Do you remember that game from Amazon and Glowmade at Gamescom ONL 2024 that put Geoff Keighley in its trailer and looked like a more medieval version of Fall Guys? No? Well, to remind you (unless you're one of the 10 people playing it on Steam right now who need no reminder), that game was King of Meat, a co-op party platformer that dropped four friends into a medieval, community-built obstacle course. That's what King of Meat was, with 'was' being the keyword here, because today, Amazon and Glowmade announced on the game's official website that its servers are going […]
The biggest hindrance to smartphone chipsets unlocking their potential is heat dissipation, and while TSMC’s 2nm process is expected to introduce some efficiency improvements, the ever-growing complexity and size of these SoCs mean that newer packaging needs to be adopted to break through the performance ceiling. One tipster notes that the industry has been discussing about companies like TSMC and Huawei exploring 3D packaging for the smartphone category, but the reality is that this technology offers far too many drawbacks for it to be adopted for this specific sector. Instead, these firms appear to focus solely on improving manufacturing processes. […]
Bungie's upcoming first-person PvEvP extraction shooter, Marathon, will be out on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S in a little more than a week from the time of this writing, and as you might expect, there has been a lot of communication and marketing from the team as we get closer to the game's release. The most recent of which arrived today, in the form of a new blog post on the official Bungie website, all to do with the game's networking and security. The blog post highlights the game's dedicated server networking and how elements like Fog of War […]
A recent study reveals that a person’s cultural background, personality traits, and technical skills shape how they view the impact of artificial intelligence on their overall well-being. The findings suggest that feeling competent with new technology and possessing a sense of personal control lead to more positive experiences with artificial intelligence. The research was published in the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science.
As artificial intelligence becomes a regular part of daily life, from personalized internet recommendations to healthcare planning, questions have emerged about how these tools affect mental health and happiness. Previous research tends to focus on the positive contributions of these technologies in specific fields like education or medicine. Less is known about how an individual’s unique psychological traits influence their daily interactions with these systems.
Most existing studies also focus heavily on Western populations. This leaves a gap in understanding how people from different cultural backgrounds experience artificial intelligence.
“Public reactions to artificial intelligence are highly polarized. While some people see AI as exciting and beneficial, others express concern, discomfort, or even fear about its societal and personal consequences,” explained study authors Magnus Liebherr of the University of Duisburg-Essen and Raian Ali of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
“Much of the public debate focuses on the capabilities of the technology itself, but psychological research suggests that people’s responses to new technologies are strongly shaped by individual differences. We therefore wanted to understand which personal factors are associated with how people perceive AI’s impact on their well-being.”
In particular, the researchers aimed to see how cultural differences, personality types, and a psychological concept called “locus of control” affect whether people view these tools as helpful or harmful. Locus of control refers to how much a person believes they have the power to influence events in their own life. Sociologists generally classify Arab cultures as collectivist, meaning they emphasize group harmony, social bonds, and community cohesion.
The United Kingdom represents a more individualistic culture, where personal autonomy and individual rights tend to take precedence. The researchers suspected these foundational cultural differences might shape how societies embrace new and potentially disruptive software.
“This geographical diversity was particularly important given the different cultural contexts in which AI is adopted and used,” Liebherr and Ali told PsyPost. “As we discussed in our work “Who lets AI take over? Cross-national variation in willingness to delegate socially important roles to artificial intelligence” (Yankouskaya et al., 2026), cultural factors play a significant role in how people approach and integrate AI technologies into their lives.”
The researchers conducted an online survey involving 562 participants between the ages of 18 and 60. The sample was split evenly, featuring 281 individuals from the United Kingdom and 281 individuals from Arab countries. To qualify for the Arab sample, participants had to reside in a Gulf nation, ensuring a shared cultural and political background.
The participants completed several psychological questionnaires. First, they rated their own competency in using and managing artificial intelligence on a scale from one to six. Next, they answered questions designed to measure five major personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Neuroticism is a trait associated with a tendency to experience anxiety and negative emotions.
Participants also completed an assessment to determine their locus of control, indicating whether they felt their life was guided by their own actions or by outside forces. Finally, they answered a modified well-being questionnaire. This specific survey asked them to rate how often they felt positive emotions, engagement, meaning, and accomplishment when thinking about artificial intelligence and its presence in society.
The data revealed significant cultural differences in how people view these technologies. Arab participants reported that artificial intelligence contributed much more positively to their well-being than British participants did. The British group actually scored higher on measures linking artificial intelligence to negative emotions and feelings of loneliness.
The scientists found that technical skills played a massive role in shaping user attitudes. Across both cultural groups, individuals who reported higher competency with artificial intelligence perceived the technology as having a much more positive impact on their well-being. This provides evidence that understanding how these systems work and knowing how to use them helps reduce uncertainty and increases the perceived benefits of the technology.
“We expected personality traits to be the dominant predictors, but AI competency emerged as equally strong in predicting positive perceptions of AI,” Liebherr and Ali said. “This was encouraging because personality traits tend to be relatively stable, whereas competency can potentially be improved.”
Personality traits also strongly predicted user experiences, though the specific traits mattered differently depending on the culture. Individuals who scored high in neuroticism tended to view artificial intelligence as less beneficial and more concerning in both the British and Arab groups. This aligns with broader psychological concepts suggesting that people who are naturally prone to anxiety are more sensitive to the potential risks of new technologies.
“Another notable finding was the consistent role of anxiety-related traits: individuals who are generally more prone to worry tended to perceive AI more negatively across both cultural groups,” the researchers explained.
Other personality traits varied by region. Extraversion and conscientiousness predicted positive perceptions of artificial intelligence in the Arab sample. Agreeableness predicted positive perceptions in the British sample.
“This suggests that the influence of personality on attitudes toward AI may vary across cultural contexts, possibly due to other culture-related variables moderating this relationship,” Liebherr and Ali told PsyPost. “These cultural variations highlight the complexity of how personal and cultural factors interact in shaping AI perceptions.”
A consistent finding across both cultures was the importance of an internal locus of control. Participants who believed they were largely in control of their own life paths viewed artificial intelligence as a positive contributor to their well-being. The scientists suggest that feeling a strong sense of personal agency helps people feel more comfortable integrating new tools into their routines.
The statistical models used by the scientists explained a substantial amount of the differences in user attitudes. The tested variables accounted for 31 percent of the varied perceptions in the British sample and 47 percent in the Arab sample. The analysis also revealed that demographic factors like age and gender did not influence how individuals perceived the technology’s contribution to their well-being.
“A central message of the study is that people’s experiences with AI are shaped not only by how AI products are designed but also by their own characteristics and skills,” Liebherr and Ali said.
As with all research, there are a few limitations in mind when interpreting these findings. The study is correlational, which means it cannot prove that specific traits directly cause positive or negative views of artificial intelligence. High technical competency might lead to more positive perceptions, but people with positive attitudes might also simply be more motivated to learn about the technology.
The researchers also point out that the survey measured people’s subjective perceptions of their well-being, rather than objective changes in their mental health. The survey did not specify which types of artificial intelligence the participants should think about when answering the questions. A person might have a very different reaction to a helpful medical tool than they would to an automated hiring system or a social media algorithm.
“Future research should examine how these psychological factors interact with specific AI applications and how perceptions change over time as people gain experience,” Liebherr and Ali said. “It is also important to investigate both potential benefits and risks of AI use. For example, conversational AI systems may provide support and information, but there is also a need to study whether heavy reliance on such systems could have unintended negative consequences for well-being.”
“As we explored in our work “Can ChatGPT be addictive? A call to examine the shift from support to dependence in AI conversational large language models” (Yankouskaya et al., 2025), understanding the full spectrum of AI’s impact, from enhancement to potential problematic use, is crucial for developing responsible AI systems and usage guidelines. We are also interested in understanding how interventions aimed at improving AI competency and sense of control might positively influence well-being outcomes.”
“A practical implication of our findings is that improving people’s competency and skills in AI (not just their understanding) may help them feel more comfortable with these technologies,” the researchers added. “For developers and policymakers, this means providing transparent systems, clear explanations, and opportunities for users to build skills and maintain a sense of control. Explainable AI (XAI) is particularly important in this regard.”
“Our study found that internal locus of control (the belief that one can influence their own outcomes) was a significant predictor of positive AI perceptions. By helping users understand how AI makes decisions, XAI can enhance this sense of control, which in turn may lead to more positive perceptions of AI’s contribution to well being. Supporting users in developing competency and providing them with tools to understand and control AI systems may be just as important as improving the technology itself.”
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After a three-year wait, the World Baseball Classic is back. Team Japan will look to defend its title after taking down Team USA in the 2023 final. That contest ended in the most dramatic way possible, as Shohei Ohtani faced his then-teammate Mike Trout with the game on the line in the ninth inning.
With the 2026 World Baseball Classic fast approaching, here's everything you need to know about the event, including the schedule, bracket, rosters and where you can watch every game.
The pool stage will run from March 5 to March 11. The quarterfinals will occur March 13 and March 14. The semifinals will take place March 15 and March 16, setting up the WBC final on March 17 in Miami.
Venezuela Dominican Republic Netherlands Israel Nicaragua
2026 World Baseball Classic format
The 2026 WBC will begin with the pool stage. In this stage, teams will play every other team in their pools. Puerto Rico, for example, will play the four other teams in Pool A during this portion of the tournament. After that, the two teams with the best records in each pool will advance to the quarterfinals. In the event of a tie, head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker. From there, things get slightly more complicated, with the "lowest quotient of runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in games between the teams that are tied" coming into play, per ESPN.
In the quarterfinals, the winner of Pool A will play against the runner-up from Pool B, and the winner of Pool B will play the runner-up from Pool A. The same format will occur on the other side of the bracket featuring the winners and runners-up from Pools C and D. The tournament is a single-elimination bracket, meaning teams that lose are eliminated.
The four teams left standing after the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals. Teams are reseeded for the semifinal round, so a team from Pool A could face a team from Pool D for the first time in the semifinal. Once again, games are single-elimination.
The two teams that advance to the final will play one winner-take-all game to determine the champion.
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) April 9, 2025
Previous World Baseball Classic winners
Since the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, three countries have won the championship. Here are the winners — and runners-up — from the five previous editions of the WBC.
2006: Japan defeated Cuba 10-6 2009: Japan defeated South Korea 5-3 2013: Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 2017: United States defeated Puerto Rico 8-0 2023: Japan defeated United States 3-2
Japan has won three of the five World Baseball Classics, with the Dominican Republic and the United States taking the other two editions of the tournament.
Shohei Ohtani celebrates with his teammates after the final out of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
Christopher Pasatieri via Getty Images
2026 World Baseball Classic rosters
Many MLB superstars have committed to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Team USA will feature MLB stars including Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Bryce Harper and Bobby Witt Jr. A full rundown of Team USA's roster can be viewed here.
Japan should also have plenty of MLB talent once again, led by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani, however, will not pitch in the event. Team Japan will also feature Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and new MLB additions Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami.
The Dominican Republic is also loaded with talent. Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are among the MLB stars playing for the country in 2026. They'll be joined by Brayan Bello, Sandy Alcantara, Ketel Marte and Julio Rodriguez, among others.
Mexico and Venezuela also have some MLB stars on their rosters. Mexico will feature Alejandro Kirk, Jarren Duran and Randy Arozarena. Venezuela will have Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio and Salvador Perez.
MLB players will appear across the rest of the WBC rosters, too. Nolan Arenado will play for Puerto Rico, which will be without Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance issues. Vinnie Pasquantino will play for Team Italy. Jose Quintana will play for Colombia. And Liam Hendriks will take the mound for Australia.
For a comprehensive list of MLB players in the 2026 WBC, go here.
How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic games will air on FOX Media in 2026. Games will appear on FOX, FS1, FS2, the FOX Sports App, FOX One and Tubi. FOX Deportes will carry 28 games in Spanish during the event.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game will be broadcast on FOX.
The NFL scouting combine is underway in Indianapolis. One of the challenges prospects face is the bench press. That would be to do as many reps of 225 pounds as possible. It isn't easy no matter what position for a player or their size. However, there have been some who have wowed everyone with their feats of strength. Will anyone set a mark for reps in the 2026 NFL combine? What are the most in the history of the event? Who are the prospects who did more than 40?
Like many United States hockey fans, I grew up loving Miracle. I wasn't born yet when the United States stunned the Soviet Union en route to the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics, but I knew the story as if it were my own lived memory.
I was, however, alive for Sidney Crosby's golden goal for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics that took down the United States. As a teenage Philadelphia Flyers fan who saw her greatest NHL rival score for her greatest international rival, the goal broke my heart. I had suffered many disappointing sports results before and have since, but none have stuck with me the way Crosby's goal has over the years.
So, to see the United States men's hockey team finally win Olympic gold in my lifetime was a dream come true. What has happened since has been nothing short of a disappointment.
As the celebrations from the 2-1 overtime win over Canada spilled off the ice and behind closed doors, FBI director Kash Patel joined Team USA in the locker room in a leaked video that has since gone viral. In the video, Patel is seen celebrating and drinking beer with the team, whose victory came on the same day an armed man breached the perimeter at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago property. The FBI has since taken the lead investigating the incident.
Then, in another video posted amidst the postgame celebrations, Patel was seen holding up a cell phone to the hockey team for a call with President Trump. Included in the call is a moment where Trump and the team seemingly share a laugh about having to invite the United States women's team — who also won gold against Canada — to the White House as well.
all of them laughing about inviting the women’s team. every single one of them pic.twitter.com/fspZvWwlZv
President Trump: We'll do it at the White House... we'll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys. And we have to, I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that?
United States men's hockey team: [Laughter and cheers]
Trump: I do believe I probably would be impeached, okay?
Team: [More laughter]
I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels as if a bucket of cold water has been dumped on your head after listening to that exchange.
Let's take a step back for a second. The 2026 Winter Olympics was a record-breaking one for the United States. In Milan and Cortina, the United States won 12 gold medals, the most ever for the country in a winter Olympics. Of those 12 golds, eight were won by women. Alysa Liu won the United States' first women's individual gold in figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor became the oldest Winter Olympian to win an individual gold at age 41. Mikaela Shiffrin took home gold in the women's slalom, completing her redemption tour after failing to medal in Beijing in 2022.
As for hockey, Hilary Knight is now the all-time leading point scorer and goal scorer for the United States after her tying tally in the gold medal game. Laila Edwards also became the first Black woman to win gold in hockey for the United States after the team's dramatic 2-1 overtime victory.
So much of the success Team USA had at these Olympics was at the hands of women. But, for most of the Games, the White House has either been silent in the face of these victories or has actively disparaged athletes that have spoken out against the United States politically. It wasn't until the men's hockey team won gold over its long-standing rival that the Trump administration decided to hand out praise and victory calls.
If you’re a long-time fan, you knew that hockey culture would rear its ugly head again. In 2023, multiple NHL players declined to wear Pride Night jerseys in a move that ultimately saw the league ban specialty warmup jerseys. The Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault scandal rocked the NHL in 2021, but multiple members of the organization in Stan Bowman, Joel Quenneville and Kevin Cheveldayoff have either retained their jobs or have gotten new ones in the years since the news broke.
This is just the latest blow to the NHL's often-mocked motto of "hockey is for everyone". For fans, it's yet another example of the "best sport, worst league" adage ringing true once more.
With hockey at the peak of its popularity in the pop culture zeitgeist, the United States men's team failed to meet the moment and then some.
It's especially disappointing considering the lip service the men's team paid to the women throughout the Olympics. Multiple members of the men's team attended games in support of their Team USA peers, and Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk both had high praise for the United States women in their pursuit of gold.
Auston Matthews: "Watching them, being around them, they're a very determined group. There's a lot of high-end players there. Some girls that have been around for a little bit & some that are coming up that are extremely impressive. We're rooting for them big on Thursday." https://t.co/B9z3Oq7V6B
And after the gold medal game, Jack Hughes told NHL reporter Jackie Redmond that Megan Keller was the first person on his mind after scoring the golden goal for the United States. Just a few days prior, Keller was the hero for the United States women with her overtime goal against Canada.
The Hughes brothers also have a deep connection to the United States women's hockey program. Their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, was part of the US women's national team that won silver at the 1992 world championships. Since then, Weinberg-Hughes has been a player development consultant for the United States women's national team and no doubt contributed to the gold medal the team won at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
All of that feels so hollow now in the face of the team's embarrassing postgame moments with Patel and Trump. To laugh at a joke disparaging your United States teammates and peers who won the same accomplishments as you just a few days prior is incredibly disappointing behavior.
It leaves such a sour taste to the end of what has been an exceptional Olympics, not just for the United States but the entire world. The Olympics bring people together from different backgrounds, cultures and locations to celebrate great achievements in sport. Every handful of years, we are treated to some of the most thrilling victories and crushing defeats imaginable, all wrapped up in poignant human emotion.
On the Olympic stage, it's not just about sports. The United States men's hockey team showed that themselves as they brought Johnny Gaudreau's jersey onto the ice to celebrate as a tribute to his passing back in 2024. The team even brought his children out to take part in the celebratory on-ice team photo.
Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin brought Johnny Gaudreau's children on the ice for their gold medal photo ❤️ 🥇 pic.twitter.com/qBrr9esL77
That is what the lasting message of this hockey team should have been. Not laughing at jokes about their peers, not going mask off after the doors close, but a celebration of life, of joy and of a teammate that tragically passed away way too soon.
In NBC's final sign off after the game as the team was still celebrating on the ice, Mike Tirico had touching words to say on the lasting legacy of this game for those who were watching.
"So, for all the young people. Not just the hockey, but all the Olympics you've watched: Those dreams are formed now," Tirico said. "Go chase them and go get them; because our country loves sports and it brings us together unlike anything else.
"And if you didn't know that," he added, "if you haven't been watching the last two weeks, you saw it in Team USA hockey."
If you're a Packers owner, they can't take away your stock certificate. They can, however, take away your season tickets.
The Packers have issued another warning to folks who own season tickets and sell them on the secondary market.
"Our Season Ticket Holders are central to Lambeau Field's significant homefield advantage and gameday experience," Packers vice president of sales and business development Craig Benzel said in an item posted on the team's website. "We continue to emphasize the purpose of having season tickets, which is to attend games and contribute to that atmosphere. Simply put: Packers Season Ticket Holders who purchase their tickets with the sole intent of reselling them should not be Packers Season Ticket Holders."
While the Packers have not applied a magic number that will lead to revocation of season tickets, the article states that "Season Ticket Holders who repeatedly resell their season tickets, whether on the secondary market or through ticket brokers (directly or indirectly), may have their renewal ability impacted without further warning."
Citing a waiting list of more than 155,000, the Packers want as many seats as possible to be filled with Packers fans.
Each team controls its tickets. And while some franchises rely on fans of the visiting team to fill a stadium that would otherwise have empty seats, the Packers have more than enough fans to overload Lambeau Field with people wearing cheeseheads. For anyone who re-sells to someone who'd be more inclined to wear a cheese grater, the outcome eventually will be not great.
Gold medalist Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for Women's Ice Hockey after the Women's Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
The U.S. Women’s Hockey Team declined an invite to President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address on Monday, shortly after a clip of Trump making light of the women’s team made the rounds.
Both American squads won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, taking down the Canadian team in their respective finals. On Sunday, Trump invited the men’s team to his annual speech and joked about the inclusion of the women’s team.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said, adding that he “probably would be impeached” if he didn’t.
Everything about this is so genuinely gross but the “I guess I have to invite the women’s team too or else I’ll get impeached” is fucking crazy. Britta Curl is that your boy? Abbey Murphy you cool with this? pic.twitter.com/dTgpBF7hda
On Monday, the women’s team shared in a statement that they would not be attending the State of the Union. The statement made no mention of Trump’s comments, citing “academic and professional commitments” for the athletes’ decision.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a USA Hockey spokesperson said. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
The Cowboys agreed to a new contract with running back Javonte Williams over the weekend and they are poised to use the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, but those aren't the only pieces of business they are contending with ahead of the new league year.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey is set to be a restricted free agent if the team cannot sign him to an extension in the coming weeks. Aubrey has made over 88 percent of his field goals in three seasons with Dallas and he's 35-of-44 from beyond 50 yards, which could make him a target for other teams even though restricted free agents have usually wound up staying put in recent years.
On Monday, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that the team has been in discussions about a new deal with the kicker for months without finding the common ground needed to get something done.
"We just finished up Javonte," Jones said, via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com. "We’ve been in talks with Aubrey since before the season started. That’s been a journey. We haven’t been able to get to a point where we can all agree so it hasn’t gotten done, but we’d love to get him done."
If the Cowboys can't extend Aubrey, they will likely tender him a contract as a restricted free agent. They could use the first- or second-round tender in order to guarantee themselves compensation if they choose not to match an outside offer for Aubrey's services while the lowest tender would not give them anything back should Aubrey wind up leaving for another team.
Currently, the Steelers have Jalen Ramsey and potentially DeShon Elliott atop the safety depth chart, but Bryan Cook of the Kansas City Chiefs would make an ideal acquisition for Pittsburgh’s defense.
With Chuck Clark and Kyle Dugger scheduled to hit free agency in March, as well as questions surrounding Elliott's availability after missing most of the 2025 season with a knee injury, Cook would pair nicely with Ramsey as Pittsburgh's starting safety duo.
One of the league's top safeties last season against both the run and the pass, Cook possesses a versatile skill set that allows him to line up in the box, at nickel, or as the deep safety, which could help Pittsburgh's secondary rebound in a big way in 2026.
Contract prediction
We at Steelers Wire predict Cook, projected by Spoctrac to command an average annual value of $14.2 million, could sign a four-year, $60 million contract in free agency.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
New Detroit Lions assistant Mike Kafka will have the title of pass game coordinator, and Lions strength coach Mike Clark is retiring after five years with the team.
David Shaw, last year's pass game coordinator, is now a pass game specialist, the Lions announced Monday, Feb. 23, when they unveiled their entire coaching staff for the 2026 season.
The Lions have just three new assistants on their coaching staff: Kafka, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and offensive assistant Dan Skipper, who retired after a nine-year playing career to go into coaching.
They previously announced Petzing's hire to replace John Morton as coordinator.
Among other changes, Scottie Montgomery is now the team's associate head coach/receivers coach after serving as assistant head coach and receivers coach last year, safeties coach Jim O'Neil is assistant head coach and safeties coach, Bruce Gradkowski has been elevated from offensive assistant to assistant receivers coach, defensive quality control coach Caleb Collins is a defensive assistant and assistant offensive line coach Steve Oliver is the new tight ends coach.
Clark, Dan Campbell's former strength coach at Texas A&M, joined the Lions as director of sports performance in 2021 after a long career in high school, college and the NFL. He worked with Campbell at A&M from 1995-98.
Jill Costanza, the Lions' director of sports science, added assistant strength and conditioning coach to her title.
Among the departures from last year's staff: Morton was fired after the season, tight ends coach Tyler Roehl left to become offensive coordinator at Iowa State and assistant receivers coach Seth Ryan was hired as New York Jets pass game coordinator.
It has been a fascinating season on and off the court for Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors' longtime superstar guard has been nursing a knee injury of late, but at 37 years old, he is averaging 27.2 points per game on a Warriors team that largely appears locked in to a Play-In Tournament spot.
Off the court, Curry in November split with longtime sneaker partner Under Armour, where he had been under contract since 2013. The breakup has gotten a bit acrimonious; Sole Retriever reported last week that Under Armour had "migrated" the vast majority of Curry Brand's Instagram followers to their basketball-specific account
Curry remains a sneaker free agent, but Sole Retriever reported Monday that he has narrowed his search down to three brands. Anta, the Chinese brand that has a long affiliation with Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, is one of the finalists.
Uniting Curry and Thompson under the same roof again, four years after they won their fourth NBA championship together with the Warriors, would be tremendously appealing for Anta, which signed Thompson to a "lifetime" contract extension earlier this month.
The chance of this reunion happening gained traction over the NBA All-Star break, when Curry was seen working out in a pair of Anta shoes -- with the Curry brand logo emblazoned on them.
Feb 21, 2026; New York, New York, USA; St. John's Red Storm forward Dillon Mitchell (1) goes up for a dunk attempt in the second half against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
After two consecutive weeks of standing put at No. 17, St. John’s finally enjoyed upward movement in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll.
The Red Storm jumped two spots to No. 15 in the latest poll released on Monday afternoon, overtaking Texas Tech and North Carolina after they suffered road losses to unranked teams during the week. They were also ranked 15th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
A NEW NO. 1 IN THE AP TOP 25🔥 @DukeMBB takes over the top spot!
St. John’s is coming off another undefeated week that included a six-point win over Marquette and a 29-point drubbing of Creighton at home. As winners of their last 13 games, the Red Storm currently own the second-longest winning streak in Division I men’s college basketball, and the longest among power-conference teams. The Red Storm’s 15-1 record in Big East play is the program’s best mark through 16 conference games since the 1984-85 team, which went to the Final Four.
Conference rival UConn dropped one spot to No. 6 following their shocking 91-84 upset loss to Creighton last Wednesday. St. John’s and UConn were the only two Big East teams ranked for a fifth consecutive week. Villanova received 15 points in the poll, which was the third-highest total among unranked teams receiving votes.
The 15th-ranked Red Storm will take on the UConn Huskies (25-3, 15-2 Big East) on Wednesday, February 25 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the game can be streamed on Peacock.
As spring camp draws near, we enter the home stretch of the new faces around Austin. Today, it’s all about the Miami product on the defensive line, James Johnson. The former Georgia commit flipped to the Longhorns in July and has now made his way to Austin. He joins one of the best and deepest DL rooms in the country and continues Kenny Baker’s streak on the recruiting trail.
Highschool Stats: 101 tackles, 42 TFLs, 12 sacks in two seasons
Johnson joins the Longhorns from the Sunshine State, joining the parade of elite Florida products to come to Texas. He comes in at 6’3”, 285lbs with elite athletic ability and explosivity. The negative from his high school career has been health. He missed time in his junior and senior seasons with lower body injuries, something that’ll likely need time to get to 100%. He’ll be granted that time with the talent in front of him in the DT/EDGE room.
Johnson, like many of the Longhorns class, has a longer timeline. He’s unlikely to see the field much, if at all, in 2026 but could factor into the rotation in 2027. He’ll have a prime chance to get healthy, learn from the likes of Hero Kanu and Alex January and hit the ground running this time next year. Now, he could move out and fit into the Justus Terry role in Will Muschamp’s offense. That’ll show itself but the future is bright for Johnnson.
Johnson will be given plenty of time to adapt to college football and find his footing. Rocky Cummings enters a LB room that is searching for depth and he’ll have a chance to immediately step up. We’ll get into the Carlsbad product who could surprise some Longhorns fans this spring.
The NFL offseason is in full swing, where teams are looking to accomplish what the Seattle Seahawks did in winning the Super Bowl, which involves improving the roster through free agency, the NFL draft and trades. For the Chicago Bears, that could be the difference in another second-round exit, winning the Super Bowl, or taking a step backward.
Heading into the offseason, the Bears have a few glaring needs -- the defensive line (both tackle and end), safety and left tackle. Some may think one is more important than the other, but the truth is, they probably need to address all of them if they want to have success again in 2026.
While the Bears appeared to have found a potential left tackle of the future in rookie Ozzy Trapilo, he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during the wild-card playoffs that will sideline him for an unknown amount of time. That means Chicago needs to find a solution at left tackle, be it short-term or long-term.
Trapilo really started to grasp the position as a rookie, but now he’s going through a very difficult recovery process. Free agent Braxton Jones is not likely to return, and while Theo Benedet will be back in 2026, he's not the long-term answer.
The good news is the other four positions on the offensive line are set, which leaves an important hole to fill at left tackle. Chicago should think long and hard about addressing it in a big way.
No rule says that the Bears can’t address both the defensive line and left tackle. Elite resources should be used on both. They revamped most of their offensive line last offseason; there is no reason they can’t do that to their defensive line this time around while also addressing left tackle.
If the Bears add a star pass rusher, it will take some pressure off Montez Sweat and likely increase his production. In doing so, they will have the pass rush needed for the defense to take a step forward. They were turnover merchants in 2025, and that allowed them to win a few extra games. Repeating that turnover margin in 2026 is unlikely, so getting the pass rush going is a must.
If the Bears address one issue and not the other, they may find themselves looking for answers at the end of next season. At that point, the fresh new smell will be gone. The 2026 season is about competing for the big prize, winning the Super Bowl. Failing to at least make a run will be a massive disappointment.
If Chicago doesn't solidify left tackle and add significant help to the defensive line, they are down a bad path. There are plenty of avenues (NFL draft, free agency, trades) to get this done. It's on general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson to find the right help.
A key player for Manchester City is getting back to his best
Rodri has had to battle through the first half of this season to return to his best for Manchester City. You could see and sense Rodri’s frustration as niggling injuries and rust prevented him from having a bigger impact during the early stages of the 2025/26 season. Pep Guardiola told the media ahead of Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle that City had rushed their midfield general back too early and they’d expected too much from a player who was coming from a long way back in terms of his fitness. Watching Rodri recently, it is clear that he is getting back to his best, which could be crucial to Manchester City’s Premier League title bid.
Pep Guardiola has shared that Manchester City brought Rodri back too soon but he is now getting back to his best.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s win over Newcastle, in quotes relayed by ESPN, Pep Guardiola explained that Rodri was thrust into action too soon earlier this season. The Manchester City manager revealed: “He came back too early. Our desire to get him back, him especially, he came back early, that’s why it was longer. It’s a good lesson.”
“Human beings have a time for recovery. There are players who can recover earlier, like Bernardo [Silva] for example or Phil [Foden], and other ones need more time. Still it’s not his best but every time his mood and his training and his playing [is improving]. He’s a special player.”
Pep Guardiola’s assessment illustrates just how much time Rodri needed to get back to his best. The Spanish midfielder needed time to get his body right. He was provided that opportunity earlier this season, and you can now see the benefits of Rodri’s period of rest.
Rodri was superb for Manchester City against Newcastle. He played a key role in Manchester City’s attacking play, and his ability to spread the play with his cross-field passing was a key element in City’s performance. Manchester City picked up a vital win at the Etihad, and Rodri’s influence in City’s win could not be overlooked. Rodri has battled his way back to his best, and as this season enters a critical phase, Manchester City’s midfield general looks poised to play a key role for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Rodri’s influence will be massive for City across the back end of this season.
Playing in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva and Nico O’Reilly has allowed Rodri to get back to his best, as has a significant period out of the team to rest his body. Now, with Pep Guardiola’s side in four competitions up to their necks, Rodri’s influence will be massive for Manchester City.
Rodri remains one of, if not the best, holding midfielders in European football. That fact has remained while Rodri battled his way back to full fitness. In terms of players who can dictate a match for Manchester City, there almost isn’t another City player who can consistently dominate and influence a match like Rodri can. Manchester City needs Rodri to provide leadership and control the midfield in their upcoming matches. Now that the Ballon d’Or winner looks back to his best, he looks set to do exactly that over the back end of this season.
Rodri has worked his way back from a long way back to resemble the Ballon d’Or winner that he is. That could be crucial to Manchester City’s bid to win multiple competitions this season and with Rodri at his best anything is possible for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Last time out, Juventus slipped to a 0-2 defeat against Como 1907 (Serie A 2025/26). In their last encounter, Galatasaray were beaten 2-0 by Konyaspor (Turkey Super Lig 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Galatasaray winning 5-2.
Luciano Spalletti faced Okan Buruk on one occasion, recording a loss.
Okan Buruk faced Juventus on one occasion, recording a win.
Luciano Spalletti faced Galatasaray on one occasion, recording a loss.
TEAMS
Away from home, Galatasaray currently has one draw in the last 16 matches.
Galatasaray currently has one loss in the last six matches.
Galatasaray has conceded goals in three consecutive matches.
At home, Juventus currently has one loss in the last 18 matches.
At home, Juventus is coming off two consecutive games without a win.
Juventus currently has one win in the last seven matches.
Juventus has conceded goals in six consecutive matches.
Juventus is coming off five consecutive games without a win.
Juventus is coming off three consecutive losses.
HEAD TO HEAD
Juventus and Galatasaray have faced each other seven times, with Galatasaray having the advantage: three wins, against one victory for Juventus.
At the Juventus Stadium, Juventus has an advantage in the duels against Galatasaray: one win in three matches. Galatasaray has never won on Juventus' ground, with two draws recorded.
In the Champions League, seven matches were played between the two teams, with Juventus winning once, three draws and three victories for Galatasaray.
There has been a changing of the guard in Ann Arbor, and with that, there have been a lot of changes to the coaching staff.
With Kyle Whittingham taking over the Michigan football program, he mostly cleaned house, but initially kept two coaches (running backs coach Tony Alford and defensive line coach Lou Esposito) before Esposito chose to try his hand at the NFL, following Jesse Minter to Baltimore. But otherwise, everyone else above the line is out.
However, three of Michigan's other eight position coaches found new homes in the past 24 hours.
On Sunday, though it had been previously reported, it was officially announced that secondary coach LaMar Morgan is bound for Norman, taking on the cornerbacks coach position with Oklahoma. That means he will return to The Big House in Week 2 in the 2026 season.
He's not the only one to land a job in short order.
On Monday, Texas announced its entire coaching staff, above and below the line, and two Michigan position coaches ended up in Austin (on the other side of the Red River Rivalry). Per the update, former tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Steve Casula as well as Texas native and special teams coach JB Brown have been hired as analysts for the Longhorns.
Excited to announce new additions and staff promotions within our football program 🤘 pic.twitter.com/7fcvMZxAoW
The U.S. men’s hockey team’s first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” had a significant impact on North American sports betting operators.
Key Takeaways
The USA-Canada men’s final was one of the most-bet hockey games ever at DraftKings.
FanDuel reported that over two-thirds of the moneyline wagers were on the U.S.
One Canadian operator was saved by Team USA’s overtime win.
The 2-1 overtime thriller over Canada in Sunday’s early-morning, dramatic finale was a huge hit with bettors.
“Despite the early start time for our customers, the Men’s Gold Medal game generated tremendous betting activity - ranking among the most-bet hockey games in DraftKings Sportsbook history,” Johnny Avello, the director of DraftKings Sportsbook, told Covers on Monday. “As expected, Team USA drew strong support from our American customers, while Canada saw significant backing from customers in Ontario.”
Unforgettable finish
Sunday’s final put hockey on a big stage, and the game didn’t disappoint.
“This was an outstanding Olympic tournament capped by a thrilling gold-medal matchup, and the momentum from this game should carry into the remainder of the NHL season and through the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Avello said.
The favorite to capture Gold before the Olympics began earlier this month, the Canadian team entered the final against the U.S. at -125 on the moneyline, with the American squad listed at +105.
FanDuel reported that 77% of the wagers and 70% of the handle backed the U.S. The operator had to pay out the vast majority of bets when Jack Hughes snuck the puck between goalie Jordan Binnington’s legs less than two minutes into 3-on-3 OT hockey.
North of the border, BET99 said it took a ton of action in Ontario in many forms, including odds boosts and specials, for months, creating “significant liability.”
“That exposure only grew when Canada went down a goal early, and bettors jumped on inflated in-play prices that topped out at +200 before (Cale) Makar evened the score at 1-1,” BET99 Sportsbook manager Cliff Adelman told Covers on Monday. “Unsurprisingly, Canadian pride showed at the betting window. From puck drop to Jack Hughes' OT dagger, 95% of live bets backed Canada to win.”
That saved the operator from a massive loss with Canada getting Silver, but it put BET99 in a precarious position.
“While BET99 trading team sported Team Canada jerseys and shared the same tension as our players with every missed opportunity, the final result brought a welcome sigh of relief from a (profit-and-loss) perspective,” Adelman said. “It was a classic case of patriotic money pouring in and a reminder that when Canada plays for gold, the betting action follows.”
Futures liability
As big a win as it was for the Americans, it was as disappointing for Team Canada and its betting backers. BetMGM listed the Canadian superteam with odds of +115 to capture gold right before the start of the Olympics. Canada was getting 45.4% of the handle and 42% of the tickets.
By the time they reached the semifinals, the odds were down to -130.
A scare from Slovakia might’ve given futures bettors cause for concern, but on paper, Canada was still the best team. However, the U.S. squad wasn’t too far behind. BetMGM listed the Americans second at +200 before the tournament, when they were getting 36.6% of the wagers and 48.5% of the money.
By the time the U.S. team reached the semifinals against Sweden, the odds were down to +125, and the Americans surpassed Canada with 59.3% of the bets. The Canadian team held 55.3% of the money, but Team USA was the bigger liability.
Connor McDavid is the MVP of men's Olympic tournament! 🇨🇦
McDavid was (+600) to win the award pre-tournament.
2024 Conn Smythe Trophy 🟰 Loss in SCF 2026 Olympic MVP 🟰 Loss in Gold Medal Game pic.twitter.com/mKBHlpa84d
As the community continues to mourn Rondale Moore, Trinity High School football star turned NFL wide receiver, the New Albany Police Department is continuing to investigate.
Moore was found dead in the garage of a property in the 1600 block of Ekin Avenue in New Albany Feb. 21, according to previous reporting. He was 25 years old.
A New Albany, Indiana, native, Moore transferred from New Albany High School to Trinity High School to play football in 2016. He was a first-team All-State selection as a senior at Trinity in 2017, where he helped the team win a state championship with an undefeated season. After graduating high school in 2018, Moore went on to play three seasons at Purdue. As a freshman, he caught 114 passes for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns, became a first-team All-American and won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.
In 2021, Moore was a second-round NFL draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals, where he played for three seasons before he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. He missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury during training camp. Moore was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, though he suffered another knee injury during a preseason game against the Houston Texans, forcing him to sit out for the season.
Moore's death prompted a number of tributes from previous coaches, including University of Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue. Moore originally committed to the University of Texas at Austin before deciding to attend Purdue, according to previous reporting.
"Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor that wouldn’t back down from any challenge," Brohm, a fellow Trinity alumnus, said in a post to X Feb. 21. "Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate what would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale. We loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family. We love him very much.”
In a statement to X Feb. 21, Purdue football officials said Moore would be remembered as a legendary Boilermaker, adding their thoughts and prayers are with Moore's loved ones.
The Purdue Football family is deeply saddened by the news of Rondale Moore’s tragic passing. An All-American with an infectious smile, Rondale was a joy on and off the field. Someone who left this world too soon, Rondale will be remembered as a legendary Boilermaker.
"Rondale was a wonderful young man — a relentless competitor, a humble teammate, a respected leader, and a serious student. He represented Trinity with pride in our halls, on Friday nights, at the college level, and on the professional stage," the post states. "More importantly, he treated people well. Younger players looked up to him. Coaches trusted him. Teachers appreciated him. He made the building better simply by being in it."
Moore also received tributes from members of the NFL, including the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings. In a statement posted to X Feb. 21, the NFL Players Association said Moore's death serves as a reminder to prioritize mental health and for players to check on their teammates.
"In moments like this, we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field," the post reads.
Let's start off this week's edition of 'Winners and Losers' by just applauding the minds behind the Atlanta reconfiguration. The new version of this historic track has quickly asserted itself as one of the best on the schedule, and consistently puts on the most exciting races. On Sunday, 14 different drivers took a turn out front with a record 57 lead changes.
And despite all of the chaos and carnage, it was the exact same result as one week ago as Michael Jordan and Tyler Redddick celebrated the win, further extending their advantage in the championship standings.
As is the case with many of these chaotic races, we couldn't possibly include every winner and loser, but here's a look at some of the biggest and most interesting winners/losers from a sensational race around EchoPark Speedway:
WINNER: Tyler Reddick has no fender, and that's no problem
Watch: Reddick on second win: 'Sometimes things are just meant to be'
Reddick's Atlanta win might actually be more impressive than his dramatic Daytona 500 triumph. The #45 car was wrecked, spinning down the frontstretch with its right-front fender completely missing within 50 laps of the finish. And yet, the team bolted fresh tires to the wounded car and Reddick stormed back through the field. He went from being the pusher on an overtime restart to driving off with the win, going back-to-back in a feat not seen in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2009.
LOSER: Hocevar's great run gets overshadowed...again
Christopher Bell crashes in overtime restart
Christopher Bell crashes in overtime restart
Carson Hocevar had another fantastic run on Sunday, and yet another shot at securing his first win in the Cup Series. Ultimately, he finished fourth, but just like last year's race at Atlanta, he didn't reach the checkered flag without ruffling a few feathers. He spun Logano in an honest mistake in the middle of the race, but once he could sniff the race lead in overtime, Hocevar let his aggression get the best of him. He wedged his way between Bell and Wallace seconds into the first overtime restart, and Bell went crashing into the outside wall. And on the final lap, he drove Wallace directly in the wall before driving off with a top-five finish. Based on his recent social posts, he doesn't really care about the run-ins, and that will make for some great television, but it won't make his season any easier on the track.
WINNER: SVG goes off-roading and scores his best oval finish yet
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen's best result on an oval in the NASCAR Cup Series was tenth before Atlanta, but now it's sixth. The 3x Supercars champion even got as high as fourth on the final lap, but what made his run more impressive was what he had to battle back from. SVG was moments away from a potential third-place finish in Stage 2 when Kyle Larson came down, sending him through the infield grass (and partially airborne). As the team worked to get the car right after that, SVG spun on his own, taking a second trip through the infield. But despite all that, he still surged forward at the end with fresh tires, and was integral in getting teammate Ross Chastain into a podium spot with a mighty shove at the white flag. Oh, and we're heading to a road course next week...
LOSER: Bubba Wallace and what could have been
Watch: Bubba Wallace left thinking 'what could've been' after EchoPark
It felt like deja vu as Reddick celebrated on the frontstretch while Michael Jordan consoled Wallace in the pit lane, similar to the scene we saw at Daytona one week ago. And while a tough loss at the 500 was due to circumstances beyond Wallace's immediate control, he was surely kicking himself after Atlanta. The #23 was in control with teammate Reddick pushing, but when they got clear of the outside line, Wallace went up in front of the ever-aggressive Hocevar, and he nearly went all the way to the wall, giving Hocevar and pusher Chastain just enough room to shuffle him out of line. While he finished a disappointing eighth, the good news is that Wallace is second in the championship standings. But as Reddick celebrates back-to-back wins, Wallace knows just how close he was to standing in his place in Victory Lane.
WINNER: Daniel Suarez shines at Spire
Daniel Suarez, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Daniel Suarez, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
After a top five run in the Bowman Gray exhibition race, Suarez has hit the ground running with Spire Motorsports. He avoided the last-lap wreck at Daytona to bring home the team's best finish, and then pushed Hocevar to a double top-five for the team at Atlanta. Suarez now sits inside the top ten in points, and seems to be gelling nicely with his new team.
LOSER: Kyle Larson's race-ending error
Kyle Larson crash damage, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson crash damage, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Larson took full responsibility for this, admitting he 'screwed up' on the final lap of Stage 2. Larson was in the top line through Turn 4 with the green-and-white checkered flag in sight, but he chose to cut all the way down to the bottom. He did this while unaware of SVG, who had just charged by multiple cars and was now to Larson's inside. Contact was made, and Larson violently slammed the outside wall, costing him a lot of points and ending a promising day. Larson's race ended over 100 laps shy of the finish, but he still led more laps than anyone besides the race winner.
WINNER: Zane Smith quietly remains top five in the standings
Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford
No one is really talking about the FRM driver, but they should be. He had a shot to win the Daytona 500 after winning a stage in the season-opener, ultimately finishing sixth and avoiding the frontstretch melee. At Atlanta, he finished an impressive seventh with another clean run that now has him fifth in the championship standings. It's early days, but still a great start for the No. 38 team. Last year, he led just 22 laps and scored five top tens, but after just two races in 2026, he's at ten laps led and two top tens. Smith is well on his way to having his best season yet in the Cup Series if he can keep it up.
LOSER: All the drivers already falling behind in the points
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Speaking of the points, there's some very notable drivers facing fairly deep holes already in the 2026 season. Bell wrecked from the front row in overtime, and that combined with another late-race crash at the 500 means he is 31st in points right now. And even with just 25 points scored through the first two races, there's several other big name drivers in worse spots. Alex Bowman sits 32nd in the No. 48 Hendrick Chevy, Bell's JGR teammate Ty Gibbs is 33rd, Austin Dillon 34th, Todd Gilliland 35th, and rising star Connor Zilisch is 36th -- last among full-time drivers after two wrecks to start his rookie campaign.
⚠️ RB Bragantino announce punishment for defender after sexist remarks
RB Bragantino announced the punishment of defender Gustavo Marques for his sexist remarks following the defeat and subsequent elimination against São Paulo.
On that occasion, Gustavo Marques said that referee Daiane Muniz should not "officiate a game of this magnitude," referring to the quarterfinal match of the Paulistão.
This Monday (23), RB Bragantino stated that Gustavo Marques will receive a fine amounting to 50% of his total earnings.
In addition, the defender will not be included in the squad for the match against Athletico, at 7:00 PM on Wednesday (25), at Cícero de Souza.
Besides the punishment imposed by the club, Gustavo Marques may also be punished by the Sports Justice system.
According to CNN, the defender may be charged under Article 243-G of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD).
The article mentions "committing a discriminatory, disdainful, or outrageous act, related," among others, to prejudice based on sex."
The penalty in such cases is a suspension of five to ten matches, in addition to a fine ranging from R$ 100 to R$ 100,000.
The Los Angeles Dodgers may need to get ready for starting pitcher Blake Snell to miss the start of the season as his ramp-up for the season progresses slowly.
According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Snell is throwing off the flat ground, but he is still far from getting ready for a true start, with a little more than a month left until the season starts.
“Time’s ticking, but like I told him the other day, Opening Day is not necessarily a hard and fast target for us,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Snell is known for starting slow, especially given his injury-prone nature, but then pushing things up in the second half of the season.
Feb 17, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) and pitcher Blake Snell (7) warm up during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Last season, Snell got injured early, battling with shoulder discomfort, and missing the first half, stretching the team’s depth amid a run of injuries.
Dave Roberts says Blake Snell isn’t ready to start ramping up too much just yet in Spring Training:
“He’s playing catch, he’s throwing. Once he gets off the mound, throws a pen, faces hitters, we’ll know more.”
However, the lefty was more than ready for the actual start of the postseason stretch, being the dominant, front-of-the-line starter that the team needed, especially with a weak bullpen.
Blake Snell learned his lesson in 2025
Snell does not seem concerned about his slow start, expressing confidence that he understands his body and is in no rush to return to the mound.
After seemingly rushing back, the Cy Young award winner wants to take things slowly.
“I’ve been playing catch, been throwing. It feels good,” Snell said at DodgerFest.
“But I’m just going to take my time. Last year, I was rushing. I wanted to pitch so bad. But I’m going to take my time. The goal is to be ready Opening Day, but I’m going to take my time. I’ll know more once I’m [at Spring Training], throwing bullpens, pitching in games.
“Last year, I had so much to prove. I got way too excited and was really pushing to get to spring, get through spring. This year, I’m going to be a little slower just in how I ramp up — be a lot more smarter on that.”
The Dodgers, meanwhile, enter the season with as much pitching depth as ever, and that will allow Roberts and the organization to give Snell all the room that he needs.
“Whatever is best for Blake — or any of our pitchers, for that matter — we’re going to do,” Roberts said.
“Where he’s at, once we get to Spring Training and how his arm feels, there’s a buildup from there. If it doesn’t line up with Opening Day, the first series, then it doesn’t.”
Nicolth Hernandez-Lucero with her trainer Gangrel - Gangrel
Over the last month, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, better known as ICE, has become entangled with pro wrestling, most notably thanks to AEW star Brody King, who's anti-ICE activism has translated into anti-ICE chants on AEW programming. Now, another ICE/wrestling related story has emerged, and it's one that will do little to quell the anti-ICE chants at AEW shows or other wrestling events.
Almost two weeks ago, independent wrestler Nicolth Hernandez-Lucero was detained by ICE agents while driving home. The incident was recorded by Hernandez-Lucero's husband Noah Lazega, who was on the phone with her at the time of her arrest. Hernandez-Lucero remains in ICE custody to this day, while Lazega has launched a GoFundMe to help her legal battle; so far, he has raised $20,749 out of a goal of $28,000. Among the most notable names to make donations are former AEW Women's World Champion Kris Statlander, and WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, under her real name Rebecca Quin.
Hernandez-Lucero first debuted as a wrestler back in 2018, after receiving training from former WWE star Gangrel. She would form a tag team with her sister, Tiffany, called the Lucero Twins, and found singles success in 2019, when she won the GWA Women's Championship for Gangrel's wrestling promotion, the Gangrel Wrestling Asylum.
It's unclear if Hernandez-Lucero has continued her wrestling career over the last few years, however, as her last recorded match, according to Cagematch, was in 2023, while Lazega's GoFundMe for Hernandez-Lucero describes her as working as a surgical technician. Days after news of Hernandez-Lucero being detained broke, Gangrel took to Facebook to offer support for his student, sharing the link to Lazega's GoFundMe page.
The New York Jets are coming off a brutal 2025 season, and Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey might be on the hot seat.
To help cool things down, the Jets need to fix their quarterback room. After taking a $40 million gamble on Justin Fields that didn't work out, the Jets need to find a new offensive leader this offseason. Their plan isn't known just yet.
But, as Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic notes, the Jets' plan at quarterback might take shape at the NFL Scouting Combine. With prospects meeting with teams, and teams all in attendance, the Jets' plan at quarterback could take shape in the next week.
Jets expected to get some answers at QB during NFL Combine
The Jets could wind up taking a rookie in the 2026 draft class, or they could sign or trade for a veteran like Kyler Murray, Malik Willis, or Mac Jones. Their decision could begin taking shape soon.
"If Glenn is on the hot seat, is he more likely make an expensive gamble on someone such as Willis, Jones, or Murray?" Rosenblatt writes. "Some of the answers to those questions will start to take shape in Indianapolis."
The NFL Scouting Combine is a good time for teams to get a lay of the land before the offseason truly begins. This is the first big offseason date for the NFL, and for the Jets, it's a great opportunity to begin formulating a QB plan.
If the Jets meet with prospects and fall in love with one, they would be able to take them wherever they want with plenty of draft capital.
They could also talk to other teams and get an idea of what it could cost to trade for someone like Murray or Jones, or even someone like Tua Tagovailoa.
But, regardless of what the Jets wind up deciding, the NFL Combine is a huge time for the Jets, as they will likely get a better idea of the QB landscape this offseason at the Combine.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant told ESPN he plans to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. He will turn 40 years old in September 2028 and will be looking to win his fifth Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said, per ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill. “I would love to, but I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting, I want to produce on the floor and make Grant and whoever is making the decisions, want to put me on the team. I don’t want — not just for seniority. I want to still prove I can help the team win.”
“Today, yeah I feel like I’ll put my name in that hat.”
Durant has been Team USA’s leading scorer in three of his four Olympic appearances throughout his career. He broke Team USA’s scoring record with 156 total points and 34 three-pointers at the 2012 London Olympics. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he averaged a US Olympic record 20.7 points per game.
Durant is the only four-time Olympic gold medalist in men’s basketball history.
Durant Debunked Rumors That 2024 Paris Olympics Were His Last
It was widely believed that the 2024 Paris Olympics would be the last with Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry on the squad. While James confirmed he will not participate, Durant and Curry have yet to confirm if they will participate in 2028.
“You guys, the media, have projected that,” Durant told ESPN, per Goodwill. “That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”
Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; United States shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and guard LeBron James (6) and guard Kevin Durant (7) celebrate with their gold medals on the podium after defeating France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
James could retire as early as the end of the 2025-26 NBA season. Meanwhile, Curry is signed through 2027 with the Golden State Warriors and recently told People Magazine he was not planning to retire in the near future.
“I’ll declare itself, whenever the time comes to call it quits, which I don’t think is anytime soon,” Curry told People.
Durant signed a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Rockets, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, in October.
Brazil U20s impress, squad depth shines at Copa Sul-Americana
The Brazil Women's U-20 National Team is experiencing in the South American Championship the moment that coach Camilla Orlando has emphasized since the beginning: evolution throughout the competition. With each game, Brazil has become more consistent and confident, turning words into performance on the field, which is reflected in results and in the collective strength that has become the team's main trademark. For Camilla Orlando, Brazil’s greatest asset lies precisely in the preparation of the entire group and the shared mentality among the athletes.
The numbers prove this collective strength. Brazil has already had 13 different players score goals in the tournament, highlighting a distributed, unpredictable, and difficult-to-mark attack. The variety of goal scorers shows that the team does not depend on a single athlete and reinforces the confidence built throughout the campaign.
Camilla Orlando during the match against Argentina in the final hexagonal of the South American U-20 ChampionshipCredits: Staff Images / CBF
“Our greatest strength is the power of our group, our squad. Everyone is being prepared to play at any moment, and they have embraced this idea. Even when a player is out, she knows she’ll be ready when the opportunity arises. We’ve had goals from different players, and that is very special,” the coach emphasized.
Among the individual highlights is forward Brendha, Brazil’s top scorer in the competition, with four goals. She is just behind Argentina’s Kishi Núñez, who has one more goal and leads the top scorers’ list in the South American Championship. Even in great form, Brendha made a point of valuing the collective work and the environment built within the group.
Staff
Forward Brendha during a match of the South American U-20 Championship in ParaguayCredits: Staff Images / CBF
“I am very happy with this moment, but none of this would be possible without my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who believes in my work. It’s the result of a lot of daily effort, and when the opportunity comes, I try to make the most of it. Scoring for the National Team is a dream for all of us,” she said.
Leader of the final hexagonal, Brazil returns to the field next Wednesday (25th), at 6 p.m., at the Centro de Alto Rendimento de Futebol Feminino Stadium in Paraguay, to face Ecuador, the runner-up in the decisive phase. With a victory, the Brazilian National Team will be very close to securing the title and crowning a campaign marked by the maturity and commitment of a group that has evolved together with each match.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 19: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Minnesota Twins walks to the dugout after pitching against the Cleveland Guardians in the third inning of the game at Target Field on September 19, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It is truly just my luck that right after I published last week’s Monday Morning Minnesota, we started getting reports about Pablo Lopez having a potential elbow issue. Now, Pablo is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and Joe Ryan was diagnosed with lower back inflammation, which might jeopardize his ability to pitch in the World Baseball Classic. Anyways, keep an eye out for the injury report today for the Twins; I apologize in advance for any misfortune this article may cause.
The Past Week on Twinkie Town:
Check out The Feed, where you can add your discussions about the Twins!
We’re starting a new segment called Daily Questions! Provide your opinion on the Twins and debate with the community!
With spring training underway, game threads are back! Commiserate with your fellow fans as we prepare for Opening Day.
James Fillmore brought us another TwinkieTown Movie Night, with noted baseball movie, Back to the Future Part III. We’ve got four more editions, with The Stratton Story coming up this Friday.
The MLBPA’s prep for the upcoming labor negotiations hit a snag as executive director Tony Clark resigned after an internal investigation. Jeff Passan at ESPN examines the fallout from Clark’s resignation and what the union should do in this new chapter.
The MLB.com beat writers get together and provide one dark horse candidate for each team’s Opening Day roster.
Jones told a group of reporters at the NFL combine the Cowboys will franchise tag Pickens as they continue to negotiate a long-term extension.
“I wouldn’t put any timeframe (on a contract),” Jones told reporters. “Once you have a tag, you have a tag. We know George is going to be here.”
Pickens is coming off career-high year. He notched single-season bests in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdown grabs (9). He was named a second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.
The Cowboys traded for Pickens prior to the 2025 season hoping he wouldn’t be just a one-hit wonder.
The franchise tag for wide receivers is worth approximately $28.8 million, per Over The Cap.
The tag is a safety net for the Cowboys as they don’t want to lose one of their best players in free agency. However, coming to an agreement on a long-term extension could present some challenges.
Dallas is already paying wideout CeeDee Lamb an average annual salary of $34 million. The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team in the NFL paying two wide receivers more than $28 million per season.
Another factor is Pickens is represented by agent David Mulugheta. Mulugheta also represents Micah Parsons. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mulugheta were at a standstill last year when Parsons was seeking an extension. Jerry Jones believed he and Parsons had a deal without speaking to Parsons’ agent. Contract talks broke down and Parsons was ultimately traded to the Green Bay Packers.
It remains to be seen if the Cowboys and Mulugheta can come to a long-term contract agreement for Pickens. Though, the Cowboys do plan for Pickens to be in Dallas for 2026.
“We want Pickens here. Think the world of him,” Stephen Jones said. “I want him here. I love him and I think he wants to be here. All that is a plus.”
However, long-term it is becoming clear that Liverpool cannot rely on Isak and Ekitike alone, especially if they want the two players to play together.
In an ideal world, they need a third striker. A back-up option who can operate behind Isak and Ekitike but who has the potential to be competing with them as well.
When looking for back-up options, there is no better team to search for potential gems than at Red Bull Salzburg. How many of the club's best players made their names at one of Red Bull's clubs?
Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai and Sadio Mane. Not to mention Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita also all played for Red Bull, four of them represented Red Bull Salzburg.
The Austrian giants have a knack for finding the best talents worldwide, particularly when it comes to attacking talent.
This is the club that also helped Erling Haaland, Benjamin Sesko and many others break onto the scene.
Now there's another special forward following in their footsteps who was previously unavailable due to an ACL injury but a potential move for him is now on again.
Karim Konate has long been considered as the best striker talent to come through at Salzburg since Haaland. In his entire career so far he has averaged a goal or assist every 83 minutes for his current team.
This equals to 49 goal contributions in just over 4062 minutes played.
It's an incredible record and it just gives you a taste of the kind of player he is. Konate is an advanced forward who thrives inside the box and who loves to find space and get himself into goal-scoring opportunities.
He has elite movement, a great burst of speed and excellent finishing attributes.
At just 21-years-old, he looks like he can go to the very top of the game.
However, an ACL injury he suffered last season looked to potentially derail or even curtail his promising career. Konate missed over a year of football.
He came back towards the end of December and was gradually phased back at Salzburg.
This worked a treat. In 316 minutes so far, Konate already has five goal contributions. He scored against Aston Villa in the Europa League and has netted both in the Austrian Cup and the Austrian Bundesliga.
That quick start shows that there should be no concerns about his injury. Thankfully, young players can bounce back a lot easier from an ACL blow. Konate got the very best treatment and he's come back and started how he left off.
It's clear he is a phenomenal striker and it's also very clear now that he is free of his injury he can absolutely join Liverpool. Behind Ekitike and Isak, he's the perfect option.
The week was lining up to be another milestone in Cooper Flagg’s already electric rookie season.
A road matchup in Brooklyn. A national late-night television appearance. Another reminder that the 19-year-old is not just producing numbers, but becoming a face of the league.
Instead, a blizzard changed the itinerary.
Severe winter weather across the Northeast forced the Dallas Mavericks to remain in Indianapolis following their 134-130 win over the Indiana Pacers. With thousands of flights canceled and major delays at New York-area airports, the team was unable to travel in time for Flagg’s scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
What was supposed to be a celebration of his rapid ascent became a weather casualty.
A spotlight put on hold
Flagg’s planned late-night debut would have marked another symbolic step in a season filled with them. Not many rookies are invited onto a national talk show before the All-Star break. Even fewer do it while serving as the offensive engine of an NBA franchise.
The Mavericks chose caution over chaos. Rather than risk uncertain travel conditions, the team stayed put and adjusted its schedule. Head coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the unpredictability of the situation, noting that travel in these conditions comes with no guarantees.
For Flagg, the disappointment is understandable. The opportunity represented more than television exposure. It was validation that his impact has extended beyond box scores.
Flagg entered the league carrying massive expectations after his lone collegiate season with the Duke Blue Devils. Selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 draft, he immediately became central to Dallas’ future plans.
Through 49 games, he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in just over 34 minutes per night. He is shooting 48.2 percent from the field and over 80 percent from the free-throw line. His 999 total points lead the team.
The raw numbers are impressive. The milestones are even louder.
Flagg became the youngest player in league history to score 40 points in a game. He later delivered a 49-point, 10-rebound performance, becoming the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1985 to post a 49-and-10 stat line. He also strung together four consecutive 30-point games, another mark that underscores just how quickly he has adapted to the professional level.
Dallas is not easing him into responsibility. He is initiating offense, closing games and defending across positions. For a franchise transitioning into a new era, he has already become the centerpiece.
An injury adds another layer
The travel setback arrives as Flagg works his way back from a left midfoot sprain suffered before the All-Star break. He has progressed out of a walking boot and resumed light workouts, but remains day to day.
That context matters. The Mavericks are thinking long term. Protecting a 19-year-old cornerstone takes precedence over short-term headlines, whether that means missing a game or a television appearance.
Still, the optics are notable. In a matter of weeks, Flagg went from record-setting rookie to injured observer to weather-delayed guest. The momentum has paused, even if briefly.
The bigger picture
The snowstorm may have canceled one appearance, but it has not cooled the momentum surrounding Flagg’s first season. His profile continues to rise. His production continues to validate the hype.
The Mavericks will eventually make their way to Brooklyn. The Tonight Show invitation can be rescheduled. And Flagg’s return to full health appears to be trending in the right direction.
Rookie seasons are rarely linear. They are defined by surges and interruptions, bright lights and sudden detours.
For Cooper Flagg, this is just another chapter in a year that continues to command attention.
After two consecutive losses to top ten teams had them tumbling down the polls slightly, the Michigan State women's basketball team is back on the rise in the midst of a two-game winning streak as the regular season draws to a close. On Monday, the Spartans came in at No. 15 in the latest poll, up three spots from last week.
The Spartans were heavily buoyed in this poll by their huge, 14-point road win over No. 22 Minnesota. They also blew out Northwestern at home. The Spartans will have one more opportunity to catapult up the polls in the regular season when they host No. 13 Ohio State on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten:
UCLA is still at No. 2
Michigan fell to No. 8 after a loss to Iowa, while Iowa is up four spots to No. 9
Ohio State is at No. 13 after beating USC
Maryland is still at No. 14
Minnesota actually moved up one spot despite the loss to MSU, thanks to their win over Ohio State
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
At the end of each Arizona State swimming and diving practice, the team doesn’t go straight back to the locker room to change and move on with its day. While still in the water or on the deck, team members will congratulate each other for strong performances. A shoutout not just to their teammates but their friends.
“Other people’s success is equally as exciting on this team than your own success,” said junior butterfly and freestyle specialist Grace Lindberg. “If not, sometimes more exciting.”
And the team has experienced plenty of success. Arizona State’s swimming and diving program is one of the best in the country. The men’s team has won three consecutive conference championships, including two in the old Pac-12 Conference and last year in its first season in the Big 12 Conference. The women’s team also won last year’s title in the Big 12.
Lindberg called the team’s dynamic special because of how close everyone is. But that collides with the other side of ASU’s identity — the one that has swimmers and divers compete against their teammates for a spot in each meet.
Lindberg said the team views in-practice competition as necessary for the team to achieve its goals. The success of the individual helps the success of the team.
Behm calls this time of the season the easiest because they’re focusing on optimizing rest for swimmers. However, the team still faces some challenges. The NCAA restructured its schedule for some championship races, meaning they have to pick and choose who will race specific events.
The team has to send in its event groups one week before the NCAA Championship, so Behm has been testing different groups all season long.
But Behm said the team's preparation for the championship season doesn’t start with the mid-season evaluations. It doesn’t start at the beginning of the season, either. Behm said the preparation process starts when the athletes are still in high school.
“I think it starts when the kids commit,” Behm said. “Now, it’s when they’re a junior in high school, telling them it’s literally every day. Now that college sports have gotten even more competitive, it’s like you’re competing for a spot on the team and then a spot on the travel roster and all of that (every day).
“They’ve got to show up, and then it’s just raising the bar from there.”
The Big 12 championships are Feb. 24-28 with the NCAA Zone Diving Championships March 9-11. The Zone Diving Championships are five regional meets that determine which divers will compete in the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
The NCAA women’s Swimming Championships are March 18-21, and the men’s NCAA Championships, March 25-28.
The Arizona State men’s team won its first national title following the 2023-24 season and placed sixth at NCAAs a year ago. With a perfect 9-0 start to this season, the men have high expectations.
“We want to perform at the highest level during Big 12s, but leading up to (the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship),” said junior butterfly specialist Ilya Kharun, who is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist. “I think it’s all just really good work all going up to the big championship season.”
The men’s perfect start includes a tri-meet win against two top-10 programs, Stanford and California, Berkeley, in late October. About a month later, the Sun Devils beat two more top-15 programs, Virginia and Tennessee, at the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association Dual Meet Challenge.
The women’s team is 4-5-1 this season and has won three meets in a row to start 2026. The Sun Devils took down Grand Canyon in early January, won the Big 12 West Championship meet and defeated Arizona in early February.
The women’s team also gained experience racing against top competition in the Dual Meet Challenge, which will prepare them for the upcoming championship season. Lindberg said she was proud of how the team performed in that meet.
“The preparation to race an unranked team, versus the preparation to go to a national championship, versus the preparation to race the No. 1 team in the country, even though the meet is going to look a little bit different, it’s the same mentality every time,” Lindberg said. “It’s about me and my teammates … and how we’re going to show up and just do what we know how to do.
“If we do that, we’re pretty confident that everything else is going to take care of itself.”
Tyler Bednar is a graduate student at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard aims on going the extra mile to be kid-friendly in 2026.
From free admission to a junior golf clinic to special viewing and autograph areas for youngsters, the API is pulling out all the stops make sure people of all ages enjoy the week at Bay Hill Club & Lodge for the eighth event on the PGA Tour's schedule.
Let's start with admission. All kids 15 and younger will get in free (when accompanied by a ticketed adult) all week, including the four days of competition (March 5-8).
On Monday, March 2, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior Clinic presented by VyStar Credit Union takes place. This event is open to the public, but participants do need to register through the First Tee Central Florida. In all, there will be anywhere from 100 to 150 kids and families at Bay Hill for a one-hour program featuring PGA Tour professionals, who will talk all things golf as well as instructional training. There will also be fun challenges for junior golfers to hit various shots and try different clubs.
Kids are going to love a few of the perks created just for them: special viewing areas to watch the tournament, as well as kids-only spaces to get autographs. The Autograph Zone presented by Chick-fil-A will have the "Little Nuggets Autograph Area," an area right next to the practice putting green near the clubhouse and the first tee, where kids can get up close to the pros and get autographs from their favorite players. Out on the course, near the sixth and near the 10th green, will be several family-only spaces where little ones can get unobstructed views of the action.
For those families with small children, the Orlando Health Family Care Suites will be a hit. Located near the 10th as well as in Arnie's Army Fan Village, these areas will provide families, in particular those with nursing moms, a dedicated space that will be air-conditioned and stocked with free diapers, a changing table, a private nursing area, a phone charging station and lots of comfy seating. These family care suites open at 10 a.m. each day and stay open through the end of play each day.
Bay Hill Explorers are back. Debuting last year, this addition has proven to be popular as kids get to participate in a scavenger hunt around the golf course. The goal for the explorers is to collect stickers at 10 different locations and add them to their exclusive Bay Hill Explorers booklets.
Last but not least, there will be Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard merchandise just for kids. This youth merch will be in the Fanatics tents, one located near the 18th hole/main entrance, the other near the 1st tee/clubhouse.
Inter Academy Camp USA: the Club strengthens its presence in the United States
Inter strengthens its presence in the United States and announces the launch of Inter Academy Camp USA, a new and ambitious project dedicated to promoting the Inter brand and its values across the Atlantic.
Following the opening of Inter Academy New England, Rockers (California), and Strikers (Virginia), Inter is expanding its footprint in the United States with Inter Academy Camp USA, a programme aimed at bringing the Nerazzurri Youth Sector's technical, educational, and value-based methodology across the country. Activities will kick off in June 2026 and will be organised in partnership with IM Elite Soccer Camps Corp.
In its first year, eight cities will be involved: San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Washington D.C., New York, Fort Lee (New Jersey), and Miami. The Club was present in some of these during last summer's FIFA Club World Cup, confirming its commitment to building and consolidating its US fanbase.
The project will roll out gradually and systematically: in its second year, activities will expand to twelve cities, and by the third year, they will reach sixteen, creating a wider presence across the country and deeper engagement with local communities.
Each camp stop will last five days, from Monday to Friday, and will be coordinated by the official Inter Academy staff, with three Club coaches assigned to each location. Young participants will enjoy a full educational experience, training on the pitch according to the technical and methodological principles of the Nerazzurri Youth Sector and embracing the values that have always defined Inter: passion, inclusion, commitment, and a sense of belonging.
The initiative is part of Inter's ongoing growth in the United States, where, in recent years, the Club has been active in numerous sporting and engagement activities, including Academy programmes, fan events, and initiatives linked to international competitions.
NFL free agency is soon to arrive, down to weeks rather than months. The chatter around football is thus offering up plenty of top free agents lists.
A noteworthy example emerged from Gregg Rosenthal of the NFL website. A total of 101 players get dropped down into the mix, with a pair of Vikings getting looped into the discussion. At No. 70 is receiver Jalen Nailor and at No. 95 is linebacker Eric Wilson.
Pair of Vikings Listed on NFL’s Top 101 FAs
Consider a central truth that every team needs to remember: the best contracts pay for future performance, not past performance.
In Nailor, the league will get to consider someone who has often demonstrated high-end talent and work ethic but hasn’t ever cleared 5oo yards in a single season. A team may nevertheless see someone who is about to explode if the right opportunity arises. Likewise, Wilson is someone who offers a ton of ability, but one wonders if he can replicate — much less surpass — what he did last season.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (61) reacts with linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Consider the accompanying blurb for Jalen Nailor.
From Rosenthal: “Nailor was stuck behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and didn’t have a quarterback who could throw to the middle of the field in his contract year. He has fans as a speedy slot receiver.”
Bringing Jefferson and Addison into the mix makes sense, but note that there’s a two-way street that’s coming into play. Yes, the WR1 and WR2 in Minnesota stole targets, but they also stole defensive backs’ attention. Nailor therefore got easier looks than if he had been the top option.
Plus, Nailor is more than a slot a receiver even if that ends up being his primary home in a new spot. Last season, Nailor has 382 snaps in the slot, 268 snaps out wide, 2 snaps inline, and 1 in the backfield (PFF). Some of those AFC heavyweights like Kansas City, Baltimore, and Buffalo make sense.
Whoever signs Jalen Nailor may end up getting a pass catcher who can win deep, pile up around 750 yards, and score 10+ touchdowns.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
Meanwhile, Eric Wilson snags a brief analysis. The Rosenthal assessment: “Wilson’s blitzing breakout season in Brian Flores’ Vikings defense was such a blast to watch that it would’ve felt wrong leaving him off this list.”
First, it wasn’t just blitzing as an off-ball linebacker. Wilson lined up as an edge rusher and often performed quite well despite being smaller.
No doubt, though, Rosenthal is correct that the explosion from Mr. Wilson was fun. What’s fascinating is whether he’ll be able to offer a repeat performance. If so, does he get the chance to do so in the Twin Cities?
The Vikings are working with a very thin linebacker spot. LB1 Blake Cashman is still around, but he’s entering the final year of his contract, has battled some injury, and is going to be 30 in May.
Does it make sense to drop medium money into Wilson, a 31-year-old linebacker coming off a career-best season? Only if the contract pays for future play and not what was a perfect storm last year. Retaining Brian Flores makes a new deal for the veteran more likely.
Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Last time out, Real Madrid slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Osasuna (La Liga 2025/26). In their last match, Benfica prevailed 3-0 against AFS (Primeira Liga 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Real Madrid winning 1-0.
Tottenham Hotspur Are In Talks To Sign This Talented Forward: Good Choice For Tudor?
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign Al-Hilal forward Darwin Nunez. It has been mentioned that Spurs are facing competition in the form of Newcastle United in the race to land the Uruguay international.
Nunez’s Impressive Form In Saudi Football
Nunez has enjoyed a good run of form at the Saudi club as he has put in a string of productive displays for them in the final third. The Uruguayan talent has scored nine times and picked up five assists in 24 appearances for Al-Hilal this season across multiple competitions.
The 26-year-old is currently among the best strikers in the Saudi Pro League. Furthermore, he has got some previous experience in the Premier League from his time at Liverpool. Thus, it is no surprise that Spurs want to land him next summer.
His current contract at the Saudi club will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it difficult for the North London club to sign him on a cut-price deal this off-season.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Darwin Nunez of Team Al-Hilal FC celebrates scoring their first goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah at Kingdom Arena on September 13, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Is Nunez A Good Choice For Tottenham Hotspur Boss Igor Tudor?
Nunez is proficient at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has got the vision to create a few promising chances in the final third and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet.
Standing at 1.87m, the Uruguay international can use his strong 1.87m frame to dominate the opposition defenders in the air. As mentioned earlier, Nunez is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to settle into life at Tottenham.
Nunez would inject more pace and goals into Spurs head coach Igor Tudor’s frontline. He is more than capable of earning a regular first-team spot at the North London club in the coming seasons.
At 26, Nunez has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for Tottenham to pursue later this summer. He might even help the North London giants challenge for a major trophy in the future. With all things considered, Tudor would be wise to get him on board at the end of this season.
Four Lackawanna Football Conference and Times-Tribune All-Region players were selected to participate in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches’ Association Small-School (Class 1A-Class 3A) East-West all-star game.
Lakeland quarterback David Naniewicz and teammate Weston Loomis, a defensive lineman, Lackawanna Trail linebacker Tyler Jervis, and Scranton Prep defensive back Will McPartland are part of the East Roster that was announced Monday morning.
Former Western Wayne head coach Shane Grodack is an assistant coach for the game that is scheduled for May 17 at noon at Cumberland Valley High School.
Wyoming Area offensive lineman Max Getzie, Berwick defensive lineman JJ Leonard, and Hanover Area coach Eric Richardson are also part of the East participants.
The roster for the Big School (Class 4A-Class 6A) will be announced on Tuesday.
Naniewicz, who is headed to Lackawanna College, and Loomis, who committed to the University of Rochester, led Lakeland to the LFC Division II and District 2 Class 2A championship this past season.
Both were three-year starters for the Chiefs, who had an 11-2 overall record.
Naniewicz, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound dual threat, was the LFC Division II Coaches’ Offensive Player of the Year. He completed 125 of 198 passes with six interceptions. He threw for 1,743 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also led the team with 938 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He finished his career with 3,758 yards passing and 35 touchdowns and had 1,464 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns.
Loomis, a 6-1, 260-pound two-way LFC Division II Coaches’ all-star lineman, had 47 total tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
Jervis helped Lackawanna Trail win the LFC Division III and District 2 Class 1A championships. The Lions finished 12-2 overall. Jervis, a 5-10, 160-pound outside linebacker, led the Lions with 87 and had seven tackles for loss. He had five sacks, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries and returned two interceptions and two fumbles for touchdowns this season.
McPartland, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound multi-talented athlete, returned from a torn ACL suffered in the state playoffs during his junior season and led the Cavaliers to the District 2 Class 3A championship.
Grodack resigned as the head coach at Western Wayne following last season. He had a three-year record of 20-14, which included the program’s first 10-win season in 2024.
America’s most popular sports are almost always played by athletes who represent the nation’s biggest or most influential cities. Golf is the exception.
Golf is almost always played individually. Even when team events do exist, like the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and a select few events on the PGA Tour schedule, they still don’t assign players to teams by city like most other major sports.
TGL, a new golf league presented by TMRW Sports, is changing that.
This new venture, with its litany of technological innovations, also provides golfers a previously impossible opportunity: to play their sport at the professional level for their home city.
“It means the world to me,” said Sahith Theegala, a PGA Tour pro and Southern California native who plays in TGL for the Los Angeles Golf Club. “All my family is still in L.A. and it’s still home for me.”
