 17 Pro, 6.765mm (48mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/18s, ISO 1000 Ziwen Chen1st Place, Children. Shot on iPhone 15, 5.96mm (26mm equiv), f/1.6, 1/2500s, ISO 50 Krystal Rountree1st Place, Citylife/Cityscape. Shot on iPhone 17 Pro, 16.89mm (200mm equiv), f/2.8, 1/750s, ISO 20 Adrian Beasley1st Place, Landscape. Shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.765mm (24mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/12000s, ISO 80 Anthony Ginns1st Place, Lifestyle. Shot on iPhone 13 Pro, 9mm (77mm equiv), f/2.8, 1/1150s, ISO 32 Bertram Greenhough1st Place, Nature. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max, 6.86mm (48mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/1700s, ISO 64 Tianjiao Zhang1st Place, Other. Shot on iPhone 16 Pro, 2.22mm (17mm equiv), f/2.2, 1/6000s, ISO 32Deniss Aksjonovs1st Place, People. Shot on iPhone 12, 4.2mm (26mm equiv), f/1.6, 1/120s, ISO 40 Jenny DangWinner, Portrait. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro, 6.765mm (24mm equiv), f/1.8, 1/90s, ISO 200Brice PicardWinner, Series. Shot on iPhone 17 Pro, 16.8906mm (100mm equiv), f/2.8, 1/210s, ISO 40 Lasda Takbanuaz
Images like the pattern of frost on a car, a pair of dogs peeking out of a window, a child preparing for a leap over a puddle. These aren't things you set up; they're moments you spot, and many of them are moments that anyone might have spotted.
I'm particularly galled by the fact that the Gold prize was won by a shot of a cat in the street. Do you have any idea how shots of cats in the street I have on my camera roll? Loads! And do you have any idea how many of them are as good as Arnold Plotnick's? None!
But my personal bitterness notwithstanding, the iPhone Photography Awards have produced a superb crop of images this year, and in doing so have provided some pertinent reminders of two of photography's most important lessons. First, you don't need the latest tech to make great images. Second, the best camera is always — always — the one you have on you.
Companies going all-in on AI are also seeing positive impacts on headcount
Entry-level roles saw higher-than-average growth, opposing existing research
Workforce gains aren't immediate – AI needs time to find its place within organizations
A new report has challenged the narrative that AI adoption has been leading to job losses, instead revealing that the companies making the biggest investments in AI are actually growing their workforces.
The study combines corporate AI spending data from Ramp's payment platform and workforce records from Revelio Labs to analyze more than 21,500 US companies, making it one of the biggest of its kind.
It concludes that high-intensity AI adopters increased their headcount by around 10% during the first two years after deploying AI, making AI good news for workers and labor after all.
AI adoption is causing companies to hire more workers
Clearly, only strong AI adoption has a positive impact on workers, because companies making modest investments didn't see any significant growth.
The study also stresses that the impacts are slow-growing – rather than seeing an immediate uptick in employment, it takes time for companies to integrate AI, discover productive use cases and hire more workers.
High adopters are defined as those who invested around $33 per employee per month during the first three months after adoption, compared with around $3 for low adopters.
It also challenges other recent research, asserting that entry-level employment actually rose by a higher-than-average 12% among high-intensity AI adopters. Other reports have implied that entry-level workers have been among the hardest hit.
Even though tech giants dominate the headlines, with Salesforce cutting nearly half of its support staff and Amazon notably cutting tens of thousands of workers, the Ramp/Revelio Labs report actually shows growth across more than just AI engineer roles, spanning sales, marketing, admin, finance, customer service and more.
While the research can't be used to predict long-term labor impacts, it does at least serve as a notice that workers aren't currently at risk of total redundancy, even amid job role shifts.
Consumables included: 4 x toner cartridges (750 black, 500 color pages)
Dimensions: 16.18 x 15.71 x 13.58in (411 x 399 x 345 mm (WxDxH)
Weight: 42.9lbs/19.5kg
The first real fruit of the Xerox/Lexmark collaboration is a mid-priced multifunction laser printer aimed at hybrid workers and small businesses looking for high performance from a compact device that doesn’t need IT support.
It’s essentially Lexmark hardware with Xerox software and support, which sounds to me like the best of both worlds. The Lexmark print engine has proved fast and efficient in the past, but I much prefer the Xerox interface and Easy Assist App, so let’s see if this middle-of-the-road office all-in-one is worthy to wear the refreshed Xerox logo.
Xerox C255a: Design and build
(Image credit: Future)
The Xerox C255a is impressively compact for a four-in-one device with two paper inputs and a 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF). The main tray can hold up to 250 sheets of A4 or letter paper, while the slot-loading multipurpose tray is for single sheets or envelopes. It’s smaller than the Brother MFC-L8970CDW in all dimensions, which is good, but it’s a pity the display is less than half that printer’s size at just 2.8 inches. At least there’s a USB Host port beside the front panel, in addition to the USB data port at the rear.
It looks much like the Lexmark MC3326i on which this new model is based, except that it now has a playfully shaped plastic front panel that bends its top right corner outwards just enough to look like a furling sheet of paper, while offering an easy way to open up the toner compartment door. The black and gray livery looks smart and it’s showcasing the reworked Xerox logo, which now features a kind of crosshead screw icon that looks like a nod to Lexmark’s green square logo.
It’s reassuringly heavy at just under 20kg or 43lbs and it feels well made, from fifty percent recycled plastic. The toner cartridges lock into place with a satisfying click and the paper drawer opens smoothly. In short, build quality is a strong point. You can even add an optional swivel cabinet or adjustable stand, but sadly, you can’t add another paper cassette.
Xerox C255a: Features & specifications
(Image credit: Future)
As the company’s mid-priced model, the Xerox C255a has all the features on my check list to be among the best small business printers. Wi-Fi with AirPrint and Chromebook compatibility is built in, there’s a USB flash memory slot, strong security and a manual paper feed in addition to the main tray. It can auto duplex print, of course, but it can’t auto duplex scan. That feature is reserved for the step-up Xerox C325.
The print rate is also appreciably slower than the Xerox C325. That said, our Xerox C255a is no slouch at 26ppm (pages per minute) in simplex mode and it doesn’t slow down much when duplexing. I think it’s fast enough for the needs of most businesses.
Print resolution is the usual 600x600 DPI which matches the scan resolution, while color printing is enhanced to 4,800 DPI. The 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM is an improvement on the old Lexmark and Xerox’s recommended duty cycle of up to 50,000 pages per month suggests that this is a printer that can handle a very heavy workload.
