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Cruise travel has always been about balance, blending comfort with personal expression, relaxation with exploration. 

Whether spending long days at sea, walking port cities, or enjoying casual onboard dining, travelers are increasingly choosing clothing that supports how they actually live while cruising.

Fashion today is increasingly connected to lifestyle rather than trends alone. People are choosing clothes that reflect how they live, work, and move through their day. Instead of dressing for specific moments, many focus on building a wardrobe that feels natural, comfortable, and expressive at the same time.

This shift has made lifestyle-driven fashion content more relevant than ever.

When Style Becomes Part of Daily Living

Lifestyle fashion is about consistency rather than performance. Outfits are chosen to support real routines, not just special occasions. Inspiration such as whatutalkingboutwillistyle the lifestyle highlights how relaxed silhouettes, practical pieces, and thoughtful details can shape a personal look that feels authentic.

Style becomes less about following rules and more about understanding what works in everyday life.

The Role of Guidance in Personal Style

While individuality is key, guidance still matters. Many people look for styling ideas that help them refine their wardrobe without starting over. A clear fashion guide lwspeakstyle can offer structure, showing how to combine pieces, balance proportions, and create outfits that feel effortless rather than forced.

Guides like this support creativity while keeping choices practical.

Moving Away From Trend Pressure

Fast-moving trends can create fatigue. Lifestyle fashion offers an alternative by focusing on longevity and adaptability. Instead of chasing every new release, people invest in pieces that can be worn across seasons and situations.

This approach encourages confidence and reduces unnecessary purchases.

Fashion That Supports Balance

Clothing plays a role in how people feel throughout the day. When outfits align with lifestyle, they reduce stress rather than add to it. Comfortable fabrics, familiar shapes, and versatile styling create a sense of ease.

Fashion becomes a tool for balance rather than self-comparison.

Style That Feels Natural and Sustainable

Modern fashion is increasingly shaped by awareness and intention. By drawing inspiration from lifestyle-focused looks and using thoughtful style guidance, people can build wardrobes that feel personal and lasting. When fashion reflects real life, it becomes more enjoyable, expressive, and sustainable over time.

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The cultural landscape of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan’s administrative heart, recently hosted a significant diplomatic and tourism-focused assembly. In an event reported by the Dunyo news agency, Uzbekistan’s vast tourism potential was showcased to a diverse audience of regional leaders, travel industry experts, and media practitioners. This gathering was organised to promote a better understanding of the Central Asian country’s offerings, particularly among a demographic that has deep spiritual and historical ties to the Uzbek people.

Throughout the proceedings, the inherent historical and cultural foundations shared by Uzbekistan and Indonesia were highlighted. It was discovered that both countries are linked by a shared Islamic heritage and a spiritual resonance that transcends geographical boundaries. This cultural alignment is viewed as the foundation for future bilateral tourism initiatives, transforming ancient connections into modern economic and social pathways.

The Sanctity of the Silk Road: Religious and Historical Significance

The transformation of tourism into a strategic pillar of the Uzbek economy was detailed with great emphasis. Particular focus was directed toward the cultivation of religious pilgrimage routes, which are increasingly sought after by the international Muslim community. The intellectual and spiritual legacies of legendary scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari, Imam at-Tirmidhi, and Bahauddin Naqshband were identified as primary catalysts for the interest shown by Indonesian pilgrims.

The historical role of Uzbekistan as a vital nexus of the Great Silk Road was highlighted by regional tourism representatives. For centuries, the region functioned as a global centre for trade, scientific advancement, and Islamic jurisprudence. Iconic cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva were portrayed not merely as open-air museums or architectural wonders but as living cultural hubs. These destinations are now supported by a modernized tourism infrastructure that is designed to accommodate the sophisticated needs of international travellers while preserving the sanctity of the ancient sites.

Innovation in Pilgrimage: The Rise of “Umrah Plus”

One of the most compelling segments of the presentation involved the introduction of the “Umrah Plus” programme. This initiative is designed to offer Indonesian pilgrims a comprehensive spiritual and educational journey. Under this framework, the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina is supplemented by excursions to the historic cities of Samarkand and Bukhara. It was noted by industry experts that such a programme provides a practical boost to bilateral cooperation, effectively merging the obligatory religious rites of the Middle East with the rich theological history of Central Asia.

The “Umrah Plus” model is already being met with significant enthusiasm from the Indonesian public. The integration of these sites into a single itinerary is seen as a way to enrich the spiritual experience of the traveller. However, the logistical requirements for such an ambitious programme were also addressed. The necessity for the establishment of direct flight paths and more formalized, institutionalized collaborations between tour operators was brought to the forefront as a critical next step for the success of these travel packages.

Economic Opportunities and Regional Interests

The developmental potential for South Kalimantan through these tourism links was emphasized by local leadership. It was observed that a substantial portion of the local population maintains a keen interest in religious travel. Uzbekistan, recognized as a global centre of Islamic civilization, is viewed as a highly promising destination that commands widespread public curiosity. For local tour operators, this represents an untapped market that could redefine the regional travel industry.

The spiritual significance of Samarkand, in particular, was singled out as a major draw for Indonesian Muslims. The desire to integrate this specific destination into the “Umrah Plus” curriculum was expressed with great interest. Furthermore, the need for direct cooperation mechanisms between Indonesian travel firms and their Uzbek counterparts was identified as a priority to ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims. This sentiment was echoed by various religious travel associations, who see Uzbekistan as a natural extension of the Indonesian spiritual journey.

A Visual and Collaborative Future

A comprehensive multimedia exhibition added to the event’s value. This display highlighted Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, pilgrimage sites, and modern facilities. Beyond the historical sites, the country’s potential for winter tourism and ecotourism was highlighted, implying that the country has much more to offer than its religious significance. This multifaceted approach is intended to appeal to a wide range of travellers, from devout pilgrims to daring explorers.

Following the formal presentations, the discussion turned to Government-to-Business (G2B) meetings. During these sessions, tour operators examined practical aspects of collaboration. Detailed discussions were held on air travel logistics, visa processing, group movements, and halal compliance in the Uzbek hospitality sector. Indonesian companies that have already established partnerships in the region praised Uzbekistan’s existing high service and safety standards.

As the gathering came to a close, an open dialogue allowed for the clarification of technical questions, leaving participants with a clear picture of the future. The willingness to establish business contacts and strengthen tourism cooperation was demonstrated, ushering in a new era in the relationship between South Kalimantan and the heart of the Silk Road.

There is a specific kind of magic found on a British beach. It isn’t just the smell of salt air or the crunch of sand underfoot; it’s the sense of nostalgia that clings to the railings of a Victorian pier and the quiet, rugged beauty of a shoreline untouched by the neon glare of traditional resorts.

For too long, the narrative of the North West coast has been dominated by a few heavy hitters. While Blackpool and Southport will always hold a place in our hearts, there is a vast, shimmering coastline waiting to be rediscovered. In 2026, that rediscovery is finally getting the spotlight it deserves.

A Million-Pound Invitation to the Coast

On February 16, 2026, VisitEngland launched a major new initiative: ‘All on England’s North West Coast’. Backed by £1 million in funding, this pilot campaign isn’t just about selling hotel rooms; it’s about “building back demand” for the domestic break.

According to VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes, the goal is to reconnect travelers with nature and childhood memories while supporting local economies. It’s a timely intervention—research shows that coastal visits have dipped by 11% recently. By encouraging us to look closer to home, the campaign hopes to tap into the £8 billion potential of Brits choosing a staycation over a flight abroad.

Heysham and Fleetwood: The Villages Time (Almost) Forgot

Take Heysham, for instance. Often bypassed by travelers heading to the ferry port, this stone-built village is a labyrinth of history. From its 8th-century St. Patrick’s Chapel ruins to the rock-cut graves overlooking Morecambe Bay, it offers a sense of ancient peace that is rare to find.

Further down the coast sits Fleetwood. Once one of the busiest fishing ports in the world, it now offers a more tranquil charm. With its Art Deco lighthouses and the sweeping vistas of the Mount Pavilion, it’s a town that rewards those who take the time to walk its promenade. These aren’t just “overlooked” towns; they are repositories of North West heritage.

From the Solway Firth to the Wirral

The campaign’s reach is impressively broad, stretching from the northern reaches of Cumbria down to the tip of the Wirral.

• Silloth and Maryport: In the far north, these towns offer spectacular views across the Solway Firth toward Scotland. Silloth, with its vast green “Gull Wing” and cobbled streets, feels like a town caught in a beautiful, permanent Sunday afternoon.
• Barrow-in-Furness and Silecroft: These are the gateways to the “Cumbrian Riviera,” where the industrial history of the docks meets the wild, soaring beauty of Black Combe.
• Formby and Crosby: Closer to Liverpool, the focus shifts to the “Hidden Art” of Antony Gormley’s Another Place statues and the prehistoric red squirrels dancing in the pine forests of Formby.

The Human Impact: Why Your Visit Matters

It is easy to talk about tourism in terms of “economic delivery” and “year-on-year percentages.” But for the people living in these towns, this campaign represents something far more personal: pride.

Minister for Tourism Stephanie Peacock MP noted that these places “deserve the jobs, investment, and the pride that a thriving visitor economy brings.” When you choose to spend a weekend in Grange-over-Sands or take the kids to the quirky museums of Ravenglass, you aren’t just a tourist. You are a patron of a local bakery, a supporter of a family-run B&B, and a part of the effort to keep these coastal stories alive.

A Campaign for the Modern Traveler

VisitEngland is leaning into the digital age to tell these stories. Working with Tripadvisor and Olympic legend Greg Rutherford, the campaign features interactive guides, short films, and “coastal show reels.”

Designed for families with young children and adults looking for “restorative retreats,” the campaign moves away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach to the seaside. Whether you want the adrenaline of a theme park or a silent hike through the dunes, the North West coast is proving it has the range to satisfy the 21st-century traveler.

Why 2026 is the Year to Go

As we move into the warmer months, the “All on England’s North West Coast” campaign reminds us that we don’t need a passport to find a world of wonder. There is something deeply restorative about the North West shoreline—a place where the sky feels bigger and the pace of life feels just right.

This year, instead of following the crowds to the usual suspects, why not head a little further up the track? Visit the “quirky museums,” walk the “hidden art” trails, and have your fish and chips on a pier where you can actually hear the waves.

The North West coast is calling, and for the first time in a long time, the whole country is starting to listen.

Flight operations in the US are facing a challenging day as logistical hurdles emerge at a major West Coast hub. Travelers navigating Los Angeles International Airport are currently meeting significant schedule changes that could reshape their itineraries. While most of the terminal remains busy with standard activity, a ripple of interference has stalled over 200 departures and arrivals. SkyWest Airlines is leading the list of impacted carriers, reporting the highest number of cancellations and delays so far. Passengers currently engaged in travel through this gateway must stay alert to frequent updates. There’s a total of 206 delays and 11 flight cancellations reported. Although the airport continues to manage high volumes, these minor interferences can quickly escalate for those on tight schedules. Staying informed is the best way to handle these shifting timelines.

Major Airport Affected

The primary site of these disruptions is Los Angeles International Airport, a critical infrastructure hub that facilitates both transcontinental and regional travel within the US. As the day progressed, the facility recorded 11 total flight cancellations alongside 206 delays. While the infrastructure of the airport remains fully operational, the high volume of delayed departures has potential to create crowded environment within the terminals.

These 217 affected flights represent a cross-section of the daily scheduled movements at the airport. Although the majority of flights continue to depart and arrive on schedule, the accumulation of over 200 delays suggests a persistent friction in the local aviation environment. The congestion at the gates and the backlog of waiting aircraft have transformed the standard passenger experience into one defined by patience and adaptation.

Impacted Airlines

The burden of these disruptions has not been distributed equally among all service providers.

SkyWest Airlines has been disproportionately affected by the current situation. Of the 11 total cancellations recorded at the airport, 10 were attributed to SkyWest Airlines, which also managed a substantial 39 delays. Given SkyWest’s role as a major regional partner for mainline carriers, these figures represent a notable portion of their short-haul operations.

United Airlines was also identified as a carrier navigating these operational hurdles. The airline reported 1 flight cancellation and 23 delays. While the mainline operations of United Airlines appear more resilient compared to their regional counterparts, the disruption still impacted hundreds of passengers scheduled to move through the US west coast.

Beyond these specific figures, delays were being experienced by several other Airlines operating out of the terminal, like Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and more. Contributing to the aggregate total of 206 delayed flights across the airport’s diverse roster of airlines.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

When flight disruptions occur at a major node like Los Angeles, the ripple effects are often felt by the local hospitality and tourism sectors. As 217 flights are hindered, a significant number of visitors are either delayed in their arrival or restricted in their departure. For the city of Los Angeles, this translates into a temporary shift in the flow of tourism-related revenue.

Short-term visitors may find their itineraries truncated, leading to cancelled reservations at local dining establishments or missed windows for scheduled tours and attractions. Furthermore, the delays in the US aviation network can lead to “creeping” arrival times, where travelers reach their hotels much later than anticipated. While the current interference is labeled as minor, the consistent delay of over 200 flights can lead to a measurable decrease in the efficiency of the local tourism economy as visitors spend more time navigating the airport and less time engaging with the city’s commercial offerings.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those currently navigating the travel challenges in Los Angeles, immediate and proactive communication is considered the most effective strategy. Passengers are advised to utilize mobile applications provided by their respective airlines to receive real-time updates on gate changes and revised departure times. Because the situation is fluid, digital notifications often provide the most accurate information ahead of terminal displays.

• Confirm Flight Status: Before departing for the airport, travelers should verify that their flight is still scheduled. With 11 cancellations already documented, staying home or at a hotel during a cancellation is preferable to waiting in a crowded terminal.
• Understand Rebooking Policies: Under current US Department of Transportation guidelines, passengers whose flights are cancelled are typically entitled to be rebooked on the next available flight or offered a refund.
• Monitor Delay Durations: With 206 delays reported, passengers should be prepared for potential “creeping delays,” where the departure time is pushed back in small increments. Maintaining contact with airline representatives can help in assessing whether a delay might eventually result in a cancellation.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.

The Island of Ireland has become an international travel destination which research demonstrates through people showing their desire to visit and their developing interest in its culinary traditions and natural scenery and its relaxed lifestyle. Holidaymakers who evaluated Ireland as a travel destination described the country as a place that enables visitors to relax their bodies while they enjoy quality food from the moment they enter the country.

Strong interest and a hunger for exploration

Tourism Ireland’s latest Overseas Sentiment Research, carried out with RED C in November and December, surveyed more than 8,000 potential holidaymakers across eight key markets: Great Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Canada and the Netherlands. Over 70 percent of respondents expressed interest in visiting the island of Ireland at some point, with intention to travel within the next two years and active planning levels described as stable, suggesting solid medium‑term demand.

Exploration emerged as the leading holiday need, cited by 79 percent of those surveyed, underlining the appeal of itineraries that involve touring, discovery and getting under the skin of local culture. The ability to disconnect came through as the second most influential factor in destination choice, with 67 percent saying they look for places where they can switch off from everyday pressures, a space where Ireland’s quiet roads, coastal walks and small towns are seen as a natural fit.

Value for money and the pull of landscapes

Perceptions of value remain central, with around half of potential visitors believing they will find good value for money on the island of Ireland, broadly in line with or ahead of other Northern European destinations such as England, Norway and Switzerland. Some Southern European destinations continue to be regarded as stronger on value, but previous visitors to Ireland were more likely to rate their stay as good value, indicating that the on‑the‑ground experience can exceed expectations and leave people feeling the trip was worth the spend.

Beautiful landscapes remain the single biggest reason people say they consider the island of Ireland for a future holiday, particularly among travellers from Germany, France and the Netherlands. Respondents associated Ireland with dramatic coastlines, rolling green countryside and scenery that lends itself naturally to road trips, hiking and slow touring across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Where visitors stay and how they get inspired

Hotels continue to attract the highest overall consideration, but the research shows that B&Bs, guesthouses and rental properties play an important role, especially for countryside breaks and longer stays where visitors want a homely base and local contact. This mix suggests that visitors are open to combining city hotels with more intimate rural stays, creating itineraries that move between Dublin or Belfast and smaller coastal or inland communities.

Word of mouth remains influential as travellers choose where to go, but digital channels are now firmly embedded in the inspiration phase. Online search was cited by 37 percent of respondents as a key source, while social media and TV or film were each mentioned by 23 percent, underlining the power of evocative imagery, short‑form video and screen portrayals of the island. Around one third of potential visitors had experimented with AI tools for trip research, and 11 percent reported using them regularly, indicating that AI‑driven planning is becoming a growing influence on destination decisions.​

Food, drink and the chance to tell a richer story

Food is now central to destination choice, with 70 percent of potential overseas visitors naming it as a factor in how they decide where to go on holiday. More than 70 percent expect that food on the island of Ireland will be good, with especially strong expectations in the United States (90 percent) and Great Britain (83 percent), suggesting that many travellers already imagine warming pub dishes, quality local produce and a convivial dining scene.

Expectations are more modest in Mediterranean markets, where confidence in Irish food sits closer to 60 percent, but Tourism Ireland views this as an opportunity to reshape perceptions. The research found that potential visitors most often associate the island with farm‑to‑fork food, pub dishes and home‑cooked traditional fare, while there is room to spotlight seafood and the diversity of contemporary culinary experiences, from coastal shellfish shacks to chef‑driven city restaurants.

Using insights to shape future trips to Ireland

Tourism Ireland’s Chief Executive, Alice Mansergh, said the organisation regarded the findings as confirmation that exploration, the wish to disconnect and the island’s landscapes remain powerful drivers of choice for overseas holidaymakers, and that food offers significant scope for future storytelling as part of a memorable, almost magical trip. She indicated that, although value for money continues to be a concern for many travellers, those who have already visited tend to view the experience more favourably, reinforcing the need to highlight quality and authenticity across the visitor journey.

The organization intends to apply its research findings for optimal marketing improvement across key markets which will involve close collaboration with airlines ferry companies international tour operators and regional business partners to convert customer interest into confirmed travel reservations. The future visitor experience will improve through customized marketing initiatives which deliver authentic food and landscape stories together with straightforward access to itineraries that provide daytime exploration and nighttime Irish hospitality experiences to help them envision their upcoming visits to the island of Ireland.

The ongoing Canadian travel boycott against the United States continues to reshape travel trends in 2026, with Mexico emerging as a major beneficiary. According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, trips from Canada to the U.S. fell sharply in January 2026, with a 26.8% decline in return visits compared to the same period in 2025. This decline highlights the shift in Canadian travel preferences, with Mexico now leading the way as the most popular international destination for Canadian tourists.

The travel boycott began over a year ago, fueled by growing frustrations with political and cultural tensions between the U.S. and Canada, alongside economic factors such as the fluctuating exchange rate and the cost of U.S. travel. As a result, Canadians have increasingly chosen Mexico for their vacation getaways, marking a noticeable shift in tourism patterns for 2026.

The Impact of Canada’s Travel Boycott on U.S. Tourism and Mexico’s Growing Popularity

While Canada’s outbound travel has surged overall, the U.S. has suffered a significant blow to its tourism numbers due to the ongoing boycott. The most telling statistic comes from a Mexico News Daily report, which states that Toronto-Cancún is now the busiest international route in the country, surpassing the long-standing dominance of U.S.-bound flights. The increase in Canadian flights to Mexico has grown by an impressive 26.1% from 2024 figures, with Montreal-Cancún routes also experiencing a 24% rise in passenger numbers. In contrast, flights from major U.S. cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta to Cancún have all seen declines in traffic, underscoring the shift in Canadian travel preferences.

The continued rise of Mexico’s popularity among Canadian tourists is a direct result of the boycott, which has made Mexico’s beaches, cultural heritage, and affordable travel options more attractive. This year, Canadian travelers are flocking to destinations like Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Riviera Maya, marking a stark contrast to previous years when the U.S. was the dominant holiday choice.

Why Canadians Are Choosing Mexico Over the U.S. for 2026 Travel

Several factors have contributed to the growing popularity of Mexico as the new top destination for Canadian travelers. First, the ongoing exchange rate issues make traveling to the U.S. less appealing for Canadians, who are now finding it more affordable to visit Mexico due to favorable prices and more competitive exchange rates. Additionally, Mexico’s proximity to Canada—with direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, and other major Canadian cities—makes it an easy and affordable destination for both short-term getaways and longer vacations.

Amra Durakovic, the communications director for Flight Centre Travel Group in Toronto, confirmed the trend, noting that Canadians are booking fewer flights to the U.S. and opting instead for more accessible and affordable destinations in Mexico. It has become clear that Canadians are re-aligning their travel plans, with a shift away from the U.S. and a growing interest in destinations like Mexico. This shift was evident in their 37% decline in new bookings to the U.S. year-to-date Durakovic stated.

U.S. Faces Challenges as Canadian Tourists Shift Focus to Mexico

As Mexico sees the influx of Canadian travelers, the U.S. travel sector is grappling with the financial consequences of the boycott. The tourism economy in the U.S. has suffered $4.5 billion in losses, a figure significantly higher than previously estimated. Cities like Las Vegas, which have historically relied on Canadian tourism, are facing sharp declines in visitor numbers, with a 50% drop in Canadian tourists as reported by Flight Centre.

To counter the loss, Las Vegas launched a “Fabulous 5-Day Sale” campaign, offering city-wide discounts to attract Canadian visitors. However, despite these efforts, the response has been lukewarm, as many Canadians have opted for Mexico’s all-inclusive resorts, beaches, and cultural offerings instead of the U.S. destinations they once frequented.

How Mexico is Reaping the Rewards of the Canadians’ Travel Boycott

Mexico is undoubtedly the biggest winner from the ongoing Canadian travel boycott against the U.S. New flight routes and expanded capacities by Canadian airlines such as Air Canada are making Mexico even more accessible. In December 2025, Air Canada announced its biggest expansion to Latin America, launching new routes to Huatulco and increasing capacity to key Mexican destinations.

This expansion not only speaks to Mexico’s growing appeal but also to the changing dynamics of Canadian outbound travel. For instance, Mexico’s tourism sector is booming, with more Canadians flocking to its coastal areas for winter sun, cultural exploration, and affordable vacation options. Unlike the U.S., which is facing declining tourist numbers, Mexico remains a trusted destination for Canadian travelers looking for both value and high-quality experiences.

Mexico’s Tourism Sector Continues to Thrive Despite U.S. Challenges

While Canadians turn away from the U.S., Mexico continues to attract visitors, including Mexican nationals who maintain their loyalty to U.S. destinations. According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), Mexico is one of the largest contributors to inbound tourism in the U.S., with 14.5 million Mexican visitors recorded in 2023. This consistency in Mexican tourism ensures that while Canadian travelers may be shifting their attention, the U.S. tourism sector still relies on significant traffic from its southern neighbor.

Conclusion: A Shift in Canadian Travel Habits that Could Have Lasting Effects

As Canada’s travel boycott against the U.S. continues in 2026, the effects on the American tourism sector are becoming more pronounced. Mexico stands as the clear beneficiary, with increasing numbers of Canadians opting for the country’s affordable and welcoming travel experiences. The shift in Canadian travel habits could lead to long-term changes in how both countries approach tourism marketing, with Mexico emerging as an even more competitive destination for Canadians looking to travel in 2026 and beyond.

Royal Caribbean introduced its smart glasses policy creates peaceful onboard experiences which travellers to Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaskan destinations want to experience. The line has updated its prohibited items guidance to restrict the use of wearable eyewear with built‑in video and audio recording in a number of sensitive public spaces. The new security measures at the airport allow guests to enjoy their holiday without any concerns about being recorded without their knowledge.

What has changed in Royal Caribbean’s smart glasses policy?

Royal Caribbean’s official prohibited‑items page now specifies that smart glasses from various manufacturers which can record video and audio may not be used in certain areas onboard. These include public restrooms, youth programme areas, medical facilities and casino spaces, all places where the company says privacy and security must be paramount.

The cruise line stresses that this is not an outright ban on bringing such eyewear on a cruise; guests may still carry smart glasses and use them in non‑restricted areas, as long as they respect the rules in the clearly designated zones. The responsibility for enforcement lies with chief security officers and senior ship staff, who are authorised to remove or temporarily hold any device that breaches the terms.