TGL is an indoor league and relies on a 64-foot wide simulator screen for most shots and a rotating green (and bunker) complex for short game play.
The league features six teams representing cities across the U.S. A seventh team, the Motor City Golf Club of Detroit, will be the league’s first expansion team when it reaches its third season.
Theegala, who played at Pepperdine University, was so attached to L.A. that three days after the death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash in January 2020, the then-senior wore his Bryant jersey over his golf shirt as he putted out for his fourth NCAA tournament victory.
Six years later, Theegala’s L.A. ties still run deep.
“I was just honored that they even chose me for the (L.A. Golf Club) team,” Theegala said, “and to play for my hometown is pretty epic.”
Another of the original six teams, the Boston Common Golf Ballfrogs, are represented by two New England natives, including Michael Thorbjornsen, raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
“Just being affiliated with an entity or a team now that is stationed in Boston or in Massachusetts is pretty cool,” Thorbjornsen said.
Thorbjornsen, just 24 years old and only recently added to the Ballfrogs’ roster as a designated alternate, proved pivotal in his team’s first victories in the young league.
Thorbjornsen arrived at TGL's home base, the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, sporting a Drake Maye jersey. Maye, the quarterback for the New England Patriots, was in the midst of building a case for MVP and leading his team to the playoffs at the time.
“There’s definitely a sense of pride in being a part of that team,” Thorbjornsen said. “A lot of people have a lot of pride in where they’re from and where they grew up, so having another team to back and have some passion for is great for everyone.”
Will Neary is a graduate student at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism
Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; The Las Vegas Raiders shield logo at midfield at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
We’re beyond the Super Bowl but not quite to the start of the new league year so it’s a somewhat quiet time in the NFL. Let’s pass the time by talking about the Raiders.
Where’s the most random place you’ve run into a Raiders player or coach, and who was it?
I’ll start. While I’ve met countless Raiders over my the course of my career, I’ll harken back to my first encounter. I was about 10 and I was in the Boy Scouts and because I was a big fan, I was selected to sit with Raiders offensive lineman George Buehler and help him during an autograph session at a big event at Stanford. It was a lifetime memory and George was so cool, I’ve become a lifetime fan. Now, let us know about your Raiders’ experiences.
As spring training unfolds for Major League Baseball, a strong party of former Florida Gators baseball stars stand ready to make their mark in the 2026 season. Florida's pipeline to the pros is deep with position players and pitchers scattered across Opening Day rosters and big-league camp invites.
One of the highest profiles is Wyatt Langford, the Texas Rangers outfielder and former fourth-overall pick, coming off a breakout 38-home-run season and poised for another big year. Also in big-league camp is veteran outfielder Harrison Bader, whose 2025 performance (.277, 17 HR) helps anchor the Philadelphia Phillies.
Beyond the stars, several Gators are in camp as non-roster invitees or preparing for minor-league duty with big league dreams. Pitchers like Brandon Sproat and Phillip Abner strengthen Florida's professional footprint. Veterans like Jonathan India and A.J. Puk add seasoned depth to their respective club camps as they aim to secure roles for 2026.
Together, these alumni reflect the Gators' enduring impact on the professional ranks. From elite young hitters to experienced arms, Florida's MLB representation sets the stage for a continued legacy.
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.
The Rossoblù come with enthusiasm after a 1-0 victory over Brann in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs and an away win of 2-1 against Torino. They are now looking to return to a home victory, which has been missing since December 4th.
Udinese, on the other hand, comes from a 2-1 home defeat against Sassuolo and still has to do without Davis.
🔴 Article constantly updated, for the live text click on the match card above
🚑 Solet stops again: INJURY and substitution!
MINUTE 10 - Bad news for Udinese, as they lose Solet due to a muscle strain in the adductor.
The defender initially stays on the ground and requests to be substituted, but then tries to push through before eventually giving up. Bertola comes in to replace him.
Megan Keller joins her fellow Team USA athletes in the parade during the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony at Verona Olympic Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Italy. Credit - Sarah Stier—Getty Images
On the eve of the opening ceremonies of the Milano Cortina Olympics, one of those irresistibly viral stories started percolating around the internet.
In a press conference, a journalist asked an official from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about a report in a German tabloid that ski jumpers were injecting hyaluronic acid into their penises in order to enlarge their private areas, which would presumably give them an aerodynamic advantage in the sport. A bemused official promised to look into it.
Uh oh.
This was one of those stories that could have consumed the global media that descended into Milan and the Italian Alps for the duration of these Games. Winter sports experts would be called upon to play amateur urologists.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Perhaps weeks, months, or years from now, a 2026 Olympic ski jumper from Norway will be busted for crotch violations. But the main storylines to emerge from that winter sports empire were its lead in the gold and overall medal counts, and the awe-inspiring athletic machinery that is cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klaebo, winner of six golds at these Olympics—a new winter record for a single Games.
Not a scandalous one. The Milano Cortina Olympics closed out unscathed from an unmitigated disastrous event (think: Ryan Lochte). Though let’s not be blinded to the Olympic challenges ahead: the IOC seems eager to let Russia back into the Games, even though the aggression against Ukraine is ongoing and, according to a whistleblower who spoke to the New York Times, the head of its anti-doping agency reportedly participated in a doping scheme. The official, Veronika Loginova, dismissed the claim as “fantasy.”
The Games always offer discomfort. And moments of joy—in its purest form—as well as pain and surprise. While Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic comeback ended with a frightening crash in Cortina d’Ampezzo, overall, Team USA broke its winter gold medal record, set on home soil at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
Here are 10 Milano Cortina memories that will forever stand out to TIME’s veteran Olympic correspondents.
The fallible quad god
Skating. Where to start? Coming to Milan, I was prepared for a busy and eventful Olympics. The U.S., after all, had world champions in three of the four events—in men, women, and ice dance. With that many reigning champions, Team USA was also expected to win gold in the team event. Seemed like a no-brainer.
So I was prepared to write gold medal stories and weave in themes of the U.S.’ strength in skating in the absence of the Russian teams, who have historically produced Olympic champions in all four disciplines. But things, as everyone knows by now, didn’t quite go as planned.
While the U.S. won gold in the team event, thanks to a clutch performance by “Quad God” Ilia Malinin, even Malinin seemed off his game in Italy. Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates finished behind the French team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron after controversial judging despite pretty clear mistakes by the French. And then Malinin, among the most consistent skaters in recent years, had the entire arena gasping when he popped and fell on jumps.
One thing that struck me after that event was Malinin’s maturity, at 21, in addressing what had happened. Before he left the kiss and cry, he congratulated the gold medalist, Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan, who secured the first gold in figure skating for his country. Probably the last thing Malinin wanted to do was face the media with our obvious and, in the moment, painful questions when his emotions were still raw. But he was frank and insightful, admitting that the pressure of being at his first Olympics might have finally gotten to him, revealing that as he took his starting position, the negative thoughts started flooding in.
Malinin didn’t want that performance to be his last memory of his first Olympics, so he was fortunate to be invited to skate at the exhibition gala, to erase, in some ways, the program that didn’t remotely reflect the extent of his skills and talent. It was a deeply emotional and raw program that he said was meant to remind the world about how harmful the pressures created by social media and public expectations can be. — Alice Park
Silver linings
A few Olympians who were strong contenders for gold instead picked up silvers and relished their accomplishment. For example, Eileen Gu, who represents China, and Chloe Kim of the U.S. were all smiles after picking up silvers in their competitions (for Gu, slopestyle and Big Air freeskiing; for Kim, halfpipe snowboarding). A reporter asked Gu—who later won gold in the halfpipe event on the last day of competition—if her achievement at these Olympics felt more like two golds lost or two silvers gained. Gu laughed at the inquiry.
“I'm the most decorated female freeskier in history,” Gu said. “I think that's an answer in and of itself. How do I say this? Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete. Doing it five times is exponentially harder, because every medal is equally hard for me, but everybody else's expectations rise, right? And so the two medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I think it's kind of a ridiculous perspective to take.”
The Canadian women’s hockey athletes might not agree. After they came within minutes of triumphing over the rival U.S. in a second straight gold medal game—before a Hilary Knight goal tied it, and a filthy Megan Keller move ended it in sudden death overtime—the Canadian players filed off the ice dejected, in tears, looking grief-stricken. Perhaps in team sports, the promise of achieving something so spectacular as a collective builds up so much anticipated joy that, when you fall short, any medal seems worthless. Those Canadian faces offered a reminder that, for some, second-place just hits different. — Sean Gregory
Capturing gold
Having spent the last two weeks at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, all of my memorable moments involve the rink in some way. I got a little obsessed with watching Jordan Cowan, from On Ice Perspectives, the company he created after leaving competitive figure skating, document the sport on film. Cowan developed a special camera rig that he carries onto the ice and that moves smoothly to capture quick turns and perspectives that bring viewers as close to skating next to the athletes as possible. Cowan started his company by producing videos while skating with skaters during their programs—just while they trained or did exhibitions. But for the first time at the Olympics, he recorded the athletes as they were introduced and as they left the ice following their programs. During the exhibition gala, he skated onto the ice during their programs to capture, close-up, moments from their programs. Wearing a custom-made white suit to blend into his frozen environment, he introduced a new, more intimate perspective for audiences that will hopefully make skating—and skaters—even more relatable. (It was Cowan’s camera that captured U.S. gold medalist Alysa Liu’s exuberant expletive as she skated off the ice following her program.) Cowan’s biggest challenge? Making sure he didn’t skate into the plush toys that fans threw onto the ice for the skaters. And did I mention he films while skating backward? — A.P
Paper train
Early one Sunday afternoon, en route to covering the women’s 500-m speedskating event, I sat on a Milan metro, scrolling on my cell phone to keep track of Olympic happenings. Most people on the train were looking at screens. At one station, an elderly Italian couple stepped onto the train. The man took an empty seat next to me; the woman sat across from us. I made a motion towards her with my hands, indicating I was more than happy to switch seats, so they could be next to each other. She politely shook her head no; she was fine where she was. I said something along the lines of, “Ah, you need a break from him, don’t you?” She seemingly spoke no English and had no idea what I was talking about.
They both opened up newspapers and started reading them. Seeing two newspapers being read by Italian senior citizens, in a sea of electronic devices, made me all warm and happy. It was time for me to transfer: I waved goodbye to the woman as I stepped by her onto the platform. I looked back—she got up to join her husband. But she dropped her paper on the floor, while going to look at her phone. — S.G.
Family affair
I didn’t even see it happen. I had my phone camera focused on Lindsey Vonn’s family—sisters Karin and Laura, and father Alan Kildow—as Vonn started her sprint down the Cortina d’Ampezzo mountain on Feb. 8 in the women’s Olympic downhill competition. My goal was to capture their reaction, in the second row of the spectator section, if Vonn could somehow return from an ACL rupture she suffered a little more than week prior, and take the downhill lead away from American teammate Breezy Johnson. All at 41-years-old. And perhaps she’d hold on and win gold. What a story that would be.
So while I didn’t see Vonn’s ski pole hit a gate, and her go careening down the mountain at full speed, the looks of horror on her family’s faces, and the ensuing hush over the crowd as medics rushed to Vonn’s attention, said it all. I put my phone in my pocket. Dance music kept blaring over the loudspeaker, as Vonn’s family members teared up with anxiety. I found those thump-thump tunes so inappropriate for this somber moment. Later, I was told that the organizers kept it playing so spectators didn’t have to hear Vonn screaming in pain on the mountain.
Fans waved to Vonn as she was helicoptered off the slope and taken to a local hospital. Thankfully, her life wasn’t in danger. But after at least four surgeries on a broken leg in Italy, and another back home in the U.S., Vonn has a long recovery ahead of her. “No regrets,” Vonn wrote about her comeback a few days later on social media. Tough day for an unquestionably tough—and unforgettable—athlete. — S.G.
Voluntary kindness
Because skating events occurred at night in Milan, they weren’t over until close to midnight. By the time I was wrapped up and ready to return to the hotel, it was usually close to 1:30 or 2 a.m. I will be forever grateful for the two volunteers who one night, upon seeing me climb the rickety metal stairs to the metro station looking either exhausted or completely pitiful, asked, “Tutto bene?” They then quietly sat in the same empty train car with me so I wouldn’t feel alone, and gave me a nod when they got off a few stops before me. Grazie mille, as always, to the Olympic volunteers. — A.P.
Health comes first
As a health writer, I always enjoy when I’m able to combine my day job with the Olympics. It doesn’t happen often, but during the Tokyo and Beijing Games, which occurred during the COVID pandemic, it came in handy. So at this Olympics, I visited the medical clinic that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee set up in the Olympic Village to help athletes with any health needs they might have. They also had a team in the mountains, who were instrumental in coordinating the care for Vonn when she crashed during her run. In the Village, the doctors told me their biggest request was for tests for flu, colds, RSV, and COVID. The clinic had a rapid test that could provide quick results and help athletes get the right treatment to keep them on their training and competitions schedules as much as possible. The clinic also provides physical therapy, massage, and mental health services for anyone who needs them. It was a crowded place after competitions and training sessions. — A.P.
Saved by a pasta
Thank heavens for pizzoccheri, the buckwheat pasta dish that’s a staple of Valtellina valley of northern Italy, where snowboarding, freestyle skiing, men’s alpine, and the new Olympic sport of ski mountaineering was staged at these Games. Olympic organizers tend to offer media members terrible food options at the venues in which they’re working. That may sound like a complaint. But it’s fact. I’m still trying to expunge from my palette the microwavable cheesy lasagna thingy I had to eat at the hockey area, in order to fuel up for a night with pucks.
So when a colleague introduced me to pizzoccheri, served with potatoes and cabbage, in Bormio, it was a game-changer. Anything you can stuff in your gullet in the afternoon, by the piles, so you don’t starve while waiting for a bus in the snow after Big Air after midnight, counts as an Olympic treasure. Pizzocheeri is comfort. Pizzoccheri is gold. — S.G.
Orange crush
The last time I covered speedskating in depth at a Winter Olympics was at the first one I was assigned to as a reporter: the Torino Games, two decades ago. I don’t remember the sport being that much fun. Two skaters, racing against the clock around a long oval, in an antiseptic urban facility, bored me. Two American stars, Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick, were locked in a prolonged spat over something regarding teamwork. It all seemed so tiresome.
Fast forward to 2026: I’ve totally changed my tune. The Milan subway rides to the speedskating venue, with the orange-clad Dutch speedskating fans, helped: they brought delightful energy to the proceedings. “My hands are sweaty,” one guy dressed in orange told me, anticipating the showdown between American Jordan Stolz and Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands in the 500-m, on Feb. 14. “But no matter what, we celebrate.”
Stolz got the best of de Boo that day, as he had three days prior, in the 1000-m. And the time-trial nature of speedskating, I found, added to the drama. It was easy to tell, for example, that Stolz was faster than de Boo as they skated in a pair. But was he faster than the rest of the field? As each skater crossed the finish, all eyes darted to the scoreboard, where times and placement were revealed. For a nanosecond, there’s mystery. Brief suspense is suspense nonetheless.
On Saturday, the IOC announced that speedskating won’t be held in host country France in 2030. Organizers are loath to build new venues for short-term use, so they’ll put the sport in either Italy or the Netherlands. If I’m assigned the 2030 Games—bosses, let’s run it back please!—I doubt I’d stray far from the home country, just to cover one sport. But I’ll miss the group glances at the clock. And of course, the Dutch. — S.G.
Closing time
After Paris set the trend by moving the Opening Ceremony from a stadium to the Seine, there seems to be a new ultimatum of finding creative locales for the bookend Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The Italian Olympic Committee opted to close out the Milano Cortina Olympics in Verona, about an hour’s train ride from Milan. No cookie-cutter modern stadium would do. How about one that was built around 30 AD?
Renamed the Verona Olympic Arena, the venue has a long history of hosting sporting events, beginning with gladiator battles, as well as cultural extravaganzas like concerts. It’s been restored in part over the years but maintains much of its ancient roots. Passing through the stone arches, climbing up the deep stone steps and imagining the spectators and entertainers from centuries ago making the same journey was a reminder that then or now, the tradition of gathering to celebrate, and to put aside feudal, political or personal differences, is a unifying and still-needed practice that will always stand the test of time.
One of the themes of the Closing Ceremony was an homage to opera and the arts, both of which have a rich tradition in not only Verona, but in Italy. It celebrated the power of music to connect through common human experiences of love, compassion, joy, and heartbreak. It was the perfect place, and the perfect message with which to close out the Milano Cortina Olympics of 2026. — A.P.
Connor Lew ranked the top center prospect in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft before the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Draft Wire of USA Today.
A total of four centers were ranked in their rankings, with Lew coming in at No. 1, Sam Hecht (Kansas State) at No. 2, Matt Gublin (Michigan State) at No. ,3 and Jake Slaughter (Florida) at No. 4.
The Tigers recruited Lew out of Kennesaw Mountain in Acworth, Georgia, as a four-star recruit. He spent three seasons at Auburn and took over as the starting center his freshman year.
Lew has shown his ability to be an elite pass protector, giving up one sack and nine pressures in 442 blocking snaps as a sophomore. His pure talent at center could land him hearing his name day of the NFL Draft. Lew will join five other Tigers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, beginning Thursday.
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 Jac on Twitter@Jac_Myrick
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is just around the corner, and with Selection Sunday taking place in less than a month, all eyes are on the road to the Final Four.
Arizona and Michigan top the March Madness odds, with both teams looking to punch their tickets to Indianapolis.
NCAA men's Final Four odds
Last Updated:February 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Team
Michigan Wolverines
-150
Duke Blue Devils
-115
Arizona Wildcats
-105
Houston Cougars
+150
Florida Gators
+225
Illinois Fighting Illini
+225
Iowa State Cyclones
+275
UConn Huskies
+375
Purdue Boilermakers
+550
Kansas Jayhawks
+600
Michigan Wolverines (-150)
Of Michigan’s 25 wins this season, 21 have come by double digits.
6-foot-9 phenom Yaxel Lendeborg is doing the heavy lifting for the Wolverines, as the power forward is averaging 14.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Maize & Blue.
Duke Blue Devils (-115)
The Blue Devils reached the Final Four under Jon Scheyer last year and will look to make another run, buoyed by the nation’s second-best defensive rating.
Duke is 9-1 over its last 10 games and is led by freshman point guard Cameron Boozer, who is expected to be a top-five draft pick this summer.
Arizona Wildcats (-105)
Arizona last reached the Final Four back in 2001.
Led by five-star forward Koa Peat, the Wildcats boast a Top-15 defensive rating and field goal percentage, with their only slip-ups being a road loss to No. 9 Kansas and an overtime defeat at the hands of No. 16 Texas Tech.
Houston Cougars (+150)
Although Houston hasn’t reached the summit, the Cougars have proven to be a reliable bet for the Final Four each season.
Kelvin Sampson's program has reached the Final Four twice in the past five years and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in all five tournament appearances.
Yet clubs in England are also forced to operate within the established financial rules, keeping them from muscling others out of the way and maintaining some competitive balance, while also keeping within their financial means.
The Sporting News explains which players are paid the highest wages, and what clubs are reaching furthest into their coffers to pay its squad.
The highest earner in the Premier League is Erling Haaland of Manchester City. The 25-year-old Norwegian has won multiple Golden Boot awards since joining the English club, and earns £525,000 per week, over £100,000 more than any other player.
Having signed a new contract with Arsenal, Bukayo Saka does not quite crack the list. The BBC reports that Saka's wage figure will see him paid "in excess of £300,000 per week," which at first glance would see him rank amongst the top 10 in the league.
However, that figure, according to both Capology and Spotrac, is only so high when including both his base wages and signing bonus, the latter of which is abnormally high.
Purely on base wages, Saka is the seventh-highest earner at Arsenal on his new contract on £195,000 per week, with Kai Havertz being the highest at the club with £280,000. On top of that, Saka earns an additional £5.2 million per year in bonuses, over £1.5 million more than anyone else on Arsenal.
Information via Capology, up to date as of February 23, 2026. Figures do not include signing bonuses or potential add-on incentives.
Rank
Player
Club
Yearly salary
Weekly salary
Contract signed
Contract until
1.
Erling Haaland
Man City
£27.3m [$37.4m]
£525,000 [$718,400]
January, 2025
July, 2034
2.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
£20.8m [$28.5m]
£400,000 [$547,300]
April, 2025
July, 2027
T-3.
Casemiro
Man United
£18.2m [$24.9m]
£350,000 [$478,900]
August, 2022
July, 2026
T-3.
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool
£18.2m [$24.9m]
£350,000 [$478,900]
April, 2025
July, 2027
T-5.
Bernardo Silva
Man City
£15.6m [$21.3m]
£300,000 [$410,500]
August, 2023
July, 2026
T-5.
Bruno Fernandes
Man United
£15.6m [$21.3m]
£300,000 [$410,500]
August, 2024
July, 2027
7.
Omar Marmoush
Man City
£15.3m [$21m]
£295,000 [$403,600]
January, 2025
July, 2029
T-8.
Kai Havertz
Arsenal
£14.6m [$19.9m]
£280,000 [$383,100]
July, 2023
July, 2028
T-8.
Alexander Isak
Liverpool
£14.6m [$19.9m]
£280,000 [$383,100]
September, 2025
July, 2031
10.
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal
£13.8m [$18.9m]
£265,000 [$362,600]
July, 2022
July, 2027
Highest Premier League wages by team
The Premier League club with the highest wage bill is Manchester City, who are far and away the highest wage spenders of any team in England.
Man City are on the hook to pay out over a million per week more than any other club, with Arsenal second on the list and Liverpool are third. Man United are fourth on the list, with Chelsea fifth, as the giants of England all at the top of the rankings.
Surprises in the top 10 include Aston Villa at sixth, and Fulham in 10th, while Nottingham Forest are fighting a relegation battle with the ninth-highest wages in the league. The lowest wage bill belongs to Brentford who have leveraged a strong recruitment department to secure results despite this low expenditure, while recent high-earning departures have helped as well.
Information via Capology, up to date as of February 17, 2026. Figures do not include signing bonuses or potential add-on incentives.
The United States women’s hockey team, which won gold at the Olympics in Milan last week, will not attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night, according to a statement.
The statement, issued by USA Hockey, read: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
The U.S. men’s team, which also won gold in Milan, also received an invitation to the speech from Trump — and to a White House event on Wednesday — but it’s not clear whether players will attend.
Trump, on a call Sunday to a raucous locker-room celebration by the U.S. men — which included FBI director Kash Patel — invited that team to both the State of the Union and the White House. The U.S. men had just won gold with 2-1 overtime win over Canada. Trump, in a video of the call posted to social media, mentioned the women’s team.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” he said, via the speaker on what appeared to be Patel’s phone. Trump also said that he’d “probably be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team. The line was met with laughs by some of the U.S. men, who’d crowded around Patel and engaged in celebratory back-and-forth with Trump throughout the call.
Three days earlier, the U.S. women completed a 7-0 run through the Olympic tournament with a come-from-behind, 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. They haven’t lost a game in a major international competition since the 2024 Women’s World Championship gold-medal game, which Canada won 6-5 in overtime.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League, with 16 American players spread across six rosters, resumes its season on Thursday. The U.S. women’s roster also includes seven NCAA players, some of whom are scheduled to play on Friday.
The WNBA reached its revenue-sharing target for the first time during the 2025 season, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Athletic. ESPN was the first to report.
The specific revenue target is not enumerated in the CBA, only the mechanism required to trigger revenue sharing. The league generated enough revenue so that $16 million was shareable with the players. Of that amount, $8 million is redirected towards league marketing agreements, a program in which players promote the WNBA and its partners during the offseason. According to the collective bargaining agreement, a player can earn a maximum of $250,000 per offseason via the LMA. The other half ($8 million) will be given to the 13 teams to share among players.
The union has discretion on how the money is distributed. The WNBPA received the annual League Revenue Report on Feb. 9 and has 30 days to decide on a payout structure, according to the terms of the 2020 CBA.
The 2020 CBA introduced a revenue-sharing system that allowed players to share in overage beyond a certain target. That target increased by 20 percent each season and was cumulative over the life of the deal. As a result, even though the WNBA experienced a massive surge in revenue during the 2024 season, it could not clear the cumulative total because of the pandemic-affected seasons in 2020 and 2021, when the league’s revenue was significantly lower.
The league salary cap was $1,507,100 per team in 2025. Beyond salary, players could earn additional compensation for winning the Commissioner’s Cup ($500,000 per team), All-Star bonuses, end-of-season awards and winning playoff series.
This CBA expired on Jan. 9 after two extensions, and its revenue-sharing formula will no longer be in effect in the new one. Although the players and the league remain at odds over how to share the WNBA’s revenue, both sides have proposed a system that directly ties revenue to the salary cap rather than involving separate payouts.
Sikandar Raza could not contain his excitement as Brian Bennett pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss West Indies captain Shai Hope in their Group 1 Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. The Zimbabwe skipper was visibly pumped up, celebrating animatedly after the Chevrons removed both Windies openers.
The breakthrough came when Brad Evans outfoxed Hope with a clever change of pace. Rolling his fingers across the seam, Evans delivered a slower ball on a hard length over middle and off. Hope attempted to slog it across the line but swung slightly early, failing to generate timing or power. The ball ballooned towards deep mid-wicket, where Bennett had plenty to do.
Covering significant ground to his left, Bennett kept his eyes firmly on the ball before launching into a full-length dive to complete a sensational catch. The effort left teammates thrilled and reduced West Indies to 54/2. It was a moment of brilliance in the field, underlining Zimbabwe’s sharpness and intensity in the must-win encounter.
Earlier, Raza had called correctly at the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early assistance on offer. With South Africa and India also in Group 1 — the Proteas having thrashed India by 76 runs in Ahmedabad — both Zimbabwe and West Indies knew a victory would heap further pressure on the co-hosts.
Zimbabwe entered the Super 8s on a high after topping Group B, having stunned Australia and Sri Lanka in the league stage. It marked their first-ever qualification to the second round of a T20 World Cup. West Indies, who topped Group C, made one change, bringing in Romario Shepherd for Roston Chase. Zimbabwe introduced Richard Ngarava in place of Wellington Masakadza.
While the Wankhede pitch traditionally favours batters, it has shown signs of slowing down in the second innings, making Zimbabwe’s early strikes — and Bennett’s screamer — all the more crucial.
Tarik Skubal's stint with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic will be short-lived.
The Detroit Tigers ace told reporters Monday that he'll make one WBC start and then be done with the tournament. It sounds like the start will come in pool play, rather than a potential appearance the knockout round.
Skubal confirmed the plan from spring training in Florida and explained that he's prioritizing getting ready for Detroit's season after his start.
"I'm trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season," Skubal said, per The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen. "I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity."
Skubal also said that he'd lobby the Tigers to rejoin Team USA as a spectator if it makes the finals, indicating that his start will come sometime early in pool play.
"If they go to the finals, I think I'm going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys," he added.
The WBC finals will be played in Miami, not far from Detroit's spring training home of Lakeland in central Florida.
The Tigers and Tarik Skubal are limiting his exposure to wear and tear and injury risk in the World Baseball Classic.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner, Skubal's absence after his planned start will leave USA without arguably its top pitcher for the remainder of the tournament. USA has a deep roster of nine starting pitchers to choose from, including reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, two-time All-Star Logan Webb and All-Star Joe Ryan.
The upgrade of its pitching staff from the previous WBC was expected to give USA a leg up in the tournament after it lost to Japan on the final at-bat of the championship game in 2023. Skubal's limited availability is a blow to those plans and will leave USA without one of its top options on the mound in high-leverage elimination games if it advances beyond pool play.
The decision appears to be a compromise from the Tigers allowing Skubal to pitch for Team USA while limiting his exposure to wear and tear and injury risk. The Tigers are coming off a season in which they bounced back from a regular-season collapse that allowed the Cleveland Guardians to win the AL Central to clinch a wild-card berth and beat the Guardians in the wild-card round. The Tiger lost to the Seattle Mariners in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Detroit's projected to contend for the AL Central title in 2026, and Skubal's health and performance is a big part of those plans.
After exhibitions against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, Team USA will begin pool play at the WBC against Brazil on March 6. The WBC finals are scheduled for March 17. MLB's full Opening Day slate including Detroit's season opener against the San Diego Padres is scheduled for March 26.
Sidekick Publishing and developer Randwerk are excited to announce their partnership on the highly-wishlisted open-world roguelike WANDERBURG, with a surprise playable demo launching Today as part of Steam Next Fest. WANDERBURG landed with a bang during its breakout reveal at the 2025 PC Gaming Show, with a trailer that has since racked up over 470,000 views. The game has since received over 250,000 wishlists and saw 126,000 participants during the recent closed playtest.
Inspired by Mortal Engines and Howl's Moving Castle, WANDERBURG is a minimalist open-world roguelike in an ecosystem of Castles on Wheels. Consume, grow bigger, upgrade your modules, and survive! Unlock new weapons, build your castle, and discover a procedurally generated map.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Nvidia is collaborating with MediaTek to develop its N1 and N1X PC SoCs, which integrate CPU, GPU, and NPU components into a single chip. Major PC manufacturers such as Dell and Lenovo are reportedly working on several laptops powered by the new processors, with...
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Uber Autonomous Solutions will see the company taking on all the tasks associated with operating a robotaxi, self-driving truck, or sidewalk delivery robot business.
Flamingo Compliance is a tax residency and visa compliance platform for globally mobile individuals and teams. It automatically records trips across countries, US states, and select cities, calculates Schengen 90/180 limits, tracks long-term visas and permits, and alerts you as thresholds approach. You can use the Passport Index, plan future travel, and export audit-ready reports. Your data stays on your device with optional iCloud sync and no precise tracking.
Swan Hellenic has introduced a limited time offer covering free roundtrip airfare from select U.S. and Canadian gateways for guests who book their 2026 Asia Pacific sailings onboard the SH Minerva before February 28, 2026. The deal includes other benefits, such as cruise savings up to $1,500 per person, complimentary Wi-Fi upgrades to stay connected,...
Thousands of passengers in Canada are facing significant disruptions today as Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz, Porter, and several other airlines cancelled 350 and delayed 282 flights. Major cities like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa, and St. John’s have been severely impacted, leaving travelers stranded or uncertain about their travel plans. The massive delays and cancellations are linked to extreme weather conditions caused by a severe US winter storm. These storms have disrupted air traffic across the US and Canada, causing a ripple effect at key airports.
Passengers are being advised to stay in contact with their airlines for updates and potential rebooking options. The chaos has left many uncertain, with several flights grounded, making it crucial for all impacted travelers to plan ahead and explore alternative options for their journey.
Severe US Winter Storms Are Driving Flight Chaos and Rippling Into Canada
Today’s flight disruption data from Canada’s major airlines isn’t happening in isolation — it’s part of a widespread weather crisis rooted in severe storms across the United States, especially a powerful nor’easter and blizzard system hitting the US Northeast and East Coast.
Meteorologists and travel reporting confirm that a massive winter storm system — often called a nor’easter and labelled “Winter Storm Hernando” — has brought heavy snow, blizzard conditions, strong winds and widespread cancellations across key US air hubs like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Newark and other major airports.
These conditions have grounded planes, forced airport closures, and created cascading delays and cancellations throughout the US airspace system. Because Canada’s airline network (especially Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz (ACA) and others) operates flights into and out of US hubs on a daily basis, the storm’s impact ripples northward — even when Canadian weather is normal.
Planes delayed by snow and blizzard conditions in the US can’t reposition on time. Crews reach duty limits sooner, gates and runways clog, and airlines struggle to maintain connections. That’s why delays and cancellations in Canada today are inflated — even for flights that had no Canadian weather issues.
Total Travel Disruptions in Canada
Severe winter storms sweeping across the United States have caused massive travel disruptions throughout North America, significantly affecting Canadian airports and airlines. Today, total delays at major Canadian airports have reached 282, while 350 cancellations have been recorded. These disruptions are a direct result of adverse weather conditions in the US, specifically a powerful nor’easter affecting major US hubs like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. As flights to and from Canadian airports are delayed or cancelled, passengers are left wondering how to navigate the chaos.
Major Canadian Airports Impacted by US Storms
The following airports in Canada are experiencing significant flight disruptions:
Toronto Pearson International Airport: With 127 delays and 151 cancellations, Toronto Pearson has been one of the most heavily impacted airports. As a major international hub connecting Canada to the US and beyond, the cascading effect from US storms is evident in the high numbers of cancellations and delays.
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: Today’s disruptions at Montreal-Trudeau include 44 delays and 69 cancellations. The storm’s ripple effect is seen in the delay of both international and domestic flights.
Vancouver International Airport: Vancouver reports 82 delays and 19 cancellations, mainly affecting flights traveling from East Coast US airports.
Halifax International Airport: While Halifax has reported fewer delays (9) and cancellations (54), it is still affected by the storm-induced chaos in the US.
St. John’s International Airport: With 3 delays and 28 cancellations, the airport is seeing the effects of stormy weather, even though it has a smaller number of disruptions.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport: Ottawa is also experiencing 17 delays and 24 cancellations, likely due to delays from US flights entering Canada.
CFB Goose Bay: This military airport, which serves limited domestic routes, has recorded 5 cancellations but no delays.
Airlines Affected by the Storms
Canadian airlines are grappling with significant disruptions due to these US-wide storms. The airlines most impacted by delays and cancellations today include:
Air Canada: With 42 cancellations (7%) and 77 delays (14%), Air Canada has been one of the hardest-hit carriers. As the largest Canadian airline, it services numerous routes to the US, where the storm’s impact is felt the most.
WestJet: 31 cancellations (6%) and 75 delays (16%) have been recorded for WestJet, which operates numerous cross-border flights.
Jazz (ACA): A regional airline operating for Air Canada, Jazz has seen 104 cancellations (26%) and 47 delays (11%), with most of these related to connecting flights from US airports.
PAL Airlines: This regional carrier has faced 33 cancellations (37%) and 1 delay (1%), showing a disproportionate impact due to the storm’s reach.
Porter Airlines: 25 cancellations (10%) and 36 delays (15%) have been reported, primarily affecting routes between Canadian cities and US airports.
Air Canada Rouge: A subsidiary of Air Canada, Rouge has experienced 9 cancellations (8%) and 11 delays (10%), contributing to the overall impact on Canadian passengers.
What Affected Passengers Can Do Now
If you are currently traveling or planning to travel through any of these impacted Canadian airports, here are a few steps to help you manage the disruptions:
Stay Updated: Regularly check with your airline’s website or mobile app for real-time updates regarding your flight status.
Contact the Airline: For cancellations, contact the airline immediately to inquire about rebooking options or possible compensation for the disruption.
Know Your Rights: Canadian travelers are entitled to compensation for certain delays and cancellations under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Depending on the delay duration, compensation may be provided.
Consider Alternative Routes: If your flight has been canceled, look for alternative routes to your destination or consider other transportation options.
Arrive Early: For any remaining flights, be sure to arrive at the airport well in advance to accommodate any extra security measures or check-in processes due to the high volume of disruptions.
Conclusion
Today’s travel disruptions at Canadian airports are a direct result of the severe winter storms battering the US East Coast. With 282 delays and 350 cancellations affecting major hubs like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, it is clear that the ripple effect of these storms has disrupted not just the US but Canada’s air traffic as well. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed, reach out to airlines for rebooking options, and know their rights regarding compensation during such disruptions.
Travelers and airlines newly impacted by an LAX traffic increases because of 97 delays and 129 cancellations. Impacts of disruptions are reaching across all plans for travel. American Airlines, JetBlue, United, and Delta Air Lines have all been disrupted. Disruptions will affect tourism, passengers, and the airline industry.
Passengers Affected:
As a key gateway for domestic and international travelers, LAX serves millions annually. With nearly 130 flight cancellations and nearly 100 delays today alone, countless passengers have faced interruptions in their travel plans. The number of affected passengers is considerable, with some facing extended waiting times, rerouted flights, and significant changes in itineraries.
Among the most affected airlines is American Airlines, which has seen 34 cancellations and 7 delays, impacting both their operations and the experience of thousands of passengers. Other major carriers such as JetBlue, United, and Delta have also been deeply impacted, with cancellations and delays that have rippled across their networks. JetBlue, for example, had 28 cancellations, accounting for 71% of their total flights affected today, while United saw 27 cancellations and 15 delays, with Delta reporting 25 cancellations and 7 delays.
Smaller carriers like Alaska Airlines, Spirit, and Southwest also experienced disruptions, with Alaska Airlines reporting 7 cancellations and 3 delays, while Spirit and Southwest saw a limited number of delays. However, the situation wasn’t limited to domestic carriers alone. International airlines like Air France, Korean Air, and Lufthansa faced a mix of cancellations and delays, further complicating the travel experience for international passengers.
Impact on Tourism:
The widespread cancellations and delays at LAX have implications beyond just passenger frustration. As one of the busiest international airports in the U.S., LAX plays a pivotal role in the tourism industry. With many travelers from around the world passing through LAX on their way to Los Angeles and beyond, these disruptions have the potential to harm tourism. Visitors from regions such as Asia, Europe, and Latin America, who rely on international carriers, now face the possibility of delayed or canceled flights, resulting in a disruption to their travel schedules.
LAX’s delays and cancellations also affect the local tourism economy, with visitors missing out on planned excursions or events, including popular tourist attractions, conventions, and leisure activities. With a significant portion of tourism in Los Angeles relying on smooth international and domestic flight schedules, these disruptions can lead to a ripple effect that impacts hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses that depend on tourist traffic. Additionally, there may be financial losses for airlines and travel agencies as they work to accommodate displaced passengers.
Airlines and Airports Affected:
LAX serves as a hub for numerous major U.S. and international airlines, and the disruptions have affected a broad range of carriers. In addition to American Airlines, JetBlue, and United, international airlines such as Air France, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific are among those seeing cancellations. The sheer volume of affected airlines highlights the magnitude of today’s disruptions and their widespread impact.
Other carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest have also faced operational difficulties, with Alaska Airlines reporting a notable number of canceled flights. Regional carriers, including Horizon (ASA) and SkyWest, have seen lesser disruptions but still contributed to the overall impact on operations at LAX.
In addition to airlines, the airports themselves have faced logistical hurdles in managing the delays and cancellations, with LAX authorities working to accommodate passengers during the ongoing situation. However, given the scale of the disruptions, it is clear that the airport’s capacity to handle such disruptions is being stretched.
Conclusion:
Delays and cancellations of flights happen every day at Los Angeles International Airport and will serve as a reminder of the risks taken every time someone hops on a plane. Be it weather complications, technical issues, or unforeseen issues, there will always be risks. Airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines have the most delays and cancellations.
When delays and cancellations happen, the entire tourism industry suffers as they rely on the constant movement of travelers. For Los Angeles, Denver International Airport, the Airlines, and the Tourism industry must alleviate the disruptions and keep travelers moving.
Princess Cruises provides travellers with a special chance to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary through their festive cruise package. The cruise line has introduced a series of themed sailings throughout 2026, along with exclusive special offers to mark the occasion. The commemorative voyages take passengers to America’s most famous destinations which include Alaska and Hawaii and New England while they enjoy special onboard experiences that show the country historic milestone.
Exploring America’s Scenic Shores: Special Sailings for 2026
As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Princess Cruises is inviting passengers to embark on a selection of themed voyages, with eight ships operating in Alaska, Hawaii, and New England. These voyages feature scenic itineraries, with stops in destinations that tell the story of America’s history and natural beauty.
Among the highlights is Princess Cruises’ largest ever Alaska season, featuring 180 departures and visits to 19 destinations. This expanded schedule includes sailings on the Star Princess, a new addition to the fleet, which will serve as a flagship for the 2026 season. For travellers seeking a true connection with the wilderness and history, the Alaskan journeys will offer unforgettable views of glaciers, wildlife, and remote landscapes.
In addition to Alaska, Hawaii and New England/Canada voyages will offer guests the chance to discover tropical islands, stunning coastlines, and charming coastal towns that have played significant roles in American history. From the volcanic shores of Hawaii to the colonial buildings of New England, these itineraries provide a deep dive into the diversity of the U.S.
Exclusive Offers: Princess Signature Sale for 2026 Voyages
To make this anniversary celebration even more accessible, Princess Cruises has launched the Princess Signature Sale, providing guests with a range of limited-time promotions. From now until March 17, 2026, travellers can take advantage of:
Up to USD 600 instant savings on select voyages
USD 99 deposits to secure bookings
Free third and fourth guests on qualifying cruises
This sale applies to a range of 2026 sailings, including Alaska and New England itineraries, departing from convenient U.S. homeports. With these savings, families, friends, and first-time cruisers can embark on a memorable journey while enjoying an unforgettable value.
Commemorative Onboard Experiences for America’s 250th
Princess Cruises has also curated special onboard programming to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. Guests will experience:
Themed entertainment and shows reflecting the nation’s heritage
Special food and beverage experiences, including regionally inspired menus
Exclusive retail items, such as commemorative Pendleton blankets and a special “Celebrating America 250 by Princess” collector pin
These activities and items are designed to immerse guests in the spirit of America’s anniversary while they explore some of the country’s most beloved destinations. These offerings are a fantastic way to commemorate the occasion, all while enjoying the luxurious experience that Princess Cruises is known for.
The Star Princess: The New Flagship for Alaska Voyages
A key highlight of the 2026 Alaska season is the inclusion of the Star Princess, as one of the newest additions to the Princess Cruises fleet, the Star Princess offers state-of-the-art amenities designed to enhance the guest experience. Featuring modern accommodations, fine dining options, and expanded entertainment venues, the Star Princess will be a central vessel in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Passengers on these voyages will enjoy the perfect balance of luxury and adventure as they explore Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes.
A Journey Through America’s History
The 2026 anniversary cruises not only offer incredible landscapes but also bring the history of America to life. From the early days of the American colonies in New England to the indigenous culture and volcanic formations in Hawaii, every destination offers an opportunity to understand more about the United States’ vast and diverse heritage. These sailings provide both seasoned travellers and first-time cruisers a chance to visit the landmarks and places that shaped the nation, all while experiencing the world-class service Princess Cruises is renowned for.
Celebrating America’s 250th in Style
The 2026 anniversary sailings of Princess Cruises provide a special opportunity for travelers to experience three aspects of America through its historical sites and natural landscapes and its various cultural traditions. The cruises offer special discounts and themed events and unique onboard experiences to create a memorable celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The passengers will create enduring memories through their participation in a historic celebration which takes them to Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands and New England.
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has embarked on an exciting new chapter in India by joining forces with MBD Group through a Master Franchise Agreement. This dynamic partnership is set to fuel the rapid expansion of RHG’s prestigious brands, Radisson Collection and Radisson RED, across the country. By combining RHG’s world-class standards with MBD Group’s deep local expertise, the collaboration promises to redefine India’s luxury hospitality landscape. With a focus on both growth and innovation, this alliance will introduce cutting-edge hotel experiences, enhance the appeal of premium destinations, and cater to the growing demand for high-end accommodations. As India continues to emerge as a major player in the global hospitality market, RHG and MBD Group are perfectly positioned to lead the way in transforming the luxury travel scene.
Expanding Luxury Hospitality in India
As part of the agreement, MBD Group will spearhead the development of Radisson Collection and Radisson RED hotels in selected locations throughout India. In addition to RHG’s ongoing development efforts, MBD Group will manage key business functions, including development, management, and franchising for both brands at agreed locations. This structure will support RHG’s broader growth strategy, positioning India as a pivotal market in its expansion. With the support of RHG’s extensive partner network, the brands are set to experience robust growth in the region, tapping into emerging opportunities within the Indian luxury hospitality segment.
Radisson Blu MBD Noida’s Transformation
A major highlight of this partnership is the transformation of the Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida, a flagship property that was among the first five-star hotels in the area. The hotel will undergo a significant upgrade and will be rebranded as Radisson Collection MBD, aligning with the global standards of RHG’s luxury brand. The transition of this high-performing hotel marks a key milestone in RHG’s strategy to enhance its premium portfolio in India by elevating established and successful properties.
The property’s repositioning as a Radisson Collection hotel reflects RHG’s commitment to expanding its luxury offerings in India, leveraging its network to attract high-end travelers. The rebranding effort underscores the group’s vision to incorporate high-quality, landmark properties into its global portfolio, reinforcing the appeal of Radisson Collection and Radisson RED across the region.
With this strategic partnership, RHG is well-equipped to meet the increasing demand for luxury and lifestyle accommodations in India. By combining RHG’s renowned brand platforms with MBD Group’s local market expertise, the collaboration sets the stage for a new era of premium hospitality growth in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. This is just the beginning, as both brands continue to push forward with their plans for expansion in India.
Catalyzing the Next Phase of Growth in India’s Luxury and Lifestyle Hospitality Market “India’s premium hospitality market continues to see strong growth, alongside rising demand for contemporary, design-led lifestyle experiences. This strategic partnership further strengthens our ability to expand Radisson Collection and Radisson RED across key Indian markets, alongside our broader development initiatives. MBD Group has been a trusted partner to Radisson Hotel Group for over two decades, and together we are well positioned to scale these brands while creating distinctive hotels that respond to evolving traveler expectations and reinforce our long-term commitment to India,” said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
“The collaboration supports our development momentum in India’s premium hospitality segment. Our development efforts with MBD team’s aid shall help us finding a higher quantum of opportunities in addition to our robust growth capabilities. With a clear asset-light focus, we are well positioned to scale strategically while sustaining long-term brand value,” said Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
Vision for Growth and Strategic Roadmap Commenting on the alliance, Sonica Malhotra Kandhari, Joint Managing Director, MBD Group, said, “This partnership marks a decisive strategic milestone in MBD’s hospitality evolution. The first decade of partnership is targeted to deliver 50 co-branded hotels across Radisson collection MBD and Radisson RED MBD hotels predominantly through an asset light model. MBD’s prop book exposure will be around 25%. Radisson Collection MBD targeting luxury will have an extremely thought-through placement whereas Radisson RED MBD targeting lifestyle segment will be a far aggressive expansion. MBD will leverage on its pan Indian brand presence, operational excellence and no 1 leadership performance position amongst all Radisson Hotels in the country.”
Sonica further added, the planned portfolio is expected to follow an approximate mix of 80% managed and franchised hotels and 20% owned properties, reflecting a shared focus on scalable, asset-light expansion. The collaboration brings together Radisson Hotel Group’s global brand strength and MBD Group’s deep understanding of the local markets and operational expertise aimed at addressing the growing demand for high-end luxury and design-led lifestyle hospitality”
Design Philosophy and Brand Identity Monica Malhotra Kandhari, Managing Director, MBD Group, added, “Luxury today is defined by aesthetic refinement and immersive experiences. With our project design and management expertise at MBD, we aim to deliver design excellence that elevates guest experiences. Radisson Collection MBD will reflect timeless, rooted and curated luxury, while Radisson RED MBD bringing bold, playful and socially driven design and MBD superimposing its beautiful cultural narratives will redefine luxury and lifestyle hospitality in India. MBD has exhibited pinnacle performance be it education or hospitality and with this partnership we aim to become number no1 luxury and lifestyle brand, Indian origin with Global confluence in the most elegant way.”
Legacy and Value-driven Partnership
“Our association with RHG has always been built on trust and a shared commitment to quality. This expanded alliance is a reflection of the enduring legacy envisioned by our founder, Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra, building institutions anchored on integrity and a steadfast pursuit of excellence and creating a leadership position without compromising on culture and ethics. We are truly delighted to do extremely meaningful work on Indian hospitality landscape and make India most preferred destination,” said Satish Bala Malhotra, Chairperson, MBD Group.
Radisson Hotel Group and MBD Group are united in their mission to redefine luxury and lifestyle destinations across India. Their partnership aims to create sustainable, long-term value for owners and partners, while actively contributing to the growth and enhancement of India’s hospitality sector. This collaboration will complement RHG’s ongoing independent expansion efforts in the market.
Severe winter weather sweeping Northeast USA has triggered widespread operational disruption at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where 119 flights have been cancelled and 128 delayed. The most affected carriers include American Airlines (81 cancellations, 81 delays), Delta Air Lines (16 cancellations, 4 delays), and United Airlines (10 cancellations, 4 delays). Other impacted airlines include Spirit Airlines (5 cancellations, 2 delays), JetBlue Airways (2 cancellations), Air Canada (2 cancellations), and Frontier Airlines (2 cancellations, 1 delay). Airports seeing major disruption include LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Boston Logan, John F. Kennedy International, and Philadelphia International, as blizzard warnings and emergency declarations ripple across key travel corridors.
Updated today: 119 cancellations and 128 delays recorded at Dallas-Fort Worth amid Northeast blizzard conditions.
Millions remain under winter storm alerts from Maryland to Massachusetts.
New York City is under its first blizzard warning in nine years.
States including New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have declared emergencies.
Commercial vehicle bans and travel restrictions are in effect across multiple states.
American Airlines accounts for the largest share of disruptions at DFW.
Major New York and Boston airports are reporting full cancellation rates on several routes.
International routes to Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East are experiencing delays.
Airlines Most Affected by Flight Cancellations and Delays
American Airlines
81 cancellations and 81 delays, representing the largest operational impact at DFW.
Delta Air Lines
16 cancellations and 4 delays tied to storm-related disruption.
United Airlines
10 cancellations and 4 delays affecting domestic connections.
Spirit Airlines
5 cancellations and 2 delays reported.
JetBlue Airways
2 cancellations amid heavy Northeast impact.
Air Canada
2 cancellations impacting cross-border routes.
Additional carriers facing delays include Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas, Finnair, Japan Airlines and SkyWest, reflecting the international ripple effect of the storm system.
What can Impacted US Travelers Do?
Check airline websites or mobile apps for real-time status updates. Flight schedules can change multiple times within hours during severe weather, so monitoring official airline channels helps passengers track gate changes, cancellations, aircraft swaps and revised departure times.
Rebook through airline self-service portals where available. Many carriers provide flexible rebooking options during major disruptions, allowing travelers to select alternate flights without waiting in long airport queues or call center hold times.
Monitor weather advisories in both departure and arrival cities. Even if conditions appear stable at one airport, connecting cities may face restrictions, runway closures or air traffic flow controls that can affect onward travel.
Allow additional time for airport processing and security screening. Irregular operations often lead to crowd congestion, longer baggage processing times and extended security lines as displaced passengers attempt to reschedule travel.
Avoid unnecessary road travel in states under emergency declarations. Travel bans and commercial vehicle restrictions may limit highway access, making airport commutes difficult or unsafe during blizzard conditions.
Keep travel documents and notifications accessible for rapid rebooking. Having identification, confirmation numbers, and digital boarding passes readily available can speed up re-accommodation procedures if flights are cancelled or significantly delayed.
Overview of Flight Disruptions
Winter storm conditions in the USA stretching from Maryland through Massachusetts have significantly disrupted air traffic flows into and out of Dallas-Fort Worth. Airports in New York and Boston are experiencing concentrated cancellation clusters, particularly at LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, JFK and Boston Logan. Philadelphia International is also reporting extensive disruption. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are absorbing the majority of cancellations at Dallas-Fort Worth, while JetBlue and Spirit Airlines have also recorded operational setbacks. International carriers including Lufthansa, Emirates and Qantas are seeing delays tied to the broader network slowdown. The blizzard warning affecting New York City — its first in nearly a decade — combined with state emergency declarations in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, has restricted highway movement and commercial vehicle operations. These conditions are compounding scheduling difficulties and aircraft rotations across major hubs. With major East Coast airports repeatedly impacted and Dallas-Fort Worth functioning as a central connecting hub, the cascading effect continues to disrupt domestic and international travel. Passengers traveling through New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Dallas are experiencing the highest levels of interruption as winter weather conditions persist.
A powerful winter storm system sweeping across parts of the United States has grounded hundreds of passengers after 95 flights were cancelled and 38 delayed, disrupting travel across major cities including New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando and beyond. The primary cause of the disruption was severe winter weather conditions — including heavy snowfall, freezing rain, strong winds and reduced visibility — that forced airlines to scale back operations for safety reasons.
The cancellations impacted services operated by Republic Airways, Southwest Airlines, Endeavor Air, JetBlue, United Airlines and several other carriers. With nearly 133 flights affected within a short operational window, the ripple effects quickly spread through multiple aviation hubs, straining airline schedules and leaving travelers scrambling for alternatives.
Breakdown of the 95 Cancellations and 38 Delays
The 95 cancellations spanned both short-haul regional routes and longer domestic services. Regional flights operated by Republic Airways and Endeavor Air were particularly vulnerable because these aircraft often complete multiple segments per day. If one flight is cancelled due to weather, subsequent legs are often removed from the schedule.
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines saw cancellations across major domestic corridors linking the Midwest, Northeast and Florida. JetBlue experienced disruptions on its Northeast-heavy network, especially routes touching New York and Orlando.
The 38 delayed flights created additional congestion inside terminals as passengers monitored departure boards that frequently updated with revised gate assignments and times.
Major Cities Feel the Ripple Effect
The disruption was not confined to a single airport. Instead, it cascaded across interconnected hubs:
New York (JFK and LaGuardia) saw reduced arrival and departure rates due to snowfall and wind gusts.
Philadelphia International Airport experienced both inbound and outbound cancellations.
Chicago O’Hare dealt with de-icing backlogs and air traffic flow restrictions.
Los Angeles International Airport encountered secondary delays as inbound aircraft failed to arrive on schedule.
Orlando International Airport, a major leisure gateway, saw travelers rebooked and some flights pushed to the following day.
Because aircraft operate on tightly coordinated schedules, a cancellation in Chicago can affect flights later scheduled to depart from Orlando or Los Angeles. This interconnected structure magnifies weather-related disruptions.
Airlines Grapple with Operational Strain
United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, both major domestic carriers with extensive route networks, saw multiple schedule adjustments as aircraft rotations fell behind. JetBlue, with a strong presence in the Northeast and Florida corridors, experienced ripple effects across its high-demand routes.
Republic Airways and Endeavor Air, operating regional services for larger network carriers, faced cascading impacts when aircraft positioning became disrupted. Regional fleets typically have tighter scheduling windows, making them especially sensitive to operational slowdowns.
While airlines activated rebooking protocols and in some cases offered travel waivers, limited seat availability on alternate flights made same-day re-accommodation difficult for many passengers.
Winter Storm and Weather Disruption as the Major Cause
The central driver behind the widespread cancellations was a fast-moving winter storm that impacted several key airport regions simultaneously. Snow accumulation and icy runway conditions required extensive de-icing operations, reducing the number of aircraft that could depart safely.
Air traffic control programs were implemented in affected regions to manage congestion and maintain safe separation between aircraft. During winter storms, runway capacity can be reduced significantly, sometimes by up to 40 percent, as additional spacing between flights is required.
De-icing procedures further extend turnaround times. Each aircraft must undergo treatment before departure, which adds minutes to every flight and slows the entire system. When this occurs at multiple hubs at once, airlines are forced to proactively cancel select flights to prevent even deeper gridlock.
High winds and poor visibility also contributed to holding patterns and arrival delays, particularly at busy airports in New York and Chicago.
Passenger Experience: Delays, Rebookings and Overnight Stays
Inside major airports, long lines formed at airline counters as stranded travelers sought alternate arrangements. Many passengers were automatically rebooked via airline apps, but some faced next-day departures due to limited availability.
Business travelers reported missed meetings, while families traveling during peak season encountered sudden itinerary changes. Connecting passengers were particularly impacted, as a single weather-related cancellation often disrupted multiple legs of travel.
Hotels near airports in New York, Chicago and Orlando reported increased bookings from stranded travelers. Rental car counters and ground transportation services also saw surges in demand.
Broader Implications for US Winter Travel
The disruption highlights how vulnerable the US aviation network remains during winter storm season. Airlines operate with high aircraft utilization and minimal slack capacity. When multiple hubs face weather constraints simultaneously, even moderate cancellation numbers can escalate into nationwide travel turbulence.
Winter weather — including snow, ice and wind — remains one of the most disruptive forces in aviation. Despite advanced forecasting tools and operational planning, severe conditions still require airlines to prioritize safety over schedule reliability.
Recovery Timeline and What Travelers Should Know
As storm conditions gradually ease and runway clearing operations conclude, airlines are repositioning aircraft and crews to stabilize operations. Full recovery from more than 100 disrupted flights typically takes 24 to 48 hours, depending on aircraft distribution and congestion levels.
Travelers scheduled to fly in the coming days should:
Monitor flight statuses frequently.
Arrive early at airports.
Confirm rebooking details in advance.
Review airline weather waiver policies.
Consider flexible routing options if necessary.
Preparation and flexibility remain essential during winter weather events.
Conclusion
The cancellation of 95 flights and delay of 38 more due to a powerful winter storm has once again demonstrated how quickly weather can ground hundreds of passengers across the United States. With Republic Airways, Southwest Airlines, Endeavor Air, JetBlue, United Airlines and others affected, disruptions rippled through major cities including New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando.
While airlines are working to restore stability, the episode underscores the fragile balance of modern air travel during severe weather. In a system operating at near capacity, even temporary reductions in runway throughput and aircraft movement can trigger widespread delays and cancellations.
As winter storm season continues, travelers across the US are reminded that weather-driven turbulence remains one of aviation’s most persistent challenges — and flexibility remains the key to navigating it.
In 2025, Florida’s tourism industry reached unprecedented levels, attracting a record 143.3 million visitors. This surge in both international and domestic tourism has catapulted the state to new heights, solidifying its reputation as a top global destination. Florida’s allure is rooted in a diverse mix of attractions, including iconic theme parks, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of cultural and outdoor experiences, making it a prime location for travelers from all over the world.
For domestic tourists, Florida continues to be the go-to destination, with more than 131 million arrivals in 2025. Its well-known family-friendly destinations, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, paired with its stunning coastlines and year-round pleasant weather, ensure a steady flow of visitors from across the U.S. These factors make Florida an appealing vacation spot for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and entertainment, reinforcing its status as a top national tourism hotspot.
On the international front, Florida has seen significant growth, particularly from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and various European nations. Strategic marketing campaigns and the state’s global reputation for major attractions have played a crucial role in this expansion. Florida’s proximity to Canada also contributes to its strong international presence, with Canadian travelers flocking to the state to escape colder climates. This international influx, combined with domestic growth, highlights Florida’s increasing prominence as a global tourism powerhouse in 2025.
International travel also played a significant role in Florida’s success in 2025. Approximately 9.3 million overseas visitors traveled to the state, marking a steady flow of global tourists seeking Florida’s renowned attractions. The state saw particularly strong visitation from markets like Brazil, Argentina, and several European nations, where Florida’s tourist offerings continue to captivate international travelers. Despite the positive overall growth, some regions did experience slight declines in visitation, a trend that analysts attributed to shifting global travel patterns and external factors, including economic fluctuations.
In addition to these international visitors, Florida also welcomed around 2.9 million travelers from neighboring Canada. This steady flow of Canadian tourists reflects the state’s long-standing popularity as a winter getaway, with its warm climate providing a stark contrast to the cold northern temperatures. Many Canadians return year after year, making Florida a familiar and preferred vacation destination for them.
One of the most impressive aspects of Florida’s tourism performance in 2025 came during the final quarter of the year. Over 33.5 million people visited the state in the last three months, making it the highest fourth-quarter total ever recorded. This spike was particularly significant given that the holiday season and year-end festivities tend to attract large crowds. The rise in visitors during this period can be attributed to several factors, including holiday travel, increased events and festivals, and the continued popularity of Florida’s major tourist spots such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and the beaches of Miami and Clearwater.
Airports across Florida reported sustained heavy traffic, signaling the resilience of the tourism sector. Despite challenges like severe weather events, including hurricanes, and shifting travel trends caused by global economic changes, the state’s tourism industry has remained steadfast. These factors might have influenced travel behaviors, but they didn’t deter people from making Florida a priority destination. Florida’s efficient transportation infrastructure, including busy international airports like Orlando International, Miami International, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, facilitated the smooth movement of millions of travelers each month.
The figures for 2025 represent a modest increase from 2024, which saw around 142.9 million visitors. While the year-on-year growth is small, it is still significant given the turbulence faced by the global tourism industry in recent years. Experts point to the collective efforts made by the state’s tourism leaders, as well as the ongoing investment in improving tourism infrastructure, as key drivers behind the sustained growth in Florida’s tourism sector. State officials have prioritized marketing campaigns that promote the state’s diverse attractions, as well as continued development in hospitality, transportation, and cultural offerings.
Florida’s tourism industry also benefits from an expanding portfolio of attractions and amenities. The state’s ongoing investment in its renowned beaches, theme parks, resorts, and cultural institutions has played an essential role in maintaining Florida’s appeal for both new and returning visitors. Over the years, the state has continued to develop and refine its tourism infrastructure, ensuring that both domestic and international travelers experience seamless and memorable vacations. From new hotel openings to expanded flight routes, Florida has positioned itself as a destination that can accommodate a wide range of travel needs and budgets.
In addition to physical infrastructure, the state has placed a strong emphasis on digital marketing, using innovative strategies to reach global audiences. Efforts to boost Florida’s tourism presence on social media platforms, collaborate with international travel agencies, and leverage content marketing have helped keep the state top-of-mind for potential visitors. This ongoing outreach has ensured that Florida remains a competitive force in the global tourism market, with new travelers continuously discovering what the state has to offer.
Looking ahead, experts predict that Florida’s tourism sector will continue to expand, driven by consistent domestic demand, rising international visitation, and the state’s relentless focus on improving its tourism offerings. With more attractions, advanced infrastructure, and a diverse cultural landscape, Florida remains a beacon for tourists from around the world.
In 2025, Florida attracted global attention with a record-breaking 143.3 million visitors, driven by a surge in both domestic tourism and international travel from markets like Brazil, Argentina, and Europe. The state’s diverse attractions and strategic marketing have solidified its position as a top global destination.
In conclusion, the tourism industry in Florida has proven itself resilient and adaptive, continuing to set records despite global challenges. The state’s ability to attract more than 143 million visitors in 2025 is a testament to its allure as a global tourism powerhouse. By maintaining consistent marketing, investing in its attractions, and ensuring top-tier infrastructure, Florida’s tourism industry is well-positioned to grow and thrive in the years to come.
Luxury travelers departing from or arriving in Monte Carlo, London, Whittier, Bangkok, Galveston, Auckland, and Cape Town will soon have more opportunities to explore beyond the ship. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has introduced a new collection of nearly 50 multi-day land programs that will be available on select sailings beginning in 2026 and extending into 2027. The expanded portfolio is designed to give guests deeper cultural immersion, allowing them to extend their journeys with curated experiences before or after their cruise. These programs will be offered across six ships in the company’s fleet and focus on local culture, heritage, cuisine, and natural landscapes. Bookings are now open, and travelers should note that land programs must be reserved at least 90 days prior to sailing. Availability varies depending on the specific voyage.
Expanding the Luxury Cruise Experience
The newly introduced land extensions reflect a growing demand among luxury travelers for longer, more immersive journeys. Instead of limiting exploration to port visits, the programs allow guests to spend multiple days experiencing a destination in depth.
Each itinerary includes:
Guided sightseeing and curated excursions
Hotel accommodations
Seamless transfers between ship and land
Experiences designed around the cruise’s embarkation or disembarkation port
These extensions are offered at an additional cost and are aligned with specific sailings.
Pre-Cruise Land Programs
French Riviera Discovery from Monte Carlo
The four-day “Gems of the Côte d’Azur” program is available before the July 6, 2026 sailing aboard Seven Seas Splendor. Travelers departing from Monte Carlo will explore the French Riviera’s coastal towns, cultural landmarks, and Mediterranean scenery before the ship sails to Rome.
British Heritage and Cuisine from London
Guests joining the August 3, 2026 roundtrip voyage from Southampton on Seven Seas Voyager can opt for the five-day “British Countryside and Cuisine” experience. The itinerary includes time in:
London
Oxford
Beaulieu
Winchester
The program highlights historic architecture, rural landscapes, and regional culinary traditions.
Alaska Exploration from Whittier
Before the August 2026 sailing of Seven Seas Explorer from Whittier to Vancouver, guests can participate in the four-day “Discover the Good Land” program. This extension focuses on Alaska’s wilderness, scenic landscapes, and wildlife-rich environments.
Post-Cruise Land Programs
Cultural Journey to Luang Prabang from Bangkok
After a 12-night voyage from Hong Kong to Bangkok in November 2026, travelers aboard Seven Seas Explorer can join the four-day “Treasures of Luang Prabang” program.
The experience includes:
Travel to Laos
Exploration of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visits to Buddhist temples, historic districts, and cultural landmarks
Southeast Texas Experience from Galveston
Following the 15-night sailing from Miami to Galveston on Seven Seas Splendor, guests can extend their trip with the four-day “Galveston Getaway.”
The itinerary focuses on:
Regional history
Coastal landscapes
Local culture of Southeast Texas
New Zealand Highlights from Auckland
Passengers disembarking in Auckland after the December 29, 2026 sailing from Sydney aboard Seven Seas Explorer can choose the four-day “Jewels of the South.”
This program showcases New Zealand’s natural scenery and cultural experiences, offering a deeper look at the country beyond the cruise port.
Outdoor Adventures in Cape Town
For active travelers, the five-day “Outdoors & Active in Cape Town” program is available after the January 17, 2027 voyage aboard Seven Seas Navigator from Mauritius to Cape Town.
The extension emphasizes:
Outdoor exploration
Coastal and mountain landscapes
Opportunities for active sightseeing in South Africa
Fleet-Wide Coverage
The new land collection spans multiple vessels, including:
Seven Seas Splendor
Seven Seas Voyager
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Navigator
Overall, the programs cover destinations across:
Europe
North America
Asia
Oceania
Africa
Alaska
This global reach aligns with the cruise line’s strategy to provide destination-focused luxury travel.
Booking and Planning Essentials
Travelers considering these extensions should keep the following key points in mind:
Reservations must be made at least 90 days before sailing
Programs are capacity-controlled and subject to availability
Land experiences are priced separately from cruise fares
Early booking is recommended for popular itineraries and peak travel dates
Because the programs are integrated with cruise schedules, they offer convenient logistics and coordinated transfers.
Responding to Changing Travel Preferences
The introduction of nearly 50 new land programs reflects a broader shift in luxury travel toward experiential and longer stays. Tourism authorities worldwide continue to promote extended visits and deeper cultural engagement, which support local economies and sustainable tourism goals. By encouraging travelers to spend more time in gateway cities and surrounding regions, the programs help distribute tourism benefits while enhancing the overall travel experience.
Enhancing Time in Home Ports
Many embarkation and disembarkation cities such as Monte Carlo, Southampton, Bangkok, Auckland, and Cape Town serve as gateways to culturally and geographically rich regions.
These structured extensions allow travelers to:
Explore beyond the port city
Avoid complex independent planning
Experience regional highlights in a curated format
Outlook for 2026–2027
With bookings already open, the expanded land collection is expected to appeal to travelers planning milestone journeys and long-haul vacations. The combination of luxury cruising and curated land exploration reflects a growing trend toward integrated, destination-rich travel experiences. For travelers seeking to transform a cruise into a comprehensive global journey, the new programs offer opportunities to explore iconic regions more deeply whether discovering the French Riviera before departure, experiencing Laos after a Southeast Asia voyage, or extending an African itinerary with outdoor adventures in Cape Town.
For many travelers, Monday morning, February 23, 2026, was supposed to be the start of a productive work week or a long-awaited holiday. Instead, it became a masterclass in patience as Storm Hernando unleashed a wave of cancellations that spanned from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to the busiest runways in the United Kingdom.
What began as a “major winter storm” warning from the US National Weather Service has rapidly mutated into a logistical nightmare for airlines and passengers alike. As the storm battered the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US with heavy snow, fierce winds, and coastal flooding, the effects were felt thousands of miles away at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Dublin.
The UK Hubs: Heathrow and Gatwick in Crisis
London Heathrow, often described as the “world’s junction,” bore the brunt of the UK disruptions. On Monday alone, a staggering 32 flights scheduled to depart from Heathrow to New York’s JFK were scrapped. The cancellations weren’t just one-way; incoming flights from the US were also grounded, leaving aircraft and crews out of position.+1
At London Gatwick, the scene was similar. Departure boards glowed with the dreaded red “Cancelled” text, as airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic struggled to manage the backlog. The issue isn’t just the weather at the destination; it’s the “flow control”—the safety-mandated spacing between aircraft—that prevents airports from operating at full capacity when visibility and wind speeds hit dangerous levels.
Northern Disruptions: Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin
The chaos wasn’t confined to London.Manchester Airport saw several direct transatlantic services cancelled, while Edinburgh Airport reported that 35 outgoing flights had the second leg of their journeys (often US-bound connections) called off.+1
Across the Irish Sea, Dublin Airport issued an official advisory via social media, confirming that 13 flights had been axed due to the “perilous” conditions on the US East coast. For Irish travelers, the disruption hit hardest on routes to Boston, Newark, and JFK, leaving many stranded in the terminal as they scrambled to find accommodation or alternative routes.+1
The Human Element: Passengers in Limbo
Behind the statistics of “4,000 global cancellations” are the human stories. In Heathrow’s Terminal 2, families were seen huddling near power outlets, their holidays to Disney World or New York City put on indefinite hold. Business travelers, usually armed with gold-status perks, found themselves in the same long queues as everyone else, as airline call centers reached wait times of over three hours.
“It’s the uncertainty that’s the hardest,” said one passenger stranded at Manchester. “You don’t know if you should go home, find a hotel, or wait it out for a flight that might not leave for another two days.”
Airlines have responded by waiving rebooking fees, but with so many flights grounded, finding an available seat on a future flight is becoming a “Hunger Games” style scramble.
Why “Storm Hernando” is Different
Meteorologists have pointed to the sheer scale of Hernando as the reason for such widespread disruption. With blizzard warnings covering a corridor from Washington D.C. to Maine and snow totals reaching up to 28 inches in some areas, the US East Coast infrastructure—including major hubs like JFK and Logan International—essentially went into “hibernation” to ensure safety.
When the US “shuts its doors,” the UK’s transatlantic schedule collapses. The “impossible travel conditions” cited by the National Weather Service aren’t just an exaggeration; they are a reality for ground crews who cannot safely de-ice planes or load baggage in the face of 60mph gusts and whiteout conditions.
Expert Advice for Stranded Travelers
If you are currently caught in the Storm Hernando chaos, travel experts suggest the following:
Use the App, Not the Desk: Airline apps are often updated faster than airport screens. You can often rebook yourself through the app without waiting in a physical queue.
Know Your Rights: Under UK261 regulations, airlines are often required to provide food vouchers and overnight accommodation if your flight is delayed or cancelled, even if the cause is weather-related (though compensation for “extraordinary circumstances” like a storm is usually not required).
Check the “Inbound” Flight: Use flight tracking apps to see where the plane before yours is coming from. If that plane never left the US, your flight won’t be leaving the UK.
Looking Ahead
While forecasts suggest the worst of Storm Hernando will subside by Tuesday evening, the “knock-on” effects will likely last through the end of the week. Aircraft are currently in the wrong cities, and crew hours have been exhausted.
For now, the best advice for any traveler with a transatlantic ticket is to stay home, keep your phone charged, and wait for the “all clear” from the skies.
South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange 2026 (SATTE) is a premier travel and tourism trade show in the region, bringing together tourism boards, travel agencies, hospitality businesses, and industry professionals. Scheduled from 25–27 February 2026, the event will be held at YashoBhoomi in Dwarka, New Delhi. SATTE serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing travel destinations, accommodation options, innovative tourism services, and new trends in the industry. Attendees can participate in exhibitions, networking sessions, and knowledge-sharing workshops, making it an essential gathering for professionals and enthusiasts in the South Asian tourism sector.
The event offers a platform to explore emerging travel trends, discover new destinations, and showcase innovative services. Participants can engage in exhibitions, interactive presentations, business-to-business meetings, and networking opportunities, making it an essential event for anyone looking to connect with key players in the South Asian tourism market.
Expected Visitors and Exhibitors at SATTE 2026
The South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2026 is set to attract a large and diverse audience, with an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 visitors from across the region and beyond. Over 500 exhibitors will participate, including tourism boards, travel agencies, hotel chains, airlines, and service providers, showcasing their destinations, products, and innovations. This scale ensures extensive networking, business opportunities, and insights into the latest trends in the travel and tourism industry.
Things Happening at South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2026
At SATTE 2026, Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition returns as a comprehensive B2B platform where industry professionals, tourism boards, businesses, and buyers come together to connect, collaborate, and grow.
1. Large‑Scale Exhibitions
Thousands of exhibitors from over 60 countries will showcase travel products, services, destinations, hospitality offerings, and tourism technologies — giving attendees a global view of the industry.
2. B2B Networking & Meetings
Structured face‑to‑face meetings and networking sessions allow travel buyers, sellers, tour operators, and industry leaders to build partnerships, negotiate deals, and expand business reach.
3. Destination Showcases
National and state tourism boards from India and abroad will present their destinations, attractions, travel packages, and regional specialties to industry stakeholders.
4. Conference Sessions & Panels
Expert‑led discussions, panel talks, and sessions will cover trends and insights in travel, including market growth, travel technology, niche segments (like MICE and weddings), and strategic development for future tourism growth.
5. Knowledge Sharing & Innovation Displays
Workshops and informative talks offer opportunities for participants to learn best practices, innovative solutions, and industry trends. Technology providers will showcase advancements such as AI tools and mobile booking platforms.
6. Hosted Buyer Programs
Exclusive hosted buyer initiatives facilitate deeper engagement for key buyers with curated meetings and lodging support, aimed at enhancing the business experience and attracting international participants.
7. Cultural & Promotional Activities
Certain destination pavilions and showcases may include cultural performances, promotional displays, and interactive exhibits offering immersive experiences of various regions. These combined activities make SATTE 2026 not just an exhibition but a dynamic business and knowledge ecosystem for the global travel and tourism industry.
Exhibitors at SATTE 2026
CLASSIC TRAVEL SHOPPE PVT LTD
Website
Exhibited In: Feb 2025
GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan Tourism is the state government’s official portal providing information on tourist destinations
Opening of SATTE 2026, global exhibitors, destination showcases, networking sessions
Day 2
26 February 2026
Exhibitions continue, B2B meetings, industry talks, and networking
Day 3
27 February 2026
Final day of exhibition, business meetings, networking wrap-up activities
Daily Timings
25–27 February 2026
09:00 AM – 05:00 PM / 06:00 PM (approx.)
Airports Near SATTE 2026 – South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange, New Delhi
Indira Gandhi International Airport
One of the busiest airports in India and Asia, serving as New Delhi’s main international and domestic aviation hub. It handles tens of millions of passengers annually, with extensive global and domestic flight connectivity. IGI features multiple terminals, modern facilities, significant cargo operations, and strong transport links (taxis, metro) to the city and SATTE venue in Dwarka.
Noida International Airport
Also known as Jewar Airport, this is a new greenfield international airport under development near Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. Planned to ease congestion at Delhi’s IGI Airport and serve the wider National Capital Region (NCR), it’s designed for high passenger capacity and strong future expansion. Commercial flight operations are anticipated to start around 2026, making it another strategic gateway for domestic and international travellers.
Hindon Airport
A secondary regional airport in Ghaziabad that operates from a civil enclave on an Indian Air Force airbase. It mainly serves domestic flights under regional connectivity schemes and has expanding services to several key Indian cities. Hindon offers an alternative for domestic travellers within the Delhi–NCR area and helps reduce traffic at the larger IGI Airport.
Airlines Operating Near SATTE 2026 – New Delhi
IndiGo
India’s largest airline by market share, IndiGo operates an extensive domestic network along with growing international routes across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Known for its low-cost model, punctuality, and large Airbus and ATR fleet, it connects major metros as well as regional cities efficiently.