Xerox C255a: Setup and operation
(Image credit: Future)
I found the setup procedure to be quick and painless and did not need to reach for the single-page quick start guide. You just have to remove all the transport packaging, load your paper, power up and follow the on-screen prompts to get online and print the first test page.
The inbuilt 2.8-inch display is rather small, but it’s intuitive and Xerox’s setup procedure makes it easy to link your smartphone so you can use the helpful Easy Assist companion app to get your printer onto your Wi-Fi network for the first time.
Day-to-day operation is simplified by the user-friendly OS which I think Xerox always did better than Lexmark. The Lexmark MC3326ialways suffered from a lazy touchscreen and more convoluted menu system, which I’m happy to say has been much improved.
Xerox C255a: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Firstly, the pages of crisp dark text on plain paper pumped out by the Xerox C255a look great and explain why Xerox was so keen to purchase Lexmark’s print engine. It’s not the quietest laser printer in its class, nor the fastest, but the black on white print quality is consistently excellent. Characters printed at small point sizes always appear legible and well delineated when viewed through a magnifying glass.
Mixed color documents are less impressive because the C/M/Y toner, which doesn’t appear to have changed since the Lexmark days, is somewhat dull. The color tones are actually quite natural and consistent, but they certainly don’t pop in the way that they do with the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw, for example. I don’t think this is a problem for printing handouts and reports etc, but photographs, even when printed on laser photo paper, tend to look flat and disappointing.
The scanner bed and ADF both worked flawlessly during the tests and made accurate multipage copies swiftly and without paper jams. The duplicates appeared noticeably paler than the originals, but not enough to be a problem. As a digital copier, the Xerox C255a is fine, but without single-pass dual scanning, that’s not its strongest suit.
Xerox C255a: Consumables
(Image credit: Future)
The Xerox C255a ships with four pre-loaded starter cartridges containing just enough toner to print 750 black and pages, or 500 in color. That means they’re less than a third full because Xerox’s standard carts yield 1,200 color and 1,300 black pages, while the high-capacity carts yield up to 2500 color and 3,000 black pages.
With the highest yield black Xerox cartridges costing around US$100 or £98, the cost per page can be reasonably competitive, although it’s by no means the lowest running cost among laser printers in this class.
Apart from the badge, the cartridges look identical to those of the Lexmark MC33261i and contain the same toner, so we can assume they’re compatible.
Xerox C255a: Maintenance
(Image credit: Future)
Apart from replacing the toner cartridges, the Xerox C255a may require a new waste toner cartridge costing around $20 when the original becomes full.
The imaging drums are not built into the toner cartridges in this case, so they will also need to be swapped out if you notice serious deterioration in print quality or you receive the dreaded ‘Replace Drum’ message on the display.
None of those things should happen before around 40,000 prints, so I’d say this is a low-maintenance device.
Xerox C255a: Final verdict
FutureFutureFutureFutureFuture
The Xerox C255a performed well enough in all of my tests to recommend it to both home workers with high print demands and small businesses in a shared office. It’s compact enough to sit on your desk at home, while also having the print speed and paper/ink capacity to serve a small workgroup, and thanks to the intuitive touchscreen interface and strong app support, you’re unlikely to need IT backup.
It’s not the quietest of laser printers, nor the fastest and it lacks high-end features like NFC or single-pass dual scanning, but crucially, it does have all the essentials, such as Wi-Fi with AirPrint, an ADF and robust security. There’s not much toner in the starter cartridges, but Xerox’s high-yield refills are reasonably priced. Build quality is also reassuringly solid and having tested the Lexmark on which this Xerox is based, I can confirm that it’s a genuine improvement rather than just a rebrand.
A new report suggests foldable phone prices could rise by 18% this year
That's in part due to the iPhone Ultra, which could launch at a very high price
Samsung and other brands may well cash in on this market shift
2026 could be one of the biggest years for foldable phones yet, as the foldable iPhone Ultra looks set to finally arrive in September. But while that’s sure to excite anyone who’s been waiting for an Apple-made foldable, it could also come with some bad news for consumers.
You see, according to a recent Counterpoint Research report (via 9to5Mac), the average price of foldable phones could rise by as much as 18% this year, and that increase will in part be thanks to Apple’s upcoming model.
Specifically, the average price is predicted to rise to $1,485 (roughly £1,110 / AU$2,140), and that’s in part because the iPhone Ultra itself will probably cost significantly more than that, with a recent IDC report predicting that the phone could retail for as much as $2,500 (around £1,870 / AU$3,600) — and that might just be the starting price.
This being an iPhone, it’s sure to be popular and could therefore drive up the average price of foldable phones. But its impact might extend to other brands too, because a $2,500 foldable iPhone could make such prices more palatable when attached to phones from Samsung and other companies.
A welcome rival
Clamshell models like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could soon cost less (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
With this in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that a Samsung exec said last year that the Korean giant is “welcoming others to join this category,” in response to a question about the iPhone Ultra’s arrival.
Don’t be surprised, then, if future Samsung foldables cost more than current ones — and not just because of rising RAM prices and inflation, but also because of the Apple impact.
Still, this Counterpoint report has some good pricing news too, as while it predicts that book-style foldables will continue increasing in price, clamshell models are expected to fall in price on average, bringing them “closer to premium bar-type smartphone alternatives.”
So while book-style foldables might start feeling even further out of reach for a lot of buyers, clamshell models could become increasingly attainable.
For a company that prides itself on delivering polished, functioning hardware and software, Apple dropped the ball with its original AI-powered Clean Up tool.
Not only did this Apple Intelligence feature arrive almost a year after similar tools from Samsung and Google, but by all accounts, it was objectively worse at removing unwanted objects in images than those big-name rivals. We tested Clean Up against Galaxy AI last year, and found that the former “comes incredibly short of the mark when Samsung’s offering is capable of truly achieving what it sets out to do.” Ouch.
But Apple has promised to make things right in iOS 27. At WWDC 2026, the company announced that Clean Up will be faster and more capable in your iPhone’s next software update — and so I put that claim to the test by comparing Clean Up as it exists in iOS 26 against Clean Up as it exists in the iOS 27 developer beta (if you’re keen to try an early version of iOS 27 for yourself, here’s how to download the iOS 27 developer beta).