How the rules benefit passengers and families

For families making the most of sea days, the clearest benefit is around children’s spaces and youth clubs. By blocking the use of recording‑enabled glasses in youth programme zones, Royal Caribbean aims to create a safer environment where parents can feel more at ease about their children joining group activities without being covertly filmed by strangers.​

Adults, too, stand to gain from a more relaxed atmosphere. In restrooms, medical centres and wellness areas, the updated rules are designed to reduce the unease that discreet recording devices can generate, especially when they look almost identical to ordinary spectacles. In the casino, the company is signalling that both fair play and a sense of discretion are part of the overall onboard experience, something many cruisers value when choosing a line for a special holiday.

A tourism angle: making ships feel more like resorts

Royal Caribbean’s stance aligns with a broader travel and tourism trend in which resorts, airlines and other cruise lines are tightening rules on covert recording technology. MSC Cruises, for example, has already barred smart glasses from all public areas on its ships, allowing them only in cabins, ashore and other non‑public spaces in order to preserve a calm, resort‑style ambience. Industry observers have noted that many holidaymakers want the freedom to take photos and videos with obvious devices such as smartphones, while still feeling that more discreet tech is kept in check.

For Royal Caribbean, the message is that its ships should feel like floating resorts where fellow guests can mingle, sunbathe, dance and dine without constantly worrying about being unknowingly featured in someone’s wearable tech feed. By tightening rules around smart glasses rather than cameras in general, the company is trying to strike a balance between embracing innovation and protecting the sense of escape that draws so many people to cruising in the first place.

Practical guidance for passengers and prescription users

The cruise line advises guests who wear prescription smart glasses to pack a second pair of non‑recording eyewear for use in the restricted areas, so that day‑to‑day life onboard is not disrupted. Travellers who rely on wearable technology for accessibility are encouraged on external industry sites to contact the line in advance, so that any needs can be discussed before boarding. Royal Caribbean has not published a detailed list of affected brands or models, instead stating that the rules apply broadly to any device capable of capturing images or sound.

Online discussions show that regular cruisers expect more ships to establish identical operational limits because they believe clearly defined rules which crew members communicate effectively will help everyone enter vacation mode. The Royal Caribbean cruise line currently informs passengers who want to travel to the Caribbean Mediterranean Northern Europe or other destinations that they need only additional glasses to experience the newest ships while safeguarding other passengers’ personal information.

Residents across Northern Oregon and the Blue Mountains woke up to a stark reminder that winter is far from over. Federal meteorologists have issued a winter weather advisory warning that snowfall, icy roads, and low visibility could affect travel and daily routines through Wednesday afternoon. For many locals, the notice isn’t just another forecast update — it’s a signal to slow down, prepare, and keep a close eye on rapidly changing conditions.

According to official bulletins released by the National Weather Service, a division of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a weather system moving across the Pacific Northwest is expected to bring periods of snow, particularly in elevated terrain. Government forecasters state that precipitation chances remain high through midweek, with the most consistent snowfall predicted overnight and during early morning hours when temperatures are lowest.

Official Advisory Details

Meteorologists from federal weather offices monitoring the region have confirmed that the advisory remains active until Wednesday afternoon. Such advisories are issued only when weather conditions are expected to create inconveniences that may become hazardous if caution is not exercised. While not as severe as a winter storm warning, an advisory signals real risks — especially for drivers, commuters, and those traveling through mountainous corridors.

Forecast projections indicate that valley locations could see light accumulations, while mountainous zones may receive heavier snowfall totals. Government meteorologists emphasize that snow amounts will vary widely depending on elevation, temperature shifts, and localized precipitation intensity.

Expected Snowfall Breakdown

Official forecast guidance suggests:

• Light accumulation possible in lower elevations overnight
• Additional snow chances continuing into Wednesday morning
• Higher elevations potentially receiving multiple inches

Meteorologists stress that snow forecasts are inherently dynamic. Slight temperature changes can shift precipitation type from rain to snow or vice versa, significantly altering accumulation totals.

Why Mountains Face Higher Risk

Topography plays a major role in winter weather distribution. Higher elevations cool faster and retain colder air, allowing snow to accumulate more easily than in surrounding lowlands. In regions such as the Blue Mountains and Cascade passes, even modest storms can produce hazardous road conditions within hours.

Transportation agencies, including state-level departments of transportation, routinely coordinate with federal weather services during such advisories. Their advisories frequently highlight increased risk for:

• Reduced visibility
• Snow-covered pavement
• Black ice formation
• Sudden traction loss

Mountain passes are particularly vulnerable because temperature differences between peaks and valleys can exceed several degrees, allowing snow to persist even when nearby cities experience only rain.

Travel and Safety Warnings from Authorities

Government safety officials urge travelers to prepare before heading out. Winter weather advisories commonly prompt reminders to:

• Carry tire chains where required
• Keep emergency kits in vehicles
• Allow extra travel time
• Monitor updated forecasts

Public agencies warn that the greatest danger often occurs not during heavy snowfall, but shortly afterward, when melting and refreezing create slick road surfaces.

Emergency planners also note that even minor snowfall can disrupt transportation systems if it coincides with rush hour or overnight freezing temperatures. Bridges and overpasses are especially susceptible because they lose heat from both above and below, freezing faster than standard roadways.

Temperature Patterns Driving the Forecast

Meteorological data shows that daytime temperatures in parts of Northern Oregon may rise enough for partial melting. However, nighttime cooling is expected to reverse that effect, increasing the risk of icy patches by morning.

Weather analysts from federal agencies explain that this freeze-thaw cycle is one of the most unpredictable elements of winter forecasting. A small drop in temperature can rapidly convert wet pavement into hazardous ice without warning.

Understanding Advisory vs Warning

The National Weather Service uses a tiered alert system:

• Advisory: Hazardous weather expected; caution advised
• Watch: Conditions favorable for dangerous weather
• Warning: Dangerous weather imminent or occurring

Officials clarify that an advisory should still be taken seriously, especially in mountainous regions where road conditions can deteriorate quickly.

Regional Impact Outlook

While urban lowlands may experience only light snowfall or slushy conditions, elevated areas are expected to face the greatest impact. Forecast models show that snowfall intensity may fluctuate as bands of moisture move through the region.

Local emergency management agencies are monitoring the system closely and remain prepared to issue additional alerts if conditions worsen. Government meteorologists emphasize that winter systems can strengthen or weaken rapidly depending on atmospheric pressure patterns and moisture flow from the Pacific.

Why Forecast Totals Differ

Members of the public often notice discrepancies between predicted and actual snowfall totals. Meteorologists explain this happens because:

• Storm tracks can shift slightly
• Moisture content varies
• Terrain influences precipitation distribution
• Temperature layers in the atmosphere change

Because of these factors, official forecasts typically provide ranges rather than exact totals.

Community Preparedness

Local officials encourage residents to take proactive steps before conditions deteriorate. Preparation recommendations include stocking essential supplies, ensuring heating systems are functional, and checking weather updates regularly.

Schools, businesses, and transportation providers frequently monitor government forecasts to determine whether schedule adjustments may be necessary. Even modest snowfall can lead to delays if it coincides with peak travel hours or affects critical roadways.

Human Impact: More Than Just a Forecast

For families living in Northern Oregon’s higher elevations, weather advisories aren’t abstract bulletins — they shape daily decisions. Parents plan school routes, workers reconsider commutes, and farmers assess how cold temperatures might affect livestock and equipment. Each advisory carries a ripple effect that reaches far beyond meteorological charts.

Outlook Beyond Wednesday

Forecasters say conditions should gradually stabilize after the advisory expires, though lingering cold temperatures may keep patches of ice on roads. Officials stress that residents should remain cautious even after snowfall stops, since hazards often persist longer than precipitation.

Final Word

As Northern Oregon watches the skies this week, the message from government meteorologists is clear: stay informed, stay prepared, and treat winter advisories with respect. Weather systems may come and go, but awareness and preparation remain the most reliable protection against sudden seasonal hazards.

For many in the region, the approaching snowfall is both a disruption and a reminder — nature still sets the schedule, and winter isn’t finished yet.

In the bustling terminals of America’s airports, February 1, 2026, marked a “day of reckoning” for millions of domestic travelers. It was the day the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officially put a price tag on non-compliance. For most, appearing at a security checkpoint without a star-marked REAL ID or a passport now comes with a $45 “ConfirmID” fee and a potentially long wait for identity verification.

However, amidst the confusion and the newly established payment kiosks, a significant and heartening policy change has emerged. Through a strategic partnership between the TSA and the newly rebranded U.S. Department of War, military recruits headed to basic training are being spared from this financial burden.

The ‘White Glove’ Treatment for Our Troops

The news of a $45 fee caused an immediate ripple of concern through military families. For a young recruit—often leaving home for the first time with little more than their orders and a duffel bag—an unexpected, nearly $50 fee could be a significant obstacle.

Recognizing this, the Office of Personnel and Readiness worked behind the scenes to establish what officials are calling “white glove treatment.” Under this new agreement, military recruits who do not yet possess a REAL ID can pass through security without paying the $45 ConfirmID fee.

“Our goal is to ensure that our nation’s future heroes can focus on the mission ahead, not on whether they have the right sticker on their driver’s license,” stated Kingsley Wilson, Department of War press secretary. This exemption ensures that recruits en route to basic training receive expedited screening similar to the Honor Flight programs reserved for veterans.

Understanding the $45 ConfirmID Fee

For the general public, the landscape is much different. The $45 fee is part of a modernized alternative identity verification system known as TSA ConfirmID.

Here is how the new system works for civilians:

• The Cost: A flat $45 fee, which covers a 10-day travel period.
• The Process: Travelers must provide personal details (name, DOB, address) which are then cross-referenced through secure databases.
• The Wait: Verification can take 30 minutes or longer, meaning those without a REAL ID are urged to arrive at the airport significantly earlier than usual.
• No Guarantee: Payment of the fee does not guarantee boarding; if identity cannot be verified, the traveler will be turned away.

The TSA has defended the fee, arguing that the cost of extra screening should be borne by the non-compliant traveler rather than the American taxpayer. Currently, approximately 94% of travelers are already using a REAL ID or an accepted alternative, such as a U.S. Passport or Global Entry card.

A Phased Approach to Security

While the REAL ID Act was signed more than two decades ago, its full enforcement has been a long time coming. The current administration has pushed for a “hard enforcement” phase, but with a degree of flexibility.

Beyond military recruits, other groups are keeping a close eye on these regulations. While active-duty military, retirees, and dependents can use their Department of Defense (DoD) IDs as acceptable alternatives to a REAL ID, the specific “white glove” waiver for recruits is a unique protection for those in transition who may not yet have their military credentials.

How to Prepare for Your 2026 Travels

To avoid the $45 fee and the stress of potential delays, the advice from the TSA remains simple: Look for the star.

1. Check Your License: Most REAL ID-compliant cards have a gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner.
2. Know the Alternatives: If you don’t have a REAL ID, you can still fly with a U.S. Passport, Passport Card, Global Entry Card, or an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL).
3. Military Orders: If you are a military recruit, ensure you have your official orders readily available to present to TSA officers to trigger the “white glove” exemption.

The Human Side of Security

Security often feels cold and bureaucratic, especially when it involves fees and long lines. However, the partnership between the TSA and the Department of War reminds us that there is a human element to these policies. By removing the financial and logistical friction for young recruits, the government is acknowledging the unique sacrifices made by those entering service.

For the rest of the traveling public, the February 1st deadline is a firm reminder that the era of “I forgot my ID” being a simple fix is over. As we move further into 2026, the goal is clear: a more secure, streamlined, and verified sky for everyone.

Snohomish County joins Hamilton County, Loudoun County, Chesterfield County, Harford County and Kent County in a story that is shaking the U.S. travel industry. As Snohomish County joins Hamilton County, Loudoun County, Chesterfield County, Harford County and Kent County, America’s sports tourism narrative is changing fast. Meanwhile, as Snohomish County joins Hamilton County, Loudoun County, Chesterfield County, Harford County and Kent County again in focus, multi-million-dollar tourism impact is no longer hidden. Therefore, Travel And Tour World urges readers to follow how Snohomish County joins Hamilton County, Loudoun County, Chesterfield County, Harford County and Kent County to unlock powerful sports tourism growth shaping the future of U.S. travel and destination economics.

When Sport Becomes the New Powerhouse of American Tourism

Across the United States, a silent revolution is transforming the travel and tourism industry. It is not driven by beaches or luxury resorts alone. It is powered by whistles, scoreboards, cheering crowds, and packed sports venues. Sports tourism has emerged as one of the strongest economic engines for local destinations, creating measurable and repeatable financial impact at the county level.

Families are travelling farther. Teams are staying longer. Fans are spending more. Every tournament, every championship, and every youth league event now carries enormous value for hotels, restaurants, transport services, and retail businesses. What was once considered a seasonal or secondary travel segment has become a year-round economic driver.

In 2025, Snohomish County sent a powerful signal to the global travel industry by recording an estimated 42 million US dollars in economic impact from sports tourism alone. This figure did not come from a single global event. It came from consistent, well-planned sports tourism activity spread across the calendar year.

Snohomish County is not an exception. It is part of a growing national pattern. Counties across the United States are discovering that sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties can rival, and sometimes surpass, traditional leisure tourism. This report explores how Snohomish County and five other American counties are reshaping local travel economies through sport, strategy, and sustained visitor demand.

Snohomish County, Washington: The Blueprint for Sports-Led Tourism Growth

Snohomish County’s rise as a sports tourism powerhouse did not happen overnight. It is the result of long-term planning, collaboration between tourism bodies and local communities, and a clear understanding of how sports travellers behave. In 2025, the county welcomed hundreds of thousands of sports-related visitors, generating hotel bookings, restaurant revenue, and transport demand across multiple towns and cities.

From a travel industry perspective, Snohomish County’s strength lies in its diversity. Rather than relying on one flagship event, the county hosted dozens of tournaments covering basketball, pickleball, gymnastics, motorsports, and emerging sports. This approach ensured consistent visitor flow instead of short spikes. Families arrived for weekends. Teams stayed for multi-day events. Supporters explored nearby attractions during downtime.

The impact on accommodation providers was immediate. Hotels recorded strong occupancy levels, particularly during weekends that traditionally experienced softer demand. Food and beverage outlets benefited from predictable crowd volumes. Retail businesses saw increased footfall from visitors exploring local areas between matches.

Most importantly, Snohomish County built a reputation as a reliable sports destination. Event organisers returned year after year. This repeat visitation is the cornerstone of sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties. Snohomish County now stands as a national reference point for how sport can anchor sustainable tourism growth.

Hamilton County, Ohio: Turning Endurance Events into Tourism Currency

In the Midwest, Hamilton County has demonstrated that sports tourism success does not depend on size or coastal appeal. Instead, it depends on identity. Hamilton County has positioned itself as a destination for endurance and participation sports, particularly long-distance running events that draw thousands of participants and supporters from across the country.

These events bring a specific type of traveller. Runners and their families often arrive early, stay multiple nights, and spend time exploring the destination before and after race day. This behaviour creates a deeper economic footprint than short-stay tourism. Hotels benefit from extended bookings. Cafés, transport operators, and local attractions see sustained demand.

From a tourism industry angle, Hamilton County’s model is efficient. Endurance events require lower infrastructure investment compared to stadium sports, yet they deliver strong economic returns. The county has leveraged existing urban spaces, parks, and roads while building a strong event calendar that supports year-round visitation.

Hamilton County’s experience proves that sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties is not reserved for traditional sports capitals. Strategic event selection and strong destination branding can convert participation sports into major tourism revenue streams.

Loudoun County, Virginia: Youth Sports as a Serious Travel Industry Asset

Youth sports may appear small on the surface, but Loudoun County has shown that they generate serious tourism value. Located near major population centres, the county has become a preferred host for regional and national youth tournaments, particularly in football and soccer.

From a travel and tourism perspective, youth sports travellers are highly valuable. Families typically travel in groups. They prioritise comfort and safety. They book quality accommodation and dine locally multiple times a day. Unlike solo travellers, they generate layered spending across sectors.

Loudoun County has capitalised on this behaviour by offering well-maintained facilities and efficient event logistics. Tournaments attract teams from multiple states, resulting in hotel room demand that extends beyond weekends. Restaurants, supermarkets, and transport providers benefit from predictable visitor patterns.

The county’s success highlights a crucial industry insight. Sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties increases significantly when youth sports are treated as a core tourism segment rather than a community activity. Loudoun County’s approach has transformed weekend tournaments into economic engines.

Chesterfield County, Virginia: Infrastructure Investment That Pays Back Through Tourism

In Chesterfield County, the link between sports infrastructure and tourism revenue is impossible to ignore. The county invested heavily in large-scale, multi-field sports complexes designed to host simultaneous tournaments and year-round competitions. This infrastructure decision reshaped its tourism profile.

From an industry standpoint, large sports complexes offer scalability. They allow multiple events to run at the same time, multiplying visitor numbers. Teams arrive with supporters. Matches extend over several days. This creates continuous demand for hotels, food services, and local transport.

Chesterfield County’s facilities have attracted regional, state, and national tournaments. These events do not only fill hotels. They create repeat visitation, as teams return annually and recommend the destination to others. Over time, this builds destination credibility and long-term tourism resilience.

The county’s experience reinforces a critical truth. Sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties accelerates when infrastructure supports volume, efficiency, and comfort. Chesterfield County has turned capital investment into sustained tourism revenue.

Harford County, Maryland: Community-Driven Sports Tourism with Long-Term Value

In Harford County, sports tourism has evolved organically through strong community involvement. Amateur baseball, lacrosse, and regional tournaments form the backbone of the county’s sports tourism activity. While individual events may appear modest, their cumulative impact is substantial.

From a travel industry lens, Harford County’s strength lies in authenticity. Visitors experience a welcoming atmosphere, efficient event organisation, and easy access to facilities. This encourages repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth promotion.

Families and teams often extend their stays, exploring nearby towns and attractions. Local businesses benefit from consistent visitor flow rather than unpredictable peaks. This stability supports employment and encourages reinvestment in tourism services.

Harford County demonstrates that sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties does not always require aggressive marketing or mega events. Community-led initiatives, when aligned with tourism strategy, can deliver reliable and long-term economic value.

Kent County, Michigan: Regional Collaboration Driving Record Sports Tourism Growth

In the Midwest, Kent County has emerged as a standout example of how regional collaboration amplifies sports tourism impact. Anchored by a strong sports commission and supported by local authorities, the county has attracted a wide range of youth and amateur sporting events.

From a tourism perspective, the county benefits from scale. Multiple venues operate within close proximity, allowing organisers to host large tournaments efficiently. Visitors experience convenience, which increases satisfaction and return rates.

The economic results have been remarkable. Sports events now generate record levels of visitor spending across accommodation, dining, retail, and entertainment. Hotels report consistent demand linked directly to sports calendars rather than traditional holiday seasons.

Kent County’s story shows that sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties grows fastest when destinations act collectively. Shared branding, coordinated scheduling, and joint marketing efforts turn regional assets into national attractions.

Why Sports Tourism Is Reshaping the American Travel Economy

The rise of sports tourism reflects broader changes in traveller behaviour. Modern travellers seek purpose. They plan trips around experiences. Sport provides that anchor. It creates urgency, emotional engagement, and fixed travel dates.

For the travel industry, sports tourism offers stability. Events are scheduled months in advance. Visitor numbers are predictable. Spending patterns are reliable. This allows businesses to plan staffing, inventory, and marketing with confidence.

Sports tourism also spreads economic benefits beyond city centres. Counties and suburban regions gain visibility. Smaller communities attract visitors who might never arrive through traditional leisure tourism.

Across the country, sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties is no longer an emerging trend. It is a core pillar of destination strategy.

Conclusion: The Counties That Invest in Sport Will Win the Tourism Race

The evidence is clear. Snohomish County’s 42-million-dollar achievement is not an anomaly. It is part of a national movement where sport and tourism intersect to create powerful economic outcomes.

Hamilton County, Loudoun County, Chesterfield County, Harford County, and Kent County each demonstrate different pathways to success. Some focus on endurance events. Others prioritise youth sports, infrastructure, or community engagement. All share one result: sustained tourism revenue.

As the travel industry evolves, destinations that integrate sports into their tourism strategy will gain a competitive edge. They will attract repeat visitors. They will stabilise seasonal demand. They will strengthen local economies.

Sports tourism economic impact in U.S. counties is no longer about games alone. It is about growth, resilience, and the future of American travel.

Thousands of passengers are facing travel disruptions in the U.S. today as Southwest, SkyWest, United, American Airlines, and other major carriers struggle with 192 cancellations and 3,410 delays. These disruptions are causing chaos at major airports, including Denver, Chicago, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Orlando, among others. With severe weather conditions and operational challenges affecting flights across the country, thousands of travelers are stranded or facing significant delays. Many passengers are reporting long waits at the gates, while some are left scrambling for rebooking options.

Airlines like Southwest and SkyWest have been particularly impacted, leading to numerous cancellations. As a result, many flights are running behind schedule, further exacerbating the situation. Travelers are urged to check their flight statuses regularly and consider alternative travel plans to avoid further inconveniences caused by these ongoing disruptions.

Total Delays and Cancellations Across U.S. Airports

• Total Delays: 3,410
• Total Cancellations: 192

These disruptions reflect a combination of weather-related delays, airport operational issues, and technical glitches that have hit airports across the country, causing widespread delays and cancellations, particularly in regions affected by severe weather events.

Airport Cancellations and Delays Across the United States

The latest data from major U.S. airports reveals significant disruptions to air travel, affecting both passengers and airlines alike. With a total of 3,410 delays and 192 cancellations reported today, the impact of these delays stretches across multiple regions, including both large hub airports and smaller regional facilities. The delays and cancellations have been attributed to a combination of factors, such as severe weather conditions, operational issues, and technical problems.

Major Airports Affected

Among the airports hit hardest by these disruptions are Denver International (DEN), Orlando International (MCO), and San Francisco International (SFO), with DEN facing the most considerable delays, reporting 804 delays and 52 cancellations. MCO and SFO also saw high numbers of delays, with 198 and 152, respectively. Other notable airports with significant delays include Los Angeles International (LAX), Miami International (MIA), and Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), with 195, 97, and 162 delays, respectively.

In addition, airports such as Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) and Reagan National (DCA) saw smaller numbers of delays and cancellations, but even these airports experienced disruptions, with 12 cancellations at BUF and 77 delays at DCA. Smaller regional airports, including Jackson Hole (JAC) and Spokane International (GEG), also reported disruptions, albeit to a lesser extent, with 2 cancellations and 4 delays at GEG.

Several major U.S. airports have been hit with delays and cancellations today, including Denver International (DEN), Reagan National (DCA), and Southwest Florida International (RSW). Weather-related delays, particularly in the form of high winds, snow, and freezing rain, have wreaked havoc on operations, while equipment failures have exacerbated the situation.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Ground delays at DEN have reached an average of 122 minutes due to ongoing high wind conditions, which have grounded planes and created a backlog of flights. Passengers traveling through DEN today are advised to expect delays, with some flights delayed for several hours.

Reagan National Airport (DCA)

A 38-minute average delay at DCA has resulted from an equipment outage that has temporarily halted operations. This has affected not only departing flights but also incoming flights, creating a significant ripple effect throughout the East Coast.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

At RSW, a 15-minute departure delay has been noted, and this is expected to increase as the day progresses. Like other airports, RSW is dealing with disruptions related to weather-related initiatives and operational adjustments.

Airlines Affected by Flight Cancellations and Delays

Southwest Airlines is facing significant delays and cancellations today, with a total of 944 delays and 24 cancellations. SkyWest Airlines has also been severely affected, with 387 delays and 70 cancellations. Spirit Airlines has reported 34 cancellations and 89 delays today.

How Affected Passengers Can Navigate the Disruptions

Passengers impacted by delays or cancellations should take several steps to mitigate the inconvenience:

1. Check for Updates: Always check with your airline for real-time updates on your flight status. Many airlines provide mobile apps and online tools that offer real-time flight tracking and notifications.
2. Consider Alternative Airports: In some cases, nearby airports may offer alternative flights. For instance, if you’re departing from Denver, checking for available flights at Colorado Springs Airport (COS) might be an option, especially if DEN continues to experience ground delays.
3. Flexible Travel Plans: If your flight is canceled or delayed for an extended period, inquire about rebooking options. Many airlines offer flexibility during weather-related disruptions, including accommodation and meal vouchers.
4. Prepare for Weather Conditions: If you’re traveling through regions affected by heavy snow or ice, make sure you’re ready for possible road delays or closures. Carry essential items like snacks, medications, and entertainment in case you’re delayed for an extended period.
5. Stay Safe: For passengers in regions affected by wildfires or severe weather, it’s important to stay informed through local news and weather updates. In some cases, weather-related disruptions can result in ground transportation issues, so keep an eye on travel advisories from local authorities.