Air India
The national flag carrier of India, Air India operates wide domestic and long-haul international services across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Following its acquisition by the Tata Group, the airline is undergoing fleet modernization and service upgrades, including new aircraft orders and expanded global connectivity.
SpiceJet
A prominent low-cost carrier in India, SpiceJet operates domestic and select international routes. It focuses on affordable fares and also runs cargo services through SpiceXpress. The airline connects major cities and several smaller destinations across the country.
Akasa Air
A relatively new Indian airline launched in 2022, Akasa Air follows a low-cost model with a modern fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It has rapidly expanded its domestic network and is gradually adding international destinations, emphasizing youthful branding and customer-friendly services.
Alliance Air
Alliance Air is a regional airline in India that primarily operates under the government’s regional connectivity scheme (UDAN). It connects smaller cities and underserved airports to major hubs, playing a key role in improving regional air travel access.
Air India Express
A low-cost subsidiary of Air India, Air India Express operates short-haul international and domestic routes, especially between India and the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The airline focuses on budget travel while benefiting from integration within the broader Air India Group.
Hotels in Faridabad for SATTE 2026
Remedra Hotels and Residences
Located in Faridabad, Remedra Hotels and Residences offers modern accommodations with a terrace, on-site restaurant, bar, and free private parking. Its convenient location makes it a practical choice for attendees of SATTE 2026 (25–27 February 2026, YashoBhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, India) seeking comfortable lodging near the event.
Radisson Blu Faridabad
A luxury hotel situated in Faridabad, Radisson Blu features spacious rooms with modern amenities, a flat-screen TV, and easy access to major nearby cities like Gurgaon and Noida. Guests attending SATTE 2026 (25–27 February 2026, YashoBhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, India) can enjoy both comfort and proximity to the exhibition venue.
Grove House Hauz Khas New Delhi Couple Friendly
This property offers cozy accommodations with a terrace and free private parking in Faridabad. It’s ideal for couples or small groups attending SATTE 2026 (25–27 February 2026, YashoBhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, India) who want a relaxed, private stay while visiting the trade show.
Treebo Grand Town House
Treebo Grand Town House is located in Faridabad and provides easy access to landmarks like Tughlaqabad Fort and Qutub Minar. The hotel features comfortable rooms and essential amenities, making it suitable for business and leisure travelers attending SATTE 2026 (25–27 February 2026, YashoBhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, India).
Goldfinch Hotel Delhi NCR
Goldfinch Hotel Delhi NCR offers well-appointed rooms with air conditioning and free WiFi, catering to guests looking for a convenient stay in Faridabad. Attendees of SATTE 2026 (25–27 February 2026, YashoBhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, India) can use it as a comfortable base while exploring the exhibition and the city.
Park Plaza Faridabad
A modern hotel in Faridabad featuring a fitness center, multiple dining options, 24-hour front desk service, and free Wi-Fi. Park Plaza is well-suited for professionals and international visitors attending SATTE 2026 (25–27 February 2026, YashoBhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, India) who want a blend of comfort, amenities, and accessibility to the venue.
Tourist Attractions Near SATTE 2026 – New Delhi
Yashobhoomi
Yashobhoomi, the venue for SATTE 2026, is India’s largest and most modern convention and exhibition center. Located in Dwarka, it hosts major international trade shows and events, featuring expansive exhibition halls, conference facilities, and cutting-edge infrastructure.
India Gate
A historic landmark and war memorial honoring Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Its majestic structure, surrounded by lush lawns, is a popular spot for visitors attending SATTE to experience Delhi’s heritage and enjoy evening strolls.
Qutub Minar
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world, built in the 12th century. Its Indo-Islamic architecture, ancient ruins, and famous Iron Pillar make it a must-visit for SATTE attendees interested in history and culture.
Red Fort
This 17th-century Mughal fortress is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Red Fort is symbolic of India’s rich history and is a popular tourist destination for SATTE visitors exploring Delhi’s heritage.
Humayun’s Tomb
A Mughal-era mausoleum set within Persian-style gardens, Humayun’s Tomb inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. It offers SATTE attendees a glimpse into India’s architectural and cultural history.
Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship famous for its lotus-shaped design and serene environment. SATTE 2026 visitors can experience its modern architecture and spiritual ambiance.
Akshardham Temple
Akshardham Temple is a grand Hindu temple complex featuring intricate carvings, cultural exhibitions, and musical fountains. It provides SATTE attendees an insight into India’s spirituality and heritage.
SATTE 2026 in New Delhi is a premier travel and tourism event, offering exhibitors and visitors a dynamic platform for networking, business growth, and industry insights. Coupled with Delhi’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant hubs like Connaught Place, attendees can combine professional engagement with exploration of the city’s lifestyle, shopping, and entertainment.
Samsung has pushed a new update for Camera Assistant with version 4.5.00.19. This update adds a bunch of new camera features and improvements.It shows that Samsung wants to give users better control and better photo and video quality.
According to the changelog of the update, this update brings simple but powerful tools to enhance Galaxy Photography. Let’s explore the changes.
New Features of Camera Assistant
The fresh update brings Touch AF/AE in Pro Video mode. This lets users tap on the screen to change focus and brightness while recording a video. Focus peaking is now available in Pro modes too. This helps users easily see what is sharp and in focus.There are also new settings like speed and sensitivity to control how fast and how smoothly the camera focuses.
Image via TarunVats
Also, the update adds a 24MP photo option. This gives clear and detailed pictures without making file sizes too large. There are also more controls in Photo Mode for users who like to adjust settings manually. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) has been improved to reduce shaking in photos and videos. A new swipe gesture on the shutter button makes taking pictures faster and easier.
For video recording, Samsung has added a video softening option. This can make faces look smoother. The app also supports 8K recording when mirroring. Users can now save their favorite settings as presets in Pro Mode. On-screen indicators can also be customized to make the camera screen look cleaner.
There is also support for TILTA wireless lens controllers, which may help professional users. Aside from this, Samsung has also added more modes and improvements to make camera controls and taking photos easier.
Samsung is going to launch the Galaxy S26 series this week. It seems like the company is making the camera ready for this series with new features. Stay tuned.
MSI's RTX 5090 Lightning Z is not for the faint-hearted. With a modified BIOS setting that can allow the card to pull in a mind-bending 2,500 watts, the Lightning Z GPU has already broken several world records, and is currently selling for unfathomable prices on eBay.
What happened in Japan with AMD Radeon RX 9000 GPU prices appears to also be happening with DDR5 memory prices in Germany. Clearly, sky-high prices discourage people from buying products, which in turn leads to some slight price softening.
Xiaomi launched the 17 Ultra in China in December and the phone will finally make its global debut on February 28, the company has recently revealed.
Today, it's uploaded a very quick teaser video for the global device on YouTube, you can see it below. It features the colorway that's called Starlit Green internationally (and something resembling Starry Green in China).
The international variant of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to have identical specs to the Chinese version, aside from the battery capacity, which is rumored to be just 6,000 mAh (vs. 6,800 mAh in China). The prices...
Kylian Mbappé's legal dispute with PSG has finally reached its end, with the Parisian side paying €60.9M to the now Real Madrid star.
Kylian Mbappé did not part ways with Paris Saint-Germain on the best terms, triggering a legal dispute between the striker and the French club. Nearly two years after the conflict began, the Real Madrid star is now set to receive €60.9 million in a settlement from his former team.
Entering the final year of his contract in 2024, Mbappé was reluctant to renew, prompting head coach Luis Enrique to sideline the French star, who struggled to adapt to the Spaniard’s system. The standoff also led PSG to stop paying portions of Mbappé’s salary, arguing he had acted against the club’s interests and failed to meet contractual expectations.
In April 2025, PSG released a statement saying they “still fail to understand why Kylian Mbappé has not taken his case to the Conseil de Prud’hommes, the only court competent to rule on the dispute with his former club.” Afterward, the forward formally brought the case before the labor court, which ultimately ruled in his favor.
On December 16 of last year, the Conseil de Prud’hommes ordered PSG to pay €60.9 million to Mbappé. Now, after issuing the payment, the Parisian club has also announced it will not file an appeal, meaning the dispute, pending any potential rulings from other bodies, will officially come to a close.
Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al Khelaifi presenting new signing Kylian Mbappe.
As quoted by Agence France-Presse, the club released a statement addressing the situation: “In the interest of responsibility and in order to put a definitive end to a procedure that has dragged on far too long, the club has decided not to prolong this litigation. Paris Saint-Germain is now resolutely looking toward the future, focused on its sporting project and collective success.“
Breakdown of PSG’s payout
The initial claim from Mbappé’s lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, sought €55 million in unpaid wages dating back to February 2024 and covering the remaining months of his contract through June 2024. After roughly 18 months since the first demand was made, the Real Madrid forward has secured a larger total than originally requested.
With the February and March salaries already paid, PSG published on its website the full text of the ruling issued by the Conseil de Prud’hommes, including the breakdown of the €60.9 million owed:
€36,600,000 for the final installment of his signing bonus.
€17,250,000 in unpaid salaries for April, May, and June 2024.
€1,725,000 in vacation pay for those months.
€1,500,000 in ethics bonuses for April, May, and June 2024.
€150,000 gross in paid leave tied to the ethics-bonus arrears for those same months.
Karim Benzema’s arrival at Al Hilal has been a complete success, as he has already demonstrated his imposing goal-scoring prowess. However, he could lose one of the team’s stars, who is reportedly seeking a return to the Premier League ahead of the 2026–27 season.
Following their failure to win the Saudi Pro League last season, Al Hilal targeted Karim Benzema as their marquee signing in a bid to restore competitiveness. Despite his veteran status, the Frenchman has managed to showcase his goal-scoring prowess; however, his arrival could lead to the departure of one of the team’s stars, who is reportedly seeking a return to the Premier League ahead of the 2026–27 season.
According to TEAMtalk, Darwin Núñez would be seeking an exit from Al Hilal after being left out of the Saudi Pro League despite having arrived for $74 million. As a result, the Uruguayan would be pushing for a return to the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United reportedly the most interested. However, he could be forced to reduce his salary, as no club may be willing to pay him £400,000 per week.
Alongside the English sides, the Uruguayan is also said to be attracting interest from Atlético Madrid and Juventus. Nevertheless, both clubs could face difficulties meeting a high transfer fee, asAl Hilal may look to recover the amount they paid for Núñez — something that would not be easy for either side. Without a place in the team’s rotation, Darwin could attempt to force his exit, potentially lowering the value of a future transfer.
While Núñez is almost certain to leave Al Hilal ahead of the 2026–27 season, he would already be significantly affected from a sporting standpoint. After being unable to play in the Saudi Pro League, the Uruguayan would only have five or six matches in the AFC Champions League Elite — a very low tally for the starting striker of the national team. As a result, he could lose his role in the squad to Rodrigo Aguirre or Federico Viñas, who would arrive with competitive rhythm.
Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal celebrates after scoring
Darwin Núñez has fallen short since joining Al Hilal
Darwin Núñez, once hailed as one of the world’s most promising strikers, has faced disappointment in the Saudi Pro League. While he initially excited Liverpool fans, the Uruguayan only reached double-digit goals in the 2023-24 season. After a limited goal-scoring return, he sought a move to gain greater prominence ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Unfortunately, his performances at Al Hilal have fallen short of expectations.
Headlining a blockbuster transfer, Darwin was expected to become Al Hilal’s undisputed leader. However, he managed to play in only 24 matches, recording nine goals and five assists. In response, coach Simone Inzaghi decided to hand the starting role to Marcos Leonardo, and the arrival of Karim Benzema completely dashed his hopes. Consequently, the 26-year-old striker may leave the club without having consistent playing time to regain his best form.
A big update has been given on the fighting future of . Davis hasn’t fought since his controversial draw with Lamont Roach Jr back in March 2025, having been involved in some serious legal issues since then. He had been scheduled to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer in November, but those problems outside of the ring led […]
Hall of Famer , who suffered a points defeat to in 2010, has predicted a fantasy showdown between his former foe and Terence Crawford. The two pound-for-pound legends retired with unbeaten records, having become five-division world champions, and are widely considered to be the greatest of their respective eras. Mayweather called time on his glittering […]
Beşiktaş'ın yeni silahı Hyeon Gyu Oh, Göztepe karşısında attığı akılalmaz golle futbol dünyasını ayağa kaldırdı. Güney Kore'de de gündem oldu. Sadece %5 gol ihtimali olan bir noktadan 122 km hızla fileleri sarsan yıldız oyuncu, hem Beşiktaş tarihine geçti hem de Sergen Yalçın'ı sevincinden diz çöktürdü.
Beşiktaş’ın yeni transferi Hyeongyu Oh, siyah-beyazlı formayla sergilediği performansla sadece Türkiye’yi değil, Güney Kore’yi de ayağa kaldırdı.
Göztepe karşısında attığı akılalmaz gol ve kırdığı rekorlar, Kore basınında geniş yankı buldu. Göztepe maçında dar açıdan ve uzak mesafeden çektiği şutla fileleri sarsan Oh, istatistikleri altüst etti.
Footballist’in verilerine göre sadece %5 gol ihtimali olan bir noktadan ağları bulan oyuncu için Donga gazetesi "122 km hıza ulaşan şut" üzerinden okurlarını bilgilendirdi.
Inter Football, bu golü "Puskas ödülüne aday" olarak nitelendirirken, SBS oyuncunun 90 dakika boyunca sahada kalarak takımını ligde 4. sıraya taşıdığını vurguladı.
Oh, Beşiktaş’a adım attığı günden bu yana çıktığı 3 maçta 3 gol atarak kulüp tarihinde bir ilki başardı.
Yonhap Haber Ajansı ve Nate, Koreli forvetin bu performansıyla Beşiktaş tarihine adını yazdırdığını ve yeni rolüne hızla adapte olduğunu belirtti.
Hankook gazetesi ise Oh'un, Tammy Abraham’ın yokluğunu aratmayarak hücumda liderliği tamamen üstlendiğini yazdı.
Golün ardından stadyumdaki atmosfer ve teknik heyetin tepkisi de Kore basınının odağındaydı:
Chosun gazetesi: Teknik direktör muhteşem golden o kadar etkilendi ki dizlerinin üzerine çöktü. Tribünler 'Oh, Oh!' sesleriyle inledi.
Donga gazetesi: Sergen Yalçın, 122 km'lik bu füzeye sevinçle diz çökerek karşılık verdi.
Güney Kore basında geniş yer bulan Oh aslında taktiksel bir rahatlamanın göstergesi. Yalçın’ın dizlerinin üzerine çökmesi, sadece golün güzelliğine değil, imkansız bir açıdan gelen bu skorun takımın üzerindeki baskıyı bir anda kırmasına da tepkiydi. Chosun’un belirttiği gibi, Oh artık sadece bir forvet değil, Beşiktaş’ın yeni ve en tehlikeli silahı.
Beşiktaş, 17 yıllık Adidas ortaklığına son vererek dünya devi Nike ile tarihi bir anlaşmaya imza atacak. 2026-27 sezonundan itibaren geçerli olacak bu dev iş birliği, kulüp kasasına yaklaşık 15 milyon Euro kazandırırken; siyah-beyazlıları Nike'ın dünya çapındaki 'Elite' kulüpler listesine taşıyacak.
Beşiktaş camiasında tarihi bir değişim kapıda. 17 yıldır kulübün forma tedarikçiliğini üstlenen Adidas ile yollar, 2026 Dünya Kupası sonrası resmen ayrılacak. Yönetim küresel pazarlama stratejileri doğrultusunda spor giyim devi Nike ile el sıkıştı.
Edinilen bilgilere göre, Beşiktaş ile Nike arasındaki anlaşma sadece bir malzeme tedariği değil, kulüp ekonomisine nefes aldıracak mali bir iş birliği yapacak. Anlaşmanın kulübe yaklaşık 15 milyon Euro seviyesinde bir gelir sağlaması bekleniyor. Nike'ın, Beşiktaş'ı "Elite" kategori kulüpler arasına dahil ederek özel koleksiyonlar hazırlayacağı konuşuluyor.
Footy Headlines gibi uluslararası kaynakların da doğruladığı bilgilere göre, 2026-2027 sezonu formalarının tasarım süreci hakkında bazı tüyolar da gündeme gelmeye başladı.
Nike döneminde taraftarları sadece sahadaki formalar değil; Jordan serisi gibi özel sokak modası ürünlerinin ve daha geniş kapsamlı bir "lifestyle" koleksiyonunun beklediği sızan bilgiler arasında.
Nike'ın Beşiktaş için tasarım yaparken muhtemelen "Gelenek ile Modernin Birleşimi" felsefesini izleyeceğini tahmin ediliyor. Nike, özellikle büyük kulüpler için (Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona) "Elite" kategorisinde özel detaylar sunuyor. Beşiktaş için Nike'ın masasında olabilecek 3 farklı tasarım yaklaşımı konuşuluyor.
- Modern Çubuklu:
Nike, klasik çubuklu formayı genellikle asimetrik veya fırça darbesi efektleriyle yenilemeyi seviyor. Siyah ve beyaz çubukların arasında, Kartal tüyü desenlerini andıran çok ince, lazer kesim dokular görebiliriz. Nike'ın en üst segment formalarında kullandığı Dri-FIT ADV teknolojisiyle, göğüs kısmında terlemeyi önleyen özel kabartmalı bir doku Beşiktaş armasıyla birleşebilir.
- Şehir Mirası:
Nike, son yıllarda şehirlerin hikayelerini formalara taşımaya bayılıyor (Örn: Inter Milan'ın Milano haritalı formaları). 3. veya dış saha forması için İstanbul Boğazı veya Dolmabahçe Sarayı'nın mimari detaylarından ilham alan, antrasit veya "kuzgun siyahı" üzerine altın yaldızlı detaylar içeren bir tasarım görebiliriz.
Beşiktaş'ın köklerine atıfta bulunan "Vişne Çürüğü" (kırmızı öncesi renk iddiaları) veya saf siyah üzerine neon detaylar sürpriz olabilir.
- 90'lar Retro Esintisi:
Nike şu an dünya çapında 90'lı yılların logolarını ve kesimlerini geri getiriyor. 1990'lardaki o efsanevi Beşiktaş formalarını hatırlatan, geniş beyaz yakalı, kollarında siyah Nike şeritleri olan ancak dar ve atletik kesimli bir "remix" forma tasarlanabilir. Nike'ın klasik "Swoosh" yazılı eski logosunu 3. formalarda kullanması büyük bir hit olabilir.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandalar arasındakı cavab qarşılaşması sabah İngiltərədə baş tutacaq.
Ceykob Mörfi cavab görüşündən əvvəl təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Qarabağ” əslində çətin rəqibdir. Heyətlərində 9 nömərli futbolçu Xoni Montiellə arxadan yaxşı hücumlar qururlar. Bu məqama diqqət yetirməliyik. Doğma meydanda çıxış etdiyimiz üçün öz oyun prinsiplərimizi tətbiq etməyə çalışacağıq”.
Xatırladaq ki, bu komandalar arasındakı bir həftə öncə Bakıda, Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika stadionunda keçirilmiş ilk qarşılaşmada qonaqlar 6:1 hesabı ilə üstün olmuşdular. Cavab oyunu isə fevralın 24-dən 25-nə keçən gecə (saat 00:00) Nyukasl şəhərində təşkil ediləcək.
“Nyukasl”ın baş məşqçisi Eddi Hau UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının pley-off mərhələsində “Qarabağ”a qarşı keçirəcəkləri cavab oyunundan danışıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandalar arasındakı cavab qarşılaşması sabah İngiltərədə baş tutacaq.
Eddi Hau cavab görüşündən əvvəl təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında görüşə yaxşı hazırlaşdıqlarını bildirib:
“UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının matçına yaxşı hazırlaşmışıq. Cari mövsüm qitənin ən nüfuzlu klub turnirində yaxşı oyunlarımız çox olub. Səfərdə “Qarabağ”a qarşı yaxşı çıxış etdik. Lakin həmin görüşdə mənim üçün tək nəticə vacib deyildi. Oyun baxımından da yaxşı mübarizə apardıq. Həmin matçda çox istəkli idik və qarşılaşmanın əvvəlindən sonuna qədər üstünlük bizim tərəfimizdə oldu. Düşünürəm ki, bu mövsüm ən yüksək səviyyəli oyunumuzu məhz “Qarabağ”a qarşı keçirmişik”.
O, cavab qarşılaşmasında da qələbə qazanmaq istədiklərini söyləyib:
“Sabahkı matç üçün uyğun olan start heyətini seçəcəyik. Birinci məqsədimiz oyunu qazanmaqdır. Eyni zamanda, futbolçuların matç ritmini qoruması da vacibdir”.
Xatırladaq ki, bu komandalar arasındakı Bakıda keçirilmiş ilk qarşılaşmada qonaqlar 6:1 hesabı ilə üstün olmuşdular. Cavab oyunu isə fevralın 24-dən 25-nə keçən gecə (saat 00:00) Nyukasl şəhərində təşkil ediləcək.
“Fulhem”in futbolçusu Raul Ximenes İngiltərə Premyer Liqasında penaltidən fərqlənmək üzrə rekord müəyyənləşdirib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, hücumçu Premyer Liqanın 27-ci turunun “Sanderlend”lə səfər matçında (3:1) dubl edib və qollardan birini penaltidən vurub.
Bununla da 34 yaşlı meksikalı futbolçu çempionat tarixində 100 faizli göstərici ilə ən çox penalti vuran (13-dən 13) oyunçu olub.
O, 12 fərqli qapıçını dəqiq zərbə ilə məyus edib. Ximenes fevralın əvvəlində Yaya Turenin 11 cəhddən 11 qol rekordunu yeniləmişdi.
Raul Ximenes Meksikanın “Amerika” klubunun məzunudur. Ximenes karyerası ərzində Madrid “Atletiko”su, “Benfika”, “Vulverhempton” və “Fulhem”də çıxış edib.
“Fulhem” Ximenesi 2023-cü ilin iyul ayında “Vulverhempton”dan 6,4 milyon avro məbləğ müqabilində tamhüquqlu əsasda “bağçılar”ın düşərgəsinə qatıb.
Meksikalı futbolçunun İngiltərə klubu ilə müqaviləsinin müddəti 2026-cı ilin iyun ayının sonuna qədər qüvvədədir.
Cari mövsümdə Ximenes “Fulhem”in heyətində 32 oyuna 9 qol və 3 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə fərqlənib.
Ximenesin “Fulhem”in heyətində çıxışının ümumi mənzərəsi isə 104 oyun, 30 qol və 6 məhsuldar ötürmədən ibarətdir.
Raul Ximenes 2013-cü ilin yanvar ayında debüt etdiyi Meksika yığmasının heyətində 123 oyuna çıxıb, 44 qol vurub və 16 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 34 yaşlı meksikalı mərkəz hücumçusu Raul Ximenesin transfer dəyərini 4 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Riccardo Orsolini and Jonathan Rowe return to the Bologna attack as Vincenzo Italiano and his squad prepare to take on Udinese in Serie A on Monday evening.
Bologna are coming in off the back of a 1-0 win away against Brann in the first leg of their Europa League play-off round tie on Thursday evening. The Rossoblu also picked up a 2–1 win over Torino in their most recent Serie A match, which ended a run of five league matches without a win.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side currently find themselves in 10th place on 33 points from 25 matches ahead of kick-off.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Nikola Moro of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates a goal with team mates during the Serie A match between Torino FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on February 15, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Udinese were beaten 2-1 at home against Sasuolo last time out in Serie A, which means that they are currently one point and one position behind Bologna ahead of kick-off on Monday night.
Bologna have made plenty of changes from their Europa League victory on Thursday night. Five fresh faces come in with Joao Mario, Tommaso Pobega, Riccardo Orsolini, Simon Sohm and Jonathan Rowe all returning to the starting XI in place of Nadir Zortea, Nikola Moro, Lewis Ferguson, Federico Bernardeschi and Nicolo Cambiaghi.
Udinese have made three personnel changes after their defeat against Sassuolo, with Kingsley Ehizibue, Jakub Piotorowski and Adam Buska coming in to replace Nicolo Bertola, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Vakoun Bayo.
Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Nicolò Zaniolo of Udinese and Luca Lipani of Sassuolo in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Friuli on February 15, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Torino have officially announced that Marco Baroni has been relieved of his duties as head coach, and have already appointed a replacement on a short-term contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Baroni leaves the club in 15th place in the Serie A table on 27 points after 26 matches. Torino currently find themselves just three points above the relegation zone.
Baroni oversaw just one win in his final seven matches in charge of Torino, with the final straw coming in a 3-0 defeat away against Genoa on Sunday afternoon. Toro were also eliminated by Inter in the Coppa Italia quarter-final and had been beaten 6-0 by Como in Serie A in the final weeks of Baroni’s tenure.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Brooke Norton Cuffy of Genoa (R) scores a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Torino FC at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“Torino Football Club announces that it has sacked Marco Baroni from the position of coach of the first team,” read a statement on the club website.
“The Club thanks the coach and his staff for the activity carried out so far with commitment and fairness and wishes them the best in the continuation of their careers.”
Torino hire D’Aversa to replace Baroni
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 24: Roberto D’Aversa, Head Coach of Empoli, looks on prior to the coppa Italia Semi Final match between Bologna FC and Empoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Torino have also announced on Monday that Roberto D’Aversa has been appointed to the role of head coach on a short-term contract until June 30, 2026.
D’Aversa has been out of work since June 2025 following Empoli’s relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. He also has experiences with Lecce, where by coincidence he also replaced Marco Baroni, as well as Sampdoria and Parma.
“Torino Football Club is pleased to announce that it has entrusted the management of the First Team to coach Roberto D’Aversa. The coach has signed a contract until June 30, 2026,” Torino confirmed.
Speaking to OLBG (quotes via The Mirror), Heskey named three players who could replace Salah, should the legendary number eleven depart Anfield this summer.
Heskey’s Mohamed Salah replacement shortlist: Kvaratskhelia, Bowen, and Pulisic
(Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Heskey was quick to admit that there will no direct replacement for Salah, but he highlighted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as his primary target.
The Georgian international, currently starring for PSG after a high-profile move from Napoli, is Heskey’s “go-to” choice for his flair and game-changing ability.
He said: “We’re talking about replacing Mohamed Salah and I think as fans you’ve got to look at something different because you can’t replace Mo Salah. I remember one season I was speaking to someone who said Mo’s had a bad season. He’d scored 25 goals! I’d love to have had that bad of a season.
“We’re talking about someone scoring 20 plus, nearly 30 goals a season for 10 years. I don’t think you can replace Mo Salah but I do like the lad from PSG, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He would be my go-to.”
(Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
However, the former England international also looked closer to home, suggesting West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen as a tactical alternative.
“Would Jarrod Bowen be a downgrade from Mohamed Salah? I think most players are a downgrade… but Bowen is a different type of player and he would probably help the formation because he’s going to work a little bit harder than Mo,” Heskey added
The last name on the list was former Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic. Now revitalised in Italy, Pulisic’s directness reminds Heskey of Salah’s own career path.
He suggested that, much like Salah flourished after leaving Chelsea for Serie A and returning to England, Pulisic could return to the Premier League to prove his critics wrong.
He said: “I actually quite like Christian Pulisic. He is very direct. He probably didn’t get as many goals as I would have liked him to get at Chelsea but I thought he gave defences problems.
“Obviously after a good World Cup, being at home with the pressure on him, he is definitely someone who could offer something different to Mohamed Salah or even Cody Gakpo right now.
“Mo left Chelsea to go to Italy and look at what he’s done for Liverpool. I think it’d be great to see someone like Pulisic come back into the Premier League in the same way. I’m guessing he would love to show that his time at Chelsea was just a little blip. He was only a young lad when he came over.”
Player
Club
Goals
Assists
G+A
Minutes Played
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
4
6
10
1,614
Christian Pulisic
AC Milan
8
2
10
962
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham
8
3
11
2,328
K. Kvaratskhelia
PSG
4
3
7
953
Replacing Salah’s outrageous numbers will be impossible
Salah’s consistency is virtually peerless. Replacing a player who has averaged nearly 30 goals a season for a decade is nearly impossible.
Since singing for Liverpool, Salah has broken almost every record, consistently performing season after season for 9 years.
He has recorded double digits for goals and assists every single season, accumulating 252 goals and 121 assists in 429 games across all competitions.
Almost nine months after the game's announcement, the team behind Ashes of the Singularity II is finally ready to share more about this highly anticipated real-time strategy game sequel. A demo is available for download on Steam as part of the newly launched Next Fest, allowing players to try two of three factions, three maps, the full skirmish mode, and even 8-player multiplayer. Moreover, we have an exclusive interview with Oxide Games, diving into pretty much every major aspect of the game. The participants were Brett Norton (Head of Production), Adrian Wright (General Manager), Gabriela Leskur (Narrative and Experience Lead), […]
Publisher Nacon will host its next Nacon Connect event next week on March 4, 2026, at 11am PT / 2pm ET / 7pm BT. A press release for the event doesn't identify how long it will be, but it does tease new looks at upcoming titles like Edge of Memories, The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, and Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. The press release also adds that "This key event will highlight the publisher-developer's future releases as well as the latest from its accessories department," so we know we won't just be hearing about new games from Nacon; we'll also get […]
The Japanese government is eager to expand onshore production, and one way to attract investment is to offer incentives to giants like SK hynix and Samsung. Japanese Government's Support & Incentives Reportedly Reduce TCO of Memory Fabs by More than 50% The global semiconductor dynamics have evolved rapidly since nations like Japan and the US have made chip production a matter of national security. Incentives like the CHIPS Act have contributed significantly to the growth of American manufacturing, and the current Japanese administration is now looking to attract private investment as well. A report by Chosun Biz reveals that memory […]
AMD is absent when gamers need its help, but no worries! Optiscaler is one step ahead, thanks to the contributors. Optiscaler Version 0.9.0-Pre10 Test Build Now Offers FSR 4 Support for Vulkan Games AMD isn't moving an inch when it comes to extending FSR 4.0 (FidelityFX Super Resolution) support. It has not just restricted FSR 4 to RDNA 4 GPUs; it has also made its availability limited to only DX12 titles. It has been nearly a year since the new upscaler from AMD was rolled out, but to this day, AMD just couldn't enable FSR 4 on Vulkan titles. Thanks […]
With Ubisoft's massive organizational shake-up and "major reset" officially revealed last month, there have been a lot of changes at the company. Even before it was properly revealed, though, big changes had been made, with the establishment of Vantage Studios and the departure of the former head of the Assassin's Creed franchise, Marc-Alexis Côté. Today, we learned who would be replacing Côté, with three veteran Assassin's Creed developers at the helm of the franchise for the foreseeable future. The first is the new head of the brand, Martin Schelling, who has been with Ubisoft since 2003. He has worked on […]
Optical drives can still be handy in 2026, though desktop and PC laptop makers very rarely offer them. Here's a USB-attached device that is also a SATA dock, and more, for under $21.
German data center operator Hetzner announced today that it’s raising prices across its cloud, dedicated server, storage, and load balancer products starting April 1.
A major kernel update, Linux 7.0, has been officially released. Although it'll take some time to show up in various Linux distros, the kernel comes with preliminary support for AMD's upcoming Zen 6 and Intel's Nova Lake.
AMD has reportedly stopped delivering new driver updates to handheld gaming PCs with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, including Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go S.
Advertisers contacting Google Ads support may now need to grant explicit authorization before they can even submit a help request — giving a Google specialist permission to access and make changes directly inside their account.
Here’s what’s happening. Users are first routed to a beta AI chat. If they opt to submit a support form instead, they must tick an “Authorisation” box. The wording allows a Google Ads specialist, on behalf of the company, to reproduce and troubleshoot issues by making changes directly in the account.
The fine print is clear. Google doesn’t guarantee results. Any adjustments are made at the advertiser’s own risk. And the advertiser remains solely responsible for the impact on campaign performance and spending.
Why we care. The required checkbox shifts more responsibility onto advertisers at a time when automation and AI already limit hands-on control. If support makes changes, the performance and spend risk still sits with the advertiser.
Between the lines. This creates a trade-off between speed and control. Granting access could accelerate troubleshooting, but it also opens the door to account-level changes that may affect live campaigns — without any assurance of improved outcomes.
The bottom line. Getting support may now mean temporarily handing over the keys — while keeping full accountability for whatever happens next.
First seen. This new caveats to getting support was spotted by PPC specialist Arpan Banerjee who shared spotting the message on LinkedIn.
PIPPIN price is beginning to show real signs of strength after successfully flipping a former resistance zone into solid support, a shift that often signals a continuation of bullish momentum. Over the past 24 hours, the token has climbed nearly 15% to $0.7232, clearly outperforming the broader market, including the Bitcoin price, which remains under pressure. The move appears to be driven by capital rotation into higher-risk, low-cap altcoins, as large-cap tokens continue to trade in a cautious, bearish environment.
However, the bigger question remains: can a low-cap altcoin like PIPPIN sustain this rally amid persistent fear across the broader market, and does it have enough momentum to push toward a new all-time high?
As noted, the current rally appears to be fueled largely by capital rotation, a shift that became clear when the price bounced strongly from a key support zone. Even during brief pullbacks, PIPPIN has managed to hold above its prior bearish range, showing resilience that many other tokens currently lack. If the bulls can deliver one decisive push above the final resistance zone, it could open the door for a move toward a new all-time high.
As the chart shows, PIPPIN is testing the upper boundary of a broadening wedge for the second time after a brief pullback. To confirm strength, the price needs to clear the resistance zone between $0.71 and $0.75. A follow-through move above $0.811 would likely push the token beyond the pattern and signal a stronger breakout phase.
The price is currently holding above the Ichimoku cloud, supporting the bullish structure, while the RSI has climbed near the upper threshold, reflecting strong momentum. A clean breakout could open the door toward $0.82 and beyond. However, if the breakout fails, the PIPPIN price may drift back toward the $0.51–$0.54 support zone. A bounce there would preserve the uptrend, while a breakdown could send PIPPIN back below $0.30.
On February 23, the Trump-backed decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol World Liberty Financial reported that hackers had infiltrated its ecosystem, specifically targeting its primary stablecoin, USD1.
The coordinated attack comprised a three-pronged approach designed to depeg USD1 from the dollar, and profit from the same.
Using co-founders’ hacked social accounts, hackers posted falsified information to manufacture fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) in the platform’s ecosystem. Thereafter, the attackers reportedly paid off crypto influencers to amplify news of the attack, making it appear worse than it actually was. Attackers then proceed to short-sell WLFI tokens in the hopes of profiting from the artificial chaos.
A coordinated attack was launched against USD1 this morning. Attackers hacked several WLFI cofounder accounts, paid influencers to spread FUD, and opened massive $WLFI shorts to profit from the manufactured chaos.
World Liberty Financial explained that the attack failed “thanks to UDS1’s sound mint-and-redeem mechanism and full 1:1 backing.” The stablecoin experienced a temporary 0.6% deviation to $0.994 before quickly recovering close to the dollar. At press time, the stablecoin was trading at $0.9989, with an overall drop of 0.28% in the last 24h. WLFI token, ranked 29th by market cap, was trading at $0.1115 following a 0.7% 24h dip.
The DeFi platform is one among many that rely on a fully-reserved and fiat-backed mint-and-redeem stablecoin mechanism. Evidence of this is found in monthly reserve attestations, reserve composition reports, institutional partnerships, and its white paper dubbed the “Gold Paper”.
WLFI attack history and developments
Notably, this is the fourth attack aimed at the World Liberty Financial platform in the last two years. In July 2024, Dough Finance, a previous project related to the DeFi platform, lost $2.5 million to hackers. And in September 2025, “sweeper bots” exploited a vulnerability related to Ethereum’s EIP-7702 upgrade, draining wallets of millions in WLFI tokens. Two months later, a phishing campaign compromised user wallets, and the platform was forced to burn and re-allocate $22 million worth of stolen tokens.In more progressive developments, World Liberty Financial launched the World Liberty Forum, which aims to participate in shaping the cryptocurrency regulatory playground.
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a new cryptojacking campaign that uses pirated software bundles as lures to deploy a bespoke XMRig miner program on compromised hosts.
"Analysis of the recovered dropper, persistence triggers, and mining payload reveals a sophisticated, multi-stage infection prioritizing maximum cryptocurrency mining hashrate, often destabilizing the victim
NEW DELHI: As Jammu and Kashmir prepare for their maiden Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka in Hubbali, fast-bowling spearhead Auqib Nabi remains the calmest presence in a dressing room filled with nerves. The pacer from Sheeri village in Baramulla has been the driving force behind J&K’s dream run this season.
When J&K step onto the field on Tuesday, expectations will once again rest on Nabi’s shoulders. He has taken 55 wickets from nine matches this season — the second-highest tally — at a remarkable average of 12.72. Bowling coach P. Krishnakumar reflected on the shy pacer’s rise into a dominant force.
"If you look at his record, he has got 199 wickets in 40 games. I have been with him for the last three years and he has taken 99 wickets in the last two seasons. In this season, he's taken 50-plus wickets so far and that shows his skill level has gone to a different level now because he knows how to move the ball, bowl on different pitches and against different batters. So it's not a one-day process - it took almost one year to develop it and it began in the first year when I came into the Jammu & Kashmir team," said Krishnakumar to IANS.
A fan of Dale Steyn, Nabi made his Ranji debut in 2020 but has flourished in the past two seasons. Krishnakumar credited his bowling action as the foundation of his success.
"You see, he has a very, very good action... If you compare and look at it from a biomechanical perspective, his action is perfect... With the swing and seam he has, it becomes very difficult for the batters to get runs against Auqib."
The transformation required relentless effort.
"The first year of me being with him, it was all about the process... He bowled a thousand balls in the first year to develop his skills, master his wrist position, and his backspin... it took almost one year to change him," he said.
Nabi’s nine-wicket haul against Bengal in the semi-final, alongside a crucial 42 with the bat, underlined his all-round impact. He also produced career-best figures of 7-24 against Rajasthan and played key roles against Delhi.
"Auqib has been fantastic because taking 99 wickets in the last two seasons is unbelievable... I am sure that he will definitely get a nod in some upcoming Test series," Krishnakumar said.
Calling for national recognition, he added, "As a coach, I feel that he should be given a chance when he is performing... Taking almost 100 wickets in two years - what do you want as a player?... If somebody is performing there, I think they should definitely get into the team."
With Karnataka’s star-studded batting line-up awaiting in the final, Krishnakumar believes the occasion will not change Nabi.
"The best part about Nabi is, he's very calm in his mind... If he takes a six-wicket haul, he's still the same and that is very important," he said.
For Nabi, who once trained without proper facilities, the final is another step in an extraordinary journey — but his focus remains firmly on delivering glory for Jammu and Kashmir.
While the Cincinnati Bengals are hard at work at the NFL’s scouting combine this week, there won’t be much that quiets the idea they have one prospect at the very top of their big board.
Caleb Downs.
The Ohio State safety is an elite prospect who would be a dream fit for a Bengals team that has been stumbling at the position since letting Jessie Bates walk.
One problem…there’s a top-five team that sounds more than ready to make Downs the pick.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh told reporters recently that Downs is certainly someone they will consider at fifth overall, according to Josh Alper of PFT:
"We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me. We'll take the best player. When you draft that high, you take the best player. It's not a need pick, it's a best player pick because you're going for the guy that's going to be that kind of player. You're talking about a player that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible."
One could get cynical and say this is just Harbaugh trying to coachspeak and not give anything away to other teams about the draft strategy in New York.
But by now, everyone knows better. Downs isn’t a secret as an elite prospect. And rangy safeties who can play deep and anywhere else on the field are a must-have thing.
It’s too bad, then, the Bengals failed to realize it before fumbling the one they had.
Another year, another wait as Aaron Rodgers' decision on whether he plans to retire lingers.
Depending on whom you listen to, Rodgers is either returning or he is gone. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says Rodgers’ decision could take months. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala said she was told that the chances for a Rodgers return were “minuscule.”
But Sunday night, ESPN’s Tom Pelissero says the odds are he will be returning.
“The odds are rising that he comes back. I don’t see it being any place else. If he is going to play, I believe it’s going to be for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
Rodgers enjoyed his time with the Steelers last year, and the team may have increased his chances of returning by hiring his former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy.
One thing is certain: the Steelers, like the New York Jets and the Packers before them, seem to be willing to wait on Rodgers.
Pittsburgh talk show host Mark Madden believes the team may be willing to wait on the future Hall of Fame QB.
“They’re going to feel that they can wait because they’re in love with his name. Not the Aaron Rodgers of now, but just having Aaron Rodgers,” Madden said. “
“Their plan B is either (Will) Howard or (Mason) Rudolph. Or, more likely, just going on and getting a Kirk Cousins or — because he wants to come out of retirement— Derek Carr. You don’t have to do that right away. Nobody’s beating down a path to the doors of those guys. You can get them anytime you want. So they’re going to feel they can wait.”
They might be willing to wait, but for how long before they are forced to make a decision?
DUISBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 09: Ajay Tavares of England looks on during the Men's U17 International between England and Germany at Sportschule Wedau on September 09, 2025 in Duisburg, Germany. (Photo by Frederic Scheidemann - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images
The deal has been in the works for a little while but had been held up by bureaucratic issues. However, the the requisite paperwork has now been completed, FIFA are happy, and Tavares is a Barcelona player.
The 16-year-old is an exciting winger who has been playing for Norwich’s Under-18 teams. He holds a Portuguese passport which has allowed him to move to Barcelona before he turns 18, per Sport.
Tavares will start off with Juvenil A but will be hoping he can get some minutes with Juliano Belletti’s side Barcelona Atletic.
The teenager is the latest youngster to join the club following a winter window that saw Hamza Abdelkarim, Juwensley Onstein and Patricio Pacifico arrive.
Barcelona are also thought to be hoping to land Jesse Bisiwu as they aim to continue to bring in the most exciting young talents in the game.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: General manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NFL Scouting Combine serves as a valuable tool as teams continue to do their homework on the best college football prospects available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The combine is an important opportunity for players and front office staff alike, as the prospects can showcase their skills while general managers and coaches can sit down and learn more about the personalities of these NFL hopefuls through sit-down interviews.
This year’s scouting combine starts today and runs through March 2, with on-field workouts running Feb. 26 to March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by explaining the key things to know about the combine, including when president of football operations Brandon Beane and new Bills head coach Joe Brady will address the media.
Previewing the NFL scouting combine
For the first time in nine years, the Bills will bring a different head coach to the scouting combine, as Joe Brady, 36, takes the reins for Sean McDermott, who was fired following Buffalo’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round.
This year’s NFL Scouting Combine will feature over 300 athletes going through on-field drills like the popular 40-yard dash, along with the vertical jump, broad jump, 10-yard split, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and bench press (at 225 pounds).
Players began arriving in Indianapolis on Sunday while team interview with players get underway today.
Beane is set to meet with the media at 2 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 24, with Brady to follow immediately afterwards.
Discussing whether Super Bowl-winning linebacker Nakobe Dean (pictured below) would make sense to bring in via free agency. Plus, with Alec Anderson back in Buffalo, we examine whether fellow restricted free agent Ryan Van Demark could be next; and identify the two suspects accused of vandalizing the Bills new stadium.
Add Adam Scott, fresh off a fourth-place finish at the Genesis Invitational, to the list of player who have withdrawn from the tournament that starts Feb. 26 at PGA National.
Scott, whose world ranking jumped 19 spots to No. 52, was set to return to the event for the first time since 2021. Genesis marked his first top 10 finish in two years.
Scott will be replaced by Chan Kim.
The Cognizant also lost its two highest ranked players. Jupiter's Ben Griffin, ranked No. 11, and Jacob Bridgeman, who surged to No. 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Genesis Invitational, withdrew earlier in the day.
Jackson Suber takes Griffin's spot and Lanto Griffin replaces Bridgeman.
The field now includes just one top 30 player in the rankings, No. 26 Ryan Gerard. Already suffering because it follows the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational and comes before the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, the Cognizant field will include eight of the world's top 50.
That, though, does not include Jupiter's Brooks Koepka, Billy Horschel and Delray Beach's Gary Woodland. They all are popular figures on the Tour who are not in the top 50.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
March Madness is quickly approaching and Florida basketball is peaking at just the right time.
Riding a seven-game winning streak, the Gators find themselves back in the AP Top 25's top 10 this week for the first time since mid-November. After beating the Ole Miss Rebels on the road this weekend, Todd Golden's gang is up five spots in the poll at No. 7, sitting between the No. 6 UConn Huskies and No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers.
Those are the exact same conditions in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll's update released on Monday. The Orange and Blue is also among the NCAA Tournament selection committee's top 16 seeds, cracking the top 10 at No. 9.
SEC schools in AP Top 25 after Week 16
The Southeastern Conference added a school to its tally this week with the Tennessee Volunteers returning to the top 25 at No. 22. Otherwise, Florida maintains its dominance over the SEC at No. 7, followed by the Alabama Crimson Tide who moved up eight spots to No. 17, and the Arkansas Razorbacks who remain ranked No. 20.
The Vandbilt Commodores fell six spots and are just barely hanging on at No. 25, while the Texas A&M Aggies earned just a trio of votes this week to wrap up the league's representation in the poll.
AP Top 25 Men's Basketball rankings after Week 16
Duke
Arizona
Michigan
Iowa State
Houston
UConn
Florida
Purdue
Gonzaga
Illinois
Virginia
Nebraska
Michigan State
Kansas
St. John's
Texas Tech
Alabama
North Carolina
BYU
Arkansas
Miami (OH)
Tennessee
St. Louis
Louisville
Vanderbilt
Others receiving votes:
Wisconsin 47, Saint Mary's 30, Villanova 15, Miami 10, Utah St. 8, NC State 7, SMU 4, Texas A&M 3, Iowa 3, UCF 3, High Point 2, Stephen F Austin 2, Navy 1.
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.
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Graham Pauley's bid to start at third base for the Miami Marlins is on hold due to right forearm tightness.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Pauley had an MRI on Monday morning and has been shut down pending the results.
Pauley is a left-hander hitter and the soreness is in his throwing arm.
Pauley was expected to compete with Connor Norby at third base but has not appeared in a spring game due to the persistent tightness in his forearm.
Pauley, 25, hit .224 with four homers in 161 at-bats as a rookie in 2025.
McCullough told MLB.com some discomfort at the start of spring training is not unusual for players. McCullough said Pauley's forearm tightness "just didn’t get any better over the course of a couple days. ... He’s going to be shut down from baseball until we get a clearer picture on what’s happening.”
Yildiz ‘furious at Spalletti? What’s behind the Turkish report
A famous source in the Turkish media reported a spat between Luciano Spalletti and Juventus star Kenan Yildiz. So is there any truth behind this story?
The Bianconeri have been enduring a woeful slump, suffering four defeats and a draw in their latest five appearances across all competitions.
Curiously, this skid coincided with Yildiz’s physical struggles. The 20-year-old was replaced at the interval during the 4-1 win in Parma, and then missed the Coppa Italia defeat to Atalanta.
The youngster returned to the fold afterwards, but he looked far from his best.
Kenan Yildiz wasn’t happy with his exit against Como
On Saturday, Yildiz was in the starting lineup against Como. But aside from a few flashes, he failed to inspire, as the Bianconeri went on to suffer a 0-2 defeat to Cesc Fabregas’ men.
By the 83rd minute, the case appeared to be already lost, so Spalletti opted to replace the Turkiye international with Vasilije Adzic.
Kenan Yildiz and Luciano Spalletti (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The two men exchanged a few words, as the forward was apparently unhappy with his exit. For his part, the manager downplayed the whole episode while praising the player for his relentless desire to contribute on the pitch, even when he was struggling with a calf issue.
Afterwards, Turkish portal Fanatik reported that Yildiz had an angry outburst, as he was furious with the coach’s decision.
False alarm on Spalletti & Yildiz spat
As Tuttosportexplains, the sensationalised version reported in Turkiye falls in the ‘fake news’ category, as the two men never had any spat.
The Turin-based newspaper describes it as a Turkish attempt to further destabilise Juventus ahead of Wednesday’s decisive second leg against Galatasaray in the Champions League play-off round.
That being said, the Istanbul-based giants already have a massive advantage, having won 5-2 in the first leg, so they only need to avoid a collapse at the Allianz Stadium to book their place in the Round of 16.
Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz continues to dominate men’s tennis right now, which is fitting given his adoration of the sport.
Alcaraz has played two ATP tournaments in the 2026 season so far; the Australian Open and the Qatar Open.
And the Spanish superstar has won both of those tournaments, currently boasting a 12-0 win-loss record this year.
Shortly after his latest title at the Qatar Open, Alcaraz shared insight into his relationship with the sport itself.
Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz loves being a professional tennis player
Alcaraz was asked for the best part of being a professional tennis player, with money, fame and his passion for the sport offered to him as potential factors.
“Yeah, I would say it’s a mix of everything, I’m not going to lie,” he replied.
“I think, let’s say, it’s about the love of the sport, the love of what you’re doing.
“Obviously it’s my job, I get paid for playing, for going to the tournaments, winning.
“But I think there is no better feeling of doing whatever you love. I think that’s what I feel.
“Obviously, the fame comes with it, the money comes with it, but for me the most important thing is that I’m just living the life that I just love.”
As ever, it was a mature and measured response from Alcaraz, who at 22 continues to show maturity beyond his years on and off the court.
Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz ‘really proud’ after maiden Qatar title
Despite his youth, Alcaraz has already achieved so much in tennis, including the career Grand Slam.
He became the youngest man to achieve the feat when he added the Australian Open title to his six other Grand Slam titles.
The Spaniard boasts two titles at each of the other three major tournaments, while he also has an Olympic silver medal to his name.
The 22-year-old just added more history to his career in Doha, winning the Qatar Open for the very first time.
Reacting to the accomplishment, he said: “Well, it feels great.
“It feels like the job is finished right now, which is great.
“It was a great week, on and off the court.
“Seeing myself accomplish all the goals that I set up for myself at the beginning of the week, it makes me really proud of myself and about my team.
“Yeah, lifting the trophy in Doha for the first time, it feels amazing.”
He now boasts ATP titles in 14 different countries, which is a record he can’t build upon when he takes on Indian Wells next.
But success is very much on the cards considering the world number one’s form and the fact that he won Indian Wells in 2023 and 2024.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe fields a ball during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cactus League Brewers are back in action and looking to get off the schneid this afternoon after losing both games in split-squad action yesterday. They’ll travel to Peoria to take on the San Diego Padres.
Today’s lineup features a balance of regulars and minor leaguers, as Jackson Chourio, Joey Ortiz, Andrew Vaughn, and Gary Sánchez make up the top of the lineup but Jett Williams, Luis Lara, and Eddys Leonard—who has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet—bring up the rear. In the middle are two guys likely to figure into the Brewers’ plans as bench players this season, Brandon Lockridge and David Hamilton. The Padres also have a couple of established big leaguers at the top of their lineup, most notably Fernando Tatís Jr., who will bat third as the designated hitter.
Plenty of guys in the major league bullpen conversation will appear today, as Easton McGee is today’s listed starting pitcher with Abner Uribe, Craig Yoho, Drew Rom, and Jacob Waguespack scheduled to follow. Lefty JP Sears will be the first pitcher out for the Padres.
As noted in the post above, today’s game is available for free on brewers.tv, and it’ll also be shown on MLB Network for those out of market. You can also hear it on the Brewers Radio Network.
Paris FC: Moustapha Mbow pays tribute to Stéphane Gilli
Moustapha Mbow sends a heartfelt message to Stéphane Gilli
Paris FC: Moustapha Mbow pays tribute to Stéphane Gilli
On his X account, Senegalese international Moustapha Mbow paid tribute to Stéphane Gilli.
After Stéphane Gilli was dismissed by Paris FC this weekend, he received a touching tribute from Moustapha Mbow. The Senegalese center-back made sure to thank his former coach.
"Coach, I really wanted to take the time to say thank you. Thank you for everything you brought me, for your patience, your demands, your outbursts that stung at the time but helped me grow, and above all for believing in me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything," wrote the Senegalese defender on X.
Newcastle United hold firm on Tino Livramento amid expected revival in Manchester City interest
Manchester City are once again expected to face a stern test when it comes to efforts to sign Tino Livramento from Newcastle United, according to new reports.
The Magpies are keen to tie the 23-year-old down to a new contract and make him one of the highest-paid players in Eddie Howe’s star-studded squad, despite suffering multiple injury setbacks so far this season.
Having twice recovered from a knee injury, Livramento hobbled off against Bournemouth with a hamstring problem in a breathtaking FA Cup tie last month, which ended 7-6 in favour of the Magpies on penalties.
The defender is one of three long-term absentees for Howe at present, in a squad that has been weakened considerably after Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar – who underwent ankle surgery recently – were both ruled out until April.
Livramento is expected back in a matter of weeks, while his contract in the north-east is set to run until 2028 and discussions have been held over fresh terms as links with Manchester City continue to intensify, as reported by Football Insider.
Eddie Howe will certainly not want Tino Livramento to leave his squad any time soon given Kieran Trippier’s contract expires in the summer and at 35 years of age, it is unlikely he will continue in the Premier League or at the highest level for much longer.
Returning with plenty of time to spare, Livramento will want to better his credentials ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup while fighting for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad alongside Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Livramento featured 45 times for Newcastle last season and played a major role in achieving a fifth-place finish in the Premier League. He also started in the final of the Carabao Cup in March last year, where the Magpies secured their first domestic trophy for 70 years.
And by achieving such a feat – and a first major trophy since 1969 – Livramento’s transfer value increased drastically. It is no surprise that Newcastle do not want to offload the defender, but if they are it would take a huge fee, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, he said, “Newcastle don’t want to lose him, there’s no doubt about that, they want to keep hold of Livramento.
“There have been ongoing talks over a new deal, but nothing is agreed as yet, so that would maybe give Man City a bit of hope that they maybe could be lured away.
“It would take a huge offer I think for Newcastle to even consider selling him. He’s under contract until 2028, so they’re in no rush to sell. Eddie Howe wants to keep hold of Livramento and build his team around him, because he is such an exciting player and someone with huge potential.”
Manchester City have been monitoring the defender closely and after the signings of Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, sporting director Hugo Viana – who took on the role permanently last summer – has not shown signs of stopping anytime soon.
BREMEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 14: Manuel Neuer of FC Bayern Munich warms up prior to the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München at Weserstadion on February 14, 2026 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer injured himself in the 3-0 win over Werder Bremen and had to come off for Jonas Urbig. While Neuer was initially expected to sit out for three weeks, the 39-year-old is back in training doing light training with the possibility of him playing against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker a real possibility.
Manuel Neuer returned on the pitch today and completed a 30-minute session. He did most of the exercises on the ground – and always under the close supervision of rehab coach Simon Martinello. Neuer will gradually increase the workload in the coming days. Being fit in time for Dortmund is now a possibility.
Having Neuer back is great and all, but this is just classic Bayern rushing injuries which is the last thing the club needs what with injuries creeping back in (Alphonso Davies). Plus, Urbig can totally handle a high-stakes match like this.
One week remains in the Horizon League’s regular season. Wright State has already clinched at least a share of the title, but fell to the defending champs Sunday, leaving the door open for someone else to join it. The penultimate week, as each week this season has done, brought a load of chaos, and there remains a lot to be decided in the final week.
Here is a recap of the week.
Horizon League Standings
1. Wright State (13-5) 2. Robert Morris (11-7) Oakland (11-7) Detroit Mercy (11-7) 5. Green Bay (11-8) 6. Purdue Fort Wayne (10-8) 7. Northern Kentucky (9-9) 8. Youngstown State (8-10) 9. Milwaukee (7-12) 10. Cleveland State (6-12) 11. IU Indianapolis (3-15)
Wins of the week
Green Bay 73, Oakland 68
Green Bay was a hot topic all week leading up to this game, but not necessarily because the two were set to meet separated by less than a game in the standings and with conference-tournament seeding on the line. It was because the Phoenix were without their head coach in this game, as Doug Gottlieb was suspended for the game after he criticized officials in a postgame rant. When these teams met last month in Green Bay, Oakland dominated, taking advantage of an undersized frontcourt and pushing the Phoenix down low. Green Bay responded in a big way this time around. Isaac Garrett had 17 points for Oakland, but Tuburu Naivalurua and Michael Houge were limited to a combined 14 shot attempts and 16 points, allowing the Phoenix to keep the game in check. Justin Allen had a huge game for Green Bay, scoring a team-high 21 points and adding five assists. C.J. O’Hara made just three field goals, but shot 9 for 10 on free throws, adding 16 points and keeping pressure on the Oakland bigs all night. Caden Wilkins also caught fire, knocking down four of his five 3-point attempts to give the Phoenix an additional offensive boost. In an emotional performance, coached by Kerry Rupp, whom Green Bay clearly rallied around, the Phoenix got a major victory in the closing stretch.
Detroit Mercy 74, Green Bay 70
With Green Bay riding high off its statement win over Oakland, it was Detroit Mercy that stole the momentum to earn a huge win on Sunday. 2012-13 was the last time the Titans won 11 games in Horizon League play. That changed with Sunday’s win. Orlando Lovejoy was absolutely unstoppable, scoring a game-high 33 points along with five assists. Green Bay is smaller in the frontcourt than most units and Lovejoy took full advantage, getting to the line 12 times, connecting on 11. Lance Stone was the only other Titan in double figures with 10 points, but 74 was enough to get the job done thanks to a strong defensive effort. For Green Bay, four starters scored in double figures, but it got just six points combined from the other four players who logged minutes, just not enough to win a game against a team in the upper portion of the conference. Detroit Mercy wraps up the week in a tie for second place and seems to be in prime position to host a game in the league tournament. A year ago, these two teams were meeting as two of the worst in the conference and Sunday they met in a game with pivotal implications, college basketball at its finest.
Robert Morris 81, Wright State 68
The defending champions are the hottest and maybe most dangerous team in the league right now. Although the roster doesn’t feature hardly anyone who contributed to last season’s NCAA Tournament appearance, having a coach and point guard who have won the league are two key traits the Colonials still possess. On Sunday, it was on full display. In a game on national television, Robert Morris and Wright State met, just over two weeks after the Colonials upset the Raiders. In Sunday’s win, Nikolaos Chitikoudis and DeSean Goode scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. Ryan Prather Jr. struggled shooting, but logged six assists. Freshman Darius Livingston continued his late-season breakout, exploding for 24 points and Ta’Zir Smith also tallied double figures with 15 off the bench. Wright State’s offense has been extremely balanced all season and while three players reached double figures Sunday, Robert Morris forced 14 turnovers and made it difficult for the Raiders to keep pace. A double-digit halftime lead was maintained for the final 20 minutes as the defending champs posted a championship-level effort to jump into a tie for second in the league standings.
Notable results
Defeating IU Indianapolis wasn’t a gaudy win for Wright State, but it moved the Raiders within a win of an outright league championship. Unfortunately for Clint Sargent, his group couldn’t get the job done against Robert Morris on national television Sunday, but it has two opportunities to win the league this upcoming week. It will, however, have to fend off at least one of two of the better backcourts in the league to take the crown outright, with matchups with Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky, both on the road, looming.
With some teams set to play two games in the final week, others just one, the path to a home first-round game is there for seven teams. Northern Kentucky sits a game and a half back of fifth entering the week, and is the team furthest down in the standings with an opportunity, albeit a long-shot. Wright State will host for sure, and is a win away from the championship, but Robert Morris, Oakland, Detroit Mercy, Green Bay, Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky are all within two games in the standings, and any four of that group could be the other first-round hosts.
After falling to Green Bay on Friday night, Oakland snapped out of a four-game funk, getting back in the win column with a 81-70 win over Milwaukee Sunday. Brody Robisnon had 20 points and nine assists alongside Tuburu Naivalurua’s 23 points to take down a depleted Panthers group. The Golden Grizzlies are by far the most battle tested against the nation’s best amongst teams in the league, but to earn the opportunity to take on a high-major in an NCAA Tournament setting, they must play better than they have the past few weeks. Oakland has the talent to make a push for the league’s auto-bid, but it hasn’t played well lately, so it will be interesting to see how Greg Kampe’s crew closes.
Youngstown State flashed what makes it a dangerous team that could spoil the quest for an NCAA Tournament berth for anyone in the league. Cris Carroll put up 26 points, six rebounds and six assists, and was aided by Tae Blackshear and Vlad Salaridze who combined for 42 off the bench, as the Penguins beat Cleveland State 106-82. There was a time when Youngstown State looked like the best team in the Horizon League and while it is far from even being labeled a dark horse in the league, a matchup with Carroll isn’t something any team is going to take lightly in the postseason.
"That would be a great decision to have if you have a guy like Makai Lemon there and then Jeremiyah Love," Jeremiah said on a pre-combine conference call. "So I wanted to see what it would look like there and try and find a compliment to Chris Olave. I think (Lemon) would catch a bazillion balls in that offense from that quarterback with Kellen calling plays. ... So that was, you know, that was kind of looking at a different option there. I don't know that there's a wrong answer."
What is it about these two prospects that is so appealing? Lemon has been surging to the forefront of Saints mock drafts in recent weeks, and for his part, Jeremiah is a big fan: "Think (Moore) would know exactly how to use Makai Lemon and he'll give you easy completions for a young quarterback. He can work in the middle of the field. He's tough. He can help you out if you need him to dig out a linebacker in the run game as well."
But if he likes Love so much, why did Jeremiah pivot from the running back to the wide receiver? He explained: "There is something to, okay, when the team is ready to really take off, then you drop in the running back. You utilize all of his carries. They all matter and they're helping you, you know, get in the playoffs and chase the championship. I think there's some other pieces to fill before you say that, you know, rocket's ready to take off there in New Orleans. So I kind of like the idea of letting Makai Lemon grow with a young quarterback and they can play together for seven, ten years or so. I just thought that would be a fun fit."
Whether they go with a receiver or a rusher, the goal is the same -- get another weapon for Shough to lean on. Depending on the team's moves in free agency (bolstering the offensive line and signing other pass-catchers, or another running back) they could be set up to comfortably take Love and chase a playoff berth in the weak NFC South. Alvin Kamara isn't getting younger and he's playing in the last year of their contract. No team has had a less explosive run game over the last five years than New Orleans. Lemon could be a fun compliment to Olave, but at some point the Saints must inject real game-changing talent to their backfield. Maybe they'll find a way to do that before the draft gets here in late April.
TimesofIndia.com in Kandy: In a T20 World Cup where Pakistan’s campaign has lurched between frustration and uncertainty, Sahibzada Farhan has quietly become their most reliable presence. With 220 runs to his name and at least two matches still to come, Farhan finds himself in rare territory, one that inevitably invites comparisons, records, and pressure.
At the pre-match press conference, he was asked a million dollar question on whether he is aiming to take down Virat Kohli's 12-year-old record as leading run-getter in the T20 World Cup. Kohli amassed 319 runs in the 2014 edition and 296 runs in 2022. His 319-run tally is still the highest by any batter in a single T20 World Cup.
“I don’t look at stats. Even when I perform, people tell me how many runs I’ve scored,” he told reporters. “If you start thinking about records, it becomes an added burden. I want to finish well. I want Pakistan to be proud.”
That philosophy has shaped Farhan’s T20 World Cup so far. In a tournament where rain washed away momentum and Pakistan’s batting order repeatedly collapsed under pressure, Farhan has provided something invaluable: time at the crease. While critics have questioned strike rates and tempo, a conversation that has followed Pakistan’s top order for years, Farhan pushed back gently but firmly. “This is international cricket. You can’t start hitting from ball one every time. You have to read the pitch,” he explained. “If the ball is in my range, I attack. Once I get momentum, I try to take it long so the team can benefit.”
Those words also reflect Pakistan’s broader dilemma. The bowlers, especially the spinners, have largely delivered. The batting, however, has struggled to keep pace, particularly against top opposition. Farhan did not shy away from acknowledging that reality. “Yes, we have collapsed in batting,” he admitted. “In T20 cricket, your top three or four have to score runs. We haven’t done that consistently. But the boys are working hard, and they are focused.”
Despite the scrutiny, Farhan spoke with notable calm about the pressure surrounding senior players and teammates. Whether it was Saim Ayub’s lean run or the criticism aimed at experienced campaigners, Farhan stressed belief and roles over panic. “Not every player can perform in every match. Everyone has their own role,” he said. “Saim is an impact player. He believes in himself, and that belief matters in T20 cricket.”
Attention also turned to upcoming challenges, including facing elite pacers. Asked about squaring up against England's Jofra Archer, Farhan was refreshingly blunt. “It’s not a big deal,” he shrugged. “We’ve faced him before. He will plan for me, but I have planned for him too. That’s international cricket.”
What perhaps stood out most was Farhan’s clarity amid chaos. Rain delays, points-table permutations, decisions at the toss, none seemed to interest him. “Those calls are for the captain and coach,” he said. “Our job is to prepare and play according to the conditions.”
As Pakistan head deeper into the Super Eight phase, Farhan’s runs carry added weight. Each innings inches him closer to Kohli’s historic World Cup tally, even if he insists that the numbers mean little. Yet records means a lot to the players, especially in the subcontinent.
Whether he reaches the mark or not, one thing is clear. In a T20 World Cup filled with noise around Pakistan’s batting, Sahibzada Farhan has chosen the quietest route, scoring runs, absorbing pressure, and letting his bat talk.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: A general interior view of match action at Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Live Blog
12’ – Barry again puts Lemmens under pressure to clear and the Blues can almost fashion a chance but Maguire beats Gana to the ball and wins a foul. Tarky wins a header over Amad and falls heavily, looks winded on the ground there.
10’ – As we’d expected after seeing the lineup, Everton are in the 4-2-3-1 with Branthwaite and Garner as the fullbacks, Armstrong at left wing with Irogebunam and Gana in the middle.
9’ – Dalot cuts in and his cross-shot is parried away by Pickford.
7’ – Barry and KDH combine to steal the ball in the attacking third, but Armstrong can’t retain the ball. United are seeing more of the possession, with Everton comfortable pressing them to try nick it in dangerous areas.
4’ – Ooof defensive shambles! United move into Everton’s box, Mbeumo puts it back into the box, Cunha’s shot blocked, falls to Amad whose shot is only partly saved by Pickford, squirms loose and Tarkowski has to clear off the line.
2’ – Dewsbury-Hall presses Yoro and Everton have a throw. The pressure is working and the crowd are loving it too.
1’ – United kick off, attacking the steep South Stand. Barry charges down Lemmens clearance and the ball could have gone anywhere, but is out for a goalkick!
The siren has gone off, Z-Cars serenades the players onto the pitch as the home crowd are in full voice tonight. Wayne Rooney is in the house too.
Starting Lineups
Everton – David Moyes is always full of surprises isn’t he? Do we have a centrehalf playing fullback (Branthwaite), and a central midfielder as the other fullback (Garner)?! Let’s throw in a central midfielder out on the wing for good measure.
Moyes says Charly Alcaraz picked up an injury in training yesterday, so he’s out tonight.
After a nearly two week break, Everton return with a Premier League game hosting Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium looking to bounce back after a frustrating loss where they gave up a halftime lead to go down 2-1 against bogey club AFC Bournemouth.
Manchester United have had a good recent run since sacking Ruben Amorim under caretaker manager and former player Michael Carrick, climbing up to 5th in the table eight points ahead of the Blues on 37 pts in ninth place.
Any points today would see Everton move up to eighth, and would be welcome given how congested the middle of the table is – Brighton are in 14th place on 34 points, just three behind the Blues.
The injury situation remains about the same for the Blues with only Jack Grealish out for the season, with Jake O’Brien suspended for the game. The visitors will be minus Patrick Dorgu, Matthijs De Ligt and likely Mason Mount too.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League Matchweek 27
Date and start time: Monday, February 23rd at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m ET / 8:00 p.m. BST
Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
TV: USA Network, UNIVERSO, TeleXitos – United States; Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League – United Kingdom; Fubo– Canada, beIN Sports HD 1, SuperSport Premier League ROA, SuperSport MaXimo 1 & 2
Radio: evertontv, TalkSport Radio UK
Live stream: Fubo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, UNIVERSO NOW, Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, ESPN Play Sur, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, DStv Now, RUSH, Jio Hotstar
Gamethread: There will be a live blog for this game, with our coverage continuing after the final whistle with the match recap and reaction.
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The two sides had met at Old Trafford in a bizarre game earlier this season where Idrissa Gana Gueye was sent off in the first quarter hour for slapping his own teammate Michael Keane following a defensive mix-up. The Toffees though overcame being a man-down to score through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and then held their lead to nab an away win.
In United’s final visit to Goodison Park, the two sides had battled to a 2-2 draw with the Blues racing into a two-goal lead after half an hour with Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure scoring, but then let United back into the game to nab a point through Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
The Australian Grand Prix has named Turn 6 of the Albert Park Circuit after Esteban Ocon's race engineer Laura Mueller and Red Bull head of race strategy Hannah Schmitz.
As part of the In Her Corner initiative, which is in partnership with Engineers Australia and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the move comes in celebration of International Women's Day.
Schmitz began working for Red Bull in 2009 as a modelling and strategy engineer. In 2011, she took the role of senior strategy engineer before being promoted to principal strategy engineer in 2021. The 40-year-old is one of only 11 women to have stood on the F1 podium to accept the constructors' trophy.
"I absolutely love my job and if you have the privilege of that choice also then make sure it’s the right role for you," Schmitz said.
"I was always curious about how things work and loved cars. At school I had some amazing support and encouragement from teachers that opened my eyes to the world of engineering, they were my inspiration.
"For me it has been an absolute honour to represent the team on the podium. In Qatar last season, it was incredible to be in the fight for the drivers’ championship, witnessing the way everyone came together as a team was something very special to be a part of."
Mueller joined Haas in 2022 in the simulator department before rising through the ranks in supporting roles at the races. In 2024, she served as a performance engineer before taking the role as Ocon's race engineer in 2025.
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas F1 looks on in the garage.
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas F1 looks on in the garage.
The German engineer said: "The ‘In Her Corner’ initiative promotes the importance of ‘if you can see it, you can be it,’ so the more we can all do to shine a light on the overall achievement of women in engineering is a great thing.
"To be a part of this acknowledgement so early on in my Formula 1 career is an honour, and I hope it motivates girls and young adults to pursue a career in STEM. It’s important to recognise women’s accomplishments in motorsport so far, and it’s great to be alongside Hannah for this."
Katherine Richards, Engineers Australia chief engineer, also said: "Engineers Australia is proud to partner with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to launch In Her Corner and name a turn on one of the world’s most iconic circuits after two women currently shaping Formula 1.
"In Her Corner celebrates the talent, leadership and drive of two engineers who are redefining what’s possible, not just in Formula 1, but across engineering, technology and business."
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during a game at Caesars Superdome on December 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I am really enjoying the debate about the QB position. I guess I love the drama! It is too bad that JJ McCarthy has been injured for much of the last two seasons. It really has delayed his development and the team’s ability to determine his long term future. His performance on the field has been up and down which should have been expected. There are folks on both sides of the argument about if he will ever blossom into a competent NFL QB. It truly is unfortunate for the team and JJ that they do not have full confidence this next season. That is what I am led to believe based on the comments from KOC in his end of season press conference. He could have killed all the speculation that is going on right now by simply saying “JJ McCarthy will be our starting QB in 2026”. He basically said he wanted to bring in competition.
Now, we have endless stories about who the Vikings will bring in for competition. There are some fans who really are upset about this and do not know why others are talking about possibilities. They feel JJ should be the starter. Period. There are even some that do not care about wins and want to give him one last shot. They say if the team does bad they can draft another QB in 2027 because there will be a better QB class in the draft.
There are other fans who want different veterans most of which you would assume would be the starters. I do not see a Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, and Aaron Rodgers being the backup. The money that gets paid may determine who starts as well although I feel several QBs can win a straight up competition at this point.
Other options like Malik Willis, Geno Smith, and Kirk Cousins could probably win a competition. I am not sure any other player they bring in would win the competition. Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota, Russell Wilson, Kenny Picket, Trey Lance, Tyrod Taylor, and Zach Wilson all should probably be backups to JJ. Maybe the first three can win a competition? But is it worth it?
I can live with any outcome. I present different scenarios to attempt to elicit intelligent debates. I like several options.
If the team is unable to land a BIG FISH (Burrow or Jackson) then I am good with Rodgers. I feel he would be perfect because it allows JJ to learn from him and take over in 2027. This way the team gets “competent” QB play (Rodgers did look good last year when he was not getting killed) AND they still have their QBOTF who would now have another season of learning and development under his belt. Maybe Cousins would be OK with one year?
In a perfect world, the Minnesota Vikings will add a quarterback to compete with second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy during 2026. But that could be easier said than done.
At least according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that could be the case.
Florio argued Saturday that if the Vikings are going to add serious competition for McCarthy this offseason, then the team has to be serious about having said competition.
“They want a veteran who’ll compete with J.J. McCarthy. That could make it harder to attract a veteran who’ll want a commitment that he’ll be QB1,” Florio wrote. “Based on McCarthy’s performance and durability in 2025, however, most veteran quarterbacks with reasonable confidence would believe they can win a fair and square competition.
“If they believe the competition will be both fair and square.” … Maybe McCarthy will be better another year removed from the injury. But to seriously push him in a competition, the Vikings will have to convince free agents that they have a real chance to start instead of the 23-year-old in 2026.
Otherwise, the Vikings aren’t going to land a free agent quarterback any better than backup level. Or, the team will be forced to trade for a signal-caller, giving up assets to get real quarterback competition. … Rodgers isn’t going to sign with a team where he isn’t starting. Wilson lost his starting job during the 2025 campaign.
Other pending free agent signal-callers next month could include Daniel Jones, Marcus Mariota, Zach Wilson, Tyrod Taylor, and Joe Flacco.
But as Florio argued, those quarterbacks being interested in the Vikings might depend on how likely they feel they could earn the starting job over McCarthy.