Before we dive into the image comparisons, an important note: Clean Up is better in iOS 27 because it’s capable of engaging Apple’s powerful Foundation models when needed. Say, for instance, you want to remove an obstruction from your face; your iPhone will employ a ‘High Quality’ version of Clean Up that taps into Apple’s own Private Cloud Compute servers to access these Foundation models. But it doesn’t do this all the time.
For small touch-up jobs, your iPhone employs a ‘Fast’ version of Clean Up that uses Apple's on-device AI models to complete your request, just as it does in iOS 26 (albeit not under this 'Fast' banner). This version is (surprise!) faster than the ‘High Quality’ alternative, but it's also not as effective at removing objects.
In iOS 27, your iPhone defaults to using an ‘Auto’ version of Clean Up that switches between ‘High Quality’ and ‘Fast’ depending on the edit request you’re making, but you can force your iPhone to use one or the other by selecting your chosen mode in a drop-down menu.
The new Clean Up options in iOS 27 (Image credit: Future)
For this comparison, I stuck to ‘Auto’ to test how well my iPhone recognizes when (and when not) to use the more power-intensive ‘High Quality’ version of Clean Up — and because most people will use Clean Up in this default ‘Auto’ mode. I also wanted to see whether ‘Fast’ in iOS 27 — which my iPhone surely used for a few of the photos below — is more effective than it is in iOS 26.
I've added a separate section for comparing ‘Fast’ and ‘High Quality’ results in iOS 27, which is the starkest example of how much Apple's Clean Up tool has been improved.
And, of course, my results are based on the iOS 27 developer beta, not the finished version of iOS 27. There's every chance that Clean Up will be improved further once iOS 27 proper arrives later this year.
Photo comparisons
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzFuture / Axel MetzFuture / Axel Metz
In this first example, iOS 26 leaves behind an unnatural smear in place of the dog, while iOS 27 adds a more detailed, natural-looking replacement. The latter looks more like a bush than grass — and the end of the dog's tail is still visible in both examples — but iOS 27 delivers the better overall result.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
iOS 26 actually delivers the better result here, leaving behind a slightly less visible L-shape than iOS 27. I suspect this is an example of that 'Fast' version of Clean Up in action, and that if I manually selected 'High Quality', the iOS 27 version would be superior (see the 'Fast' vs 'High Quality' comparison at the bottom of the page to see what I mean). This comparison also proves that 'Fast' in iOS 27 doesn't always deliver superior results to Clean Up in iOS 26 (at least as far as the developer beta goes).
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
Again, I'd say iOS 26 delivers the better result in this example — focus on the llama's erased head in both photos to see what I mean.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel MetzOriginal imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
This is the first example in which I'm convinced my iOS 27-enabled iPhone switched from 'Fast' to 'High Quality'. When asking Clean Up to remove the long strands of hair over my left eye, the iOS 26 version completely botches the job, adding random ugly smears and not actually removing anything. The iOS 27 version, meanwhile, serves up a genuinely impressive result. It's not completely devoid of fakery, but it's certainly the more usable of the two results.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
Now you see him, now you don't. At first glance, both iOS 26 and iOS 27 appear to do a similarly OK job at removing Bad Bunny from the roof of La Casita, but if you look closely, iOS 26 doesn't recognize that there are stairs behind him. The iOS 27 result isn't that much better, but it's the objectively superior of the two.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
Another slim win for iOS 27 here. Neither version of Clean Up completely removes the dog's shadow, but iOS 27 makes a slightly better go of it than iOS 26.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
In this example, the iOS 27 result is the much better of the two. Not only does iOS 26 leave behind a smeary cloud, but it also adds a random shape and (badly) generates an extra helping of mountain in the background. None of these mistakes are visible in the iOS 27 result.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
iOS 27 wins again here, but not by much. The dark splodges left behind in the iOS 26 result are a tad more visible than those in the iOS 27 result, and I'd be more comfortable passing the latter off as reality.
Original imageFuture / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 26Future / Axel MetzClean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
This is probably the most challenging request of the bunch. I'm sitting on a backless bench while pedalling a piece of urban gym equipment, and I asked Clean Up to remove me, but keep everything else intact. iOS 26 fails miserably, and while iOS 27 doesn't totally succeed either — it leaves my right foot behind and removes the end of the bench entirely — it does do a better job of replacing what it removes with real-looking imagery.
Fast vs High Quality in iOS 27
Here's an example of the different results you can achieve by manually selecting the 'Fast' and 'High Quality' versions of Clean Up in iOS 27.
Original imageFuture / Axel Metz'Fast' version of Clean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz'High quality' version of Clean Up in iOS 27Future / Axel Metz
As you can see, the difference is huge. The 'Fast' result is a total mess, while the 'High Quality' result is genuinely real-looking. The latter isn't perfect — it's changed the menu art, for instance, and reduced the menu count from two to one — but I suspect that's because a portion of the menu was caught in the circle I drew around the coffee cup (and for that reason, I hope Apple reduces the thickness of the Clean Up line when iOS 27 releases in full later this year).
First impressions
In all but three of the comparisons, the iOS 27 developer beta version of Clean Up delivered the better result; however, it's clear that, when your iPhone opts for the 'Fast' version of the feature, the gulf in quality is not dramatic. In fact, in some examples, the iOS 26 result is better — so it's probably best to think of 'Fast' Clean Up and iOS 26 Clean Up as the same tool.
It's a different story for the 'High Quality' version of Clean Up in the iOS 27 developer beta, which delivered vastly superior results to Clean Up in iOS 26 when my iPhone auto-selected that option, or when I manually enabled it (as in the coffee cup example).
This proves beyond doubt that Apple has improved Clean Up in iOS 27 as it exists right now — but unless users manually select this 'High Quality' option (or always request complex edits that trigger its automatic use), the difference in Clean Up's capabilities may not be all that noticeable.
Again, though, I've been careful to specify that these iOS 27 results are from the developer beta — Apple will likely further tweak Clean Up between now and iOS 27's September release, so I expect the tool to get even better.
If you're looking for reliable backup power for your home, camping trips, or weather emergencies, the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is one of the best portable power stations we've ever tested.
That makes an already excellent power station even better value. Whether you're preparing for unexpected outages, planning weekends away, or simply want dependable portable power for work and recreation, the Explorer 1000 V2 offers an impressive balance of capacity, performance, and portability.
Today's top Jackery portable power station deal
This portable power station delivers 1070Wh capacity with 1500W output, making it suitable for running household essentials, devices, and tools. Fast one-hour charging keeps downtime short, while multiple AC, USB, and DC ports allow several devices to run simultaneously.