The Road Ahead

With more storms expected to impact the United States this week, particularly in the Central U.S. and Northeast, travelers should remain alert for further disruptions. AccuWeather forecasts a continuation of severe weather conditions, including snowstorms and high winds, which will likely exacerbate delays and cancellations at affected airports.

As weather patterns evolve, travelers are urged to keep in constant contact with airlines and check updated weather reports. In addition, those with flexible schedules may want to consider altering travel plans to avoid the worst of the storm systems that are expected to intensify over the coming days.

Source: FlightAware

Samsung may raise the price of its Galaxy S26 phones this year. In the past, Samsung tried to keep prices the same as those of older models, even when parts became a little more expensive. But now, chips and memory are costing more, and Samsung may not be able to avoid higher prices.

Even though Samsung makes its own Exynos processors, it cannot buy them cheaper than other companies. But this time, the demand for memory is very high, as AI technology needs more and faster memory, so Samsung and other companies are using some of their memory for AI products. This pushes the price up.

Last year, Samsung kept the Galaxy S25 prices the same as the previous model. That helped sales and made customers happy. But this year, memory and chip costs are higher, so Samsung may need to raise prices for the Galaxy S26. Reports say the standard Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ could cost more, while the Ultra model may stay at the same price.

Galaxy S25 Plus | Credit – Samsung

The Galaxy S26 will use different processors in different regions. In Europe, phones will have Samsung’s Exynos chips. In the US, they will use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Even though the US phones are less affected by Exynos prices, Samsung may raise prices worldwide because many parts are more expensive.

Some extra benefits, like free storage upgrades for pre-orders, may still continue. This can help buyers get more value even if the phone costs more.

Samsung is going to officially launch the Galaxy S26 on February 25 at the Galaxy Unpacked event 2026. At that time, we will know the full prices, features, and availability of the new phones. Stay tuned for more information.

The post Samsung may revise Galaxy S26 pricing after several years of freeze appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung recently teased the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra's low-light photography chops, and today the company's arm in the US has released a short video teasing the phone's low-light video recording capabilities. That's nothing out of the ordinary, but here's the thing - the teaser video itself was "generated with the assistance of AI tools", as the company's disclaimer clearly notes at the bottom. That's... interesting, to put it nicely. Why wouldn't Samsung just share a video captured in low-light conditions with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, if the idea is to tease how good it is at...

Cristiano Ronaldo and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. have shared many headlines over the years, but rarely has the spotlight felt so intense on the next generation. While the soccer world continues to debate whether the young forward can one day follow in the footsteps of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, a new chapter quietly unfolded with the Portuguese national team and at club level, raising eyebrows across Europe.

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. is not just another academy prospect. Born on June 17, 2010, in La Mesa, California, he carries one of the heaviest surnames in soccer history, and with it, expectations few teenagers could comprehend. Like the children of Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane, he grew up immersed in elite soccer environments, moving across countries and academies as his father’s career evolved.

He passed through Juventus and Manchester United before following Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia when the superstar joined Al-Nassr in 2023. The move raised questions about whether leaving Europe’s top development structures could slow his progress. Yet, despite doubts, Ronaldo Jr. continued his rise with the Portugal youth national team, slowly carving out his own path.

Early impact at the Algarve Tournament

At the 2026 Algarve International Tournament, Ronaldo Jr. arrived with Portugal’s U16 national team under growing scrutiny from scouts, media, and fans. His first notable moment came against Japan, where he provided a standout assist in a 3-0 victory.

“Cristianinho delivers an assist in the U16 national team’s victory against Japan. The Portuguese forward was one of the key players in Portugal’s first win (3-0) in the Algarve Tournament,” reported the Portuguese media, highlighting his immediate influence despite coming off the bench in the 27th minute. He also came close to scoring twice, with dangerous attempts in the 31st and 40th minutes.

He followed that performance with a starting role against the Netherlands, playing the first half and helping his side secure a narrow 1-0 win. “On the pitch, he looked to energize the left flank of the attack, frequently combining with his teammates and creating dangerous opportunities for the opposition goal,” wrote Mais de Futebol.

Watch how Ronaldo Jr. fared against Germany

The tournament culminated in a decisive clash against Germany, where Portugal sealed a 3-1 victory to lift the trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. started on the bench and played around 20 minutes in regular time, contributing to the squad’s overall success rather than dominating headlines with goals or assists.

While he did not steal the spotlight individually, he was part of an unbeaten Portugal side that claimed the Algarve title, marking his third international trophy in less than a year, following triumphs with the U15 team in May 2025 and the U16 team in November 2025. His grandmother, Maria Dolores, was said to be present in the stands, symbolizing the family’s continued support as he navigates his soccer journey.

Despite recently securing a Premier League title, Liverpool are not having their best season, as they sit far from the top of the league. The team’s attacking performance has let supporters down, with Mohamed Salah not performing at his usual high level. With the possibility of Salah’s departure in the summer of 2026, the Reds have reportedly identified a Bundesliga star, valued at €100 million, as the ideal replacement for the Egyptian.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool believe Michael Olise is the ideal replacement for Salah. As an undisputed starter at Bayern Munich, the Frenchman would command a fee of over €100 million. Despite the Reds’ interest, he is not keen on returning to the Premier League and could even be close to signing a contract extension. As a result, the English side have decided to include four other attacking alternatives.

Given the difficulty of securing Olise, the Reds have turned their attention to Yan Diomande as a main target for the 2026–27 season. Despite interest from Bayern Munich, the RB Leipzig winger has stated that his father is a Liverpool supporter and that he would like to see him play at Anfield, meaning his arrival may not be too difficult to secure. However, his transfer fee would also be around €100 million, TEAMtalk reports.

In their bid to secure a marquee reinforcement on the wing, Liverpool are also reportedly monitoring three other options: Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao, along with PSG’s Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola. It does not mean all of them will arrive, but they intend to hold talks with each player as they aim to secure at least one signing. With this in mind, Mohamed Salah appears to be heading toward an exit from the club.

Liverpool’s Arne Slot could sell a key star to reshape offense

During the 2025–26 season, Liverpool have seen a fairly limited attacking output, as Luis Díaz’s departure significantly affected the team. In light of this, the potential exits of Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa point toward a clear reconfiguration of the attack. However, head coach Arne Slot could lose another key player, as his inconsistent performances reportedly open the door to a possible departure from the club.

According to Wilson Cox via X, formerly Twitter, the Reds are looking to transfer Cody Gakpo, as his performances have fallen short of expectations. After playing 34 matches, the Dutchman has scored seven goals and provided four assists, a figure well below his output in previous seasons. As a result, Liverpool could look to pursue the signing of a dribbling winger, aiming for a drastic shift in their tactical approach.

Raphinha was back in the team for the match against Girona on Monday. However, his return was not enough to prevent an unexpected Barcelona defeat, which left Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings.

Complaints have flooded the media in the last few days following Pau Cubarsí’s disallowed goal in the Copa del Rey semifinal loss to Atletico Madrid. That time the club submitted a formal complaint to the Real Federación Española de Fútbol. Now it was the winger who used his platform to make his voice heard.

The post had a clear message for the referees. Raphinha wrote: “We have many things to improve, but not just us. It’s hard when the rules change if they are in your favor or against you. If we must play against everybody to win, it’s fine. We will do it. Go Barça forever.”

Cubarsí was also critical

Girona were worthy opponents and handed Barcelona’s rivals the La Liga lead. There were defensive mistakes again, as has often been the case, but there was also major controversy in the decisive goal.

What every player complained about was a foul on Jules Koundé by Echeverri that changed the course of yesterday’s match. Cubarsí was a bit more measured than his teammate in an interview with DAZN.

The defender said: “Everybody saw it; we are not going to comment on that. People know what happened. From inside we couldn’t do anything. We don’t have to argue with the referee. We must improve.”

Good news for Barcelona

The match left a very sour taste because the performance wasn’t good on top of the result. It could have been worse after Eric García had to leave with 20 minutes still to play because of a hamstring issue.

On Tuesday the player underwent a medical examination to determine whether he would miss time. Fortunately for the defender, there was no injury that will force him to be sidelined, which is positive considering he left the field in pain.

Christian Pulisic is once again a central figure in the growing debate over his future, as speculation mounts about a potential Premier League return. With Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham all monitoring his situation, comparisons have emerged with Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne—two players who struggled in England, left, and later returned as transformed superstars. But while excitement builds around Pulisic’s resurgence and the possibility of another chapter in England, former USMNT icon Landon Donovan has raised a subtle yet significant concern that could shape the next phase of his career.

Pulisic has been one of the standout performers in Serie A this season, playing a decisive role in Milan’s push near the top of the table. Reports indicate that Arsenal admires his goal threat, Manchester United sees him as a potential solution in attack, and Tottenham views him as the dynamic winger it currently lacks.

According to reports, Milan is open to offers in the $83-95 million range, reflecting both his current form and long-term value. The Italian side, however, is not under financial pressure and remains in a strong negotiating position with its contract running until 2027. The message from San Siro is clear: if England wants Pulisic back, it will have to pay a premium.

The 27-year-old’s previous Premier League spell at Chelsea was a mixture of promise and frustration. While he played a key role in winning the UEFA Champions League and produced memorable moments, including a Premier League hat-trick, he struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter.

His move to Milan in 2023 marked a turning point. Since arriving in Italy, he has rebuilt his reputation and emerged as one of the Rossoneri’s most influential attackers, registering strong goal and assist numbers and becoming a fan favorite. At 27, he is entering what should be the peak years of his career, making him a compelling target for ambitious projects ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Salah and De Bruyne parallels

The narrative around Pulisic’s potential Premier League return has been shaped by comparisons with two elite players who followed similar paths. “I remember Kevin De Bruyne at Chelsea. I remember Mo Salah at Chelsea,” Tim Howard said in the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, drawing parallels between Pulisic and the two modern Premier League greats.

“He sort of reminds me of Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne in that he now went off; he’s matured, and he’s older, and he’s now gone and carried a league. He’s carried one of the best teams in the league, right? He’s put AC Milan on his back.” The comparison suggests Pulisic could follow the same redemption arc—leaving England, maturing abroad, and returning as a more complete player.

Donovan points out one vital concern

However, while talent and mentality are not in doubt, Landon Donovan highlighted one critical concern about a Premier League return. “This is a scenario where I think if he is motivated and wants to go prove it, he is capable of it,” Donovan said. Then he revealed the underlying hesitation: “The one hesitation I have… the physical part of it is a real thing, man.”

The ex-striker elaborated on the relentless demands of England’s top division: “Some of the athletes in the Premier League are monsters. I mean monsters. And to do it, thirty-five, forty, forty-five times a year at that pace is really hard. I don’t know, physically, if he could do it every single week for two or three years… because it’s really hard, man.” The concern is not about ability or mentality—but whether Pulisic can sustain the physical intensity of the Premier League over multiple seasons.

Christian Pulisic is once again at the center of attention as Milan prepares for a decisive Serie A showdown against Como. With the Rossoneri chasing their season objectives and the pressure intensifying in the title race, questions linger over the availability of key players and how Massimiliano Allegri plans to navigate another tactical challenge.

The midweek fixture arrives at a delicate moment for Milan, who are balancing ambition, squad rotation, and physical management. While Allegri has insisted that calm and focus are essential, uncertainty surrounding one of his most influential attackers has added an extra layer of intrigue ahead of kickoff.

The Rossoneri welcome Como to San Siro in a rescheduled Serie A Matchday 24 match, originally postponed due to a scheduling conflict with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The Rossoneri are determined to secure three points to maintain pressure on their rivals, while Como arrives with European ambitions of their own.

The Blue and Whites now have confidence after significant investment and showings this season. Under Cesc Fabregas, they have built a competitive squad and currently sit just outside the European places, with a game in hand that could boost their continental hopes.

They have demonstrated attacking potency, particularly away from home, and will be eager to avenge their earlier defeat to Milan. However, they face selection issues of their own, including the suspension of Alvaro Morata and injuries to key players.

Will Pulisic be fit to face Como?

The mystery surrounding Milan’s lineup centers on Christian Pulisic, whose fitness has been a recurring concern this season. Allegri provided a cautious update ahead of the match, admitting that the American forward is still dealing with discomfort.

“Aside from Rabiot, who is suspended, the others feel quite well. Saelemaekers is available, and I hope the same goes for Pulisic, because he still feels discomfort. Let’s see if he’ll be there,” the Italian tactician told reporters.

Pulisic’s availability remains uncertain, despite his recent return off the bench. The winger has struggled with injuries throughout the campaign, including bursitis and a long-standing hamstring issue. Even so, he remains Milan’s leading scorer with 10 goals in all competitions, highlighting his importance to Allegri’s system.

The bigger picture for Pulisic and Milan

For Pulisic, the match represents another chapter in a season marked by physical setbacks and tactical adaptation. Despite limited starts in recent weeks, he remains a central figure in Milan’s offensive structure, and Allegri’s cautious optimism suggests the club is prioritizing his long-term fitness over short-term risk.

As the San Siro outfit pushes toward the business end of the season, the availability of Pulisic and Leao together could prove decisive in determining whether the Rossoneri can sustain their title chase and secure Champions League qualification.

AC Milan are enjoying an extremely positive season in Serie A, battling Inter Milan for the top spot in the standings. A major reason for that success has been Christian Pulisic, whose impressive performances have attracted interest from Premier League clubs.

Manchester United have emerged as one of the teams most interested in signing Pulisic, who previously played in England with Chelsea from 2019 to 2023. In addition to the Red Devils, reports have also mentioned potential interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

In that context, the Italian side has decided it will not let Christian Pulisic leave unless it receives a significant financial offer that fully meets its demands. “Milan have set an asking price close to €80 million for the forward, who is under contract until 2027,” BeInSports reported Tuesday.

That figure, nearly $95 million, represents a considerable amount, but not an impossible one for certain Premier League clubs. In fact, during last summer’s transfer window, Manchester United spent more than $260 million on the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.

The record Pulisic would break if sold for $95 million

While concrete progress in negotiations has yet to materialize, if Christian Pulisic were to complete a transfer for the reported fee, he would become the most expensive sale in AC Milan history.

To date, the player for whom the Italian side received the highest transfer fee is Kaka. The Brazilian midfielder was transferred to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, two years after winning the Ballon d’Or, for approximately $80 million.

Further down the list are other stars such as Sandro Tonali, sold to Newcastle United in 2023 for $75 million; Tijjani Reijnders, transferred to Manchester City last year for $63 million; and Andriy Shevchenko, signed by Chelsea in 2006 for $50 million.

Pulisic’s performances this season with Milan

The high price Milan have reportedly placed on Christian Pulisic aligns with the level he has shown on the field throughout the season. The American forward has made 21 appearances across Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana, recording 10 goals and 2 assists.

Pulisic currently ranks as the second-leading scorer in Serie A with 8 goals, trailing only Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who has 14. However, the Argentine forward has played 25 matches, while the USMNT star has appeared in just 17 due to recurring injury issues.

Oleksandr Usyk is soon set to have another mandatory challenger. The Ukrainian became undisputed in the heavyweight division for the second time when he beat Daniel Dubois to win back the IBF belt last year, though soon vacated the WBO, which was picked up by Fabio Wardley. With WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel guaranteed a […]

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Temsilcimiz Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 turu ilk maçında sahasında Juventus'u konuk etti. Sarı-kırmızılılar bu kritik mücadeleden 5-2'lik skorla tarihi bir galibiyetle ayrıldı. Cimbom'da Teknik Direktör Okan Buruk heyecan dolu mücadelenin ardından açıklamalarda bulundu.

Temsilcimiz Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 turu ilk maçında sahasında Juventus'u konuk etti. Sarı-kırmızılılar bu kritik mücadeleden 5-2'lik skorla tarihi bir galibiyetle ayrıldı. Cimbom'da Teknik Direktör Okan Buruk heyecan dolu mücadelenin ardından açıklamalarda bulundu.

İŞTE OKAN BURUK'UN SÖZLERİ:

Birincisi tabii ki inanılmaz mutluyuz. Ayaklarımızın da yere basması gereken bir gece. Önemli bir galibiyet aldık. Önemli bir efor var. Sadece bizim değil, taraftarımızın da. Çok güzel bir gece yaşadık, yaşattık. Oyuncular, benim için de Galatasaray için de çok önemli bir gece. Bunu taçlandırmak için ikinci maçta da aynı şekilde oynamamız gerekiyor.

İkinci maçı oynadıktan sonra sevinmemiz gerekiyor. Şu anda öz güven ve mutluluk var. Turu geçtikten sonra daha mutlu olacağız.

Ligde Konyaspor maçı var. Aynı istek ve konsantrasyonla oynamamız gerekiyor. Zorlu bir fikstür var ama en güzel yerlerden biri kadro genişliğimiz. Kadro derinliğimiz bugün maçı kazanmamızda önemli bir destek verdi. Oyuncular arasında da yarış var. Bu da Galatasaray'a olumlu yansıyacak.

Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Al-Ittihad, deplasmanda Al Sadd'ı 4-1 mağlup etti. Karşılaşmada Youssef En-Nesyri de golünü attı.

Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi Elite Batı Grubu'nda Roberto Mancini yönetimindeki Katar ekibi Al Sadd ile Suudi Arabistan temsilcisi Al Ittihad karşı karşıya geldi. Youssef En-Nesyri'nin gol attığı maçta Sergio Conceicao yönetimindeki konuk ekip Al Ittihad maçı 4-1 kazandı.

Al Sadd'ın tek golünü 6. dakikada Brezilyalı yıldız Roberto Firmino kaydetti.

Al Ittihad'ın golleri 10. dakikada Houssem Aouar, 18. dakikada Youssef En Nesyri, 33. dakikada Pedro Miguel (kk) ve 63. dakikada Stephane Paul Keller'den geldi.

Karşılaşmada 63 dakika sahada kalan ve fileleri havalandıran Youssef En Nesyri, Al Ittihad'da 4. maçında, 3. golüne ulaştı.

Bu galibiyetin ardından Al Ittihad puanını 15'e yükseltti. Al Sadd 8 puanda kaldı. İki takım da son 16'ya kalmayı başardı.

Juventus'ta Andrea Cambiaso ve Juan Cabal, Galatasaray maçında gördüğü sarı kartla rövanş maçında cezalı duruma düştü.

Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi Son 16 Play-Off Turu'nda Juventus ile karşılaştı.

Juventus'ta Andrea Cambiaso, mücadelenin 18. dakikasında sarı kart gördü.

Juan Cabal ise 59. dakikada sarı kart gördü. 67. dakikada bir sarı kart daha gören Cabal kırmızı kartla oyun dışında kaldı.

İki sol bek oyuncusu da 24 Şubat'ta oynanacak rövanş maçında cezalı duruma düştü.

Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Juventus'u 5-2 mağlup ederek rövanş öncesinde avantajlı skoru yakaladı. Sarı-kırmızılı takımın gollerini Gabriel Sara, Noa Lang (2), Davinson Sanchez ve Sacha Boey kaydetti. Galatasaray'ın tarihi galibiyetinin ardından UEFA ülke puanı güncellendi.

Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde 2025/26 sezonunun son 16 turu play-off'unda Galatasaray, Juventus'u konuk etti. Sarı-kırmızılı takım geriye düştüğü maçta İtalyan ekibini 5-2 mağlup ederek avantajlı skoru elde etti.

Galatasaray'a Juventus karşısında galibiyeti getiren golleri Gabriel Sara, Noa Lang (2), Davinson Sanchez ve Sacha Boey kaydetti. Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Galatasaray bu eşleşmenin rövanşını 25 Şubat Çarşamba günü İtalya'da oynayacak.

Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Galatasaray'ın Juventus'u mağlup ettiği maçın ardından UEFA ülke puanı güncellendi.

UEFA ÜLKE PUANINDA SON DURUM

UEFA ülke puanında güncel sıralama şöyle:

1. İngiltere - 111.797

2. İtalya - 96.446

3. İspanya - 90.484

4. Almanya - 87.331

5. Fransa - 78.927

6. Portekiz - 69.266

7. Hollanda - 66.595

8. Belçika - 60.850

9. TÜRKİYE - 49.475

10. Çekya - 47.225

11. Yunanistan - 46.312

12. Polonya - 44.625

Galatasaray'ın efsane golcülerinden Gomis de dün akşam Juventus maçını izleyenler arasındaydı. Sarı-kırmızılıların İtalyan ekibine attığı 5 golün sırrını ise tribünlere bağladı.

Galatasaray taraftarı dün akşam tarihe tanıklık etti. Ekranları başındaki milyonların yanı sıra tribünleri dolduran onbinler, unutamayacakları bir gece yaşadı.

İtalyan devi Juventus'a 5 gol atan Galatasaray'ın hiç kuşkusuz en büyük itici gücü taraftarlardı. 90 dakika hiç susmadılar. İlk yarıyı 2-1 yenik kapamalarına rağmen sarı-kırmızılı taraftarların desteği bir an bile durmadı. Futbolcularını ateşleyen taraftarların müthiş desteği, Gomis'i de büyüledi.

Galatasaray'ın unutulmaz golcülerinden olan Gomis, gecenin özetini şu sözlerle aktardı:

-Galatasaray'ın stadı mümkün olmayacak şeyleri başarmanızı sağlıyor. İşte böyle bir sihir! İşte böyle bir yer!"

Bafetimbi Gomis Galatasaray'ı ziyaret etti

Galatasaray'ın Juventus'a 5 gol atması her iki kulüp açısından da tarihi bir skor oldu.

Galatasaray, Juventus'u 5-2 yenerek UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turunda rövanş öncesi büyük bir avantaj yakaladı. Ancak bu skor, her iki kulüp açısından da tarihi anlam ifade etmesiyle de büyük önem kazandı.

Galatasaray, Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde rakibine 5 gol atan ilk Türk takımı olarak tarihe geçti. Ancak Juventus'un tarihe geçmesi, sarı-kırmızılılar gibi iyi değil, elbette kötüydü.

Juventus, Avrupa kupalarında 67 yıl sonra bir maçta 5 gol yiyerek tarihi bir hezimete imza attı.

Bu arada İtalyan medyası da Juventus'u yerden yere vurdu.

-Sky Italia "Galatasaray korkutucu bir takım." başlığını attı.

-La Gazzetta "Galatasaray, Juventus'u ezdi" sözleriyle maçı okuyucularına duyurdu.

Corriere dello Sport ise "Noa Lang sahneye çıktı. Juventus darmadağın oldu. Spalletti felaket bir yenilgi aldı. Galatasaray bu gece harikaydı." diyerek geceyi özetledi.

Galatasaray, Juventus'u 5-2 yenerek darmadağın etti. Rövanş öncesi büyük bir avantaj elde etti. Şimdi herkes bir sonraki rakibi merak etmeye başladı.

Galatasaray'ın Juventus'u 5-2'lik sonuçla yenmesi ve ikinci maç öncesi büyük avantaj yakalaması taraftarları iyice havaya soktu. Sarı-kırmızılılar, İtalyan devine sahayı dar eden Cimbom'un bu dakikadan sonra rakibine turu vermeyeceğinden emin. Herkes şimdi Galatasaray'ın bir sonraki rakibini merak ediyor.

Bilindiği gibi Galatasaray, Juventus'u elerse rakibi belli. Cimbom, bu turda İtalyan ekibini elemesi halinde son 16 turunda İngiltere'nin Tottenham ya da Liverpool takımıyla eşleşecek.

Galatasaray, Juventus'a 5 gol atarak Avrupa'da gecenin en flaş sonucuna imza attı. Ayrıca bu galibiyet, sarı-kırmızılılara boşuna "Avrupa Fatihi" denilmediğinin de ispatı oldu. Ayrıca Galatasaray, Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde bir maçta 5 gol atan ilk Türk takımı olarak bir başka rekora da imza atmış oldu.

Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde eleme turlarında Galatasaray fırtına gibi esmeye devam ediyor. Sarı-kırmızılılar, sahaya çıktıkları 22 karşılaşmada 13 galibiyet aldı, 7 maçtan da berabere ayrıldı. Aslan, sadece 2 karşılaşmada mağlubiyet yaşadı. Bu sonuçlarla Galatasaray'ın başarı oranı yüzde 69 olarak hesaplandı. Bu sonuçla "Avrupa Fatihi Galatasaray" sloganını da haketmiş olduğunu gösterdi.