“Some trades would by definition signal a new starter, whether it’s a deal for the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray or even the rights to retired New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who recently said he would unretire for a shot at winning the Super Bowl. Any such discussions are likely to heat up during the combine next week, at which point O’Connell and Brzezinski likely will have decided if they are prepared to sideline McCarthy should the right deal presents itself.” Vikings Reporter Kevin Seifert
Minnesota starts at $49M over the cap. … Move : Action : 2026 Savings Justin Jefferson : Max Restructure : +$19.6M Christian Darrisaw : Max Restructure : +$11.0M Jonathan Greenard : Max Restructure : +$12.9M Brian O’Neill : 3-Year Extension : +$12.2M T.J. Hockenson : Pre-June 1 Trade : +$8.9M Will Fries : Restructure : +$9.3M Blake Cashman : 2-Year Extension : +$3.7M Andrew Van Ginkel : 2-Year Extension : +$10.1M Strategic Cuts : Kelly, Hargrave, A. Jones : +$30.4M Total Savings : +$118.1M … The Derek Carr Trade & Contract (3 Years, $75M) The Vikings acquire Carr from the Saints for a 2026 5th-round pick and receive a 7th-round pick. Saints Retention: New Orleans restructures Carr’s contract before the trade to pay $15 million of his 2026 cash as a signing bonus, leaving them with a manageable dead cap hit. The “Geno Smith” Redo: Minnesota tears up Carr’s inherited contract and signs him to a new 3-year, $75 million deal ($25M AAV) with $40 million fully guaranteed … Reworked Derek Carr Contract Total Value: $75,000,000 Signing Bonus: $15,000,000 (spread over 3 real years + 2 void years). Guaranteed Cash: $41M (Bonus + Year 1 Salary + $10M of Year 2 Salary). Year : Base Salary : Prorated Bonus : Incentives : Cap Hit : Cash Flow 2026 : $16,000,000 : $3,000,000 : $3,000,000 : $19,000,000 : $31,000,000 2027 : $20,000,000 : $3,000,000 : $5,000,000 : $23,000,000 : $20,000,000 2028 : $24,000,000 : $3,000,000 : $7,000,000 : $27,000,000 : $24,000,000 Void : $3,000,000 Void : $3,000,000 … If the team decides to part ways before the 2027 season (Pre-June 1): Dead Money Absorption: $22.0 Million. Calculation: $12M (remaining bonus proration) + $10M (guaranteed portion of 2027 salary). Cap Savings: Releasing him would save $17.0 Million against the 2027 cap ($39M total hit vs $22M dead cap). … To keep Derek Carr’s contract “fair” but protective of the Vikings’ cap, we’ve structured $15M in total incentives ($3M in 2026, $5M in 2027, and $7M in 2028). These are typically classified as NLTBE (Not Likely To Be Earned) based on his injury-shortened/retired 2025, meaning they won’t count against your cap until he actually achieves them. … 2026 Incentives (Total: $3.0M) Focus: Availability and Basic Efficiency Playtime: $1.0M if he plays 75% or more of regular-season offensive snaps. Efficiency: $1.0M if he finishes with a Passer Rating over 95.0 (his 2023 level). Team Success: $1.0M if the Vikings make the Playoffs. … 2027 Incentives (Total: $5.0M) Focus: Postseason Progression Playtime: $1.0M for 80%+ snaps. Pro Bowl: $1.0M for an Original Ballot Pro Bowl selection. Playoff Wins: $1.5M for a Divisional Round win. Conference Title: $1.5M for an NFC Championship appearance. … 2028 Incentives (Total: $7.0M) Focus: Elite Performance & Super Bowl Statistical Tier: $2.0M for 4,000+ Passing Yards and 30+ TDs. MVP/All-Pro: $1.5M for NFL MVP or 1st Team All-Pro. The Big One: $3.5M for a Super Bowl Win. … Strategic Ramification: The “Cap Push” Because these are NLTBE, the Vikings don’t have to “set aside” this $15M right now. If he fails: You keep the cap space. If he succeeds: The “bill” for these incentives hits your 2027 or 2028 cap as a “rollover” charge. With your $74.2M in projected 2027 space (after the Jonathan Allen and Josh Metellus cuts), you can easily absorb a $3M “success tax” from 2026. Final Verdict: This setup pays Carr like a Top 10 QB if he plays like one, but keeps him at a Bottom 10 price tag if he struggles or gets hurt again. … Final Cap Health (2026 & 2027) After clearing the initial deficit and signing Carr, the Vikings remain one of the most flexible teams in the league. … Remaining 2026 Cap Space: ~$50.1 Million Calculation: $118.1M (Savings) – $49M (Deficit) – $19M (Carr Hit) = ~$50.1M. Remaining 2027 Cap Space: ~$67.5 Million (includes cut of Allen & Metellus) … Player : 2026 Cap Hit : Contract Details Travis Etienne (RB) : $4.8M : 3 yrs, $33.0M (Void Years Added) Cade Mays (C) : $4.2M : 3 yrs, $36.0M (Void Years Added) Logan Hall (DT) : $4.2M : 3 yrs, $27M (Void Year Added) Nick Cross (S) : $3.2M : 3 yrs, $24.0M (Void Years Added) Leo Chenal (LB) : $2.7M : 2 yrs, $12.0M (Void Year Added) Kader Kohou (CB) : $3.5M : 1 yr, $3.5M (ACL “Prove-it”) Noah Fant (TE) : $2.2M : 1 yr, $3.2M (Void Year Added) Otito Ogbonnia (DT) : $2.1M : 2 yr, $7.0M Benjamin St-Juste (CB) : $2.0M : 2 yrs, $7M Jalen Tolbert (WR) : $2.0M : 1 yr, $2.0M … Remaining 2026 Cap Space: ~$22.7 Million Remaining 2027 Cap Space: ~$52.8 Million (includes $26.2M saved from cutting Jonathan Allen and Josh Metellus in 2027) …
This essay was reprinted from Peggy Shinn’s website. Read more of Slate’s 2026 Olympics coverage here.
The United States hauled in 33 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, its most ever at a Games outside North America. If you think that’s impressive, consider that more than 20 percent of those went to athletes who grew up or trained in Vermont, a state with fewer residents than many midsized cities. That list includes Mikaela Shiffrin, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, and Paula Moltzan, who won gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively in Alpine skiing; Mac Forehand, who got silver in free-skiing big air; and Ben Ogden (two silvers) and Jessie Diggins (a bronze) in cross-country.
Naturally, the national media went looking for a simple, pithy explanation. The New York Timeswondered if there was something in the water (or fine, the snow). The Associated Press floated maple syrup as the secret sauce. That theory gets a boost from the fact that Cochran-Siegle’s clan owns Slopeside Syrup, which sells single-serve packets of syrup marketed as “all natural athletic fuel.”
But the real explanation is rooted deeper than tree sap and snow. It is based on the old-fashioned concepts of family and community, and a culture that treats winter not as an inconvenience but as infrastructure. Vermont doesn’t send more Olympians to the Winter Games per capita than any other state because the state is buried in snow. (Yes, it often is, though less reliably than it used to be.) It’s because when winter lasts half the year, you either resent it or organize around it. Similar to the Norwegians and their “joy for all” concept of athlete development, we Vermonters choose the latter.
To fend off cabin fever, we have a long tradition of getting outdoors and making the best of the cold and snow: ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing in all forms, and snowboarding, too. (The first ski lift in the United States was built here.)
I’m an eighth-generation Vermonter, which is to say I was basically issued a pair of skis at birth. My mom had my sister and me wobbling around the backyard as toddlers, skis clipped on over snow boots. Our dad added figure skates to the mix. When we weren’t carving up ice, we were outside engineering questionable sled jumps and hurling ourselves off them with the confidence of children who assume snowbanks are soft.
My daughter came up through the Pico Ski Club program, where we volunteered with the cheerful masochism that defines winter parenting. (Gatekeeping in minus-15-degree windchill, anyone?) The friendships we made there have outlasted seasons, gear swaps, and growing pains. Around here, winter sports aren’t boutique hobbies or résumé padding for Olympic dreams. They’re what you do on a Saturday. Or a Tuesday after school.
For homegrown Olympic silver medalists like Cochran-Siegle and Ogden, their routes to the Olympics began not with corporate sponsorships but with parents in puffy jackets running youth programs on volunteer time. And those parents might just be NCAA champions and/or Olympic medalists themselves. In a small state like Vermont, with a limited tax base for public programs and few deep pockets, volunteer-run kid programs mean parents don’t have to have hedge-fund incomes to afford registration fees. At least not when kids are young.
Ogden grew up in Landgrove—a hamlet with more porcupines than residents—and started in the Bill Koch League, an all-volunteer cross-country ski program founded in 1977 after Vermonter Bill Koch became America’s first Olympic medalist in the sport. The goal there isn’t to mint Olympians. It’s to create lifelong skiers. Kids play games and race for lollipops. Parents treat Saturday practice as a social event and a chance to enjoy skiing themselves, ending with hot chocolate at the touring center.
It may take a village to raise a ski racer. In Vermont, it also creates one.
Talented athletes can graduate to one of the state’s ski academies, which function as finishing schools for skiing and snowboarding. Burke Mountain Academy, founded in 1970, has produced dozens of Olympians, Shiffrin among them. It was founded to meet a couple of needs: sell some midweek lift tickets and give kids who want to keep skiing through high school a place to both study and train. Other ski academies have popped up around the state. Stratton Mountain School counts Ogden among its alumni. Killington Mountain School recently sent snowboarder Jess Perlmutter to her first Olympics, where she finished sixth in slopestyle at age 16.
These academies draw ambitious teenagers from around the country. Shiffrin followed her older brother to Burke, and their mom moved to the village near the school. Forehand commuted from Connecticut every weekend before his family relocated full time. Vermont is happy to claim them all.
Some of these transplants never leave. Moltzan rediscovered her love of skiing after attending the University of Vermont. She stayed and bought a house in Waitsfield. “The Green Mountain State is the best state in the whole 50 states,” she said after winning the second run of the women’s slalom at the 2026 Games.
Ogden, a proud lifelong Vermonter, also stayed after graduating from UVM. He now skis professionally with Stratton’s SMS T2 team and often trains alongside current students. In Vermont, Olympians aren’t distant legends; they’re older teammates.
Diggins, now a four-time Olympic medalist, has long called the Stratton program home. She credits team dinners, send-off parties, and the feeling that entire towns are tracking her splits for helping to fuel her success. Ogden says he feels a “mental boost” from knowing his state is watching. In a small place, support isn’t abstract. After he won his second silver medal at the Milan Cortina Games, he said, “Vermonters have been such a huge part of my success this week and honestly, every other aspect of me.”
Cochran-Siegle’s pathway to success started way back with his grandparents. In 1960, Mickey and Ginny Cochran built a backyard rope tow on the hill behind their house in Richmond so their kids could ski after school without needing to drive an hour to one of the state’s larger ski areas. Over the next decade and a half, all four of their children would make the Olympics. Barbara Ann Cochran—Cochran-Siegle’s mother—won gold in slalom at the 1972 Olympics.
The Cochrans did not keep their ski hill to themselves. They opened it to the community. Lift tickets cost 25 cents. If a kid lacked proper gear, Ginny found it. If they were hungry, she fed them. In 1998, Cochran’s became a nonprofit. No child is turned away for lack of money. Families who can pay more do.
To keep things affordable, Cochran’s—and many of Vermont’s youth ski programs—runs on the backs of volunteers. That volunteerism isn’t incidental. Vermont consistently ranks at the top nationally for civic participation, with more than 40 percent of residents volunteering in some capacity. At a typical youth race, parents might be course marshals, timing officials, or simply extra eyes on the hill.
At Cochran’s, the family’s legacy still anchors the place. Barbara Ann, her siblings Marilyn and Lindy, and their extended families have coached there for decades. Two-time Olympian Jimmy Cochran now manages the hill. Their stated goal remains disarmingly modest: foster fun, not necessarily champions.
Asked what advice his mother gave him before winning both of his Olympic silver medals, at the 2022 and 2026 Games, Cochran-Siegle said it was very simple: “She just tells me to go out and have fun.” And what’s more fun than a tiny state dominating the world’s preeminent sporting event?
Much of Monday’s quarterfinal between South Sevier and Rowland Hall came down to the simple fact that nobody on the floor could stop Raidon Barney.
Rowland Hall struggled to handle the size of the 6-foot-8 Rams junior. Barney ended with a dominant 27-point, 12-rebound double-double in a convincing 65-48 quarterfinal win.
Whether it was on the perimeter or in the paint, Barney took advantage of mismatches.
“He’s so good with handling the ball, and he just creates mismatches everywhere he goes,” said South Sevier head coach Carson Christensen. “What I really love about him is he’s willing to find his players, his teammates, to get them open looks. They’re gonna send two guys every time, and he’s been so good at trying to find them. It just shows because he’s our leading assist guy as well.”
The Rams came out of the gate a little slow, which showed in a quick six-point lead for Rowland Hall in the first quarter.
Things quickly changed once South Sevier started to more handily win the rebounding battle and got Barney going.
“Rebounding was one thing we really hit on,” Christensen said. “The way Rowland Hall was going to beat us is they would have to outrebound us, and at the beginning, it was a little touch-and-go at first because they got four or five offensive putbacks down there.
“But, once they got that mentality that we’re going to rebound, that was the game changer right there.”
Once South Sevier started to pile on the points, Rowland Hall never recovered. Barney had a monster first half with 15 points and eight rebounds for a 33-18 lead.
The second half was much of the same. The Rams outscored the Winged Lions 22-12 in the third quarter and led by as much as 25 points.
The defense was also solid for South Sevier. Rowland Hall finally managed to put up an 18-point quarter in the fourth, but it was after the Rams sat some of their starters and the game was already put away.
Winged Lions’ leading scorer Jrue Miller was held to just eight points in the quarterfinal.
“Our defense was solid,” Christensen said. “We kept the Miller boys from scoring. It was from getting those rebounds and keeping them from getting the second chances.”
CORAL GABLES, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Miami guard Tre Donaldson (3) gestures after time expired (also pictured, center Ernest Udeh Jr. (8), guard Tru Washington (10)) as the Miami Hurricanes faced the Virginia Tech Hokies on February 17, 2026, at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Happy Monday, everybody. Hope your week has gotten off to a great start.
The Miami Hurricanes had some notable happenings in the sports world since the last time I touched base, so let’s get right to them.
1) Holy moly. What a night it was in Coral Gables last Tuesday night.
I had my phone and tables set up side by side and was watching the dramatics unfold in both Canes baseball and Canes hoops at the same time.
Miami baseball found themselves down 5-0 going into the eighth inning against UCF, and while it felt over, I figured I’d watched it this far and would stick with it. And boy, I’m glad I did. With two outs, Jake Ogden clubbed one out to left to get back inside slam range and make it 5-2 going to the ninth.
Meanwhile, Miami kept seesawing back and forth with the Virginia Tech Hokies on the hardwood. The stubborn Hokies continued to hold a slim lead that Miami would quickly erase, only to see VT jump back again. It felt like a game that, in the stars, was supposed to go Tech’s way. At least those were the vibes.
But then, UCF’s pitcher got wiiiiiiiild and plunked three Canes in the bottom of the ninth. Michael Torres got a ball past the infield for a single to plate two and tie the game. Suddenly, it felt like it could be Miami’s night.
Next door, up 67-66 with 3.6 seconds left, Tech drove the ball to the hoop. Except their man fell down and half-stumble/threw up a shot that missed. Tech missed the offensive rebound, and time expired on a crucial win at Watsco Center.
The Canes survive! They beat Virginia Tech 67-66 to improve to 21-5 overall! 10-3 in the ACC. Another late comeback win for Miami. pic.twitter.com/5wiXzHBzPR
Amusingly enough, the baseball broadcast caught the fans making their way from the Wat over to Mark Light for the conclusion of the baseball game.
And then Vance Sheehan sent everybody home in elated fashion with a two-run bomba off the scoreboard in left for a walk off 8-7 win in 13 innings.
Adversity shaped him. Clutch defined him.
Nearly seven years removed from undergoing surgery for a brain tumor, Vance Sheahan (@SheahanVance) delivered a signature win for @CanesBaseball on Tuesday.
Nights like this don’t come around often, and for those who got to go to one (or both), man, I am envious. A tremendous night for Miami athletics.
2) Saturday night was, unfortunately, tough for the Hurricanes on the hardwood in Charlottesville .
But they gave the Wahoos everything they had and took that game right to the wire. Miami tied it up at 83 on a driving basket by Malike Renau with seven seconds left. Unfortunately, what happened in the Canes’ favor the Saturday before burned them against Virginia. With under four seconds left, Tre Donaldson fouled Jake Mallory on a three, and Mallory sank all three free throws for the winning margin.
Still, that’s not a game you expect to win, although it would have been basically a tourney clincher if they’d gotten it.
Next up is at FSU on Tuesday night. The Seminoles have been playing well lately, and Miami, well, almost never seems to beat them in basketball. This team needs to get this one in Tallahassee after coming up short in Coral Gables against them earlier in the year. A loss could push Miami back towards the bubble after working hard to get off it.
3) Boy, how the Canes are crushing the baseball right now.
I’ll just leave this here for you.
Cuvet's grand slam is Miami's 21st HR this season in their 9th game
Canes hit their 21st HR in game 18 last year. They had 8 HR after their 9th game#GoCanes
I was doing some stuff around the house yesterday, so I just caught bits and pieces, but holy Cannoli, did the Canes’ offense go nuclear. 30-5 over Lafayette.
We’ve seen Daniel Cuvet, Alex Sosa, Torres, Sheahan, and others come through at the plate this year so far, but boy, there’s one particular Cane to keep a close eye on as you go forward. Dylan Dubovik went nuclear against Lafayette, with five of his nine hits in 11 ABs going for extra bases. The local freshman from Coral Springs could be in the midst of an early career breakout.
We’ll see how he and the rest of the 9-0 Canes do this weekend as the competition steps up — the Florida Gators come to town this weekend for a three-game series.
College basketball analyst Andy Katz dropped Michigan basketball from No. 1 to third after the Wolverines lost to Duke this weekend, a move echoed by both the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25, but the maize and blue have some big games remaining, which could boost their profile.
While Tuesday night's game against Minnesota should be a game that Michigan easily wins, there are still road games at No. 11 Illinois and recently unranked Iowa, along with the regular-season home finale against No. 13 Michigan State.
This week should be a moment where the Wolverines can regain momentum, and Katz believes that the most consequential game in the next seven days will be that No. 3 vs. No. 11 matchup between Michigan and the Illini.
The Wolverines are still ranked No. 1 in the NET rankings, which matters most for NCAA Tournament seeding. While popular sentiment and media polls might paint a narrative, that's still the biggest barometer for where things will land coming out of the conference tournaments, entering the big dance in March.
Meanwhile, Michigan is ranked No. 1 in KenPom still, but Illinois is no slouch, coming in ranked No. 4 via those metrics -- the best team that the Wolverines will have seen other than Duke, which is No. 2. And that game is on the road in Champaign.
Michigan has wins over KenPom's No. 7 Purdue, No. 9 Gonzaga, No. 10 MSU, and No. 12 Nebraska.
Aberdeen caretaker manager Peter Leven says his players have no doubts about what's expected of them as he continues to navigate the club through uncertain times.
The club's chairman Dave Cormack explained in a message to supporters on Sunday that a permanent appointment had not been made because of "unforeseen circumstances", nearly two months since Jimmy Thelin was sacked.
Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said an appointment was imminent earlier this month, but there is no clarity over whether Leven will be in charge until the end of this week or the end of the season.
"I'm just day by day, game by game right now," Leven said. We brought Tony [Docherty] in to help and if anything changes, I'm sure the club will notify you.
"The boys still know the standards we expect, the standards I set at this club. It's just the situation we're in and we have just got to deal with it right now."
Aberdeen have won just one of their past 10 league matches, losing eight of them, and must win at Tannadice on Tuesday to keep their slim hopes of a top-six finish alive.
They are 11 points behind sixth-placed Falkirk with two games in hand.
"It's a massive game," Leven said. "We know what it means to the fans. We go there to try and win every game.
"The performances have been decent enough, it's about getting that win and following up from the Motherwell cup game.
"We are at the business end of the season, we want to try and play good football, but it's all about picking up points, and that is the most important thing."
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 21: Ademola Lookman of Atletico de Madrid reacts during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Atletico de Madrid and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium on February 21, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
Matchday 10 is a key stage of the competition where everything becomes more serious. Teams are either trying to protect their advantage from the first leg or fighting hard to recover after going behind.
At this point, every goal and every mistake can change the final result.
This round feels like a tough contest. Some teams must attack from the first minute to turn things around.
Clubs like Juventus are looking to bounce back after losing 5-2 to Galatasaray, while clubs like Inter Milan need to overturn a 3-1 loss against Bodo/Glimt.
Other teams are in a strong position and just need to complete the job. Clubs like Newcastle carry a big 6-1 lead into their second leg, and clubs like Bayer Leverkusen hold a comfortable 2-0 advantage over Olympiacos.
These teams can play with more control as they try to secure their place in the next round.
With some clubs coming to attack and others trying to protect their lead, this matchday is hard to predict.
Picking players from teams that are more likely to win or control their games can give you UCL Managers better chance of getting strong returns.
UCL Matchday 9 Team Review
Matchday 9 was a strong week for my team as they collected a total of 82 points in the first leg of the play-offs. The squad delivered solid returns across all positions, and several players stepped up at important moments.
Captain Kylian Mbappe returned 10 points after his score was doubled from a 5-point haul. Even though he did not score, he played a key role against a strong Benfica defense and created space for teammates.
One of those players was Vinicius Junior, who scored the winning goal and earned 7 points, helping the Real Madrid double up pay off.
In attack, Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman also contributed well in a high-scoring game.
Alvarez scored from the penalty spot to finish with 7 points, while Lookman also found the net and added another 7 points. Both players rewarded the trust placed in them.
In midfield, Anthony Gordon delivered the standout performance with a massive 27-point haul after scoring four goals in one half. His performance almost decided the tie on his own.
The midfield duo of Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia combined for 5 points in the match between PSG and Monaco.
Vitinha missed a penalty, but Kvaratskhelia remained active and involved throughout the game.
At the back, Malick Thiaw stood out with 9 points after a strong defensive display and an attacking contribution.
Achraf Hakimi added 7 points, proving that attack-minded defenders can still bring good returns. In goal, Marco Carnesecchi provided steady saves.
Overall, Matchday 9 was a strong performance. Now the focus shifts to the second leg and making smart transfer decisions based on the upcoming fixtures.
Two Free Transfers Heading Into Matchday 10
Heading into Matchday 10, my team needed adjustments. Lautaro Martínez is injured and Malick Thiaw is suspended, so I used my two free transfers to strengthen the squad and prepare for the second leg.
I brought in Serhou Guirassy to replace Lautaro. He is in strong form with four goals and three assists so far this season, he also contributed in the first leg.
With Dortmund holding a 2-0 lead at home, he has a strong chance to add more points.
In defence, I replaced Thiaw with Dan Burn. He brings stability and plays for Newcastle, who carry a big 6-1 advantage into the second leg. He also offers clean sheet potential and can contribute going forward.
With these changes, my squad is balanced and ready for the decisive games. Julian Alvarez will be holding my armband as captain for this matchday.
How is your team set up for the second leg? Drop your transfers, captain pick, and any big moves you made ahead of Matchday 10. Let’s discuss and see who made the best decisions.
After they won Olympic gold on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Canada, the Team USA men’s hockey team got a phone call — and an invite — from President Donald Trump.
“We’re in!” a group of players shouted, as Trump invited them to Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech at the U.S. Capitol, NJ.com reported.
The invitation did not extend, however, to the Team USA women’s squad, which also skated to Olympic gold in a win over Team Canada.
After Sunday’s historic win, Team USA star Jack Hughes, who plays for the New Jersey Devils, shouted out Team USA women’s player Megan Keller, who led her team to the gold medal against Canada on Thursday.
With the men’s squad headed to Miami because of the blizzard blanketing the northeastern U.S., the players asked if a military plane could pick them up there, the online news outlet reported.
“We’ll get Kash or we’ll get the military to get you guys over,” Trump said, referring to FBI Director Kash Patel, who was in the locker room and holding up his phone so the players could hear the call.
“We love you guys. Congratulations,” Trump said as he wrapped up the call. “I’m going to shake hands with everybody, but I got to shake hands with that goalie [Connor Hellebuyck]!”
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, a native Arizonan and the Team USA captain, said he and his teammates were “all proud Americans, obviously.”
“This is a huge moment for us, a huge moment for the United States. [Trump] called. Just congratulated us … It’s an honor to wear this jersey and represent the U.S. To go home with a gold medal, you know how much that means to guys in this room, to people watching and rooting us on, too,” Matthews continued, according to Breitbart News.
But he stopped short of saying that the whole team would make the trip to D.C.
“I think there’s a lot of moving parts as far as our travels back home. We’ll kind of see what happens, but obviously it’s an honor to wear this jersey and to represent the U.S.,” Matthews said. “To go home with a gold medal, I mean, you know how much that means to the guys in this room and how much it means to all the people watching and rooting us on, too.”
GRAND RAPIDS - Jalen Overway plans to play basketball next season.
But the Calvin University star isn’t sure where.
The 6-foot-10 redshirt junior said on Saturday he will enter the college basketball transfer portal at the end of this season.
“I believe so, yes,” he said when asked if he’ll enter the portal.
Overway, a Holland Christian High School grad, is a two-time MIAA MVP and he could win his third. He leads the MIAA in scoring at 24.7 points per game and is second with 9.7 rebounds.
“I’ve been talking to my parents a lot and the coaches,” Overway said. “Now that my class is out of here, I feel like I’ve done what I can here. I’d like to see what I can do in the future. Nothing’s set yet. But we’ll see.”
Overway sat out all of last season after having knee surgery.
Overway said he’d like to follow the same path as former high school rival Gabe Newhof, who played three years at Spring Arbor University before transferring to Division I James Madison University for the current season.
“He’s killing it over at James Madison,” Overway said.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Two Manchester United transfer targets, Yan Diomande and Elliot Anderson, are showcasing a shared dominant strength in the Bundesliga and the Premier League, respectively.
Manchester United’s top priority for midfield in 2026 is now clear, with Elliot Anderson taking the lead ahead of summer. His recent performance against Liverpool has only increased that focus.
Meanwhile, Ineos are also searching for a left-sided winger, and there is growing interest in Yan Diomande.
The 19-year-old has been turning heads at RB Leipzig, and Amad Diallo’s relationship with him – built during their time together with Ivory Coast at AFCON – could play a role in any future move.
United consider Diomande to be a player of rare potential, with his numbers from the Bundesliga supporting that view.
Yan Diomande is thriving in duels throughout the Bundesliga
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Diomande has been a reliable playmaker for Leipzig this season, with eight goals and six assists in 22 league matches.
But it is his work without the ball that stands out even more. According to league data, no one in Germany’s top division has won more duels than the 19-year-old winger, who leads the way with 279 this campaign.
Despite playing on the wing, he is ahead of Kaishu Sano by 28 duels. This highlights just how much he impacts games beyond his attacking numbers.
He is also one of the quickest players in the league, having clocked a top speed of 36.3km/h.
Elliot Anderson and Yan Diomande are taking over in duel stats
Given the current state of the Premier League, being able to handle the physical side of the game is a big deal for any new signings.
Diomande’s ability to win duels, combined with his physical skills, shows he is more than ready to handle top-flight football in England.
Anderson, United’s main midfield target, also stands out in this area. He leads the Premier League with 223 duels won so far in 2025/26.
Everton’s James Tarkowski comes next with 177. For United, Patrick Dorgu leads their players with 140 duels won this season.
Ineos seem focused on adding players who can raise the team’s overall physical presence, and few fit that description better right now than Anderson and Diomande.
The San Francisco Giants have added some experienced pitching depth to their roster.
On Monday, the Giants reached a deal with free agent right-hander Brent Honeywell, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
The most notable part of Honeywell's recent past is that he was a part of the Dodgers when they won the 2024 World Series title.
Honeywell was originally a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Walters State Community College.
He rose through the minors as a highly touted prospect with one quirk: He throws a screwball.
Honeywell only pitched in three games in his career for the Rays, though, not making his talent work at the highest level.
In 2023, he split the season between the Padres and White Sox.
Then in 2024, it was the Pirates for two games and the Dodgers for 18.
That 2024 season was encouraging, as Honeywell had a 2.62 ERA for the Dodgers.
The most fascinating number on his board, though, is that Honeywell struck out only 4.5 batters per nine innings that year, which is like the mark from a long bygone era.
Honeywell missed the entire 2025 season, and now he's trying to build a comeback.
The Giants have a bunch of quality arms, but there's no such thing as too much pitching.
If Honeywell pitches well in the spring, he can put himself into the picture to make the roster on Opening Day or sometime during the campaign when extra arms are needed.
Kansas star Darryn Peterson is expected to play Monday night when the No. 8 Jayhawks host No. 2 Houston in a Big 12 matchup at Allen Fieldhouse.
This comes after Peterson has faced heavy criticism for "ducking" out of game or missing some entirely. The high-profile freshman guard and presumptive top pick for the 2026 NBA Draft wasn't listed on Kansas’ latest injury report and appears likely to take the floor after logging significant minutes in Saturday’s 84-68 loss to Cincinnati.
Peterson’s availability has been one of the season’s most picked apart storylines of the college basketball season. The 6-foot-6 phenom has missed multiple games this year due to a combination of cramping issues, illness and minor injuries, including a notable absence with flu-like symptoms in a win over then undefeated Arizona earlier this month.
Despite that history, Kansas coach Bill Self has indicated Peterson’s current status is sound enough for Monday’s Big 12 “Big Monday” contest.
When active, Peterson has been a key offensive catalyst for the Jayhawks, averaging near 20 points per game with strong shooting splits. His presence will be critical against a Houston team coming off consecutive losses that has dropped to second in the conference standings, including a tough defeat to Arizona at home.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal practices during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The offseason is entering its next meaningful phase for the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL's other 31 franchises. The NFL Combine approaches, and that means hearing directly from two men who help steer the franchise in Indianapolis.
General manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni are scheduled to meet with reporters on Tuesday during the NFL Scouting Combine. This is the first time we have heard from them since their co-op season-ending press conference.
Gosh! Doesn't that seem like it was forever ago?
Roseman is at the podium at 2:45 p.m. EST. Coach Sirianni will follow immediately at the same location at 3 p.m.
This should be interesting. It offers one of the first substantial opportunities this offseason to gauge the organization's mindset heading into free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Don't be shocked, however, if the conversation travels elsewhere.
Scouting Combine press conferences are rarely about blockbuster revelations. They're sometimes about tone, direction, subtle clues, and word salads. Still, there will be plenty to watch for.
Dingers are crossed that they'll share something about how aggressively the team plans to approach roster reinforcement after last season's disappointment. We'll see if that happens. As part of the media they'll be sitting with, it's more national than local.
The Eagles are also near free agency. It's time to pay some of the young stars, and finances are tight. Another storyline worth monitoring is how both Sirianni and Roseman frame last season.
Do they emphasize lessons learned and injury factors? Do they discuss issues with execution and the recent coaching changes? The language used now often foreshadows offseason priorities.
One thing is certain. Expectations in Philadelphia haven't changed much. This franchise measures success in championships, not playoff appearances.
Tuesday's session won't determine the season, but it will begin shaping the narrative around what comes next. In a city that demands accountability and ambition, you can best believe that every word will be closely analyzed.
North Dakota St. became the fourth team this season to sit atop the Women’s Other Top 25. The Bison moved up from three to one this week. They have won 23 straight games, which is the second longest streak in the country behind UConn.
Jory Collins’ team is 41 in the NET and 51 in BartTorvik. NDSU is 26th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 13th in effective field goal percentage, per Torvik.
Rhode Island and Richmond were in the top two spots and entered last week undefeated against the rest of the A10. All that changed as they suffered three losses over the last seven days. Rhody dropped its first conference game at LaSalle Wednesday. The Spiders suffered losses at George Mason and at George Washington.
The Rams and Spiders fell to four and six, respectively. They play at Richmond Wednesday.
Fairfield moved up to No. 2 this week, and Princeton elevated to third. South Dakota St. joined them in the top five at No. 5.
George Mason came in at seven, one spot ahead of where it was last week. San Diego St. was the lone team to join the top 10 and was eighth. Columbia followed, while Rice held steady at No. 10.
Miami (OH) made the biggest jump as the RedHawks ranked 13th, up eight spots. They are 22-5 and in sole possession of first place in the MAC. Glenn Box’s group completed a season sweep of Ball St. with a 68-64 win over the Cardinals Saturday. Ball St. was one spot behind in the ranking.
Four new teams joined the poll this week. Murray St. came in at No. 19. Navy followed at 20. Davidson returned to the Other Top 25 at No. 22. Louisiana Tech was 24th. They replaced Santa Clara, Arkansas St., Massachusetts and Idaho.
Here is the full ranking:
Ranking
Team
Last Week
1
North Dakota St.
3
2
Fairfield
4
3
Princeton
5
4
Rhode Island
1
5
South Dakota St.
6
6
Richmond
2
7
George Mason
8
8
San Diego St.
11
9
Columbia
7
10
Rice
10
11
Montana St.
12
12
Harvard
9
13
Miami (OH)
21
14
Ball St.
14
15
Quinnipiac
15
16
Troy
18
17
McNeese St.
16
18
UC Irvine
19
19
Murray St.
NR
20
Navy
NR
21
James Madison
13
22
Davidson
NR
23
Colorado St.
20
24
Louisiana Tech
NR
25
Green Bay
22
Dropped from ranking:
Santa Clara – 17; Arkansas St. – 23; Massachusetts – 24; Idaho – 25
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Spurs computer picks
Julian Champagnie Over 7.5 points (-112)
Projection: 9.1 points
Julian Champagnie doesn’t need plays drawn up for him to clear this number. A few catch-and-shoot looks, and one trip in transition put him well on pace. The model has Champagnie north of nine points, giving this a comfortable margin Over 7.5.
He's gone Over this number in seven of his last nine games.
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Victor Wembanyama Over 23.5 points (-115)
Projection: 24.8 points
Victor Wembanyama carries enough usage to live in the mid-20s most nights. He scores inside, stretches the floor, and gets to the line, which keeps his floor high. The projection puts Wembanyama nearly a full bucket above this line.
He's gone Over this number in five of eight February games.
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Devin Vassell Over 1.5 assists (+100)
Projection: 2.1 assists
Devin Vassell only needs two assists to cash this, and that’s well within his normal role. With the ball in his hands consistently, a couple of simple kick-outs or drive-and-dish reads get him there. The model gives Vassell a solid edge at even money.
He's gone Over this number in three straight and in five of his last six.
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Pistons computer picks
Ausar Thompson Over 8.5 points (-125)
Projection: 10.6 points
Ausar Thompson scores more on activity than on isolation. Cuts, offensive boards, and transition chances add up quickly. The projection has Thompson clearing double digits, creating separation from this 8.5 line.
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Cade Cunningham Under 27.5 points (-110)
Projection: 25.5 points
Cade Cunningham is capable of a 30-point night, but the model points toward a mid-20s output. If the defense crowds him and forces the ball elsewhere, Cunningham’s scoring dips just enough to stay Under.
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Tobias Harris Over 5.5 rebounds (+115)
Projection: 5.9 rebounds
Tobias Harris logs steady minutes and spends enough time around the paint to flirt with six boards. At plus money, the projection gives Harris a small but playable edge Over this number.
He's gone Over 5.5 boards in three straight and in five of the last six.
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How to watch Spurs vs Pistons tonight
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Monday, February 23, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
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In a big week that saw Michigan State basketball get two consecutive Big Ten wins at home, the Spartans are moving back up the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. MSU is now back up to No. 13 in the country, up two spots from last week's ranking of No. 15.
Last week, the Spartans blew out UCLA at home, a win that looks better this week after the Bruins beat Illinois over the weekend. Then, MSU was able to survive a tight game over an Ohio State team that recently beat a Wisconsin team that has a win over the Spartans this year.
There was quite a bit of movement in the Big Ten this week in the polls thanks to some big games:
Michigan falls to No. 3 after their loss to Duke
Purdue falls one spot to No. 8 after losing to Michigan
Nebraska down five spots to No. 10 after their loss to Iowa
Illinois falls from No. 6 down to 11 after getting shocked by UCLA
Wisconsin falls out of the top-25 after losing to Ohio State
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
The offseason always brings questions, but this year has been a tad different for the Baltimore Ravens. It's been a long time since this many sweeping changes were enacted. Now comes another, the first visit to the NFL Combine with a new head coach in a long, long time. General manager Eric DeCosta and newly hired head coach Jesse Minter are expected to meet with reporters before the action gets underway.
This marks the first extended public discussion in front of the national media since the organization pivoted to a new leader on the sidelines. Make no mistake. The messaging will matter just as much as the roster decisions that follow.
Minter's arrival signals both continuity and change, and that may be more of a conversation than what Baltimore is seeking in terms of talent. He meets with the media at 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday. GM Eric DeCosta is also at podium 6, but he speaks a little earlier (10:15 a.m. EST).
Minter's lucky in some ways. He inherits a roster built to contend immediately, one anchored by a two-time MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson. That isn't always the atmosphere when coaching changes are made.
Minter also brings his own philosophical approach, staff structure, and long-term vision. The Combine podium will offer the first hints about how aggressively Baltimore plans to shape the roster to fit that vision. Obvious topics are waiting: offensive identity, coaching staff cohesion, and how quickly Minter believes the team can compete for a championship under his leadership.
DeCosta, meanwhile, will probably be asked about contract priorities, roster retention, and the organization's approach to free agency with a contender's window still wide open. Don't be shocked if Tyler Linderbaum and Lamar Jackson's names are inserted into the conversation.
That isn't a guarantee, obviously. It's only a hunch. The Ravens are not rebuilding. They're recalibrating, so it's important to mention that distinctions must be made.
What Baltimore says this week won't finalize its direction, but it may establish some early expectations. Fans and analysts alike will be listening for confidence, urgency, and alignment between the front office and coaching staff.
George Russell has spent the better part of four years in F1 being the guy everyone agrees is really, really good — just not quite good enough. Not because he isn’t talented. He is. But talent without machinery is just a resume, and until now, the machinery was the problem.
F1 is throwing out nearly everything teams have spent the last four years perfecting. New power units. Active aerodynamics — meaning the car’s wings physically adjust to generate speed or grip depending on the situation, like a fighter jet trimming its flaps mid-flight. No more MGU-H, which was the turbo-recovery component that made starts and engine management a dark art. Shorter, lighter chassis. Flat floors instead of the venturi tunnels that produced the infamous “porpoising” that torpedoed Mercedes when the last major regulation change hit in 2022. It’s essentially a new sport layered on top of the old one, and Russell finds himself positioned better for it than at any point in his career.
The bookmakers agree. He’s the F1 pre-season title favorite, which either means Mercedes has genuinely cracked the new formula or that the betting markets are getting ahead of themselves. Possibly both.
“I think we’ve got a lot of potential beneath us,” Russell said in Bahrain last week, where Mercedes completed the most laps — 4324 — of any team during the testing. That number matters. Reliability is the unsung story of any new-car launch, and the W17 has behaved.
“The numbers we’re seeing from the aero on the car match what we see back on the simulator, how the car is handling is matching how it feels on the simulator,” he added. “This is something we’ve not really experienced since 2021 as a team.”
That’s not small. In 2022, when ground-effect cars were introduced for F1, Mercedes showed up to Bahrain with a car that bounced violently down every straight. Nobody had predicted that. They spent the next three seasons chasing a problem that Red Bull and then McLaren never had. The trauma of that experience is baked into every cautious statement Russell and Toto Wolff have made this pre-season, and the caution itself is telling. These are people who have been burned before. When they say the car “reacted as anticipated,” that’s not corporate spin. That’s relief.
The Problem Plaguing George Russell Heading into Melbourne
Here’s the thing, though. Russell has a real weakness heading into Melbourne, and he’s not hiding it.
Race starts have always been a soft spot. Under the new regulations, the removal of the MGU-H means drivers have to manually prep the turbocharger before lights out, a technically demanding sequence that requires precise timing to get right. Ferrari, apparently, has figured something out. Lewis Hamilton’s practice at Bahrain was visually striking, clean, and fast in a way Russell’s simply wasn’t.
“The two starts I made this week were worse than my worst-ever start in Formula 1,” Russell said, which is the kind of quote that will appear in highlight reels if he loses the title by a handful of points in November. He’s not panicking, but he acknowledged the problem plainly: “At this moment, it matters less how fast you are, but how well you solve this problem.”
And that’s where it gets interesting. Because the competition doesn’t need much of an opening.
Max Verstappen is still Max Verstappen. Red Bull, for the first time, is running its own engine built in partnership with Ford, which sounds like a liability until you realize Red Bull’s chassis has been among the two or three best on the grid for the better part of a decade. During the first Bahrain test, their energy deployment — basically how efficiently the car uses electrical power out of corners and down straights — was, in Russell’s own words, “scary.” Mercedes claims to have closed that gap considerably by the end of testing. We’ll see what Melbourne says.
Fearrari’s Hamilton is racing for redemption in 2026. His move to Ferrari last season was the biggest storyline of the entire F1 offseason, a seven-time world champion leaving the team he won six of those titles with to take one last swing. Pre-season 2026 gave Ferrari the fastest raw pace of anyone in Week 2 of Bahrain testing. And then there’s Lando Norris, who won the 2025 drivers’ title with McLaren and has no intention of handing the sport back to anyone.
Russell addressed the Verstappen question directly and without flinching.
“I do want to go head-to-head with Max. And obviously, Lando had a great season last year,” Russell said. “I think he’s very much going to be in the fight this year. And you know, that is great. You obviously wish you’d have a slightly easier time of it. But it should never be easy.”
That’s the right attitude. It’s also the most honest thing anyone in the paddock has said this pre-season.
The Case for Russell Making a Push to the Top Now
The case for Russell is real: he’s 27, experienced, coming off his best personal season, driving for a team with genuine momentum and what sounds like a legitimate power unit advantage.
The case against is equally real: starts are broken, the field is genuinely open for the first time since 2021, and he’s never had to manage a full-season title fight before. Winning individual races is a different animal.
But the stars are aligned in a way they’ve never quite been. If the W17 is what those 500 laps in Barcelona suggest it might be, and if Russell figures out how to get off the line before the lights go out in Australia, this might finally be the Sunday we’ve been waiting for.
The AP Poll for Week 16 of the women’s college basketball season has officially been released.
Alabama is ranked at No. 24 following a 1-1 record in two games of action this past week. Alabama most recently defeated the Florida Gators on Sunday in Gainesville, 76-71, which followed a 75-57 home loss to South Carolina earlier in the week. Star guard Jessica Timmons was nothing short of elite during the matchup, as Timmons recorded an impressive 34 points on 11-of-17 shooting in the victory.
Alabama currently holds a 7-7 record in SEC play with just two games on the schedule remaining. The Tide will certainly have their hands full against both Vanderbilt and Texas in the upcoming week, as a win against either program would prove to play a massive role in NCAA Tournament seeding moving forward.
No. 24 Alabama will face No. 5 Vanderbilt on Thursday evening, as the Tide will look to improve to 8-7 in SEC play.
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‘I have the best job in the world’ – Murphy proud of Newcastle journey after scoring first Champions League goal
Jacob Murphy says he “felt relief” after scoring his first ever Champions League goal in Newcastle’s 6-1 win against Qarabag.
Murphy’s goal in Baku last week was not only Newcastle’s sixth of the affair versus Qarabag, but the first of his Champions League career.
With his side welcoming the Azerbaijani champions to St James’ Park for the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie, Murphy was delighted to finally get his first goal in the competition after over two years of waiting.
“It felt amazing, but I also felt relief as well,” Murphy said. “After my European debut two years ago I was just waiting for my first goal, so it was really nice [to get it].”
The Magpies looked poised to qualify for the knockout rounds of the competition for the first time in their history.
On the game, Murphy said: “It’s nice to be back at home. We’ve had four tough away games in a row and it’s just nice to be back in front of our fans.”
“It’s going to be a tricky game, but we’re really looking forward to tomorrow.
“It would be amazing [to qualify for the knockout rounds]. Over the last four seasons this group has been reaching new heights in different ways, if we do [qualify] then we’ll be super buzzed about it.”
Eddie Howe’s side raced into a five goal lead in Azerbaijan, with Murphy adding gloss to the victory with his side’s sixth of the match midway through the second half.
On Newcastle’s red-hot start in Baku, Murphy said: “I think the people who were watching at home would have been blown away with our start. I know I was on the bench. It was a really strong performance.”
“That’s what we’re capable of. Everyone in the Premier League knows that and we’ve shown a good account of it in the Champions League too.”
For teams to advance in the playoffs, the star athletes usually need to play up to their ability. What happens when the star is out? Then an unsung role player needs to come through, and that's what Alyse Mercredi has done since Serenity Hardy went down with an injury. In the past six games, Mercredi has been averaging nearly double her regular-season average and led Winter Haven's come-from-behind victory.
In soccer, Victory Christian's Kinley Hunter came up with two clutch goals to help lead the upset of St. Johns Country day. Mercredi and Hunter lead this week's list of nominees for The Ledger's Tremendous 10 poll, sponsored by Central Florida Behiavioral Health Network.
In last week's poll, Lakeland's DJ Dobie edged Victory Christian's Chiara Domico in the closes battle this school year.Dobie finished with 47.5 percent of the vote, and Domico pulled in 46.2 percent.
Nominations for the Tremendous 10 poll can be sent weekly to roy.fuoco@theledger.com by 9 a.m. every Monday. This week's poll will be open until noon on Thursday.
1 Winter Haven junior guard Alyse Mercredi (girls basketball) mustered up 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead the Blue Devils’ second-half rally in a 68-59 victory over Sarasota Riverview. For the season, she is averaging 11.4 points but she is averaging 18.6 points in her past six games.
2 Victory Christian freshman Kinley Hunter (girls soccer) scored two goals in the Storm’s 3-1 victory over St. Johns Country Day in the Class 1A state semifinals. She finished the season with eight goals and six assists.
3 Winter Haven senior Desirae Murray (girls track and field) ran 11.87 to win the 100-meter dash at the St. Cloud Track Invitational. She is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A in the event.
4 Santa Fe Catholic senior Toby Lane (basketball) scored 25 points with four rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Crimson Hawks’ 66-35 victory over Jupiter Christian.
Tom Brady (L), Randy Orton (R); Credit - USA TODAY Sports
In case you missed it, Tom Brady recently trash-talked the WWE, calling the sport “cute.” This has since struck a chord in the wrestling community, and even Randy Orton saw the clip and now wants to hit Brady with his signature RKO.
Brady hit a nerve during his appearance on Logan Paul’s podcast. The two were talking about how they will play in the Fanatics Flag Football Fest in Saudi Arabia soon. Brady wanted to let Paul know that the level of competition is going to be fierce and that he was worried for the wrestler.
Naturally, Paul defended himself, referencing his high school football resume, wrestling background, and peak athleticism. He talked about how he can do a flip off the top rope in a WWE match. That’s when Brady said this. “It’s cute. You know, I love WWE. It’s very cute. But honestly, this is like real football with real competition,” Brady said.
The GOAT went on to say that nobody cares about the past. He talked about how he’s won seven Super Bowls, but when it comes time for the flag football game, nobody is going to care about that. All that matters is how he plays. It was supposed to be some playful trash talk between two massive sports personalities. However, Brady’s words cut deep in the wrestling community, and they’ve been going at him for it ever since.
14-time WWE champion Randy Orton joined a show recently and talked about how he’d like to give Brady a taste of reality.
“I did see a recent podcast Logan Paul put on. He had Tom Brady on, and Tom Brady had a few things to say about pro wrestling. I think he called it “cute.” So, I’ve never met him, but I’d love to meet Tom and hit him with an RKO. I’d say he’d be at the top of the list,” Orton said when asked which celebrity he’d like to drop an RKO on.
In case you don’t know, the RKO is Orton’s signature finishing move. It is a jump-cutting maneuver where he grabs his opponent’s head and slams their face into the mat. In 2014, the move became an internet sensation, with some jokes surrounding how it can seemingly come out of nowhere. RKO also stands for the athlete’s initials, Randy Keith Orton.
Who knows if Orton was being serious, though? He did sound like he was joking, as he was laughing as he talked about nailing Brady with an RKO. As he said, he’s never met the GOAT, and it’s hard to believe that he wouldn’t be more cordial in a normal atmosphere.
But who knows, maybe Brady makes a guest appearance in the future as a wrestler, and Orton can show him his finishing move. It’s all set up perfectly for the WWE script writers to orchestrate. All they need to do is convince Brady to try out the “cute” sport. The match would most likely do well online and generate a lot of money.
The San Francisco 49ers might have been able to kill two birds with one stone by adding a big-time offensive playmaker who could also fill in for George Kittle during his injury absence. Now that option is off the table.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport on Monday reported the Atlanta Falcons are set to place a franchise tag on 25-year-old tight end Kyle Pitts. The club and their former No. 4 overall pick will work toward a long-term extension per Rapoport.
It's unclear exactly how much the 49ers would have pushed for the player who went one spot behind quarterback Trey Lance in the 2021 draft. However, the fit made sense given Pitts' breakout campaign for Atlanta this season. He racked up a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards and a career-best five touchdown receptions.
Pitts would've been able to pick up some of the playmaking slack while Kittle is sidelined by an Achilles injury, but his versatility would've allowed him to also play alongside Kittle.
There's still a chance Pitts is traded, in which case the 49ers would conceivably be in play. On the other hand, the idea of the 49ers spending draft capital to acquire and pay a tight end is farfetched.
Atlanta has until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Pitts. If they can't come to an agreement, Pitts can either be traded or play out the 2026 campaign on his $16.3 million tag.
Pitts in five seasons has 284 receptions for 3,579 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie when he hung up 1,026 yards. In 2025 his career year earned him a Second-Team All-Pro spot.
Modders update The Witcher Online, making the multiplayer mod even better Last month, modders added online multiplayer to The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt’s PC version, creating The Witcher Online. This mod allows gamers to play through the entire game with their friends. With The Witcher Online, players can travel together, complete quests together, and […]
Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro firmware update fixes VPN and cellular issues, arriving as the company deepens its 5G push through a new Ericsson partnership.
Ever since Memory of a Killer burst onto the scene, fans have been hoping for a Grey's Anatomy reunion— but according to Patrick Dempsey, it'll never happen.
All the ways to watch Everton vs Man United live streams online and from anywhere, as the Toffees look to make it back-to-back victories over the Red Devils.
Microsoft is reportedly working on yet another "advanced" Notepad feature that has little to do with basic text editing. According to unnamed sources cited by Windows Latest, the application will soon support inserting images into text-based documents.
Vfrog lets you create and ship production-ready computer vision models in minutes. Describe what to detect in natural language, and the platform handles setup without requiring computer vision expertise. Upload a small dataset and use synthetic data to fill gaps, then auto-label up to 80% and quickly review the rest. Vfrog trains, optimizes, and deploys your model, delivering an API you can use anywhere. Start with flexible credits from $49 a month and scale to enterprise features like advanced analytics, custom integrations, and real-time processing.
SerpApi filed a motion to dismiss Google's DMCA lawsuit, arguing the search giant lacks standing to invoke copyright law over publicly visible search results.
Whitbread is closing another Brewers Fayre restaurant in the UK, confirming that the Home Farm Hessle site in East Yorkshire will shut permanently on 8 March 2026 as part of the company’s ongoing review of […]
ITC Hotels has opened its thirtieth Welcomhotel in Mohali, further solidifying its leadership in the rapidly growing Tricity region. This new property, strategically located near Chandigarh International Airport and CP67 Mall, offers a perfect blend of luxury and convenience, catering to both business and leisure travelers. The hotel’s design and service offerings align with the brand’s reputation for excellence, reinforcing ITC Hotels’ commitment to providing premium hospitality in key markets. With the increasing demand for high-quality accommodations in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, the launch of this Welcomhotel not only strengthens ITC Hotels’ presence in the region but also reaffirms its dominance in the competitive hospitality sector. Whether for corporate events, weddings, or leisurely stays, the new property exemplifies the brand’s dedication to delivering an unparalleled guest experience in one of India’s most dynamic regions.
The Welcomhotel Mohali brings a fresh and contemporary approach to luxury hospitality, blending modern design with personalized service to create an exceptional guest experience. Inspired by the vibrant local culture and scenic surroundings, the hotel offers an immersive ambiance that reflects the unique character of the region. Whether you are visiting for business, attending a social event, or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, Welcomhotel Mohali provides an ideal setting for every occasion.
The property’s 113 rooms and suites are thoughtfully designed to provide guests with a peaceful retreat in the heart of Mohali. Each room combines contemporary aesthetics with advanced amenities to ensure comfort and convenience. Guests will enjoy spacious accommodations featuring elegant furnishings, modern technology, and stylish interiors, making it a perfect choice for both long stays and short visits. Whether for work or leisure, the hotel offers an environment where relaxation and productivity go hand in hand.
Culinary enthusiasts will be delighted by the diverse dining options available at the hotel. Welcomhotel Mohali offers a variety of signature dining destinations that cater to a wide range of tastes. With an emphasis on both regional and global flavors, the hotel’s restaurants serve a mix of traditional Indian dishes and international delicacies, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The restaurants are designed to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere, making them the perfect venue for both casual meals and special celebrations.
For those planning corporate events, conferences, or social gatherings, the hotel features versatile meeting and banquet spaces designed to accommodate a range of events. Whether it’s a boardroom meeting, an international conference, or a grand wedding reception, Welcomhotel Mohali offers fully equipped venues with cutting-edge technology and expert event support. The hotel’s dedicated staff ensures that each event is executed flawlessly, providing personalized service to meet the specific needs of every organizer.
In addition to its exceptional accommodations and event spaces, Welcomhotel Mohali places a strong emphasis on wellness, offering a comprehensive range of fitness and relaxation facilities. Guests can unwind and recharge in the fully equipped fitness center or indulge in the hotel’s wellness amenities that focus on both physical and mental well-being. The hotel’s holistic approach to wellness ensures that guests have everything they need to stay energized and refreshed throughout their stay.
As part of ITC Hotels’ ongoing expansion in the region, Welcomhotel Mohali is perfectly positioned to cater to the increasing demand for premium hospitality in the Tricity area. With its unique combination of luxury accommodations, world-class dining, cutting-edge event spaces, and wellness offerings, the hotel is set to become a sought-after destination for both business travelers and tourists alike. Whether you’re here for a corporate engagement, a wedding, or simply a relaxing break, Welcomhotel Mohali promises to deliver a memorable experience.
By opening this new property, ITC Hotels continues to build its presence in the rapidly growing Indian hospitality market. Welcomhotel Mohali exemplifies the brand’s commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service, offering a luxurious stay for guests seeking unparalleled comfort and convenience in one of India’s most exciting regions.
Speaking at the occasion, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, said, “The launch of Welcomhotel Mohali reflects our commitment to strengthening our presence in high-growth urban markets while delivering enriching experiences rooted in our renowned service excellence. Mohali’s location and its rapid evolution as a commercial, IT, and lifestyle hub makes it a strategic addition to brand Welcomhotel.”
Expressing joy at the hotel opening, Bhupinder Gujral, Managing Director, Gujrals Restaurants and Hotels Limited, stated, “We are proud to associate with ITC Hotels in bringing the Welcomhotel brand to Mohali. This project has been envisioned as a contemporary hospitality destination that complements the city’s dynamic growth while offering guests refined comfort and warm service. We believe Welcomhotel Mohali will emerge as a preferred address for both travellers and the local community.”
The hotel offers a diverse range of dining experiences, including the all-day WelcomCafé, Swizzle, an exclusive in-house bar, and the soon-to-be-launched Kebabs and Kurries. For those craving regional flavors, WelcomSthalika is a must-visit, showcasing a delectable selection of local delicacies. Highlights include mouthwatering dishes such as Makki ki Roti, Sarson ka Saag, Butter Chicken, Kadhai Paneer, and many more. To enhance the guest experience, the hotel also boasts recreational amenities including a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a spa that will be opening soon.
Major disruptions due to weather and other events are affecting flights to and from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There are also numerous operational problems. They are responsible for 140 delayed flights and 234 canceled flights as of the most recent records from the airport. Disruptions are affecting airlines and passengers. Because of the far-reaching problems created by the delays and cancellations, their effects can also be seen in the tourism industry.
Impact on Airlines and Affected Cities Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport serves as a major hub for a number of airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. These airlines, along with others that operate at ATL, are among the most significantly impacted by the disruptions. Travelers from a variety of U.S. cities, including major urban centers such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami, are experiencing delays as flights are rerouted, rescheduled, or canceled entirely. Connecting flights are also suffering, creating a ripple effect of flight disruptions across the nation and even internationally.
Today, flight disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have primarily affected several major airlines, with Delta Air Lines bearing the largest share of cancellations and delays. Delta had 132 cancellations, which accounts for 8% of its scheduled flights, and 76 delays, representing 5%. Other notable carriers affected include Republic Airlines, with 83% of its flights canceled but no delays, and Frontier, which saw 15 cancellations (10% of its flights) and 17 delays (11%). PSA Airlines, operating under American Airlines, also had a significant impact with 13 cancellations (52% of its flights) and 2 delays (8%). United Airlines reported 12 cancellations (24%) and just 1 delay (2%), while Endeavor Air, another Delta subsidiary, experienced 12 cancellations (5%) and 7 delays (3%).
In terms of low-cost carriers, Southwest had 10 cancellations (9%) and 5 delays (4%), while JetBlue reported 10 cancellations (62%) with no delays. Spirit Airlines had 5 cancellations (15%) and 4 delays (12%). Regional carriers such as SkyWest reported 4 cancellations (9%) but had a high percentage of delays, with 20 delays (45%). Several smaller airlines, including Jazz (ACA), Korean Air, Key Lime Air, Turkish Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, reported single cancellations or delays. These disruptions have caused significant challenges for passengers and are expected to affect travelers’ schedules and the overall flow of air traffic through Hartsfield-Jackson today.
Passengers Affected and Disruptions The number of passengers impacted by the disruptions is substantial. Based on the current delays and cancellations, thousands of passengers are experiencing difficulties in reaching their destinations on time. Passengers have reported extended waiting times, especially in security lines and gates, as they try to rebook their flights or adjust their schedules. In some cases, travelers have reported waiting for multiple hours at the airport, trying to secure the next available flight.
The travel experience is often one filled with uncertainty during such disruptions. Many passengers have been left stranded at ATL with no clear solution in sight, as delays and cancellations continue to grow. For some, the uncertainty surrounding the status of their flights has resulted in added stress and inconvenience. Rebooking options and alternative flight arrangements are limited due to the high volume of travelers trying to adjust their plans, further compounding the issue.
Impact on Tourism Tourism in Atlanta and the surrounding region is also feeling the impact of the airport disruptions. With major international events and conventions scheduled throughout the year, Atlanta is one of the top destinations for both leisure and business travel. However, today’s disruptions may lead to short-term declines in tourism, as tourists face delays or altered schedules that affect their travel itineraries.
The tourism industry in Atlanta, particularly local hotels, restaurants, and transportation services, relies heavily on timely arrivals and departures. With the ongoing delays, local businesses in the tourism sector may experience cancellations and fewer arrivals, which could affect their revenue for the day. For example, international visitors may delay their planned activities due to missed flights, impacting the planned revenue streams for many local attractions.
Conclusion Today’s challenges include Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, with 140 flight delays and 234 flight cancellations. Because they are so large and complex, they are susceptible to unplanned events and challenges. These types of challenges and problems are not just directed toward the airlines and the passengers, but also the larger, global tourism market. Travelers must monitor the flight status and also be ready for the inconvenience.
Passengers are facing severe operational challenges, so they are encouraged to make their own arrangements, and also consider the challenges that will occur to their plans. The airlines that are being affected will do thier best to adjust to the operational changes, but large disruptions are expected to occur throughout the entire operational day. Due to the fact that ATL is a major hub for travel, it is evident that the passengers and the larger travel industry are the most affected by the problems of today.
A significant shift in international travel protocols is currently being navigated as the Entry-Exit System (EES) nears its scheduled implementation across the European Union. Concerns have been raised by major air travel organizations regarding the potential for unprecedented congestion at border checkpoints. It is argued by industry stakeholders that the automated biometric system, while designed to enhance security, could inadvertently trigger logistical bottlenecks if rigid adherence to the new rules is maintained during periods of high traffic. Consequently, a formal appeal has been issued to EU policymakers to allow for the temporary suspension of these requirements under specific, high-pressure circumstances.
The movement is being spearheaded by prominent groups, including Airlines for Europe (A4E), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and ACI Europe. Through a joint communication, a plea for operational flexibility has been articulated to ensure that the transition to a digital border does not compromise the efficiency of global aviation networks. It is emphasized that the stability of the travel industry and the comfort of millions of passengers depend on the ability of member states to revert to manual processing when digital infrastructures become overwhelmed.
The Mechanics of the Entry-Exit System
The Entry-Exit System is envisioned as a sophisticated replacement for the traditional manual stamping of passports for non-EU citizens. Under this framework, biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, is to be captured at the point of entry into the Schengen Area. While the technical superiority of this method is acknowledged, the physical reality of processing thousands of travelers simultaneously presents a daunting challenge. The time required for each individual to register their data is significantly higher than that of a standard visual passport check.
Passive observations suggest that the infrastructure at many international gateways may not yet be fully optimized for this transition. The apprehension felt by airport operators stems from the fact that even a slight increase in processing time per passenger can result in exponential delays. By requesting the authority to suspend EES operations during peak surges, the organizations aim to provide a safety valve that prevents terminal overcrowding and ensures that security personnel can manage crowds effectively.
The Call for Strategic Flexibility
A centralized demand within the proposal is the establishment of a legal mechanism that empowers individual member states to pause EES requirements. This flexibility is viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury. It is suggested that the current legislative framework is too rigid, lacking the nuances required to handle real-world operational disruptions. If a system failure occurs or if arrival volumes exceed the physical capacity of a terminal, the ability to pivot back to established manual protocols is seen as the only viable solution to maintain order.
The dialogue between the aviation sector and the European Commission has focused on the criteria under which such suspensions could be triggered. It is argued that clear, harmonized guidelines must be established across all member states to avoid a fragmented approach. If one nation allows for a waiver while a neighboring country remains strict, the resulting confusion could further complicate the travel landscape. Consistency in the application of emergency measures is therefore highlighted as a priority.
Economic and Logistical Implications
The potential economic impact of border delays is a primary driver behind this collective action. The European tourism sector relies heavily on the seamless movement of people, and any perception of difficulty in entering the continent could deter international visitors. It is noted that long wait times at immigration desks often lead to missed connecting flights, which in turn creates a domino effect of delays across the global air traffic network. The financial burden of rebooking passengers and managing stranded travelers is a significant concern for airlines.
Furthermore, the logistical strain on airport staff cannot be overlooked. Personnel are being trained to manage the new biometric kiosks, yet the sheer volume of data being processed requires a level of system reliability that has yet to be proven at such a massive scale. The request for suspension rights is therefore also a request for a phased, realistic integration period where the human element of border control is not entirely superseded by unyielding digital mandates.
Addressing Security and Compliance Concerns
While the primary focus of the appeal is on operational flow, the integrity of border security remains a foundational element. It is clarified by the travel organizations that the request for suspension is not a request to bypass security, but rather a request to use alternative, proven methods of verification during emergencies. The security of the Schengen Area is supported, but it is argued that a crowded, chaotic terminal presents its own set of safety risks that must be balanced against the benefits of digital data collection.
The European Union’s goal of creating a more secure and transparent border is shared by the aviation industry. However, the path to achieving this goal is viewed as one that requires pragmatic adjustments. The data captured by the EES will eventually provide invaluable insights into migration patterns and overstay incidents, but these long-term benefits should not be pursued at the cost of immediate systemic collapse.
Future Outlook and Policy Deliberations
As the deadline for EES implementation approaches, the pressure on the European Commission to respond to these concerns is mounting. The dialogue remains ongoing, with technical experts from both the public and private sectors working to find a middle ground. It is expected that the coming months will see further refinements to the implementation strategy, potentially incorporating the contingency measures requested by the air travel groups.
The evolution of border technology is inevitable, yet the human experience of travel remains at the heart of the discussion. The success of the Entry-Exit System will ultimately be measured not just by the accuracy of the biometric data collected, but by its ability to coexist with the high-speed demands of modern aviation. The call for suspension protocols serves as a reminder that technology must serve the needs of the people and the industries that facilitate global connectivity.
There are huge problems at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, or ORD, that include 252 flight delays and 237 cancellations. This impacts travelers and the airline and tourism industries. Since O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, the disruptions are really bad for all the major cities, and small cities, that are connected to the hub by airline services, and the passengers and the airlines.
Affected Airlines
The flight disruptions at Chicago O’Hare International Airport have affected a variety of airlines, with varying levels of cancellations and delays. Among the most impacted is United Airlines, which saw 66 cancellations (10%) and 29 delays (4%). Republic Airlines experienced a 25% cancellation rate with 58 cancellations, along with 9 delays (4%). American Airlines had 47 cancellations (12%) and 22 delays (5%), while Envoy Air (AAL) reported 24 cancellations (5%) and 42 delays (9%).
Delta Air Lines had 8 cancellations (19%) and 3 delays (7%), while SkyWest Airlines had 8 cancellations (1%) but a significantly higher 89 delays (21%). Endeavor Air (DAL) saw all of its flights canceled, with a 100% cancellation rate and no delays. Spirit Airlines experienced 5 cancellations (14%) and 8 delays (23%). GoJet (UAL) had 4 cancellations (2%) and 18 delays (11%), while Frontier had 4 cancellations (13%) and 1 delay (3%).
Smaller carriers such as JetBlue had 4 cancellations (100%) with no delays, while PSA Airlines (AAL) saw 1 cancellation (4%) and 6 delays (24%). International carriers were also affected, including Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, EVA Air, and Japan Airlines, each with 1 cancellation and varying percentages of delays. Korean Air and LOT Polish Airlines had a 50% cancellation rate, while Jazz (ACA) reported 2 cancellations (16%) and 1 delay (50%).
Other international airlines, such as Southwest, Swiss, Emirates, and Contour Airlines, had minimal disruptions, with some experiencing delays or cancellations across a small portion of their flights. WestJet had 2 cancellations with a 100% rate, while All Nippon Airways experienced 2 cancellations (33%) and 3 delays (21%). Alaska Airlines reported 3 delays (21%) but no cancellations.
This extensive disruption highlights the broad impact across both domestic and international flights, severely affecting passengers and causing considerable delays throughout the day.
Affected Airports and Cities
The delays and cancellations at O’Hare are having a cascading effect on airports across the nation and beyond. Other major airports, including those in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, have reported increased delays due to flights diverted or held up waiting for clearance from O’Hare. Additionally, smaller regional airports are seeing disruptions as a result of canceled connecting flights, making it harder for travelers to reach their destinations.
Cities impacted by the delays include Chicago itself, as well as popular tourist destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. International flights from Europe, especially from London, Paris, and Frankfurt, are also affected. As passengers are stranded or redirected, these major cities are experiencing an influx of frustrated travelers, many of whom are unable to get to their original destinations on time.
Passengers Affected
Thousands of passengers are affected by the delays and cancellations at Chicago O’Hare today. As of the latest count, over 15,000 passengers have been impacted directly by flight cancellations, while many more are experiencing lengthy delays that have caused travel chaos for those hoping to reach their destinations. The majority of the delays are domestic, with a significant number of international flights also affected.
Many passengers have been left stranded at O’Hare, facing long waits for rebooking or alternate flight arrangements. As expected, travelers are experiencing heightened levels of frustration, with some having to endure multiple hours of waiting and uncertainty regarding when they will be able to continue their journeys. The situation has been exacerbated by crowded terminals, limited seating, and reduced services due to the high volume of passengers.
Impact on Tourism
The tourism industry is one of the hardest-hit sectors due to the O’Hare delays and cancellations. With Chicago being a key gateway for both domestic and international tourism, the ripple effects of today’s disruptions are likely to be felt across the country’s tourism economy.
Tourists hoping to visit Chicago’s iconic attractions, such as Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Navy Pier, may be forced to reschedule their plans or face significant delays. Likewise, Chicago’s position as a major connection hub for flights to international destinations means that delays are likely to have a global impact, affecting travelers heading to and from the U.S.
Beyond the immediate inconvenience for passengers, the economic fallout is expected to be significant. Hotels, restaurants, and local attractions in Chicago may face a decrease in foot traffic as visitors struggle to reach their destinations on time. Additionally, the broader U.S. tourism industry could feel the effects of missed connections and lost bookings.
Conclusion
Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s flight disruptions today are a stark reminder of how quickly air travel can be affected by delays and cancellations. The 252 delays and 237 cancellations have left thousands of passengers stranded, while also affecting airports and cities across the country. The ripple effect on tourism is also concerning, as visitors to Chicago and travelers relying on the airport to reach other destinations are facing difficulties in rescheduling and rebooking their flights.
Airlines, airports, and travel agencies will need to work quickly to accommodate the affected passengers and minimize the long-term impact on tourism. In the meantime, travelers are advised to stay updated through airline websites and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the latest information on flight statuses.
Bangkok is calling! Thailand’s capital has officially launched its latest tourism initiative, “Visit Bangkok”, designed to be the definitive digital gateway to the world’s favorite city. Known for its rich heritage, modern innovation, and bustling atmosphere, Bangkok continues to captivate visitors from all corners of the globe. With the launch of this new platform, travelers can now connect with the heart of this vibrant metropolis through a digital companion that offers an authentic, local perspective.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched “Visit Bangkok” with the goal of providing tourists with a seamless way to explore all the iconic elements that make the city an unforgettable destination. Combining five distinct digital platforms, “Visit Bangkok” aims to connect travelers with the pulse of the city. Whether you’re exploring for the first time or returning for yet another adventure, this new initiative provides a tailored experience to suit every traveler’s journey.
Discover the Wonders of Bangkok Through Unique Lenses
There is no better way to experience the soul of Bangkok than through four distinct themes that are central to the city’s appeal. Each theme gives visitors a unique view of the city’s most celebrated features, offering a fresh perspective that caters to every type of explorer.
The Global Culinary Capital: A Taste of Bangkok
Bangkok is often hailed as the “Foodie Paradise” of the world, and for good reason. From street food stalls sizzling with aromatic Thai spices to elegant, Michelin-starred restaurants offering panoramic views of the city, Bangkok offers a food scene like no other. Whether you’re indulging in a fragrant bowl of Pad Thai or exploring the flavors of the world in the form of international cuisine, Bangkok’s diverse food culture promises to delight and surprise. Through “Visit Bangkok”, travelers can dive deep into the food scene and uncover hidden gems and well-known culinary hotspots across the city.
The Harmony of Traditions and Innovation
In Bangkok, ancient traditions and futuristic innovation live in perfect harmony. Glimmering golden temples, such as the Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew, stand proudly alongside some of the world’s most modern shopping malls and high-tech spaces. “Visit Bangkok” provides insight into how the city bridges the gap between its rich heritage and its bold, modern ambitions. Visitors can explore the magnificence of historical sites like the Grand Palace while experiencing the vibrant energy of contemporary cultural hubs.
Discover the Wonders of Bangkok Through Unique Lenses
There is no better way to experience the soul of Bangkok than through four distinct themes that are central to the city’s appeal. Each theme gives visitors a unique view of the city’s most celebrated features, offering a fresh perspective that caters to every type of explorer.
The Global Culinary Capital: A Taste of Bangkok
Bangkok is often hailed as the “Foodie Paradise” of the world, and for good reason. From street food stalls sizzling with aromatic Thai spices to elegant, Michelin-starred restaurants offering panoramic views of the city, Bangkok offers a food scene like no other. Whether you’re indulging in a fragrant bowl of Pad Thai or exploring the flavors of the world in the form of international cuisine, Bangkok’s diverse food culture promises to delight and surprise. Through “Visit Bangkok”, travelers can dive deep into the food scene and uncover hidden gems and well-known culinary hotspots across the city.
The Harmony of Traditions and Innovation
In Bangkok, ancient traditions and futuristic innovation live in perfect harmony. Glimmering golden temples, such as the Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew, stand proudly alongside some of the world’s most modern shopping malls and high-tech spaces. “Visit Bangkok” provides insight into how the city bridges the gap between its rich heritage and its bold, modern ambitions. Visitors can explore the magnificence of historical sites like the Grand Palace while experiencing the vibrant energy of contemporary cultural hubs.
Asia’s Beating Heart for Events and Festivals
As the beating heart of Asia, Bangkok pulses with exciting events and festivals year-round. Whether it’s the lively Songkran (Thai New Year) festival, the majestic Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights), or the energy-filled Muay Thai boxing matches, Bangkok offers an unending calendar of celebrations. For music lovers, global music festivals often take center stage in the city’s cultural scene. “Visit Bangkok” allows visitors to stay updated on the best events happening throughout the year, ensuring they don’t miss out on a chance to celebrate in style.
An Ever-Evolving Discovery: Bangkok’s Hidden Gems
Beyond its famous attractions, Bangkok is a city that constantly evolves. The bustling streets are filled with secret cafes, quirky art galleries, pop-up shops, and hidden neighborhoods waiting to be discovered. “Visit Bangkok” invites travelers to step off the beaten path and explore the lesser-known wonders of this dynamic city. From quiet corners to vibrant backstreets, there is always something new to find in Bangkok—whether it’s a local market, a creative space, or a secret rooftop bar.
Stay Connected with Bangkok’s Pulse: Official Digital Channels
In today’s digital age, staying connected to the city’s energy is easier than ever. “Visit Bangkok” offers five official digital platforms for visitors to stay in the loop with everything happening in the city. Travelers can find all the information they need on:
OfficialWebsite
Facebook: VisitBangkok
TikTok: VisitBangkok
Instagram: visitbangkok_official
YouTube: visitbangkok_official
These platforms offer a range of curated content, from event updates to local stories, allowing visitors to stay connected to Bangkok’s evolving landscape wherever they are. With the touch of a button, you can access detailed itineraries, tips from locals, and real-time information about what’s happening around the city.
Why Bangkok Should Be on Your Travel List
From its rich cultural heritage to its modern-day vibrancy, Bangkok offers an unforgettable travel experience. With “Visit Bangkok”, the city has now taken its tourism offering to a new level, making it easier for travelers to explore and connect with the city in an authentic and dynamic way. Whether you’re a foodie, an adventurer, or a culture enthusiast, Bangkok has something for everyone.
“Visit Bangkok” is more than just a guide—it’s a journey through the essence of Thailand’s capital, a city that has long been a favorite among travelers. The launch of this new digital gateway means that visitors can experience Bangkok’s soul from wherever they are, before they even set foot in the city. So, whether you’re planning a well-structured itinerary or looking for spontaneous adventure, “Visit Bangkok” ensures that you’ll never miss out on the best the city has to offer.
Currently, Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten, one of the busiest and most prominent airports in the Caribbean, is severely operationally disrupted for the day. As of this writing, the airport has 38 delays and 13 cancellations. Worries about the negative consequences on the people traveling, surrounding municipalities, airlines, the region of St. Maarten, and the tourism of the impacted area have arisen. This article will describe the operational disruption, the affected areas, and the implications regarding travel and tourism.
Passengers Affected by Delays and Cancellations With 38 flight delays and 13 cancellations reported at Princess Juliana International, passengers are facing considerable inconvenience. Flights arriving and departing from SXM are experiencing long wait times, forcing travelers to re-schedule their plans. For passengers, this means prolonged waiting at the airport, missed connections, and unexpected changes in travel itineraries. The delays and cancellations create a ripple effect, not only frustrating travelers but also affecting their plans, whether they are business travelers, tourists, or families.
Each delay or cancellation disrupts the intricate web of air traffic, causing further delays to connecting flights at other international airports. Passengers traveling to and from SXM are advised to monitor their flight statuses closely through their airlines or the airport’s official platforms to avoid confusion and frustration.
Affected Cities and Airports The disruptions at Princess Juliana International Airport have repercussions far beyond the airport grounds. Neighboring cities and airports in the Caribbean region are feeling the impact as the delays and cancellations cause ripple effects across the travel network. Other major airports in the region, including those in Aruba (AUA), Sint Maarten (SXM), and Puerto Rico (SJU), are likely experiencing a cascade of delays as airlines try to accommodate affected passengers.
Cities like Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten, and nearby towns such as Simpson Bay, are dealing with the direct impact on their economy and transportation infrastructure. Local transportation services have been stretched as more passengers seek alternative routes to their destinations. The disruption has not only affected the flow of travelers to and from the region but also created challenges for local communities supporting tourism-related businesses.
Airlines Affected The primary airlines serving Princess Juliana International are also feeling the brunt of today’s operational issues. Carriers like American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Airlines, and Air France, which frequently operate out of SXM, have faced significant flight disruptions. These major international airlines, along with smaller regional carriers, have been forced to delay or cancel flights, creating a backlog of passengers waiting to reach their destinations.
By Airline:
JetBlue – 75% of their flights cancelled, no delays.
United – 100% cancellations, no delays.
Delta Air Lines – 50% cancellations, 25% delays.
American Airlines – 20% cancellations, no delays.
Winair – 1% cancellations, 30% delays.
Air Century – 50% cancellations, no delays.
Air Caraïbes – 50% cancellations, no delays.
KLM – 50% cancellations, no delays.
St Barth Commuter – 1% cancellations, 1% delays.
WestJet – 50% cancellations, no delays.
Air Canada – 100% cancellations, no delays.
Anguilla Air Services – 6% cancellations, no delays.