In our rave review, we said the "Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is one of the best portable power stations around, a solid choice and one of the most robust and reliable options available." It scored 4.5 stars and earned a TechRadar Pro Highly Recommended badge.
Its 1070Wh battery and 1500W continuous power output are enough to run a wide range of everyday devices, including laptops, refrigerators, lights, routers, and small kitchen appliances. A 3000W surge capacity also helps when powering devices that require extra energy to start up.
The battery can recharge from empty to full in around an hour, making it ideal if you're heading off on a last-minute camping trip or need to get backup power ready before severe weather arrives.
The Explorer 1000 V2 includes three pure sine wave AC outlets alongside multiple USB ports and a 12V car outlet, allowing you to power several devices simultaneously without relying on additional adapters.
The unit weighs just under 24 pounds and includes a sturdy carry handle, making it easy to move between rooms, load into a vehicle, or carry around a campsite.
It also supports UPS functionality with a switching time of under 20 milliseconds, helping desktop PCs and other sensitive electronics continue running if the mains power suddenly fails.
The lithium iron phosphate battery is rated for up to 4,000 charge cycles, providing years of dependable service, while the companion app lets you monitor the battery and adjust charging settings directly from your phone.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 are set to be officially unveiled in July. A leak from a highly reliable source has now revealed the European prices for all five new smartwatch models ahead of time, and, unsurprisingly, each one is expected to be more expensive than its respective predecessor.
Samsung is set to unveil three new foldable smartphones in just a few weeks. A reliable source has now revealed the European prices for the Galaxy Z Flip8, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide, and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra ahead of the official announcement. It appears that customers will have to dig deeper into their pockets this year than they did last year.
HMD is not giving up on feature phones, and its latest lineup of Nokia models is in with the times. The Nokia 200 4G, 210 4G, 215 4G 2nd Edition, and 235 4G 2nd Edition come with an on-device AI assistant which is accessible via the AI button placed front and center on their D-pad.
HMD Nokia 200 4G
The AI features are powered by Sikey AI and allow users to ask basic queries as well as control device functions via their voice. According to HMD’s spec pages, the AI assistant is free to use for the first 180 days but requires a paid subscription after. Interestingly enough, you’ll need...
The first details about the successor to the Oppo Find X9 Ultra surfaced last month. Now, a fresh leak has revealed more information about the Oppo Find X10 Ultra, even though the flagship is still at least a year away from its expected debut.
According to the leak, Oppo is testing a new 200MP periscope telephoto camera with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor for an upcoming flagship. While the device wasn't named, it is believed to be the Find X10 Ultra.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra
The leak also suggests that Oppo is evaluating another 200MP telephoto sensor with an even larger 1/1.12-inch sensor,...
Gelecek sezon 13 yıl aradan sonra EuroLeague sahnelerine dönmeye hazırlanan Beşiktaş, İspanya Liga Endesa'da UCAM Murcia formasıyla fırtınalar estiren yıldız oyun kurucu David DeJulius'u kadrosuna katmak için harekete geçti; ancak İspanyol ekibi yüksek tazminat bedeliyle transferin önünde adeta duvar örüyor.
13 yıl aradan sonra önümüzdeki sezon EuroLeague’e dönecek olan Beşiktaş, transferde gözünü yükseğe dikti. Siyah-beyazlılar, İspanya Liga Endesa’da sezonun en iyi beşine seçilen UCAM Murcia’nın yıldız oyun kurucusu David DeJulius’u kadrosuna katmak istiyor.
Tarihinin en iyi sezonunu geçiren UCAM Murcia, Amerikalı yıldızı bedelsiz ya da ucuza bırakmaya yanaşmıyor. Kulüp, DeJulius’un ayrılığı için yüksek bir tazminat bedeli talep ediyor.
Menajerlik şirketi (Misko Raznatovic & Dragan Jankovski), oyuncunun kariyerine kesin olarak bir EuroLeague takımında devam etmesini istiyor. Beşiktaş'ın devler ligine katılım hakkı alması, bu transferde siyah-beyazlıların elini güçlendiriyor.
Play-off'larda Barcelona'ya karşı sakatlanan ve 8 hafta sahalardan uzak kalması beklenen DeJulius, ABD’de tedavi sürecini sürdürüyor. Alıcı kulüpler bu sakatlığı fiyat düşürmek için koz olarak kullanırken, oyuncunun menajeri piyasayı sıcak tutmaya çalışıyor.
EuroLeague pazarına iddialı girmek isteyen Beşiktaş, Murcia’nın katı tutumunu ve bonservis engelini aşarak bu önemli transferi bitirmeyi hedefliyor.
Son 2-3 sezondur her transfer döneminde Türk takımlarının gündemine gelen Armand Lauriente için Beşiktaş devreye girdi. Siyah-beyazlılar, adı adeta yılan hikayesine dönen Fransız kanat oyuncusunu kadrosuna katmak için resmi girişimlere başladı.
Süper Lig’de son 2-3 sezondur her transfer döneminde adı Türk takımlarıyla anılan ancak bir türlü imza atamayan Armand Lauriente, yeniden Türkiye gündeminde.
İtalyan gazeteci Alfredo Pedulla'nın haberine göre; Beşiktaş, Fransız kanat oyuncusunu kadrosuna katmak için resmi girişimlere başladı. Siyah-beyazlı yönetimin, oyuncunun transferini bu kez bitirmek adına temaslarını sıklaştırdığı belirtildi.
Her transfer döneminde adeta bir yılan hikayesine dönen Lauriente'nin, Beşiktaş'ın bu ısrarlı hamlesinin ardından Süper Lig'e adım atıp atmayacağı önümüzdeki günlerde netlik kazanacak.
Galatasaray'da forvet transferi için hareketli saatler yaşanıyor. Sarı-kırmızılıların, Portekiz devi Benfica'da forma giyen Hırvat santrfor Franjo Ivanovic'i gündemine aldığı iddia edildi.
İtalyan La Gazzetta dello Sport'un paylaştığı bilgilere göre; hücum hattını güçlendirmek isteyen Galatasaray, Benfica’nın 22 yaşındaki golcüsü Franjo Ivanovic için devreye girdi.
Teknik direktör Okan Buruk’un, 1.85 boyundaki pivot santrforun fiziksel gücünü ve dinamizmini beğendiği ve transfere onay verdiği belirtildi.