-22 maç

-13 galibiyet

-7 beraberlik

-2 mağlubiyet

-%69 başarı yüzdesi.

Öte yandan Galatasaray'ın iç sahada 13 maçtır İtalyan takımlarına yenilmemesi de önemli bir ayrıntı olarak göze çarptı.

Galatasaray'ın yeni transferi Noa Lang, Juventus karşısında attığı 2 golle gecenin yıldızı oldu.

Galatasaray Juventus karşısında tarih yazdı. İtalyanların dünyaca ünlü kulübünü 5-2 yenerek rövanş öncesi büyük avantaj yakaladı. Gecenin kahramanlarından birisi de hiç kuşkusuz yeni transfer Noa Lang'dı.

Attığı 2 golle geceye damga vuran 26 yaşındaki Hollandalı oyuncunun 2 Şubat'ta söylediği sözler de akıllara geldi.

Noa Lang, Juventus maçındaki golüyle birlikte Galatasaray'da ilk kez ağları havalandırdı.

Hatırlanacağı üzere o gün Noa Lang, Napoli formasıyla karşılaştığı İtalyan devi için "Sabırsızlıkla Juventus'u bekliyorum" sözlerini kullanmıştı. Gerçekten de genç yıldız, 2 gol atarak İtalyan devine sürprizi olduğunu göstermiş oldu.

Noa Lang maç sonu açıklamalarda bulundu

“Bu benim en iyi performansım değildi. Daha iyi olabilirdi. Tabii ki iki gol attım ve takım olarak iyi bir maç çıkardığımızı düşünüyorum. Napoli’deyken daha önce Juventus’a karşı oynadım. Zor bir takım. İyi savunma yapıyorlar ve iyi şekilde hücum yapıyorlar. Bu akşam kendi kalitemizi gösterip iyi bir maç çıkardık.”

Noa Lang'dan Galatasaray'a: "Seni seviyorum."

Galatasaray'ın Bayern Münih'ten kiraladığı Sacha Boey, eski takımıyla çıktığı ilk Şampiyonlar Ligi maçında gol attı.

Galatasaray'dan Bayern Münih'e transfer olduğunda herkes onun patlama yapacağını düşünüyordu. Ancak Sacha Boey bir türlü Alman kulübünde istediği seviyeye gelemedi.

Sakatlıkların da üst üste gelmesiyle Alman kulübünde gözden düşen Sacha Boey, kariyerinin zirvesine çıktığı Galatasaray'a devre arasında geri döndü. Herkes Fransız sağ bekin ne yapacağını merak ediyordu. Ve bu akşam Şampiyonlar Ligi maçında Juventus karşısına sahaya çıktı. Çıkış bir de golünü attı.

86. dakikada Osimhen'in asistini gole çeviren Sacha Boey, böylece Galatasaray forması altında yeniden yükselişinin ilk adımını attı.

Ziraat Bankası Erkekler Basketbol Türkiye Kupası'nda Safiport Erokspor ile Fenerbahçe Beko karşı karşıya geldi. Karşılaşmadan Fenerbahçe Beko 83-76'lık skorla galip ayrıldı ve turnuvada adını yarı finale yazdırdı.

Ziraat Bankası Erkekler Basketbol Türkiye Kupası'nda Safiport Erokspor ile Fenerbahçe Beko karşı karşıya geldi. Karşılaşmadan Fenerbahçe Beko 83-76'lık skorla galip ayrıldı ve turnuvada adını yarı finale yazdırdı.

Trendyol 1. Lig'in 26. haftasında Esenler Erokspor, İstanbulspor'u 4-1 mağlup etti.

Stat: Esenyurt Necmi Kadıoğlu

Hakemler: Cihan Aydın, Mehmet Pekmezci, Onur Gülter

İstanbulspor: Alp Tutar, Yunus Bahadır, Duran Şahin (Dk. 46 Cham), Fatih Tultak, Yusuf Ali Özer, Mendy, Vorobjovas, Muhammed Mert (Dk. 67 Turan Tuncer), Sambissa (Dk. 81 Özcan Şahan), Mamadou (Dk. 81 Mustafa Sol), Krstovski (Dk. 46 Aroujo)

Esenler Erokspor: Ertuğrul Çetin, Hayrullah Bilazer, Nzaba, Onur Ulaş, Enes Alıç, Mikail Okyar (Dk. 90 Alper Karaman), Amilton (Dk. 80 Berat Luş), Recep Niyaz (Dk. 80 Ömer Faruk Beyaz), Kanga (Dk. 61 Jack), Faye, Kayode (Dk. 62 Catakovic)

Goller: Dk. 12 Recep Niyaz, Dk. 31 Kanga (Penaltıdan), Dk. 86 Catakovic, Dk. 90+12 Alper Karaman (Penaltıdan) (Esenler Erokspor), Dk. 26 Muhammed Mert (İstanbulspor)

Kırmızı kart: Dk. 90+4 Mendy (İstanbulspor)

Sarı kart: Dk. 52 Cham (İstanbulspor)

Cənubi Azərbaycanın ən məşhur futbol komandası olan “Traktor” Asiya Çempionlar Liqasının 2025/2026 mövsümündə növbəti matçına çıxıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Təbriz klubu turnirin əsas mərhələsinin sonuncu – 8-ci turunda Qətərin “Əl-Qarafa” komandası ilə qarşılaşıb.

Səfərdə baş tutmuş bu oyunda təbrizlilər inamlı qələbəyə seviniblər – 2:0. Qələbə qollarını Mahdi Haşemnecad (61-ci dəqiqə) və Əmirhüseyn Hüseynzadə (81-ci dəqiqə) vurublar.

Qeyd edək ki, Asiya Çempionlar Liqasının cari mövsümündə ümumilikdə 24 komanda mübarizə aparırdı. İştirakçılar coğrafi prinsiplə “Qərb” və “Şərq” zonalarına bölünmüşdülər. Hər zonada 12 komanda yarışıb və komandalar qruplar üzrə deyil, vahid turnir sistemi ilə mübarizə aparıblar.

Hər komanda 8 oyun keçirib. Onların nəticələrinə əsasən, “Qərb” və “Şərq”in hərəsindən 8 ən yaxşı komanda 1/8 finalda oynamaq hüququ qazanıb. Burada da komandalar öz zonalarında yer alanlarla qarşılaşacaqlar. Yalnız 1/4 final mərhələsindən “Qərb”lə “Şərq” birləşəcək. 1/4 final, yarımfinal və final görüşləri aprelin 17-25-də Səudiyyə Ərəbistanında keçiriləcək.

“Traktor” “Qərb” zonasında yer alıb. Komanda qrup mərhələsini 17 xalla 3-cü pillədə başa vurub. Təbrizlilər növbəti mərhələdə Birləşmiş Ərəb Əmirliklərinin “Şabab Əl-Əhli” komandası ilə qarşılaşacaq. İlk oyun martın 3-də səfərdə, cavab görüşü martın 10-da Təbrizdə baş tutacaq.

Xatırladaq ki, ötən mövsüm tarixdə ilk dəfə İran çempionu olmuş “Traktor” ölkənin Asiya Çempionlar Liqasının Elit turnirində yeganə təmsilçisidir. Təbriz təmsilçisi ötən mövsüm Asiya Çempionlar Liqasının 2-ci turnirinə qatılmış və 1/4 finala qədər irəliləmişdi.

AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədri Rəhim Həsənov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 20-ci turundakı mübahisəli epizodlara şərh verib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, komitə sədri ənənəyə uyğun olaraq, 20-ci turun oyunlarında qeydə alınmış mübahisəli epizodlarla bağlı fikirlərini bildirib.

Mütəxəssis bu barədə AFFA-nın mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlama verib. Rəhim Həsənov ümumilikdə 5 matçda qeydə alınmış epizodlarla bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb.

Mütəxəssis referi Rauf Cabbarovun “Qəbələ” – “Sabah” görüşündə mübahisəli penalti epizodu ilə bağlı doğru qərar qəbul etdiyini təsdiqləyib.

Əvəzində o, Elçin Məsiyevin “Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Sumqayıt” matçında penalti vermədiyini və qırmızı vərəqə göstərmədiyini bəyan edib. Bir sözlə, Məsiyevin sözügedən matça nəticəyə təsir edən iki böyük səhvi olub.

Komitə sədri “Kəpəz” – “Neftçi” matçında da Əli Əliyevin penalti qərarının səhv olduğunu bildirib.

AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədrinin 20-ci turun oyunlarındakı mübahisəli epizodları təhlil etdiyi həmin videonu təqdim edirik:

Azərbaycanda keçiriləcək və millimizin də qatılacağı futbol üzrə “FIFA Series – 2026” beynəlxalq turnirinin təqvimi müəyyənləşib.

Arena.az bu barədə AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.

Azərbaycan, Syerra-Leone, Oman və Sent Lusiya millilərinin iştirak edəcəyi yarışda ilk oyunlar martın 27-də keçiriləcək.

İlk günün qalibləri martın 30-da finalda, məğlubları isə 3-cü yer uğrunda görüşdə qarşılaşacaqlar.

Turnirin təqvimini nəzərinizə çatdırırıq:

“FIFA Series – 2026”

27 mart
15:00. Oman – Syerra-Leone
“Dalğa Arena”.

19:00. Azərbaycan – Sent Lusiya
Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu.

30 mart

15:00. 3-cü yer uğrunda (məğlublar)
“Dalğa Arena”.

19:00. Final (qaliblər)
Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu.

Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners ‘can’t be happy’ after scoring a brace against Galatasaray as the Bianconeri slumped to a 5-2 loss away at Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Juventus suffered a heavy 5-2 loss against Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off on Tuesday.

Koopmeiners’ comments after Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus

Koopmeiners scored his first goals this season and his first two in the Champions League before the break, giving Juventus a 2-1 lead.

“I think we played a good first half; we scored two great goals. We said in the dressing room that we had to keep the ball possession longer, but the way the second half went was not good,” the Dutch midfielder told Sky Sport Italia.

“We must look at the videos and know that there’s a new game next week.”

Juan Cabal was sent off in the second half, after barely 20 minutes from his introduction, while Gleison Bremer suffered a suspected muscle injury in the first half and was forced to be subbed off.

The decider will be played in Turin on Wednesday next week.

“We must improve and score three goals at least; it’s easy,” said the Juventus midfielder.

“I started well with this coach, I scored two important goals in the first half, but I can’t be happy. Because nothing matters when you look at the second half. We scored twice, but we need at least three in the next one.

“I feel well in this position. I think I can contribute with goals. I told myself I had to score more goals. I did it in the first half, but we had to do more in the second.”

Juventus have lost three of their last four games across all competitions, drawing once, and conceding 13 goals in the process.

Juventus’ next game will be at home against Como in Serie A this coming Saturday.

Luciano Spalletti admits Juventus ‘took three steps back’ in their 5-2 Champions League play-off defeat to Galatasaray, warning they are ‘always at risk of conceding goals.’

The Bianconeri had managed to turn around an early Gabriel Sara goal with the Teun Koopmeiners brace to go into half-time leading 2-1 in Istanbul.

It all fell apart after the break, when Juan Cabal replaced Andrea Cambiaso because the Italian was on a yellow card, but he made two crucial errors for goals and then received a red card.

Juve crumbled down to 10 men, as Noa Lang scored twice, plus Davinson Sanchez and Sacha Boey for the 5-2 result.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus

Spalletti does not hold back on dire Juventus performance

“We ended the first half badly, tried to get back into shape and changed a few things, but we really dropped off in terms of character,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was not one step back, but three steps back this evening. Clearly, Cambiaso risked a second yellow card at the end of the first half, in these games when you have someone on a card, it is wise to do something with the substitutions.

“However, we received two more yellow cards in the first 15-odd minutes, then we did further damage to ourselves by not recognising the danger in those situations.”

Is it a problem for Juventus that they consistently concede so many goals, especially in Europe?

“I am convinced that we can lighten the load on the defence if we manage to play football. If we set up barricades and go on the counter, we don’t have players suited to that sort of approach, we don’t have those solid enough to let nothing through,” noted Spalletti.

“So I believe attack is the best form of defence, taking the front foot. If we drop below our standards of quality, then we are always at risk of conceding goals.”

The first, fourth and fifth goals came from giving the ball away and not playing it effectively out from the back, so should Spalletti encourage his defenders to just clear it when under that kind of pressure?

“I want them to play the ball in normal situations, but when there is extreme danger, you kick it away. I want us to create something going forward, not just breaking up the play. Not every situation is the same, sometimes you kick it away and release some pressure. I like to play the ball in general, but there are different situations.

“When down to 10 men, that’s a difficult situation, we made the substitution to take pressure off one player and his replacement receives two yellow cards in 20 minutes, that makes everything tougher.

“Quite apart from the cards, the whole team took a few steps back in various ways today.”

Juventus now have a huge mountain to climb for the second leg of the Champions League play-off, as they need a 3-0 result just to force extra time.

“Of course we’ll try to climb that mountain, try to organise a comeback. Clearly, we must take on responsibility for what happened and for the decisions we take during the match,” noted Spalletti.

“From now on, it’s pointless saying lots of words if we don’t back it up with action. We do some things well recently, but always manage to create problems for ourselves too.

“When it comes to recognising certain situations, we weren’t at the top yet anyway, and today managed to make it worse. The red card added to the difficulties, but we still have to respond and do our duty to a group of fans, a whole city, and a club.”

Gleison Bremer limped off during half-time with a muscular issue, so is there any news yet on his condition?

“We have to evaluate Bremer, as he might have some problems.”

Di Gregorio 5 – A couple of decent saves here and there, but it was always too easy for Juventus opponents to score. The Italian didn’t look confident on set pieces and with distribution.

• Match report – Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus: Cabal catastrophe ruins Champions League play-off

Kalulu 6 – Straight back to action after Saturday’s controversy against Inter, the French played a key role in Teun Koopmeiners’ equaliser, forcing a save from Ugurcan Cakir before the rebound was tapped home.

Bremer 6.5 – Injured early in the first half, but remained on the pitch until the Bianconeri took the lead. Juventus collapsed after he left the field. (34′ Gatti 4)

Kelly 4 – A positive performance in the first half, but the Englishman faded after the break. He lost the ball inside the box for Galatasaray’s fourth goal and lost yet another duel against Osimhen for the fifth.

Cambiaso 6.5 – His forward run right after Galatasaray’s opener paved the way for Koopmeiners’ equaliser. His cross for Kalulu came with a high degree of difficulty. He was booked in the first half and will miss the return leg next week. (46′ Cabal 3 – A terrible impact. In the wrong position for Gala’s equaliser, then caused the free kick that led to the opponents’ third goal. Very few successful passes. Two yellow cards in 20 minutes. A disaster.)

Koopmeiners 7  – He had no goals and no assists in 32 appearances across all competitions this season. No Champions League in his career. All of a sudden, he showed why Juventus paid €60m for him over 18 months ago.

Locatelli 5 – Too many errors in the build-up, and didn’t help the team defensively as he usually does.

Thuram 4.5 – Back to action after missing Saturday’s game against Inter. The Frenchman was sloppy on the ball and made a dangerous backpass that Galatasaray converted in their fourth goal. (80′ Miretti N/A).

Conceicao 5 – Energetic and involved throughout, as always, but his impact faded in the final third, where the decisive pass was missing. (70′ Kostic 5).

McKennie 6.5 – Started as a centre-forward but, as ever, he played all over the pitch. Also provided the assist for Koopmeiners’ second goal.

Yildiz 4.5 – The homeboy didn’t seem fully fit as he often checked on his knee during the match. He also lost possession in a danger zone, leading to Galatasaray’s opening goal. He was never dangerous and was subbed off when the game was practically over (81′ Openda N/A).

Coach: Spalletti 4 – A shocking result, a disastrous second half for the Bianconeri. Still not clear why he replaced Cambiaso after a brilliant first-half performance. Cabal dragged the team down, and this time, Juventus sank rather than reacting.

Galatasaray: Ugurcan Cakir 6; Sallai 6, Sanchez 7, Abdulkerim Bardakci 7 (77′ Singo N/A), Jakobs 6.5 (83′ Elmali N/A); Torreira 7, Gabriel Sara 8.5; Baris Alper Yilmaz 7.5 (77′ Icardi N/A), Yunus Akgun 7.5 (70′ Sané), Lang 7.5 (83′ Boey); Osimhen 8. Coach: Buruk 8.

Atalanta’s Champions League play-off with Borussia Dortmund has seen kick-off delayed by 15 minutes after the hosts got stuck in traffic and were late to the stadium.

It was meant to kick off at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

However, that has been moved to 20.15 GMT (21.15 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Galatasaray-Juventus on the Liveblog.

The second leg for a place in the Round of 16 will be on February 25.

Dortmund traffic surprises Borussia squad

Borussia Dortmund ought to know the traffic in their own city on match days, but evidently were surprised by the situation they ran into on their way to the arena.

They were delayed so much that the kick-off time had to be put back by 15 minutes.

La Dea had been very close to going directly into the next phase as one of the top eight teams in the league table, but fumbled it with defeats to Athletic Club and Union Saint-Gilloise.

Both Charles De Ketelaere and January signing Giacomo Raspadori are out for at least a month with injuries sustained at the weekend, so Gianluca Scamacca makes his return to the starting XI.

There are some surprises in defence, as Giorgio Scalvini and Isak Hien are both on the bench.

Juventus were leading 2-1 with a Teun Koopmeiners brace, but a disastrous performance from Juan Cabal with red card and Noa Lang double create a Champions League play-off mountain to climb.

The Bianconeri made the trip to Istanbul without Jonathan David, Emil Holm, Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik, but Khephren Thuram returned after missing the controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter. Weston McKennie was turned into a surprise False 9, flanked by Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao. The hosts had Mario Lemina suspended, but could count on former Serie A stars Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi, Noa Lang and Lucas Torreira. The second leg in Turin is on February 25.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

A Yunus Akgun scorcher flashed just wide, as did the deflected Kenan Yildiz effort at the other end, but Kenan Yildiz was caught napping on a throw-in, so Lucas Torreira laid it off for Gabriel Sara to bend the left-foot finish into the far bottom corner.

Gabriel Sara FIRES Galatasaray ahead @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bHZKDXTwjM

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

However, the Galatasaray celebrations were still in full swing when Juventus equalised less than a minute later. Andrea Cambiaso surged forward from the kick-off and floated a cross for Pierre Kalulu’s header, which was only parried into the path of Teun Koopmeiners to turn in the rebound.

Koopmeiners responds immediately and Juventus are level@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/PbUwwBUCsR

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

Cambiaso was booked and will be suspended for the second leg, while Osimhen’s half-volley flashed over the bar and his header was well saved by Michele Di Gregorio.

Both Gleison Bremer and Kenan Yildiz were carrying knocks, but Juve managed to turn the game around to lead with another from Koopmeiners. The Dutchman burst through the centre, completed a give and go with McKennie, and blasted into the roof of the net with his left foot.

Koopmeiners puts Juventus in front with a brilliant strike @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/oyvbz6AKcd

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

After several minutes of trying to continue, Bremer was forced off with a thigh issue, replaced by Federico Gatti.

Francisco Conceicao curled off target from a counter-attack and Di Gregorio got down to palm away the Yunus Akgun daisy-cutter.

Former Palermo man Roland Sallai should’ve equalised on the stroke of half-time, but ballooned over at the back post after surprising Cambiaso on a Lang corner.

They did make it 2-2 straight after the restart, as Di Gregorio got a glove to the Baris Alper Yilmaz angled drive, but could do nothing on Lang’s tap-in for his first goal since the January move from Napoli. Substitute Juan Cabal had tried to double up marking elsewhere, leaving Yilmaz alone.

Noa Lang brings Galatasaray right back into it @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/LEdmFZ5OQn

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

Galatasaray turned it around once more, Gabriel Sara’s ferocious free kick taking a mere glance off Davinson Sanchez to wrong-foot Di Gregorio from close range.

REMARKABLE TURNAROUND BY GALATASARAY @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/V9Qhm0MfpT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

Cabal had given that free kick away with a foul on Baris Alper Yilmaz for a yellow card, and received his second for another failed attempt to stop the Galatasaray captain, reducing Juventus to 10 men after a nightmare performance off the bench.

Juan Cabal sent off after coming on at half-time! @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/EFFzs9QlpC

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

Things went from bad to worse, as Thuram and Lloyd Kelly were too sluggish playing out from the back, allowing Osimhen to steal it inside the box and find Lang for another tap-in.

Noa Lang gets his second of the night! @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/oXcAsUUJqn

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

Ex-Torino winger Wilfried Singo drilled just wide from distance, but the fifth arrived when Osimhen battled with Lloyd Kelly to send substitute Sacha Boey down the right, blasting into the far top corner with a powerful finish.

Boey adds a fifth for Galatasaray @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Dgbswx8PZR

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026

Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus

Gabriel Sara 15 (G), Koopmeiners 16, 32 (J), Lang 49, 75 (G), Sanchez 60 (G), Boey 86 (G)

Sent off: Cabal 67 (J)

17-02-2026 17:45

Knockout phase play-offs

Türk Telekom Arena (Ali Sami Yen Stadium)

Galatasaray

Juventus

5 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Gabriel Sara		15'
		16'		Teun Koopmeiners (Assist: Pierre Kalulu)
		18'		Andrea Cambiaso
		32'		Teun Koopmeiners (Assist: Weston McKennie)
Gabriel Sara		43'

2nd half

Noa Lang (Assist: Barış Alper Yılmaz)		49'
		59'		Juan Cabal
Davinson Sánchez (Assist: Gabriel Sara)		60'
		67'		Juan Cabal
Noa Lang (Assist: Victor Osimhen)		75'
Sacha Boey (Assist: Victor Osimhen)		86'

Match statistic

62

Possession %

38

22

Total shots

7

9

Shots on target

3

7

Shots off target

2

6

Blocked shots

2

5

Corners

5

1

Offsides

2

8

Fouls

18

Galatasaray

Juventus

Starting lineups

1

Ugurcan Cakir

Goalkeeper

42

Abdülkerim Bardakci

Defender

77'

6

Davinson Sánchez

Defender

4

Ismail Jakobs

Defender

83'

8

Gabriel Sara

Midfielder

34

Lucas Torreira

Midfielder

53

Barış Alper Yılmaz

Attacker

77'

77

Noa Lang

Attacker

83'

7

Roland Sallai

Attacker

45

Victor Osimhen

Attacker

11

Yunus Akgün

Attacker

70'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

46'

3

Bremer

Defender

34'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

80'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

70'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

81'

Substitutes

23

Kaan Ayhan

Midfielder

20

Ilkay Gündogan

Midfielder

12

Batuhan Sen

Goalkeeper

21

Ahmed Kutucu

Attacker

19

Günay Güvenc

Goalkeeper

22

Yaser Asprilla

Midfielder

10

Leroy Sané

Midfielder

70'

90

Wilfried Singo

Defender

77'

9

Mauro Icardi

Attacker

77'

93

Sacha Boey

Defender

83'

17

Eren Elmali

Defender

83'

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

34'

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

46'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

70'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

80'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

81'

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino explains how he prepared his team for a ‘fascinating’ Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund: ‘A maturity test.’

Atalanta visit Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off this evening.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta – Palladino’s pre-match quotes

You can follow the build-up and action as it happens on the liveblog.

“I’ve tried to convey serenity and tranquillity as we tried to prepare the game in a fascinating stadium,” Palladino told Sky Sport via TMW.

“I see it in the lads’ eyes. I’ve spoken to them, just a few things, very clear. It’s a nice maturity test for us tonight.”

Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere are injured, so Mario Pasalic starts as an attacking midfielder.

“He’s a versatile midfielder who can play as an attacking midfielder too. He did in the past, and he can score,” Palladino said.

“It shouldn’t take long for Raspadori; we’ll assess it with the staff. I hope he returns in two or three weeks, and around a month for De Ketelaere. We’ll try to recover them as quickly as possible.”

Tottenham have received a significant boost during a turbulent period for the club, with Swedish starlet Lucas Bergvall now expected to return to action much sooner than previously feared.

According to the latest reports from Fotboll Direkt, the 20-year-old midfielder’s rehabilitation is progressing ahead of schedule, providing a rare glimmer of hope for newly appointed interim manager Igor Tudor.