Impact on Tourism Tourism is an integral part of the economy in Sint Maarten, and Princess Juliana International Airport plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth flow of visitors to the island. The ongoing delays and cancellations come at a crucial time for the tourism industry. Tourists arriving to enjoy the pristine beaches, duty-free shopping, and vibrant culture are facing difficulties reaching their destinations, which can impact their vacation experience. The delays also contribute to an increase in stress levels, especially for those visiting for short-term stays or who have limited time on the island.
Local hotels, restaurants, and tour operators may also experience a decline in bookings or face increased demands for last-minute accommodations as travelers look for alternatives. Additionally, there is potential for a drop in the overall number of arrivals, which can lead to longer-term economic repercussions for businesses relying on tourism.
Conclusion The significant delays and cancellations at Princess Juliana International Airport serve as a reminder of how vital it is for airports and airlines to maintain operational efficiency, especially in destinations that depend heavily on tourism. Today’s situation, affecting numerous passengers, airlines, and local communities, underscores the interconnectedness of the global travel system and how disruptions in one region can create a chain reaction across the globe.
Travelers that are going to and from Princess Juliana International Airport should be prepared for constant changes and plan accordingly. Travelers should check the flight status on the airport website as well as their airline to keep current on flight changes. The travel industry will be affected immediately and will continue to be affected until normal travel schedules return and how the region copes with the disruptions.
With proper management and resources directed towards the current situation, the region will be able to reduce the challenges and impacts on travel while restoring the confidence of travelers. For now, it is best prepared and adjust to the situation as it continues to evolve.
Travelers at El Salvador International Airport (SAL) are facing significant disruption as 14 flight cancellations and 6 delays were recorded today, with all cancellations tied to U.S.-connected services. The airlines most affected include Avianca El Salvador (8 cancellations, 3 delays), Avianca Costa Rica (4 cancellations), and United Airlines (2 cancellations, 2 delays). Amerijet International (1 delay) also reported operational impact. Major U.S. airports affected include John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport, alongside disruption involving George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Norman Manley International Airport, Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, and El Dorado International Airport. The concentration of cancellations on U.S.-linked routes due to the blizzard has left hundreds of passengers adjusting plans across Central America and the United States.
Updated today: 14 cancellations and 6 delays reported at El Salvador International Airport.
All 14 cancellations are linked to U.S.-connected flights.
Avianca El Salvador recorded the highest number of disruptions.
New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) are among the hardest-hit U.S. gateways.
Multiple U.S. airports including Boston, Washington Dulles, and Houston are affected.
Regional connections to Managua, Kingston, and Bogotá also experienced delays.
Airlines Most Affected by Flight Cancellations and Delays
Avianca El Salvador
The carrier reported 8 cancellations and 3 delays, representing the largest operational impact among airlines at SAL today.
Avianca Costa Rica
A total of 4 cancellations were recorded, with no delays reported.
United Airlines
The U.S. carrier logged 2 cancellations and 2 delays, affecting services linked to major American hubs.
Amerijet International
The airline recorded 1 delay, contributing to the broader disruption picture.
What can affected passengers do?
Check flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport. Airport display boards may not always reflect real-time operational changes. Use the airline’s official website or mobile app to verify departure times, gate assignments, aircraft changes, and any last-minute schedule adjustments.
Rebook through official airline apps or customer service channels. Digital platforms typically provide the fastest self-service rebooking options during disruptions. If online tools are unavailable, contact the airline’s call center or approach airport service desks early, as queues can grow quickly during widespread cancellations.
Monitor SMS or email notifications for schedule changes. Ensure your contact details are correctly updated in your booking so you receive automated alerts about cancellations, delays, reassignments, or alternate routing options. Push notifications through airline apps can also provide quicker updates than email.
Review compensation or re-accommodation policies for canceled services. Airlines may offer rebooking on the next available flight, travel vouchers, meal assistance, or hotel accommodation depending on the situation and local regulations. Check fare conditions and applicable passenger rights policies before making independent alternative bookings.
Overview of Flight Disruptions
Flight operations at El Salvador International Airport experienced concentrated disruption on routes connecting the United States and Central America. Airlines including Avianca El Salvador, Avianca Costa Rica, United Airlines, and Amerijet International reported operational interruptions, with the majority centered on U.S.-linked services.
Key U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, and Houston saw ripple effects, particularly through John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport. Disruption also extended regionally to Managua in Nicaragua, Kingston in Jamaica, and Bogotá in Colombia.
The heaviest concentration of cancellations remains tied to U.S.-connected services, while a smaller number of delays impacted both North American and regional Caribbean routes. As operations continue to adjust, passengers traveling between El Salvador and major U.S. hubs may experience ongoing schedule changes.
Vormsi, an island in the Baltic Sea, has implemented a unique system that enables local residents to cut queues and use the ice road that leads to the Estonian mainland. This has been implemented due to the suspension of ferry services for over a week because of unpredictable weather conditions.
The ice road was reopened after eight years and has not only been of great importance to the local residents but has also become a popular destination for winter tourists. Although it normally carries 100 vehicles per day, on February 21st, 160 vehicles passed through the ice road in a matter of a few hours. However, due to rising air temperatures, there are doubts about how long this winter tourist destination will continue to operate.
A Special Sticker System for Locals and Winter Tourism Management
To streamline access for Vormsi residents, the local authorities have issued special stickers that allow them to bypass queues, especially during weekends when tourism traffic is highest. These stickers ensure that locals can efficiently travel to and from the island, helping to balance the needs of residents and tourists.
As winter tourism grows in Estonia, this initiative helps ensure that locals are not hindered by the influx of visitors. Erki Savisaar, the mayor of Vormsi, emphasized that the stickers were designed for weekend use, anticipating an increase in tourist arrivals. With around 180 island residents and 100 car stickers issued, the system aims to ensure that Vormsi residents can access essential services while managing the growing popularity of the island among winter tourists.
The opening of the ice road has proven to be a boon for winter tourism in Estonia, offering tourists a unique experience of traveling across the Baltic Sea. As Vormsi becomes an increasingly attractive destination for winter travelers, the ice road’s role in tourism management is becoming more significant, providing tourists with access to a winter wonderland, while ensuring that residents are not left waiting in long lines.
Safety, Tourism, and the Challenges of Ice Road Travel
The arrival of winter tourists has brought not only increased interest in Vormsi but also some tensions among locals. Tourists have been criticized for not always following the speed limits and the rule that requires 250 meters of distance between vehicles. While the ice road remains a vital tourist route, safety concerns have emerged due to speeding and drivers skidding on the ice. The growing number of vehicles on the road raises the risk of accidents, particularly with the influx of tourists unfamiliar with driving in harsh winter conditions.
Despite these challenges, the winter tourism sector in Estonia continues to grow. As Vormsi becomes an increasingly popular destination for winter travel, particularly for those seeking a unique winter experience, the ice road serves as a crucial link. However, the management of this influx requires careful coordination to ensure that both residents and tourists can enjoy the road safely.
The Role of Ice Roads in Winter Tourism Growth
The ice road across the Baltic Sea is a striking example of how winter tourism can thrive, even when more traditional travel routes, like ferry services, are unavailable. Estonia’s unique winter travel infrastructure offers tourists a rare chance to experience icy roads and winter landscapes in a way few other destinations can match.
With tourists eager to explore the frozen expanses of the Baltic Sea, the ice road offers a thrilling winter adventure, making Vormsi an increasingly popular choice for those seeking unconventional winter travel experiences. In addition to the ice road, tourists can enjoy other winter activities, such as hiking, bird watching, and experiencing the local culture and traditions. The growing popularity of Vormsi among winter tourists presents a significant opportunity for local businesses and the tourism sector to expand their offerings.
Boosting Winter Tourism and Managing Local Traffic
The Vormsi ice road is an important part of Estonian winter tourism, as it gives locals and tourists alike the chance to connect with the mainland. Although Vormsi remains a popular destination for winter tourists, it is important that the flow of traffic, as well as the impact of tourism, be managed in such a way that the ice road remains a viable and enjoyable route for all.
As the popularity of the ice road continues to rise, it is likely that winter tourism in Vormsi will continue to grow, making a significant contribution to the Estonian tourism industry. Vormsi faces the challenges of the growth of winter tourism, it presents a unique case study of how winter travel infrastructure can be used to create a memorable experience for tourists while also contributing to the economic development of local communities.
Travelers in Germany are facing significant disruptions as multiple flights from the country’s busiest airports have been canceled. The affected routes include major destinations such as Newark Liberty Intl, John F Kennedy Intl, Copenhagen, and Malpensa Int’l, impacting both transatlantic and European travel. In total, 15 departures were canceled across Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and Dusseldorf this week.
Frankfurt Airport Delays Affect Key Transatlantic and European Routes
Frankfurt International Airport (EDDF) reported multiple cancellations over the past week, affecting both long-haul and short-haul flights.
Key canceled departures include:
UAL75 to Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR) – Monday and Tuesday at 5:15 PM CET
CFG2016 to John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) – Monday at 11:15 AM CET
UAL43 to Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR) – Monday at 11:05 AM CET
DAL8836 to Malpensa Int’l (MXP / LIMC) – Monday at 9:50 AM CET
BCY676 to Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) – Sunday at 3:15 PM CET
SVS640 to Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) – Sunday at 10:30 AM CET
Passengers traveling from Frankfurt should monitor airline communications due to these disruptions, which have already caused congestion at check-in areas and security lines. These Frankfurt airport delays highlight ongoing challenges in managing high-demand international routes.
Munich Flight Disruptions Hit Transatlantic Travelers
At Munich International Airport (EDDM), flights to major U.S. destinations were also canceled.
Canceled flights at Munich include:
UAL31 to Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR) – Monday at 9:20 AM CET
DLH410 to John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) – Sunday at 12:45 PM CET
These Munich flight disruptions primarily affect transatlantic connections, with passengers facing rescheduling headaches and potential delays for onward journeys. Airlines have advised travelers to rebook promptly to avoid further inconvenience.
Berlin Flight Cancellations Disrupt East German Travel
Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (EDDB) has experienced flight interruptions this week, especially on routes to the United States and Europe.
Key canceled departures in Berlin:
UAL963 to Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR) – Monday and Tuesday at 9:55 AM CET
SVS1674 to Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) – Monday at 10:10 AM CET
The Berlin flight cancellations highlight the strain on scheduling for airlines operating from the capital, with potential ripple effects on connecting flights and regional travelers.
Dusseldorf International Airport (EDDL) reported cancellations on European short-haul routes.
Canceled flight at Dusseldorf:
BCY1622 to Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) – Sunday at 3:25 PM CET
Travelers relying on Dusseldorf airport news should stay informed about rebookings or alternative routing options to avoid extended delays.
Summary of All Cancellations
Airport
Flight Ident
Aircraft
Destination
Departure (CET)
Frankfurt EDDF
UAL75
B763
Newark Liberty Intl
Mon 05:15 PM, Tue 05:15 PM
Frankfurt EDDF
CFG2016
A339
John F Kennedy Intl
Mon 11:15 AM
Frankfurt EDDF
UAL43
B77W
Newark Liberty Intl
Mon 11:05 AM
Frankfurt EDDF
DAL8836
A333
Malpensa Int’l
Mon 09:50 AM
Frankfurt EDDF
BCY676
CRJ9
Copenhagen
Sun 03:15 PM
Frankfurt EDDF
SVS640
E190
Copenhagen
Sun 10:30 AM
Munich EDDM
UAL31
B764
Newark Liberty Intl
Mon 09:20 AM
Munich EDDM
DLH410
A359
John F Kennedy Intl
Sun 12:45 PM
Berlin EDDB
UAL963
B764
Newark Liberty Intl
Mon & Tue 09:55 AM
Berlin EDDB
SVS1674
E190
Copenhagen
Mon 10:10 AM
Dusseldorf EDDL
BCY1622
CRJ9
Copenhagen
Sun 03:25 PM
Total Cancellations: 15 Affected Destinations: Newark Liberty Intl, John F Kennedy Intl, Copenhagen, Malpensa Int’l
Patterns and Implications of Germany Flight Cancellations
Analyzing the recent cancellations reveals notable trends:
High concentration on transatlantic routes: Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR) and John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) were among the most affected destinations, with multiple flights canceled from Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin.
European short-haul routes also impacted: Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) and Malpensa Int’l (MXP / LIMC) experienced cancellations, affecting weekend and early-week travelers.
Multiple airports affected simultaneously: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and Dusseldorf all reported disruptions, reflecting widespread operational pressures.
These cancellations may create cascading effects, including delays on connecting flights, airport congestion, and rescheduling challenges for passengers. Travelers are advised to check airline notifications frequently and consider alternative flights where possible.
Practical Tips for Affected Passengers
Passengers impacted by Germany flight cancellations can take several steps to reduce travel disruptions:
Monitor airline updates via email, SMS, and official apps.
Rebook flights in advance or consider alternative airports.
Arrive at airports early to navigate potential congestion caused by cancellations.
Confirm onward connections, particularly for transatlantic flights to Newark or JFK.
The focus of cancellations on key destinations like Newark Liberty Intl highlights the vulnerability of international routes to operational and staffing pressures.
Looking Ahead
With Germany flight cancellations affecting multiple airports and major international routes, airlines may need to adjust scheduling practices, improve communication, and manage airport congestion proactively. Passengers traveling from Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, or Dusseldorf should stay informed to avoid last-minute disruptions, especially on transatlantic and popular European routes.
These disruptions emphasize how even minor operational issues can cascade across major hubs, impacting thousands of travelers and requiring quick adaptation by airlines, airports, and passengers alike. By remaining proactive and monitoring updates, travelers can minimize inconvenience despite widespread cancellations.
Finland continues to hold a strategic place in TUI’s global network, serving both as a strong outbound market and a highly sought-after holiday destination. Among its standout regions, Lapland remains one of the company’s most in-demand winter escapes, drawing travelers eager to experience Arctic landscapes, snow-covered forests, and seasonal adventures. Demand shows no signs of slowing. During the current winter season, TUI is scheduled to transport more than 60,000 holidaymakers to Northern Finland, with the majority arriving from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
The steady growth of winter tourism to the region reflects a broader shift in traveler preferences. Increasingly, visitors are seeking immersive cold-weather experiences rather than traditional sun-and-sand holidays. Lapland’s unique blend of nature, culture, and outdoor adventure has positioned it as a premier winter destination across Europe. Direct flight connections operated by TUI have made remote northern towns more accessible, supporting both tourism growth and regional development.
Marking this ongoing commitment, TUI has introduced another Boeing 737-8 aircraft bearing the name of a Northern Finnish destination. The latest addition to the fleet has been christened “Kuusamo,” becoming the fourth aircraft to carry the name of a town in Lapland. Previous aircraft were named “Kittilä” in 2018, “Rovaniemi” in 2022, and “Ivalo” in 2024. The naming tradition underscores the close partnership between the airline and Northern Finland’s tourism industry.
The official naming ceremony took place at Kuusamo Airport on a crisp winter Sunday, providing a fitting backdrop of snow and Arctic light. The event gathered representatives from the local tourism community, including hotel operators, excursion providers, regional tourism officials, and airport leadership. The occasion highlighted the collaborative efforts that have helped transform Kuusamo into a recognized winter hotspot.
The aircraft’s arrival was met with enthusiasm as it touched down against a landscape blanketed in white. The new Boeing 737-8 symbolizes both increased capacity and a long-term investment in the region. By branding aircraft with destination names, TUI reinforces the visibility of these northern towns in key European markets, strengthening their identity among travelers planning winter getaways.
Following the ceremony, the aircraft departed with passengers returning home after their Arctic holidays. Many carried memories shaped by classic Lapland experiences: dog sledding through silent forests, snowmobile safaris across frozen terrain, and encounters with reindeer in their natural environment. These signature activities have become central to the region’s tourism appeal, offering visitors authentic glimpses into life in the far north.
Kuusamo, in particular, has built a strong reputation for combining wilderness adventure with comfortable hospitality. The nearby Ruka ski area attracts winter sports enthusiasts, while guided nature tours introduce visitors to pristine national parks and icy river landscapes. The town’s infrastructure has steadily evolved to meet rising demand, with accommodations, restaurants, and activity services expanding in recent years.
TUI’s expanded operations are expected to further boost the local economy. Increased flight frequency supports hotels, tour operators, and small businesses that rely on seasonal tourism. For many communities in Northern Finland, winter travel represents a crucial economic pillar. Reliable air connections from major European cities ensure that Lapland remains competitive in a global market where travelers have a growing array of cold-climate options.
Sustainability also plays an increasingly important role in the region’s tourism strategy. Modern aircraft such as the Boeing 737-8 are designed to be more fuel-efficient and produce lower emissions compared to older models. As environmental awareness rises among travelers, airlines and destinations alike are under pressure to balance growth with responsible operations. Northern Finland has emphasized preserving its fragile Arctic ecosystems while welcoming visitors.
The symbolic naming of aircraft after Lapland destinations reflects more than branding. It represents a partnership built over years of cooperation between local authorities, tourism stakeholders, and the airline industry. By aligning flight capacity with destination marketing, both sides strengthen their position in the competitive European winter travel market.
With more than 60,000 holidaymakers expected to arrive this season alone, Lapland’s status as a winter tourism leader appears secure. Towns such as Kuusamo continue to gain international recognition, supported by reliable air links and coordinated promotion efforts. As travelers search for authentic seasonal experiences — from snowy adventures to Arctic serenity — Northern Finland remains firmly on the map.
The arrival of the newly named aircraft signals confidence in sustained demand and the enduring appeal of the far north. For TUI and for Lapland, the partnership continues to evolve, carrying thousands of visitors each winter into landscapes defined by snow, silence, and unforgettable Arctic moments.
TUI is a very important travel operator for Kuusamo. Last year, overnight stays by international visitors increased by as much as 14.2 percent, and in December their share was 70 percent of all overnight stays. TUI has played a key role in this growth. Having an aircraft named after Kuusamo is a true honour for us, says Jouko Manninen, Mayor of Kuusamo
TUI holds an important position in Finnish tourism, and it is wonderful to see that travel to the stunning landscapes of Kuusamo continues to grow in popularity. We warmly welcome all TUI guests to Kuusamo and Kuusamo Airport!,says Petri Vuori, SVP, Route Development, Finavia.
Our local partnerships are taking to the skies. Our new aircraft will be named after destinations across our holiday and partner countries, bringing the spirit of these regions into the heart of our fleet.
Tourism is more than travel; it connects people, regions and cultures, creating lasting bonds and shared opportunity. By giving our TUI Airline aircraft the names of our partner destinations, each plane becomes a flying ambassador, symbolising collaboration, celebrating local identity, and showcasing the strength of our relationships. With every take-off and landing, these aircraft will carry not only travellers, but the story of connection that unites us., says Aage Dünhaupt, Director Communications Holiday Experiences & Airline, TUI
This winter season has been record‑breaking, and a large share of travelers arrive in Kuusamo on TUI’s flights. The aircraft named Kuusamo will surely continue to bring back all those wonderful memories for passengers, says Sari Päivärinta, Manager of Kuusamo Airport.
Samsung is going to launch the Galaxy S26 series on 25 February 2026. Even before the company officially launches it, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has been seen online. Some early photos taken with the Galaxy S26 Ultra are now available, which gives fans a first look at its camera performance.
Content creator Sahil Karoul shared several photos taken from the Galaxy S26 Ultra on X. The pictures show grocery store fruits and vegetables, yellow flowers, and a person’s portrait.
He also shared some comparison photos with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, including a nighttime building shot. From these pictures, the Galaxy S26 Ultra images look a little brighter and sharper than the S25 Ultra. Karoul did not say which camera lens was used for each shot.
However, leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra may have wider camera apertures. The main 200MP camera may have f/1.4 (previously f/1.7), and the 5x zoom camera may have f/2.9 (previously f/3.4). Wider apertures let more light in, which can make photos brighter and clearer.
Samsung will officially launch the Galaxy S26 series at Galaxy Unpacked later this week. These early photos give a first idea of how the cameras perform.
For now, these leaked images give fans a sneak peek at the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera improvements and photo quality.With the launch just days away, people are excited to see the full features of Samsung’s newest flagship phone. Stay tuned for more information.
When it comes to new tech, AI is everywhere. However, in some instances, you can still find products that forgo the controversial technology completely. The Lenovo ThinkPad L16 Gen 2 AMD, an affordable business laptop, is such a product, if you configure it with the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 215.
Path of Exile co-creator Chris Wilson has defended Blizzard’s $25 Reign of the Warlock DLC for Diablo II: Resurrected, arguing that paywalling certain quality-of-life updates reflects an effort to preserve the original game as a “museum-piece baseline,” rather than a push for extra revenue.
Asus has released one of its most lightweight 14-inch laptops. Available in the UK with a global launch to follow, the new release takes advantage of Intel's Panther Lake architecture with an even larger battery than last year's model. The new Zenbook S14 may offer worse graphics performance than its predecessor, though.
Managing multiple subscriptions can be a burden for devoted gamers. A new rumor suggests that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate may cover the cost of World of Warcraft, Minecraft Realms, and Fallout 1st. The service has faced criticism over price increases and the lack of enticing day-one Xbox games.
YouTuber ETA Prime has turned a broken phone into an under $100 mini PC with a few Raspberry Pi parts. This modified PC with the Galaxy S20 FE mainboard is shown to handle light games and emulation with ease.
Casio has unveiled the Edifice EFK-110, a new mechanical watch, in Europe. This analog timepiece uses a new automatic movement from the brand, with a 42-hour power reserve. Other features of these watches include a carbon-look dial, a transparent case back, and a metal casing and bracelet.
Xiaomi has confirmed that new versions of its Ultrathin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W will be offered as part of the accessory's impending global launch. All variants will support 15 W wireless and 22.5 W wired charging via its 5,000 mAh battery, though.
Deal | Courtesy of an ongoing Amazon sale, the triple-port Baseus Enerfill 100-watt GaN charger can now be purchased for its all-time low price yet again. With foldable prongs and a tiny footprint, the fast charger is a well-equipped product.
Motorola's upcoming Edge 70 Fusion has been leaking a lot lately, and a few days ago the company showed us the rear finishes of the three colorways and told us the device would have a Sony-made main camera sensor.
Today Motorola is revealing even more, starting with that 50MP main camera which is using the Sony Lytia 710 sensor. Meanwhile, the Flipkart microsite for the Edge 70 Fusion is also live now, and it shows us the phone in all three colors: Pantone Silhouette, Pantone Blue Surf, and Pantone Country Air. All three feature "leather-inspired" textures.
The microsite reveals...
After UEFA confirmed the suspension, Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni has reportedly taken a key decision ahead of the Champions League game against Real Madrid.
Gianluca Prestianni’s incident with Vinicius Junior, who accused him of racial abuse, has become one of the most talked-about stories in recent days. With the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff against Real Madrid approaching, the Benfica winger has reportedly made a key decision after his suspension was confirmed.
As reported by A Bola, Prestianni will still travel with Benfica to Spain for the second leg against Real Madrid. The Eagles believe there remains a chance the Argentine winger could yet be available, as the decision is not considered final.
After being notified of Prestianni’s suspension, Benfica released a statement confirming plans to appeal UEFA’s ruling. “The Club regrets being deprived of the player while the process is still under investigation and will appeal this UEFA decision, even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League play-off,” part of the statement read.
Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica speaks towards Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Benfica backing Prestianni
Despite the seriousness of the accusations, Benfica has taken a firm stance in support of Prestianni, actively defending the player while challenging the process. The Argentine was unavailable for Saturday’s league match against AVS Futebol SAD due to yellow-card accumulation, but he has not been excluded from the squad led by head coach Jose Mourinho.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Prestianni gathered his teammates at midfield to tell them he felt “very offended” by the racism accusations. He also apologized to the squad for the attention the incident has brought upon the team.
Rather than backing down, according to El Chiringuito journalist Marcos Benito, Prestianni is seriously considering filing a complaint against Mbappé and Vinicius. The matter could be brought before UEFA, FIFA, and even Portugal’s criminal justice system, since the match took place in Lisbon, on defamation grounds, in what would be another step in his effort to clear his name.
Amid UEFA’s investigation into Gianluca Prestianni over alleged racism toward Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid have found caught in a controversy after Dean Huijsen shared a controversial video. In response, he issued an apology on a Chinese social media platform, leaving many fans dissatisfied.
While Real Madrid are going through genuine uncertainty in terms of results, the club remains surrounded by controversy. Not only is UEFA investigating Gianluca Prestianni following racism allegations from Vinicius Jr., but Dean Huijsen also became embroiled in controversy after reposting a racist video targeting the Chinese community. In response, he issued a public apology on a Chinese social media platform, leaving many fans dissatisfied.
A few hours ago, Dean Huijsen reposted a video on his Instagram profile in which the Chinese community was mocked. In response, he has decided to apologize to his followers: “I sincerely apologize to my Chinese friends, I previously forwarded content that included offensive messages unintentionally. It was completely unintentional, and I regret the distress caused,” Huijsen posted, via Real Madrid’s Weibo account.
Despite having apologized to the Chinese community, fans are not entirely convinced by Huijsen words. Instead, they are calling for a worldwide apology rather than one issued solely on Weibo. Some are even demanding a video statement, as they do not consider his remarks fully genuine. In addition, critics accuse Real Madrid of issuing the apology merely to mitigate potential commercial damage that those comments could cause.
While Vinicius Jr.’s racial discrimination accusations against Gianluca Prestianni remain under scrutiny, Real Madrid may be seeking to distance themselves from the controversy, as it could be perceived as hypocritical due to their situation with the Argentine star. In doing so, Los Blancos risk weakening their position in the Chinese market. However, they could remain reluctant to issue another apology on Instagram or through their official website.
Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen.
Dean Huijsen keeps facing early struggles at Real Madrid
After arriving as a marquee €62.5 million signing, Dean Huijsen was expected to become the defensive leader of Real Madrid. Although he impressed in the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth, the Spaniard has struggled at Los Blancos. Not only did he become involved in a racial controversy, but he is also enduring an injury-plagued spell that has disrupted his development.
In his first season in LaLiga, the 20-year-old defender has suffered five muscle injuries, sidelining him for nine matches. Moreover, Huijsen has yet to fully convince supporters with his performances, as he has been repeatedly exposed by costly and inexplicable errors. Nevertheless, he has already shown flashes of elite potential; it is simply that his physical setbacks appear to have stalled his adaptation.
Dean Huijsen of Real Madrid looks on with the ball during the UEFA Champions League.
has given his honest thoughts on ’s unanimous decision victory over , which saw him become the WBC world welterweight champion last Saturday. Entering their showdown as the defending champion, despite coming off back-to-back draws, some felt that Barrios’ engine would prove too relentless for Garcia. The 30-year-old had previously tied with a 46-year-old in […]
Gaziantep deplasmanına üçlü savunma deneyiyle başlayan Trabzonspor, ilk 20 dakikada kalesinde gördüğü baskıyla sarsıldı. Ancak Fatih Tekke'nin erken teşhisi ve taktiksel hatasından hızlıca vazgeçmesi maçın kaderini değiştirdi. Onana'nın devleştiği, Savic'in savunmaya akıl kattığı gecede bordo-mavililer, zorlu virajı 3 puanla dönmeyi başardı.
Trabzonspor, Gaziantep deplasmanından kritik 3 puanla dönerken; maçın hikayesi taktiksel bir kumarla başlayıp, usta işi bir geri dönüşle noktalandı. Maça "üçlü savunma" ile başlayan bordo-mavililer, kâğıt üzerinde cesur görünen bu tercihin bedelini sahada az daha ağır şekilde ödeyecekti.
Karşılaşmanın ilk 20 dakikasında Gaziantep, savunma boşluklarını maden gibi işledi. Kenarlardan akın akın geldi. Golün "geliyorum" dediği anlarda ağlar havalandı. Fatih Tekke, hatasında inat etmeyerek maçın kaderini değiştirdi.
Üçlü savunmadan vazgeçip dörtlüye dönülmesi, maçın kırılma noktası oldu. Bu hamlenin hemen ardından gelen 2 gol, Trabzonspor’u oyuna ortak etmekle kalmadı, üstünlüğü de getirdi.
Maçın öne çıkan isimlerinde tezatlıklar hakimdi. Ernest Muçi, hücumun en diri ismi olarak top taşıdı, adam eksiltti ve tehlike yarattı. Ancak son bölümdeki %99’luk iki pozisyonu değerlendiremedi.
Kalede Onana, yaptığı 6 net kurtarışla galibiyetin mimarı oldu. İstikrarın taktikten değerli olduğu bir kez daha kanıtlanırken, kaledeki olası bir değişikliğin bugün puan kaybı olarak konuşulabileceği gerçeği vurgulandı.
Galibiyete rağmen kadro mühendisliğindeki eksikler göze çarpmaya devam ediyor. Bazı pozisyonların hâlâ boş kalması, oyuncuların efektif kullanılmasını engelliyor. Şampiyonluk yolunda her puan altın değerinde olsa da, bitiricilik ve kadro dengesi üzerindeki soru işaretleri varlığını koruyor.
Fenerbahçe'nin devre arasında Samsunspor'dan kadrosuna kattığı Anthony Musaba, 3 maç sonra ilk 11'de görev aldı.
Fenerbahçe'nin Samsunspor'dan transfer ettiği Anthony Musaba, 3 maç sonra ilk 11'de görev aldı.
Son olarak 5 Şubat'ta Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nda Erzurumspor FK mücadelesine ilk 11'de başlayan Musaba, Gençlerbirliği ve Trabzonspor müsabakalarına yedek başlamıştı.
Musaba, UEFA listesinde olmaması sebebiyle Nottingham Forest maçında ise kadroda yer alamamıştı.
Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 24. haftasında 27 Şubat Cuma günü sahasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük ile yapacağı karşılaşmanın hazırlıklarına başladı.
Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Tesisleri'nde, teknik direktör Fatih Tekke yönetimindeki antrenmanda, Gaziantep FK maçında forma giyen oyuncular yenilenme çalışması yaptı. Diğer oyuncular, pas, rondo ve dar alanda oyun çalışmasıyla idmanı tamamladı.
Bordo-mavili takım, hazırlıklarına yarın devam edecek.
Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu rövanşında 25 Şubat Çarşamba günü deplasmanda İtalya'nın Juventus ekibiyle oynayacağı maçın hazırlıklarına devam etti.
Sarı-kırmızılı kulübün açıklamasına göre Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Tesisleri'nde, teknik direktör Okan Buruk yönetimindeki idman, topla ısınmayla başladı. Dört grup halinde 5'e 1 pas çalışmasıyla devam eden antrenman, çift kale maçla sona erdi.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 23. haftasındaki TÜMOSAN Konyaspor maçının kadrosuna dahil edilmeyen Nijeryalı golcü Victor Osimhen, takımla çalıştı.
Fenerbahçe, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 23. haftasında sahasında Kasımpaşa'yı konuk ediyor. Karşılaşma öncesi sarı-lacivertlilerde Teknik Direktör Domenico Tedesco dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu.
Fenerbahçe, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 23. haftasında sahasında Kasımpaşa'yı konuk ediyor. Kritik karşılaşma öncesi sarı-lacivertlilerde Teknik Direktör Domenico Tedesco açıklamalarda bulundu.
İŞTE TEDESCO'NUN SÖZLERİ:
Her şeyden önce bugünkü maçı kazanmak istiyoruz. Kazanmak için en iyi 11'leri çıkartıyoruz. Nottingham Forest maçlarını düşünmüyoruz, bu maçı düşünüyoruz. Süper Lig'de oynanan her maç zor.
Sakatları ve eksikleri göz önünde bulundurmamız gerekiyor. Mert Müldür ve Kerem gibi oyuncular maç içerisinde çok fazla sprint atan oyuncular. Bu yüzden onları korumamız ve dikkat etmemiz gerekiyor.
Bugün 4'lü oynayacağız ama bir sonraki maçı bilmiyorum. Skriniar, bu takımın kalbi ve kaptanı. Bizi dışarıdan destekleyecek ve her zaman takımla birlikte. Birkaç hafta bizimle olmayacak ve bizim de çözüm bulmamız gerekiyor. Çağlar da çözümlerinden birisi. Kaptanlarımızdan birisi ve hiç şüphe yok ki iyi bir iş çıkaracak.
XRP price is forming a potential Gartley harmonic pattern near $1.30 support, signaling a possible bullish bottom as price rotates within a broader range.
Bitcoin price remains under pressure after rejection at range mid resistance near $68,000, increasing the probability of a corrective move toward $60,000 support.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında çıxış edən “Neftçi” əfsanəvi futbolçusu Anatoli Banişevskinin 9 nömrəli formasını əbədiləşdirib.
Arena.az bu barədə paytaxt klubunun rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Bildirilir ki, 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümündən etibarən komandanın 9 nömrəli forması Banişevskinin xatirəsinə rəsmən istifadədən götürüləcək və heç bir futbolçuya verilməyəcək. Qərar fevralın 23-də anadan olmasının 80 illiyi tamam olan unudulmaz hücumçunun xatirəsinə ehtiram əlaməti olaraq qəbul edilib.
Bildirilib ki, Anatoli Banişevski 16 il ərzində “Neftçi”nin 9 nömrəli formasını şərəf və sədaqətlə geyinib. O, bu nömrə altında çoxsaylı qələbə qolları vuraraq klubun adını yüksəklərə daşıyıb.
Bu addım 89 illik tarixi ərzində Azərbaycan futboluna mühüm töhfələr vermiş paytaxt təmsilçisinin şanlı keçmişinə və klubun formasını daşımış bütün futbolçulara hörmətin ifadəsidir.
Loftus-Cheek was left with several missing teeth and a fracture of the alveolar bone in his jaw after a nasty coming together with goalkeeper Corvi 11 minutes into Sunday’s match in San Sirio.
The former Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham midfielder was stretchered off in a neck brace and was taken to a nearby medical facility for tests. He was taken to the specialist maxillofacial department at the San Paolo hospital in Milan on Monday, where he has since had surgery to repair the damage to his jaw.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Edoardo Corvi of Parma Calcio clashes with Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan have confirmed that they expect Loftus-Cheek to return to action in around eight weeks’ time.
Pictures: Loftus-Cheek missing teeth after horror clash
“A heartfelt thanks to all the medical staff who supported me over these past hours with professionalism and care. A special thanks to all the fans for your countless messages of love and support. I’ve read them, felt them, and they’ve given me incredible strength.
“Thanks to my teammates: We are a team. We are a family. Now, forward towards our goals, strong and united. Together.”
Loftus-Cheek has also shared a pair of ‘before and after’ photos of his face on Monday.
Paolo Vanoli has made wholesale changes to his Fiorentina side and has reintroduced Moise Kean in attack for the visit of Pisa in Serie A on Monday evening.
The Viola return to league action following Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League victory over Jagiellonia in Poland. Vanoli’s side (18th) require three points this evening if they are to lift themselves above Pisa, who sit one position, but six points below them in the table (19th).
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Kean was among the Fiorentina players to be rested on Thursday night, but returns to the attack on Monday along with Manor Solomon. Jack Harrison keeps his place in the front three.
Cher Ndour is the only midfielder to keep his place in the starting XI, joined by Nicolo Fagioli and Marco Brescianini against Pisa.
Pisa have made just two changes following their 2-1 defeat against Milan last weekend, with Samuel Iling-Junior and Marius Marin coming into the XI in place of Matteo Tramoni and Michel Aebischer.
Kick-off is due at 17.30 GMT.
Fiorentina vs. Pisa: Confirmed line-ups
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Milan have confirmed that midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has undergone surgery, that he has been discharged and that he is expected to return to action in around eight weeks time after suffering a horror facial injury during Milan’s 1-0 loss against Parma in Serie A on Sunday evening.
Milan give official Loftus-Cheek update
The former Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham midfielder was stretchered off in a neck brace after a horror clash with Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi just 11 minutes into Sunday’s loss in San Siro.
Loftus-Cheek was immediately taken to the nearby San Carlo hospital for emergency tests, which confirmed that he has suffered a fracture to the alveolar bone in his jaw. The Englishman also lost several teeth during the incident according to reports in Italy.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Edoardo Corvi of Parma Calcio clashes with Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to Sky Sport Italia, the initial plan was for Loftus-Cheek to have immediate surgery on Sunday evening, but this was eventually held off until Monday morning in order to arrange a surgical team at the San Paolo hospital in Milan, which houses a specialist maxillofacial department.
Milan have since released a statement confirming that Loftus-Cheek underwent surgery on his jaw, that he has been discharged and that he is expected to return to action in around eight weeks.
“AC Milan announce that Ruben Loftus-Cheek suffered a significant facial trauma yesterday, which resulted in a fracture of the alveolar process of the jaw,” read a statement on the club website.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan leaves the pitch on a stretcher during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“The player was admitted to the Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Clinic department of ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, where today he underwent surgery performed by Dr. Luca Autelitano. The operation to reduce and stabilise the fracture was completely successful. Ruben is doing well and has already been discharged.
“The estimated recovery time is around eight weeks.”
With the Champions League once again stealing centre stage in midweek, we have four heavyweight European showdowns pencilled in. As reigning European champions Monaco welcome domestic foes Monaco to the French capital, Bodo/Glimt will be looking to spring an iconic upset when they travel to the San Siro. Ahead of what should be another frantic […]
A new report from Game File points to the latest source of video game industry layoffs, this time coming from Tencent and its TiMi Montreal studio. In this case, the whole studio is getting shut down, leading to everyone on the team seemingly losing their roles nearly five years after the studio was founded with the intention of creating "AAA open-world multi-platform games." Game File's report comes after a now-deleted LinkedIn post from one of the studio's programmers shared that the studio had been shuttered, with employees having been aware of the situation "for some time." They also added that […]
In his latest hour-long conversation with Greg Miller from Kinda Funny, Bethesda's Todd Howard touched on various subjects, including The Elder Scrolls VI and Starfield, the usage of AI in game development, and even his feelings toward Fallout 76. When it launched in late 2018, Fallout 76 quickly became a sort of punching bag for critics (including Wccftech's Chris Wray) and gamers alike. The game had several issues at release, including optimization, a lack of human NPCs (by design, as the game is set before any other in the series and was conceived with players as the first Vault dwellers getting out […]
This past Friday, the video games industry, and more specifically, Xbox and Microsoft, entered a new era. A post-Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond era, with the announcement of Spencer's retirement and Bond's resignation. Former Microsoft CoreAI chief executive officer, Asha Sharma, took Spencer's place, while Matt Booty stepped into a new role as Xbox's chief content officer. As the industry and consumers wrap their heads around the sudden shake-up, a new report from The Verge looks to provide some insight into why it happened the way it did. Why is Sarah Bond leaving Microsoft instead of being the one to […]
Over the past few months, video gaming has become a rather expensive hobby, with hardware and game prices rising consistently, risking pricing out more and more gamers as the worldwide economic situation remains challenging. However, not every publisher is set to increase prices, and some, like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 publisher Kepler Interactive, are set to continue employing a pricing strategy that is respectful of gamers' money and time. Speaking with the BBC, Kepler Interactive's CEO Alexis Garavaryan commented on the company's pricing strategy, which has "kind of taken the opposite action" to what most major publishers have done in […]
A new year means a new WWE 2K game, and I recently made the trip to WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, to go hands-on with WWE 2K26 (read more about that here). As has become tradition, I also sat down with longtime WWE 2K series creative director Lynell Jinks and gameplay producer Bryan Williams to take the current temperature of the series. We delved into a lot of topics, including WWE 2K26’s changes to the series’ core stamina and reversal mechanics, the game’s massive 400 slot roster, added match types, new “Ringside Pass” approach to DLC, why Visual Concepts knew The Island wouldn’t wow everyone […]
Last year’s entry in the WWE 2K series left some, including me, wanting. After several years of steady piecemeal improvement, WWE 2K25 went all-in on The Island, a new cosmetic-festooned online hub similar to NBA 2K's The City, with most other aspects of the game falling by the wayside. Was this just a one-year misstep, or the beginning of a new direction? Last week, I traveled to WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, to go hands-on with WWE 2K26 and was surprised to find I could test pretty much the entire game (in years past, journalists were typically given a curated list of […]
Two studies of students in the U.K. revealed that individuals with pronounced grandiose narcissism traits tended to show blunted neural activity in response to errors. It is possible that this is the mechanism through which narcissists resist correcting themselves, bolstering their positive self-views. The paper was published in the Journal of Personality.
Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by grandiosity, a strong need for admiration, and a tendency toward self-centeredness. Two major forms of narcissism are grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Grandiose narcissism is marked by confidence, extraversion, and exhibitionism, whereas vulnerable narcissism involves defensiveness, insecurity, and hypersensitivity to criticism.
Individuals high in narcissism tend to be very interested in seeking status and recognition. They often appear charismatic and competent to others. However, they tend to struggle with empathy and prioritize personal gain over collective welfare. Because of this internal contrast, narcissism is linked to both short-term social success and long-term relational instability.
In leadership contexts, narcissistic individuals may make bold, visionary decisions but also take excessive risks. Theoretical models suggest that narcissists either mask underlying insecurity or maintain a robust self-view through cognitive distortions and avoidance of negative feedback.
Lead author Esther M. Robins and her colleagues wanted to examine the association between narcissism—particularly grandiose agentic narcissism—and error-related negativity (ERN). ERN is a neural marker of error-processing detectable using electroencephalography (EEG). It is a rapid negative deflection in the EEG signal that occurs approximately 50 milliseconds after an individual makes an error. It reflects early neuronal processes of error detection generated in the anterior cingulate cortex region of the brain. To investigate this, the researchers conducted two studies.
The first study included a final analyzed sample of 144 undergraduate students from the University of Southampton (approximately 81% of whom were women). The students completed the Eriksen Flanker Task while an EEG device recorded their brain activity. Afterward, they completed an assessment of narcissism (the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire). The Eriksen Flanker Task is a cognitive task in which participants respond to a target stimulus while ignoring surrounding distractor stimuli (flankers). It is commonly used to measure selective attention, response conflict, and cognitive control.
The second study replicated the procedure of the first, with the addition that students received feedback after each trial telling them whether their response was correct or incorrect. This allowed the study authors to test whether the blunted neural response to errors found in the previous study extends to situations in which performance failures are clearly signaled by external sources.
In this setup, there were two conditions: students were told that their feedback was either being signaled by two researchers in another room or that it was computer-generated. While 120 undergraduate students from the University of Southampton were initially recruited, the final analyzed sample consisted of 50 participants (80% female), as a number of participants had to be excluded for not making enough errors to record a reliable EEG signal.
Results of the first study showed that error-related negativity responses were clearly detectable and markedly stronger when participants were incorrect than when their answer was correct. They were strongest over the Fz electrode location (i.e., over the frontal midline of the scalp). Individuals with more pronounced grandiose narcissism tended to show a weaker (less negative) error-related negativity response. This indicated that these individuals’ early neural response to errors was blunted.
Results of the second study conceptually replicated the findings of the first. Even with explicit external feedback, individuals with more pronounced narcissism tended to show less negative (weaker) error-related negativity responses. This association was evident for both the admiration and rivalry facets of grandiose narcissism, though the effect was stronger for the admiration facet.
“Higher admiration and rivalry narcissism were associated with a blunted (less negative) error-related negativity. The results are consistent with the metacognitive model of narcissism, showing that grandiose narcissists exhibit reduced neural sensitivity to errors. These findings highlight a potential mechanism through which narcissists resist self-corrective learning, bolstering their positive self-views. Blunted error processing may influence decision-making and behavior across contexts,” the study authors concluded.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the neural underpinnings of narcissism. However, it should be noted that the study was conducted solely on predominantly white, British university students. Results in other demographic, cultural, and age groups may differ.
Demand Gen marks a shift in Google Ads toward visual advertising beyond keywords and text. Relying on traditional strategies when testing it wastes budget, hurts performance, and limits opportunity. To succeed, you have to think more like a social advertiser than a search advertiser.
At SMX Next, Industrious Marketing owner Jack Hepp explained why many businesses struggle with demand gen campaigns — especially in B2B and lead generation — while also sharing insights relevant to ecommerce.
Understanding the Shift: From Intent to Interruption
Demand Gen reflects Google’s shift from intent-first search advertising to visual, discovery-based campaigns.
Instead of targeting users actively searching for your service, you reach them as they scroll through YouTube, Gmail, or Discovery feeds.
This changes your approach: visual creative becomes the new keyword, replacing traditional targeting.
Common misalignments in Demand Gen strategy
Applying outdated search strategies can lead to failure with Demand Gen. The four main mistakes:
Expecting bottom-of-funnel CPAs from mid-funnel traffic.
Using overly broad, “spray and pray” targeting.
Running bland, generic creative.
Not knowing how to optimize without negative keywords.
Success requires a social advertising mindset.
Campaign structure: Understanding the hierarchy
Demand Gen uses a two-level structure.
Campaign-level settings control broad parameters like bidding strategy, conversion goals, and device targeting.
Ad group–level settings control audiences, locations, and channels.
Each ad group learns independently—insights don’t transfer—allowing precise audience segmentation with tailored creative.
Creating interruption-based creative
You must stop their scroll within 3-4 seconds. Your creative must capture attention immediately, speak to a specific pain point, and present your solution.
Unlike search ads — where users are actively looking for you — Demand Gen interrupts browsing, so your message must be instantly compelling and problem-focused.
Aligning visuals to the customer journey
Match your offer to audience readiness.
Cold audiences need educational content like free guides or diagnostic tools.
Warm audiences respond to case studies, webinars, and comparison tools.
Hot audiences are ready for demos and direct purchase offers.
Misaligning them — like pushing demos to cold audiences — guarantees failure from the start.
The power of problem-focused creative
Generic ads with stock photos and basic headlines get scrolled past. Winning creative uses bold headlines, striking visuals, and problem-focused messaging.
For example, “43% of cyberattacks target small businesses” speaks to a specific pain point, making the ad stand out and prompting engagement instead of a scroll.
Bidding and budget strategies
Demand Gen uses campaign goals rather than traditional bidding strategies: conversion-focused, click-focused, or conversion–value–focused.
Aim for 50+ conversions per month and budget 10–15x your target CPA to build enough data.
For click-based bidding, set budget based on desired traffic volume and target CPC.
Demand Gen is highly data-reliant, so hitting these thresholds is critical to performance.
Can Demand Gen work with small budgets?
Yes, with strategic planning.
Focus on mid- or upper-funnel audiences and optimize for MQLs instead of bottom-funnel conversions. This helps you reach 50+ monthly conversions for data density, even with smaller budgets.
Align your goals, targeting, and budget to generate enough conversion data.
Building the right audience
Avoid two extremes:
Audiences that are too broad (billions of impressions) where Google can’t identify your target.
Audiences too narrow (a few thousand impressions) where you can’t build data density.
The sweet spot: start with custom segments based on search terms or competitor websites, then layer in lookalike segments and strategic first-party data. Avoid optimized targeting at first — it works best to expand already successful campaigns.
The role of creative in targeting
Your creative shapes who Google targets. The people who engage with your ads teach Google who to show them to next.
Performance peaks when your creative speaks to your ideal customer profile. Align messaging to the buyer’s stage — cold audiences need different messaging than hot prospects.
Strategic exclusions
Use exclusions surgically, not broadly. It’s tempting to exclude like negative keywords, but over-excluding shrinks your audience too much.
Focus only on clear non-converters (e.g., specific age groups, locations, or audiences you know won’t respond). Give Google room to find engaged users within your parameters, rather than narrowing to the point of ineffectiveness.
Optimization: Where to focus
Without negative keywords, optimize through three levers: creative, audience, and offer. Test multiple formats (video, image, carousel) and styles (UGC, testimonials, problem-focused messaging). Continuously refine what works with new hooks and data points.
Test offers to match audience readiness — cold audiences need educational content, while hot audiences need direct CTAs.
Prioritize post-click optimization: improve landing pages, strengthen tracking with CRM integration, and ensure clean data feeds Google’s learning.
Real-world case study
A telecommunications company targeting B2B managed IT services drove strong results by aligning all three elements.
Offer: An interactive quiz showing businesses how managed IT could reduce costs.
Targeting: Custom segments based on proven search terms and competitor website visitors.
Creative: Problem-focused messaging about cybersecurity threats to small businesses.
Results:
$10 cost per MQL.
3.8% conversion rate.
40% of quiz takers became SQLs.
20% increase in total SQLs.
Key takeaways
As you plan your next campaign:
Match your creative to your customer and their stage in the journey.
Target the right audience at the right point in that journey.
Test and optimize creative and offers to find what resonates and drives action.
Gartner predicted traditional search volume will drop 25% this year as users shift to AI-powered answer engines. Google’s AI Overviews now reach more than 2 billion monthly users, ChatGPT serves 800 million users each week, and Perplexity processes hundreds of millions of queries every month.
Getting found online is no longer just about ranking on Page 1. It’s about being the source AI engines cite when they generate an answer.
That’s the job of generative engine optimization (GEO) — and in 2026, it’s no longer optional. This guide shows you how to build, execute, and measure a GEO strategy that actually works.
What is GEO — and why 2026 is the tipping point
GEO is the practice of structuring your content and digital presence so that AI-powered search platforms — including ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Claude, and Copilot — can retrieve, cite, and recommend your brand when answering user questions.
If traditional SEO was about earning a spot among 10 blue links, GEO is about earning a place among the two to seven domains large language models typically cite in a single response. The competition is tougher, but the payoff is big: when an AI engine names your brand in its answer, it delivers an implicit endorsement no organic listing ever could.
Several forces make 2026 the tipping point. AI search adoption is moving beyond experimentation as users form platform loyalty, choosing their preferred AI engine the way they once chose between Google and Bing.
At the same time, GEO has gone mainstream at the enterprise level, with dedicated conferences, agency specializations, and a growing ecosystem of purpose-built tools. Academic research reinforces this shift. A Princeton study that coined the term, along with a 2025 paper on citation bias in AI search, shows that AI engines strongly favor earned media—authoritative third-party sources—over brand-owned content.
Understanding this dynamic isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of any effective GEO strategy.
A practical GEO framework: assess, optimize, measure, iterate
Treating GEO as a one-time content tweak is the biggest mistake you make. In reality, GEO demands the same ongoing discipline as SEO. The framework below lays out a repeatable structure to get it right.
Phase 1: Assess your AI search readiness
Before you optimize anything, you need a baseline. Most brands obsess over Google rankings yet have no visibility into how AI engines perceive and present their brand. That’s like running a business without ever checking your bank balance.
An effective GEO audit should answer a few core questions:
Are major AI engines citing your content at all?
Can AI crawlers read and understand your structured data?
How does your brand show up in AI-generated answers — accurate, positive, neutral, or wrong?
Where are competitors earning AI citations that you’re missing?
The audit doesn’t need to take months. Tools like Geoptie’s free GEO Audit can assess your site’s AI search readiness and surface actionable insights in minutes—giving you a clear starting point before you invest in optimization.
Phase 2: Optimize your content for AI engines
This is the tactical core of any GEO strategy. Focus your optimization on four areas: content structure, entity authority, technical foundations, and content freshness.
Structure content for AI retrieval
AI engines don’t read content the way people do. They break pages into individual passages and evaluate each one for relevance, clarity, and factual density. Every section needs to stand on its own.
Start each section with a clear, direct answer. Then expand with context.
Use a clean heading hierarchy (H2 and H3) to signal the topic of each passage.
Add brief TL;DR statements under key headings so they can stand alone as answers.
Include FAQ sections. AI engines rely heavily on clear question-and-answer pairs when building responses.
Build entity authority
GEO focuses on entities — your brand, your people, your products — not just individual pages. Strengthen those entity signals to increase the odds that AI engines recognize your brand and cite it with confidence.
Keep your brand mentions consistent across the web.
Publish clear, detailed About and author bio pages.
Pursue a Wikipedia presence when it makes sense.
Actively build and manage your knowledge panel.
Research shows AI engines favor earned media — third-party coverage, reviews, and industry mentions — over content on your own site.
Digital PR and thought leadership aren’t just brand plays anymore. They’re direct GEO levers.
Nail the technical foundations
Technical GEO optimization overlaps with traditional SEO, but it adds AI-specific layers.
Implement schema markup — especially Article, Organization, FAQ, HowTo, and Breadcrumb — to help AI engines parse your content.
Review your robots.txt file to ensure AI crawlers like GPTBot, ClaudeBot, and PerplexityBot aren’t blocked.
Consider adding an llms.txt file to guide AI systems on how to interpret your site.
And don’t ignore the fundamentals. Fast load times, clean site architecture, and mobile optimization still drive discoverability and crawlability.
Prioritize freshness and depth
AI engines weigh recency when selecting sources. A guide published in 2024 with no updates will lose ground to a 2026 article on the same topic.
Refresh your cornerstone content regularly. Add updated data, new insights, and a clear “Last updated” timestamp.
Original research, proprietary data, and expert commentary attract citations. If you publish something no one else has — a benchmark study, a unique dataset, or a framework built from your experience — AI engines have a reason to cite you over a dozen lookalike alternatives.
Phase 3: Measure your AI search performance
Measurement is the biggest gap in most GEO strategies today. Marketers who’ve spent years refining Google Analytics dashboards often have no comparable visibility into AI search performance.
Track the metrics that matter:
Measure AI citation frequency — how often your brand appears in AI-generated answers.
Track share of voice — your mentions versus competitors across AI platforms.
Monitor citation sentiment — whether AI accurately and positively presents your brand.
And measure AI-referred traffic — visits and conversions from AI search, tracked through GA4 attribution.
The challenge is that traditional SEO tools don’t track these metrics. You need purpose-built GEO platforms that query AI engines directly and monitor brand performance over time.
If you want a quick snapshot, Geoptie’s free Rank Tracker shows your position across multiple AI engines instantly. It’s a practical starting point before you commit to a full monitoring setup.
Phase 4: Iterate and scale
GEO isn’t a launch-and-forget initiative. The AI search landscape shifts fast — models update, citation patterns change, and competitors adapt. Your strategy needs to evolve just as quickly.
Use your performance data to see what’s earning citations — and why. Identify which AI platforms drive the most value in your vertical. Track where competitors are gaining or losing ground.
Then scale what works. Repurpose high-performing content across formats. Turn a well-cited guide into a data page, a video script, and a set of targeted FAQ entries.
Build a cross-functional GEO workflow. Generative engine optimization isn’t just the content team’s job. It lives at the intersection of content marketing, SEO, digital PR, and product marketing.
Platforms like Geoptie bring audit reports, competitor intelligence, citation analytics, and content optimization into one dashboard. That makes it practical to manage the entire cycle in one place instead of stitching together multiple tools.
Now is the time to build GEO capability
GEO isn’t a passing trend. It’s the new foundation of digital discovery.
As AI search adoption accelerates through 2026 and beyond, the gap between brands that invest now and those that wait will only widen.
The playbook is straightforward:
Assess where you stand today.
Optimize your content and technical foundation for AI retrieval.
Measure performance across the platforms that matter.
Then iterate relentlessly.
Brands that build this discipline into their marketing stack now will earn compounding advantages as AI becomes the primary way customers discover, evaluate, and decide who to trust.
The question isn’t whether GEO matters. It’s whether you’ll lead or follow.
Ready to take control of your AI visibility?
Geoptie gives you everything you need to master GEO from one platform. Run comprehensive GEO audits, track AI rankings across ChatGPT, Google AI, Perplexity, Claude, and more, analyze competitors, monitor citations, and build AI-first content—all in one place.
Whether you’re new to GEO or scaling an established strategy, Geoptie turns insight into action from day one. Start your free 14-day trial and see exactly where your brand stands in AI search.
While many people are still looking at older projects, a new wave of smart capital is flowing into a specific protocol built for the next generation of finance. Success in this space often comes down to finding a project while it is still in its quiet building phase.
Experts are now watching a protocol that has spent the last year creating a high-speed engine to change how the world handles lending. As we approach the final stages of its early rollout, the pieces are falling into place for a move that could redefine what a successful breakout looks like in 2026.
The Mutuum Finance (MUTM) Presale and Vision
Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is building a decentralized hub that changes how users interact with their digital wealth. The project is creating a non-custodial lending system that removes the need for banks.
This would allow users to lend their assets to earn interest or borrow funds using their crypto as security. The main goal is to solve the problem of idle capital by making it easy for anyone to put their tokens to work in a safe environment.
The project is currently in Phase 7 of its presale. The price of a single MUTM token is $0.04, which is a 300% increase from the initial starting price of $0.01. This steady growth shows strong confidence from the community.
So far, the project has raised more than $20.6 million and has attracted over 19,000 individual holders. The total supply is fixed at 4 billion tokens, with 45.5% set aside for this early distribution phase. With a confirmed launch price of $0.06, the current phase is the last chance for participants to enter at a significant discount before the project hits major exchanges.
Protocol Launch and the Value Loop
A major milestone for Mutuum Finance was the launch of the V1 protocol on the Sepolia testnet. This is a working version of the app where users can test the core lending engine. It features the mtToken system, which is a central part of the platform’s yield mechanics.
When you provide liquidity to a pool, you receive mtTokens as a digital receipt. These tokens are interest-bearing assets. They automatically grow in value as borrowers pay back their loans with interest. This creates a simple way to earn passive income without having to manually claim rewards every day.
To support the value of the native token, the project uses a buy-and-distribute model. A portion of the fees collected from every loan on the platform is used to buy MUTM tokens from the open market. These tokens are then given back to the community members who stake their mtTokens.
Many analysts believe this model creates a sustainable loop of demand. Because of these technical deliveries, many experts have issued a price prediction of a potential $0.20 shortly after the mainnet launch.
Stablecoins, Layer-2 and Oracles
The future of Mutuum Finance’s roadmap includes expanding into a full financial ecosystem. One of the most anticipated features is the launch of a native, over-collateralized stablecoin. Users will be able to mint this stablecoin by locking their assets as collateral, providing them with liquidity without needing to sell their original holdings.
This feature is expected to drive massive volume to the protocol. To ensure that all price data is accurate, the platform integrates with decentralized oracles like Chainlink. These oracles provide real-time price feeds that prevent errors in loan calculations and protect users from unfair liquidations.
To make these tools accessible to everyone, Mutuum Finance plans to integrate with Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solutions. This would reduce transaction fees to near-zero and make every interaction instant.
Security Standards and Community Incentives
Security is the foundation of everything Mutuum Finance is building. The project has completed a full manual security audit of its smart contracts with Halborn Security. This firm is a global leader in finding and fixing vulnerabilities in blockchain code.
The project also holds a high trust score from CertiK, which monitors the platform for any risks. To add an extra layer of safety, the team has launched a $50,000 bug bounty program. This program pays independent researchers to find and report any bugs before they can cause a problem on the main network.
In addition to technical safety, the project keeps the community active through a daily 24-hour leaderboard. This board tracks participation in real time. The top contributor each day receives a $500 reward in MUTM tokens. This creates a fun and competitive environment for the 19,000+ holders.
Currently, the $0.04 price represents a 50% discount compared to the confirmed $0.06 launch price. As Phase 7 nears its end, analysts say Mutuum Finance is following the same steps as early market leaders by building a secure, utility-focused hub before the rest of the market catches on.
For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:
Ripple has always said it wants to fix one of banking’s biggest problems: slow and expensive international payments. Now, a growing group of analysts believe the company may be closer to the center of global financial reform than most people realize.
A recent breakdown by Apex Crypto Insights argues that Ripple’s technology lines up almost perfectly with plans being discussed by major global institutions. The idea is simple but bold. If the world is rebuilding how money moves across borders, XRP could play a key role in that new system.
Here is what we know, and what is still just theory.
A Global Push for Faster Payments
In 2020, the G20 set a target to improve cross-border payments by 2027. The goal is clear: make transactions faster, cheaper, more transparent, and easier to access. Organizations such as the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and the Financial Stability Board were assigned to help deliver on that promise, with backing from the Bank for International Settlements, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.
These institutions represent a major share of global GDP and trade. When they commit to reform, it often leads to real structural change.
Ripple’s Technology and the XRP Bridge
Ripple’s business model focuses on solving the exact problems policymakers are discussing. Its payment network allows financial institutions to settle cross-border transactions in seconds rather than days.
XRP, the digital asset connected to Ripple’s system, is designed to act as a bridge between currencies. Instead of relying on multiple correspondent banks, a payment can be converted into XRP, transferred quickly, and exchanged into the receiving currency almost instantly. This approach reduces delays and can lower transaction costs.
The overlap between Ripple’s solutions and the global reform agenda has fueled speculation that XRP could eventually play a larger role.
Project Nexus and the Hub Model
One important initiative is Project Nexus from the BIS Innovation Hub. The project aims to connect national instant payment systems so countries can send money directly between domestic networks.
Countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines have been mentioned in discussions. The structure is often described as a central hub that links different systems together.
Supporters of XRP argue this resembles the function of the XRP Ledger. However, there is no official confirmation that Nexus uses XRP. The connection remains based on similarities in design rather than public evidence.
Speculation vs. Reality
There is also growing discussion about creating a “unified ledger” where payment messaging and settlement happen on the same platform, instead of being separated as they are today.
Ripple’s leadership has repeatedly said blockchain technology can modernize or even replace parts of the current correspondent banking system. Still, the claim that XRP will become the backbone of global finance remains speculative.
What is clear is that cross-border payments are changing. Whether Ripple becomes central to that transformation is a question that only time will answer.
According to new research from Standard Chartered, the companies behind stablecoins are on track to become some of the biggest buyers of U.S. Treasury bills. Standard Chartered suggests that the U.S. government might start selling more short-term debt to keep up with this new demand. To make room for all those extra T-bills, the Treasury could even hit the “pause” button on its 30-year bond auctions for a few years.
Stablecoin Market Cap Could Hit $2 Trillion By 2028
Standard Chartered analysts Geoffrey Kendrick and John Davies expect the stablecoin market to explode to $2 trillion by the end of 2028. As this market grows, companies like Tether and Circle will need to buy massive amounts of “safe” assets to back them up.
This surge is turning stablecoin issuers into some of the biggest customers for U.S. government debt. The analysts predict that these companies will likely buy between $800 billion to $1 trillion in short-term Treasury bills (T-bills) to use as reserves.
If the government keeps selling debt the way it does now, there won’t be enough T-bills to go around. As a result, demand could outpace supply by about $900 billion over the next three years.
Stablecoin supply
As of now, the stablecoin market has grown to an estimated $300–$320 billion in total value. Companies like Tether and Circle (CRCL) have become significant investors in short-term U.S. government debt. To back tokens like USDT and USDC, they hold large reserves, much of which is invested in Treasury bills.
Tether has reported Treasury bill holdings comparable to those of some mid-sized countries, highlighting the scale of its reserves. Circle likewise maintains a substantial portion of its backing assets in short-term Treasuries, often through money market funds designed to hold highly liquid government securities.
Potential Impact on 30-Year Treasury Auctions
According to the report, shifting that amount of demand away from longer-term bonds could effectively pause 30-year Treasury auctions for as long as three years. By reducing the supply pressure on long-dated debt, such a move could also help relieve upward pressure on long-term yields.
Although it is not the bank’s main forecast, analysts see the 10-year Treasury yield climbing to about 4.6% by the end of 2026. They cautioned that growing demand for short-term government debt could create supply tightness at the front end of the yield curve.
Stablecoin expansion has slowed in recent months, hovering just above $300 billion in total market value. That is still higher than the roughly $238 billion recorded in April 2025, but momentum has cooled as cryptocurrency prices declined in recent weeks. Bitcoin, for example, has dropped more than 50% from its October 2025 high of $126,000, reducing trading activity and the associated demand for stablecoins.
Despite these pressures, Standard Chartered considers the slowdown temporary. The bank argues that stablecoins could generate nearly $1 trillion in additional demand for Treasury bills by 2028.
More than 31 million XRP were transferred to Binance in a single day, according to data from CryptoQuant. The scale and composition of the inflow have raised concerns about potential short-term selling pressure.
Binance remains the preferred venue for large transactions due to its deep liquidity, making it a common destination when holders reposition assets. This week’s inflow was driven predominantly by whale-sized wallets.
The distribution of transfers was as follows:
<1,000 XRP: 6,543
1,000–10,000 XRP: 73,630
10,000–100,000 XRP: 2,938,809
100,000–1 million XRP: 14,236,825
Over 1 million XRP: 14,494,865
The two largest cohorts accounted for nearly the entire 31 million XRP transferred. In total, the inflow represents approximately $45 million in potential sell-side liquidity, a development that warrants close monitoring.
If sustained, this level of exchange inflow could weigh on price performance in the near term.
Price Under Pressure
XRP is currently trading around $1.38, down roughly 0.78 percent in the past 24 hours. While that drop may seem small, the broader picture looks more concerning. On-chain data shows a massive $1.93 billion in realized losses over the past week, marking the largest wave of capitulation since 2022.
At the same time, the wider crypto market has been under pressure. Latest uncertainty around upcoming U.S. tariffs and rising geopolitical tensions have pushed investors into risk-off mode. Bitcoin itself dropped more sharply, and XRP followed the market trend.
Investor Frustration Adds Fuel
Adding to the tension, longtime crypto investor Crypto Bitlord publicly criticized Ripple, claiming that XRP holders have “never benefited” while the company allegedly sold billions worth of tokens to fund acquisitions. His comments came in response to an older post by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlighting the company’s acquisition of Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime.
While those claims show frustration among some investors, they remain controversial and do not represent an official market conclusion.
Technical Picture: Levels to Watch
From a technical standpoint, XRP recently retested support around the February 11 low near $1.35, where buyers stepped in again. However, the bounce has been weak so far.
For bulls to regain control, XRP needs to break above the first major resistance near $1.46 to $1.47. A stronger push above $1.51 would improve short-term sentiment further.
On the downside, if XRP fails to hold the $1.30 support zone, the next major level sits near $1.20. A breakdown below that area could accelerate selling pressure, especially with tariff implementation expected on February 24.
Crash or Consolidation?
Right now, the market is oversold but fragile. Whale inflows to Binance suggest positioning, but they do not automatically confirm a crash. Much depends on whether support holds and whether buyers step in with strength.
For now, XRP stands at a critical crossroads. The next move could set the tone for weeks ahead.
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“Neftçi” əfsanəvi futbolçusu Anatoli Banişevskinin 9 nömrəli formasını əbədiləşdirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
“Neftçi” Peşəkar Futbol Klubunun qərarı ilə, 2026/27 mövsümündən etibarən komandanın 9 nömrəli forması fevralın 23-də anadan olmasından 80 il ötən unudulmaz Anatoli Banişevskinin xatirəsinə əbədiləşdirilir.
Bu, fəaliyyətdə olduğu 89 il ərzində Azərbaycan futbolunu hər zaman irəli aparmış “Neftçi”yə, onun şanlı tarixinə, formasını geyinmiş yüzlərlə futbolçuya əfsanəvi Anatoli Banişevskinin simasında sərgilədiyi hörmətdir.
AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədri Rəhim Həsənov Misli Premyer Liqasının XXI turunun oyunlarında qeydə alınan mübahisəli epizodlarla bağlı fikirlərini bildirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, funksioner turdakı mübahisəli epizodlarda hakimlərin doğru qərar verdiyini deyib:
AC Milan are interested in signing Joe Gomez from Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to CaughtOffSide. Gomez is out of contract at the Premier League club in the summer of 2027. Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in a 2026 summer deal for Gomez, with West Ham United and Brighton and […]
Manchester United are among the clubs that are keen on signing Mateus Mane from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer transfer window, according to CaughtOffSide. The report has claimed that Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in a summer deal for the versatile English forward. A source told CaughtOffSide: ‘Wolves accept that it’s going to be […]
Manchester United are interested in signing Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer transfer window, according to CaughtOffSide. Liverpool are also said to have shown a keen interest in securing the services of Brown. The 22-year-old Germany international left-back is the subject of interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, too, while Manchester City, Bayern […]
Blackburn Rovers could sell Todd Cantwell in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Rangers are among the clubs that are keen on a deal for Cantwell, and the 27-year-old attacking midfielder is said to be ready to sever ties with Rovers. Journalist Pete O’Rourke has noted: “If Blackburn were to go down, then […]
Arsenal are interested in signing Emmanuel Fernandez from Rangers in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. However, Rangers have no plans to cash in on the 24-year-old defender. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Yeah, he’s been a success story for Rangers, Fernandez, since his arrival from Peterborough last summer. “It’s no surprise maybe that […]
IQMM's historic first-day launch underscores how traditional cash funds are adapting to compete in a stablecoin-driven landscape following the passage of the GENIUS Act.
While Coinbase and others await decision on their applications, the federal banks regulator has already signaled friendliness to crypto companies through several conditional approvals.
Bitcoin price more than doubled the last time Tether's crypto market capitalization dropped by $3 billion in two months, a signal that is flashing again in 2026.
A crypto trader said a former Revolut employee tried to extort him and contacted his relatives. Revolut confirmed an investigation and said no systems were breached.
Curve founder Michael Egorov told Cointelegraph that protocols cannot “live without real revenues flowing” as token incentives lose power to attract liquidity.
Standard Chartered slashed its forecast for T-bill demand from stablecoins to $800 billion to $1 trillion by 2028, but maintained its $2 trillion stablecoin market call.
Citrini Research’s 2028 scenario imagines AI turbocharging corporate profits, while hollowing out consumer demand and quietly migrating global payments to stablecoins on cheap chains.
The Austrian Financial Market Authority has frozen new business at KuCoin EU months after granting the exchange a MiCA license, citing gaps in key AML and sanctions roles.
The mounting unrealized losses of Bitmine shareholders and Ether’s 60% decline are signaling a critical inflection point that may define Ether’s medium-term momentum, analysts said.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 13: George MacIntyre #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws the ball before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
With the recent denial of an injunction for Joey Aguilar to become eligible to play in the 2026 season, the Tennessee quarterback situation has shifted its focus to a couple of youngsters without much experience. However, both were big-time prospects coming out of the high school ranks, both recruited and landed by Josh Heupel and his offensive staff.
The leader heading into the spring is George MacIntyre, who signed with Tennessee in the class of 2025. MacIntyre, a mid-state product out of Brentwood, Tennessee, comes from a football family that has already made its mark in the Volunteer State. His grandfather George was the head coach at both UT-Martin and Vanderbilt in the ‘70s and ‘80s. His uncle Mike has been the head coach at San Jose State, Colorado and FIU.
Now MacIntyre, a redshirt freshman, will try to win the starting quarterback job for Tennessee.
As a prospect
The 6-6, 195 pound passer finished his recruiting cycle as a 4-star prospect, ranked 151st overall in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. That billing wasn’t always the case though. MacIntyre committed to Tennessee as a 5-star prospect, ranked among the top 20 players in the class. An injury kept him out of the Elite 11 competition though, which seemed to start his slide down.
At Brentwood Academy, MacIntyre threw for 3,229 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior. He threw for another 2,702 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. He was also a star on the basketball court, earning multiple D-1 offers.
MacIntyre’s best physical trait was, and likely still is, his big arm and touch down the field. That was on full display at the high school level.
MacIntyre committed to Tennessee in January of 2024 over offers from Alabama, LSU, Georgia and dozens of others.
MacIntyre in 2025
MacIntyre enrolled early at Tennessee ahead of spring practice last year. He was immediately pushed into action in a battle for the backup quarterback role behind Nico Iamaleava — and briefly — a potential starter after Iamaleava left. Tennessee quickly added Joey Aguilar though, allowing the true freshman to redshirt and get acclimated to the Heupel offense.
He would make his debut against ETSU in September, completing six of seven passes for 52 yards. He came back later in the year, going one of two for 17 yards.
Every pass attempt from Tennessee QB George MacIntyre during his true freshman 2025 season ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bFcxOrfGeF
Josh Heupel has done a great job during his time at Tennessee in adapting his offense to what he has. He’s not one that tries to fit players into his system — he adapts his system to his players. How does that look with MacIntyre running the show? Well, based on high school tape and traits, it should look at lot like what Tennessee ran with Aguilar.
MacIntrye fits with his ability to push the ball down the field, and he wouldn’t be short on weapons. Tennessee still has Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews, along with Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith. They’ll add 5-star receiver Tristan Keys and 4-star speedster Tyreek King. Tight ends Ethan Davis and DaSaahn Brame are back, along with four starters up front. Not to mention DeSean Bishop’s return to the Tennessee backfield.
We’re just a few weeks away from spring camp opening where MacIntyre will enter with a big lead. No. 2 overall player in the 2026 class Faizon Brandon will also be in the mix, but he’s a year behind in learning the offense. Veteran Ryan Staub is also in the room, but likely for depth purposes only.
Heupel took a couple of swings in the transfer portal for some big name seniors, but came up empty. Now with Aguilar’s fate sealed, it’s time for Heupel to turn to a name that he recruited out of high school. It’s just the second time that’s happened during his time in Knoxville, with the first attempt ending poorly due to something that was seemingly out of his control.
Regardless of how the competition plays out, it will be the fifth new starting quarterback for Tennessee in five years.
For now, all eyes are on the slender MacIntyre as he attempts to put on weight ahead of a loaded SEC schedule. New strength coach Derek Owings undoubtedly hit the ground running on that front. MacIntrye was listed at 195 pounds officially by Tennessee last season after signing with the Vols around the 180 mark. I would imagine that number would be well over 200 by the fall.
So in a just a few weeks now, the quarterback competition is officially on. MacIntyre has already been working with his receivers on his own, building chemistry ahead of a key offseason. How will things look? Nobody knows — but we’re all excited to see.
While the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics has showcased some of the greatest athletes in the world and extraordinary displays of sportsmanship, they’ve also been some of the messiest Games in recent memory. Rumors about penis injections were swirling, condoms were running out, and a fugitive hockey fan was arrested after 16 years on the run. We’re talking Bravo levels of drama.
In case you haven’t spent the past two weeks glued to Olympic coverage, here are 10 of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Best: Alysa Liu Ended U.S. Women’s Figure Skating’s Gold-Medal Dry Spell
U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu won gold at the 2026 Olympics — the first time an American woman has done so in 24 years — joining the ranks of legends like Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Tara Lipinski. Better yet, she did it her way.
The first time Liu, now 20, made history was when she became the youngest women’s national champion at age 13. Three years later, she did something unprecedented: She stepped away from the sport, retiring at what was seemingly the peak of her career. The reason? Mental strain and burnout.
Liu spent the next two years traveling, backpacking, and studying psychology at UCLA. After having time to regroup, she started skating again — this time, on her own terms — setting her own schedule and being involved with every decision related to her programs. The result was her gold-medal-winning skate to Donna Summer’s version of “MacArthur Park” in a gold dress she chose herself.
Worst: Olympic Village Ran Out of Condoms After 3 Days
Since 1988, horny athletes have enjoyed a seemingly unlimited supply of free condoms available in the Olympic village. But there must be something in the air in Milan, because this year’s 2,800 Olympians blew through roughly 10,000 condoms in three days, Italian outlet La Stampa reported.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the condom shortage, blaming “higher-than-aniticipated” demand, and said that they planned to “continuously replenish until the end of the Games to ensure continued availability.” The Olympic village’s condoms were, in fact, restocked.
WTF: Biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid Begs Girlfriend for Forgiveness After Cheating on Her
In a post-race interview shortly after winning a bronze medal, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid said that he had a message for someone “who might not be watching today”: his ex-girlfriend. He explained that they dated for six months, but that three months ago he cheated on “the love of [his] life, the most beautiful and kindest person.”
Lægreid opted to tell his girlfriend about his infidelity one week before he competed in the Olympic Games. “It’s been the worst week of my life,” he told Norwegian Broadcasting Corp. But he didn’t stop there.
“I’m not ready to give up,” Lægreid said. “I hope that committing social suicide [like this] might show her how much I love her. I accept the consequences of what I’ve done. I regret it with all my heart. Maybe I’m dumb as a rock. I’m a member of Mensa, but I still do stupid stuff.”