Genç golcü, TFF’nin yeni yabancı kuralındaki 2003 doğumlu oyuncular için sağlanan (+4) kontenjan avantajına da tam uyum sağlıyor. Ancak sarı-kırmızılıların bu transferde Serie A ekiplerinden Como ile ciddi bir yarış içinde olduğu ifade ediliyor.
Benfica'da Pavlidis'in arkasında kalan ve ayrılmak isteyen Ivanovic, geçtiğimiz sezon Portekiz temsilcisiyle çıktığı 43 maçta 9 gol ve 3 asistlik performans sergilemişti.
Ivanovic iddiası Taraftarların büyük bir merakla beklediği Jhon Duran transferi ile sözleşmesi sona eren Mauro Icardi’nin durumunu akıllara getirdi.
In honor of July 4, HP is holding a blockbuster sales event, offering up to 71% savings on its range of gaming laptops and desktops, monitors, and accessories. On top of big savings, you can save an extra $25 off some PC with code JULY4PC25, or $50 off some with JULY4PC50.
Here is a selection of some of the best savings on HP gaming desktops, including RTX 5080 and 5090 models, laptops, and monitors that you can save on right now. In the current PC building economy, hefty discounts on pre-built PCs can often be a better way to get a premium 4K gaming rig than putting together the parts yourself. An RTX 5090, for instance, will set you back $4k these days, or you can buy an entire 5090 PC for $5,200.
HP July 4 sales
Get this Omen 45L with Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 5090, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, and Wi-Fi 6E.
The HP Omen Max 45L is a premium prebuilt gaming desktop featuring the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D, 64GB of DDR5 memory, an RTX 5090 GPU, two 2TB of SSD storage, and a 1200W modular power supply. View Deal
Get $1,075 off this RTX 5070 gaming PC with Intel Core Ultra 7 265F CPU, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Windows 11. Use code JULY4PC50 for the extra $50. View Deal
This gaming laptop will blast through the latest games, thanks to a powerful spec sheet that includes the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 laptop GPU with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The 16-inch display offers a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a 240Hz refresh rate.View Deal
Model: M03-0155t. This Windows 11 Home desktop features an Intel Core Ultra 5 225 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and integrated Intel graphics. The case oozes design flair, capped with a dark wood finish on the front panel.View Deal
Model: 14t-Fb100. This 14-inch gaming laptop sports a 3K (2880 x 1800) resolution OLED screen with up to a 120 Hz refresh rate. Inside the laptop is an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor, RTX 5050 graphics card (8 GB), 16 GB of onboard RAM, and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
Model: 16-Af1037nr. A whopping 16 inches of laptop screen real estate, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor. The display has touchscreen functionality for easier interaction. Other hardware specifications include 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. View Deal
Model: 32-C1075t. The OmniStudio is an all-in-one monitor and desktop PC. With Windows 11 Home installed as the operating system, the OmniStudio has a 31.5-inch 4K screen, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
With one of the biggest discounts, the Wolf Pro Security Edition of HP's Elite X360 has many included features. The 14-inch screen has a WUXGA 1920 x 1200, touch-screen IPS display with 800nits brightness and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage. Plus a built-in HP Sure View 5 integrated privacy screen, spill-resistant, full-size, backlit keyboard, and fingerprint reader.
Inside the chassis is an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, integrated Intel Arc graphics, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM (7500 MT/s), and a 1 TB SSD.
A compact mini-PC designed for AI-enhanced performance. This package uses the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 265T processor with up to 13 TOPS NPU2 output and also features Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Other specs include integrated Intel graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. View Deal
To celebrate July 4, popular gaming chair and desk vendor Secretlab is hosting an Independence Sale with up to $129 off its most popular products. Known for its distinctive gaming aesthetic and bomb-proof build quality, these premium chairs fetch a high price, so discounts like these are rare and not to be sniffed at.
I've used Secretlab exclusively in my office for years and couldn't ask for better. I have used its Omega, Titan EVO, and new Atlas chair as well as all of its desks and there's very little not to like. Here are the best deals on Secretlab's gear this holiday weekend.
Secretlab July 4 Gaming Chair Deals
This Secretlab Titan Evo comes with the company's trademarked NEO Hybrid Leatherette, which is made to give a soft leather feel that is also durable. View Deal
Secretlab's popular Titan Evo gaming chair is available in a variety of sizes, materials, and colors. Choose between a hybrid leather or softweave fabric covering. A cold-cure foam pebble seat is designed to provide all-day comfort for gaming or work when sitting at your computer. 4D armrests, magnetic headrest, lumbar support, and height adjustment let you customize your seating position.
The Secretlab Titan Evo is available in Small, Regular, and XL sizes. View Deal
Secretlab's latest gaming chair innovation introduces NanoGen to the popular and successful Titan Evo range of gaming chairs. Featuring the same luxury features of the standard Titan Evo, such as 4D armrest, 4-Way L-Adapt lumbar support, and shaped pebble seat, the new Titan Evo Nanogen uses a new soft and durable hybrid leatherette and nanofoam composite. View Deal
Another themed chair, this time for Final Fantasy XIV fans, in the Neo Hybrid Leatherette fabric. Other variations include Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Assassins Creed, and more, all with Small, Medium, and XL size options.View Deal
I've been using Secretlab chairs since 2019, and I have to say they're some of the most comfortable and durable chairs I've ever sat on. They're all really easy to build and put together, and they all exude a bombproof build quality.
Secretlab July 4 Gaming Desk Deals
Secretlab's flagship standing desk with its latest NanoGen and Magpad tech. It features an integrated power supply column to power your kit with a single cable, a well-hidden (but still accessible) cable management tray, and precision electric height adjustments via a built-in control panel.View Deal
This desk measures 59.1”(L) x 27.6”(W), and is also available in 70.0”(L) x 31.5”(W) if you want something a little larger. This desk is designed to look clean and tidy, with built-in cable management and the power supply hidden in the desk's leg column. The height range goes from 25.5" to 49.2," with the surface being able to use swappable magnetic (Magpad) desk pads in a variety of designs. View Deal
Secretlab's gaming desks all come with a unique integrated control unit that you can use to set the height of the desk. The intervals are precise, and there are profiles so you can save a number of different adjustments. They also have a unique magnetic ecosystem; the desks are entirely magnetic, so you can use lots of different magnetic cable tidies, headphone mounts, and desk accessories, as sold by Secretlab. You can see some below.