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Bergvall’s season hit a major roadblock in late January during Tottenham’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Update on Lucas Bergvall’s Injury

The midfielder,who was wanted by Chelsea in January, was forced off in the second half following a heavy challenge, later diagnosed as a significant ankle injury.

Initial assessments from the medical staff were grim, with early forecasts suggesting a layoff of two to three months.

Such a timeline would have effectively ended his regular-season contributions and ruled him out of critical international fixtures.

However, the report now indicates that the player has recently been released from the protective plastic boot used to stabilise his foot, signaling a major step forward in his recovery.

When is Lucas Bergvall expected back?

The revised forecast points toward a comeback in approximately six weeks, provided his healing continues without further setbacks.

This accelerated timeline is particularly vital for the Swedish national team; there is now “minimal hope” that Bergvall could feature in the upcoming World Cup playoff against Ukraine on March 26.

For Spurs, his return cannot come soon enough. The club has been ravaged by an unprecedented injury crisis, with as many as 11 senior players currently sidelined, including James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

With Tottenham currently fighting to climb the table and Igor Tudor tasked with steadying the ship, having a player of Bergvall’s technical quality return for the final stretch of the season could be the difference-maker.

If the new six-week prognosis holds true, the ‘unstoppable‘ Swede could be back to lead the charge by early April.

The post Big boost for Tottenham as ‘unstoppable’ player could now return much sooner than initially expected appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Murillo has been linked with a move away from Nottingham Forest at the end of the season, and clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on him.

According to Football Insider, Chelsea is leading the race to sign the 23-year-old Brazilian defender. The player is keen to move at the end of the season and does not want to compete in the championship next season.

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Liverpool and Chelsea are prepared to provide him with an exit route in the summer.

Chelsea are looking to add more quality and depth to the defensive unit, and there is no doubt that Murillo would be an excellent addition. He has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he has the ability to compete at the highest level. The opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world will be quite exciting for him. Chelsea could provide him with European football next season and the platform to fight for trophies.

Similarly, Liverpool are among the biggest clubs in the world as well. The defending Premier League champions need more quality and depth in the defensive unit, and Murillo could be the ideal acquisition. Ibrahima Konate will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Liverpool needs to replace him. Joe Gomez has been linked with a move away from the club as well. The 23-year-old Brazilian could be ideal for both clubs, and it remains to be seen where he ends up.

The report from Football Insider adds that a fee of around £50 million might be required to complete the deal. However, the valuation could come down if Nottingham Forest is relegated at the end of the season. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

The post Chelsea surge ahead of Liverpool in £50m race for Premier League star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Yan Diomande is expected to be on the move at the end of the season and Liverpool are keen on signing him.

According to a report from TeamTalk, Liverpool officials were in Germany over the weekend to carry out due diligence on the player. Meanwhile, multiple clubs are interested in the 19-year-old, but Liverpool is the ‘most advanced’ in the transfer race.

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It is no secret that they need a quality winger. They have missed the unpredictability and explosive pace of Luis Diaz. Diomande could prove to be the ideal acquisition for them. The 19-year-old has nine goals and six assists for RB Leipzig this season, and his performances have attracted the attention of top teams.

He has all the tools to develop into a future star, and Liverpool would do well to secure his signature. However, the player is likely to cost around £87 million in the summer. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool is willing to break the Bank for him. Even though he is a top talent, he has not done enough to justify that fee yet. Liverpool might prefer to sign him for a more reasonable fee.

That said, the market is inflated for elite talents, and Liverpool must act quickly before their rivals steal a match from them. Adding a quality winger could make a huge difference for Liverpool, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Liverpool scouts were in attendance to watch the player in action against Wolfsburg recently. However, scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham were also monitoring the attacker. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually.

The post Liverpool lead £87m race for electrifying forward after weekend scout mission appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Apple intends to complement its upcoming camera-equipped AirPods Pro with a dedicated AI pendant, with both devices expected to serve a niche segment within the overall wearable AI segment, one where subtlety seemingly reigns supreme, unlike the more in-your-face smart glasses. Apple's upcoming AI pendant is likely to be roughly the size of an AirTag We noted recently that Apple was developing a dedicated AI pin, with initial sales expectations set at 20 million units. The wearable AI pin would presumably come equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, microphones, and wireless charging. Now, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has clarified that the […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-working-on-an-airtag-sized-ai-pendant-as-the-race-for-ai-enabled-consumer-devices-heats-up/

Season 2 of Battlefield 6 is finally live after an unexpected month-long delay, something that, according to Battlefield Studios, won't happen again. The new season went live with the introduction of the new Contaminated map, several new weapons, and the introduction of a new limited-time mode featuring a new gameplay mechanic, VL-7 hallucinogenic gas. The new season's arrival has driven the game's highest concurrent player count on Steam so far in February 2026, with the game currently sitting at 90,265 players at the time of this writing. If the concurrent count is able to break 100K, it'll be the first […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/battlefield-6-season-2-now-live-drives-highest-steam-concurrent-count-this-month/

A new study published in the journal Advances in Psychology sheds light on the psychological factors that influenced voting behavior in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The findings suggest that White Americans who perceive themselves as ranking at the bottom of the racial economic hierarchy—specifically those who feel tied with Black Americans—were the most likely to support Donald Trump. These individuals also expressed the strongest opposition to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The United States currently exhibits a significant racial wealth gap. Economic statistics consistently show that the average White family holds considerably more wealth than the average Black or Hispanic family. Despite this objective reality, previous polling indicates that many White Americans feel as though they are personally falling behind in terms of their status. Psychological theories regarding “relative deprivation” suggest that people evaluate their well-being by comparing themselves to others rather than by looking at their resources in isolation.

The authors of the new research aimed to understand how these subjective comparisons influence political attitudes. Specifically, they investigated where non-Hispanic White individuals think they stand compared to their own, and other, racial groups. Previous research identified a phenomenon known as “last place aversion,” where people fear being at the very bottom of a social hierarchy.

“This line of research was motivated by recent political trends among some White Americans, including support for DEI bans, alignment with alt-right ideology, and endorsement of political violence in pursuit of political goals (e.g., January 6th),” explained study authors Erin Cooley and Jazmin Brown-Iannuzzi, associate professors of psychology at Colgate University and the University of Virginia, respectively. “Many of these attitudes are not only extreme but also anti-democratic, raising questions about how such views can coexist with identities centered on being ‘most American’ (e.g., White nationalist belief systems).”

For their study, the researchers recruited a representative sample of 506 non-Hispanic White Americans. They utilized a quota system to ensure the group accurately reflected the U.S. population in terms of age, gender, education, and geographic region. The study employed a longitudinal design, collecting data in five distinct waves from early September 2024 through the days immediately following the November presidential election.

The primary tool used to assess status was a measure called the “Perceived Self-Group Hierarchy,” developed by the study authors. Participants viewed a diagram representing a status ladder based on money, education, and job prestige. They were asked to place markers representing themselves, White people, Black people, Asian people, and Hispanic people onto this ladder. If participants wanted to indicate no difference among racial groups, they could place all icons in the same spot.

Using a statistical technique called Latent Profile Analysis, the researchers identified distinct subgroups based on how they viewed the social hierarchy. One group, comprising about 15% of the sample, fit a “last place (tied)” profile. These individuals perceived themselves as ranking below White, Asian, and Hispanic Americans. Notably, they viewed themselves as tied for the bottom position with Black Americans. In this profile, the participants also perceived the entire hierarchy as a “tight race,” meaning they felt the gaps between racial groups were relatively small.

The researchers found a consistent link between this “last place” profile and specific political views. White Americans who fit this profile reported the highest levels of support for Donald Trump throughout the campaign season. They also expressed the strongest intention to vote for him. When surveyed the day after the election, this group was the most likely to report having cast their ballot for Trump.

Beyond voting choices, this group showed the strongest opposition to DEI programs, favoring policies that would ban such initiatives in universities. Additionally, they showed higher alignment with alt-right ideologies, agreeing more frequently with statements such as “White people are generally under attack in the U.S.” and “The government threatens my personal rights.”

Importantly, the researchers found that these attitudes were not driven by actual poverty. The researchers controlled for objective indicators of socioeconomic status, such as income and education levels. They found that belonging to the “last place” profile predicted Trump support and anti-DEI attitudes regardless of how much money or education the participant actually had.

“We originally hypothesized that we would observe a subset of non-Hispanic, White Americans who feel ‘last place.’ That said, we expected this profile to be more likely among working class individuals,” Cooley told PsyPost. “However, perceiving oneself to be ‘last place’ was not associated with the lowest objective income nor the lowest objective education among the White Americans in our samples.”

According to Cooley, because these individuals are not objectively the lowest in status, the findings suggest that “racialized perceptions—rather than objective socioeconomic position—are reliably associated with the political outcomes examined here.”

The researchers also examined whether these feelings intensified as the election drew closer. They hypothesized that political campaigning might heighten status anxieties. However, the data showed that the relationship between profile membership and political support was stable over the three months. The link between feeling “last place” and supporting Trump was just as strong in September as it was in November.

“Although the effects are modest at the individual level—as is typical in political psychology—the consistency of the pattern across large samples with census-based quotas suggests meaningful practical significance,” Cooley noted. “When a psychologically distinct subgroup consistently emerges and is reliably associated with support for certain policies and votes cast in a presidential election, even small effects can matter at the population level.”

As with all research, there are limitations to consider. The design was correlational, which means it cannot prove that feeling “last place” causes someone to vote a certain way. It is possible that the relationship works in the opposite direction. Engaging with certain political media or movements could cultivate or intensify feelings of being left behind.

“One potential misinterpretation is that political outcomes are driven simply by feelings of falling behind other White Americans,” Cooley noted. “Indeed, across these studies, and others, we find that many White Americans perceive themselves as falling behind the perceived high status of ‘White Americans.'”

“However, when used as a predictor on its own, this perception of falling behind White people in particular does not predict political outcomes. Instead, it is the full pattern of how individuals perceive their own status relative to both other White Americans and Asian, Hispanic, and Black Americans that is predictive of alt-right tendencies, support for President Trump, and support for DEI bans.”

For future inquiries, the scientists plan to use mixed-methods research. This would involve interviewing participants to understand the personal life experiences that lead a White American to feel they are tied for last place in the economic hierarchy. Qualitative interviews could reveal the narratives and specific life events that shape these statistical profiles.

“At present, we have a limited understanding of the factors and life experiences that shape perceptions of personal status within the perceived racial economic hierarchy, particularly ‘last place’ perceptions,” Cooley said. “As a next step, we are moving toward mixed-methods approaches that combine quantitative analyses of racialized status perception profiles with structured follow-up interviews of participants—such as those classified into the “last place” profile based on their responses.”

Another limitation is the focus solely on non-Hispanic White Americans. The researchers chose this focus because of the group’s historically advantaged position in the U.S. racial hierarchy. However, this limits the ability to generalize the findings to other racial or ethnic groups. The dynamics of status perception likely operate differently for Black, Hispanic, or Asian Americans. Some initial data suggests that Hispanic Americans may be more likely to see themselves as “first place” than “last place,” presenting an interesting contrast to non-Hispanic White Americans’ status perceptions captured in the work reviewed here.

“Among Hispanic Americans, rather than a subset who feel ‘last place,’ we consistently observe a subset of Hispanic Americans who perceive themselves as close to, or tied for, ‘first place,’ and it is this subset of Hispanic Americans who are most supportive of alt-right ideology, President Trump, and DEI bans,” Cooley told PsyPost.

“Interestingly, Hispanic Americans who also identify as White are most likely to fall into these ‘first place’ profiles. We are currently testing competing theoretical explanations for these divergent patterns between non-Hispanic and Hispanic White Americans using additional mixed-methods research.”

The study, “White Americans’ feelings of being ‘last place’ are associated with anti-DEI attitudes, Trump support, and Trump vote during the 2024 U.S. presidential election,” was authored by Alisa Kukharkin, Fiona Barber, Erin Cooley, Nava Caluori, Xanni Brown, Anshita Singh, William Cipolli, and Jazmin L. Brown-Iannuzzi.

Traffic from AI chatbots converts at a higher rate than traffic from Google, according to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. He shared this tidbit on the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call:

• “And what we see is that traffic that comes from chatbots convert at a higher rate than traffic that comes from Google,” Chesky said on Feb. 12.

Yes, but. He didn’t share specific conversion rates, and the company didn’t quantify chatbot traffic volume. But for Airbnb, early data suggests visitors arriving via AI chatbots may be further along in the booking process than those coming from traditional Google searches.

• Airbnb also didn’t specify which chatbots are driving traffic. Chesky referenced OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and others in broader remarks about model availability.

Why we care. AI assistants are emerging as a top-of-funnel discovery layer. The quality of that traffic may outperform clicks from traditional search and align with past claims by Google and Microsoft that AI will drive more qualified traffic at lower volume.

AI search ambitions. Chesky described chatbots as “very similar to search” and positioned them as top-of-funnel discovery engines.

• “I think these chatbot platforms are gonna be very similar to search. Gonna be really good top-of-funnel discoveries,” he said.

Rather than viewing them as disintermediators, Airbnb sees them as acquisition partners.

• “We think they are gonna be positive for Airbnb,” Chesky added.

Chesky described the long-term goal as building an “AI-native experience” where the app “does not just search for you. It knows you.”:

• “So AI search is live to a very small percent of traffic right now. We are doing a lot of experimentation. The way we do things with AI is much more rapid iteration, not big launches. And over time, we are gonna be experimenting with making AI search more conversational, integrating it into more than trip, and, eventually, we will be looking at sponsor listings as result of that. But we want to first nail AI search.”

AI inside Airbnb. Airbnb isn’t just benefiting from external AI platforms. It’s embedding AI into its operations.

• Its in-house AI customer service agent now resolves nearly one-third of North American support tickets without a human, according to Chesky. The tool is English-only for now but is slated for global, multilingual rollout, including voice support.
• Chesky said the goal is for AI to handle “significantly more than 30%” of tickets within a year.
• Airbnb is also testing AI-powered conversational search in its app. The feature is live for a small percentage of users and is being iterated quickly rather than launched as a major product release.

Sponsored listings on hold for now. Airbnb has long faced questions about launching sponsored listings. On the call, Chesky said traditional ad units may not translate directly into conversational AI environments. The company is prioritizing AI search before designing sponsored placements in that format.

Airbnb’s search shift. Airbnb began moving its budget to brand marketing just before the rise of generative AI and AI-powered search. Airbnb bet on broader marketing initiatives, slashing its search marketing spending.

TikTok is giving entertainment marketers in Europe new tools to reach audiences with precision, leveraging AI to drive engagement and conversions for streaming and ticketed content.

What’s happening. TikTok is introducing two new ad types for European campaigns:

• Streaming Ads: AI-driven ads for streaming platforms that show personalized content based on user engagement. Formats include a four-title video carousel or a multi-title media card. With 80% of TikTok users saying the app influences their streaming choices, these ads can directly shape viewing decisions.
• New Title Launch: Targets high-intent users using signals like genre preference and price sensitivity, helping marketers convert cultural moments into ticket sales, subscriptions, or event attendance.

Context. The rollout coincides with the 76th Berlinale International Film Festival, underscoring TikTok’s growing role in entertainment marketing. In 2025, an average of 6.5 million daily posts were shared about film and TV on TikTok, with 15 of the top 20 European box office films last year being viral hits on the platform.

Why we care. TikTok’s new AI-powered ad formats let streaming platforms and entertainment brands target users with highly personalized content, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversions.

With 80% of users saying TikTok influences their viewing choices (according to TikTok data), these tools can directly shape audience behavior, helping marketers turn cultural moments into subscriptions, ticket sales, or higher viewership. It’s a chance to leverage TikTok’s viral influence for measurable campaign impact.

The bottom line. For entertainment marketers, TikTok’s AI-driven ad formats provide new ways to engage audiences, boost viewership, and turn trending content into measurable results.

Dig deeper. TikTok Adds New Ad Types for Entertainment Marketers

Traders map out their desired price targets for Bitcoin if the $70,000 level continues to function as a resistance zone. Is there any hope for the bulls?

Bitcoin has formed a classic bearish pattern on its daily chart, and if confirmed, a price drop to $56,000 could be on the cards.

The integration gives ICE Chat users direct access to the exchange's OTC crypto liquidity, embedding digital asset trading within established institutional workflows.

Michael Selig said the US financial regulator had filed an amicus brief against what he called an “onslaught of state-led litigation” against prediction markets.

Dragonfly’s raise comes as crypto venture capital shifts toward tokenized real-world assets, payments and core financial infrastructure that enables institutional participation.

Bitcoin’s negative funding rate and a cooling tech sector in the US add pressure to markets and contribute to BTC failing to trade above $70,000.

The buys lift Strategy holdings to 717,131 BTC and Bitmine to 4.37 million ETH, expanding corporate crypto treasuries despite continued market weakness.

Bitcoin bulls’ attempt to break above $70,000 stalled after a key US macroeconomic “fear” metric broke a critical threshold. Is a revisit to BTC's yearly lows back in play?

Nakamoto will acquire BTC Inc and UTXO in an all-stock deal, consolidating Bitcoin media, events and asset management under one Nasdaq-listed company.

The exchange's chief legal officer, chief operating officer and chief financial officer are out and Cameron Winkelvoss will take on more responsibilities.

South Korea reopens crypto to corporations with strict caps and asset limits. This is part of a broader strategy that includes stablecoin legislation and potential spot crypto ETFs.

The post 310 Sell Alerts in 6 Hours: Single Wallet Floods XRP Order Book With 310M Tokens appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Heavy order-book activity has been recorded on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) after automated monitoring systems detected 310 sell-side whale alerts within six hours, most of them linked to a single wallet associated with Bitstamp. The activity comes at a time when XRP price action remains weak and locked inside an important consolidation range.

One Wallet Generated Hundreds of Rapid Sell Orders

According to an XRPL validator tracking whale movements, a single wallet repeatedly placed sell orders of roughly 1 million XRP, canceled them, and then replaced them every 15 to 30 seconds. In total, nearly 310 million XRP moved through the order book from that address during the monitoring period.

Analytics systems flagged the activity automatically based on large order-book movements tied to specific wallet addresses. Some flagged wallets were exchange-linked institutional participants, while others had no exchange association or identifiable reputation, suggesting mixed participation across the order flow.

Such repeated placement-and-cancellation activity does not always represent actual selling volume. In many cases, it mainly changes the visual depth of the order book and can influence trader sentiment rather than immediately pushing prices lower.

XRP Price Structure Remains Weak Despite Activity

XRP price action continues to trade within a sensitive technical region where the market has not yet confirmed a clear local bottom. The asset is holding above a major support area near $1.21, but upside momentum has remained limited.

Attempts to move above the $1.56 resistance zone, which aligns with a key Fibonacci retracement level, were rejected, showing that buyers have not yet regained control. In the short term, XRP has been moving sideways between micro-support around $1.40–$1.45 and micro-resistance between $1.49–$1.55, signaling consolidation rather than a confirmed reversal.

Stronger upside confirmation would require a decisive move above $1.55, followed by a break above $1.67, which would indicate improving momentum. Lower support remains in the $1.19–$1.36 region, an area that previously attracted buying interest. 

The post Top Analyst Reveals What Comes Next for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A leading market analyst says the crypto market may be heading into a short-term rebound, but investors should still prepare for a potentially volatile period ahead. According to the latest technical outlook by Gareth Soloway, cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP could see a temporary recovery rally before the market decides its longer-term direction.

Bitcoin May See a Short-Term Relief Rally

The analyst explained that Bitcoin recently formed a classic bearish structure after falling sharply from its previous highs, followed by a consolidation phase and another drop. However, recent price action is now showing signs of a bullish consolidation pattern, which typically appears when buyers begin accumulating during periods of fear.

Because of this setup, Bitcoin could attempt a near-term rebound toward the $80,000–$85,000 zone, where strong resistance is expected. If the market manages to break above that area, the next upside levels could extend toward the $90,000–$95,000 range, though such a move would require stronger market momentum.

The analyst said that Bitcoin continues to move closely with the technology stock sector, which is currently undergoing a deleveraging phase. 

Ethereum Likely to Follow the Market Direction

Ethereum and most large-cap altcoins typically follow Bitcoin’s trend cycles. This means Ethereum could also participate in a short-term recovery rally if Bitcoin stabilizes, but its long-term performance will depend largely on whether the broader market establishes a clear bottom.

In the short term, however, Ethereum is also forming a bullish consolidation zone, suggesting the possibility of a relief rally. The analyst sees potential for a move back toward the $2,600 area, which represents the lower boundary of the previous consolidation region.

Historically, crypto markets have experienced large drawdowns during cycle transitions, often followed by extended consolidation before the next major rally begins. 

XRP Faces a Key Resistance Test

For XRP, the technical picture remains more uncertain. The asset recently broke below an important support level and then attempted a bounce, only to face rejection near a critical resistance zone around $1.78. According to the analyst, XRP bulls must push the price back above this resistance area to regain upside momentum.

If XRP successfully moves above this level, it could attempt to break the current downward trend line and stabilize. However, failure to reclaim resistance may keep the asset trading under pressure along with the broader altcoin market.

Lee South

For some, Thekla’s AEW Women’s World Championship win over Kris Statlander this past week came as a surprise. For the new champion, it’s anything but.

Boasting an abundance of confidence, a look and style unlike anyone on the AEW roster, and a ceiling that puts her among the best the promotion has to offer, Thekla’s rise is the result of potential realized.

“Confidence can come and go, that’s part of the journey,” she tells Uncrowned.

“But one of my biggest accomplishments is getting to a point where I can say, ‘I’m that good,’ and actually believe it. That started about a year or two ago in Japan. During my AEW debut period, I didn’t compare myself to anyone else. I just did me. That’s what you have to do to be great — enjoy it, be yourself and have fun.”

Thekla’s path to success has remained rooted in staying true to who she is. She describes herself as a creative kid who found a variety of outlets throughout her life. Growing up in Austria, she embraced punk rock and found herself immersed in art. And then she discovered professional wrestling.

“I tried everything: Drawing comics, playing guitar, being in a band, fashion, photography. I’d get obsessed for a few months, then move on,” she says.

“When I started wrestling, it clicked early that all those creative passions could be combined into this universal art form called pro wrestling. Around my debut, I realized I could create everything — my name, gimmick, fighting style, look, music, attitude. It’s the only thing that’s never bored me.”

Thekla, 32, stumbled into her first taste of wrestling at a local punk rock show at age 19, and swiftly became obsessed with the bizarre nature of what she witnessed. As she navigated building out her own in-ring career, she recognizes the significant creative edge she retained in shaping her character due to her unique introduction to the business.

“I think I have an advantage because I wasn’t constantly watching older wrestling products," she says. "I didn’t see how people before me did it, so I’m not as influenced by the past. Not growing up with it gave me the freedom to start from scratch.

“A lot of people draw from wrestling history. I draw from everything.”

If Austria was where Thekla discovered her interests, Japan is where she says she formed the base for the wrestler she’d become.

“I consider myself Japan-bred. Most of my experience came there,” Thekla says, having begun working within the wrestling-obsessed country as early as late 2017.

“Being the only foreigner in companies full of incredibly talented wrestlers was a massive challenge. I didn’t speak the language at first, and the culture around wrestling was different. Iron sharpens iron. If you don’t constantly challenge yourself, you don’t reach the next level. Without Japan, I wouldn’t be half as good as I am today.”

Etsuo Hara via Getty Images

Thekla found immense success in Japan before making her transition to AEW and the United States wrestling scene in May 2025. Her final year in Japan wound up being formative — it's over that farewell stretch, Thekla says, that she truly felt she made a name for herself in her own unique way.

“I learned to just be myself without worrying about what others thought,” Thekla says. “That level of self-confidence felt like [a moment I had arrived].”

While she seemed to hit her stride right away in joining AEW, Thekla says there were moments where people questioned why she had a big entrance and how exactly she’d waltzed into the spotlight. She credits her partnership with AEW veterans Julia Hart and Skye Blue for helping get her feet set.

“Even though they haven’t been wrestling as long overall, they’ve been in AEW longer than I have. They gave me insight into how things work here and how to navigate the system. That helped a lot,” Thekla says.

“Beyond that, Skye is vicious in the ring and has an 'I don’t care' attitude, and Julia has an aura that’s off the charts. I love surrounding myself with younger women who are complete bada**es.”