A few days after his stunt, Lægreid’s ex-girlfriend, who understandably wishes to remain anonymous, told Norwegian tabloid VG that it will be “hard to forgive” him for cheating on her and airing their dirty laundry on the world stage.
“I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it,” she told the publication. “We have had contact, and he is aware of my opinions on this.”
Best: Slovenian Skier Siblings Make History
Domen and Nika Prevc, brother and sister ski jumpers from Slovenia, arrived in Milan as gold medal favorites. The siblings lived up to the hype, with Nika taking silver in the women’s normal hill event, and Domen winning gold in the men’s large hill event. On top of that, the pair — along with their teammates, Anže Lanišek and Nika Vodan — won the gold medal in mixed team ski jumping. This made Domen and Nika the first brother and sister to win a medal on the normal hill at the same Olympics.
But that’s not all the Prevc family has accomplished. Domen and Nika have two older brothers, Cene and Peter, who both medaled in (what else) ski jumping at the 2022 Beijing Games. Thanks to Domen and Nika’s success in Milan, the Prevc family is the first to have four siblings each earn a Winter Olympic medal.
Worst: A Ukrainian Athlete’s Memorial Helmet Got Him Disqualified
A Ukrainian skeleton racer was disqualified from the Winter Olympics after insisting on wearing a “helmet of remembrance” featuring images of 24 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia. He was “not allowed to participate at Milano Cortina 2026 after refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines,” the IOC said in a statement, referring to rules prohibiting any kind of political statement by competitors.
The IOC did, however, offer to display his helmet during all training runs and immediately after the skeleton competition. But Vladyslav Heraskevych refused to back down and compete without his helmet because, he said, there are things that are “more important than medals.”
Best: A ‘Golden Goal’ Propelled the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team to Victory
The U.S. men’s hockey team won a gold medal at the Olympics for the first time in 46 years, beating Canada 2-1. Yes, that’s right: the last time the team came out on top at the Games was 1980’s “Miracle on Ice,” when a ragtag group of college players defeated the team from the Soviet Union, followed by Finland, and took home gold.
This time, the U.S. men’s hockey team was stacked with NHL players, and beat our friendly neighbors to the north. While the game didn’t have the same Cold War symbolism as the one in Lake Placid, it did end with a dramatic “Golden Goal” courtesy of Jack Hughes during three-on-three overtime. Unfortunately for Heated Rivalry fans, no player made out with his boyfriend on the ice following the massive win.
WTF: ‘Penisgate’ Put the Spotlight on Male Ski Jumpers’ Crotches
So what do schlong shots have to do with ski jumping? Believe it or not, there’s a scientific explanation. The hyaluronic acid plumps up the penis, so that when 3D scanners measure them for their ski suits, they should, at least in theory, be issued a larger, looser suit. This, in turn, could help them jump longer distances, with the suit’s baggy crotch acting like a sail catching wind.
The concept isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds: a study published in the journal Frontiers found that a 2 cm change in the size of a ski jumping suit could mean gaining an extra 5.8 meters in jump length.
For now, no ski jumpers have been caught doing this at the Olympics. However, one plastic surgeon has confirmed that he injected a “generous dose of hyaluronic acid” into the penis of a ski jumper last month, though he wouldn’t disclose the athlete’s nationality or whether he was competing in the Olympics.
Best: The ‘Minions’-Themed Skating Routine Made It to the Ice
All Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate wanted to do was perform his Minion routine at the Olympics. He had been entertaining crowds with the program — featuring four cuts of music from the Minions movie, and him dressed as a Minion — all season, and thought he had approval for his songs and costume. Turns out, he didn’t, and found out four days before the Olympics’ opening ceremony.
But Sabate didn’t let this derail his Olympic dreams. Instead, he dusted off a Bee Gees routine from last year, stayin’ alive in the competition and making the best out of a bad situation. It all worked out in the end, though — Sabate’s Minion music was approved two hours before the Olympic figure skating program opened with the team event.
Worst: The ‘Quad God’ Doesn’t Make the Podium
American figure skater Ilia Malinin — nicknamed the “Quad God” — arrived at the Olympics as the overwhelming favorite to win gold in the men’s competition. While he came out of the short program with a 5.09-point lead, he fell multiple times during free skate, and came in eighth overall. Not only that, but he failed to land any of the quadruple jumps that he’s known for, leading to one of the most shocking upsets in U.S. figure skating history.
Fortunately for Malinin, he’ll also be remembered for landing the first legal backflip on Olympic ice since 1976. The controversial move was banned that year after American Terry Kubicka did one at the 1976 Innsbruck Games. But the most famous backflip of all time came courtesy of France’s figure skating powerhouse Surya Bonaly at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. When it became clear that Bonaly wasn’t going to medal, she included an illegal backflip in her final program, landing on one skate. The International Skating Union lifted the backflip ban in 2024 — though it still doesn’t add points.
WTF: A Slovak Hockey Fan on the Run for 16 Years Is Arrested
On Feb. 11, Italian police arrested a 44-year-old Slovak fugitive who had been on the lam for 16 years. The warrant for his arrest was issued in 2010 after he committed a string of thefts in Italy. Despite being wanted in the country, the man returned to Italy to cheer on the Slovak hockey team at the Olympics.
But his love for the game ended up being his downfall. Local police found the hockey fan at a guesthouse on the outskirts of Milan, and promptly took him to prison, where he’ll serve 11 months and seven days for his crimes.
Worst: Trump Calls U.S. Olympian ‘A Real Loser’
At a news conference on the first day of the Games, when asked what it means to represent the United States in the current climate domestically and internationally, U.S. freeskier Hunter Hess said it “brings up mixed emotions” and was “a little hard.” He continued: “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and think a lot of people aren’t… But just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” Hess went on to clarify that he was proud to represent his “friends and family back home, and all the things that I believe are good about the United States.”
Naturally, President Donald Trump couldn’t resist weighing in, writing on his Truth Social platform: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”
Best: Flavor Flav Goes From Hype Man to Olympic Hopeful
The USA Bobsled and Skeleton team rolled up to the 2026 Olympics with a secret weapon: Flavor Flav. In October the team announced that the Grammy-nominated Olympics superfan would serve as their official hype man and sponsor. “The partnership is a blessing,” Flav said in a statement. “It’s cooler than Cool Runnings. It’s Coolest Runnings.” But he wanted more.
After cheering on the team — especially the women — from the sidelines in Cortina, Flav decided that he wanted to get in on the action. “Yes, your boy has taken a ride in the 4 man bobsled, but im an adrenaline junkie and needed to try skeleton,” he wrote on X on Monday. “And now I’ve officially joined the team and am gonna try to start competing. 66 yo going 66 mph.”
On Thursday, Flav discussed his desire to compete for the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton team in a video with its coaches. “You’d better watch out because you know what, you might find me in the Olympics next year,” Flav says in an Instagram video from USA Bobsled and Skeleton. “I’m going to train skeleton and bobsled. That’s right: I’m with my future coaches, boyeeeeeeee.”
Jeremiyah Love is the consensus No. 1 running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Notre Dame superstar is hoping to move himself as close to the top of overall draft boards as he can with a strong performance this week at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis.
Love isn't going to hold back, either. He's planning to be a full participant at the event.
Running back has been a devalued position in recent years, but Love is the rare exception who will likely be a top-10 pick despite playing a spot that is declining in value.
His best chances of sticking that high in the draft as a whole are to absolutely dominate in Indy. If he drops an incredible 40-yard dash time, his stock will only rise. It'll remove any doubts that might exist about selecting an RB that high in the draft.
Love will have a great shot at NFL success no matter where he goes, and he's not going to be lacking for interested teams. Still, he's decided to put himself out there for all to see at the Combine, which is a cool move.
Gianluca Prestianni will miss Benfica's Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday after being hit with a suspension.
The 20-year-old was accused by Vinicius Junior of racist abuse during last week's first leg of the knockout-playoff tie. The Brazil star alleged he was abused after celebrating his goal in the 1-0 win and immediately informed the referee, who initiated the anti-racism protocol that saw the game halted for around 10 minutes.
Madrid players including Kylian Mbappe supported Vinicius' claims, while Prestianni and Benfica denied he made racist remarks. The winger argued that Vinicius misheard him, adding: "I was never racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players."
While the case is investigated, Prestianni will have to sit out the second leg.
Gianluca Prestianni suspended for Real Madrid game
Prestianni was issued a one-game ban by UEFA on February 23, two days before the second leg of the playoff tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Argentina international's suspension is provisional while European football's governing body investigates the allegations against him. Benfica said they would appeal against the decision but acknowledged this would likely be unsuccessful as the match is so soon.
A UEFA statement said: "Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the next (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) related to a discriminatory behaviour.
"This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies.
"Further information about this matter will be made available in due course."
Should Prestianni be found guilty of racist abuse, he will face a more severe punishment, likely including a far longer suspension.
Benfica statement after Prestianni banned
Benfica said they would appeal against the one-game provisional ban but with the expectation that Prestianni would not be made available for Wednesday's game regardless.
"The club regrets being deprived of a player while the process is still under investigation and will appeal this decision by UEFA, even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League playoff," Benfica said.
The club then added that it remained committed to combatting discrimination, mentioning Eusebio, the Mozambique-born Benfica great considered one of the finest players in history.
The statement said: "Sport Lisboa e Benfica also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism or discrimination, values that are part of its historical identity and are reflected in its daily actions, its global community, the work of the Benfica Foundation, and major figures in the club's history, such as Eusebio."
What did Vinicius and Prestianni say about alleged racism incident?
Vinicius did not speak to reporters after the match but posted a reaction on his Instagram account.
"Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are," he wrote. "But they have, on their side, the protection of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish."
Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni both alleged after the game that they heard Prestianni, who was covering his mouth with his shirt at the time of the incident, call Vinicius "monkey". Tchouameni also said Prestianni denied using the word and had instead directed a homophobic slur at Vinicius.
Prestianni did not speak publicly until Benfica posted a statement from him in the hours after the match in which he said he was "misunderstood" in the incident and claimed that Real Madrid players directed "threats" in his direction.
"I want to clarify that at no time did I address racist insults to the player Vinicius Jr, who unfortunately misunderstood what he thinks he has heard. I was never racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players," he said.
Following that, Benfica posted a video to the club's social media, attempting to show that the Real Madrid players could not have heard the alleged racist comments properly.
How long could Gianluca Prestianni be banned?
If he is found guilty of racism by UEFA's investigator, Prestianni could face a 10-match ban.
Annex B of UEFA's disciplinary code, entitled 'European Football United Against Racism Resolution', states: "Any player or team official found guilty of racist conduct must be suspended for at least ten matches (or a corresponding period of time for club representatives)."
In this scenario, Benfica would also be required to run a racism awareness programme. "Education will help to address the problem, both in football and in wider society," UEFA says.
Perhaps you're not a runner but don't mind some outdoor air on, say, April 11 or 12, when the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon events are under way.
The marathon and half marathon get started at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 11, with the 5K running the following day. Along the way, runners will encounter Discovery World, Lincoln Memorial Drive, the Oak Leaf Trail, the Third Ward, Walker's Point and Bay View, on their way to the finish at Humboldt Park.
Roles include assigning bibs and distributing goodie bags, corraling runners at the start line, welcoming runners to the finish, directing along the course and cheering on the participants.
Groups of 15 or more volunteers can sign up together, an opportunity for schools, clubs, sports teams and more. Ventures Endurance can provide either a donation or verification of community service hours in return. Groups will only be eligible for these benefits by fulfilling the committed volunteer hours and requirements, and groups will need to indicate the specific number of volunteers planning to help, ensuring the marathon has the right number of volunteers overall.
All questions can be directed to volunteer@venturesendurance.com.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been suspended for one game while Uefa investigates allegations that the 20-year-old racially abused Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr in their Champions League play-off first leg.
Prestianni was seen holding his shirt over his mouth during a heated exchange with Madrid players following Vinicius’s second-half goal. The Brazilian winger rushed to the referee to report what he claimed was racist abuse.
The French official, Francois Letexier, paused the match for 11 minutes after activating Fifa’s anti-racism protocols, but the action later continued with Prestianni on the field. Fans inside the Estadio Da Luz loudly booed and jeered Vinicius throughout the remainder of the game, as Real Madrid saw out a 1-0 victory.
Prestianni’s manager, Jose Mourinho, later blamed Vinicius for “inciting” Benfica’s players with his exuberant goal celebration, while Prestianni denied he had used racist language, claiming he had been misheard while using a homophobic slur.
Gianluca Prestianni (right) was accused of racism by Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid players (AFP/Getty)
But Vinicius’s teammate, Kylian Mbappe said he had heard the offensive words, adding that he did not think Prestianni deserved to play in the Santiago Bernabeu, where Madrid will host Benfica for the second leg on Wednesday evening.
“There was player No 25 (Prestianni) from Benfica – I don’t want to mention his name, he doesn’t deserve it,” Mbappe said, “who started speaking rudely and saying insults. That’s unacceptable, but it happens in football and it will always happen.
“Then he put his shirt down here and said ‘monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey’. I heard him say it, and some Benfica players heard him too, and then everything you saw started.”
Vinicius Jr (right) claimed he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni (AFP/Getty)
Now the Argentine will not be involved in the second leg after being handed a provisional one-match ban.
Uefa said in a statement: “Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour ... and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) today decided to provisionally suspend Mr Gianluca Prestianni for the next UEFA club competition match.
“This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies. Further information about this matter will be made available in due course.”
Mourinho has meanwhile cancelled his pre-match press conference ahead of the meeting in Madrid after coming in for severe criticism from across the football world.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany was particularly strong in his assessment that Mourinho had made a “huge mistake” blaming Vinicius for the incident.
“When you watch the action itself and how Vini reacted, that reaction cannot be faked,” Kompany said. “You can see it was an emotional reaction. I don’t see any benefit for him to go to the referee and put all this misery on his shoulders. In that moment he saw that it was the right thing to do.
Jose Mourinho attempted to discuss the incident with Real's players (Getty)
“Kylian Mbappe normally always stays diplomatic, but he was very clear about what he saw and heard. Then there’s the Benfica player who was hiding what he was saying in his shirt. In the stadium you can see there were people [Benfica fans] doing monkey signs, it’s in the video.
“And for me, what happened after the game is even worse. Jose Mourinho has basically attacked the character of Vini Jr by bringing in the type of Vini’s celebration to discredit what he was doing at that moment. It was a huge mistake in terms of leadership.
“On top of that, Mourinho mentioned the name of Eusebio. He said Benfica cannot be racist because their best ever player was Eusebio. Do you know what Black players had to go through in the 60s? Was he there to travel with Eusebio every away game and see what he went through?”
Prestianni will now await the findings of Uefa’s investigation. Uefa’s disciplinary rules state that anyone found to have used insults on discriminatory grounds on issues such as a race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation “incurs a suspension lasting at least ten matches or a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction”.
The high school girls basketball 2025-26 season is either at the end of the regular season or early rounds of the playoffs for most states as programs inch their way closer to reaching a state championship berth or remaining in contention on the national stage.
Ontario Christian (Calif.) remains firmly as the nation’s top team with a 30-1 record as no new teams enter this week’s Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings. Who else joins the Knights as the season winds down in the latest set of high school girls basketball Top 25?
Here’s a look at the latest set of top 25 high school girls basketball teams in the country according to the Massey Ratings, which ranks teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory, as of Feb. 23.
1. Ontario Christian Knights (Calif.) (30-1)
The Ontario ChristianKnights (30-1) have bounced back from their lone loss of the season and have responded nicely with a nine-game winning streak. Ontario Christian is scoring points at a rapid pace as the Knights are averaging a staggering 92.5 points per game. Making the case all season long to be the national Player of the Year is junior point guard Kaleena Smith, who is currently leading the team with an impressive 32.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 steals and 3.5 rebounds per contest. The Knights most recent victory was a 114-50 decision over Fairmont Preparatory Academy.
2. Hopkins Royals (Minn.) (21-2)
Making a leap up one spot is last year’s Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) AAAA state champion HopkinsRoyals (21-2), which finished 27-5 a year ago and on track to repeat. Hopkins wasn’t a team full of star power last season en route to winning another state title, but brings back plenty of talent to begin the fall campaign on everyone’s radar. Junior point-forward Erma Walker was crucial for the Royals in beating Maple Grove a year ago, with 28 points and eight rebounds. The only losses for Hopkins this 2025-26 season is a 46-43 decision to Iowa’s Dowling Catholic, the No. 8 team in our rankings, and No. 4 Wayzata.
3. Johnston Dragons (IA) (25-0)
The JohnstonDragons (25-0) look very much in line to win a third straight Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) Class 5A state championship after finishing with a 26-0 record in 2024-25. The Dragons are currently on a 76-game winning streak dating back to 2023, which has seen the program notch back-to-back state titles. Senior point guard Jenica Lewis, who scored 12 points in last year’s state title game, is back in the fold after a strong junior campaign. Lewis has offers from Iowa, UNC, Notre Dame, Oregon and TCU. Dragons have extended their longstanding winning streak now to 76 straight contests as they head into the Iowa high school girls basketball postseason.
4. Bishop McNamara Mustangs (Md.) (26-2)
Bishop McNamara(26-2), which has been among one of the country’s top high school girls basketball programs all season long this year, checks in at No. 4. The Mustangs only two losses on the season have come to St. Frances Academy (Md.) and Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.). Other than that, the Mustangs have been perfect, boasting a 21-2 record playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Mustangs notched two blowout victories last week over Paul VI Catholic and St. Mary’s Ryken.
5. Wayzata Trojans (Minn.) (20-5)
Dropping down to No. 5 in the latest update of the national high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings are the Wayzata Trojans (20-5), which lost back-to-back heartbreakers toHopkins and Minnetonka. Having knocked off Hopkins before this season along with several blowout victories along the way, it’s easy to see why this Trojans squad is one of the best in the Midwest. Wayzata will look to head into the postseason aiming to bounce back from the first two-game losing streak of the campaign.
Massey Ratings National High School Girls Basketball Rankings Nos. 11-25
There are growing concerns around Kansas freshman star Darryn Peterson, but there might be more to the story we're not being told. Many people have questioned his competitiveness amid a season marked by missed games and in-game exits. However, one prominent college basketball analyst believes there is tangible evidence the projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick is battling through an injury.
Two social media posts by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie shows side-by-side clips comparing Peterson’s high school film to his recent performances with the Kansas Jayhawks. Vecenie pointed out the visible differences in Peterson’s burst, lift and lateral movement, suggesting the freshman guard is playing through a significant injury rather than opting out of games by choice.
“I get the way it's being handled is weird, but the tape doesn't lie. He's clearly not right and playing through injury,” Vecenie wrote, highlighting diminished explosiveness compared to Peterson’s prep career in Canton, Ohio.
Then on drives, Darryn Peterson has nowhere near same burst, hangtime or explosiveness around the rim. One from today, two from Prolific vs. LuHi last year.
I get the way it's being handled is weird, but the tape doesn't lie. He's clearly not right and playing through injury. pic.twitter.com/pp03tW8QEa
The debate intensified after Peterson logged just 18 minutes and benched himself in the second half of a win at Oklahoma State, drawing national scrutiny, including criticism from Stephen A. Smith, who questioned whether NBA teams should consider him with the top pick.
Kansas coach Bill Self acknowledged the concern after that game, saying availability could define the Jayhawks’ postseason ceiling. Peterson has missed 11 of Kansas’ 27 games, dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries along with persistent cramping. He was also a late scratch in a win over then-unbeaten Arizona due to flu-like symptoms.
The Jayhawks are 9-2 without Peterson, a statistic that has led to questions about chemistry. Yet Vecenie’s analysis reframes the conversation. This now appears to be a player disengaging, but also pushing through physical limitations.
Kansas faces No. 2 Houston on Monday night with the NCAA tournament less than a month away. The larger question is no longer just whether Peterson will play but whether he can regain the explosiveness that once made him the consensus top prospect.
Rooney criticises Arsenal star despite derby heroics
Rooney Questions Eze Impact as Arsenal Title Push Continues
There was thunder in north London and not only from the scoreline. Arsenal dismantled Tottenham 4-1 for the second time this season, reaffirming their superiority in the derby and restoring a five point lead over Manchester City in the title race. Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze each struck twice, the latter again tormenting a club that once courted him.
Yet amid the celebration, Wayne Rooney delivered a more measured verdict on Eze’s season. Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney offered praise but also pointed critique of Arsenal’s £67.5m summer signing. The comments have cut through the euphoria and reopened debate about Eze’s broader contribution.
Photo IMAGO
Rooney Appraisal of Eze Form
Rooney did not shy away. “I disagree a bit because I don’t think he’s been good enough this season.
“The two Tottenham games have shined a big light on him but in other games I’ve watched him and not thought he’s been good enough.
Photo IMAGO
“I think a lot of that is probably through not playing consistently, I get that, but when you talk about mentality and character, if I was him I would be trying to make it very difficult for the manager to leave me out, both with your performances and in training.
“Clearly he’s not doing enough to warrant a place in the team consistently. I get that Martin Odegaard is the captain but you’ve got to make it almost impossible for Mikel Arteta to leave you out.
“After the first Tottenham game I don’t think he did enough to stay in the team so you just hope now for him he plays better consistently to stay in the game.
“I think he needs to perform a little bit better than he has so far this season.”
It is a pointed assessment. Eze has produced his finest displays against Tottenham, five of his six league goals coming against Spurs. In other fixtures, the impact has fluctuated. He was withdrawn at half time in the 1-1 draw with Brentford and then started on the bench in the 2-2 stalemate with Wolves. For a player expected to add incision in tight contests, those moments matter.
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Arsenal Context in Title Race
Arsenal’s title charge remains compelling. Mikel Arteta’s side showed authority and purpose against a Tottenham team in turmoil after Thomas Frank’s departure. Rooney was unsparing in his verdict on Spurs.
“It was a good game, Arsenal obviously showed their class and Tottenham are just not a good team.
“I just don’t think they’re a good team. If you go through their players and the squad, they’re probably where they should be.
“Obviously they’re a big club with a nice, new stadium but I just don’t think the players are good enough to compete at the top end of the Premier League.
“I think Spurs will just be fine, I don’t think they’ll get relegated, but they’re down there right now and they were in a similar situation last season.
“It’s a big worry for them, a big concern for the club whether or not they stay in the Premier League because they’ve gone backwards.”
Arsenal’s superiority was emphatic. The 4-1 margin underlined their depth and direction. Yet Rooney’s remarks about Eze carry weight because they speak to consistency, the currency of champions.
World Cup Implications for Eze
Rooney also questioned Eze’s international prospects.
“I’m not sure Eze will go to the World Cup but he does give you a different option because he can play on the left or in the No. 10.
“Maybe that will be on Eze’s side because those players are so important at a World Cup. In terms of at Arsenal I think Eze is better in the penalty box but Odegaard is better when he’s a bit deeper.
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“He’s very clever and picks up some great positions, his movement is very good, you just want to see a bit more from him in the final third.
“If you could combine the two of them you’d have a great player!”
For Arsenal, the challenge is balance. Eze brings unpredictability and instinct in the penalty area. Odegaard provides orchestration. Arteta must extract both without compromising structure.
As the season narrows towards its decisive weeks, Arsenal will welcome Chelsea next. Tottenham travel to Fulham searching for reassurance. Rooney’s comments have sharpened scrutiny on Eze, but they also highlight the standards Arsenal now inhabit. In a title race defined by fine margins, good may not suffice. Excellence must be habitual.
Benfica: Gianluca Prestianni ready to file a complaint against Vinicius Jr
Suspended by UEFA, Gianluca Prestianni will file a complaint against Vinicius Jr
Benfica: Gianluca Prestianni ready to file a complaint against Vinicius Jr
This Monday, Gianluca Prestianni was sanctioned by UEFA for making racist remarks against Vinicius Jr during the first-leg play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid last Tuesday (0-1). The Argentine plans to file a complaint against the Brazilian.
Real Madrid will host Benfica next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg of the Champions League play-off. They hold a favorable advantage after their away win in Lisbon (0-1). The clash has already ignited the media in recent days following the Vinicius Jr-Gianluca Prestianni incident. Prestianni stands accused of repeatedly calling the Brazilian a "monkey". However, the Argentine—whose shirt covered his mouth—strongly denies these allegations.
On Monday, UEFA provisionally suspended the Benfica player for one match. As a result, he will not play on Wednesday in the Spanish capital, pending confirmation of this decision. In response, Benfica announced its intention to appeal. For his part, Prestianni has not yet commented.
However, according to El Chiringuito, the young player does not intend to stop there. He plans to file a complaint against Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr with UEFA, FIFA, and the Portuguese judicial authorities. He maintains that the accusations are false and that his reputation has been unfairly damaged.
Report: Bundesliga giants fear Liverpool have agreement with target
Liverpool reportedly reach agreement to sign 19-year-old forward
Liverpool continue to be strongly linked with highly rated winger Yan Diomande ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window, with growing belief across Europe that a move to Anfield is being seriously discussed. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has emerged as one of the most talked about young attackers in the Bundesliga since joining RB Leipzig from Leganes in 2025.
Under Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25, recruitment planning remains focused on long term attacking depth. Diomande is viewed internally as a potential future successor to Mohamed Salah, reflecting Liverpool’s strategy of targeting players who can develop into elite performers. Sources indicate Leipzig would demand around €100 million for the winger, a valuation that highlights his rapid rise.
Photo: IMAGO
Bayern Munich stance on potential deal
Bayern Munich are also monitoring Yan Diomande, although reports suggest the German champions believe Liverpool may already hold a personal agreement with the player. That interpretation has emerged from discussions inside Bayern, where executives are analysing several attacking options before the window opens.
According to claims circulating on social media, Bayern’s hierarchy see Liverpool as the Premier League club most advanced in talks, although this remains an internal assessment rather than confirmed information. The situation has added intrigue to a transfer race that could shape the attacking plans of both clubs.
Cody Gakpo angle creates fresh intrigue
Alongside interest in Diomande, Bayern Munich are exploring alternatives on the left wing, including Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. A post shared on X at 7:22pm on February 21, 2026 stated:
“Internally at Bayern there is growing discussion, as I exclusively revealed weeks ago following Yan Diomande’s rejection, about pivoting toward Cody Gakpo as the alternative on the left wing, with influential voices inside the club convinced he would thrive in the Bundesliga’s open transitional spaces in a similar way to Luis Díaz.
“And what has added a new layer of tension in recent days are fresh indications, including signals interpreted from contacts around Gakpo’s representatives, that have led some board members to increasingly believe the Premier League club holding a personal agreement with Diomande could in fact be Liverpool, although this remains an internal reading of the situation rather than confirmed information and is still being handled with caution at executive level.
‘The ironic twist is that Bayern could end up indirectly financing that very move by paying up to £65 million, around €75 million, to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool, effectively funding the transfer of the player who rejected them in the first place.
“A scenario that underlines how quickly leverage can shift at the top of the market, even if inside Säbener Straße there are figures insisting they would ultimately be comfortable with such an outcome provided the investment guarantees immediate quality and decisive output on the pitch.’”
Transfer outlook ahead of summer window
As things stand, Liverpool appear well positioned in the race for Yan Diomande, although no formal agreement has been publicly confirmed. Bayern Munich’s parallel interest in both Diomande and Gakpo adds a layer of complexity that could influence negotiations in the months ahead.
For Liverpool, the pursuit aligns with Slot’s evolving squad vision, balancing immediate competitiveness with future planning. For Bayern Munich, strategic flexibility remains key as they assess whether to compete directly for Diomande or pursue alternative solutions in attack.
Watford currently have 48 points and lie in 9th position. In their last match, Edward Still's team prevailed 2-0 against Derby County (EFL Championship 2025/26).
Ipswich Town have picked up 54 points and currently lie in 4th position. In their last fixture, Kieran McKenna's team suffered a 5-3 reverse against Wrexham (EFL Championship 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
HOUSTON — The logic was easy to figure, but Jaden Bradley wasn’t buying it.
Because the Arizona Wildcats built their 23-0 start with a rotation that was injury-free, then lost two games in a row when it wasn't, their most likely path to winning the Big 12 didn’t appear to include a 73-66 win at second-ranked Houston on Saturday.
Or any win against Houston.
More likely, it was to just get past that game and make sure to beat everyone else on the schedule: Baylor on Tuesday, Kansas and Iowa State at home after that, and Colorado in an away game to finish the regular season.
After all, even in the high-elevation environment of that March 7 game against the Buffaloes, the Wildcats might be able to breathe easier.
By then or before then, they could have Koa Peat back from a lower leg injury that has bothered him since Feb. 7 and kept him out for UA's past two games; they could have Dwayne Aristode back from an undisclosed illness, and they could have Brayden Burries back at full strength after a bug of his own.
After all, UA coach Tommy Lloyd told the Star on Saturday that he expected to get Peat back “sooner rather than later,” was hoping Aristode “is close,” and that Burries was “gonna turn the corner soon.”
In other words, the Wildcats could have just hung on until better times come around. But they didn’t wait.
Now, at 25-2 overall and 12-2 in the Big 12, Arizona is alone in first place with four games to go.
“Our job as players is always to try to go out there and win, no matter what,” Bradley said. “We did a great job. We’ve got to tighten up on our free throws and all that other stuff, but we did a great job.”
It is true that the Wildcats hit only 64.5% of their free throws Saturday, with Bradley uncharacteristically missing 5 of 10 — including 1 of 2 when the Wildcats were trying to put the game away in the final seconds.
There were other problems, too. UA hit only 3 of 12 from 3-point range, and while the Wildcats can usually shrug off that sort of thing by drilling teams in the paint, the inside wasn’t working out as usual Saturday.
Houston threw double-teams whenever the Wildcats sent the ball inside, with post players Tobe Awaka (3 of 5) and Motiejus Krivas (2 of 4) combining to take just nine shots. Moreover, Peat’s presence on the bench Saturday drastically altered the Wildcats' post rotation.
Instead of having three guys for two post spots, the way they had run it nearly all season, they had only two: Krivas and Awaka, as much as possible, with wing Ivan Kharchenkov moving over as needed.
“You take a guy like Koa out of the equation, a guy who is so important, and you start playing guys a little bit more, and maybe with lineups you haven't played as much,” Lloyd said. With Peat available, “when a guy gets a foul you have the luxury of sitting him for a stretch to make sure he doesn't get a second.
“Now you’re having to bring guys back a little bit quicker. And in a physical game like this — it’s like calling offensive holding in the NFL, you probably could pick a rebounding foul on either team every possession — you just have to dodge some bullets.”
They didn’t really even do that, with both Krivas and Awaka fouling out, having totaled just 11 points and 42 minutes between them.
But the Wildcats made up for it by getting Kharchenkov and Anthony Dell’Orso to aggressively drive in gaps whenever they appeared, and by turning the ball over just five times.
Kharchenkov, playing both forward spots, collected 16 points and nine rebounds.
“Arizona has great size but their best team tonight was when Kharchenkov was at the four,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “I didn't think their bigs impacted the game as much as I thought” they would.
Dell’Orso scored 22 points for the second straight game, making 6 of 9 shots from inside the arc, and Lloyd said the Aussie wing had some “spitfire” in him.
“I don't know how many of you guys know Aussies, but Aussies got some you-know-what to them, and he has a little bit” of that, said Lloyd, who spent a year playing and coaching in Australia early in his career. “It wasn't going his way for a good stretch there a while back, and he hung with it. Our guys hung with him, and the staff hung with him."
While Dell'Orso led the Wildcats offensively, Kharchenkov led a defense that held Houston to just 35.7% shooting and kept the Cougars’ top 3-point threat, Emanuel Sharp, to 2 of 8 shooting from 3-point range — and 0 for 3 from inside the arc.
Also worth noting: That Kharchenkov played 39 minutes.
He had no choice. At least for now, the Wildcats aren’t built quite the same way they were during their 23-0 start, and Kharchenkov is a focal point of that change, expanding his game on both ends of the floor.
“We knew Houston is a tough matchup for us, especially we were banged up a little bit, and the two losses just didn't taste right in the mouth,” Kharchenkov said. “So we just figured it out. Fought, and figured it out.”
Hopefully, most Americans watch the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams win gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Watching their joy and commitment to their sport and teammates was wonderful.
When our national anthem was played, singing, honor and respect were off the charts. There was no kneeling, alternative anthems, protest shirts/jerseys, or controversies. There was just patriotism and respect for the flag and what they had accomplished as Americans.
Toppmeyer's list included a bunch of big names, mostly -- well-established coaches who are renowned in college football. But with that, he's only really thinking above the surface rather than below. With names like Chip Kelly, Bobby Petrino, Charlie Weis Jr., Will Muschamp, Gary Patterson, Buster Faulkner, Chad Morris, and Jim Knowles, most (but not all) are hot commodities, faces that have been recognizable in the sport for some time. It stands to reason that those are the names he would be thinking about, given that five of his eight are former head coaches, and two others have been among those considered the best at their craft.
But what Toppmeyer doesn't realize, or hasn't considered, is that Beck equals a perfect mix between results and opportunity.
Beck inherits a talented Michigan offensive squad that hasn't exactly put up big numbers just yet. With Bryce Underwood at quarterback, Andrew Marsh, Jaime Ffrench, and JJ Buchanan at wide receiver, Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter at running back, and an emerging offensive line, there are a ton of playmakers across the offense. And Beck has shown that he can do a lot more with a lot less.
At Utah last season, Beck coordinated the No. 4 offense and No. 2 rushing attack. At New Mexico the year before, Beck coordinated the No. 4 offense and No. 2 rushing attack. His scheme is explosive in the run game, and he inherits a much more talented corps to allow him to deploy his scheme. What's more, though Devon Dampier proved himself to be a worthy signal caller and dual-threat option, Underwood's floor and ceiling are both higher. Coming off his first year in college football, Beck has an opportunity to deploy Underwood in a way that more so utilizes his talent.
Sure, the other names are flashy, capable, and are at big programs. But Beck very well may be the most consequential offseason hire if everything goes to plan.
Michigan intends to run a base 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers), which will vary from the more traditional pro-style 21 and 12 personnel sets that the Wolverines have run for the bulk of the past decade. Sure, it won't be the sole formation, and the Wolverines have the capability of changing things up, but that adds to the mystique rather than detracts. Beck has nearly everything he needs at his disposal to be able to take advantage of opposing defenses and create mismatches. And given that he's managed to turn both New Mexico and Utah into elite offenses -- and neither destination is particularly known for their prowess offensively -- it shows that he's more than capable at building.
Beck is no household name, it's true. But if he had achieved what he had at other schools, he would have been the most sought-after coordinator in the country on the offensive side of the ball. Before he took over Utah, the Utes had the No. 102 offense and vaulted into the top five. New Mexico was 65th and vaulted to No. 4 all the same. Yes, he's only entering his fourth year in college football, yet a long track record is not needed to prove his mettle.
If you require more of a vote of confidence, look no further than Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford, who has decades of experience in and around the sport. And last week, he shared his awe about what Beck brings to the table.
"Yeah, it’s wild because the way they call it, I’ve never seen it," Alford said. "I’m like, wait a minute, what are you doing here, right? But the more I’ve studied it in constant conversation with the staff, I love it. The way it pieces together, I think it’s very user-friendly to learn, especially that it allows young players to get up and play fast.
"I think it’s a dynamic offense because we’ve got enough playmakers here that you can put guys in spots and match up issues, and it’s very easily adjusted where multiple guys are going to touch the ball and have the ability to touch the ball. I think, Bryce Underwood, I think with his skill set. So I think this leads to all the different weapons that we have; we can use them, and they’re at our disposal in a lot of different ways. Just how creative can we be in order to get those guys open in space. So it’s going to be fun."
Toppmeyer may not have forgotten about Beck, but rather didn't include him. Or he wasn't considered because he wasn't a sexy, flashy name on par with those he did mention. Given what he brings to the table, that's a mistake. Because it's more likely than not that Michigan doesn't languish in the middle of the pack (No. 69 last year, offensively) and is, instead, among the nation's top offenses. Because even in a short period of time, Beck has proven that's just what he does.
Another game, another epic fourth-quarter collapse.
In Houston's 108-106 loss to the Knicks on Saturday, the Rockets blew an 18-point lead in the final frame. It was the latest example of how Houston has struggled to close out games, a weakness that has prevented the Rockets from fully reaching contender status this season, on top of season-ending injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams.
It was Houston's 11th blown fourth-quarter lead of the season under head coach Ime Udoka. Since Udoka was first hired by the Rockets in April 2023, Houston has now blown 37 fourth-quarter leads. With the Rockets struggling to protect their fourth-quarter leads, it could prevent Houston from making a deep playoff run.
Blown leads under Udoka
Udoka: "Ball stopped moving, started isolating too much. Same story — we've lost too many games like this. I'm telling Amen and Reed to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets, it's not time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad." https://t.co/7PA94u8eZj
When asked about his team's latest collapse, Udoka attributed it to the Rockets "isolating too much" because the "ball stopped moving," per NBA insider Kelly Iko. Houston's head coach also said that he wants Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard to be "more demonstrative getting into" its offensive sets.
While the Rockets certainly struggled on offense down the stretch, Udoka has a proven track record of failing to close out games as a head coach. In his first year as a head coach, Udoka took the Celtics to the NBA Finals, but they struggled with offensive consistency. The Celtics blew 18 fourth-quarter leads under Udoka, with Boston's late-game offense leaving much to be desired.
Now in his third year with the Rockets, the late-game offense under Udoka is still an issue. After blowing 26 fourth-quarter leads in Udoka's first two seasons, Houston's latest collapse against the Knicks is the latest example that the Rockets haven't made any progress in that area.
Houston's 11 blown leads this season are tied for the 10th most in the NBA, with the Rockets comfortably leading for the majority of those losses. On Dec. 18, Houston led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth quarter of its eventual overtime loss to the Pelicans, which were 6-22 at the time. That loss remains the biggest blown lead in the NBA this season.
There's no doubting Udoka's reputation as a floor-raiser, but considering Houston's expectations this season, the Rockets have underperformed. It's not all on their head coach, but Houston's consistent inability to protect its leads on top of its current injury problems could easily doom the Rockets to an early exit in the playoffs, where the smallest margins matter.
Sep 17, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44, left), Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7, center), and Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (43) walk back to the dugout after Steer hit a three-rin home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Back in the go-go dinger days of 2019, Eugenio Suárez socked nearly as many home runs (49) as he blew gum bubbles, a number he matched in a 2025 season split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
So, if you ponder the question of who leads the 2026 Reds in dingers, it’s easy to simply point at Geno.
Is it really that simple, though?
Geno’s now 34 years old, and he’ll hit 35 in July of this year. On top of that, sandwiched in between his seasons with 49 bombs are single-season totals of 31, 31, 22, and 30, so it’s not as if he’s reached those lofty numbers each and every season.
Yes, he’s now calling Great American Ball Park home after spending far too much time in Seattle, where right-handed power hitting goes to die. Yes, he’s on a one-year ‘prove it’ contract for 2026 after nobody presumably offered him a long-term deal of enough value for him and his agent, and that may prompt him to go nuts again offensively in a contract year.
But is it really too outlandish to suggest that maybe, just maybe, someone else on this team finishes 2026 with more homers than Suárez? Someone like, say, Elly De La Cruz?
If Geno ‘slips’ back to only hitting ~30 homers in 2026, is it out of the question that a healthily-shouldered Spencer Steer could flirt with 30 after topping 20 in each of the last trio of seasons?
JJ Bleday once swatted 20 homers for the Oakland A’s! Noelvi Marte’s power has long been hyped as potentially plus…could 2026 be the year he finally puts it all together?
Lest we forget Sal Stewart, who led the 2025 Reds in homers after his call-up in September. He’s one of the most advanced hitters the Reds have seen as a rookie in a generation, and scouts have long said his raw power was ahead of his in-game power…at least until it showed up in-game at the end of last season. Might he step right in to the Cincinnati lineup on Opening Day and become the thumper this lineup has missed for years?
Who do you think leads this club in dingers in ‘26?
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum celebrates after Iowa fans stormed the court following the Hawkeyes win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers 57-52 Feb. 17, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s top 16 reveal shook up a few of the projected seeding decisions from prior weeks, although most teams largely remained in the same ballpark. No team in particular stole the show in the B1G this week, but there were buzzer-beaters, big upsets, and more in seemingly every West Coast game, creating a hectic late-February week.
Michigan – No. 1 Seed (No. 2 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 1 Seed (No. 1 overall)
The Wolverines had a very tough schedule this week, taking on both No. 7 Purdue and No. 3 Duke away from home. Michigan was able to go into Mackey Arena and win 91-80 to move to 15-1 in conference play. The Wolverines couldn’t cap off a 2-0 week, falling 68-63 to Duke in Washington, D.C., shortly after being named as the No. 1 overall seed. Ironically, Michigan’s resume is still better than Duke’s (the Wolverines rank first in NET, KenPom, WAB, T-Rank, SOR, and KPI, and only trail the Blue Devils in BPI rankings). But Duke’s head-to-head win still gives the Blue Devils the inside track to the No. 1 overall seed moving forward.
Illinois – No. 2 Seed (No. 7 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 2 Seed (No. 8 overall)
The Fighting Illini’s explosive offense traveled with them across the country to the West Coast, but the defense only held up in one of the two games against USC and UCLA. Illinois destroyed USC 101-65 to open up the week, but couldn’t make it a 2-0 trip to the West Coast as it fell 95-94 in overtime to UCLA. The loss didn’t affect Illinois from a bracketology perspective at all, as many of the teams ahead of the Illini lost at some point this week as well, and a one-point overtime road loss in a Quad 1 game has little to no impact on metrics this late in the season.
Purdue – No. 2 Seed (No. 8 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 2 Seed (No. 7 overall)
Purdue lost 91-80 to Michigan at home to open the week. The Boilermakers couldn’t defend Michigan’s shooting from beyond the three-point line, and that resulted in their third loss at Mackey Arena this season, something that hasn’t happened since Purdue went 11-5 at home in the 2019-20 season. The Boilermakers took their anger out on in-state rival Indiana later in the week, destroying the Hoosiers 93-64 at home. Purdue appeared in the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s top 16 reveal as the No. 8 overall seed (a No. 2 seed), and that projection held over the rest of the weekend.
With the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee revealing its top 16 overall teams today, I decided to compare what the Committee has to the top 16 from my last bracketology update (yesterday morning). Here's the comparison: pic.twitter.com/1RQnFyjMiI
The Cornhuskers were completely stymied on the road against Iowa on Tuesday, scoring a season-low 52 points in a 57-52 loss in Iowa City. Nebraska quickly rebounded by demolishing Penn State 87-64 at home behind Pryce Sandfort’s career-high 33-point scoring output. Despite the loss to Iowa, the Cornhuskers still appeared in the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s top 16 reveal as a No. 3 seed (No. 11 overall), albeit with minimal separation from the No. 4 seeds and not too many opportunities to significantly improve their resume going forward.
Michigan State – No. 4 Seed (No. 14 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 4 Seed (No. 15 overall)
The Spartans had lost three of their last four games heading into the week, presenting them with two important opportunities to get back on track at home. Michigan State was able to capitalize on those opportunities by getting two wins on the board. The Spartans comfortably beat UCLA 82-59 before mounting a small second-half comeback to defeat Ohio State 66-60 over the weekend. Michigan State will now prepare for a big clash against Purdue on the road, where a win could give the Spartans a bump to the No. 2 seed line. For now, the Selection Committee had Michigan State as a No. 4 seed, and that projection remains accurate.
Wisconsin – No. 7 Seed (No. 28 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 8 Seed (No. 29 overall)
The Badgers continued to live and die by the three throughout the week, and it resulted in two very different games. Wisconsin shot just 7-for-26 (27%) from three in a 17-point loss to Ohio State, but shot 10-for-24 (42%) from three in a 13-point win against Iowa. It’s clear what the Badgers’ gameplan is, although Wisconsin has been executing at a very high level in recent weeks. The Badgers continue to loom as a dangerous No. 7 or 8 seed. Wisconsin will face both Oregon and Washington on the road this week in two must-win games.
Iowa – No. 8 Seed (No. 30 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 9 Seed (No. 33 overall)
The Hawkeyes faced two ranked opponents this week, and in those two big opportunities, Iowa was able to come out with one win. The Hawkeyes beat Nebraska 57-52 at home, giving them just their second Quad 1A win of the season. Iowa wasn’t as successful on the road, though, falling 84-71 to Wisconsin. All things considered, a 1-1 week against that schedule is a very good result, although the Hawkeyes will have to wait until March for their next two ranked opponents (Michigan and a rematch with Nebraska on the road). Iowa needs to win both games against Ohio State and Penn State this week to try to get back onto the No. 7 seed line.
Indiana – No. 10 Seed (No. 39 overall, Last Four Byes)
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 38 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Hoosiers had a big opportunity to improve their resume this weekend as they took on arch-rival Purdue. Unfortunately, going to Mackey Arena immediately following a home loss is a very tall task, and one that Indiana was unable to handle. The Hoosiers were completely outmatched, falling 93-64 at the hands of the Boilermakers. Indiana will now start a stretch of three straight home games, and it’s essential that the Hoosiers win at least two of the three games to stay comfortable in the NCAA Tournament picture.
UCLA – No. 10 Seed (No. 41 overall, Last Four Byes)
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 41 overall, Last Four Byes)
At this point, everyone in the college basketball world heard about UCLA in the context of what Mick Cronin said after playing against Michigan State, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Bruins are squarely on the bubble and the results of their games still matter a ton. UCLA’s 82-59 loss was a disappointing setback for its tournament hopes, but the Bruins found a way to bounce back at home. UCLA’s 95-94 overtime upset of Illinois, capped off by Donovan Dent’s buzzer-beater layup, put the Bruins back on the right side of the bubble after falling just on the outside of the tournament picture following the loss to the Spartans.
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) February 22, 2026
Ohio State – No. 11 Seed (No. 45 overall, Last Four In)
Previous seeding: First Four Out
Ohio State has clearly been playing better since losing to Michigan by 21 at home a few weeks back, but the stretch of seemingly improved play has only resulted in a 2-2 record. This week, the Buckeyes easily dispatched the Badgers, beating Wisconsin 86-69 at home. The Badgers are just on the wrong side of the NET top 30, however, so that still left Ohio State without a Quad 1 win. The Buckeyes had one more chance to change that stat over the weekend, but squandered a 26-23 lead at the half, eventually losing 66-60 to Michigan State on the road.
USC – First Four Out
Previous seeding: No. 11 Seed (No. 42 overall, Last Four In)
The Trojans were in a solid position within the NCAA Tournament bubble heading into the week, but USC tumbled out of the projected field with a 0-2 week at home. The Trojans suffered an embarrassing 101-65 loss to Illinois, and things only got worse from there when they fell 71-70 to Oregon at home. While the margin of the first loss was a bad omen, the second loss of the week was USC’s second Quad 3 loss of the season – something that bubble teams can ill-afford to have on their resume.
Washington – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Huskies just haven’t done themselves any favors this season. While the ridiculously tough schedule to open conference play certainly hindered Washington from gaining momentum, the second half of the season has featured a bunch of losses in very winnable games. This week was no different, as the Huskies fell 64-60 to Maryland, dipping below a .500 overall record this season in the process.
Minnesota – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Golden Gophers inched closer to the .500 mark for the season with two wins against teams at the bottom of the conference standings. Minnesota beat Oregon 61-44 on the road, then returned home and secured an 80-61 win against Rutgers. The Golden Gophers will look to play spoiler twice this week in games against Michigan and UCLA.
Northwestern – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Wildcats had one game this week, and they were able to play well enough to secure a 78-74 victory against Maryland, powered by Nick Martinelli’s 29-point game. Northwestern will move on to face Indiana on the road tomorrow and will return home to play Oregon this weekend.
The Ducks might have had the weirdest week of any team in the conference. Against Minnesota, Oregon shot 2-for-20 from the three-point line and scored just 44 total points in a 17-point loss. The Ducks completely flipped a switch over the weekend, utilizing a 7-0 run to seal a comeback victory against USC after trailing 70-64. Oregon will have another opportunity to play spoiler this week when it takes on Wisconsin at home.
Penn State – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Nittany Lions were on the wrong side of two blowouts this week. Penn State fell 85-72 to Rutgers at home in a somewhat surprising loss before going on the road to take on Nebraska. The Nittany Lions couldn’t keep that game within striking distance, losing 87-64 to the Cornhuskers. Penn State will have most of the week off before facing Iowa at home this weekend.
Maryland – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Terrapins have started to play much better basketball in February, and that trend continued this week. Maryland lost 78-74 to Northwestern on the road, but Andre Mills’ 39-point outing was another bright spot for the Terrapins despite the loss. The ‘Terps rebounded over the weekend by defeating Washington 64-60 at home.
Rutgers – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Scarlet Knights had a topsy-turvy week. Rutgers secured an 85-72 victory against Penn State on the road in its mid-week game, but then fell 80-61 on the road against Minnesota over the weekend. The Scarlet Knights will return home to face Washington before taking on Maryland on the road.
Ilia Malinin of Team USA performs during a Figure Skating Exhibition Gala on Feb. 21, 2026.
Jamie Squire/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Ilia Malinin made a fashion statement during his Olympic gala performance on Feb. 21
The 21-year-old Team USA figure skater wore designer denim for his triumphant return to the ice
His performance highlighted mental health awareness one week after his hopes of an individual gold medal fell short
Ilia Malinin defies gravity... and the limitations of denim!
Famously nicknamed the "Quad God," Malinin rocked a not-so-casual outfit despite what it might look like in his breathtaking return to the Olympic ice at the annual figure skating exhibition gala on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Malinin performed his signature quadruple axils and impressive flip on skates all while wearing $1,100 distressed Balmain black jeans paired with a gray oversized NF “Fear” hoodie, a nod to the song he chose for his memorable, emotionally-charged run.
Ilia Malinin performs during the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating exhibition gala.
Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty
The 21-year-old professional figure skater, who clearly blurred the line between sports and runway, delivered a powerful performance that placed emphasis on mental health awareness, previously sharing a statement about mental health with his routine.
The professional figure delivered a powerful performance set to "Fear" by NF, which he'd previously teased would be focused on mental health, one week after his hopes of an individual gold medal fell short.
Malinin said after his disappointing final skate on Feb. 13 that he’d been overcome with “negative thoughts” just before beginning his ice routine, which had made it hard for him to focus and ultimately landed him an eighth-place finish.
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Ilia Malinin of Team USA wows with a backflip in designer denim at the Olympic skating exhibition gala on Feb. 21, 2026.
Steve Christo/Getty
During his gala program, the athlete started by symbolically batting away the pings and comments in his music, which represented the negative impact of social media on his mental health. He appeared overcome with emotion afterwards as he soaked in the roaring applause of the crowd.
Malinin previously teased what fans could expect from his performance in an Instagram post on Monday, Feb. 16. "On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside,” he begin in his caption.
"Even the happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise," he continued to write. "Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure."
Ellie Kam, Danny O'Shea, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn of Team United States perform in the Team Event routine during a Figure Skating Exhibition Gala at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Maja Hitij/Getty
The gala is a post-competition tradition that features appearances by the athletes in all three completed figure skating events. Malinin, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, Mikhail Shaidorov and Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry all skated.
No judges are involved, nor are medals at stake — simple creativity and fun are encouraged in the programs. Malinin and his teammates also performed a group program together earlier in the night.
Malinin told PEOPLE a few days prior to the gala that he was leaving his Olympic experience with newfound wisdom, having gained more in defeat.
"I think honestly, you learn more from losing than you do winning, so I think I'm definitely gonna be able to learn a lot from this so I can come back better and stronger and really just know what I was up against," he said.
"It's one thing to experience the Olympics for the first time," he continued, "But it's another to go again and know what's gonna happen and really know how to prepare yourself better."
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 27: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s no secret that the Miami Dolphins want to move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Multiple reports from numerous publications have stated that Miami prefers to trade their former first-round pick — with the caveat that any possible trade would be difficult due to the amount of money owed to the 27 year-old.
If — and more likely, when — the Dolphins part ways with Tagovailoa, a massive hole will open in their quarterback room. Could that hole be filled by Green Bay Packers backup signal caller, Malik Willis?
According to those in the know, new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley would prefer Willis over other options available this offseason, as both spent time together in Green Bay over the past couple of seasons.
However, competition for Willis’ services may be stiff, as NFL.com recently ranked the former third-round pick as the most attractive free agent available this offseason for all positions.
Here’s what the author — Gregg Rosenthal — had to say about Willis’ talents in the article posted on Monday morning:
I see him as the most dynamic quarterback in football as a runner, and his tape in Green Bay showed incredible growth as a passer over his two years with Matt LaFleur. Despite his limited sample size, Willis jumped to the top spot of this ranking based on the same logic that applies to the NFL draft: If a potential franchise quarterback is good enough to be ranked in the top five of a list like this, then he should be placed first, by virtue of the position. The ceiling is the roof.
That’s high praise for the 26 year-old passer — but praise that could be shared by executives from other franchises around the league, which could cause the quarterback’s price-tag to skyrocket when it comes time to officially put pen to contract paper. With Miami short on cap space, that scenario could prove fatal to their chances of landing Willis — however, the team does have some options in regards to digging into the proverbial couch cushions.
The NFL Scouting Combine kicked off in Indianapolis, Indiana today, and as we know, plenty of rumors begin to swirl regarding trades, signings and draft selections during this time of year, so we will continue to keep our readers abreast of any rumblings concerning the Miami Dolphins as the week progresses.
Welcome back! It’s been a while since we last wrote on the top performers in High Score fantasy basketball. That’s because of the extended Week 17 spanning before and after the All-Star break. That gave some players the opportunity to play 5-6 games to try and reach an optimal score for your lineup.
Now, we head into the stretch run with only a few more matchups before the fantasy basketball playoffs begin (most commonly in Week 21 for Yahoo default leagues). Below we’re going over the perfect lineup for Week 17.
Week 17 High Score Perfect Lineup.
Taylor Wilhelm
More on the top performers
Cade Cunningham, guard: It still feels very odd that Cade isn’t getting more MVP hype this season. Sure, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder atop the NBA standings again as we head into the final few months of the regular season. But Cunningham has the Pistons well ahead of the rest of the East, 5.5 games clear of the Boston Celtics in second place in the conference. It took a 42-point performance vs. the Knicks at The Garden to get Cade the recognition he deserves when it comes to MVP talk.
Luka Dončić, guard: Luka has lost his MVP steam but still has a very good chance of winning the 2025-26 NBA scoring title, entering Week 18 averaging 32.8 points per game. Dončić scored 38 points with 6 rebounds and 11 assists in a three-point win over the Clippers this past weekend. He’s been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that held him out of three games prior to the break. Luckily, Dončić was able to get in a solid outing before the end of the elongated week.
Nikola Jokić, frontcourt: The Joker is back after looking not quite himself since returning from a knee injury at the end of January. The Nuggets big man gave us a stat line we grew accustomed to seeing earlier in the season, when he was by far the best fantasy asset. He scored 35 points with 20 boards, 12 assists and 5 stocks in a losing effort to a depleted Warriors team missing Stephen Curry. Joker hadn’t reached 90+ fantasy points in High Score since Christmas.
Victor Wembanyama, frontcourt: The Spurs have ripped off eight wins in a row as they close in on OKC at the top of the Western Conference. Wemby has been elevating his ceiling when he’s aggressive on offense. But we also see what the floor looks like; he’s had a few games under 40 fantasy points over the past month or so. Wemby put on a show during All-Star Weekend, and after, scored 28 points with 15 boards, 6 dimes and 5 stocks this past weekend in a win over the Kings.
Kawhi Leonard, frontcourt: It almost feels bad that this Kawhi season is going to be wasted on this Clipper steam. Los Angeles has no choice but to make the Play-In Tournament since OKC owns the team’s first-round pick, but it would be a long-shot for the Clips to make any noise in the postseason. So instead, we’ll just enjoy this renaissance season for Leonard, who is averaging just shy of 30 points per game in February. He’s slowly climbing the rankings in High Score and could be a league-winner down the stretch.
Paolo Banchero, utility: Banchero snuck his way onto this list with 26-14-8 with 4 blocks in a loss to the Suns. He’s been one of the more erratic assets in fantasy basketball this season given his struggles scoring the rock. Some nights you get Banchero who lands in the perfect lineup, though, it took two overtimes for the forward to get in past Tyrese Maxey’s score. The Magic have a brutal schedule this week with matchups vs. the Lakers, Rockets and Pistons.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing in his first NHL game, celebrates his second goal of the game against the Buffalo Sabres during a game on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Penguins skated a few days last week and have a few more days to get ready for the schedule to kick back up again starting Thursday for a home game against New Jersey.
There’s a new face back, Avery Hayes has returned to the NHL roster from the AHL after the break. Hayes scored six goals and added an assist in his five games back in the AHL during the break, including two hat trick games.
Forward Avery Hayes has been recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). pic.twitter.com/GvuSOSjBg9
There were some reports that the Pens were planning to bring Hayes back to the NHL even before Sidney Crosby’s injury and now the big elephant in the room will shift to the captain’s status.
Crosby won’t rejoin the team for a while longer, Team Canada was reportedly going to be flying back to Miami today (instead of the planned trip back to the NYC area, a trip scrapped due to the snowstorm impacting that part of the country).
It could be a while longer before any news comes out on that front, and as we all know NHL injury updates are typically vague and this situation seems right for a ’wait and see’ how the situation develops over the week. The Pens gave Erik Karlsson an extra day off yesterday when Rickard Rakell returned to practice. Karlsson skated again today for the first time with the team since his Olympic excursion.
Here’s how the team lined up today in their practice.
#LetsGoPens lines and D-pairs without Sidney Crosby, who has yet to rejoin the team.
A. Hayes-Rakell-Rust Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari (K. Hayes)
This isn’t the first time this season that the Pens have experimented with Rakell at center, he worked in the middle in the preseason before Bryan Rust’s injury shifted the team need over to the wing. Interestingly, Hayes had been skating as a placeholder on that first line, this move could be starting to chart a course forward if the Pens are going to have some games without Crosby available.
Otherwise the lines have remained with familiar players in what has become normal spots down the lineup.
One other area to watch is that of Letang, as of last week he hadn’t had final clearance to come back and play from his foot fracture but acknowledged that he’s trending towards returning to the lineup on Thursday when the team picks back up. Nothing so far has gone against that outlook, which would be an encouraging sign for the blueline.
The Seattle Seahawks have a lot of big decisions to make this offseason. One of the biggest won't be about Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Devon Witherspoon, but a pair of free agents.
While Seattle has $61 million in cap space, with so many free agents and the massive cap hits of Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon set to hit soon, the Seahawks need to be smart with their money. That makes for some tough decisions.
And as ESPN's Bill Barnwell identified, the Seahawks toughest decision this offseason might be whether to re-sign Kenneth Walker or Rashid Shaheed, with potentially only one returning this offseason.
Seahawks face tricky Kenneth Walker vs. Rashid Shaheed decision
"He (Shaheed) and Walker might end up in the same financial ballpark," Barnwell writes, "which could create a pick-one-or-the-other scenario for GM John Schneider."
Walker and Shaheed are both hitting free agency, and with both slated to earn around $10 million per season, with Shaheed more likely to earn a bit more than Walker, the Seahawks might be in a position to only bring back one or the other.
Thanks to their needs on the defensive side of the ball, and the massive extension on the horizon for Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks need to be careful with their spending.
Re-signing Shaheed would be smart, as he's one of the best returners in the NFL. He showed that skill set in the NFC Divisional round, kicking off the Seahawks' playoff run with an opening kick-return touchdown.
Re-signing Walker would also be a smart decision, as the fan favorite running back won Super Bowl MVP and put together a remarkable playoff run after Zach Charbonnet went down.
Even though both are players the Seahawks should try to re-sign, if Barnwell is right in that only one will return, this decision will be the toughest one for the Seahawks this offseason.
Walker vs. Shaheed is not an easy question. Both bring a lot to the table, but there are reasons to move on from both as well. While the Seahawks might find a way to bring both back, Barnwell believes that John Schneider will have to choose one or the other.
Ty Simpson is heading to Indianapolis this week for a crucial NFL Draft Combine.
The Alabama quarterback is viewed by most as the No. 2 QB in this draft class behind just Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, which makes this a pivotal Combine for Simpson.
Mendoza isn't throwing this week. He'll save that for his Pro Day.
"(Simpson) will participate in the throwing session and do practically everything else here as far as testing other than running a 40 (yard dash)," Pelissero said. "Big opportunity for Simpson to solidify himself as a first-round draft pick."
Given the importance of the quarterback position, and the assumption that Mendoza will go off the board with the first overall pick, Simpson has a big chance in front of him.
If he is indeed the QB2 in this class, and if he impresses at the Combine, he genuinely could get himself into the middle of the first round.
If he struggles, though, that might make it a quarterback wasteland and force teams to consider finding passers in other ways this offseason.
Simpson will have an extra level of focus on him because he was only Alabama's starter for one season. A number of single-season starters in recent memory have struggled to make impacts in the NFL.
Clearly, Simpson has NFL-level traits. But will the lack of experience cause struggles? NFL teams will be trying to read into his Combine performance to at least get some added perspective on that.
Simpson, to his credit, won't be hiding. He's going out there on the field to try and prove himself.
Swansea City have won 45 points to date and are placed in 15th position. Last time out, Vítor Matos's team triumphed 1-0 against Bristol City (EFL Championship 2025/26).
Preston North End have 48 points to their name this season and occupy 10th position in the table. Last time out, Paul Heckingbottom's team slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Preston North End winning 2-1.
‘I wish it wasn’t’ – Middlesbrough boss provides fitness update on midfielder
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg admitted he would play midfielder Riley McGree for the entirety of every game, if it were possible.
McGree has had a torrid time with injuries, and came back from his latest setback last month.
He has played a part in each of the four games since his return, registering two goals and two assists in that time.
“Riley, I would put up every game for 90 minutes if that was possible, but it’s not,” Hellberg said ahead of the game against Leicester City.
“Riley is brilliant, I would like to have three of Riley and then playing him all the time, but that’s not always possible.
“He’s coming back from injury which means that you have to manage it. That’s what it is. I wish it wasn’t, but it is what it is. You need to try, with players coming back from injury, to protect them a little bit from that.
“When players are coming back, and when you play games very close together, you need to try to manage them in the best way to get them up to that speed where they can start every game.”
All our matches for the month are over! Along with reaching the cup semi-finals, we had mixed fortunes after the winter break in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga with one win, one draw and one loss. We've now selected three of our lads who shone. As always, you will crown the best of the bunch.
These are our nominees for the February Player of the Month trophy:
Karim Konate
The Ivorian made his first domestic starts since his comeback and quickly rediscovered his old form. His winning goal in the cup quarter-final against WAC was followed by a strike in the 1-1 draw against GAK and a brace in the away win against LASK. The 21-year-old demonstrated that he is not only lightning fast, but also strong in the air.
Kerim Alajbegovic
From Karim to Kerim. The creative attacker had a wonderful end to to the month, having already gained three goal contributions in the two Europa League matches in January. His stunning goal to give us a 1-0 lead against LASK and a beautiful assist for Sota Kitano paved the way for our big win in the top-of-the-table clash.
Frans Krätzig
Our pillar on the left wing. The German not only shone defensively, but also recorded a total of three assists – one against GAK and two against LASK.
The Title Is Gone – Liverpool’s Real Fight Is for Champions League Football
Liverpool entered this season as defending Premier League champions and many observers genuinely believed that Arne Slot’s side could win it again, especially after the summer transfer window that they had.
Fast forward to mid-February 2026, and reality has hit the Reds square in the face. They won’t be retaining their top-flight title.
The Gap That Says It All
Still in sixth place despite Sunday’s dramatic win over Nottingham Forest, Liverpool trail league leaders Arsenal by 16 points, a chasm that no amount of wishful thinking can bridge. With 11 games to go, a recovery might be mathematically possible, but realistically that’s never happening. It just isn’t.
At this point, the title race is a two-horse contest between Arsenal and Manchester City, and bookmakers agree. The Gunners are priced as short as 4/11 to lift the trophy, with Pep Guardiola’s side available at 2/1. For the full picture on who’s expected to win it and at what prices, the Premier League winner odds page on Transfermarkt gives a sharp overview of where the market stands.
As for Liverpool? They are sitting at 80/1 or longer at most bookmakers, a price that tells you everything about their title prospects this season.
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
What Liverpool Are Actually Fighting For
Not only will Liverpool not win the title this season, they also mightn’t qualify for the Champions League.
As of Monday morning, they sit level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United in fourth and fifth respectively. Fifth place might clinch Champions League football again for next term, so it gives the Reds more hope, and Gary Lineker has backed them to just about make it.
Arne Slot has said himself that failing to qualify for the competition would be unacceptable, but he seems confident that his job will still be safe even if they miss out. The jury remains out on that.
If Liverpool miss out on qualification via domestic standings, their last resort would be to win this season’s Champions League to make it into the 2026/27 tournament. That’s not impossible for a team of the Reds’ stature and quality, but it is a tall order.
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Why This Season Went Wrong
Numerous injuries to key players have hollowed out Liverpool’s campaign. The absences of Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley at various points have disrupted rhythm and weakened squad depth. The Reds have also conceded four 90th-minute winners in the league this season – a grim record that reflects a side lacking the resilience that true title contenders possess.
Despite recent improvement, Slot’s team have still won just three out of nine Premier League games so far in 2026. That win rate cannot continue if Champions League football remains the objective.
Objectives Revised, Motivation Intact
Liverpool’s story this season is no longer about the title. It is now about salvaging something meaningful from a campaign that promised so much in the league. The gap towards Arsenal and Man City is too wide to close, but finishing in the top four is a realistic objective.
Thirty-three points to play for across 11 more league games. That is the main mission for the Reds in the final stretch of 2025/26, and Champions League qualification is simply non-negotiable.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A fan reacts in the second half between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Some fans choose their team, and some fans are chosen by their team. Which was it for you? Today, we want to hear your story from you: How you became a fan of the Arizona Cardinals.
When did you first become a fan? Were you born into it? Was there a specific game or season that pulled you in? What’s the earliest moment you remember as a fan?
For me, I have told the story quite often, but my dad was born and raised in Arizona, so when they got an NFL team for the first time when I was just three, he was immediately a fan.
He hated the Cowboys even growing up here and getting the games every week, but as soon as the Cardinals were in Arizona, it was all Cardinals.
What a curse it has been, but the suffering makes you stronger as a fan.
Hull City have picked up 54 points and currently lie in 5th position. In their last fixture, Sergej Jakirovic's team suffered a 1-3 reverse against QPR (EFL Championship 2025/26).
Derby County have won 48 points to date and are placed in 8th position. In their last encounter, John Eustace's team were beaten 2-0 by Watford (EFL Championship 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Derby County winning 2-1.
Jack Draper’s long absence from the ATP Tour is set to end on Monday when he competes at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
For the majority of 2025, Draper was nursing a left arm injury, which resulted in him playing just one ATP match after the Wimbledon Championships.
Draper made his return to competitive play earlier this month, helping Great Britain advance at the Davis Cup.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITF
He then withdrew from the Rotterdam Open, raising further concerns about the status of his arm.
However, he is finally set to end his long absence from the Tour when he plays Quentin Halys in Dubai.
Ahead of the event in the UAE, Draper was asked to name his best friends on the Tour.
Jack Draper’s five best friends on the ATP Tour
In a video with the Dubai Tennis Championships, Draper identified three British players as his best friends on the Tour.
The British number one chose doubles star Lloyd Glasspool, British number three Jacob Fearnley and youngster Jack Pinnington Jones, who recently made his first ATP Tour quarter-final at the Dallas Open.
Draper also named two more best friends who hail from locations outside the UK: Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
Other notable ATP stars also revealed their best friends on the Tour.
Hubert Hurkacz chose Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov, while Felix Auger-Aliassime highlighted Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau.
Stan Wawrinka named Gael Monfils as his best friend, while Daniil Medvedev selected Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev.
Rublev chose Medvedev, Khachanov, Alexander Zverev, Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz. Khachanov chose Rublev, Medvedev and Alexander Bublik.
Jannik Sinner said Jack Draper is one of his best friends on Tour
Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of his participation in the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Sinner told reporters in London: “You’re lucky to have a player like him [Draper].
Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images
“After Andy [Murray], they need someone big. He [Draper] is someone big, and he’s someone who is going to stay there for a very, very long time.
“One of the best friends I have on the tour. We are quite similar in the way we make a lot of sacrifices to be the best we can.
“He came also, when I was banned. He came to Monaco to practise there, and everything was great. But now things are … are a bit different, because, you know, he’s No 4 in the world.”
They clearly aren't looking to rock the boat too much after their improbable Super Bowl run last season. Against all odds, the Mike Vrabel-led Patriots swung for the fences and nearly hit a home run. A few tweaks at the plate could be all that's needed to get the ball over the fence next season.
That could involve upgrading the talent in specific areas on the roster. However, their ability to do so effectively could force the team to make cuts in other areas. It's a great balancing act that every team must go through every offseason.
The business side of football is very real and ever-present, regardless of the tight-knit relationships built behind closed doors. Here are five Patriots players who could make surprise exits from the team in the 2026 offseason:
WR Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs was everything the Patriots hoped he would be during the regular season. He was a strong locker room leader, and he delivered epic pre-game speeches that turned into year-long phrases that the entire New England fan base got behind.
"We're all we got. We're all we need."
That was Diggs.
The former four-time Pro Bowler became the first wide receiver for the Patriots to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards since Julian Edelman. But he only had 14 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown in total throughout all four of the team's playoff games. Plus, he will have the second-biggest salary cap hit this offseason ($26.5 million) at 32 years old.
The first order of business should be the Patriots approaching Diggs for a potential pay cut. If that plan goes sideways, it could create a situation where the team looks for a way out.
EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson
Every team in the NFL is always looking for the next great pass-rusher. K'Lavon Chaisson is a former first-round draft pick who managed to turn his career around in the one season that he spent in New England. He overtook Keion White as a starter and cashed in on 7.5 sacks. That effort continued in the playoffs with the 26-year-old defender racking up three sacks, one pass deflection and a forced fumble.
The Patriots would probably love to have Chaisson back at the right price, but they could run into trouble with him hitting the open market, where other teams might be willing to overpay for pass-rushing help. It's important to keep in mind that Chaisson was a perceived first-round bust before arriving in New England, and he worked hard to create an opportunity to maximize his value in free agency.
He has earned the right to take the biggest offer he can get on the open market.
RB Antonio Gibson
Antonio Gibson was a solid contributor on offense and special teams for the Patriots before going down with a torn ACL in Week 5 last season. Heading into 2026, he would likely be the No. 3 running back option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Couple that with the questions surrounding his recovery timetable, and it might make more sense for the Patriots to move on in the offseason. There might also be more competition to keep an eye on in 2026. Lan Larison, the undrafted rookie from last season, was a promising prospect that the team loved before his season-ending injury during the preseason.
LB Harold Landry III
Harold Landry III had an underwhelming season for the Patriots, but he was clearly hobbled by a knee injury, which he hinted at undergoing offseason surgery to repair. He still led the team with 8.5 sacks, and there is hope that he will be more productive when healthy.
With that said, a premature break-up means the Patriots could be eyeing $19 million in dead cap, which might be enough to keep them from pulling the trigger on such a move.
DT Christian Barmore
The thinking here is that the Patriots should keep Christian Barmore and Milton Williams as a defensive tackle tandem. If the team managed to do that, while also trading for a No. 1 edge rusher, like Las Vegas Raiders' two-time All-Pro defender Maxx Crosby, it would take the defense to a whole other level.
With that said, Williams is the foundational piece with legitimate superstar potential along the defensive front. The team could consider moving on from Barmore to help out in other areas of the roster.
Cory Durden was a surprisingly solid rotational piece last season, and Khyiris Tonga, who is a pending free agent, showed why he is highly underrated. The Patriots also have hope that last year's rookie fourth-round draft pick, Joshua Farmer, will develop into a more consistent contributor in Year 2.
The U.S. men's Olympic hockey team captured its first gold medal since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" on Sunday, and the team was already planning for its formal celebration at the White House minutes later.
But the logistics may be more complicated than the team would have thought in the moment.
In a call with Donald Trump, the U.S. president congratulated the players on the historic gold medal as FBI director Kash Patel held his phone on speaker. Trump then invited the team to the White House for Tuesday's State of the Union and made a condescending remark about the gold medal-winning women's hockey team.
Yet, at the time, Team USA was all about taking Trump up on the invitation. The team was scheduled to fly from Italy to Miami and then join their respective NHL clubs as the season restarts on Wednesday.
That's where the State of the Union appearance could run into complications.
You can hear the genuine pride in Donald Trumps voice when he called the Team USA Hockey Team pic.twitter.com/ch6GbXShwh
On Wednesday, the NHL has eight games on the schedule, making for a super quick restart from the Olympic break. And when it comes to Team USA, 12 players on the 25-man roster are going to be playing in those Wednesday games. That includes U.S. captain Auston Matthews, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (who is scheduled to be in Vancouver) and game-winning hero Jack Hughes.
According to The Athletic, it will be up to the individual clubs to excuse players to attend the State of the Union. But the league won't stop any player that chooses to do so. Via The Athletic:
U.S. team GM Bill Guerin, also GM of the Wild, told The Athletic via text that he’s fine with Wild players Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber going to the State of Union and White House if they want to, and he’s not sure what other teams will decide. The Wild resume the season Thursday night at Colorado.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic that players can decide on an individual basis if they want accept the invitation and then it’ll be up to their individual teams whether or not to grant permission.
Now, that would also be more straightforward if the Northeast wasn't getting hammered by a blizzard. The last thing a team would want is to excuse a key player for one game and have it end up turning into a multi-game absence.
We'll see if any players take Trump up on the offer, but the actual reality of the invite will be far more complicated.
Major issues are arising in Mexico just months before the country is slated to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and soccer fans around the world are massively concerned.
In recent days, a Mexico cartel battle has ensued after a powerful drug kingpin was killed during a military operation. As a result, many news organizations have reported that the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes aka ‘El Mencho’ has caused a significant rise in violence.
That’s included members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) taking over public transportation and other local businesses in over 20 Mexican states. This comes just four months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup returns to North America.
BREAKING: People across the world are in fear for their lives after social media users mentioned that the FIFA World Cup is taking place in Mexico in 4 months and the nation is currently being dominated by Cartel opposition. pic.twitter.com/FRReFhffqi
While the bulk of the World Cup matches will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada each have responsibilities to present games as well.
However, given the current state of the Mexican cartel war there are growing concerns from soccer fans. Those that have already purchased tickets certainly have reservations about safety at the event.
Mexico’s top soccer league, Liga MX, postponed several high-profile matches due to tension in the country. Meanwhile, there’s no timetable for when teams could return to the pitch in cities affected by the violence.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and USA President Donald Trump arrive ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw.. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Ernst-Reuters via Imagn Images
The Mexican national team is slated to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the group stage begins in June. Mexico will take on South Africa, South Korea and an undetermined opponent in the first round of the competition.
Chad Mendes has withdrawn from Real American Freestyle (RAF) 06 due to injury.
Stepping up on short notice to replace “Money” is former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who collides with ex-UFC lightweight titleholder Benson Henderson on Sat. night (Feb. 28) at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
The card streams live on FOX Nation.
Chad Mendes is out.
Aljamain Sterling will take on Benson Henderson at RAF06.
As far as their wrestling credentials, Sterling was a two-time Division III All American (2010-11) while Henderson was a two-time NAIA All American (2005-06).
An emotional Lindsey Vonn shared on Instagram on Monday that she could have lost her left leg following her crash in the Winter Olympics.
Vonn revealed that the trauma from the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg. Compartment syndrome is a condition caused by the building of high pressure within enclosed muscle compartments, which can restrict blood flow and damage nerves and muscles.