Secretlab July 4 Accessories
Get a PlushCell Memory Foam footrest to rest your feet on during the day. 21.7" (L) x 11.8" (W) x 5.1" (H), and featuring a hand-washable fabric cover, it's the perfect addition to any desk. View Deal
This Secretlab Magnus monitor arm is a low-cost upgrade to your office or gaming setup. It will help you to free up your desk from unnecessarily large monitor stands while also providing you with a full range of adjustable positions for the most ergonomic seating position.View Deal
The Secretlab Lumbar Pillow Pro adds extra support and cushioning to your lower back, helping you to reduce fatigue from long gaming sessions in your Secretlab chair. Working in conjunction with the proprietary L-Adapt lumbar support system, this pillow mixes comfortable memory foam with a layer of cooling gel to help dissipate heat. View Deal
Add some extra leg support to your Secretlab chair with this chair addon. Select the correct size and fit for your Secretlab chair and add extra posture support options. The ergonomic recliner simply snaps onto your chair with a toolless installation.View Deal
A Secretlab-branded floor mat will help you to protect hard flooring from damage from the chairs' casters. This mat is designed with a felt upper and a non-slip underlay. View Deal
Don't let an uncomfortable armrest spoil the fun. These Secretlab PlushCell armrest tops magnetically snap onto your Titan Evo gaming chair armrests, providing your arms and wrists with pillow-like softness, thanks to their memory foam construction.View Deal
A pebble-shaped memory foam cushion on a highly adjustable stand, for turning your gaming chair into an even more relaxing seat. View Deal
This Secretlab MAGRGB lighting strip includes 123 individually controllable LEDs that you can control via the Nanoleaf app on your smartphone. This is lighting fit for any gamer's smart home and features embedded magnets for easy attachment to a Secretlab desk.View Deal
Secretlab July 4 Skins Deals
Secretlab lets you either decorate or protect your chair with a new cover, or "skin," as it's called. You can change the color of your chair, or get skins with designs from your favorite games or TV shows. There are plenty of different choices for you to browse through. View Deal
Intel has resolved wafer-to-wafer yield variability issues with its 18A process technology, according to a report from BlueFin Research Partners (via @jukan05). If the report coming from an unofficial source is accurate, then Intel can expect consistent and predictable yield improvements for its products made using the latest 1.8nm-class node from now on.
"Intel 18A wafer-to-wafer yield issue resolved; ramp to 12-15K wpm at both sites ongoing," BlueFin Research Partners wrote in a note to clients.
If the information is accurate, then products made using Intel's 18A process technology will no longer be plagued by wafer-to-wafer variability, an issue where good wafers and poor wafers are produced in the same production flow. However, wafer-to-wafer variability is only one contributor to yield loss, so fixing it means that Intel can now consistently improve product yields, but it does not necessarily mean overall yield is where Intel wants it to be.
Generally, a die yield defined by multiple factors, including defect density (which in turn is defined by random defects and systematic defects), within-wafer variability (differences between the center and edge of the same wafer when it comes to things like critical dimensions uniformity, line edge roughness, or stochastics; something that Intel has been improving recently), wafer-to-wafer variability (die yield and/or parametric yield differ from wafer to wafer), and packaging yield. When it comes to actual products, we should mention parametric yields (dies may be defect-free, but they do not meet performance and/or power specifications) as well as reliability screening (dies are functional and meet required specifications but fail burn-in tests).
That said, saying that Intel has 'fixed wafer-to-wafer yield issues' most likely means the process is now much more consistent from wafer to wafer, which clearly reduces lot-to-lot variation and makes production more predictable. However, it does not mean that defect density has reached target levels, parametric yield is optimal, and overall economic yield is where Intel wants it to be. What it does mean is that at a consistent yield improvement level (Intel once mentioned 7% per month for 18A), Intel is set to reach its target goals within a predictable timeframe.
In addition, the report claims that Intel now has capacity of around 30,000 wafer starts per month across its D1X development fab (presumably module 3) in Oregon and Fab 52 high-volume fab in Arizona (confirmed by @Alex_Intel_), which is a solid result at this point of the ramp cycle. However, without information about overall die yields and parametric yields of Intel's 18A products, it is hard to assess whether Intel can now produce enough Core Ultra 3 'Panther Lake' and Xeon 6+ 'Clearwater Forest' processors. Meanwhile, it should be noted that using a development facility for high-volume manufacturing (HVM) is costlier than using a fab that was designed to be an HVM fab from the start.
Meanwhile, it looks like Intel is set to continue such a practice with its next-generation 14A (1.4nm) fabrication process, according to BlueFin. The company plans to make 'D1X the initial HVM fab for 14A,' whereas the first phase of Intel's Ohio One semiconductor manufacturing site in Ohio will serve as the second HVM facility to make 14A chips, BlueFin claims. Intel recently confirmed that it intends to initiate high-volume production of chips using 14A in 2029. Ohio One first phase (Mod 1) is set to be completed in 2030, which means that it will come online 'between 2030 and 2031,' according to Intel.
Smart Post Studio is a desktop social media scheduler for Mac and Windows that posts directly to Instagram, Threads, TikTok, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. It combines native publishing with an AI writing studio that drafts hooks, on-brand captions, and hashtag sets. Create once, tweak for each platform, and schedule using a visual calendar with bulk actions and smart timing. Files stay local, tokens are stored in your OS keychain, and your original video quality is preserved without third-party cloud uploads or downscaling.
AstroScroll unifies seven astrological systems to provide structured, real-time readings with timing, remedies, and a confidence-scored verdict. Enter your question and birth data to get a personalized output that layers Dasha and transit windows, computes your birth chart, cross-checks KP, Vedic, Western, karmic, Prashna, and Tarot systems, and stress-tests results with a red-team risk layer so you can make decisions with clarity.
Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, Leipzig forması giyen Romulo'nun transferini istiyor. Alman ekibi, 24 yaşındaki golcüsü için 50 milyon euro talep ediyor.
2026 Dünya Kupası'nda alınan başarısız sonuçların faturası teknik direktörlere kesildi. Turnuvaya erken veda eden bazı ülkelerde deneyimli çalıştırıcılar görevlerinden istifa etti. Ayrıca bir federasyon başkanı da görevden ayrıldı.
Samsunspor'un golcüsü Marius Mouandilmadji, yeni sezon hazırlıkları sırasında Victor Osimhen yazılı Galatasaray formasıyla antrenman yaptığı anları sosyal medya hesabından paylaştı. 28 yaşındaki futbolcu, Samsunspor taraftarından gelen tepkileri ardından bu paylaşımı için özür diledi.