While Thekla’s early moments in AEW provided opportunities for doubt to seep in, over time she realized she simply needed to look inward for the confidence and mindset to take her to the next level.

“I think it’s healthy to doubt yourself — the best always do. You have to question yourself. But arriving in AEW, I came in with a different mindset,” Thekla says.

“My career has already been a roller coaster. I’ve had hard times and great times, and I’ve doubted myself before. When I came here, I decided to just enjoy it and do what I’m good at. I’m done doubting. I’m here to slay.”

This is just the beginning of the Toxic Era, Thekla promises. And her expectation is to create a title reign that’s wholly unpredictable.

“I want to excite people, surprise people, and shock people — just like when I took the title from Kris Statlander,” Thekla says.

”Love it or hate it, I’m the face of AEW now. I want to use this platform to spread the toxic word. I have so many ideas for how to use this position. Everyone should be excited for what’s coming next.”

There isn’t a lot of news coming out of the Jays camp yet.

The first spring game is this Saturday, 1:00 Eastern, against the Phillies. We get a lot of games with the Phillies, as their spring home is about a 15-minute drive from Dunedin.

The big baseball news is that Tony Clark is resigning as the executive director MLB Players Association. There are allegations that he has been pocketing licensing money, which some people frown upon. The US Department of Justice is investigating him. The timing isn’t good as MLB and the Players are starting long negotiations for the next CBA (which sounds very likely to cost us some baseball in 2027).

John Schneider had a speech for his players at the start of camp:

Schneider told the press that Vlad will be more of a leader now that Bo is gone. That sounds silly to me. I guess you have to talk to the press a lot, and you are going to say some silly stuff. The good part is that the team has a number of good leaders on the team. I’d think that George Springer and Kevin Gausman are as much leaders as anyone on the team.

Shi Davidi tells us that the Jays were looking to add more strikeouts to their pitching staff and that Ponce and Cease will do that, as well as having Bieber for a full (ish) season. We were sixth in the majors in strikeouts last year, but adding Ponce, Cease, and having Yesavage for the season could push them to the top of the strikeout leaderboard

I like this quote:

“They’re funny, man, both of them,” Gausman said of Ponce and Cease. “They’re both weird and I think the best pitchers in the game are a little weird.”

If you want to see Kazuma Okamoto (who told reporters that he was very serious and very manly), Keegan Mathson posted some video:

Just a housekeeping note, I’m going to be on holiday mid-March to mid-April. We are going to Japan. I’m hoping to get to watch some baseball over there. Unlike last year, we should have internet service most of the time, but we could use an extra voice or two to help out Tom M keep this place going. If you would like to volunteer, send me an email.

Ronda Rousey is coming back, but despite her best efforts, she won’t be fighting in the UFC.

Nearly a decade after she last set foot in the cage, the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion is returning to MMA for a showdown against fellow legend Gina Carano in a fight taking place at 145 pounds with the event airing live on Netflix. But Rousey’s return was immediately met with more than a few questions including why she’s not competing in the UFC where she was a champion and a Hall of Famer.

“I reached out to Dana [White] and asked if he would be interested in it,” Rousey revealed in an interview with ESPN. “It didn’t exactly work out with the UFC, but it led us to here today.”

This past October, White addressed Rousey getting back in the gym and saying she was finding her passion for MMA again after leaving the sport in 2016 following two straight knockout losses.

“I think she’s just training again,” White said at the time. “She just had three babies and she’s in a whole other place in her life. But I will say this, she just had another baby and she’s in great shape right now. She’s freaking ripped like she used to be. I don’t know.”

Obviously, Rousey decided that she wanted to compete again but she says the only option for her comeback was the matchup against Carano after the UFC actually explored booking that fight as far back as 2014.

Rousey explained that Carano was really the driving force behind everything that led to this fight, which is now being promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

“I was nine months pregnant, and I saw a video of Gina Carano giving an interview and she didn’t look good,” Rousey said. “She gained an unhealthy amount of weight and my first thought was ‘oh my god, what can I do to help?’ The reason why I had that thought was because she’s the one woman not only in MMA that doesn’t owe me a damn thing but that I owe immensely. I’m always trying to look out what I could do for her.

“When I was in a similar spot and depressed and gave up on the world and invertly gave up on myself, what I needed was a goal and something to reignite my passion again. I always said that Gina’s the one person that I would come back to fight for. I thought you know what, she needs this. She needs this fight. The more I thought about it, I was like I need this. I really need this fight.”

While the fight was just announced on Tuesday, Rousey said talks about facing Carano date much further back but it just took time to strike a deal for the bout to happen.

Now the two MMA legends are scheduled to clash at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. with Netflix airing the fight live to more than 300 million subscribers.

“This has been in the making since I was pregnant, which is over a year ago,” Rousey said. “It took a long time to get us here. We fought for this. We fought to fight each other. There were a lot of obstacles along the way.

“I told her, if I have to go out there, and train you myself to fight me, I will. We made it happen. We had to work together to overcome every obstacle to get here. It’s really surreal because it’s been a secret for so long, I can’t believe I’m actually able to talk about it.”

As far as fighting for the first time in almost a decade, Rousey didn’t seem too concerned about the time off or taking punches again after such a long layoff.

Of course, Rousey openly admitted that her career in the UFC largely ended after she dealt with repeated concussions and the longterm neurological issues that haunted her as a result. She didn’t address those concerns, but Rousey promises that the pressure mounting for her comeback is nothing she can’t handle.

“I’ve been to two Olympics. Nothing compares to that kind of pressure,” Rousey said. “To train your whole life for one day. Everything else just kind of pales in comparison.

“It’s so funny, people who have never fought they’re like ‘oh it must be such a big deal getting punched in the face.’ But when you’re actually fighting, it’s not like you have an opinion about it. It’s just an observation you have at the time. That’s not what’s scary. I feel like the pressure of the situation, the result is what really gives you anxiety, not the physical pain that could come out of it.”

Maryland football is expected to hire former Jacksonville State offensive coordinator Clint Trickett for the same role, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. Matt Zenitz first publicly reported the news.

Pep Hamilton, who served as the Terps’ offensive coordinator in 2025, will assume a “senior advisor type role,” Zenitz reported.

It’s a bit of an unexpected hire, both in timing and Trickett himself. There was no previous indication the Terps were looking to move on from Hamilton, and Trickett accepted a job as Arkansas’ quarterbacks coach in December.

In 2025, Trickett led Jacksonville State’s offense to 246.7 rushing yards per game — fifth-most at the FBS level — on 5.3 yards per carry. Running back Cam Cook led the nation with 1,659 yards and led Conference USA with 16 touchdowns and 295 carries.

Trickett is 34 years old and Maryland’s fifth offensive coordinator in eight years under Michael Locksley. He’s the second of those five without any previous head coaching experience, alongside Josh Gattis.

Trickett was previously Marshall’s offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, and Georgia Southern’s passing game coordinator in 2024. He coached under Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic — there, he was tight ends coach for Harrison Bryant, who won the John Mackey Award in 2019 as the best tight end in the country.

Trickett may also represent a considerable philosophy shift from previous years of Maryland’s offenses. In four seasons as an offensive coordinator, all four offenses have ran the ball more than they passed. Jacksonville State averaged 46.4 rush attempts and 23.4 pass attempts in 2025.

Trickett played quarterback for Florida State and West Virginia between 2010 and 2014. He threw for 511 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-37 shootout win over Maryland in 2014 as a Mountaineer.

Man United Midfield Rebuild: Felix Nmecha Links Gather Pace Ahead of Summer Window

Credit to Fussball Daten for the original reporting that has sparked fresh discussion around Manchester United’s transfer strategy, with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha emerging as a serious option. As the club prepares for significant change in midfield, the narrative around recruitment feels increasingly shaped by long term planning rather than short term reaction.

Midfield Plans Taking Shape

Manchester United’s intention to reshape the engine room has been building for months. With Casemiro expected to depart at the end of his contract and uncertainty surrounding several senior names, the focus has turned towards players capable of evolving the side’s physicality and technical balance.

Fussball Daten claim United are targeting Nmecha alongside Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, hinting at a double addition rather than a single headline signing. Internally, the German international is viewed as a ‘strategic reinforcement’, a phrase that suggests careful squad construction rather than a blockbuster splash.

Nmecha’s rise at Borussia Dortmund has not gone unnoticed. Described as ‘insane’, his development in the Bundesliga has blended athleticism with intelligence on the ball, making him a profile that fits modern Premier League demands. Dortmund’s reported valuation of £39m-48m reflects both his growth and the financial pressures influencing potential sales.

Photo IMAGO

Transfer Value and Wage Structure

Financial context plays a significant role in this story. Dortmund’s willingness to listen to offers appears linked to the need for stability, which could open a window for English clubs monitoring his progress. His ‘homegrown’ status from time spent in Manchester City’s academy adds further appeal, particularly for teams balancing registration rules.

From United’s perspective, the expected wage rise from around £83,000 a week to closer to £150,000 would place him within the upper tier of earners, though still below the club’s biggest contracts. That level of investment signals belief in his long term value rather than immediate star power.

Recruitment decisions under the current hierarchy appear increasingly data informed. United’s interest reflects a wider trend of identifying players entering peak years who can grow into leadership roles, rather than relying solely on established veterans.

Style of Play and Tactical Fit

When analysing Nmecha’s attributes, several traits stand out. As noted in the report, he considers himself an “all-rounder.” That self description aligns with how many scouts view him, a midfielder capable of shifting between defensive responsibility and forward momentum.

His profile includes strong ball progression, crisp passing, and an ability to carry possession through pressure. Physicality and stamina remain key assets, enabling him to contribute defensively while still supporting attacking transitions. The versatility to operate across multiple midfield roles could appeal to a squad seeking flexibility during a period of change.

For Manchester United, the potential arrival of a powerful box to box presence would signal a shift away from reliance on ageing specialists. It points towards a more mobile, press resistant midfield structure designed to support quicker transitions under the current coaching philosophy.

Recruitment Strategy Under Scrutiny

Supporters and analysts alike will examine how this pursuit fits into a broader rebuild. United’s recent recruitment cycles have faced criticism for lacking cohesion, yet moves like this suggest a clearer identity forming behind the scenes.

There is also the reality of competition. Reports of a summer bidding war indicate that securing Nmecha will not be straightforward. Several English clubs are monitoring the situation closely, and Dortmund’s stance means negotiations could extend deep into the window.

What remains clear is that Manchester United are preparing for a defining summer. The pursuit of players like Nmecha reflects a desire to blend youth, physical strength, and tactical versatility into a squad that has struggled for consistency.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Manchester United supporter, this report raises cautious optimism. With Michael Carrick now leading the side after Ruben Amorim’s departure last month, fans are eager to see recruitment that aligns with a clear football identity. Nmecha feels like a move that prioritises athleticism and balance, qualities many believe the squad has lacked in recent seasons.

Carrick’s preference for intelligent midfield rotations could make a player who calls himself an “all-rounder” particularly valuable. Supporters may see shades of the dynamic midfielders who thrived during previous successful eras, players capable of pressing high while retaining composure in possession.

There is also curiosity about how Elliot Anderson would complement Nmecha if both arrived. The idea of two energetic midfielders entering the squad at once suggests a generational shift away from reliance on experienced names. Fans often debate whether United need a superstar signing or a series of smart additions, and this rumour leans heavily towards the latter approach.

Ultimately, many supporters will judge this potential deal through the lens of consistency. If Carrick wants a side that controls tempo and covers ground relentlessly, Nmecha’s profile could fit perfectly. The coming months will reveal whether this interest turns into something concrete, yet the direction of travel feels aligned with what many United fans have been calling for.

Atalanta’s Champions League play-off with Borussia Dortmund has seen kick-off delayed by 15 minutes after the hosts got stuck in traffic and were late to the stadium.

It was meant to kick off at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

However, that has been moved to 20.15 GMT (21.15 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Galatasaray-Juventus on the Liveblog.

The second leg for a place in the Round of 16 will be on February 25.

Dortmund traffic surprises Borussia squad

DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: General view outside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund ought to know the traffic in their own city on match days, but evidently were surprised by the situation they ran into on their way to the arena.

They were delayed so much that the kick-off time had to be put back by 15 minutes.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Atalanta BC head coach Raffaele Palladino reacts during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on February 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

La Dea had been very close to going directly into the next phase as one of the top eight teams in the league table, but fumbled it with defeats to Athletic Club and Union Saint-Gilloise.

Both Charles De Ketelaere and January signing Giacomo Raspadori are out for at least a month with injuries sustained at the weekend, so Gianluca Scamacca makes his return to the starting XI.

There are some surprises in defence, as Giorgio Scalvini and Isak Hien are both on the bench.

George Karl: Doug Moe was my big brother. I am sad today. I will miss him. Love you forever Doug. ❤️‍🩹

Twitter

Doug Moe was my big brother. I am sad today. I will miss him.

Love you forever Doug. ❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/Emc8Iik8xD

— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) February 17, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Doug Moe was my big brother. I am sad today. I will …

Mike Conley is unlikely to rejoin the Wolves immediately, per team sources. The Wolves are just under the first apron, and every day they keep his spot open, it makes it a little easier for them to stay that way. The Wolves are trying to retain enough financial flexibility to potentially sign a veteran on the buyout market. Trading Conley saved them $20 million in luxury-tax payments and unlocked an entirely different class of players they can consider.

New York Times

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Mike Conley is unlikely to rejoin the Wolves …

If they had stayed above the first apron, league rules prevented them from signing a bought-out player who made more than the midlevel exception this season ($14 million). Keeping Conley on ice for right now will help keep the Wolves under that apron, and allow them to sign a bigger name, who made a bigger salary on his previous team, than they would have otherwise.

New York Times

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Keeping Conley on ice for right now will help keep the …

After an agonizing series of delays, Callum Smith and David Morrell Jr are officially set to meet in a tantalizing light heavyweight showdown for the interim WBO title on April 18th at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.

Hometown fighter Smith (31-2, 22 KO) is coming off a cracker of a fight with Joshua Buatsi last February, which saw him overpower his undefeated opponent and prove that he still had something left in the tank after the prior year’s destructive loss to Artur Beterbiev. Despite being 35 with a number of donnybrooks under his belt, he’s a legitimate player at 175 now that the Bivol-Beterbiev era appears to be winding down.

It’s questionable whether the same can be said of Morrell (12-1, 9 KO), a monstrous super middleweight who’s looked worryingly mortal at light heavyweight. Since capping off his run at 168 with a two-round mauling of Sena Agbeko, he’s taken a decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic, lost his 0 to David Benavidez, and taken a highly controversial split decision over Imam Khataev in which Morrell hit the canvas for the first time.

In terms of action potential, this is among the best fights on the schedule. We’ll keep you posted as the undercard comes together.

The Miami Central (Fla.) football team practices on campus, but on a pretty battered natural grass practice field.

According to a Miami Central head coach Derrick Gibson, that will be no more moving forward for the Rockets. Gibson confirmed to Rivals on Tuesday morning that the school has broken ground on a new $3.5-million turf field installation, which the second-year head coach said will be for athletic practices and hosting junior varsity football games as well.

“Game changer for us,” Gibson said on Tuesday morning to Rivals. “We have nine state titles and with little resources when it comes to facilities, so this is a major step in the right direction. Great day to be a Rocket.”

According to the Miami Central Alumni Association, the new synthetic turf field will also serve soccer and have a track around it.

The project is expected to be finished up in time for the summer as the Rockets continue their search of winning the program’s 10th state championship in 2026. Miami Central last won a state title in 2022, winning the FHSAA’s Class 2M crown.

It adds to what is added excitement for the Miami Central Rockets heading into the 2026 campaign, as Gibson’s bunch is slated to open up the season in California against Orange Lutheran. The Rockets also have a September date versus Buford (Ga.), the No. 1 team to complete the last season according to the Rivals National 2025 High School Football Composite Rankings.

Miami Central finished the 2025 campaign with a 9-2 record in Gibson’s first season as head coach and as the No. 7 in the state, according to the final Florida 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings. The Rockets reached the Class 3A region final before falling to rival Miami Northwestern.

Gibson will once again have one of the top high school football teams in the Sunshine State as Miami Central will feature 2028 four-star cornerback Quartavius Lyons, 2027 four-star cornerback T’ari Miller and 2028 three-star linebacker Steven Moore, respectively.

More about Miami Central High School

Miami Central High School, located in Miami, Florida, is a prominent public high school recognized for its academic rigor, competitive athletics, and diverse extracurricular programs. With a broad selection of AP and honors courses, the school prepares students for higher education and future careers. Miami Central’s athletic teams are notable for their success and school spirit. Emphasizing leadership, community engagement, and personal growth, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.

The Los Angeles Rams could be big players in free agency this offseason. They have more than $40 million in estimated salary cap space and could go all-in on the 2026 season after Matthew Stafford announced his return.

Not every player is a clean fit, though. The Ringer's Austin Gayle went through his top 50 impending free agents ahead of the official start of the offseason in a few weeks and pinpointed three players who could be fits for the Rams: current safety Kamren Curl, Indianapolis Colts tackle Braden Smith and Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.

It's an interesting list, and one that would have ramifications on the Rams' draft strategy should it come to fruition. For reference, Gayle listed Smith as the No. 15 free agent, while Curl ranked No. 24 and Likely ranked No. 26.

S Kamren Curl

Curl has good size and range, and he’s a strong tackler in space. It’s a prerequisite to be versatile in Shula’s defense, and Curl fits the bill. He was an absolute steal for the Rams on his last contract. He didn’t even rank inside the top 30 among safeties in average annual salary after signing a two-year, $9 million deal with the Rams in 2024.

His pay should more than double this year, putting him in line with guys like Justin Reid, Josh Metellus, and Amani Hooker.

OT Braden Smith

On the field, he’s also ranked outside the top 20 qualifying tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric in three of the past four years, and his 2025 run-blocking grade (58.0) was more than 10 points lower than PFF has recorded any other year of his career. Smith, who turns 30 years old in March, is clearly exiting his prime. But teams will always pay for a serviceable starting tackle, and if healthy, he can still be one.

TE Isaiah Likely

It was a down year for Likely. He caught just 27 passes, for 307 yards and one touchdown, in 14 games. He also fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback against Cincinnati in Week 13, and he had a touchdown called back when he lost the ball in the end zone against Pittsburgh the following week. ... Likely is a rare athlete and is only 25 years old, but he just hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant the monster multiyear extension many expected would be coming for him.

Curl makes sense for L.A., given his understanding of the defense, but he might be too expensive. Smith would be a quality signing if the price is right because he would give the Rams clear depth at tackle, even if the team doesn't need a bonafide starter right now.

Likely is the most intriguing name on this list. He caught just 27 passes, for 307 yards and one touchdown in 14 games, but looked like a fun offensive weapon the Ravens just failed to utilize well. The Rams would only need to a new tight end if they don't feel confident in Terrance Ferguson's development, if they cut Colby Parkinson for cap reasons and/or if they let Tyler Higbee walk in free agency.

No matter what happens, the Rams could be players in the open market this spring.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst says Rams could be fits for these 3 impending free agents

Match report to appear here.

• Latest Champions League table
• Champions League scores & fixtures
• Follow the latest Champions League news

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves added veteran first baseman and outfielder Dominic Smith to their major league spring training camp on Tuesday as a non-roster invitee.

Smith, 30, will provide depth behind starting first baseman Matt Olson as well as a possible option in left field or designated hitter.

Smith, who played his first six seasons in the majors with the New York Mets, hit .284 with five homers and 33 RBIs in 63 games with the San Francisco Giants last season. He also has played for Washington, Boston and Cincinnati.

Smith is a .250 career hitter in nine seasons. He has 69 homers, including a career-high 12 for the Nationals in 2023.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

MILAN (AP) — It's not often that the second figure skater on the ice in a Winter Olympic competition is must-see viewing. Adeliia Petrosian is different.

The 18-year-old Russian, who was expected to contend for a gold medal, had only competed in one senior event outside her homeland before Tuesday's short program, resulting in one of the lowest seedings and a position near the top of the start list.

Even though she was skating around three hours before the other top contenders, Petrosian was greeted by cheers from devoted fans holding personalized banners in a nearly full arena.

“Today I wasn’t nervous at all,” she said in Russian after a clean, Michael Jackson-themed skate that earned 72.89 points, leaving her firmly in the medal picture even with 27 skaters to go. “So far I'm not feeling any strong external pressure. Let's see what happens in the free skate.”

Petrosian is competing as an individual neutral athlete at the Milan Cortina Olympics due to restrictions on Russia’s participation during its war in Ukraine. The arena announcer introduced her as a “three-time national champion” but didn’t specify a country.

The top-ranked skaters, including the U.S. “Blade Angels” trio of Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito and three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, weren't due to skate for another three hours.

“I don't yet have that feeling that the competition is really against them,” Petrosian said when asked how it felt to compete with the likes of Sakamoto, Liu and U.S. champion Glenn for the first time.

“We're so far apart that I haven't even seen them once yet. I don't really have that feeling yet, but obviously I'd be really pleased to be close to them and compete.”

Petrosian showed no obvious sign of injury. Her fitness level had been unclear following comments about injuries in a recent Russian documentary.

Petrosian said she and her coaches considered a high-scoring triple axel for the short program but decided on a safer double for “stability, for the sake of my preparation and my form.”

She has practiced quadruple jumps this week in Milan and could potentially take that high-risk option in Thursday’s free skate, which could boost her score significantly.

“Come on Adeliia! Victory awaits you!” was the message written on one banner in Russian as Petrosian prepared to skate.

“The audience really accepted me well,” Petrosian said. “Each time that I think it’ll be a little less loud, the spectators always somehow shout more, greet me more warmly. And I can’t be unhappy with that.”

Petrosian is coached by Eteri Tutberidze, who has coached numerous Russian women’s skating champions including Kamila Valieva, whose doping case overshadowed the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Tutberidze isn't accredited as Petrosian's coach for the Games but TV showed her watching on a screen in the arena.

Then-IOC President Thomas Bach was critical of the “coldness” displayed by Valieva’s entourage toward the skater, who was 15 at the time, when she missed the podium.

World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka said this month that an investigation found no evidence Tutberidze was implicated in Valieva’s doping case but that he was personally not “comfortable with her presence here in the Olympic Games.”

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

FC Barcelona have been working on securing the signing of teenage wonderkid Ajay Tavares from Norwich City for weeks now.

The 16-year-old attacking prodigy is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in England and is already a part of the Canaries’ Under-18 setup despite his age.

Keeping with their recent strategy of acquiring youth prospects, the Blaugrana have been working behind the scenes for some time now.

Tavares’ deal closed, FIFA approval awaited

Now, providing an update on the situation, SPORT reports that the Barcelona sporting department has had Tavares’ signing practically agreed for weeks.

Born in 2009, the 16-year-old wonderkid holds a Portuguese passport, which is crucial in enabling him to change clubs and countries while still a minor.

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If he held only British nationality, he would have to wait until turning 18.

At present, the deal is stalled pending FIFA’s approval, as the football governing body must complete the necessary administrative procedures before granting authorisation for the transfer and allowing him to move to Barcelona.

The personal terms with the young talent have already been agreed, and the Catalan club are simply awaiting official clearance.

Tavares is a skilful winger with potential, and has been closely monitored by the club’s scouting department for some time.

The plan is for the youngster, currently in his first year at youth level, to join Pol Planas’ Juvenil A side with the prospect of progressing to Barça Atletic.

Rangers want Dundee defender Luke Graham and have stepped up their interest to bring him to the Ibrox club, according to the Scottish Sun. Rangers manager Danny Rohl wants to strengthen at the back to mount a stronger challenge for the Scottish Premiership title next term and the Light Blues are keen on the 22-year-old. The Bears’ technical director Dan Purdy was at Dens Park on Saturday to watch Graham in action and more scouting trips and reports are expected ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, Rangers are not the only ones keen on the defender, with Celtic and English clubs also keen. The Light Blues could lose John Souttar at the end of the season as he has yet to pen a new contract. Nasser Djiga is expected to return to Wolverhampton Wanderers after his loan spell ends, and Rangers are already preparing for life without the duo. Graham will not come cheap as Dundee rejected a £1 million bid for him from Portsmouth last month.

The Light Blues will be ready to outbid them and Celtic as they look to lure him to Ibrox ahead of next season. Rangers are two points behind league leaders Hearts after 27 games and are a point ahead of the Hoops in a title race which promises to be intriguing. Pipping Hearts and Celtic to it will be huge for the Gers, and it could help them land Graham and other top players in the summer due to Champions League football and its money.