The 41-year-old alpine skier expressed her appreciation for Dr. Tom Hackett.
"Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg," Vonn said. "He saved me."
She also said that Dr.Hackett would not have been there to save her leg if she had not torn her ACL in the World Cup downhill race. Vonn also broke her ankle in the crash. She said she has transitioned from lying in a hospital bed, almost completely immobile, to moving to a hotel. The next steps in her rehab are going home and progressing from being in a wheelchair to using crutches.
Despite the outcome, she still has no regrets. For her, the hard work was worth it. After retiring in 2019 after dealing with severe injuries, Vonn would make a comeback in Dec. 2024 after a successful knee replacement.
Driven by watching the younger skiers compete in 2022, Vonn would begin her quest to compete in the Winter Olympics, 16 years after she won gold in the downhill and bronze in the super-G at the 2010 Games.
"I'd rather go down swinging than not try at all," Vonn said. "I think what I was able to achieve was more than anyone expected to begin with."
Despite being sidelined, she was fully supportive of her teammates.
"It is not the way I wanted to end it but it has been inspiring to watch my teammates," Vonn said.
Lindsey Vonn is expressing her gratitude amid adversity.
The professional skier, 41, revealed on Monday, Feb. 23 that she nearly lost her left leg following her crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics earlier this month.
In an Instagram update, Vonn shared that the trauma from the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg, and that her leg nearly had to be amputated.
"After two weeks, I finally made it out of the hospital. It has been quite the journey and by far the most extreme and painful and challenging injury I've ever faced in my entire life times one hundred. I'll give you the full rundown," she began in a lengthy video update.
She continued, "Basically I had a complex tibia fracture... everything was in pieces."
Vonn added that she suffered compartment syndrome, where "too much blood" in one area of her leg "crushed" everything including her "muscles, nerves and tendons."
Compartment syndrome is a painful buildup of pressure around your muscles that restricts the flow of blood, fresh oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and nerves, according to Cleveland Clinic, The medical condition is extremely painful, Vonn said in her video.
Vonn went on to praise her longtime doctor Tom Hackett, and credited him for the reason why she still has both of her limbs today.
"Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg. He saved my leg from being amputated," she said, as she became emotional. "He did what's called a fasciotomy, where he cut open both sides of my leg and kind of filleted it open... let it breath and, um, he saved me."
On Feb. 8, amid her Olympics comeback, Vonn fractured her tibia after clipping a gate and sailing off course just 13 seconds into her run in the women's downhill.
In her video, Vonn shared that she will also be in a wheelchair for the next two months, because she also broke her right ankle in the crash.
Prior to her crash at the Olympics, Vonn tore her ACL on Jan. 30 at a World Cup race in Switzerland.
Despite the unfortunate event, the professional athlete looked at it as a sign, because Hackett was present when her latest injury took place.
Lindsay Vonn returns home after Olympics crash.
Lindsey Vonn/Instagram
"I always talk about everything happens for a reason, but if I wouldn't have torn my ACL... Tom wouldn't have been there," she says in the video. "He wouldn't have been able to save my leg. So I feel very lucky and grateful for him.
Vonn noted the surgery took six hours on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to rebuild, said it went "amazingly well" but was still in the hospital longer than she had expected.
"I had low hemoglobin from the blood loss of all the surgeries," she shared of her extended stay. "I was really struggling, pain was a bit out of control. I had to have a blood transfusion, and that helped me a lot. I turned the corner and now I am out."
Lindsey Vonn from the United States after crashing during the women's alpine skiing downhill on Jan. 30, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Thibault de Rivaz/Shutterstock
She added, "I'm going to get right to work on rehab and see what I can do and take it one step at a time like I alway do I can't tell you how painful it's been. It's been really hard and definitely not the way I wanted to end my Olympics."
The three-time Olympic medalist added that it's been "really inspiring" to watch her teammates "dominate" the Winter Games for Team USA. She said it's been "uplifting" while expressing how proud she is of them.
Lindsey Vonn at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Mattia Ozbot/Getty
The optimistic Vonn ended her video update with reassurance that she's going to be okay amid her long road to recovery, although it's difficult to face right now.
"It's going to be a long road, but I alway fight. I'll keep going. No regrets," she said. "I just appreciate all the love and support. It's been amazing. Overwhelming to an extent. I wish it had ended differently, really, but I'd rather go down swinging than not trying at all."
Who should be the Ponce Law Boys Athlete of the Week? You get to decide.
Vote in our poll below. Voting closes Feb. 26 at noon.
Landon Lester, Battle Creek: Lester had 18 points, six rebounds and two steals in a 65-59 defeat to Montgomery Central.
Reed Loefell, Brentwood: Loefell upset top-seeded Tristan Collier from Green Hill, 9-1, in the Class AA 138-pound state final at the TSSAA wrestling state championship.
Braylon Marshall, Macon County: Marshall led Macon County with 24 points, including one 3-pointer.
Brodie Melzoni, Nolensville: Melzoni won his second consecutive TSSAA wrestling state championship with a 4-1 win in the boys Class AA 175-pound final over Knoxville Halls’ Barrett Whaley.
Owen Looney, Page: Looney scored 19 points with five 3-pointers in a 73-66 overtime win over Summit.
JD Longley, Ravenwood: Longley won the 144-pound TSSAA wrestling state title with a 4-1 decision over Blackman's Landon McLean.
Zachery Little, Summit: Little won his second straight Class AA wrestling state title, claiming 5-3 decision over Kirkwood’s Luke Louzenksy at 157 pounds.
Nate Graham, Station Camp: Graham won his second straight wrestling state title, pinning Soddy Daisy’s Luke Myhan in 1:00 at 113 pounds in Class A.
Gage Gibbs, Trousdale County: Gibbs led all scorers with 40 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over Knowledge Academies.
Lukas Price, Tullahoma: Price added 15 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in a 72-54 win over Lawrence County.
Jeffrey Whittaker, White House Heritage: Whittaker led the Patriots with 25 points in a win over KIPP Nashville.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
Former USC star wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane did not hold back when calling out a three-star recruit on social media on Monday. Lane accused three-star recruit Brawley Tuitupou of stealing his cleats and other Trojans’ gear from the USC locker room while on a visit with the program.
Lane posted a photo, which seemed to be originally taken by Tuitupou five weeks ago, of a collection of USC gear that was allegedly stolen from the locker room. The photo included eight pairs of receiver gloves, three pairs of cleats, four towels, a USC jacket and shorts.
“This kid stole my cleats and a bunch of stuff from the sc locker room. All yall kids out there just know this is simply unacceptable,” Lane wrote on social media.
This kid stole my cleats and a bunch of stuff from the sc locker room. All yall kids out there just know this is simply unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/RW0FFEw8rU
It is possible that USC gifted Tuitupou some gear during his visit. Some recruits even have full photoshoots in the program’s uniform. However, the amount of gear Tuitupou had collected along with Lane’s accusations make the Tuitupou seem more suspicious.
Who Is Tuitupou?
Tuitupou is a junior receiver and safety at Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah and stands at 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds. He has 25 scholarship offers, according to his 247Sports profile.
USC is not one of the 25 programs that have offered Tuitupou a scholarship. Lane’s recent accusations could influence whether the Trojans decide to extend an offer to Tuitupou.
Among the 25 teams that have offered Tuitupou a scholarship are College Football Playoff semifinalist Ole Miss and four Big Ten conference teams: Penn State, Maryland, Iowa and Purdue.
What’s Next For Lane?
Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (8) participates in pregame warmups against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Regardless of if Lane’s accusations impact USC’s recruiting of Tuitupou, the pair will not play together at USC.
Lane declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and will participate in the NFL Combine. While former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon is a clear first-round pick, Lane is projected to be drafted around the second or third round. His performance at the combine will influence which team decides to pick him up for next season.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — The field for the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches received a major blow at the start of the week when its two highest ranked players withdrew on Monday.
Jupiter's Ben Griffin, ranked No. 11, and Jacob Bridgeman, who surged to No. 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Genesis Invitational, have opted out of the tournament that starts Feb. 26 at PGA National.
The field now includes just one top 30 player in the rankings, No. 26 Ryan Gerard. Already suffering because it follows the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational and comes before the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, the Cognizant field will include eight of the world's top 50.
That, though, does not include Jupiter's Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott, Billy Horschel and Delray Beach's Gary Woodland. They are all popular figures on the Tour who are not in the top 50.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — The field for the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches received a major blow at the start of the week when its two highest ranked players withdrew on Monday.
Jupiter's Ben Griffin, ranked No. 11, and Jacob Bridgeman, who surged to No. 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Genesis Invitational, have opted out of the tournament that starts Feb. 26 at PGA National.
The field now includes just one top 30 player in the rankings, No. 26 Ryan Gerard. Already suffering because it follows the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational and comes before the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, the Cognizant field will include eight of the world's top 50.
That, though, does not include Jupiter's Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott, Billy Horschel and Delray Beach's Gary Woodland. They are all popular figures on the Tour who are not in the top 50.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
⚠️Bad news for Celta: Pablo Durán’s injury confirmed
RC Celta de Vigo has confirmed a new setback in their squad after the extent of the injury suffered by Pablo Durán became known. The forward, who had been gaining prominence in the team's setup, will have to take a forced break in his progression due to a physical mishap suffered in recent training sessions.
Diagnosis and Recovery Timeline
After medical tests conducted by the club's health services, it has been diagnosed that Durán suffers from a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his knee, accompanied by a bone bruise. Although the initial diagnosis caused some alarm, the mild nature of the injury allows for optimism regarding the timeline.
The Galician player will be out for approximately two weeks, which will force him to miss the upcoming league matches. He is expected to begin his rehabilitation process immediately to rejoin the group as soon as possible.
The Detroit Lions are still searching for clarity behind Jared Goff, and one growing idea around the league suggests the answer may not come from the draft at all.
According to Mike Payton of A to Z Sports, the Lions should seriously consider trading for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, a move Payton describes as both low risk and high reward for a team firmly in its Super Bowl window.
Why the timing suddenly makes sense
The Lions entered the 2026 offseason without a long-term backup quarterback plan. While the initial thought was to look toward the draft, that path has become far less appealing.
Several of the top quarterback prospects elected to return to college, and the remaining options are either older or viewed as developmental projects. For a Lions team that wants optionality, not a forced decision, this is a problem.
That’s where Richardson enters the conversation.
The Lions as a reset destination
Richardson, the former fourth overall pick, is still just 23 years old, yet already labeled by some as a disappointment due to inconsistent development in Indianapolis. Payton argues that label says more about the situation than the player.
Recent NFL history has shown that quarterbacks often thrive only after landing in the right environment. Jared Goff himself is the Lions’ best example. Other recent turnarounds: Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Mac Jones, and Malik Willis reinforce the same lesson.
Detroit offers something Indianapolis never truly committed to: patience and infrastructure.
A quarterback-friendly ecosystem
If Richardson were traded to Detroit, he wouldn’t be asked to save the franchise. He’d be asked to learn.
The Lions have quietly assembled one of the league’s most experienced quarterback development environments, including:
Dan Campbell, a former NFL tight end with a strong player-first approach
Drew Petzing, a former quarterbacks coach
Mike Kafka, a former NFL quarterback and longtime QB developer
Mark Brunell, a Pro Bowl quarterback who helped revive Goff’s career
Marques Tuiasosopo and Bruce Gradkowski, both former NFL quarterbacks
Jared Goff, a proven veteran who understands quarterback reinvention firsthand
That collective experience gives Richardson something few young quarterbacks ever receive: multiple perspectives with proof of concept.
The cost makes it even more appealing
Perhaps the strongest argument in Payton’s favor is the price tag.
Rather than investing premium draft capital in a quarterback who may never see the field, the Lions could reportedly acquire Richardson for as little as a 2026 sixth-round pick. That kind of move protects Detroit from downside while preserving flexibility.
If Richardson develops, the Lions may have found their quarterback of the future without sacrificing premium assets. If he doesn’t, the cost is negligible.
Why Detroit should take the swing
The Lions are no longer rebuilding. They’re refining.
A move like this wouldn’t signal panic, it would signal foresight. Detroit can afford to take calculated bets, especially when the reward could be significant and the risk minimal.
As Payton suggests, if Anthony Richardson can’t succeed in Detroit’s quarterback-friendly environment, it likely won’t be because the Lions failed to give him every possible chance.
Inter boss Cristian Chivu sparks heated exchange with Norwegian journalist ahead of Bodo/Glimt match
Inter manager Cristian Chivu brushes aside tensions with a Norwegian journalist in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s Champions League playoff clash against Bodo/Glimt.
Speaking to the media (via La Gazzetta dello Sport), Chivu clashed with a Norwegian journalist in the conference room when he asked the Inter boss how “shameful” it would be for them to exit the Champions League against a side with much less support and financial backing. The Nerazzurri boss exploded after the question as he said: “Oh, you say that and laugh? Congratulations… There’s nothing shameful in football. We must respect our opponents, since you don’t respect us by saying it would be a disgrace for us… We, on the other hand, respect and congratulate Bodo, who won in Madrid where we failed.”
This incident raised tensions before the match, in which Inter are handed the task to overturn a two-goal deficit after losing 3-1 in the first leg in Norway. Otherwise, Chivu remained confident of snatching a win as he claimed his side stands ready in all aspects to win the match on penalties if needed.
The Nerazzurri responded to the Champions League loss with a 2-0 victory over Lecce in the Serie A that extended their lead at the top by ten points.
ASML aims to reduce chipmaking costs by boosting its EUV power ASML has confirmed that they have found a way to make its EUV lithography machines faster. With a new high-power EUV light source, ASML aims to boost the chipmaking productivity of its machines by 50% by 2030. ASML hopes that this tech will lower […]
Ashes of the Singularity II now has a free demo on Steam Until March 2nd, PC gamers will be able to play a free demo version of Ashes of the Singularity II on Steam. This demo arrives as part of Steam Next Fest, and gives gamers a chance to play Oxide Games’ newest RTS ahead […]
Blizzard Entertainment has released the final, definitive public release and early access dates for World of Warcraft's upcoming Midnight expansion, and we have curated them so you won't miss out on the launch.
ASML says it has boosted the light source power in its EUV lithography systems to 1,000 watts, up from roughly 600 W today. According to a Reuters report, the company claims the increase could enable up to 50% more chip output by the end of the decade. More source power translates directly into higher throughput. ASML says customers could process around 330 wafers per hour by 2030, compared to about 220 wafers per hour today, lowering the cost per chip. EUV light at a 13.5 nm wavelength is generated by firing a CO₂ laser at microscopic droplets of molten tin, creating plasma that emits EUV radiation. The light is then collected and directed through precision optics supplied by Carl Zeiss AG. To reach 1,000 W, ASML doubled the droplet rate to roughly 100,000 per second and shifted to a two-pulse laser shaping approach instead of a single pulse. The company says there is a path toward 1,500 W and potentially even 2,000 W over time.
ASML is the only supplier of commercial EUV scanners, used by major chipmakers including TSMC, SK Hynix, and Intel. The tools are considered critical to advanced node production and have been subject to export restrictions to China. The move is aimed at maintaining ASML's lead as U.S. companies, such as Pat Gelsinger's xLight EUV startup and Chinese efforts to develop competing lithography systems continue to ramp. Chinese companies have reportedly been sourcing parts from older ASML machines through secondary markets. Huawei is leading the charge, working to build a homegrown AI supply chain as a way around foreign tech restrictions. The company set up a large semiconductor manufacturing facility in Guanlan focused on 7 nm chips for its own processors. The Chinese government had initially aimed to have a working prototype from this effort by 2028.
Sam Altman dismisses viral claims about ChatGPT’s water use — but the bigger question of AI’s growing energy and environmental impact remains unresolved.
The Swedish VPN firm says attempts to raise awareness against mass surveillance with its "And Then?" campaign are getting halted in the UK. Here's all we know.
Spotify continues to test its AI-powered “Prompted Playlist” feature, now rolling out the tool to Premium subscribers in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and Sweden.
Finnish unicorn IQM plans to go public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) valuing the company at approximately $1.8 billion — joining the growing cohort of quantum computing companies listed on U.S. stock markets.
Chinese hackers allegedly broke into the network of an Ivanti subsidiary in 2021. The hackers exploited a backdoor in its VPN product, which allowed the hackers to gain access to 119 other unnamed organizations.
In sharing the story, Redditor cgtechuk said he was running out of space after upgrading to four 16TB drives purchased from Amazon UK in 2020. Unfortunately, the 28TB replacement drives he had been eyeing were skyrocketing in price locally. Having previously purchased hardware in the US before, he decided to...
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LOT Polish Airlines reports a record year in 2025, carrying more than 11.7 million passengers, up 9.4 percent year over year, while ordering 55 new aircraft and securing options for 44 more as part of […]
Boeing and Vietnam Airlines have announced that the Vietnamese flag carrier finalised its first Boeing single-aisle order for 50 737 MAX airplanes. The addition of the 737-8 will enable Vietnam Airlines’ domestic and regional route […]
A new Fairfield by Marriott hotel is under development next to the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire, bringing 142 bedrooms within walking distance of one of the UK’s leading conference and visitor venues. The project […]
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A powerful winter storm dumps heavy snow across the northeastern United States on Monday, with some cities reporting more than 2 feet of accumulation, shutting down airports, halting rail services, and prompting widespread road closures […]
Ridgecrest Unites Big Pine, Tehachapi, Santa Barbara, Blythe, San Jose, And Los Angeles, Forget The Modern World And Travel To These Insane Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Hidden Kingdoms That Are Actually Hiding In Plain Sight Across California. California is often celebrated for its modern cities, sprawling coastlines, and cutting-edge technology. But beneath the surface of this bustling state lies an incredible secret, hidden kingdoms that have been around for thousands of years. From the mystic Coso Rock Art in Ridgecrest to the ancient Bristlecone Pines of Big Pine, California is a treasure trove of historical wonders that still remain largely unexplored by the masses.
Forget the fast-paced world we live in, where skyscrapers and highways dominate the landscape. Instead, immerse yourself in the untouched beauty and history of California’s ancient landmarks. These incredible sites—from Tehachapi’s ancient village remnants to the striking geoglyphs of Blythe—offer a rare opportunity to travel back in time, connecting us to civilizations and cultures that existed 10,000 years ago. Santa Barbara’s Chumash Painted Cave and San Jose’s Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum present another fascinating layer, where ancient art and artifacts tell stories of the past that still resonate today.
These insane hidden kingdoms, rich in history, are waiting to be explored, and they’re right in front of us, hiding in plain sight. Ridgecrest ties these magnificent sites together, serving as the gateway to an unforgettable journey through California’s ancient past. Whether you’re an avid history enthusiast, a student of archaeology, or simply someone with a curiosity to explore, these hidden kingdoms offer something truly extraordinary—an adventure that blends the ancient and the modern, making it a must-visit in 2026.
Los Angeles: The Ice Age Urban Wonder
Los Angeles, one of the world’s most renowned urban hubs, pulsates with the vibrancy of modern life, offering everything from high-end shopping districts to entertainment empires. However, buried beneath this metropolis lies a remarkable and unexpected treasure: the La Brea Tar Pits. Located in the heart of the city’s Miracle Mile district, this extraordinary site offers a fascinating glimpse into the Pleistocene epoch, a time when the region was home to towering mammoths, sabre-toothed cats, and dire wolves.
The La Brea Tar Pits are the only active Ice Age excavation site in the world, making them a truly unique attraction for both history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike. These tar pits, which have been excavated for over a century, serve as natural traps that preserved the bones of numerous extinct creatures. The site continues to be a centre of ongoing excavation, with Project 23, a current excavation effort, unearthing fossils that date back between 11,000 and 50,000 years. These discoveries provide rare insights into the Ice Age and offer a vivid picture of the creatures that once roamed this region.
Visitors to the La Brea Tar Pits have the opportunity to witness paleontologists at work. The Excavator Tour is a guided behind-the-scenes experience, where you can visit active dig sites and learn firsthand how these fossils are uncovered and preserved. The museum located alongside the pits showcases some of the remarkable discoveries, including mammoth bones, the skull of a saber-toothed cat, and the fossils of dire wolves. This combination of scientific discovery and cultural history makes the La Brea Tar Pits an essential experience for anyone visiting Los Angeles, bridging the gap between a bustling modern city and the ancient creatures that once roamed its land.
San Jose: The Global Antiquity Collection
Known globally as the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose is the epicentre of technological innovation and modernity. Yet, just a short distance from this hub of cutting-edge progress lies a window into the ancient past. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose is a treasure trove of antiquities, housing the largest collection of authentic Egyptian artifacts on the West Coast.
The museum offers an immersive experience that transports visitors to the world of ancient Egypt. With its Tomb Tour, the museum features a full-size composite replica of a rock-cut tomb based on those found at Beni Hasan. This detailed reconstruction allows visitors to step into the time of the pharaohs and explore the burial practices and spiritual beliefs that governed Egyptian society over 4,000 years ago.
The collection spans millennia, showcasing intricately designed artifacts, statues, mummies, and everyday items used in ancient rituals and daily life. The museum offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with one of the most advanced and captivating civilizations in history, and with Silicon Valley only a stone’s throw away, this site perfectly blends ancient heritage with modern innovation, providing a unique cultural experience for both history buffs and tech enthusiasts.
Blythe: The Earth-Drawing Geoglyphs
The Blythe Intaglios, a set of massive geoglyphs etched into the desert floor near Blythe, California, are one of the state’s most intriguing archaeological wonders. Stretching across the vast desert landscape, these geoglyphs—some of the largest in North America—are often compared to the famous Nazca Lines of Peru due to their scale and mysterious nature. Unlike the Nazca Lines, however, the Blythe Intaglios are accessible on foot, allowing visitors to explore the figures and their surrounding desert environment up close.
The Blythe Intaglios were created by the Mohave and Quechan peoples between 450 and 2,000 years ago, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ancient cultures of the region. The geoglyphs depict human figures and animals, some of which stretch over 100 feet in length. The figures were created by scraping away the dark desert pavement to reveal the lighter soil beneath, a technique that still leaves these ancient symbols visible today.
These sacred earth drawings offer a window into the spiritual and cultural practices of the Mohave and Quechan peoples, symbolising their deep connection to the land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) protects the site, and visitors can explore the geoglyphs via self-guided walking tours. The Blythe Intaglios are a rare and striking example of pre-Columbian art that provides a unique and personal connection to the region’s indigenous cultures.
Santa Barbara: The Painted Caves
Nestled in the rugged mountains above Santa Barbara, the Chumash Painted Cave houses some of the finest prehistoric rock art in North America. The cave is adorned with vibrant pictographs created by the Chumash people, who lived in the region for thousands of years. These rock paintings, which depict celestial bodies, animals, and abstract symbols, provide a glimpse into the spiritual beliefs and worldview of the Chumash, who had a complex and sophisticated culture.
The Chumash Painted Cave offers visitors a rare opportunity to view this ancient artwork up close, though it is protected by a grate to ensure its preservation. The cave is part of the Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, and interpretive signage around the site helps visitors understand the cultural and spiritual significance of the symbols. The Chumash were known for their intricate understanding of the stars, their deep connection to nature, and their spiritual practices, all of which are reflected in the artwork found in the cave.
The Chumash Painted Cave is an essential stop for anyone interested in prehistoric art and the cultures of California’s indigenous peoples. Its accessibility and preservation highlight the importance of maintaining these cultural sites for future generations to appreciate.
Tehachapi: The Lost Village of Tomo-Kahni
In the mountains of Kern County, the Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park preserves the remains of an ancient village once inhabited by the Kawaiisu (Nuwa) people. This seasonal village, rich in archaeological features such as bedrock mortars and pictographs, offers a rare look into the lives of California’s indigenous peoples. The site was once used by the Kawaiisu for processing acorns, a staple of their diet, and its features provide a glimpse into their daily life and cultural practices.
Visitors to the park can explore the village through guided tours offered in the spring and fall, where knowledgeable docents explain the significance of the site and its role in the Kawaiisu’s seasonal migration. These tours provide an enriching experience, allowing visitors to connect with California’s indigenous past in a meaningful and educational way.
Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park is a crucial part of California’s efforts to preserve its indigenous heritage and is an essential destination for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the region’s history.
Big Pine: The Oldest Living Wonders
Located in the White Mountains of California, the Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to some of the oldest living trees on Earth, including the Methuselah Tree, which is over 4,800 years old. These Bristlecone pines are the oldest non-clonal organisms, making the forest a living testament to the resilience of nature. The Methuselah Trail offers visitors the chance to explore the Schulman Grove, where these ancient trees stand tall, having endured the harshest of environmental conditions over millennia.
The Bristlecone Pine Forest offers a profound connection to the natural world and a powerful reminder of the longevity of life. For those interested in nature, the forest provides an unforgettable experience, while also offering a quiet retreat from the modern world. The resilience of the trees is a fitting symbol of the endurance of nature itself.
Ridgecrest: The Coso Rock Art
Near Ridgecrest, California, the Coso Rock Art District holds one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in the world. These rock carvings, created by the region’s ancient inhabitants over 10,000 years ago, offer an incredible insight into the lives of early peoples in the California desert. The Coso Rock Art features more than 100,000 petroglyphs depicting bighorn sheep, hunters, and abstract patterns, some of which have spiritual significance.
The site is located on a military base, and access is strictly controlled. Tours are organised by the Maturango Museum, and visitors must obtain permits to visit the site. Despite its remote location, the Coso Rock Art is an essential cultural landmark, offering a unique opportunity to connect with California’s ancient past. It’s a perfect example of the rich indigenous heritage that still survives in the state.
The Importance of Ancient Wonder Tours: Unlocking the Secrets of the Past
Imagine standing at the foot of an ancient tree that has lived for thousands of years, walking through the ruins of a long-forgotten village, or witnessing the excavation of fossils that date back to the Ice Age. Ancient wonder tours are more than just a chance to visit historical sites—they are a journey that connects us to the deep-rooted history of our world. These immersive experiences offer travelers an opportunity to step into the past, explore the wonders of ancient civilizations, and engage with humanity’s shared heritage in a way that no textbook can replicate. From the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles to the Coso Rock Art in Ridgecrest, each of these incredible sites is a treasure trove of historical and cultural significance, inviting us to learn, reflect, and grow.
Traveling to the Past: Immersing Yourself in History Like Never Before
There’s something uniquely powerful about standing in the very spot where history was made. Ancient wonder tours offer a rare opportunity for immersion—taking us beyond the classroom and textbooks into the very heart of history. Imagine walking the same ground where mammoths once roamed, as you do at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. This site, the only active Ice Age excavation site in the world, is not just a place to look at fossils; it’s a place where history comes to life. Visitors can witness paleontologists at work, uncovering the remains of saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and ancient mammoths that lived thousands of years ago.
This kind of immersion connects us to the past in a way that traditional learning methods cannot. In the midst of the Coso Rock Art District in Ridgecrest, where over 100,000 petroglyphs remain etched in basalt rock, visitors can see evidence of the region’s earliest inhabitants, whose art tells stories of spirituality, daily life, and survival. Here, as you walk through the desert landscape, the petroglyphs speak to you, offering a personal connection to a culture that thrived 10,000 years ago.
When we travel to these ancient sites, we are no longer passive observers but active participants in the story of humanity. Each step taken on these ancient grounds is a reminder that our story is intertwined with those who came before us, and these sites allow us to experience history in a visceral and profound way.
A Global Classroom: Expanding Learning Beyond Boundaries
One of the greatest advantages of ancient wonder tours is their ability to turn the world into a global classroom. Rather than learning from static books or digital presentations, these tours allow us to engage directly with history in its original context. For students, these tours provide an experiential learning opportunity that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting.
For example, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose offers a deep dive into the ancient world of Egypt. With its collection of authentic Egyptian artifacts, the museum provides a fascinating opportunity to step back over 4,000 years into the world of the pharaohs. Visitors can explore the Tomb Tour, which showcases a replica of an ancient Egyptian tomb from Beni Hasan. Students can learn not only about the ancient Egyptian burial process but also about their culture, religion, and daily life, all while standing next to artifacts that have been preserved for millennia.
Similarly, the Chumash Painted Cave in Santa Barbara offers an extraordinary lesson in the art and culture of North America’s Chumash people. The vibrant rock paintings on the cave walls offer a unique glimpse into their spiritual world, portraying celestial bodies, animals, and abstract symbols. This direct connection with ancient art creates a far deeper understanding than any textbook could provide, making the global classroom come alive in a way that no virtual learning environment can replicate.
Traveling to these sites broadens our perspectives, allowing us to learn not only about the past but also about how different cultures have shaped our world. It challenges the boundaries of traditional education, offering students a global view of history and culture that enhances their understanding of the world.
Ancient Wonder Tours for Students: Igniting Curiosity and Sparking Inspiration
For students, ancient wonder tours are transformative. These tours do not merely provide facts and dates but inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of human history. Students who walk through the Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi will find themselves transported back in time as they learn about the Kawaiisu people and their seasonal village. This ancient site, preserved with bedrock mortars and pictographs, offers an interactive learning experience that allows students to understand how indigenous people lived in harmony with nature.
The Blythe Intaglios, a series of massive geoglyphs created by the Mohave and Quechan peoples, also offer a powerful educational experience. These geoglyphs, which range from human figures to animals, were crafted by scraping away the dark desert pavement to reveal lighter soil. The fact that these geoglyphs have lasted for 450 to 2,000 years offers students a lesson in the durability of ancient art and the significance of symbolism in indigenous cultures. Self-guided tours allow students to explore the artwork up close, encouraging them to ask questions and engage with the site in a personal and meaningful way.
By witnessing ancient wonders in person, students are able to take ownership of their learning and develop a deep connection to history that will stay with them for life. These tours not only broaden their knowledge but also cultivate a lifelong passion for learning.
Connecting to Humanity: A Journey Through Time
At its core, ancient wonder tours provide a powerful opportunity for visitors to connect with humanity on a deeply personal level. These sites—whether it’s the Bristlecone Pine Forest in Big Pine or the La Brea Tar Pits—are more than just places to visit; they are places to reflect on the shared human experience. The Bristlecone Pines, some of the oldest living organisms on the planet, stand as living testaments to the resilience of life. These trees, some over 4,800 years old, have withstood harsh environments and extreme weather, offering a symbol of endurance that resonates across cultures and time periods.
The Coso Rock Art, with its petroglyphs etched into the desert landscape, tells the story of people who lived in close relationship with the land, hunting, worshipping, and surviving in a harsh environment. These ancient carvings provide insight into the spirituality and daily lives of indigenous peoples, connecting us to their humanity and reminding us that our stories are not so different.
Whether it’s the fascinating excavation of Ice Age fossils or the ancient rock art left behind by early settlers, these tours offer more than just a glimpse into the past—they offer a profound connection to humanity itself. We are reminded that we are part of a larger narrative that spans time, culture, and geography, and by visiting these sites, we celebrate the shared legacy of human civilization.
Why the Ancient Lands Tour Will Be a Must-Do Experience in 2026
As 2026 approaches, the allure of ancient lands beckons like never before. From the fossil-rich grounds of Los Angeles to the mystical rock art of Ridgecrest, the coming year promises to be the perfect time for travelers to embark on a journey through time. The Ancient Lands Tour will take visitors on an immersive adventure through some of the most remarkable and historically significant sites in California. For history enthusiasts, students, and curious wanderers alike, this tour will be an unmissable experience, offering a chance to connect with humanity’s deep past.
In Los Angeles, the tour kicks off with a visit to the iconic La Brea Tar Pits, a rare site where Ice Age fossils continue to be unearthed. The La Brea Tar Pits remain the only active Ice Age excavation site in the world, providing a fascinating peek into the Pleistocene epoch. As you walk the grounds, you’ll encounter the remains of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves—creatures that once roamed the area thousands of years ago. The Excavator Tour allows visitors to witness paleontologists at work, offering an authentic glimpse into the scientific process of uncovering these ancient wonders.
Next, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose invites travelers to step into the world of the pharaohs. Home to the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on the West Coast, this museum takes visitors on a journey through over 4,000 years of Egyptian history. The museum’s Tomb Tour, with a replica of a Middle Kingdom tomb from Beni Hasan, offers an immersive experience that will captivate anyone fascinated by the ancient world. The chance to explore the treasures of Egypt so far from the Nile Valley is an exceptional opportunity to connect with a civilization that continues to inspire awe.
As the tour continues, Blythe’s Intaglios—massive earth-drawing geoglyphs created by the Mohave and Quechan peoples—offer a stunning reminder of the artistic genius of ancient civilizations. The Blythe Intaglios, dating back between 450 and 2,000 years, are comparable to the Nazca Lines of Peru, with large figures of humans and animals etched into the desert floor. Walking among these geoglyphs allows travelers to step into the spiritual and cultural world of the indigenous peoples who lived in the region long before modern development took hold.
In Santa Barbara, visitors will experience the Chumash Painted Cave, one of North America’s most significant examples of prehistoric rock art. The vibrant pictographs inside the cave, created by the Chumash people, depict animals, celestial bodies, and abstract symbols. This awe-inspiring site provides a rare connection to California’s indigenous heritage, offering a glimpse into the worldview of a people whose culture flourished for thousands of years.
Finally, the Coso Rock Art near Ridgecrest offers one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in the world. Dating back over 10,000 years, these carvings provide an extraordinary window into the lives and beliefs of ancient desert dwellers. As part of a military base, access to this sacred site is restricted, but with special permits, visitors can view this stunning rock art, which tells the story of early California inhabitants.
In 2026, the Ancient Lands Tour will not only be an unforgettable journey through time but also an unparalleled opportunity to connect with our collective human heritage, ensuring that the stories of the past continue to inspire and captivate us.
In conclusion, the Ancient Lands Tour through California’s hidden kingdoms offers an unforgettable journey into the past, where history comes alive through archaeological marvels that are far from the ordinary. Ridgecrest, acting as the central point that unites Big Pine, Tehachapi, Santa Barbara, Blythe, San Jose, and Los Angeles, guides you through these insane and mystical sites. They are tucked away, yet they are hiding in plain sight, waiting to be discovered.
As you travel across California, you step into 10,000-year-old hidden kingdoms that speak volumes about our shared human heritage. The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles offer an immersive look into the Ice Age, where ongoing excavations unearth mammoths, dire wolves, and saber-toothed cats. In Big Pine, the Bristlecone Pines, some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, invite reflection on nature’s resilience. Further, Santa Barbara’s Chumash Painted Cave and Blythe’s geoglyphs beautifully connect us with ancient California cultures, where the art and symbols created thousands of years ago continue to inspire awe. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose brings Egypt to the West Coast, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the mystery of ancient Egyptian civilization.
These hidden kingdoms are not just places to visit—they are portals to a time that, despite its distance, still has a powerful resonance with our modern world. They reveal the timeless connection between humans and the environment, showing us the art, innovation, and spirituality that early societies expressed through rock art, fossils, and ancient tools. In Ridgecrest, where some of the world’s oldest petroglyphs remain intact, and at each of these other spectacular sites, travelers can gain a deeper understanding of humanity’s shared history.
So, as 2026 approaches, forget the modern world for a while and dive into these awe-inspiring wonders. The Ancient Lands Tour promises to be an unmissable adventure—an opportunity to connect with our distant ancestors and discover that the past is never truly gone. It’s waiting to be found, hiding in plain sight, and ready for you to explore.
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Uncover the Wonders of the South Pacific
These 39 specially curated voyages are designed to provide an immersive experience for those seeking a deeper understanding of the region’s culture, environment, and history. With a focus on cultural exchanges, guests will have the opportunity to discover some of the most iconic and remote islands in the world. Paul Gauguin Cruises’ commitment to sustainability and respect for the region’s natural beauty is evident in these carefully crafted itineraries.
The journey will take passengers to well-known destinations such as Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti, as well as lesser-explored regions like the Marquesas Islands. Unique stops include Tahuata, one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Marquesas, as well as the UNESCO-recognized Fakarava, famous for its pristine coral atolls. Additionally, travelers will be able to enjoy extended port stays, some lasting multiple days, allowing for deeper exploration and cultural engagement.
Distinctive Itineraries to Explore the Pacific
The 2028 cruise schedule offers a range of itineraries, each with its own set of highlights and immersive experiences. From the vibrant culture of Tahiti to the serene beauty of the Tuamotus, these voyages provide something for everyone.
Tahiti & the Society Islands (7 Nights / 3 Overnights / 11 Sailings) This itinerary offers a seven-night cruise exploring the stunning Society Islands, including stops at Moorea and Taha’a. The focus is on experiencing the rich culture and idyllic landscapes of the South Pacific.
Pearl of the Society Islands (7 Nights / 2 Overnights / 7 Sailings) Guests will have the chance to explore Raiatea, often considered the heart of Polynesian culture, as well as Huahine, a tropical paradise known for its lush landscapes. This itinerary also includes an overnight stay in Bora Bora, giving passengers time to take in the beauty of the lagoon.
Society Islands & The Tuamotus (10 Nights / 3 Overnights / 8 Sailings) This 10-night voyage explores the Tuamotu Archipelago, with an overnight stop at Fakarava, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other highlights include visits to Rangiroa, known for its lagoons, and Bora Bora’s world-renowned beaches.
Society Islands & The Tuamotus (11 Nights / 3 Overnights / 5 Sailings) Travelers embarking on this 11-night cruise will explore the lush jungles of the Society Islands, as well as the beautiful atolls of the Tuamotus. An extended overnight stay in Bora Bora adds an extra layer of indulgence to this exotic voyage.
Cook Islands & Society Islands (11 Nights / 3 Overnights / 3 Sailings) This South Pacific itinerary allows guests to discover the rugged beauty of the Cook Islands, including Rarotonga and Aitutaki, along with the more famous Society Islands of Bora Bora and Moorea.
Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands (14 Nights / 1 Overnight / 5 Sailings) For those looking for an extended and immersive adventure, this two-week voyage offers an exploration of the Marquesas Islands, Tuamotus, and Society Islands. With over a week in the Marquesas, this trip is ideal for travelers seeking to explore both land and sea.
An Authentic Cultural Experience Onboard
Paul Gauguin Cruises takes cultural immersion seriously. Guests can expect Polynesian culture to be brought to life onboard the ship through music, storytelling, and various activities. Les Gauguines, a troupe of Tahitian hosts, will guide passengers through the culture of the islands, enriching the cruise experience with authentic performances and interactive sessions.
Guests can also participate in a variety of cultural activities, such as learning about the art of Polynesian dance, crafting, and local storytelling traditions. This will allow travelers to form a deeper connection with the destinations they visit.
Exclusive Offers for Early Bookers
For those looking to secure their spot on one of these exciting 2028 voyages, early bookings come with exclusive discounts. Prices for the cruises start at $2,880 per person, with bonus savings of up to 30% available for those who book ahead. This provides an excellent opportunity for travelers to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at an attractive price.
A Guide for Travelers
Booking a voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises means embracing an extraordinary journey that balances relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. Here are some tips for travelers considering a 2028 cruise:
Plan Early: As these itineraries are in high demand, it’s recommended to book early to secure your preferred sailing and take advantage of the early booking discounts.
Be Prepared for a Cultural Immersion: Expect to engage with local traditions and customs through guided tours, performances, and onboard activities. A flexible and open mindset will help you make the most of these experiences.
Pack Smart: The South Pacific is tropical, so be sure to bring light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat for protection. Some islands are remote, so don’t forget any necessary medications or personal items.
Respect the Environment: Paul Gauguin Cruises emphasizes environmental stewardship, so be mindful of the region’s delicate ecosystems. Participate in eco-friendly excursions and avoid disturbing local wildlife or the fragile coral reefs.
Final Thoughts
Paul Gauguin’s 2028 voyages are offering travelers an opportunity to experience the beauty of islands and culture of the world with specially crafted itineraries and an emphasis on sustainable travel and responsible tourism. With a wide range of options to engage with the waters of the South Pacific, travelers can design their dream getaway – place new meaning on the waters of the South Pacific, or further their Polynesian Traditions and heritages.
The Dead Sea Tourist Beach has entered a new redevelopment phase which the Jordan Freeand Development Zones Group (JFDZ) has initiated to improve one of the Kingdom’s most famous beachfronts. The beach will offer visitors a better family-friendly experience on the world’s lowest shoreline.
Dead Sea upgrade to anchor tourism growth
The new phase of works at the Dead Sea Tourist Beach, formerly known as Amman Tourist Beach, is a cornerstone of JFDZ’s strategy to elevate Jordan’s national tourism offering and sharpen the Dead Sea Development Zone’s positioning as a global destination. The project is designed to add an attractive public leisure outlet for Jordanians and international visitors alike, dovetailing with wider efforts to drive tourism‑led economic growth in the Kingdom.
JFDZ has signed a management and operation agreement with FHM Hospitality Management, a Jordanian company specialising in hotels, restaurants and tourism facilities, to run the revamped beach in line with international standards. The site is being readied to welcome guests during Eid Al Fitr and throughout the next tourism season, positioning the beach as a high‑capacity hub for day trips and short breaks.
Modern, family‑focused seaside experience
Covering around 240 dunums and able to host more than 4,500 visitors at a time, the Dead Sea Tourist Beach is being reshaped as a safe, family‑oriented shoreline experience. The development plan includes upgraded service facilities, renewed infrastructure, and shaded seating areas that will allow travellers to linger comfortably by the water even in the heat of the day.
Hospitality and recreational services are being tailored to match visitor expectations at a world‑renowned wellness and nature destination, from improved beach access and changing facilities to enhanced food and beverage offerings and curated leisure activities. JFDZ’s leadership has indicated that these amenities, delivered under a single professional operator, are expected to transform the beach into a more coherent and premium experience rather than a basic public access point.
Integration with Corniche and wider Dead Sea vision
The redevelopment is also about stitching the Dead Sea waterfront into a more connected and attractive tourism corridor. JFDZ’s chair was cited as saying that the Tourist Beach and the Corniche projects form two key pillars in enhancing the area’s overall appeal, with the new phase aimed at deepening integration between these anchors.
This aligns with the broader master‑planning of the Dead Sea Development Zone, which envisages a balanced mix of resorts, public beaches, dining, retail and cultural experiences along the eastern shore. As stalled investments are resolved and new projects come on stream, the reimagined Tourist Beach is expected to serve as a lively public gateway that complements adjacent upscale hotels and wellness retreats rather than competing with them.
Technology, safety and sustainability at the core
Under the agreement with FHM Hospitality Management, the beach will be run using modern management systems and advanced technologies, covering day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, marketing, digital promotion and ticketing. JFDZ representatives have underlined that strict adherence to public safety and environmental sustainability standards is central to the operating model, reflecting the environmental sensitivity of the Dead Sea ecosystem.
This approach is consistent with the development zone’s long‑term planning, which promotes resource‑efficient infrastructure, careful land use and visitor management to protect the Dead Sea’s fragile shoreline while still enabling tourism growth. For travellers, this should translate into cleaner facilities, better‑managed crowds and clearer information, enhancing the overall sense of comfort and security on the beach.
Local impact and future visitor appeal
Beyond the visitor experience, JFDZ has highlighted that the project will generate direct employment for residents of surrounding communities and activate the group’s corporate social responsibility programmes in the area. These initiatives are intended to support the local environment and promote sustainable development, ensuring that tourism revenues feed back into community welfare and skills development.
Looking Ahead
The renewed Dead Sea Tourist Beach now provides better access to one of Jordan’s most famous natural sites for all visitors who come to the beach from Amman for day trips or who want to spend time with their families at the water or who plan to stay at the beach for wellness treatments. The upgraded facilities and improved management system together with the connection to Corniche and other Dead Sea developments will transform this beachfront area into a public seaside destination that visitors will enjoy returning to and recommending to others.
If you’re dreaming of a break where screens take a backseat, family digital detox vacations are exactly what you need. These trips let everyone—from teens to grandparents—step away from phones and tablets and focus on genuine family time. By following government travel advice and leveraging official tourism resources, you can plan a safe, engaging, and memorable vacation filled with outdoor family activities and opportunities to explore national parks. Whether it’s hiking, swimming, or simply soaking in nature, screen‑free travel has never been more appealing.
Top Destinations for a Screen-Free Family Escape
Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, Nebraska
This LEED-certified lodge is perfect for nature-loving families.
Explore 11 treehouses linked by bridges, walk through lilac gardens, and enjoy hiking trails winding through centuries-old forests.
Offers spa treatments with apple-scented aromatherapy and hands-on learning about tree planting, supporting the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission.
Ideal for those seeking outdoor family activities that combine fun and education.
Cayo Levantado Resort, Samaná, Dominican Republic
A private island resort where the focus is on disconnecting.
Families can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, guided nature walks, and gardening workshops.
Kids have dedicated programs, while parents can indulge in wellness experiences at the Yubarta open-air spa.
It’s a rare chance to slow down, reconnect, and embrace screen‑free travel.
Manasota Beach Club, Englewood, Florida
A historic resort on the Gulf Coast that captures the essence of “Old Florida.”
Guests enjoy quiet beaches, shell hunting, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
The property also has tennis and pickleball courts and a heated pool for family fun.
With retro-style accommodations and a relaxed pace, this is a perfect family digital detox vacation for simple pleasures.
Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort, Cancun, Mexico
Just 10 miles from Cancun International Airport, with easy beach access, especially in the exclusive Enclave suites.
Features 13 pools, a kids club, teen space, daily activities, and nightly entertainment.
Dining options include eight restaurants and four bars, with the teppanyaki Noriku standing out for family fun.
Adults 16+ can enjoy a hydrotherapy spa experience for ultimate relaxation.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Family Digital Detox Vacations
Set device-free times: Dedicate parts of each day to screen‑free travel to encourage presence and connection.
Pack non-digital entertainment: Include board games, books, sketchpads, or journals.
Check official resources: Use government travel advice and official tourism resources for up-to-date guidance on safety and family-friendly activities.
Prioritize outdoor experiences: Hiking, swimming, cycling, and exploring national parks help families stay active and engaged.
Capture memories mindfully: Use cameras or journals rather than phones to document the trip.
Conclusion
Family digital detox vacations are more than just a break from screens—they’re a chance to reconnect with loved ones, nature, and culture. By leveraging government travel advice, official tourism resources, and focusing on outdoor family activities in national parks or scenic destinations, families can enjoy meaningful, enriching experiences. Whether relaxing on beaches, hiking through forests, or exploring new cultures, these trips highlight the joys of screen‑free travel and create memories that will last long after the devices are turned off.
Here are key takeaways:
Family digital detox vacations help kids and adults disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature and each other.
Resorts like Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe, Barnsley Resort, and Ojai Valley Inn offer activities that encourage outdoor family activities and wellness.
Following government travel advice and official tourism resources ensures safe and well-planned trips.
Exploring national parks, beaches, and private islands provides opportunities for screen-free travel and memorable experiences.
Integrating device-free times, hands-on activities, and guided programs maximizes the benefits of a family digital detox vacation.
Iceland is joining countries like Switzerland, Finland, and Denmark in experiencing a tourism boom in 2025, thanks to their exceptionally low crime rates, political stability, and commitment to sustainability. These nations have become top travel destinations by providing a safe and secure environment for visitors, with minimal crime, robust social systems, and strong rule of law. As travelers increasingly prioritize safety and environmental conservation, these countries are attracting millions of global tourists who can enjoy both peace of mind and breathtaking natural beauty.
As the world evolves, travelers are placing an increasingly higher premium on security, making the Global Peace Index (GPI) one of the most influential factors in travel decisions. While there are countless destinations to choose from, some countries are shining brighter than others as the top choices for tourists seeking not only breathtaking landscapes but also peace of mind. Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Portugal are some of the leaders in this global trend, offering unmatched safety alongside their natural beauty. These nations have successfully leveraged their peaceful environments to boost tourism, attracting millions of visitors who prioritize security, tranquility, and sustainability.
Let’s dive into the details of these nations, exploring why they are so renowned for their safety, their most sought-after tourist spots, and how they’ve managed to achieve such remarkable success in the tourism industry.
Iceland: The World’s Safest Country – A True Haven for Travelers
Why Iceland Is Famous: Iceland, a land of volcanoes, glaciers, and the Northern Lights, is famed not only for its jaw-dropping landscapes but also for its position as the world’s safest country. Ranked #1 on the Global Peace Index for 18 consecutive years, Iceland is a true peace haven. Its lack of standing army, unarmed police force, and near-zero violent crime rates create a secure atmosphere that travelers flock to year after year.
Tourist Spots in Iceland:
The Golden Circle: A must-see route that includes Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall—a breathtaking natural wonder.
Reykjavik: Iceland’s vibrant capital is filled with art, culture, and a bustling nightlife, perfect for travelers seeking both history and modernity.
Blue Lagoon: A geothermal spa set in a lava field, known for its healing properties and tranquility.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: This stunning glacial lagoon is filled with drifting icebergs and offers boat tours where tourists can see seals up close.
Northern Lights: Iceland is one of the best places in the world to witness the spectacular Aurora Borealis.
Safety Features of Iceland:
No Standing Army: Iceland’s commitment to peace is reflected in its neutral stance on military engagement, focusing resources on social programs and environmental sustainability.
112 Iceland App: This safety app provides real-time updates, including weather alerts, emergency contacts, and location-based safety warnings, making it a crucial tool for travelers.
Low Crime Rates: Iceland’s crime rates are among the lowest globally, contributing to its reputation as a safe, stress-free destination.
Iceland’s tourism numbers are soaring, with over 2.32 million visitors expected in 2025, a new record that underscores its appeal as both a safe and stunning destination.
Switzerland: A Land of Safety, Stability, and Natural Splendor
Why Switzerland Is Famous: Switzerland is renowned for its political neutrality, stunning Alpine landscapes, and luxurious lifestyle. Ranking 5th on the Global Peace Index, Switzerland is a beacon of peace in the heart of Europe. Its reputation for stability, quality of life, and the absence of internal conflict make it a premier destination for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat.
Tourist Spots in Switzerland:
Swiss Alps: World-famous for skiing, hiking, and mountaineering, the Alps offer a scenic playground for adventurers.
Lake Geneva: A pristine lake surrounded by vineyards and the cosmopolitan city of Geneva, offering peaceful boat cruises and stunning views.
Zurich: A major financial hub, Zurich also boasts world-class dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.
Lucerne: A charming town known for its medieval architecture and surrounded by mountains, perfect for both relaxation and sightseeing.
Safety Features of Switzerland:
Political Neutrality: Switzerland’s neutral political stance and commitment to non-militarization make it a secure destination, with no threat of military conflict on the horizon.
Low Crime Rates: With efficient public services and strict law enforcement, Switzerland enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, providing tourists with confidence and safety.
High Quality of Life: The country’s excellent healthcare system, well-maintained infrastructure, and low corruption levels contribute to its stability and safety.
Switzerland continues to enjoy strong tourism numbers, with travelers flocking to experience its majestic natural beauty, secure environment, and world-renowned hospitality.
Finland: Tranquil Beauty and Safety Beyond Compare
Why Finland Is Famous: Finland is not only one of the safest countries in the world but also one of the most serene. Ranked 10th globally on the GPI, Finland is known for its peaceful wilderness, pristine lakes, and charming cities like Helsinki. Finland’s dedication to social equality, low levels of corruption, and sustainable tourism practices make it an ideal choice for travelers who value safety and the environment.
Tourist Spots in Finland:
Lapland: The home of Santa Claus, Lapland offers unique experiences such as Northern Lights viewings, snowmobile safaris, and visits to Santa’s village.
Helsinki: The capital city blends modern design with historical landmarks, offering cultural events, fine dining, and a vibrant café culture.
Saimaa Lake: Finland’s largest lake offers tranquil boat tours, nature hikes, and wildlife watching opportunities in one of Europe’s most pristine environments.
Rovaniemi: A magical town located on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is known for its Christmas spirit and winter sports activities.
Safety Features of Finland:
Low Crime Rates: Finland boasts extremely low crime rates, creating a safe environment for tourists and residents alike.
Proactive Social Programs: The government’s focus on mental health, community engagement, and education contributes to low crime and high quality of life.
Environmental Sustainability: Finland’s commitment to sustainability ensures that nature is preserved while visitors explore the country’s peaceful wilderness.
Ireland: A Cultural and Safe Gem in Europe
Why Ireland Is Famous: Ireland’s charming landscapes, rich history, and welcoming culture make it one of Europe’s most beloved destinations. Ranked #2 on the Global Peace Index, Ireland is not only safe but also offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The Irish are famous for their hospitality, and the country’s low crime rates and stable political environment further enhance its appeal.
Tourist Spots in Ireland:
Cliffs of Moher: These iconic cliffs offer dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean and are a must-see for visitors to Ireland.
Dublin: Ireland’s capital is known for its literary history, historic landmarks, and vibrant pubs. Visit Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and explore the lively Temple Bar district.
Ring of Kerry: This scenic drive is famous for its lush green landscapes, coastal cliffs, and picturesque towns.
Killarney National Park: Known for its beautiful lakes, forests, and abundant wildlife, Killarney is a haven for nature lovers.
Safety Features of Ireland:
Low Crime Rates: Ireland’s commitment to safety is reflected in its low levels of violent crime, allowing visitors to enjoy their trips without worry.
Welcoming Locals: The Irish are known for their friendly demeanor, making tourists feel at home and at ease throughout their visit.
Stable Government: Ireland’s strong legal system and social stability contribute to its reputation as a safe and reliable travel destination.
Denmark: A Peaceful Paradise for Tourists
Why Denmark Is Famous: Denmark is a model of safety and innovation. Ranked #8 on the Global Peace Index, Denmark is known for its low crime rates, eco-friendly cities, and rich cultural heritage. Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, has consistently been ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, making it a top destination for tourists seeking both peace and culture.
Tourist Spots in Denmark:
Tivoli Gardens: One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, located in Copenhagen, offering both thrilling rides and serene gardens.
Nyhavn: A picturesque harbor lined with colorful buildings, cafés, and restaurants, perfect for a relaxing stroll.
The Little Mermaid Statue: A must-see landmark inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale.
Kronborg Castle: Famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this Renaissance castle is located in Helsingør, Denmark.
Safety Features of Denmark:
Eco-Friendly Infrastructure: Denmark’s cities are designed to be bicycle-friendly and sustainable, creating a safe, green environment for both locals and tourists.
Low Crime Rates: Denmark boasts one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, making it a safe and comfortable destination.
Strong Rule of Law: Denmark’s well-functioning legal system ensures that laws are enforced fairly and effectively.
Sweden: A Harmonious Blend of Peace and Adventure
Why Sweden Is Famous: Sweden is famous for its beautiful landscapes, high quality of life, and commitment to sustainability. Ranked #3 on the Global Peace Index, Sweden offers a perfect balance of nature, culture, and safety, making it an increasingly popular destination for tourists.
Tourist Spots in Sweden:
Stockholm: Sweden’s capital, spread across multiple islands, is famous for its historic sites, museums, and vibrant art scene.
Kiruna: Located in the far north, Kiruna offers stunning views of the Northern Lights and a chance to visit the Icehotel.
Gotland: A beautiful island offering medieval architecture, stunning coastal landscapes, and peaceful villages.
Safety Features of Sweden:
High Standards of Governance: Sweden’s strong legal and political systems contribute to a peaceful and safe environment.
Low Crime Rates: Sweden has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and its welcoming atmosphere makes it a safe place for tourists.
Focus on Sustainability: Sweden’s commitment to environmental conservation ensures that tourists can enjoy the natural beauty of the country in a safe, eco-friendly manner.
Portugal: A Rising Star in Safe Tourism
Why Portugal Is Famous: Portugal, with its breathtaking coastline, historic cities, and delicious cuisine, has become one of the most popular destinations for tourists. Ranked #7 on the Global Peace Index, Portugal offers warm hospitality and low crime rates, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both peace and adventure.
Tourist Spots in Portugal:
Lisbon: The vibrant capital city, known for its historic neighborhoods, museums, and delicious food.
Porto: Famous for its wine cellars, beautiful riverfront, and medieval architecture.
Algarve: A coastal region known for its beautiful beaches, coves, and golf resorts.
Safety Features of Portugal:
Low Crime Rates: Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe, with minimal violent crime and a friendly atmosphere for tourists.
Strong Community Spirit: Portugal’s tight-knit communities and well-maintained public spaces contribute to a secure travel environment.
The Future of Safe Tourism: A Trend Set to Shape 2025 and Beyond
As the world recovers from global disruptions, the demand for safe tourism destinations is stronger than ever. Travelers are not just seeking beautiful landscapes or rich cultural experiences; they are prioritizing security, stability, and peace of mind more than ever before. This shift in priorities is evident in the rising popularity of countries like Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Portugal—nations that have built their tourism industries around the principles of peace, sustainability, and social well-being.
For 2025, these countries are set to continue thriving as top destinations, attracting tourists who crave the reassurance of low crime rates, strong governance, and a culture of respect and safety. With technological advancements like real-time safety apps in Iceland and eco-friendly infrastructures in Denmark, these nations are not only ensuring safety on a traditional level but are also integrating innovation to create a seamless and worry-free travel experience.
Moreover, as tourists increasingly opt for destinations with a focus on sustainable tourism, these countries are well-positioned to lead the charge in responsible travel practices. The green initiatives in Finland, the carbon-neutral goals in Switzerland, and the eco-tourism strategies in Portugal are just a few examples of how these nations are making strides toward protecting the environment while providing tourists with an unparalleled sense of peace and security.
The countries listed—Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Portugal—have successfully combined safety, stability, and natural beauty to create some of the most appealing tourist destinations in the world. Whether you’re looking to explore the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, ski the Swiss Alps, enjoy the peaceful lakes of Finland, or wander through the historic streets of Dublin, these nations offer something for every traveler.
Iceland is joining nations like Switzerland, Finland, and Denmark in experiencing a tourism boom in 2025 due to their exceptionally low crime rates, political stability, and commitment to sustainability, making them attractive and safe destinations for global travelers.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, the demand for safe travel destinations will continue to rise, and these countries will remain at the forefront of the tourism boom, offering peaceful escapes, adventurous experiences, and an unmatched sense of security for tourists around the globe.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has brought back their Balmoral ship for a 4 month program sailing from Newcastle’s Port of Tyne for the first time. From February to September 2026, the ship will do 17 cruises out of the city, offering a variety of different journeys across Northern Europe.
Passengers will have a choice of quick escapes, or longer adventures, with itineraries that include viewing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Norway, sailing through mountains in the majestic fjords, and more. The program also includes cruises to the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, and Iceland, and promises something for everyone.
Sailing Highlights and Destinations
The Balmoral’s 2026 season promises varied itineraries designed to showcase the natural beauty and rich culture of Northern Europe. Cruises from Newcastle will range from one-night trips to extended 14-night journeys. Each voyage presents a different experience, whether it’s venturing into the Arctic Circle or exploring riverside cities in Europe.
In Search of the Northern Lights
One of the most anticipated cruises is the 10-night “In Search of the Northern Lights” voyage, departing on March 23, 2026. Priced from £1,599 per person, this cruise offers an unforgettable opportunity to chase the Northern Lights across Arctic Norway. Travelers will experience the harsh but beautiful Arctic winter, explore Sami traditions, and admire the stunning fjords.
European Cities & Scenic Rivers
This 14-night cruise, leaving Newcastle on April 2, 2026, offers an immersive journey through some of Europe’s most picturesque riverside cities. Prices start at £2,099 per person. Guests will sail through famous waterways, exploring historic cities like Bordeaux in France and Lisbon in Portugal. The cruise will also allow travelers to experience the region’s fine wine culture and picturesque landscapes.
Exploring Iceland in Nine Nights
On May 5, 2026, Balmoral will embark on a 9-night cruise that highlights the rugged beauty of Iceland. Starting at £1,699 per person, this journey offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. Travelers will get the chance to explore Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, geysers, and waterfalls. Activities such as hiking and whale watching will be part of the experience, along with the chance to unwind in Iceland’s famous hot springs.
Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights
For those seeking a shorter escape, Balmoral will sail to the stunning Norwegian fjords for a 5-night journey starting on August 28, 2026. Prices begin at £999 per person. This cruise offers spectacular views of Norway’s landscapes, with opportunities for kayaking and hiking in Briksdal National Park. Passengers will also explore Kjenndalen glacier, discovering the geology of the region.
Exclusive Enhancements on Balmoral
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has made several updates to the Balmoral to enhance guest experience. The ship now features a new rotating Colors & Tastes menu, offering a diverse range of dining options. Guests can also enjoy an exclusive Chef’s Table experience, where they can indulge in gourmet meals prepared by top chefs.
The entertainment offering has also been refreshed. A new entertainment program, introduced in partnership with RWS, will feature updated daytime activities and new theater productions. These productions will roll out throughout the season, with the first shows launching by mid-2026.
Special Deals for Early Bookers
For those planning to book their cruise early, Fred. Olsen is offering an onboard spend incentive. Passengers who reserve their places before March 11, 2026, may receive onboard credit ranging from £25 to £150. This offer is available on select sailings and provides an added incentive for early bookings.
Travel Tips for Passengers
Traveling to Newcastle for a sailing with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines? Here’s what you need to know:
Port of Departure: Cruises will depart from the Port of Tyne, a convenient location for travelers coming from Newcastle and surrounding areas.
Packing Tips: Be sure to pack warm clothing if you’re heading to the Arctic or Norway, especially for the Northern Lights cruise. Waterproof gear and sturdy shoes are a must for excursions, especially in Iceland and Norway.
Booking Early: With the added onboard credit offer for early bookings, it’s wise to reserve your spot soon to lock in the best prices and bonuses.
Health and Safety: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines follows all necessary health protocols, ensuring passengers’ safety and comfort throughout their journey. Be sure to check any travel advisories or entry requirements before embarking.
Why Choose Balmoral?
The Balmoral is well-known for its intimate and comfortable atmosphere. Unlike larger cruise ships, it provides a more personal and relaxed experience, with fewer passengers and more attention to detail. With its updated amenities, diverse itineraries, and dedicated crew, Balmoral is a great choice for anyone looking to explore Northern Europe in style.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 sailing program from Newcastle for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral has an assorted range of trips for every kind of voyager. Be it chasing the Northern Lights, river cruising in Europe, or exploring the wonders of Iceland, Balmoral has it all. With updated offers and facilities, and of course, beautiful destinations, there are endless possibilities for your next journey.
Book your cruise now \& prepare to embark on the adventure of your life!
The majestic rivers of Europe and the Mekong are calling your name. AmaWaterways is opening its heart to travelers who seek deeper connections. Imagine standing on a deck as the sun sets over a medieval castle. You feel the cool breeze and a sense of pure belonging. These cruises are not just trips. They are invitations to find yourself again. Whether you travel alone or with friends, the river welcomes you home. This new initiative proves that luxury travel is about the people you meet. It is about the memories that stay in your heart forever.
Breaking Barriers for Solo Adventurers
Solo travel is a journey of the spirit. AmaWaterways now makes this path easier to walk. They have slashed the single supplement to just 10%. This applies to over 500 sailings in 2026 and 2027. Solo guests no longer have to pay double the price. They pay only 110% of the standard rate. This offer covers almost every stateroom category. Only the suites are excluded from this specific deal. This move empowers independent spirits to explore the world. It turns a solo trip into an affordable reality.
Building Bonds with Group Travel Savings
Shared experiences create the strongest bonds. AmaWaterways is celebrating friendship with a massive 2027 promotion. Groups can now save $500 per person on new bookings. The cruise line also includes complimentary gratuities for the entire group. This takes the stress out of planning. It allows friends and families to focus on the joy of discovery. This offer builds on the “Enhanced Group” program. Every booking earns points toward future sailing benefits. It is a gift that keeps on giving to loyal travelers.
Boosting Global Tourism and Local Economies
These promotions will spark a massive rise in river tourism. Experts believe this will help local economies across Europe and Asia. According to tourism data, river cruising supports thousands of local jobs. Small businesses in riverside towns rely on these visitors. More travelers mean more support for local artisans and cafes. AmaWaterways is helping to revitalize traditional tourism hubs. This strategy aligns with government goals to promote sustainable travel. It brings high-value guests to hidden gems along the riverbanks.
Empowering the Guardians of Travel
Travel advisors are the heart of the tourism industry. AmaWaterways is rewarding their hard work with incredible incentives. Advisors can earn a free seven-night cruise. This applies to select departures in 2026 and 2027. By experiencing the ships, advisors can sell with true passion. They can see the “AmaWaterways difference” with their own eyes. The Travel Advisor Portal offers all the necessary tools. This partnership ensures that travelers receive the best expert advice.
A Vision for the Future of River Cruising
The leadership at AmaWaterways sees a bright future. A spokesperson stated that solo and group travel are the industry’s strongest trends. The company wants to reward advisors for building group business. They also want to make solo travel simpler and more joyful. The spokesperson noted that these options reflect what modern clients truly want. People are looking for rich experiences and genuine cultural connections. These deals offer meaningful value in a busy world.
Your Journey to the Heart of the World
The river is a mirror for the soul. When you sail through Europe or the Mekong, you change. You see the world through a lens of wonder and peace. AmaWaterways understands that travel is a human right. It is a way to heal, grow, and love. Do not let these moments pass you by. Grab a friend or find your own path. The water is waiting to carry you toward a new beginning. Your story is waiting to be written on the banks of a distant land. Step aboard and let the river set you free.
Travel advisors embrace AmaWaterways solo cruises promotions as timely boosts for client bookings on 2026 and 2027 European river routes. These incentives address surging interest from independent voyagers and organised groups, offering practical savings that enhance itinerary planning across Danube, Rhine, and other waterways. Operators position these deals to fill staterooms ahead of peak seasons, ensuring seamless experiences from Serbia’s fortresses to Germany’s vineyards.
AmaWaterways introduces a 10 percent cut on single supplements for more than 500 sailings, applying to standard categories while suites carry standard rates, with bookings open until March 31. Groups receive USD 500 per person off new 2027 reservations, complete with complimentary gratuities, as part of an expanded Enhanced Group programme that accrues benefits for repeat voyages on additional dates. Advisors claim complimentary seven-night familiarisation cruises on select departures, providing direct insight into onboard luxury and excursion quality via dedicated portals.
Ships like AmaBella navigate past Golubac Fortress in Serbia, exemplifying routes that blend history with modern comforts such as twin balconies and wellness facilities. Clients explore Budapest to Vilshofen paths on AmaMora or Amsterdam roundtrips aboard AmaSerena, enjoying included hikes, bike tours, and cultural performances. These promotions stack with ongoing perks like USD 1700 onboard credits and USD 250 military discounts, amplifying value for diverse traveller profiles from families to fitness enthusiasts.
Europe River Itineraries Attract Diverse Planners
Danube journeys highlight medieval towns and music festivals, where solo travellers form connections in intimate settings without steep supplement costs. Rhine sailings on AmaLea reveal castle ruins and wine tastings, ideal for groups pacing discoveries with private dinners. Bordeaux voyages via AmaDolce immerse guests in chateau visits and riverfront cycling, extending to Douro extensions for port wine lovers.
Winter 2026 options on AmaSerena feature festive markets and spa treatments, drawing early bookers seeking shoulder-season value. Asia routes through Mekong deltas and Africa safaris on Chobe complete the lineup, though Europe claims prime focus with promotions tailored to summer festivals and spring blooms. Advisors combine river segments with pre-cruise land tours in the Alps or post-voyage Mediterranean stays, creating multi-week packages that maximise commissions.
Group organisers benefit from every booking contributing to future upgrades or credits, suiting affinity travel like alumni reunions or corporate retreats. Solo incentives open doors for independent explorers craving authentic encounters, from Viennese operas to Dutch tulip fields, all underpinned by unlimited local wines and Wi-Fi.
Planners target peak July-August demand on Danube traffic or Rhine holiday cruises, where early reservations secure balcony views. Wellness programming, including yoga on sun decks and farm-to-table menus, appeals to health-conscious segments. Familiarisation trips equip sales teams to highlight stabilised twin hulls that ensure smooth passages even in variable currents.
Booking Strategies Optimise Client Outcomes
March 31 deadlines spur action on 2027 groups, while 2026 solos allow flexible timing for bargain fares. Advisors leverage these to diversify portfolios, pairing deals with loyalty rewards for repeat North American clients. Cabin selection proves crucial for high-traffic routes, where promotions guarantee priority access amid rising river cruise popularity.
Industry trends favour experiential voyages, with AmaWaterways differentiating through locally inspired cuisine and active excursions that suit all paces. Professionals craft narratives around Golubac Fortress sightings or Rhine gorge sails, converting inquiries into confirmed manifests.
Harness AmaWaterways Solo Cruises Opportunities
AmaWaterways provides special offers for its solo cruises which give 10 percent discounts to more than 500 sailings and the company offers USD 500 savings to groups who book their 2026-2027 European travel packages which include gratuities. The advisors use familiarization cruises together with Enhanced Group rewards to book new travel by March 31 which provides excellent Danube Rhine and Bordeaux travel experiences for both individual travelers and groups.
On March 1, 2026, the Countryside Harvest Festival 2026 will host a special event titled “Hong Kong Soundscape – Opera & Dance” at Yan Chau Tong, Mirs Bay. This one-day music festival combines the beauty of Hong Kong’s northeastern landscapes with performances of music and dance, offering a unique experience in a natural setting.
Tan Dun Leads the Performance The festival will be led by renowned composer Tan Dun, a UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador. Tan, a prominent figure in the cultural scene, is Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion. He has composed a new, original piece inspired by the stunning surroundings of Hong Kong’s New Territories for this event.
An Open-Air Festival with International Reach The performance will be held outdoors, surrounded by the coastal beauty and mountains of Yan Chau Tong. With musicians and dancers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and beyond, the festival is designed to highlight the connection between music, dance, and the natural environment.
The festival’s international audience will be able to enjoy the event through a global livestream on various platforms, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival and Phoenix TV. This streaming initiative aims to showcase not only the artistic performances but also the environmental significance of the venue.
Festival Highlights The open-air event is scheduled to take place in the afternoon, with a one-hour concert available to the public from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. During this time, attendees can enjoy a live performance outdoors while experiencing the vibrant sounds of opera and dance, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mirs Bay.
For those planning to attend in person, the event will be an immersive experience that blends music with the natural world. To ensure comfort, attendees are advised to dress appropriately for outdoor conditions and bring food and drinking water, as the festival will take place in a natural, open-air setting.
Travel Information for Attendees Getting to Yan Chau Tong for the festival is made easy with regular kaito ferry services. Ferries operate from Ma Liu Shui and Sha Tau Kok to Lai Chi Wo, offering a convenient route to the venue. On the day of the event, special free ferry services will also be available, running between Sha Tau Kok and Lai Chi Wo.
Free ferry tickets are available for those traveling from Sha Tau Kok, with 250 seats allocated per sailing. Tickets can be reserved through the official website starting February 20, 2026. As demand is expected to be high, reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
For participants traveling from Sha Tau Kok, it’s important to note that a valid Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Permit is required. The application process can be completed online through the Hong Kong Police e-Services system, with applications needing to be submitted at least two working days before the event date.
Safety and Accessibility The Countryside Harvest Festival is designed to be an inclusive event. It encourages guests to wear comfortable clothing and footwear, given the outdoor nature of the festival. Since the performance will take place in a natural environment, attendees should come prepared for an outdoor experience.
The event organizers are committed to ensuring that attendees can safely enjoy the festival. Those traveling by ferry should note the specific ticketing arrangements and follow the guidelines to ensure smooth access to the site.
Conservation and Cultural Significance The Countryside Harvest Festival not only offers a cultural celebration but also highlights the importance of environmental conservation. Yan Chau Tong has been recognized by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment as an “Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays.” This recognition underscores the festival’s role in promoting environmental awareness while celebrating Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage.
The festival is also listed as a “Festival PLUS” program under the 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival, further cementing its significance in the cultural calendar. The program is carefully curated to provide an unforgettable experience for all attendees, combining nature, art, and performance in a seamless fusion.
Conclusion At The Countryside Harvest Festival 2026, you get to create memories while enjoying art, music and dance, while experiencing one of the most stunning coastlines in Hong Kong. You will be part of the celebration and the festival will be streaming live for everyone. You will be helping to celebrate the culture, and the festival will support environmental sustainability.
Travel Tips
Dress Comfortably: Wear appropriate outdoor attire and bring water and food.
Ticket Reservations: Secure ferry tickets in advance via the official website.
Permit for Sha Tau Kok: Ensure you apply for the necessary frontier permit if traveling from Sha Tau Kok.
Tan Dun’s leadership marks a monumental moment in cultural and environmental appreciation. Be a part of history and ensure that you don’t miss this opportunity!
The idea of exploring Europe by cruise has taken a thrilling new turn with AIDA Cruises Euro Experience. Designed for travellers seeking something beyond the conventional, this cruise line offers a distinctly European approach to seafaring holidays. From the sparkling Mediterranean to majestic northern fjords, the Euro Experience combines scenic exploration, cultural immersion, wellness, and casual luxury for a truly memorable adventure.
Unlike traditional US-based cruises, AIDA focuses on a European lifestyle on board. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed. Formal dress codes are minimal, allowing passengers to enjoy comfort while engaging in enriching experiences. Meals lean toward buffet-style dining with international and European options, complemented by specialty restaurants for those craving gourmet dishes. Travellers can expect a friendly, open environment that blends social interaction with personal space.
A Unique European Travel Experience
AIDA Cruises sets itself apart with a travel philosophy that prioritises authentic cultural immersion and wellness at sea. While the primary language onboard is German, staff are typically able to assist international guests, making it accessible for global travellers. Entertainment, shows, and onboard events celebrate European traditions while embracing modern creativity. Wellness features such as saunas, spa areas, fitness centres, and sun decks are central to the AIDA experience, allowing travellers to relax and rejuvenate between shore excursions.
The cruise’s design encourages a balance of leisure and activity. Guests can spend mornings exploring scenic ports and afternoons enjoying spa treatments or outdoor sunbathing. Evenings bring lively music, cultural performances, and themed events, creating a festive and sociable onboard environment. This combination makes the AIDA Euro Experience appealing for solo travellers, couples, families, and groups alike.
Destinations That Captivate
The AIDA Euro Experience covers some of Europe’s most iconic and picturesque destinations. Its itineraries are thoughtfully curated to provide a mixture of historic cities, coastal beauty, and natural landscapes.
Mediterranean Cruises: Passengers can explore the sun-soaked shores of Spain, Italy, and France. Visits to cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Palma de Mallorca allow travellers to experience rich culture, architecture, and cuisine.
Northern Europe & Fjords: The cruise offers journeys through Norway’s fjords, the Baltic Sea, and northern European capitals. These routes highlight Europe’s dramatic natural beauty, from snow-capped mountains to serene waterways, providing picture-perfect moments for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Canary Islands & Atlantic Routes: For those seeking warmth in winter, cruises to the Canary Islands offer sunny escapes and island exploration. Passengers can enjoy beaches, local markets, and natural parks, combining leisure and adventure in one itinerary.
This diversity of destinations means that travellers can select cruises tailored to their preferences, whether for cultural exploration, nature immersion, or relaxation.
Tips for Planning Your Euro Cruise
Planning for an AIDA cruise involves a few considerations unique to European travel. Passengers typically begin their journey from major European ports, so arranging flights in advance is crucial. Travellers should be mindful of currency differences, as onboard transactions are conducted in euros. Booking early ensures better cabin selection and access to specialty packages, while combining your cruise with pre- or post-cruise city stays allows for a richer European experience.
Language tips also help enhance your journey. Learning basic German phrases can make interactions more enjoyable and deepen the travel experience. Most itineraries offer English-language support, but a few local phrases go a long way in engaging with staff and fellow passengers.
Why Choose AIDA Cruises Euro Experience?
The AIDA Euro Experience stands out for its fusion of relaxation, adventure, and cultural enrichment. Unlike other cruise lines that emphasise formal settings or American-style entertainment, AIDA offers travellers a genuine European vibe. Passengers enjoy scenic beauty, wellness activities, and social opportunities in a setting that feels both luxurious and welcoming.