Boston Celtics tarafından Philadelphia 76ers'a takas edilmesinin ardından ilk kez konuşan Jaylen Brown, yaşanan sürece ilişkin dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu.
Almanya Teknik Direktörü Julian Nagelsmann, Dünya Kupası'na veda edilmesinin ardından görevinden istifa etti. Jürgen Kloop ile görüşmelere başlandığı açıklandı.
Portuqaliya millisinin kapitanı Kristiano Ronaldo milli komandadakı gələcəyi ilə bağlı yekun qərarını DÇ-2026 başa çatdıqdan sonra verəcəyini açıqlayıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 41 yaşlı hücumçunun bu açıqlaması bacısı Katya Aveyronun mundialın Ronaldonun milli komandadakı son turniri olacağını deməsindən sonra gəlib.
Kristiano Ronaldo bildirib ki, hazırda bütün diqqətini dünya çempionatına yönəldib:
“Hazırda gələcəyim heç bir əhəmiyyət daşımır. Hər şeyi düşünmək üçün kifayət qədər vaxtım olacaq. Turnir başa çatdıqdan sonra – qalib gəlməyimizdən və ya uduzmağımızdan asılı olmayaraq – ailəmlə danışacağam və mənim üçün ən doğru qərarı verəcəyəm. Artıq qərarları tələsik qəbul etmirəm, hər şeyə sakit və ölçülüb-biçilmiş şəkildə yanaşıram. İndi isə sadəcə bu anın dadını çıxarmaq lazımdır”.
Bundan əvvəl Ronaldonun bacısı Katya Aveyro Sport TV-yə açıqlamasında DÇ-2026-nın qardaşı üçün Portuqaliya millisində son turnir olacağını söyləmişdi.
Portuqaliya 1/16 finalda Xorvatiyanı 2:1 hesabı ilə məğlub edərək 1/8 finala yüksəlib. Həmin görüşdə Ronaldonun penalti qolu onun dünya çempionatlarının pley-off mərhələsində vurduğu ilk qol kimi tarixə düşüb. Portuqaliya növbəti mərhələdə İspaniya millisi ilə qarşılaşacaq.
Ronaldodan Modriçə dəstək mesajı
Kristiano Ronaldo matçdan sonra Xorvatiya millisinin kapitanı Luka Modriçlə söhbət etdiyini də açıqlayıb. Portuqaliyalı ulduz uzun illər “Real”da birgə çıxış etdiyi komanda yoldaşına xoş arzularını çatdırdığını bildirib:
“Modriçlə uzun illər birlikdə oynamışıq. Onun hələ də ən yüksək səviyyədə çıxış etməsini görmək çox xoşdur. Oyundan sonra onunla danışdım. Onu yenidən gördüyümə görə çox sevindiyimi söylədim və gələcək karyerasında uğurlar arzuladım”.
Qeyd edək ki, Modriçin DÇ-2026-dan sonra futbolçu karyerasını başa vuracağı ilə bağlı iddialar səslənsə də, xorvatiyalı yarımmüdafiəçi bu barədə hələlik rəsmi açıqlama verməyib.
Almaniya Futbol İttifaqı (DFB) bu ölkənin yığma komandasının baş məşqçisi Yulian Nagelsman ilə yolların ayrıldığını rəsmən açıqlayıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Almaniya millisinin DÇ-2026-nın 1/16 final mərhələsində Paraqvaya penaltilər seriyasında məğlub olaraq turnirlə vidalaşmasından sonra Nagelsman istefa vermək istədiyini federasiya rəhbərliyinə bildirib.
DFB-nin Müşahidə Şurası və səhmdar nümayəndələri məşqçinin xahişini yekdilliklə qəbul edərək müqaviləyə dərhal xitam verilməsi barədə qərar çıxarıb.
DFB prezidenti Bernd Neuendorf Nagelsmana gördüyü işlərə görə təşəkkür edib:
“Almaniya Futbol İttifaqı 2023-cü ilin sentyabrından bəri göstərdiyi xidmətlərə görə Yulian Nagelsmana minnətdardır. O, böyük fədakarlığı, yüksək ambisiyası və məsuliyyət hissi ilə seçilən, hər kəsin hörmət etdiyi bir insandır”.
Nagelsmann: “Millinin yeni başlanğıca ehtiyacı var”
38 yaşlı mütəxəssis qərarının asan verilmədiyini bildirib:
“Son günlər ərzində çox düşündüm və həm yaxınlarımla, həm də federasiya rəhbərliyi ilə məsləhətləşdim. Bu qərarı vermək mənim üçün çox çətin oldu. Mənim əsas məqsədim həmişə millinin uğuru olub. Belə ağır məyusluqdan sonra komanda təzyiqsiz yeni başlanğıca layiqdir.
Məşqçilər korpusuna, bütün əməkdaşlara və xüsusilə də futbolçulara təşəkkür edirəm. Azarkeşlərimizə ayrıca minnətdaram. Siz bizə inandınız, bizi dəstəklədiniz və ən çətin anlarda belə güc verdiniz. Sizi məyus etdiyimiz üçün ürəkdən üzr istəyirəm. Siz bundan daha artığını haqq edirdiniz”.
Föller: “Məsuliyyəti üzərinə götürdü”
DFB-nin idman direktoru Rudi Föller isə Nagelsmannın addımını yüksək qiymətləndirib:
“Bu uğursuzluqdan sonra Yulianın qərarı böyük hörmətə layiqdir. O, məsuliyyəti öz üzərinə götürdü və şəxsi maraqlarını yox, milli komandanın gələcəyini üstün tutdu. O, əla məşqçidir və gələcəkdə də uğurlar qazanacağına inanıram”.
Klopp əsas namizəd sayılır
DFB artıq yeni baş məşqçi axtarışına başlayıb. Federasiyanın ilk hədəfinin Yurgen Klopp olduğu bildirilir. Rəsmi açıqlamaya əsasən, Klopp Almaniya millisini çalışdırmaq variantına prinsip etibarilə müsbət yanaşır və yaxın vaxtlarda tərəflər arasında danışıqlar aparılacaq.
Nagelsmanla birlikdə köməkçi məşqçilər Benjamin Qlük və Benjamin Hübner də milli komandadan ayrılıblar.
Yulian Nagelsman 2023-cü ilin sentyabrından Almaniya millisinə rəhbərlik edirdi. Onun rəhbərliyi altında komanda AÇ-2024-də 1/4 finala yüksəlmişdi. Lakin DÇ-2026-da 1/16 finalda Paraqvay milli futbol komandası ilə qarşılaşmada əsas və əlavə vaxtı 1:1 hesabı ilə başa çatan oyunda penaltilər seriyasında 3:4 hesabı ilə məğlub olaraq mübarizəni dayandırdı. Bu nəticədən sonra Nagelsman vəzifəsini tərk etmək qərarı verib.