They were keen on him during the winter transfer window and are likely to go big for him as he keeps impressing. The Scotland youth international has established himself as a key player for the Dark Blues this term after spending a couple of seasons out on loan.

The Rangers target has played 30 games across all competitions this term after featuring just five times last season and spending most of it on loan in the Scottish Championship with Falkirk.

Fenerbahce host Nottingham Forest at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the UEFA Europa League knockout play-off first leg on Thursday evening.

Fenerbahce played out a 1-1 draw at FCSB in their final league phase fixture, while Forest thrashed Ferencvaros 4-0 at the City Ground.

Match preview

Fenerbahce are in the race with Galatasaray for the Super Lig title, but have struggled in the Europa League.

The Yellow Canaries gathered 12 points in eight games, scoring 10 goals and conceding seven during the league phase.

At home, Fenerbahce have been decent, winning twice, drawing once and losing once.

The Turkish giants have averaged 56.7 per cent possession per game — the third-highest in the competition.

In contrast to Fenerbahce, Forest have struggled domestically, but have fared better in Europe.

The Tricky Trees collected 14 points during the league phase, finishing just two points outside the automatic qualification spot for the round of 16.

Forest have been strong offensively, creating the highest number of big chances (32), and have been decent defensively, conceding seven.

Thursday’s clash is manager Vitor Pereira’s first game in charge of Forest. It remains to be seen how the visitors’ tactical set-up will look under him.

Team news

Defender Archie Brown is Fenerbahce’s only injury concern ahead of this fixture.

Goalkeepers Matz Sels and John Victor, as well as Chris Wood, Murillo, Nicolo Savona, and Willy Boly are sidelined for Forest. Elliot Anderson is back from suspension.

Predicted line-ups

Fenerbahce (4-2-3-1): Ederson, Mert Muldur, Jayden Oosterwolde, Milan Skriniar, Nelson Semedo, N’golo Kante, Matteo Guendouzi, Kerem Akturkoglu, Marco Asensio, Dorgeles Nene, Talisca

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Angus Gunn, Neco Williams, Morato, Nikola Milenkovic, Ola Aina, Ryan Yates, Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Prediction

We predict a 2-1 win for Fenerbahce.

Stats from whoscored.com & sofascore.com

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Tony Reno, who led Yale to five Ivy League championships over 14 seasons, resigned Tuesday because of health reasons.

Reno had been on medical leave since the end of last season. His resignation takes effect immediately.

“When I arrived at Yale 14 years ago, I could never have imagined what this journey would become," Reno said in a statement. "The relationships formed, the moments shared, and the people I have been privileged to be surrounded by have changed my life and my family’s lives forever. I am deeply grateful to the players, the coaches, and the staff who gave everything they had to Yale Football.

“From the very beginning, I spoke about honoring the proud tradition of Yale Football and fully embracing the responsibility that comes with leading this program. Together, we pursued excellence and built something truly meaningful. I am incredibly proud of the foundation we laid and confident in the future of Yale Football. Serving as the head coach of this program has been the greatest honor of my life.”

Reno, 52, went 83-49, second in the program in career victories to Carm Cozza, who was 179-119-5. Under Reno, Yale defeated archrival Harvard seven of the past nine meetings.

Dante Reno, the coach's son, quarterbacked the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record and Ivy League championship last season. Playing in its first postseason game, Yale came back from a 42-14 deficit in the third quarter to defeat Youngstown State 43-42. Eventual FCS championMontana State defeated Yale 21-13 in the next round.

The Bulldogs finished 13th in the FCS rankings.

“Coach Reno’s leadership has been truly transformational,” Yale athletic director Victoria Chun said in a statement. “His impact on Yale Football, our department, and the university extends far beyond championships and wins — it lives in the countless people he has inspired. Coach Reno led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, giving his whole heart to this program every day.”

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Canada and Czechia will face off in the men’s ice hockey quarterfinals at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, February 18.

My top Canada vs. Czechia predictions and free betting picks call for the Canadians to punch their ticket to the semifinals with a statement win.

Canada vs Czechia prediction

Canada vs Czechia Best bet: Canada -3.5 (+100)

The Czechs will be on a back-to-back and playing their third game in four days, while the Canadians will have two days of rest after earning a bye through the qualification round.

Of course, Canada also handed Czechia a 5-0 loss in their preliminary round opener, and I’m expecting the Canadian offense to be all the more in sync with multiple games for their skilled forward corps to develop chemistry. 

Simply put, the talent gap is too wide between the two lineups for Czechia to keep pace with the Canadian's relentless offensive attack.

Canada vs Czechia same-game parlay

Canada -3.5

Under 6.5

+400 at BET99

The gap isn’t just in the players jumping the boards, with Canada pacing the tournament in team save percentage and Czechia checking in 10th. 

As a result, I’m anticipating the Czechs aiming to batten down the defensive hatches and hope to keep the game low-scoring for as long as possible to hang around. It’s a gameplan that won’t allow the Czechs to generate many quality scoring opportunities against the Canadians and will be a major reason this total says Under the number.

Canada vs Czechia SGP

• Canada -3.5
• Under 6.5

Canada vs Czechia odds

• Moneyline: Canada -1600 | Czechia +800
• Puck Line: Canada -3.5 (+100) | Czechia +3.5 (-135)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under Under 6.5 (-145)

How to watch Canada vs Czechia

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Athletics' Denzel Clarke can turn into a star if he does one thing this year originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Athletics have a lot of fun, young talent. Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and many others are some very intriguing talents who are either stars already or can blossom into a star.

But one other player, Denzel Clarke, has all the makings of a star waiting to break out. His defense is some of the best at any position in Major League Baseball. If he can do one thing, he could blossom into a star.

Martin Gallegos of MLB.com wrote that if Clarke can improve his offense, combined with his already incredible defense, the young A's outfielder can become a star in the Major Leagues.

Athletics' Denzel Clarke is close to being a star in MLB

"His elite defense alone will keep him in the big leagues," Gallegos writes, "But continued improvements as a hitter could make him a star."

Clarke's defense is among the best in the Major Leagues. He's got incredible speed, range, glove work, and athleticism to make the impossible possible in center field.

Strictly basing talent on defense, few players can compare to Clarke as a talent in the Majors Leagues right now. The same cannot be said about his offense. He hit .230 last season with a .646 OPS. However, he's shown flashes of star potential.

In the last 12 games he played before suffering an adductor strain, Clarke was hitting .333 with a 1.006 OPS. In that span, he also totaled nine extra-base hits, with one home run, two triples, and six doubles.

More: Former Yankees, Reds, A's outfielder agrees to $4M deal with Padres

While repeating that offensive success over the course of a full season isn't likely for Clarke, if he can fall somewhere between that hot streak and his overall season numbers and be an above-average hitter, then Clarke could be a star in the Majors.

The 25-year-old A's outfielder is one of the more exciting young players in Major League Baseball. He's on the cusp of a breakout, only needing to produce better offense to truly blossom into the star he's shown he's capable of becoming.

Clarke has the makings of a superstar. If he can maintain his great defense and base-stealing ability, and add good offensive production, he could be one of the best outfielders in the Major Leagues.

More MLB news:

• Red Sox sign $6 million free agent formerly of Yankees, Blue Jays
• MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency
• Tigers' contract details for Framber Valdez make for absurd record-breaking deal
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Borussia Dortmund's Champions League playoff first leg against Atalanta was pushed back by 15 minutes after Dortmund's arrival was delayed.

Due to heavy traffic, Dortmund was unable to reach its home stadium, Signal Iduna Park, at its planned time.

As a result, the decision was taken to move the kickoff from 9 p.m. local time to 9:15 p.m. (3:15 p.m. ET).

"Due to the delayed arrival of our team, the kickoff is postponed by 15 minutes," Dortmund said on social media.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta kickoff time delayed due to traffic

Mustafa Qabeel targeted by Al Ahly and foreign clubs

Mustafa Qabeel / @x.com/IraqXtra/

New revelations have emerged regarding the future of Erbil SC’s young forward, Mustafa Qabeel.

The 21-year-old player revealed in media statements that he has received a promise from his club’s management allowing him to join Al Ahly SC at the end of the current season, provided that an official agreement is reached between the two clubs.

In the meantime, Qabeel remains fully focused on his performances in the Iraqi Stars League. So far, he has featured in 13 matches, netting 5 goals and providing 6 assists, cementing his vital role within the team.

Between foreign interest and the Al Ahly dream

In an interview with an Iraqi TV channel, the young striker stated that his future depends solely on his club’s decision. He also announced that he will soon return to action after recovering from a minor injury.

Furthermore, Mustafa revealed there are concrete interests from Russian and Saudi clubs. However, he emphasized that his main priority remains representing the Iraqi national team and pursuing a professional career in Europe.

According to data from the specialized site Transfermarkt, Mustafa Qabeel’s current market value is estimated at around €450,000.

Mourinho: Real Madrid will be more dangerous after defeat

Mourinho on Real Madrid: Benfica coach sounds the alarm ahead of Champions League play-off

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho warned his players that Real Madrid will be dangerous when the teams meet in Champions League play-off.

Mourinho sends clear message before big test

Jose Mourinh head coach of Benfica has issued strong warning to his squad ahead of their clash with Real Madrid in Champions League play-off round.

The first leg takes place on Tuesday, with the tie deciding place in the round of 16.

The match comes just three week after Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in the final round of the league phase, a result that raised confidence inside the Portuguese camp.

“Big teams are dangerous after defeat”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho stressed that repeating such a result would be even harder.

He explained that beating Real Madrid once is difficult but doing it again is a much bigger challenge.

In comments reported by PA Media, Mourinho said that when big team loses, it becomes “seriously wounded”.

He added that this feeling is familiar to him after spending most of his career working with top clubs.

According to Mourinho, Real Madrid will arrive with a strong desire to respond and prove their strength on the European stage.

Different goals, Same pressure

Mourinho made it clear that Real Madrid’s ambition goes far beyond eliminating Benfica. He said the Spanish giants are aiming to compete for and win Champions League, which makes them even more dangerous.

At the same time, the Benfica coach confirmed that his team is chasing another big result. He believes his players have already shown they can compete with Europe’s elite and will try to repeat their strong performance from the previous meeting.

In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that Chelsea are in the mix for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. It has been mentioned that the Blues would have to rival Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to land the Spanish wide player next summer.

Williams’ Impressive Record In La Liga

Williams is enjoying a decent campaign at the La Liga club as he has produced a run of productive displays for them in the final third. The Spanish wide player has participated in 26 matches for Athletic Bilbao this season, scoring four goals and picking up six assists in the process across various competitions.

The 23-year-old is among the best wide men in La Liga right now. Thus, it is no surprise that the Blues are eager to get him on board this summer.

His current contract at the San Mames Stadium will run out in the summer of 2035. Hence, Chelsea would have to launch a convincing offer if they want to snap him up later this year.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 03: Nico Williams of Athletic Club gestures during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Athletic Club at Estadio El Sadar on January 03, 2026 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

What Will Williams Add To Chelsea Boss Liam Rosenior’s Side?

Williams is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and can create some inviting chances for his teammates to find the back of the net. He can strike the ball with venom from long range and can contribute by scoring and creating his fair share of goals from the wide areas.

The Spanish sensation is primarily a left-winger but can also serve as a right-sided wide player if told to do so. However, there are some concerns over whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if the Blues manage to sign him later this year.

Williams would undoubtedly add more pace and goals to Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior’s frontline. He is more than capable of nailing down a regular starting spot at the West London club in the coming seasons.

At 23, Williams has got his best years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for the Blues to consider at the end of this campaign. He might even help Chelsea compete for some major honours over the next few years.

Galatasaray took a big step towards the next round of the Champions League after defeating Juventus 5-2 in Turkey.

In what was a thrilling game in Istanbul, the home team took the lead after pouncing on a Juve mistake – something that was a theme of the game. A throw-in inside the Juve half towards their own box was intercepted with the ball eventually falling to former Norwich City man Gabriel Sara to fire past Michele Di Gregorio.

That lead lasted just seconds though when Andrea Cambiaso, at fault for this first, whipped in a delightful cross for Pierre Kalulu. Uğurcan Çakir did well to keep it out only for Teun Koopmeiners to pounce on the rebound.

The Italian side took the lead with just over a half hour through a sublime finish. The Dutch international linked up with Weston McKennie before rifling an unsaveable effort into the roof of the net.

Luciano Spalletti had already been forced to replace Bremer with Federico Gatti in the first half and at the break Juan Cabal was brought on in the place of Cambiaso.

Galatasaray equalised shortly after the restart when Baris Yilmaz forced Di Gregorio into a solid stop but the ball fell nicely for Noa Lang to bury the rebound.

Cabal hadn't done well for Galatasaray's second and he was culpable for the third as well. It was the Colombian who gave away the freekick that was whipped in with power by Sara with Davinson Sánchez getting something on it to complete the turnaround.

Things got worse for Juve in the 67th minute when Cabal's dreadful cameo ended with his second yellow card for an unnecessary foul in the middle of the pitch.

From that point on Okan Buruk's side knew this was the ideal chance to take a commanding lead back to Turin. It was 4-2 in the 75th minute and it was again from an error. 

Khéphren Thuram's pass inside his own box was dreadful allowing Victor Osimhen to pinch the ball back about six yards from goal with Lang applying the finishing touch.

There was still time for one more as Sacha Boey, on for just a few minutes, found space on the right and put in an accomplished finish to put his side in a commanding position.

Black Stars gear up for North America

2026 World Cup: Friendly match between Ghana and Mexico

Ghana continues to ramp up its preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Ghana Football Association has confirmed a crucial international friendly scheduled for May as part of their build-up program.

Ghana is set to face Mexico in an international friendly on May 22, 2026, marking the final stage before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.

Both teams will use this clash to assess players eligible for the tournament set to take place across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Ghana’s squad will feature talents from both the domestic league and European circuits, all under the watchful eye of coach Otto Addo.

With this match, Ghana’s tally of preparatory fixtures rises to three, following earlier announcements of friendlies against Austria and Germany during the March international break.

NEED TO KNOW

• Simone Biles has been married to her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, since 2023
• The couple met on a dating app and started dating in 2020
• Both professional athletes have been spotting cheering each other on during their respective competitions

Simone Biles has found a cheerleader for life in husband Jonathan Owens.

After the couple met and started dating in March 2020, they got married at a Houston courthouse in April 2023, celebrating with their loved ones at a much bigger wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, weeks later.

"Being married to you is everything i could’ve ever asked for," the NFL player wrote in a March 2025 Instagram post celebrating Biles' birthday. "A beautiful, funny, intelligent and confident person that motivates me to be the best version of myself everyday. I’m so blessed to have met someone as amazing as you baby."

However, Owens ran into a scary situation when he and Biles attended the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where he claimed he was nearly robbed.

"Not somebody just tried to snatch my shopping bag in Milan, force of habit i had it tied around my hand so he couldn’t get it and took off running immediately….but still crazy," Owens posted on X in February 2026.

So who is Simone Biles' husband? Here's everything to know about Jonathan Owens and his marriage to the Olympic gold medalist.

He's from Missouri

According to his Instagram bio, Owens is "just a kid from St. Louis."

While in Missouri, he attended the Christian Brothers College High School, where he played high school football. After graduating, he played at the college level while attending Missouri Western State University and earned the title of Male Student-Athlete of the Year during his final season.

He went on to sign with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent after the NFL Draft in 2018. Unfortunately, he injured his knee during a practice drill before his rookie season even began.

"I'm just lying on the ground crying because I don't even know how that works. I'm thinking, I came all the way here and got hurt," he told News-Press Now in July 2019. After initially placing Owens on injured reserve — which secured his spot on the team while he was hurt — he was eventually waived in August 2019.

He's played for the Chicago Bears since 2024

In March 2024, Owens signed a two-year free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears. He previously spent a season with the Green Bay Packers and the Houston Texans.

"Appreciate it @packers for the opportunity. And Packer nation for welcoming me and my wife with open arms, will never forget my time in GB,” Owens wrote on X following the announcement.

Biles is a regular fixture at her husband's NFL games. After the 2020 Olympic Games were pushed back a year due to the pandemic, she told PEOPLE in April 2021 that getting to support Owens in person was one of the benefits of the postponement.

In September 2022, Biles showed up for Owens' team by appearing in a celebrity-filled video ahead of the 2022-23 football season. In the clip, Biles flips through the gym in a Houston Texans jersey, representing her home state and Owens.

He and Biles met on a dating app

Biles and Owens first met on the dating app Raya in 2020, and the gymnast made the first move.

"He would say I slid into his DMs," Biles told WSJ Magazine in July 2021. "I saw him, and I was like, 'Oh, he's pretty cute,' so I said hi ... and then I saw that he was in the Houston area, so we started chatting a little bit, and then we went to hang out a week or two later."

Their relationship grew slowly until Biles' sister decided to move things along by inviting Owens to join them on their trip to a lake house. After that, the two started spending more time together, and the pandemic gave them the opportunity to really get to know each other.

"It was one of the few times in her life where everything was just shut off and she couldn't do anything," Owens told Texas Monthlyin June 2021. "So we used it to get to know each other — really get to know each other. It created our bond and made it stronger. Now I'm so thankful."

He had no idea who Biles was at the beginning of their romance

Despite Biles' success — she's the most decorated American gymnast of all time — Owens admits he didn't immediately recognize her when they first connected.

"I didn't know who she was," he told Texas Monthly. "I just hadn't heard of her, and when I told her that, that's one of the things she liked."

During an episode of her docuseries, Simone vs Herself, Owens said that one of the things he was most impressed by was Biles' commitment to her craft.

"Her work ethic was the first thing that caught my eye. I'd never watch gymnastics before, when I first met I honestly didn't know who she was ... The coolest thing for me is that I get to witness someone who is literally at the pinnacle of their sport, it's motivating just to see that and the impact that she has on people," he said.

He and Biles married in April 2023

On April 22, 2023, Owens and Biles exchanged vows during an intimate courthouse ceremony.

"My person, forever ❤️💍," the NFL player captioned a series of wedding images on Instagram. In the comments, Biles wrote: "i love you husband."

The Olympic gymnast dazzled in a halter-style wedding dress with tiered tulle, while Owens donned a tan suit.

On May 6, 2023, Biles and Owens got married again during a ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The event, which was held at the Umi Terrace of the Nobu Los Cabos, was attended by 144 guests and featured lush florals as well as champagne, gold and white décor.

In an interview with Vogue, Biles admitted "my heart was beating out of my chest" when preparing to walk down the aisle. "I've never been so nervous before in my life," she recalled.

"Seeing Jonathan at the altar was a dream," she added. "Our guests were cheering for everyone. I was shocked by the love in the air. The ceremony was so beautiful and dreamy."

He and Biles support each other

Despite their different sports, Biles and Owens have a lot in common when it comes to navigating their careers as professional athletes. Luckily, as Biles told PEOPLE in June 2021, the pair can always count on each other.

"Oh, he's always so supportive," she shared of Owens. "Even if I wake up in the morning and I'm like, 'I'm tired, do I have to go,' jokingly, he's like, 'Don't say that! You can do it, this is your dream!' "

Owens told Texas Monthly that the couple constantly motivate each other.

"She'll be telling me, 'Don't be a baby, you're all right.' We're both super competitive," he shared, adding that Biles' work ethic inspires his own. "When I see her getting up and going to practice every morning, it motivates me even more. It's a great feeling when the person you're in a relationship with understands what you're going through."

When Biles became the youngest person to ever receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2022, Owens was right there with her to cheer the athlete on.

"Words can't explain how proud I am of you," he wrote on Instagram. "This has been such a surreal experience to watch you receive your Presidential Medal of Freedom, and be the youngest to ever receive one at that!"

According to Yahoo! Sports, while talking to reporters at Bears' training practice in July 2024, Owens said that being able to leave training camp to cheer Biles on at the Olympics was negotiated into his contract with the team. Owens joined Biles' parents in the stands at the women's gymnastics team finals, where they watched her and Team USA clinch the gold medal.

Ahead of the event, Owens was photographed wearing a T-shirt that featured photos of Biles, along with her last name in bold red letters.

He has a tattoo in honor of Biles

In July 2024, just weeks before the Paris Olympics, Owens got a cursive "S" tattooed on his ring finger in honor of Biles.

He and Biles have discussed having children together

In an interview with Today during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles told Hoda Kotb that she "most definitely" sees herself as a mom in the future.

"Me and Jonathan always talk about kids. He would have them, like, yesterday if he could have," she said. "Obviously we both have goals that we want to achieve before we start a family. But yes, that’s definitely in our future."

Read the original article on People

Tuesday delivered a stunning development in the world of mixed martial arts when UFC legend Ronda Rousey revealed she was making an unexpected return to the fight game. However, the women’s MMA great will not return to compete inside the Octagon. Instead, she will compete in the main event of Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) first MMA event.

Beyond Rousey making her surprising return to the fight game, and for the company led by Jake Paul, no less, her opponent in May will be another pioneer for women’s MMA, Gina Carano. While it is a long-time dream fight, Rousey has not fought in a decade, while the veteran actor hasn’t competed since 2009. So, it is a dream fight that comes pretty late.

Nevertheless, the news got us thinking. What are some other way too late dream fights MVP should make for their upcoming MMA events?

Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva

For many long-time, die-hard UFC fans, the fight that was talked about often but never happened was between Octagon icons Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva. To legions of fight fans, they are still seen as the two greatest cage fighters of all time. While “Rush” is 44, and “The Spider” is 50, both are still in pretty good shape. Millions of fight fans would still be intrigued by a matchup even with the pair a decade or more removed from their primes.

Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko

Two of the most popular heavyweights MMA has ever seen are Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko. And when the WWE legend was at the height of his fighting powers, a clash between them was something fight fans hoped for. But alas, the Russian never signed a UFC contract.

The pair of MMA greats are only a year apart in age and equally far removed from their primes. While Lesnar is still a physical freak, Emelianenko is light-years ahead of him in fight skills and probably still has the power to KO heavyweights currently in the UFC. It is a way too late dream fight that now has a real chance of happening.

Jose Aldo vs. Anthony Pettis

Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis are among the few fighters on earth that held both WEC and UFC gold. And after Pettis won the WEC lightweight title in 2010, a super fight with the Brazilian, who was the featherweight king at the time, was something fight fans wanted.

If Aldo could find his way out of his current UFC deal, a clash between them on an MVP card makes sense. They are both 39 and still very good athletes. Even at this point in their careers, a matchup would be interesting.

Anderson Silva vs. Roy Jones Jr.

While Anderson Silva was one of the scariest men on the UFC roster, he often let it be known that he dream to face one of his all-time favorite boxers, Roy Jones Jr., inside the ring. Unfortunately, the UFC doesn’t allow its athletes to fight outside the Octagon, unless your name is Conor McGregor.

While it wouldn’t be inside an MMA cage, if MVP is looking to make dream fights finally happen, a Silva vs. Jones Jr. boxing bout could definitely become a reality in 2026 or 2027.

Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko

Before fight fans wanted to see Lesnar vs. Emelianenko, the first real MMA dream fight was the Pride FC icon versus Randy Couture. At 62 years old, the American may not be physically up to a fight. However, “The Natural” has always kept himself in great shape. If any person could get back in the cage past 60, Couture would do it to finally get the fight he tried to quit the UFC for in 2008.

Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg

While Rousey vs. Carano is a dream fight for long-time fight fans, the one most have wanted the Olympic silver medalist in was against former Strikeforce, Bellator, and UFC featherweight queen Cris Cyborg. The pair hated each other during their heyday, and a clash between the pair that were once the top two females in the sport intrigued the fight world. If Rousey is successful in May, a clash with Cyborg will be something MMA fans push for next.

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Another heavyweight dream fight that fans always wanted is Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou. The bout was even being negotiated a few years ago, but it never truly came close to happening. If “Bones” can find a way out of his current UFC pact, a clash with Ngannou would be a very big-money fight that would draw a ton of interest from fight fans.

Related Headlines

• Big Update Emerges on Sean O’Malley-UFC White House Card Rumors
• Ronda Rousey Shockingly Books MMA Return But It’s Not with the UFC
• Nate Diaz Calls Out 3 Fighters For UFC Return at White House Card

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Tiger Woods, who last teed it up in a PGA Tour event at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon, was asked point blank on Tuesday at Riviera Country Club if playing in the 2026 Masters was off the table. His answer was blunt.