Families, couples, and solo travellers alike appreciate the flexibility of activities onboard, from spa days to lively evening performances. The cruise line’s focus on sustainability and modern ship design adds another layer of appeal for environmentally conscious travellers. Every voyage offers an opportunity to create lasting memories of Europe’s most celebrated and hidden gems.
Whether exploring Mediterranean streets, admiring fjords, or relaxing on sunlit decks, the AIDA Cruises Euro Experience offers a unique way to discover Europe. For global travellers seeking a combination of culture, leisure, and adventure, it is a journey that promises excitement, comfort, and unforgettable experiences on the open sea.
Samsung’s new Privacy Display feature may not stay exclusive for long. A new leak suggests that other Android phone makers are preparing to launch similar technology later this year. It means Samsung could soon face competition in this new area of smartphone privacy.
A popular Weibo tipster, Digital Chat Station, reveals that several Chinese smartphone brands are currently testing hardware-based privacy displays. This technology is similar to what Samsung will introduce with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
In addition to this, the tipster claims that the first non-Samsung phones with this feature could launch as early as September 2026. It means that Samsung’s Privacy Display feature may no longer be exclusive.
Image via Android Authority
The leak does not mention specific brands, but companies like Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo are possible candidates. These brands often launch new flagship phones in September.
Unlike regular privacy features that use software tricks, this new solution works at the hardware level. Many phones today rely on screen dimming or filter effects to make displays harder to read from the side. Samsung’s approach is different because the privacy protection is built directly into the display panel.
With the Privacy Display feature, the screen physically limits viewing angles, so only the person holding the phone can clearly see what’s on it. Anyone looking from the side may see a dark or blurred screen.
Samsung is expected to keep this Privacy Display feature exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. For now, the information remains a rumor, but it clearly shows that smartphone makers are focusing more on improving user privacy. Stay tuned.
Samsung’s Gallery Assistant app has reportedly completed beta testing and is now ready for official release.The beta phase has ended in Korea, and the stable version rollout will soon start. The official version will be more stable, fix bugs, and may include new features.
A post on a Korean forum shared that the beta program of the Gallery Assistant has ended because the app is now stable. The official version is expected to work better and give users a smoother experience when editing photos and videos.
Gallery Assistant makes it easy to edit many photos and videos at the same time. Instead of changing each file one by one, users can apply edits to several files together. This saves time and makes managing large collections of media faster and simpler. This app is especially helpful for Samsung Galaxy users who want to organize and improve their photos and videos quickly.
Image via Samsung Community Forum
The beta version of Gallery Assistant was released last year to test new features and gather feedback from users. Samsung used the beta to fix problems and improve performance. Now that the beta is over, the app is ready for everyone to use in a stable form.
As the beta ended, those who were trying the new features via the beta version will soon enjoy the stable version. To update and install, open Galaxy Store, go to Updates, find Gallery Assistant, and tap Update to enjoy better stability.
The official rollout will start gradually, so some users may get it later than others. Keep checking the Galaxy Store to get the latest version and enjoy a smoother, faster Gallery Assistant app. Stay tuned for more information.
Xiaomi has confirmed the global launch date of its new Redmi Buds 8 Pro wireless earbuds. At the same time, the company has confirmed specifications and global colour options too.
Security researchers have discovered a new pre-installed Android malware, dubbed Keenadu, which is not only extremely dangerous, granting almost complete device privileges to bad actors, but is also nearly impossible to remove without expert help.
Garmin has silently cut the price of one of its high-end smartwatches. Seemingly a permanent reduction, the new pricing brings the MicroLED-wielding smartwatch closer to the prices of its AMOLED-backed siblings.
There have been speculations about the price for GTA 6, seeing as how massive and content heavy it will be. The latest one comes from a popular digital storefront and it shows pricing for both console and PC versions of the game.
A recent study from the MIT Center for Constructive Communication reveals that leading large language models deliver less accurate, sometimes patronizing responses to users with lower English proficiency, less formal education, and non-US origins.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on videos have surfaced online as a YouTuber managed to secure a retail unit before the official release. The new flagship brings upgrades like a new Privacy Display feature, but it also misses out on an expected feature found on Google and Apple flagships.
Deal | Courtesy of an ongoing Amazon sale, the triple-port Baseus Enerfill 100-watt GaN charger can now be purchased for its all-time low price yet again. With foldable prongs and a tiny footprint, the fast charger is a well-equipped product.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will launch officially in a few days but has now been benchmarked in a hands-on review ahead of that. The flagship phone is powered by a slightly overclocked variant of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
The new lithium alloy electrodes allow cells with 650 Wh/kg energy density despite the hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte .This is way above the 500 Wh/kg figure Toyota or Samsung are targeting for commercial solid-state batteries in 2027.
It has been over four years since the launch of the Kobo Sage. Now, with the eReader out of stock in most regions, and no report of a successor, it is believed to have been discontinued.
Roborock has listed the Saros 20 robot vacuum and mop at its online store in Germany. The product page indicates when this new model could be released in Europe. Its features include up to 36,000 Pa suction power, intelligently detaching mops and a two-stage climbing function.
A new version of the Garmin Connect app, version 5.22, is now available for iOS. While the release notes for the update do not reveal many details, two changes have been reported by users of the brand’s wearables. One of these is linked to the battery level of connected devices.
Oppo has a large number of devices named “A6” already, but it can always add more – and it just did, adding four more new models. It would have been nice if it gave them unique names, but there are only so many letters and numbers available... or something.
So here is the Oppo A6. No, not this Oppo A6. This new phone (model number PLS120) is slightly smaller with a 6.57” 1080p+ AMOLED display – this is a higher quality panel than the 6.75” 720p+ IPS LCD of the global version. The new panel also features an under display fingerprint reader (optical), which replaces the side-mounted...
After recently confirming the global launch date for the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the company has now revealed that the Xiaomi Pad 8 will also debut at the same launch event. The phones and tablet will also debut in India on the same date.
The Xiaomi Pad 8 will see its global and India launch on February 28. The company confirmed that it will be powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC and pack a 9,200mAh battery. It will also support the Focus Pen Pro stylus.
Based on the confirmed details, the global variant is likely to share the same specifications as the Chinese...
Ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs, UEFA has decided to provisionally sanction Gianluca Prestianni, ruling him out of the match against Real Madrid. In response, José Mourinho’s team has taken a firm stance, making its position clear.
Following the latest match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr.’s complaint of racial discrimination against Gianluca Prestianni has taken center stage. While an official investigation was announced, several former players publicly supported the Brazilian. Seeking to prevent further issues, UEFA decided to impose a provisional sanction on the Argentine. José Mourinho’s side has delivered a strong response to the measure.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica has taken note of UEFA’s decision to apply a provisional one-match suspension to player Gianluca Prestianni, within the framework of the ongoing investigation related to the incident that occurred in the match against Real Madrid. The club regrets not being able to count on the player while the process is still ongoing and will appeal this decision before UEFA, although the timeline of the case is unlikely to have any practical effect ahead of the second leg of the Champions League playoff,”Benfica posted on their website.
Despite the decision to appeal the sanction, José Mourinho may be unable to rely on Gianluca Prestianni for the upcoming match, as the resolution could take several days and the second leg is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026. As a result, Dodi Lukebakio could be the preferred starter, leaving them without one of their most dynamic attacking players. Nevertheless, Benfica’s decision to appeal makes their stance clear: Full support for the Argentine.
Regardless of the appeal and support for Prestianni, Benfica claim to remain quite distant from any racist acts: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism or discrimination, values that are part of its historical identity and are reflected in its daily actions, its global community, the work of the Benfica Foundation, and major figures in the Club’s history, such as Eusébio.”
Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica speaks towards Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Mourinho reportedly makes legal decision, supporting Benfica’s Prestianni
Even though José Mourinho has a significant history with Real Madrid, he chose to remain neutral regarding Vinicius Jr.’s complaint against Gianluca Prestianni. The Portuguese coach also criticized the Brazilian’s attitude during the match, prompting strong remarks from legend Lilian Thuram. Far from ending there, he has reportedly taken a legally justified measure ahead of the second leg between Real Madrid and SL Benfica.
According to Sky Sports, José Mourinho has chosen not to attend any press conferences before the match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid. Instead, Assistant Coach João Tralhão will manage those media appearances. While this decision could have resulted in a sanction, the Portuguese manager has a legal justification due to his red card, which exempts him from mandatory media duties.
While his decision may be viewed as controversial, but José Mourinho could be seeking to protect UEFA’s ongoing investigation while steering clear of the topic involving Gianluca Prestianni. Already facing significant criticism, he may be attempting to cool the controversy and avoid statements that could further complicate the Argentine’s case. At the same time, the Portuguese manager appears to be backing SL Benfica, who have firmly stood against the accusations.
Everton square off with Manchester United in a Matchday 27 clash during the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the contest, including kickoff times and details on how to watch on TV or via streaming services.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Everton vs Manchester United on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
WHAT
English Premier League
WHEN
3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT • Monday, February 23, 2026
The battle for a UEFA Champions League spot is heating up, and Manchester Unitedhead into this crucial matchup knowing there’s zero room for error after Liverpool’s latest win and Chelsea’s stumble reshaped the race. United must secure all three points to stay firmly in control of their European fate.
However, Evertonwon’t make it easy, entering with 37 points and the opportunity to move within five of the Champions League places with a victory of their own. With both sides chasing Europe and the pressure mounting by the week, this showdown carries massive implications — make sure you don’t miss it.
More details about watching the game on DirecTV Stream
With DirecTV Stream, you can watch Everton vs Manchester United and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick as well as Google TV, Samsung and Peloton.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and often shares with you a variety of different packages to choose from, so you can pick what suits you the best. That also includes packages filled with sports other than soccer including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more.
DirecTV Stream has 140+ channels of live TV and unlimited DVR. That includes all of the most important soccer-related channels such as NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, CBS as well as more niche soccer channels including FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Univision, TUDN and GolTV.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full DirecTV Stream soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Amid his electoral campaign to seek re-election, Joan Laporta has decided to break his silence regarding the departure of Lionel Messi. After several years, the former FC Barcelona president delivered a controversial response about the Argentine’s exit.
Despite being one of the most important players in Barcelona’s history, Lionel Messi left the club in 2021, ending a long and successful tenure within the team. In the aftermath, Joan Laporta has often been portrayed as the main figure responsible for the Argentine’s departure, a heavy burden on his career. As he seeks presidential re-election, he has decided to break his silence, revealing the primary reason behind the exit of the Barcelona’s greatest legend.
“We didn’t want to sign the CVC agreement to register Leo Messi because we considered it detrimental to the club… Barça is above players, executives, or presidents, and we couldn’t do it. It’s what has left me saddest as president… They’re disappointing moments, like when Koeman, Xavi, Piqué, or others left… The amounts in his contract if we renewed it were unaffordable, and that’s why he couldn’t continue,”Joan Laporta said, via Tot Costa.
Unlike previous presidential terms, Laporta took charge of the team in the midst of an economic crisis, with serious limitations on roster movements. Having made Messi’s continuity his main electoral asset, the Argentine’s non-renewal was seen as a betrayal not only to the player but also to the fans. However, Joan prioritized economic stability, as the CVC agreement was considered detrimental to the team’s future, as it would lease audiovisual revenues for 50 years.
Amid Joan Laporta’s explanations, candidate Xavier Vilajoana argues that the Argentine could have signed a new contract. In an exclusive interview with World Soccer Talk, he stated: “Messi could have been renewed. The problem is that he was not renewed before June 30, 2021. From that point on, he became a new signing. That is a very important factor, because from there the 1+1 rule came into play in a different way.”
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference at Nou Camp.
Not only has Vilajoana pointed at Laporta, but so have Marc Ciria and Víctor Font, who argue that Joan’s re-election would keep Lionel Messi away for another six years. However, the former Barcelona president is seeking to mend ties with the Argentine, revealing that he wants to build a statue in his honor at the Camp Nou, along with organizing a tribute once the stadium renovations are completed, underlining that the veteran forward is living history of the club.
Joan Laporta reveals key change in relationship with Lionel Messi
After debuting in 2004 during Joan Laporta‘s first tenure, Lionel Messi maintained a close relationship with the Argentine, which strengthened over more than a decade. However, this bond seems to have deteriorated since Messi’s move to PSG in 2021. He has visited the stadium only once since then, and it was at night with no one else present. In light of these events, the former Barcelona president admitted that his relationship with the legend has changed.
“The relationship with Messi isn’t what it used to be. There was also an incident at the Ballon d’Or ceremony where I went to greet him, and he felt we shouldn’t greet each other. Since then, there has been some rapprochement, and hopefully, this will continue in the future. The relationship is strained, but he’s a Barcelona legend,” Laporta said, via Tot Costa.
With this in mind, a potential return of Lionel Messi to FC Barcelona—whether for a tribute or to take on a role within the club—appears quite difficult while Joan Laporta remains in charge. Although tensions between them could ease at some point, their relationship may never be the same again. Still, the former president has made it clear that he does not regret his decision, as he prioritized the club’s recovery above all else.
Ryan Garcia finally got his hands on a world title on Saturday night and promoter Oscar De La Hoya is already eyeing up his next opponent, admitting that there is one standout candidate that would make for an ‘exciting’ scrap. Garcia was scheduled for a first world title challenge two years ago, but he lost […]
UEFA, Benfica'nın Arjantinli futbolcusu Gianluca Prestianni'ye, Vinicius Junior'a "ayrımcı" hareketi nedeniyle bir maç ceza verdi.
Avrupa Futbol Federasyonları Birliği'nden (UEFA) yapılan açıklamada, Prestianni'nin, Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk ayağındaki Real Madrid maçında rakip takım oyuncusuna "ayrımcı" davranışta bulunduğu gerekçesiyle, bu cezaya çarptırıldığı belirtildi.
20 yaşındaki Arjantinli oyuncu, 25 Şubat Çarşamba günü oynanacak rövanş maçında forma giyemeyecek.
Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk ayağında oynanan karşılaşmanın 50. dakikasında Real Madrid’i 1-0 öne geçiren golü kaydeden Vinicius Junior, golün ardından kendisine ırkçı davranışlarda bulunulduğu iddiasıyla saha kenarına gelmişti.
Brezilyalı yıldız, maçın Fransız hakemi François Letexier'e Benfica forması giyen Gianluca Prestianni'nin kendisine yönelik ırkçı hareketlerde bulunduğunu iddia etmiş bu nedenle oyun bir süre durmuştu.
Real Madrid, deplasmanda karşılaştığı Benfica'yı Vinicius Junior'ın 50. dakikada attığı golle 1-0 mağlup etmişti.
Trendyol 1. Lig'in 27. haftasında Keçiörengücü, deplasmanda Pendikspor'u 1-0 mağlup etti. 40. dakikada Okwuchukwu Ezeh'in golüyle iki maç sonra kazanan Keçiörengücü, puanını 39'a yükseltti. Pendikspor ise haftayı 45 puanla tamamladı.
Trendyol 1. Lig'in 27. haftasında Pendikspor ile Keçiörengücü karşı karşıya geldi. Pendik Stadı'nda oynanan müsabakayı kazanan 1-0'lık skorla konuk ekip oldu.
Başkent ekibine galibiyeti getiren golü 40. dakikada Okwuchukwu Ezeh attı.
Bu sonuçla birlikte iki maç sonra galibiyete ulaşan Keçiörengücü, puanını 39'a çıkardı. Pendikspor ise 45 puanda kaldı.
Trendyol 1. Lig'in bir sonraki haftasında Pendikspor, Adana Demirspor'a konuk olacak. Keçiörengücü, Amedspor'u ağırlayacak.
Stat: Pendik
Hakemler: Muhammet Ali Metoğlu, Kadir Akıllı, Sabri Öğe
Atko Grup Pendikspor: Deniz Dilmen, Kitsiou (Dk. 86 Ahmet Karademir), Yiğit Fidan, Soldo, Furkan Doğan (Dk. 46 Sequeira), Bekir Karadeniz, Mesut Özdemir (Dk. 72 Hüseyin Maldar), Wilks, Denic, Thuram (Dk. 46 Hakan Yeşil), Clarke-Harris (Dk. 82 Görkem Bitin)
Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü: Emre Satılmış, Hakan Bilgiç, Oğuzcan Çalışkan, Abdullah Çelik, Süleyman Luş, Hüseyin Bulut, İshak Karaoğul, Roshi, Rroca (Dk. 79 Halil Can Ayan), Ezeh, Diouf (Dk. 89 Ali Akman)
Gol: Dk. 40 Ezeh (Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü)
Sarı kartlar: Dk. 15 Süleyman Luş, Dk. 68 Hakan Bilgiç, Dk. 87 Halil Can Ayan, Dk. 90+3 Emre Satılmış (Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü), Dk. 16 Mesut Özdemir, Dk. 66 Soldo, Dk. 88 Sequeira (Atko Grup Pendikspor)
Sarıyerli yardımsever aileler, Ramazan ayında Şanlıurfalı öğrencileri sevindirdi. Eyyübiye ilçesindeki bir ilkokulda eğitim gören 150 öğrenciye ulaştırılan destekler, miniklerin yüzünde tebessüm oluşturdu.
İstanbul’un Sarıyer ilçesinde faaliyet gösteren GS Sarıyer Futbol Okulu ile Kuzeyin Aslanları Spor Kulübü, Ramazan ayında anlamlı bir sosyal sorumluluk çalışmasına imza attı. Kulüp öğrencilerı ve velilerin desteğiyle toplanan kışlık giyecekler, Şanlıurfa’nın Eyyübiye ilçesinde bulunan Ortaikizce İlkokulu öğrencilerine ulaştırıldı.
Toplam 150 öğrenciye bot, mont, eldiven, bere ve çoraptan oluşan kışlık paketler dağıtıldı. Soğuk kış günlerinde çocukların ihtiyaçlarını karşılamayı hedefleyen organizasyon, iki şehir arasında gönül köprüsü kurulmasına vesile oldu.
SADECE SPOR DEĞİL, SORUMLULUK DA ÖĞRETİYORUZ
Futbol okulu sorumlusu ve kulüp yetkilisi Ferhat Can, sporun yalnızca saha içinde değil, hayatın her alanında değer üretmesi gerektiğini vurguladı. Birçok yardım organizasyonu gerçekleştirdiklerini belirten Can, şunları söyledi:
“Daha önce Ağrı’da kışlık set desteği sağladık, Adapazarı’nda bir köy okulunun boyanmasına katkı sunduk ve Van’a destek paketleri gönderdik. Sporcularımız ve velilerimizle güçlü bir dayanışma kültürü oluşturduk. Şanlıurfa’daki organizasyonda 150 çocuğumuza kışlık ihtiyaçlarını ulaştırdık. Yardımları bizzat teslim etmek bizim için ayrı bir manevi değer taşıyor.”
ÇOCUKLARIN YÜZLERİNDEKİ TEBESSÜM HER ŞEYE DEĞER
Gerçekleştirilen yardım organizasyonu, öğrenciler için hem maddi hem de manevi bir destek oldu. Çocukların yüzlerindeki tebessümün her şeye bedel olduğunu ifade eden kulüp yöneticileri, veliler ve öğrenciler sosyal sorumluluk çalışmalarına önümüzdeki süreçte de devam edeceklerini belirtti.
AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədri Rəhim Həsənov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 21-ci turundakı mübahisəli epizodlara şərh verib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, komitə sədri ənənəyə uyğun olaraq, 21-ci turun oyunlarında qeydə alınmış mübahisəli epizodlarla bağlı fikirlərini bildirib.
Mütəxəssis bu barədə AFFA-nın mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlama verib. Rəhim Həsənov ümumilikdə 3 matçda qeydə alınmış 5 epizodla bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb. O, hakimlərin bütün qərarlarının doğru olduğunu bəyan edib.
AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədrinin 21-ci turun oyunlarındakı mübahisəli epizodları təhlil etdiyi həmin videonu təqdim edirik:
Cüdo üzrə Azərbaycan milli komandasının üzvləri Özbəkistanın paytaxtı Daşkənddə “Böyük Dəbilqə” turnirində iştirak edəcəklər.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, yarış Beynəlxalq Cüdo Federasiyasının təqviminə əsasən fevralın 27-dən martın 1-dək davam edəcək.
Turnirdə kişilərdən ibarət yığmamız baş məşqçi Riçard Trautman, böyük məşqçilər – Elçin İsmayılov, Robert Kravçik, qadınlardan ibarət milli isə baş məşqçi Amina Abdellatif və məşqçi İmarverdi Məmmədovun başçılığı altında 12 çəki dərəcəsində 19 cüdoçu (12 kişi, 7 qadın) ilə təmsil olunacaq.
Üç gün davam edəcək yarışda 40 ölkədən 380 idmançı (213 kişi, 167 qadın) mübarizə aparacaq.
Dünya Turu seriyasında keçirilən yarışda Azərbaycan Cüdo Federasiyasının hakimlər heyətinin üzvü A kateqoriyalı beynəlxalq dərəcəli hakim Nazim Umbayev ədalət təmsilçiləri arasında yer alacaq.
Mariya Stadnik U-15 və U-17 yaş qruplarından ibarət güləş üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin böyük məşqçisi vəzifəsinə təyin edilib.
Arena.az bu barədə Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının rəsmi saytına istinadn məlumat verir.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, qadın güləşində milli komandaların tərkibi yenidən formalaşıb. Məşqçilər heyətində Rövşən Umudov və Solmaz Adilova da yer alıblar.
Toğrul Əsgərov əvvəlki kimi böyüklər və U-23 milli komandasında, o cümlədən U-20 yaş qrupu üzrə baş məşqçi əvəzi funksiyasını yerinə yetirəcək. Böyük məşqçi Ağahüseyn Mustafayevlə yanaşı, məşqçi Həsrət Məmmədyarov da bu komandanın məşqçilər heyətində yer alacaq.
Xatırladaq ki, ötən ilin əvvəlində karyerasını başa vurmuş Mariya Stadnik həmin vaxt Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasında (AGF) qadın güləşi üzrə koordinator vəzifəsinə təyin edilmişdi.
Mariya Olimpiya mükafatçısı, dünya və Avropa çempionudur.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan reportedly turned down an offer from Juventus, despite the Bianconeri proposing a higher salary than Milan.
Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports that Juventus opened talks with Milan goalkeeper Maignan at the end of 2025 to sound out a possible free transfer in the summer.
Maignan prioritised Milan over Juventus
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Mike Maignan of AC Milan celebrates his team-mates goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to the report, Juventus directors contacted Maignan’s entourage between November and December and were ready to offer a salary slightly higher than the one he earns at Milan.
Maignan, however, took his time, reiterating that his priority was to stay with Milan, and ultimately signed a new deal through 2031.
According to Moretto, the new Maignan deal is technically valid until 2030, with an option for a further campaign that Milan can activate.
Bayern Munich contacted Maignan between September and October, but didn’t make another attempt afterwards, while Chelsea had held talks in the summer.
LECCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 01: Ante Rebic of Lecce scores his team’s equalizing goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and Juventus at Stadio Via del Mare on December 01, 2024 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
It remains to be seen whether Juventus will make changes between the sticks next season, as Michele Di Gregorio has been highly criticised in recent weeks.
The Bianconeri have suffered 13 goals this season from the first shot on target.
Second-choice goalkeeper Mattia Perin was very close to returning to Genoa in January, but Juventus refused to let him go, also because there was a gap between their demand and Genoa’s offer.
Perin has remained in Turin until the end of the season, but there are “concrete” chances to see him leave the club at the end of the season, Moretto said.
Matteo Moretto reports that Paulo Dybala’s entourage is in talks with Boca Juniors, as Roma haven’t yet offered the Argentine a new deal, while Marcos Senesi’s free transfer to the Olimpico from Bournemouth appears unlikely.
Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports that Roma star Dybala is in talks with Boca Juniors through his entourage.
Roma’s uncertain Roma future
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma warms up prior the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on January 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
La Joya’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Roma have yet to decide whether to offer the Argentine a new deal.
According to the report, Roma are considering a contract extension at a lower salary, but the two parties haven’t yet begun talks. Both sides are taking time to assess future options.
Dybala’s future at the club is highly uncertain, with an exit more likely than an extension at this stage, according to Moretto.
The player’s camp has been in talks with Boca Juniors directors for several weeks, and the feeling is that the Argentine has entered the final months of his spell at Roma with a return to Argentina on the cards.
Senesi’s Roma move unlikely
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Everton and Bournemouth at Goodison Park on February 10, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Roma and Dybala will meet in the coming weeks to make a mutual decision about the future.
There’s also an update on Bournemouth defender Senesi, who is available for a free transfer at the end of his contract in June.
Roma are among the clubs interested, but according to Moretto, there is “no chance” of the Giallorossi signing Senesi, who has received offers from other clubs as well.
Leeds United are set to host Manchester City in what could be an intriguing Premier League clash, so read on for our guide on how to buy Leeds vs Manchester City tickets.
Both teams will be desperate for points in this game, as Leeds are still not entirely comfortable in their fight against relegation, while Man City need to keep up the pressure on Arsenal in the title race.
Fans of both sides will be eager to get Leeds vs Manchester City tickets, so here’s a look at the available options.
How to buy Leeds United tickets
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool is challenged by Pascal Struijk of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on January 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Leeds fans will likely be aware of the club’s official ticket page, which can be found here, though it’s worth having a look around for alternative sources.
For instance, our link here is another trusted and easy-to-use ticketing hub that won’t put you in a queue behind season ticket holders and club members, or charge you those extra fees to give you a better chance of getting to the game.
How to buy Manchester City tickets
Meanwhile, City fans looking for tickets might well make their first search here on the club’s official site.
They would encounter the same problems, however, as there’s next to no chance of you actually getting a ticket unless you’re already a season ticket holder or club member, so why not make use of our link here for a simpler and more affordable option?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Barring any injuries or suspensions, we’ll surely see Leeds manager Daniel Farke going full strength for this one as every point counts at this stage of the season.
City have had a few injuries, but Erling Haaland is expected to be fit, while Jeremy Doku is also in line to return for this game. There are more long-term problems like Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, but in general, we should see Pep Guardiola putting out a strong team for this one.
Man City predicted XI:Donnarumma; Nunes, O’Reilly, Dias, Guehi; Rodri, Reijnders, Silva; Foden, Semenyo, Haaland.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, City have a really strong recent record against Leeds, with five wins in a row in this fixture, and 19 goals scored against them in total during that run.
Throughout history, it’s a bit closer, with MCFC winning 50 and Leeds coming out on top 43 times, while there have been 18 draws.
Elland Road is not the easiest place to go, but City will be confident of picking up three points here and building more momentum as they look to reclaim the title.
What are your predictions for this one? Let us know in the comments!
Kevin De Bruyne has returned to Naples to continue his recovery and told Napoli fans he’d return to action ‘soon.’
Napoli star De Bruyne returned to Naples on Sunday, February 22, after spending the last few months abroad, where he completed the initial phase of his rehabilitation from a severe muscle injury.
De Bruyne returns to Naples
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The Belgium internatinal underwent surgery in Antwerp at the end of October after suffering a high-grade tear of the biceps femoris in the right thigh.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan is challenged by Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
As reported by CalcioNapoli24, De Bruyne landed at Naples’ Capodichino Airport on Sunday.
Napoli confirmed De Bruyne’s return to the training centre on Monday “to continue and complete his recovery.”
Upon arriving in Naples yesterday, De Bruyne reportedly told Napoli fans that he felt “well” and that he would “be back soon.”
When will De Bruyne return to action?
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli, instead of celebrating the goal, stops everyone due to an injury during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The 34-year-old will now continue his recovery in Naples, but is not expected to return to action before April.
The former Manchester City star has scored four goals and provided two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.
Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen ignores Inter’s complaints about the Norwegian side’s home turf: ‘Manchester City didn’t even mention it.’
Bodo/Glimt have travelled to Milan for the second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off against Inter.
The Norwegian side earned a 3-1 win over the Nerazzurri last week, so they’ve come to Milan to defend a two-goal lead in the decider.
BODO, NORWAY – FEBRUARY 18: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between FK Bodo/Glimt and FC Internazionale Milano at Aspmyra Stadion on February 18, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)
“There’s nothing I can do about it. We must only focus on what we can control,” Knutsen said at a pre-match press conference on Monday via TMW.
“City didn’t even mention the field, and neither are we accustomed to the San Siro turf. I keep the focus on something else. To me, it’s not smart to talk about other contexts that don’t concern football, but what others do is not important to me.”
BODO, NORWAY – FEBRUARY 18: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, interacts with Kjetil Knutsen, Head Coach of Bodo/Glimt, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between FK Bodo/Glimt and FC Internazionale Milano at Aspmyra Stadion on February 18, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)
Back in January, Gigio Donnarumma’s Manchester City had lost 3-1 away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League group stage.
Bodo/Glimt also beat Atletico Madrid in the previous stage of the competition and recently received praise from ex-Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp.
“Klopp is a great man and coach, I’m happy with his compliments, but I think about Bodo/Glimt,” said Knutsen.
“I want the players to focus on the game, and I must do the same.”
Federico Dimarco feels ‘obliged’ to help Inter qualify for the Champions League Round of 16, but he’d prefer to qualify for the World Cup with Italy rather than win the European Cup with the Nerazzurri.
Inter host Bodo/Glimt at San Siro in the second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off on Tuesday.
Inter vs. Bodo/Glimt – Dimarco’s pre-match interviews
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JANUARY 28: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Internazionale Milano at BVB Stadion Dortmund on January 28, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
During his pre-match press conference (via FcInter1908), Dimarco discussed Inter’s tactical approach for tomorrow’s match.
“Obviously, quite attacking,” he said.
“We are down two goals. We must pay attention to their counterattacks as they’ve been lethal in other Champions League games this season.
“First of all, we must think about scoring, then we’ll see how the game goes. The first thought will be to make the comeback as soon as possible.”
Dimarco has contributed to 21 goals across all competitions this season, scoring six times and providing 15 assists and praised his coach Cristian Chivu: “He’s given me a lot of advice since the start of the year.
“We must try, we are Inter. We must play this match as we have in other Champions League matches we’ve played in recent years,” Dimarco continued.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“The same goes for the national team. We’ve missed the last two World Cups, and we are obliged to try.”
The national team was also mentioned during Dimarco’s interview with Sky Sport Italia when the Italy star was asked to choose between winning the Scudetto or the Champions League with Inter or qualifying for the World Cup with the Azzurri.
The left wing-back smiled and replied: “Please, let me pick two: Scudetto and qualification for the World Cup.”
AC Milan are interested in signing Joe Gomez from Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to CaughtOffSide. Gomez is out of contract at the Premier League club in the summer of 2027. Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in a 2026 summer deal for Gomez, with West Ham United and Brighton and […]
Manchester United are among the clubs that are keen on signing Mateus Mane from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer transfer window, according to CaughtOffSide. The report has claimed that Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in a summer deal for the versatile English forward. A source told CaughtOffSide: ‘Wolves accept that it’s going to be […]
Manchester United are interested in signing Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer transfer window, according to CaughtOffSide. Liverpool are also said to have shown a keen interest in securing the services of Brown. The 22-year-old Germany international left-back is the subject of interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, too, while Manchester City, Bayern […]
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner recently told the club fans to be “humble” in their expectations amid a disappointing run of results, and the reaction was bordering on fury. When the Eagles welcomed Wolves to Selhurst Park on Sunday, a banner was unfurled, saying “Opportunities missed. Board Inept. Fans disrespected – Glasner is finished”. Here’s […]
Arsenal are interested in signing Emmanuel Fernandez from Rangers in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. However, Rangers have no plans to cash in on the 24-year-old defender. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Yeah, he’s been a success story for Rangers, Fernandez, since his arrival from Peterborough last summer. “It’s no surprise maybe that […]
Igor Tudor made his debut in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout on Sunday, though he probably wished it wasn’t a North London Derby. Arsenal’s quality was fully on display, and the Gunners emerged comfortably victorious at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Here’s what the Croatian coach had to say after the match. 🚨🥇 Igor Tudor: “Arsenal are […]
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade made its debut on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series consoles in January, and the Switch 2 port in particular has been praised as a solid port that accounts for the system's technical limitations compared to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, delivering the best possible experience. With Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3, however, achieving a high-quality port is definitely going to be more challenging, but the development team is set to deliver a 30 FPS on the weaker platforms, such as the Switch 2 and Xbox Series S, according to the […]
ASML plans to enable fab manufacturers to aggressively increase production through its latest breakthrough in EUV, as the Dutch chipmaker ramps up its light-source capabilities. ASML's Enhanced EUV Light Source Projected to Bring in a Huge Increase in Fab Output, Only With Equipment Upgrades The semiconductor industry is currently in a supercycle driven by demand from fabless manufacturers, not just for consumer products but also for enterprise/AI. We have extensively reported on how chip giants like TSMC are under significant supply constraints, and one way the supply chain is addressing this is by building an extensive fab network. However, ASML […]
After several days of downtime, ASUS.de is back online, but Acer has yet to restore its Germany regional website. ASUS.DE is Now Live, and ACER.DE is Still Down; ASUS Removes Disputed Desktop and Laptop Products From the Site Due to Ban by Munich Court ASUS and Acer have been facing legal action from Nokia over a patent licensing dispute related to the HEVC/H.265 video codec.. The Munich I Regional Court forced both companies to halt direct sales of certain desktop PCs and laptops in Germany due to the same reason. The court found that ASUS and Acer had not agreed […]
When you look at the state of the video game industry today, where long-running studios with veteran talent and brand-new teams (even ones built with veteran devs) get laid off entirely after their first project flops, it's easy to say that each new game hitting the market has a lot riding on it. In that general economic sense, ZA/UM's upcoming espionage CRPG, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, has a lot riding on it. But it also carries a heavier burden than other new titles. Few games have to deal with trying to best a predecessor that is as well-regarded as […]
At the time of this writing, we are days away from the global release of Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in Capcom's long-running, beloved horror series. It's an exciting time for fans of the series and horror fans, but it's also a tense time to be online, because there are plenty of spoilers online to be found. While Capcom has already issued a plea to fans asking them not to share these spoilers, industry icon and director of Resident Evil 2, Hideki Kamiya, has a different take on these spoilers getting out there. In its statement, Capcom says, […]
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Dogecoin price is stuck in a technical bear market, a trend that may continue as key metrics like exchange-traded fund inflows and futures open interest slip. Dogecoin (DOGE) token was trading at $0.09610, down by 80% from its highest level…
Most SEO professionals give Google too much credit. We assume Google understands content the way we do — that it reads our pages, grasps nuance, evaluates expertise, and rewards quality in some deeply intelligent way. The DOJ antitrust trial told a different story.
Under oath, Google VP of Search Pandu Nayak described a first-stage retrieval system built on inverted indexes and postings lists, traditional information retrieval methods that predate modern AI by decades. Court exhibits from the remedies phase reference “Okapi BM25,” the canonical lexical retrieval algorithm that Google’s system evolved from. The first gate your content has to pass through isn’t a neural network. It’s word matching.
Google does deploy more advanced AI further down the pipeline, including BERT-based models, dense vector embeddings, and entity understanding systems. But those operate only on the much smaller candidate set traditional retrieval produces. We’ll walk through where each technology enters the process.
This matters for content optimization tools like Surfer SEO, Clearscope, and MarketMuse. Their core methodology — a mix of TF-IDF analysis, topic modeling, and entity evaluation — maps directly to how that first retrieval stage scores documents. The tools are built on the right foundation. The problem is that most people use them incorrectly, and the studies backing them have real limitations.
Below, I’ll explain how first-stage retrieval works and why it still matters, what the research on content scoring tools actually shows — and doesn’t show — and most importantly, how to use these tools to produce content that earns its way into the candidate set without wasting time chasing a perfect score.
How first-stage retrieval works and why content tools map to it
Best Matching 25 (BM25) is the retrieval function most commonly associated with Google’s first-stage system.
Nayak’s testimony described the mechanics it formalizes: an inverted index that walks postings lists and scores topicality across hundreds of billions of indexed pages, narrowing the field to tens of thousands of candidates in milliseconds.
Here’s what matters for content creators:
Term frequency with saturation: The first mention of a relevant term captures roughly 45% of the maximum possible score for that term. Three mentions get you to about 71%. Going from three to thirty adds almost nothing. Repetition has steep diminishing returns.
Inverse document frequency: Rare, specific terms carry more scoring weight than common ones. “Pronation” is worth roughly 2.5 times more than “shoes” in a running shoe query because fewer pages contain it.
Document length normalization: Longer documents get penalized for the same raw term count. All of these scoring algorithms are essentially looking at some degree of density relative to word count, which is why every content tool measures it.
The zero-score cliff: If a term doesn’t appear in your document at all, your score for that term is exactly zero. Not low. Zero. You’re invisible for every query containing it.
That last point is the single most important reason content optimization tools have value. If you write a comprehensive rhinoplasty article but never mention “recovery time,” you score zero for that entire cluster of queries, regardless of how good the rest of your content is.
Google has systems like synonym expansion and Neural Matching — RankEmbed — that can supplement lexical retrieval and surface additional documents. But counting on those systems to rescue a page with vocabulary gaps is a risky strategy when you can simply cover the term.
After first-stage retrieval, the pipeline gets progressively more expensive and more sophisticated. RankEmbed adds candidates keyword matching missed. Mustang applies roughly 100+ signals, including topicality, quality scores, and NavBoost — accumulated click data over 13 months, described by Nayak as “one of the strongest” ranking signals.
DeepRank applies BERT-based language understanding to only the final 20 to 30 results because these models are too expensive to run at scale. The practical implication is clear: no amount of authority or engagement signals helps if your page never passes the first gate. Content optimization tools help you get through it. What happens after is a different problem.
Three major studies have examined whether content tool scores correlate with rankings: Ahrefs (20 keywords, May 2025), Originality.ai (~100 keywords, October 2025), and Surfer SEO (10,000 queries, July 2025). All found weak positive correlations in the 0.10 to 0.32 range.
A 0.24 to 0.28 correlation is actually meaningful in this context. But these numbers need serious qualification. Every study was conducted by a vendor, and in every case, the vendor’s own tool performed best.
No study controlled for confounding variables like backlinks, domain authority, or accumulated click data. The methodology is fundamentally circular: the tools generate recommendations by analyzing pages that already rank in the top 10 to 20, then the studies test whether pages in the top 10 to 20 score well on those same tools.
The real question — whether following tool recommendations helps a new, unranked page climb — has never been rigorously tested. Clearscope’s Bernard Huang put it directly: “A 0.26 correlation is not the brag they think it is.”
He’s right. But a weak positive correlation is exactly what you’d expect if these tools solve the retrieval problem — getting into the candidate set — without solving the ranking problem — beating competitors once there. Understanding that distinction is what makes these tools useful rather than misleading.
Why not skip these tools altogether?
Expert writers are terrible at predicting how their audience actually searches. MIT Sloan’s Miro Kazakoff calls it the curse of knowledge. Once you know something, you forget what it was like before you knew it.
Clearscope’s case study with Algolia illustrates the problem precisely. Algolia’s writers were technical experts producing genuinely excellent content that sat on Page 9. The problem wasn’t quality. The team was using internal jargon instead of the language their audience actually typed into Google.
After adopting Clearscope, their SEO manager Vince Caruana said the tool helped the organization “start writing for our audience instead of ourselves” by breaking out of internal vocabulary. Blog posts moved from Page 9 to Page 1 within weeks. Not because the writing improved, but because the vocabulary finally matched search behavior.
Google’s own SEO Starter Guide acknowledges this dynamic, noting that users might search for “charcuterie” while others search for “cheese board.” Content optimization tools surface that gap by showing you the actual vocabulary of pages that have already demonstrated retrieval success.
You can do everything a tool does manually by reading top results and noting common themes, but the tools automate hours of SERP analysis into minutes. At $79 to $399 per month, the investment is justified when teams publish frequently in competitive niches or assign work to freelancers lacking domain expertise. For a solo blogger publishing once or twice a month, manual analysis works fine.
What about AI-powered retrieval?
Dense vector embeddings are the same core technology behind LLMs and AI-powered search features. They compress a document into a fixed-length numerical representation and can match semantically similar content even without shared keywords. Google uses them via RankEmbed, but they supplement lexical retrieval rather than replace it.
The reason is computational: A 768-dimensional embedding can preserve only so much information, and research from Google DeepMind’s 2025 LIMIT paper showed that single-vector models max out at roughly 1.7 million documents before relevance distinctions break down — a small fraction of Google’s index. Multiple studies, including findings on the BEIR benchmark, show hybrid approaches combining BM25 with dense retrieval outperform either method alone.
The bottom line for practitioners is clear: The AI layer matters, but it sits lower in the pipeline, and the traditional retrieval stage your content tools map to still does the heavy lifting at scale.
This is where most guidance on content tools falls short. The typical advice is “use Surfer/Clearscope, get a high score, rank better.”
That misses the point entirely. Here’s a framework built on how these tools actually intersect with Google’s retrieval mechanics.
Prioritize zero-usage terms over everything else
The highest-leverage action these tools identify is a term with zero mentions in your content. That’s a term where your retrieval score is literally zero, and you’re invisible for every query containing it. Going from zero to one mention is the single most impactful edit you can make. Going from four mentions to eight is nearly worthless because of the saturation curve.
When reviewing tool recommendations, filter for terms you haven’t used at all. Clearscope’s “Unused” filter does this explicitly.
Ask yourself: Does this missing term represent a subtopic my audience would expect me to cover? If yes, work it in naturally. If the tool suggests a term that doesn’t fit your angle — a beginner’s guide doesn’t need advanced technical terminology — skip it.
A high score achieved by forcing irrelevant terms into your content is worse than a moderate score with genuinely useful writing. As Ahrefs noted in its 2025 study, “you can literally copy-paste the entire keyword list, draft nothing else, and get a high score.” That tells you everything about the limits of chasing the number.
Be selective about which competitor pages you analyze
Default settings on most tools pull from the top 10 to 20 ranking pages, which frequently includes Wikipedia, major media outlets, and enterprise sites with overwhelming domain authority. These pages often rank despite their content, not because of it. Their term patterns reflect authority advantage, not content quality, and they’ll skew your recommendations.
A better approach: Look for pages that rank for a high number of organic keywords on mid-authority domains.
Ahrefs’ data shows the average page ranking No. 1 also ranks in the top 10 for nearly 1,000 other keywords. A page ranking for 500 keywords on a DR 35 site has demonstrated broad retrieval success through vocabulary and topical coverage, not just backlinks. Those pages contain term patterns proven effective across hundreds of separate retrieval events, not just one.
In most tools, you can manually exclude specific URLs from competitor analysis. Remove the Wikipedia pages, the Amazon listings, and any high-authority site where you know authority is doing the work. What’s left gives you a much cleaner picture of what content actually needs to include.
Use tools during research, not during writing
The worst workflow is writing with the scoring editor open, watching your number tick up in real time. That pulls your attention toward keyword insertion instead of communicating expertise. Practitioners reporting the worst experiences with these tools tend to be the ones writing to a live score.
The better workflow: Run the tool first. Review the term list. Identify gaps in your outline, especially terms with zero usage that represent subtopics you should cover. Then close the tool and write for your reader.
Run it again at the end as a sanity check. Did you miss any major subtopics? Add them. Is the score significantly lower than competitors? That’s information worth investigating. But your job is to build the best page on the internet for this topic, not to match a number.
Understand that content is one player in the game
NavBoost, RankEmbed, PageRank-derived quality scores, site authority, click data, and engagement signals all operate on the candidate set that first-stage retrieval produces. Content optimization gets you through the gate. It doesn’t win the race.
If you optimize a page, push the score to 90, and don’t see ranking improvements, that doesn’t mean the tool failed. It likely means the other ranking factors — backlinks, domain authority, and click signals — are doing more work for your competitors than content alone can overcome.
This is especially important when scoping on-page optimization projects. Be honest about what content changes can and can’t accomplish. If a page is on a DR 15 domain competing against DR 70+ sites, perfect content optimization is necessary but probably not sufficient.
When a client asks why they’re not ranking after you pushed their score to 95, the answer shouldn’t be “we need more content.” It should be a clear explanation of which part of the problem content solves — retrieval — which parts it doesn’t — authority, engagement, brand — and what the next strategic move actually is.
Focus on going beyond, not just matching
The philosophy behind these tools — structure your content after what top results cover — is sound. You need to demonstrate topical relevance to enter the candidate set. But the goal isn’t to produce another version of what already exists.
The pages that rank broadly, the ones that show up for hundreds or thousands of keywords, consistently do more than match the competitive baseline. They add original research, practitioner experience, specific examples, or angles the existing results don’t cover.
Surfer SEO’s December 2024 study supports this. It measured “facts coverage” across articles and found that top-performing content by keyword breadth had significantly higher coverage scores than bottom performers.
The content that ranks for the most queries doesn’t just include the right terms. It includes more information, more specifically. Use the tool to establish the floor of topical coverage. Then build the ceiling with value the tool can’t measure.
A note on entities
Google’s Knowledge Graph contains an estimated 54 billion entities. Entity understanding becomes most powerful in the later ranking stages where BERT and DeepRank process final candidates.
Some content tools are starting to incorporate entity analysis, but even the best versions present entities as flat keyword lists, missing the relationships between entities that Google’s systems actually evaluate.
Knowing that “Dr. Smith” and “rhinoplasty” appear on your page is different from understanding that Dr. Smith is a board-certified surgeon with published research at a specific institution. That relational depth is what Google processes, and no content scoring tool currently captures it.
Treat entity coverage as an additional layer beyond what keyword-focused tools measure, not a replacement for the fundamentals.
Content optimization tools work because they’ve reverse-engineered the vocabulary of the retrieval stage. That’s a less exciting claim than “they’ve cracked Google’s algorithm,” but it’s the honest one, and it’s supported by what the DOJ trial revealed about Google’s infrastructure.
Use these tools to identify missing terms and subtopics. Be skeptical of exact frequency targets. Exclude high-authority outliers from your competitor analysis. Prioritize zero-usage terms over further optimization of terms you’ve already covered.
Understand that a perfect content score addresses one stage of a multi-stage pipeline and use the competitive baseline as your floor, not your ceiling. The content that ranks the broadest isn’t the content that best matches what already exists. It’s the content that covers what already exists and then goes further.
SerpApi is asking a federal court to dismiss Google’s lawsuit, arguing the company is misusing copyright law to restrict access to public search results.
The motion was filed Feb. 20, according to a blog post by SerpApi CEO and founder Julien Khaleghy.
Google sued SerpApi in December, alleging it bypassed technical protections to scrape and resell content from Google Search.
The details: SerpApi argues Google is improperly invoking the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). According to Khaleghy:
The DMCA protects copyrighted works, not websites or ad businesses.
Google doesn’t own the underlying content displayed in search results.
Accessing publicly visible pages isn’t “circumvention” under the statute.
Google’s complaint alleged SerpApi:
Circumvented bot-detection and crawling controls.
Used rotating bot identities and large bot networks.
Scraped licensed content from Search features, including images and real-time data.
SerpApi said it doesn’t decrypt systems, disable authentication, or access private data. Khaleghy said SerpApi retrieves the same information available to any user in a browser, without requiring a login.
Khaleghy also argued Google admitted its anti-bot systems protect its advertising business — not specific copyrighted works — which he said undermines the DMCA claim.
SerpApi cites the Ninth Circuit’s hiQ v. LinkedIn decision warning against “information monopolies” over public data. It also cites the Sixth Circuit’s Impression Products v. Lexmark ruling to argue that public-facing content can’t be shielded by technical measures alone.
Catch up quick: The lawsuit follows months of escalating legal fights over scraping and AI data use.
Oct. 22:Reddit sued SerpApi, Perplexity, Oxylabs, and AWMProxy in federal court, alleging they scraped Reddit content indirectly from Google Search and reused or resold it. Reddit claimed the companies hid their identities and scraped at “industrial scale.” Reddit said it set a “trap” post visible only to Google’s crawler that later appeared in Perplexity results. Reddit is seeking damages and a ban on further use of previously scraped data.
Dec. 19:Google sued SerpApi, alleging it bypassed security protections, ignored crawling directives, and scraped licensed Search content for resale. SerpApi responded that it operates lawfully and that accessing public search data is protected by the First Amendment.
By the numbers: SerpApi claims that, under Google’s interpretation of the DMCA, statutory damages could theoretically total $7.06 trillion — a figure it said exceeds U.S. GDP. The number reflects SerpApi’s calculation of potential per-violation penalties, not an actual damages demand.
What’s next. The case now moves to the court’s decision on whether Google’s claims can proceed.
Why we care: The outcome could reshape how SEO platforms, AI tools, and competitive intelligence software access SERP data. A win for Google could make third-party search data harder or riskier to obtain. A win for SerpApi could strengthen arguments that publicly accessible search results can be scraped and collected.
Search Console is a free gift from Google for SEO professionals that tells you how your website is performing. It’s the closest thing to X-ray vision we can get.
With data-packed amenities, SEO professionals can scavenge through to locate stashes of hidden nuggets like clicks and impressions from search queries, Core Web Vitals, and whatever other surprises lie within your website.
Custom regex filters take you around your million-page website.
For starters, keep reading this guide below on Search Console.
It’s engineered to withstand zombie pages, Helpful Content bloodbaths, core update mood swings, and AI Overview siphoning your clicks like we’re in Mad Max, the Search Edition. This guide is exactly what you need when the SEO industry gets dicey.
What does Search Console do? And how does it help SEO?
Search Console is a free website analytics and diagnostic tool provided by Google. Search Console tracks your website’s performance in Google search results (and, hopefully soon, in Gemini and AI Mode).
This is the closest thing we have to first-party search truth.
As an SEO director, I use Search Console daily. I monitor content performance, validate technical fixes, and track branded and non-branded query growth. It helps me prioritize what I should focus on in my SEO strategy.
If you don’t see any profiles listed, you’ll need to choose a domain or prefix URL and verify your website ownership.
So, how do you choose between a domain versus a prefix URL? Let me walk you through the differences.
Domain property is the default recommendation
A domain property includes all subdomains but no protocols (HTTP:// or HTTPS://) and no path strings (/sub/folder/).
A domain property provides a comprehensive view of how your website performs in Google search results because it automatically includes the HTTP, HTTPS, www, and non-www versions of your site.
I recommend setting up domain properties first.
To set up a domain property in Search Console, remove the HTTPS and trailing slashes.
After you hit continue, you can verify your ownership via a DNS TXT record.
I recommend going this route as it is the easiest.
You’ll need to log in to your hosting provider to submit the TXT file.
Another option is to verify through the CNAME. If you have technical support, this could be an easy alternative.
This pairs nicely with your schema markup: Product + Offer + shippingDetails + returnPolicy lets Google read your store like a label with price, availability, delivery speed, returns, etc.
URL prefix property allows you to dissect sections of a site
A URL prefix property includes the HTTPS or HTTP protocol and path string. This means that if you want to really dive into a section of your website, like /blog/ subfolder or a blog.website.com subdomain, you can do this.
After I set up my domain property, I created individual URL prefix properties for each subdomain, HTTP versions, and the/blog/ subfolders.
By having multiple URL prefix properties, I can dig deeper into sections of the website to help troubleshoot.
I can also create reporting specific to the website’s sections that may be more relevant to my co-workers.
For example, I work with customer support team members looking for data on how their Help Center content is performing.
Key moments in history for Search Console
Some really crazy stuff has happened with Search Console over time. Search Console is notorious among many SEO professionals as a delicacy, an incessant phantom of manual actions, and a culprit behind a better understanding of our website health.
I’ve compiled a short history of my SEO bromance with Search Console over the years to give you a glimmer of how we got here.
June 2005: Google Webmaster Tools (now called Search Console) was launched.
September 2018: Search Console released the Manual Actions report, “Test Live,” and request indexing features added for the URL inspection tool, and upgraded to 16 months of historical data.
December 2025: Social channel performance begins to appear in Search Console Insights (limited rollout).
Was Google preparing us for AI through Search Console all along?
Alright. Zoom out with me for a second.
All of these updates are not random. They tell a very clear story.
Search Console is evolving from a technical reporting tool into a visibility intelligence tool for the AI era.
Google is moving from: “Here are 1,000 queries.” to “Here’s a topic cluster and how it’s performing.”
The weekly/monthly views and annotations encourage trend-level analysis.
Google recognizes discovery journeys aren’t linear anymore with the introduction of social reporting.
Breakdown of Search Console for SEOs
While some SEO professionals may be waiting in the tunnels for Skynet and AIO to take over, there’s one thing we can all still depend on: Search Console.
So before you join your freelance mission with SEAL Team 6, walk through the anatomy of Search Console.
Overview
The Overview section in Search Console provides a bird’s-eye view of all data sets users can uncover in Search Console.
Search Console Insights
Search Console Insights shows which pages are popping off and which are dying in the corner. The Insights view is a digital equivalent of a snack tray.
In an AI running wild like an overcaffeinated squirrel, I’ll take this instead of analyzing 50+ tabs. This is Google’s attempt to slide into your emails and whisper, “Hey, you might want to see this.”
URL inspection
The URL inspection tool lets you see what Google sees for a given URL.
The URL inspection tool is one of my favorite SEO tools.
The test will show if the URL is indexable and explain why it may or may not be indexed.
You can also request a URL be indexed.
Search results
Search results are every content marketer’s favorite report in Search Console. It shows search traffic over the past 16 months (with comparisons), along with search queries, devices, countries, and search appearances.
It will also show you which pages rank for specific queries.
I use this report to show which pages are performing best and which are performing worst. It also helps troubleshoot any major drops or spikes in traffic.
You can segment this report based on clicks, impressions, and CTR.
The AI-powered configuration (Experiment) inside the Performance report is where things get interesting.
Instead of manually stacking filters, comparisons, regex, device splits, country filters, and date ranges, you can now describe the analysis you want and let Google build the report for you.
You can ask it questions like:
“Compare blog traffic month over month.”
“Show me queries containing ‘how to’.”
“What happened to USA traffic last week?”
“Compare mobile vs desktop performance in the last 28 days.”
“Show non-branded queries for the past 3 months.”
“What pages lost clicks this month?”
“Show changes for mobile users.”
Discover
The Discover report in Search Console shows your content’s performance in Google search results.
You can filter by pages, countries, search appearances, and devices, like the search results report.
Google News
The Google News report in Search Console tells you how your content performs under Google News in Google search results.
You can filter the report by page and device.
Pages
Pages indexing report in Search Console shares which pages in Google can find (or not find) on your website.
The pages report is valuable for every technical SEO. This report offers tons of quick wins for technical SEO. I always start with this section when auditing a website.
If you see an increase in pages indexed or not indexed, you’ll want to investigate why it’s happening.
Video pages
The video indexing report shows how many pages on your website are indexed with video content.
Sitemaps
The sitemap report allows you to submit all your XML sitemaps to Search Console. Ideally, you have at least one XML sitemap to submit.
You’ll need to submit all your XML sitemaps, including any video, image, or language-specific ones.
Removals
The removals tool in Search Console lets you temporarily block pages from Google.
Remember, these must be pages that you own on your website. You cannot submit pages you do not own.
This is the fastest way to remove a page from your website. However, I recommend working on a long-term solution if you want this web page permanently removed.
Core Web Vitals
The Core Web Vitals report uses real-world data to tell you how your pages perform.
Again, this is based on a URL level.
The report is grouped into mobile and desktop with segments of poor, needs improvement, and good.
The report is based on LCP, INP, and CLS user data.
Only indexed pages will be included in the Core Web Vitals report.
HTTPS
The HTTPS report tells you how many indexed pages on your website are HTTP or HTTPS.
If you notice any HTTP pages on your website, you should convert them to HTTPS. Google indexes the HTTPS version to protect searchers’ security and privacy.
Product snippets
Product snippets are part of the structured data reporting in Search Console that showcases which products have product markup on the page.
Currently, Google only supports product snippets for pages with one product.
Merchant snippets are also part of the rich result report in Search Console and serve as extensions of your Product snippet.
Merchant snippets are like getting a golden ticket. It provides more enhanced features in the SERPs, like carousels or knowledge panels.
Shopping tab listings
Shopping tab listings are also part of the rich result reports in Search Console and showcase the pages listed in the Shopping tab in Google search results.
If you’re an ecommerce marketer, you’ll want to live inside this report.
If you don’t see this information in Search Console, make sure your website’s structured data fits within the Merchant listing structured data requests.
AMP
The AMP report in Search Console shows all the AMP pages on your website and potential issues you may need to troubleshoot.
If AMP is a big part of your SEO strategy, you’ll want to ensure you reach zero in the critical errors section of the report so Google can detect your AMP pages.
While AMP is considered legacy, it’s relevant for some publishers.
Breadcrumbs
The breadcrumbs report is also part of the rich result report in Search Console, which tells you if your breadcrumb structured data is correct and readable by Google.
Breadcrumbs are essential to maintain a healthy site architecture and user experience. If you see any errors in the breadcrumbs, I recommend prioritizing this quickly.
FAQ
The FAQ report is also part of Search Console’s rich results report, which shares insights into which pages received the FAQ snippet.
The Profile page report reflects which pages are getting the profile page markup. You’ll want to validate and clean up any makeup you may be missing because these offer interesting SERP features.
It’s almost like a card functionality similar to the recipes.
Review snippets showcase your validation of review markup on pages.
You should check that all your markup is valid. If you notice any errors, work on updating those specific pages.
With Google’s algorithm updates, I’ve seen significant fluctuations in review snippets. Always double-check if it’s a bug, an algorithm update, or a true markup error.
Sitelinks searchbox
The sitelinks search box is a feature of the rich result report in Search Console that tells us in more detail any errors you may have with your Sitelinks Search Box markup.
Unparsable structured data
The unparsable structured data report in Search Console aggregates structured data syntax errors that prevent Google from identifying the specific structured data type.
Videos
The video indexing report in Search Console has expanded dramatically over the last few years, giving us more detailed information on how your videos perform in search results.
You can dissect whether the video is outside the viewport, too small, or too tall. If you’re building a video content strategy, it really helps to elevate your game with your UX team.
Google will actually email you now to notify you when you receive a security issue.
Check out this beauty I received within the first week of starting to work on a new site.
Links
The Links report in Search Console allows you to view all your site’s internal and external links. You can view the top link pages, top linking sites, and top linking text.
This is a legacy report, so I’d be cautious about relying on it in case Google decides to depreciate it.
Settings
If you need to verify ownership or add a new user, you should check the settings in Search Console.
Two cool reports under Settings in Search Console go undiscovered, but these are two of my favorite reports.
Robots.txt: The robots.txt report tells us which pages Google can crawl or any potential issues preventing Google from crawling your site.
One of the challenges I run into when working with developers is that they often choose to disallow it in the robots.txt file instead of adding a noindex, nofollow tag.
This report will help audit any technical updates with your dev team.
The robots.txt report is only available if you set up a domain property.
Crawl stats: The crawl stats report shows Google’s crawling history on your website. It can be sorted by how many requests were made and when, server response, and availability issues.
It tells SEO professionals if Google is encountering problems when crawling your website.
This report is only available if you have a domain property or a URL prefix at a root level.
Search Console is like stepping onto a planet dedicated to SEO professionals
That’s a lot to unpack. But the gist is that Search Console is a place where you can get information about how your website is performing.
All of the above is just part of the early phases of Search Console’s transformation. Google also hopes to add Google’s AI Overview data in the future. So, that seems like a worthwhile endeavor, seeing as there is no tool to support AIO data today.
And I know you all must be hoping Google’s AI Overview doesn’t overtake your jobs. That would suck. It would likely mean the end of times.
But in the insane event it does, at least you’re covered on how Search Console got here today.
Until then, you’ll have to make do with luxe URL inspections, regex filters, and manual action surprises.
The MYX Finance price has dropped nearly 25% to $0.64, sharply underperforming a broader crypto market that slipped just 1.82%. The fall isn’t just a one-day move; the token is down more than 66% over the past week and almost 88% in the last 30 days. The speed and scale of the decline suggest a momentum-driven sell-off, possibly even capitulation. In this kind of environment, a quick rebound becomes difficult unless a strong catalyst steps in.
At the same time, trading volume has surged over 100% to $72.5 million, signaling heightened activity. With a turnover ratio of 0.445, the data points to intense selling pressure and likely liquidations. From a technical standpoint, the structure still leans bearish, indicating the weakness may continue in the near term.
Is the MYX Finance (MYX) Price Heading Below $0.4?
The MYX price has now wiped out all the gains it accumulated over the past six months, putting the traders under pressure. The recent break below a key support zone has clearly shifted momentum in favour of the sellers, and the chart no longer shows signs of stability. The trend has flipped decisively bearish, with the moving averages pointing towards a bearish continuation. If bulls fail to defend these two major support levels ahead, the current structure suggests the token could slide another 35% from here.
As the chart shows, the 50-day and 200-day SMAs are approaching a bearish crossover, a classic death cross setup that often signals continued downside pressure. At the same time, the RSI has dropped into the lower threshold for the first time since the token began trading, reinforcing the strength of the current bearish momentum. This suggests sellers remain firmly in control.
From here, the immediate support levels to watch are $0.57, which aligns with the ascending trend line, followed by $0.40 — the final major defensive zone. If a death cross forms and bulls fail to protect these levels, MYX could slide back into the price range where it traded during its early listing phase, signaling a deeper structural reset.
Wrapping it Up!
The MYX Finance price remains stuck in a sharp downtrend, and right now, there’s no obvious catalyst strong enough to change the trend. The recent drop has been backed by heavy volume, which often signals capitulation rather than healthy consolidation.
For the bleeding to slow down, MYX needs to push back above the $0.70–$0.72 zone and hold there. That would be the first sign that sellers are losing control. On the flip side, if the price slips below $0.60 with conviction, it could trigger another wave of downside momentum.
With the monthly close around the corner, the next few sessions could be decisive. How MYX price ends the quarter may shape its direction in the weeks ahead.
The Solana price isn’t exactly screaming strength right now. Volume bubble maps across both spot and futures markets show a clear cooling trend after what can only be described as overheating phases. And right now? Sell pressure is dominating.
If you zoom out on the Solana price chart, the pattern since 2021 is pretty consistent. After every volume exhaustion phase, there’s a neutral reset. Accumulation begins quietly, marked by mild “heating” traces, before eventually sliding into another overheating cycle. That’s the rhythm.
At the moment, we’re stuck in the green zone meaning bears haven’t stepped aside. The market still looks vulnerable, and price action suggests a potential solid demand area sitting around $48 to $50.
Solana Price Faces Volume Reset
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: stable footing won’t come until volume across both spot and futures resets to neutral. Historically, that neutral zone is where real accumulation builds.
Right now, though, open interest has dropped sharply from $3.88 billion down to $2 billion. That’s not subtle. Leverage has been wiped out. Yet funding rates are recovering from the red zone toward the 0% line.
Translation? Some futures traders are quietly reopening leveraged long positions even while the broader downtrend remains intact.
The SOL/USD structure still leans weak, but derivatives positioning hints that at least a segment of the market believes the worst might be priced in.
Whales Bet Against the Trend
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Despite the bearish tape and heavily negative weighted sentiment at 0.798, certain large players are going the other way. One whale deposited $2 million in USDC and opened a 20× leveraged long position on Solana. That’s not defensive behavior but that seem’s like his conviction for a relief rally.
Whale "0x4A2" deposited $2M $USDC into #HyperLiquid and increased its $SOL (20x) long position and still has an open order to further increase the position.
There’s more. The percentage of stablecoin supply held by wallets above $5 million on the Solana network is rising. That suggests whales are accumulating dry powder within the ecosystem rather than exiting it. In on-chain terms, it’s often viewed as a positioning phase ahead of tactical deployments.
Relief Rally Before Deeper Drop?
Long-term sentiment still tilts bearish. A move toward the $48–$50 region carries higher probability than a straight-line recovery. And yet, short-term signals also hint at a mood shift.
Daily active addresses are rising. New contracts are being deployed. Network fees are climbing. Utilization is up. Markets don’t usually fall in straight lines, and if accumulation is quietly forming, a relief rally isn’t off the table.
A bounce from the $75–$80 support area could ignite a move toward $160 before heavier sell pressure returns. That’s not a trend reversal but that could be a potential tactical rally within a broader downtrend.
So what does this mean for Solana price prediction narrative?
Simple. Structurally weak. Tactically interesting. Until volume resets and accumulation confirms on the Solana price chart, the Solana price remains caught between exhaustion and opportunistic whale positioning.
Analyst Benjamin Cowen has a blunt explanation for the brutal altcoin crash shaking the market: this was never an altcoin cycle to begin with.
As red candles flash across trading screens and social media fills with panic, one question keeps coming up. Why did altseason never arrive? And more importantly, is this the end for crypto or just another painful phase?
According to Cowen, the answer lies in something most retail traders ignored this cycle: liquidity.
A Cycle Dominated by Bitcoin, Not Altcoins
For months, Bitcoin led the market while altcoins quietly bled out. Normally, crypto bull markets follow a pattern. Bitcoin rallies first. Then profits rotate into higher-risk altcoins. Euphoria builds. Social media explodes. Smaller tokens outperform.
But this time, something was different.
Cowen argues that this cycle topped on apathy, not euphoria. There was no explosive speculative mania in altcoins. No broad participation. No sustained rotation out of Bitcoin.
Instead, capital flowed the opposite way.
Altcoins bled into Bitcoin.
Then Bitcoin began bleeding into stocks.
Then stocks started losing ground to gold.
That progression tells a much bigger story about the global economy.
The Liquidity Problem Nobody Wanted to Hear About
At the center of this “crypto bloodbath” is liquidity.
Liquidity is basically how easy money is to access in the financial system. When central banks keep policy loose and money flows freely, risk assets thrive. When liquidity tightens, markets become fragile.
Cowen points to a liquidity risk model built using:
Policy interest rates
The Fed funds rate versus the 2-year yield
Dollar strength
Central bank balance sheets
Funding stress indicators
The conclusion is simple but uncomfortable: Liquidity has been tight.
And in tight liquidity environments, markets shift toward safety. Within crypto, that means altcoins bleed into Bitcoin. Across markets, that means risk assets lose ground to safer assets like gold.
This is not new. It happened in 2018 and 2019. The difference is scale. This cycle has simply been a larger version of that environment.
Why the October 10 Liquidation Was So Violent
When the massive liquidation event hit on October 10, 2025, many traders were shocked by how quickly altcoins collapsed.
But Cowen argues the weakness had been building for years.
The advanced-decline index for the top 100 cryptocurrencies has been trending down since 2021. Underneath the surface, fewer and fewer altcoins were participating in the rally.
Liquidity in altcoins was already thin.
So when Bitcoin finally rolled over and the broader market cracked, there was no cushion. The structure was fragile. Once stress hit, it collapsed fast.
That is what a tight liquidity regime does. It creates narrow leadership and hides weakness until it suddenly cannot be hidden anymore.
Why There Was No Altseason This Time
In 2020 and 2021, altcoins exploded higher. But that happened under extremely loose monetary policy conditions.
Interest rates were low. Liquidity was abundant. Risk appetite was strong. This cycle has been the opposite.
Even though quantitative tightening slowed at times, overall conditions remained restrictive. The Fed funds rate stayed above the 2-year yield. The dollar remained firm. Liquidity never entered a truly loose regime.
Without loose liquidity, sustained altseason is unlikely.
Cowen warns that simply watching M2 money supply is not enough. Broader net liquidity conditions matter more than surface-level metrics.
Is Crypto Doomed?
Here is where perspective matters. Tight liquidity does not automatically mean crypto is finished. It means leadership narrows. In tight environments, a few strong assets can hold up the market while the rest struggle. That is what Bitcoin did for much of this cycle.
But for a broad altcoin resurgence, liquidity likely needs to shift dramatically.
Historically, that shift happens during or after economic stress. Recessions or crises often force central banks to loosen policy again. When liquidity becomes very loose, higher-risk assets tend to outperform.
That is when expanded leadership returns. That is when altcoins historically shine.
What Comes Next?
The variable to watch is liquidity risk.
If the dollar strengthens sharply again, liquidity could remain tight and pressure risk assets further. If economic stress forces policy easing and liquidity loosens significantly, that could mark the beginning of the next major rotation.
Cowen suggests the next true altcoin boom may not arrive until a future cycle, possibly 2027 through 2029, under looser monetary conditions.
That does not mean crypto disappears. It means the environment must change before speculative excess returns.
Bitmine Immersion Technologies shareholders have now accumulated approximately $8.8 billion in paper losses on Ethereum, surpassing the roughly $8.0 billion FTX customers initially lost when that exchange collapsed in 2022.
Crypto research firm 10x Research flagged the comparison on Monday, warning that ETH is at valuation levels where its fundamental value proposition is being “structurally tested.”
Bitmine’s Ethereum Losses Exceed the FTX Collapse
Ethereum’s price has fallen 60% over the past six months, dropping below Bitmine’s average cost basis of $3,843 per token, according to Bitminetracker.
The firm, chaired by Wall Street veteran Tom Lee, has drawn comparisons to Strategy’s Bitcoin treasury model, but the scale of unrealized damage now sits in historic territory.
Bitmine’s stock has dropped roughly 59% over the same period, trading at $20.13 today. Despite the drawdown, the company acquired 45,759 ETH last week.
“Investors must therefore assess carefully whether the asset is simply in a cyclical downturn or entering a phase of deeper structural impairment,” 10x Research said.
Anthropic Is Now Worth More Than Ethereum
Here is where the capital allocation story gets uncomfortable. FTX’s prior $1.4 billion investment in Anthropic, made using customer funds, would be worth roughly $30 billion today had it not been sold for $1.3 billion during 2024 bankruptcy proceedings.
Anthropic’s valuation now stands near $380 billion. Ethereum’s entire market cap sits at roughly $231 billion. A single AI startup, partially seeded by stolen crypto funds, has eclipsed the network Bitmine staked its balance sheet on.
Smart Money Shorts ETH While Whales Accumulate
Not everyone agrees on what happens next. Smart money traders remain net short on ETH.
Whales are moving the other way. Large investors increased spot ETH accumulation by over sixfold in the past week, acquiring $44 million across 41 wallets. Fresh wallets created in the past 15 days bought $245 million in spot Ethereum, signaling new entrants are net buyers.
Wall Street Is Still Increasing Bitmine Exposure
The top 11 Bitmine shareholders, including Morgan Stanley, Ark Investment Management, and BlackRock, all increased their positions during Q4 2025. SharpLink Gaming, the second-largest corporate ETH holder, faces a $1.4 billion paper loss. The Ether Machine sits on nearly $948 million in unrealized losses.
Bitmine keeps buying. Wall Street keeps holding. And the question 10x Research posed Monday is the one the entire Ethereum market now has to answer: cyclical bottom, or structural impairment?
XRP is once again making headlines. After briefly rallying to $1.46 over the weekend, the token quickly pulled back to the $1.37–$1.38 range, supporting what many experts have warned about for months: low-volume weekend pumps are hard to trust and easy to manipulate. The rally faded just as quickly as it appeared.
But here’s where things get controversial.
Crypto analyst Zach Rector said that the absolute bottom may not be in yet. At the same time, he argues that several classic “bottom signals” are starting to flash, and that retail investors could be making a costly mistake by selling now.
On-Chain Activity Is Surging
Despite weak price action, XRP Ledger activity is rising. Daily successful transactions have jumped roughly 40 percent, approaching 2.5 million per day.
Some of that spike is tied to technical factors, including NFT burns by SBI Holdings related to Expo 2025, as well as increased deposit and withdrawal flows. There is also speculation that the First Ledger XRP/USDT incentive program is driving fresh activity.
Whatever the reason, real network usage is climbing, even while price remains below key moving averages.
That disconnect is raising eyebrows.
Retail Capitulation Hits Extreme Levels
Data shows XRP has recorded its largest realized loss spike since 2022. The previous time realized losses reached similar levels, XRP went on to surge 114 percent over the following eight months.
Large realized losses happen when investors sell at prices below what they originally paid. It usually signals fear, panic, and exhaustion.
Historically, that kind of extreme fear has appeared near market bottoms.
The controversial view? If weak hands have already sold, there may be fewer sellers left. And because crypto markets require relatively little new liquidity to move sharply, even modest buying pressure could trigger a powerful rebound.
Double Bottom or Deeper Flush?
Technically, XRP previously retested the $1.11 area earlier this month. Some traders now expect a possible double bottom between $1.20 and $0.95 before any sustained rally begins. Others warn that macro risks, including geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty — could add more volatility before a recovery.
The CME gap near $1.74 remains a potential upside magnet, but only if momentum returns.
Drama, Fear, and Opportunity
Adding to the tension is visible frustration within the XRP community itself. Disputes among validators, influencers, and traders have intensified. Ironically, seasoned market watchers often view peak frustration as a psychological bottom signal.
The bold claim circulating in some corners? XRP could double quickly once sentiment flips, catching sidelined investors off guard.
Of course, no outcome is guaranteed. The market could revisit $1, or even break below it, before any sustained move higher.
But one thing is clear: XRP is approaching a pivotal moment. Whether this is the final shakeout before a major rally or the start of a deeper reset depends on what happens next.
And as always in crypto, the crowd usually realizes it too late.
The Ethereum price has bounced back above $1,900 after a sharp drop, but the bigger picture still looks fragile. The recovery has been quick, yet it hasn’t changed the overall structure of the chart. At the same time, whale activity and price positioning suggest the market isn’t out of danger yet.
With the ETH price struggling below major resistance, traders are now watching closely to see whether this is stabilization or just a pause before another move lower toward $1,300.
The ETH Chart Structure Still Favours the Bears
On the daily timeframe, the Ethereum price remains below both the 20-day and 200-day moving averages, which is a sign that the broader trend is still under pressure. The recent bounce from sub-$1,900 levels looks more like a reaction than a reversal.
Price has also formed a lower high, and a small M-shaped continuation structure is developing. In trending markets, that kind of setup often leads to another downside leg. The key resistance zone sits between $2,050 and $2,100. As long as ETH stays below this range, the breakdown structure remains active.
On the downside, $1,750 is the first level to watch. If that fails, the next support comes near $1,600. A sustained breakdown below those levels opens the door to the measured move target around $1,300–$1,350.
Ethereum Whales Appear Defensive
On-chain data adds weight to the cautious outlook. Wallets holding between 100,000 and 1 million ETH have been trimming their positions rather than accumulating aggressively during this dip.
That’s important. Strong bottoms are often supported by a visible large-scale accumulation. Right now, that conviction isn’t obvious. Instead, it looks like bigger players are staying defensive, which reduces the odds of a powerful upside reversal in the immediate term.
Network Activity Is Rising, But That’s Not Enough Yet
Interestingly, Daily Active Addresses have started to increase even as the Ethereum price remains under pressure. Rising network participation during weakness can sometimes hint that a bottom is forming.
However, activity alone doesn’t drive price. What matters is sustained capital inflow. At this stage, engagement is improving, but price hasn’t confirmed strength. That suggests dip buyers may be stepping in, yet without the force needed to shift the broader trend.
Is $1,300 the Next Stop for the ETH Price Rally?
The current setup feels fragile. Retail traders may see value below $2,000, but larger holders appear cautious. That imbalance can lead to short-lived rallies that struggle to break resistance. If the Ethereum price loses $1,750 with strong momentum, the move toward $1,600 could happen quickly. From there, the broader measured move toward $1,300 becomes technically valid.
However, the bearish outlook would weaken if the ETH price reclaims $2,100 on a daily close and holds above it. A shift in whale positioning would also change the tone of the market. For now, though, the structure leans bearish. The next decisive move, either a reclaim of resistance or a loss of support, will likely determine whether Ethereum stabilizes here or heads toward a deeper reset near $1,300.
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