ABŞ, Kanada və Meksikanın ev sahibliyi etdiyi dünya çempionatında pley-off oyunları davam edir.
Veteran futbolçu Nadir Nəbiyev mundialla bağlı Futbolpress.az-ın suallarını cavablandırdı:
– Oyunları izləyə bilirsiniz?
– Düzü, saat fərqinə görə oyunlara baxmaq çətin olur, amma vaxt tapdıqca izləməyə çalışıram. Ümumi nəzər yetirəndə, fransızlar daha şanslı görünür. Heyətləri, sərgilədikləri oyun onları digər komandalardan bir addım öndə göstərir.
– 48 komandalı yeni formatın uğurlu olduğunu düşünürsünüz?
– Bəli, məncə, yaxşıdır. Maraqlı matçların sayı daha çoxdur. Gözləntilərin aşağı olduğu komandaların nəticə verməsi, digər sürpriz nəticələr mundialı daha baxımlı edir. Bircə təəssüf doğuran məqam bəzi oyunlarda azarkeş sayının çox aşağı olmasıdır.
– Hansı komandaya azarkeşlik edirsiniz?
– Türkiyə və Özbəkistana azarkeşlik edirdim. Əfsuslar olsun ki, hər ikisi qrupda qaldı. Xüsusilə, türklərin erkən vidası gözlənilməz oldu.
– Türkiyənin uğursuz nəticəylə yadda qaldığı mundialda Kabo Verde kimi pley-offa yüksələrək sensasiya edən komanda da var…
– Türkiyə millisi çox rahatlaşmışdı, bəlkə də, bu, onlara baha başa gəldi. Ümumiyyətlə, bəzi komandaların mundiala vəsiqə qazanmağı əvvəldən təəccüb yaratmışdı. Lakin qrupdakı oyunlar hər komandanın sürpriz potensialında olduğunu göstərdi. Bunlar dünya çempionatını daha baxımlı edən amillərdəndir. Məsələn, Kabo Verde yığması… Onların qapıçısı Vojinyanı mundiala qədər bəlkə də, heç kim tanımırdı, amma ispanlarla oyundakı çıxışına görə bir müddət gündəmdə qaldı. Mənim üçün digər gözlənilməz isə Mərakeşin Niderlandı keçməsi oldu.
– Qarşıda hələ çox oyun var, sürprizlər qaçılmazdır. Bəs, favoritiniz kimdir?
– İndiyədək oyunlara baxsaq, Fransa bir addım öndədir. Demək olar, ən yaxşı futbolu onlar sərgiləyir.
– Bombardir kim olacaq? Messi, yoxsa Mbappe?
– Mbappenin bombardirlik yarışında daha öndə olduğunu düşünürəm. Məncə, hansı komanda daha irəli getsə, hücumçusu da “qol kralı” olacaq.
“Qarabağ”dan ayrılan Kevin Medinanın yeni klubu açıqlanıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, müdafiəçi Malayziya təmsilçisi “Johor”a keçib. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. 32 yaşlı müdafiəçi ilə anlaşmanın detalları açıqlanmayıb.
Medina 2020-2026-cı illərdə “Qarabağ”da çıxış edib. O, ötən ay “atlılar”la vidalaşıb.
İyulun 6-dan 12-dək Şimali Makedoniyanın paytaxtı Skopyedə güləş üzrə U20 Avropa çempionatı keçiriləcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Qitə birinciliyində açılışı yunan-Roma güləşi üzrə millinin üzvləri edəcək. Böyük məşqçi Turac Hüseynli, məşqçilər Emin Əhmədov, Həsən Əliyev və Elvin Mürsəliyevin rəhbərliyi altında Emin Cavadlı (55 kq), Ayxan Cavadov (60 kq), Tural Əhmədov (63 kq), Roman Kərimov (67 kq), Kamran Rəcəbli (72 kq), Cavidan Nehmətov (77 kq), Elmin Əliyev (82 kq), Orxan Hacıyev (87 kq), Mahir Qurbanlı (97 kq) və Museyi-Kazim Hüseyn (130 kq) Skopye arenasında mübarizə aparacaq.
Daha sonra qadın güləşi üzrə qarşılaşmalar baş tutacaq. Baş məşqçi əvəzi Toğrul Əsgərov və böyük məşqçi Ağahüseyn Mustafayevin rəhbərliyi altında Nəzrin Əhmədli (50 kq), Esra Məmmədli (53 kq), Qaratel Quliyeva (55 kq), Günay Qurbanova (59 kq), Ruzanna Məmmədova (62 kq) və Zəhra Kərimzadə (72 kq) ölkəmizi təmsil edəcək.
Yarışın sonlarında böyük məşqçi Əşrəf Əliyev, məşqçilər Rövşən Hacıyev, Nazim Əlicanov və Əsgərxan Novruzovun rəhbərliyi altında Muhamməd İsmayılov (57 kq), Camal Abbasov (61 kq), Bəşir Verdiyev (65 kq), Hacı Kərimov (70 kq), Nurlan Ağazadə (74 kq), Elcan İsmayılzadə (79 kq), Məhəmməd Abbaszadə (86 kq), Hüseyn Məmmədtağızadə (92 kq), Fərhad Süleymanlı (97 kq) və Yusif Dursunov (125 kq) uğur qazanmağa çalışacaq.
“Skopye Arena”da keçiriləcək yarışın gündüz seansının görüşləri Bakı vaxtı ilə 12:30-da, axşam seansının qarşılaşmaları isə 20:00-da başlayacaq.
Qeyd edək ki, Avropa çempionatında ədaləti I dərəcəli hakimlər Əli Babayev və Həbib Nurulu qoruyacaq.
FIFA dünya çempionatlarını bundan sonra qış fəslində keçirəcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Britaniya mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. Ali futbol qurumu hazırda davam edən munialda istilərlə bağlı yaşanan problemlərin təkrarlanmamasını istəyir. Bu səbəbdən növbəti dünya çempionatları qış aylarında olacaq.
Hazırkı mundiala ABŞ, Meksika və Kanada ev sahibliyi edir. Temperaturla əlaqədar matçların hər iki hissəsində 2-3 dəqiqəlik su fasiləsi olur.
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