"No."

Woods, serving as tournament host for the 100th edition of what was once known as the Los Angeles Open and is now known as the Genesis Invitational, is not playing this week. He hasn't played in the indoor TGL simulator league he helped found in 2026, either. The 15-time major champion offered no timetable for a return to the PGA Tour, nor a debut on the PGA Tour Champions, a circuit he's now eligible to play on after turning 50 this past December.

RELATED: Former ESPN anchor reveals comment that got him 'banned for life' by Augusta

One thing he did confirm on Tuesday? He's still grinding away at home.

"I'm trying, put it that way," he said.

Woods added that he is hitting full shots, though not all that well, on a daily basis. He's also had no health setbacks just four months after he underwent a seventh back surgery this past fall. As for his achilles, which he had surgery for after rupturing it in March 2025, that is not an issue.

"I can't dunk a basketball anymore, so don't have to worry about that," Woods joked.

"As far as the disc replacement, it's just sore. It takes time," he said. "Willy Z [Will Zalatoris] went through it, and it took him a while to come back. I'm a little bit older than Willy Z. It's probably going to take me a little bit longer. My body has been through a lot.

"It's just one of those things where it's each and every day, I keep trying. I keep progressing, I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again."

While Woods has no target return date, there are some potential spots between now and the Masters that he could—probably worth air quotes here—possibly shake off the rust. There are three PGA Tour Champions events on the schedule between now and then—the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, the Cologuard Classic and the Hoag Classic. Woods hinted that the opportunity to use a cart in competition on the senior tour makes it an option.

As for the PGA Tour, ruling out this week and next (Cognizant Classic), Woods could play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational as a past champion and would certainly be afforded a spot in the Valspar Championship, Texas Children's Houston Open or the Valero Texas Open if he wanted one. Woods is not eligible for the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

RELATED: Genesis Invitational DFS picks: This players loves Riviera and is a 'must play'

Remembering how Herschel Walker nearly won an Olympic medal in bobsled at the 1992 Winter Games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Key facts to know:

• Herschel Walker, then a 29-year-old running back for the Vikings, successfully qualified as part of a two-man USA bobsled team for the the 1992 Winter Olympics. 
• Walker competed alongside driver Brian Shimer who also served as the team's sled technician.
• Walker and Shimer finished 7th in a field of 46 teams.

Imagine if Saquon Barkley was competing right now at the Winter Olympics. Regardless of performance, it would be the biggest story at the Milan Games, at least here in the United States.

Well, thats exactly what happened at the 1992 Winter Olympics in France. Seven months before NBA players on The Dream Team took over Barcelona, an NFL running back took center stage in Albertville. Then 29 years old and coming off a season in which he rushed for 825 yards and 10 touchdowns, Walker was able to train and qualify in time only after the Vikings finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. 

Herschel Walker's historic and temporary transition from the gridiron to the ice was covered in the February 24, 1992 issue of The Sporting News by then-Senior Writer Dave Nightingale.

“The European racers are telling me that they like what I'm doing,” Walker said. “They like the attention I'm bringing to the sport.

"With Walker pushing for driver Brian Shimer, the U.S. No. 1 sled was impressive during the two-man training runs and posted the fastest time in the field on one of the practice slides.

"But when push came to shove, the Shimer-Walker tandem found itself well up the track. The team finished sixth, 10th, eighth and fourth in the four competitive runs and was seventh overall."

READ THE FULL ORIGINAL ARTICLE FOR FREE ON SN'S ARCHIVE

The Sporting News

Due to Walker's NFL schedule, he and Shimer did not race together in the World Cup races leading into the Olympics and only raced together once before the Winter Games. Despite the lack of prep time, the US duo of Walker and Shimer still finishe just 0.32 seconds shy of winning a medal.

Beyond the lack of practice time, one significant factor held them back: money.

"Shimer was frustrated as well by the fact that the U.S. did not have a sled technician. Two days before the competition began, Shimer was informed by Olympic officials that the runners on his sled did not conform to international rules. Shimer had to spend several hours with a welding iron as he made a quick adjustment — work that would have been unnecessary if the U.S. had spent $10,000 to hire a technician."

Visit SN's interactive historical archive to read the full article and gain access to thousands of past feature stories including historic covers dating all the way back to 1886.

More Winter Olympics news

• Updated Winter Olympics medal tracker for Milan Games
• Meet USA's figure skating stars Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito
• The full Myles Garrett-Chloe Kim relationship timeline
• Here's what's next for Lindsey Vonn after the Olympics

Texas A&M (17-8, 7-5 SEC) enters the most important week of the season, set to host Ole Miss on Wednesday night in what is widely considered a "must-win" game with NCAA Tournament implications on the line, as the Aggies continue to drop in nearly every bracket prediction, including ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi's latest update.

Riding a four-game losing streak, the Aggies are looking to capitalize on more favorable matchups against Ole Miss and Oklahoma before facing Arkansas on the road next week. First-year head coach Bucky McMillan doesn't deserve all the blame for the recent skid, needing more from his starting rotation, especially senior guards Jacari Lane and Rubén Dominguez.

While it's important to note that this is not the best team McMillan will have during his tenure, this roster is more than capable of making a run over the next seven regular conference games. Led by senior forward Rashaun Agee's steadfast leadership and physical play, I fully expect him to rebound after scoring just eight points and missing too many shots under the basket during Saturday's loss at Vanderbilt.

Right now, Joe Lunardi still has the Aggies safely in the tournament field, but currently has Texas A&M as a 10-seed facing 7-seed Wisconsin. If McMillan's veteran team can bebound against Ole Miss, followed by a road win over the Sooners, the Aggies can likely afford a road loss to Arkansas, but getting back to their winning ways and playing better is the only focus moving forward.

“It’s a must play well. If we play well, that will take care of itself. We didn’t play well against Vanderbilt at all. We looked fatigued. We had a good practice today and look fresh. That five game gauntlet was tough to go through. Going forward, we have to play our best basketball.”

Texas A&M will host Ole Miss on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. and will air on the SEC Network.

New bracketology from @ESPNLunardi

He has the Aggies sitting as a 10-seed heading into this week. Wisconsin would be a a comparable matchup but the Aggies are looking to improve their chances this week for a higher seed. Wins vs Ole Miss and @ Oklahoma would help pic.twitter.com/Qv1vAKKk2u

— Kannon Torres (@TorresKannon) February 17, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M predicted to face Wisconsin in ESPN Bracketology update

What is skeleton in the Olympics? Full guide to dangerous sport, from rules and equipment to top speeds and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There is a certain brand of madness reserved for those who choose to hurtle down a winding corridor of jagged ice with nothing but a thin sheet of fiberglass between them and the frozen earth.

In this world, the margin for error is measured in millimeters, and the price of a mistimed twitch is often paid in bruises, bone, or worse. It is a discipline where the athlete becomes a human projectile, surrendering to the pull of gravity while trying to negotiate a path that feels less like a race and more like a fall.

At the 2026 Games, this spectacle of speed and nerve remains one of the most polarizing fixtures on the schedule. To the uninitiated, it looks like a desperate gamble; to the elite sliders, it is a high-speed chess match played at 90 miles per hour. Understanding how these athletes survive the plunge requires looking past the blur of the suit and into the mechanics of a sport that is as technically precise as it is inherently perilous.

The Sporting News brings you a full explanation of skeleton and what fans should know.

MORE: Youngest and oldest Olympians for Team USA

What is skeleton at the Olympics? 

Skeleton is a winter sliding sport where individual athletes race head-first and face-down on a small, heavy sled along a precisely engineered ice track. Unlike luge, where athletes lie on their backs and go feet-first, skeleton requires the slider to lie prone with their chin just centimeters away from the ice surface.

The competition begins with an explosive standing start where the athletes sprint for about 30 meters while hunched over, pushing the sled to generate maximum initial velocity before diving onto it. Once they are moving, there are no steering wheels or brakes to help them navigate the course. Instead, sliders guide the sled through high-speed banked turns using subtle shifts in body weight, applying pressure with their knees or shoulders and turning their heads to influence the direction of the steel runners.

Why is it called skeleton?

The name of the sport is not a reference to the danger involved. Instead, the term most likely originated from the appearance of the equipment used in the late 19th century. In 1892, an Englishman named L.P. Child introduced a new type of sled made almost entirely of metal. This bare-bones design featured a ribbed frame and lacked the decorative chassis of traditional toboggans, leading many to remark that it looked like a human skeleton.

There is also a second, more linguistic theory involving a cross-cultural misunderstanding. Some historians believe the name "skeleton" is actually a garbled anglicization of the Norwegian word for sled, "kjelke." According to this theory, English-speaking tourists in Switzerland heard the Norwegian term and mistranslated it into the similar-sounding English word "skeleton."

Regardless of which origin story is true, the name stuck and eventually became the official title for the discipline. By the time skeleton made its first Olympic appearances at the 1928 and 1948 St. Moritz Games, the metal sled had become the standard for the sport. Today, while the sleds have been upgraded with carbon fiber and high-tech steel, they still retain that same minimalist, "skeletal" structure that gives the sport its name.

MORE: Figure skating scoring system, explained

How does skeleton work in the Olympics? 

In the individual Olympic events, the competition is a test of consistency played out over four separate heats. These heats are split across two consecutive days, with two runs taking place each day to ensure that temporary changes in ice temperature or track conditions do not unfairly favor one group of athletes. The final standings are determined by the cumulative time of all four runs, measured to the hundredth of a second, meaning a single mistimed corner in the first heat can haunt an athlete until the final finish line.

The start of a skeleton race is perhaps the most critical phase for building momentum. Each athlete has 30 seconds after the green light to begin their run, starting with an explosive 25 to 40-meter sprint while bent over and pushing the sled by its handles. Once they reach peak speed, they perform a synchronized dive onto the sled to settle into a prone, head-first position. For the remainder of the course, they must remain on the sled to record a valid time, navigating the 1,730-meter Cortina track and its 16 sharp curves using only subtle shifts of their torso and knees.

To maintain fairness and safety, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation enforces strict weight and equipment regulations for all participants. For the men’s competition, the combined weight of the athlete and their equipment cannot exceed 120 kg, while the limit for women is set at 102 kg. 

The 2026 Games have also introduced a brand-new competitive format: the Mixed Team event. Unlike the individual races, this event features one male and one female athlete from the same country competing in a single-heat relay style. The two athletes do not slide at the exact same time; instead, the second slider follows a "reaction start" once the track is clear. Five red lights flash at random intervals before turning green, mimicking a Formula 1 start, and the team with the lowest combined time from both runs is crowned the winner.

MORE: History of backflips in Olympic figure skating

How is skeleton scored at the Olympics?

Scoring in Olympic skeleton is an exercise in absolute precision where winners are determined by their cumulative time rather than a points-based system. In the individual men’s and women’s events, each athlete completes four separate heats held over two consecutive days. These four individual times are added together to create a total aggregate score measured to the hundredth of a second. The athlete with the lowest total time after the final run is crowned the champion, meaning that a mistake in the very first heat can leave a slider chasing fractions of a second for the rest of the week.

The new mixed team event introduced for the 2026 Games follows a slightly different format but maintains the same reliance on cumulative time. In this event, teams consisting of one male and one female athlete from the same nation each complete a single run down the track. Their two times are combined to create a final team score, with the gold medal going to the pair with the fastest total.

A unique "reaction start" is used for the second slider in the team event, where they must set off the moment a light randomly turns from red to green, adding a layer of lightning-fast reflexes to the scoring equation.

MORE: The highest-paid athletes at the 2026 Olympics

Skeleton equipment

What do skeleton racers wear?

In a sport where the athlete's body is fully exposed to the elements at freeway speeds, every piece of apparel serves a dual purpose of extreme aerodynamics and essential protection.

The primary garment is a skin-tight, one-piece aerodynamic speedsuit made from slick, synthetic fabrics like Lycra or specialized rubbers. These suits are tailored to the athlete’s frame to eliminate any loose fabric that could create drag, and while they offer almost no protection against impact, they are often lined with friction-reducing layers to help prevent severe ice burn in the event of a slide.

The most distinctive piece of safety equipment is the full-face fiberglass helmet, which must meet rigorous impact-resistance standards to protect the head from the intense vibrations and potential collisions with the track walls. Because the athlete's chin rests only five centimeters above the ice, these helmets feature integrated chin guards and streamlined visors that are shaped to allow air to flow smoothly over the head and down the back. In the 2026 Games, these helmets have even become a point of technical contention, with some nations appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over specific aerodynamic shapes that governing bodies have ruled "too beneficial."

THIS HELMET 🔥

Team USA's Austin Florian wore this during the Men's Skeleton competition. pic.twitter.com/6mLBp2vzxj

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 13, 2026

On their feet, skeleton racers wear specialized racing shoes known as spikes, which are arguably the most important tool for the explosive start of the race. Each shoe is embedded with more than 300 tiny steel needles, no longer than five millimeters each, which allow the athlete to find purchase on the slick ice during the initial 40-meter sprint. Once the athlete dives onto the sled, they tuck their toes back to maintain a streamlined profile, sometimes using the tips of these shoes to make micro-adjustments to their steering.

Finally, while not always visible, many athletes choose to wear thin, specialized padding under their suits on high-friction areas like the elbows, knees, and shoulders. Because the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) enforces strict maximum weight limits for the combined weight of the athlete and their gear, this padding is kept to an absolute minimum. 

MORE: Explaining the age eligibility at the Olympics

Ukraine skeleton helmet controversy

The technical precision of skeleton recently collided with the raw reality of global politics in a major controversy involving Ukrainian racer Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Just hours before the men’s competition began on Thursday, February 12, Heraskevych was disqualified from the Games for refusing to remove his "Helmet of Remembrance." The custom headgear featured the faces of 24 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed during the invasion of Ukraine — individuals Heraskevych considered friends and peers.

The International Olympic Committee ruled that the helmet violated Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits "political, religious or racial propaganda" in Olympic venues. Despite a tearful last-minute plea from IOC President Kirsty Coventry at the top of the track, Heraskevych maintained that the helmet was a tribute of memory rather than a political statement. He argued that since the faces are indistinguishable at speeds of 80 mph, the ban was a "moral surrender" by the IOC to maintain a false sense of neutrality.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the decision, stating that "sport shouldn't mean amnesia," while other Ukrainian athletes, including the luge team, held their plain white helmets skyward in a silent protest following their own races. Heraskevych appealed the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the appeal was denied on February 13 on the grounds that the IOC’s restrictions on athlete expression "during competition" were a proportionate application of existing rules.

MORE: What is biathlon?

Skeleton Olympics history

The origins of skeleton date back to the late 19th century in St. Moritz, Switzerland, where the Cresta Run was built in 1885. While it is the oldest of the sliding sports, its Olympic history was irregular for nearly a century because it could originally only be practiced on that specific natural ice track. As a result, skeleton was only included in the Olympic program when the Games were hosted in St. Moritz, appearing first in 1928 and again in 1948 before disappearing from the schedule for over 50 years.

The modern era of the sport began in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Games, when skeleton was finally reinstated as a permanent Olympic fixture. This return marked a major turning point for inclusivity, as it was the first time women were officially allowed to compete in the event at an Olympic level. Since its reintroduction, the sport has evolved from a niche Swiss pastime into a global discipline with highly regulated carbon-fiber sleds and artificial refrigerated tracks that allow for higher speeds and safer conditions than the original wooden sleds.

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Games have introduced the most significant expansion to the program in over two decades with the debut of the Mixed Team event. This new format pairs one man and one woman from each nation to compete in a single-heat relay, bringing a team dynamic to what has traditionally been a solitary pursuit. This addition brings the total number of gold medal events in skeleton to three, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the Winter Olympic sliding program.

MORE: Is fighting allowed at the Olympics?

Skeleton records

Skeleton Olympic records

Olympic records in skeleton are primarily categorized by the "Track Record" — the fastest single heat ever recorded on a specific Olympic course — and the "Olympic Record," which typically refers to the fastest total cumulative time over four heats. 

Unlike sports like track and field or swimming, skeleton does not have a single "World Record" for time because every ice track in the world has a different length, number of curves, and vertical drop.

The most prestigious record in the sport is held by Great Britain's Lizzy Yarnold, who remains the only skeleton athlete in history to win two gold medals. She is also the only person to successfully defend an Olympic skeleton title, winning back-to-back golds in 2014 and 2018.

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Skeleton World Records

The highest speed ever recorded in a skeleton competition occurred during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at the Whistler Sliding Centre, which is widely considered the fastest track in the world. On February 19, 2010, both Alexander Tretyakov of Russia and Sandro Stielicke of Germany reached a blistering top speed of 146.4 km/h (90.96 mph).

In the women’s category, Germany’s Marion Thees (formerly Trott) holds the world record for speed, reaching 144.5 km/h (89.78 mph) during that same Olympic competition in Whistler.

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Skeleton FAQs

What is the most dangerous Olympic sport?

If you define danger by the likelihood of getting hurt, the freestyle events are the clear leaders. Data from the last four Winter Games shows that Freestyle Skiing Big Air and Slopestyle consistently see the highest percentage of athletes injured during competition, often ranging between 25% and 28%.

Surprisingly, skeleton is widely regarded by pros as the safest of the three sliding sports (Luge, Bobsleigh, and Skeleton). Because a skeleton slider's center of gravity is so low to the ice and they have a more precise steering "feel" through their shoulders and knees, they are significantly less likely to flip their sled than a luger or bobsledder.

Has there been a skeleton death at the Olympics?

Fortunately, there has never been a recorded death in the sport of skeleton during an Olympic competition or official training session. While the sport is often perceived as the most dangerous due to its head-first orientation, it has maintained a clean safety record at the Games since its modern reintroduction in 2002. This is largely because skeleton sleds have the lowest center of gravity among the sliding sports, making them much less likely to flip or eject the rider compared to a bobsled or a luge.

The common misconception that skeleton has seen fatalities often stems from a tragic event in a related sliding sport: luge. In 2010, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died during a training run just hours before the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Because luge and skeleton share the same high-speed ice tracks, his death led to a massive overhaul of safety standards across all sliding disciplines, including higher track walls and the padding of exposed steel pillars near the finish lines.

How do skeleton skaters stop?

Skeleton sleds have no mechanical brakes, so stopping relies entirely on the track's design and the athlete's own equipment. Once a racer crosses the finish line, they enter the outrun, a long uphill section of the track designed to use gravity to naturally slow the sled's momentum. As they ascend, the athlete sits up to create wind resistance and begins the manual braking process.

To come to a complete halt, the slider digs the toes of their spiked shoes into the ice. The hundreds of tiny needles on their footwear, which provided grip at the start, now act as friction points to grind the sled to a stop. If the uphill slope and shoe-dragging aren't enough, track officials often place heavy rubber mats or foam pads at the end of the run to provide extra friction and ensure the athlete stops safely.

Is there a weight limit for skeleton?

Olympic skeleton enforces strict weight limits to ensure that gravity doesn't favor heavier athletes unfairly. These regulations govern both the sled itself and the combined weight of the athlete, their equipment, and the sled. If a slider is under the maximum combined limit, they can add lead ballast to their sled, but this weight must be securely attached to the frame rather than the person.

To accommodate larger athletes, the rules allow for a "maximum weight without ballast." This means if a slider's own body weight pushes them over the combined limit, they must use a lighter sled to compensate. This balancing act ensures that powerful sprinters can still compete safely and fairly against smaller, lighter racers.

MORE: Explaining the Olympics opening ceremony

The 2026 NFL Draft is still nine weeks away, but Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has already dropped hints about where his focus will lie over those three days.

Cleveland needs just about everything imaginable on offense, especially at wide receiver, offensive line, and quarterback. (Oh my, do they need help at quarterback!)

So relief will come in free agency, but with the Browns holding 10 selections in the draft, including two selections in the first round and four of the top 107 picks, the heavy lifting will occur on draft weekend.

The questions that won’t be answered until then are which positions Berry will prioritize over the first three rounds. Will it be the offensive line, with candidates like Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State), and Spencer Fano (Utah)?

Perhaps a wide receiver or two will catch Berry’s eye from a list that includes Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and Washington’s Denzel Boston.

Even though Berry has pledged a “heavy investment” into the offense, there are some who still believe that it will be difficult to pass up some of the top defensive players, including Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Texas Tech’s David Bailey, and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs.

Those are some of the questions that Gordon McGuiness at Pro Football Focus tries to answer in his latest three-round mock draft, so let’s dive in and see how the Browns fare.

Round 1 (No. 6 overall): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

With safety Caleb Downs coming off the board to the New York Jets with the second overall pick, that puts paid to the idea of Berry using his first selection on defense. But any hurt feelings will be smoothed over by selecting a player who will likely be the consensus No. 1 wide receiver in the draft:

The Browns will likely address their offense early in the 2026 NFL Draft, perhaps with either a pass catcher or an offensive lineman. Tate has the size and skill set to be an elite X receiver at the next level after averaging 3.02 yards per route run, catching 85.7% of his contested targets, and producing a 0.0% drop rate in 2025.

The 6-foot-3 and 195-pound Tate would instantly elevate Cleveland’s morbid wide receiver group after catching 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. While he still can use a bit of polishing, Tate’s pass-catching ability is easy to see, according to Lance Zierlein’s early draft profile at NFL.com:

Ascending “Z” receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control, and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands, and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.

Round 1 (No. 24 overall): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The one downside to going with a wide receiver early is that the Browns run the risk of missing out on some of the top offensive linemen. That is the case here as Mauigoa goes off the board to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10, Proctor goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21), Ioane goes to the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 22), and Fano lands with the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 23).

Not to be deterred, the Browns go with the 6-foot-7 and 315-pound Freeling:

The Browns won’t be thrilled to see three offensive linemen come off the board in succession before their pick, but thankfully, there is another offensive tackle worthy of selection. Freeling improved his PFF overall grade in each of the past two seasons and earned an 85.7 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025. He could help a Browns offensive line in desperate need of upgrades.

One drawback is that Freeling only made 16 starts in college, which makes him a candidate for some extra sessions with offensive line coach George Warhop. But if he puts in the work, the Browns will have solved at least one of the tackle positions, as Lance Zierlein highlights in his early draft profile at NFL.com:

Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle. With only 16 career starts, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities. His quickness brings first-phase positioning advantages, but he needs more play strength to carry that over to block sustain and finish. Lunging and deadening feet post-punch must be coached out of his muscle memory in pass protection so his athleticism and length can do their jobs. Independent hand usage and a reliable “snatch and trap” could instantly bolster his success rate. There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter.

Round 2 (No. 39 overall): Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

We’re still not sold on the idea that the Browns need to add a cornerback so early in the draft, but not everyone shares that belief, which leads to the selection of Abney.

The 6-foot and 190-pound Abney finished the 2025 season without allowing a touchdown in 458 coverage snaps, best in the nation, and allowed just a 44.4 percent completion rate when targeted, according to PFF.

Abney is also willing to get involved in run defense, according to PFF, which would play well to the home fans:

Abney is a competitive, communicative outside cornerback with experience in both man and zone coverage. His best and most confident work seems to come from zone work (press or off), where he can be in bail technique and watch the quarterback’s eyes with a good feel for where his receiver(s) are. He is also a willing run defender with good tackling grades and stats. He can play man coverage, but his long speed and recovery speed appear to be average at best; if he doesn’t get physical with vertical receivers, he can get beaten there. His mentality will be his most alluring trait.

Round 3 (No. 70 overall): Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

Ten years after “missing out” on Carson Wentz, the Browns finally land a North Dakota State quarterback in Cole Payton.

This is a tough one to see, given that Payton was only a one-year starter for the Bison and only attempted 58 passes in the four seasons before that. His 2025 season was decent – a 72 percent completion rate, with 2,719 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, while rushing for 894 yards – but are the Browns in a position to select a developmental quarterback? Especially this high in the draft?

According to Trevo Sikkema at PFF:

At 6-foot-3 and around 230 to 235 pounds, he has good size for the league. He is also an adequate pro athlete, not just for the position but for his size. His rushing ability and experience give him a good floor and ceiling as an RPO and QB power-type backfield player.

As a passer, his grades and efficiency numbers are high, but you have to factor in how easy his situation was in 2025 on a very talented NDSU team that was typically more talented than its competition. He has a high time to throw, which stems from his rushing style but also from not being the quickest to read defenses pre- and post-snap. That has yielded a high sack rate despite his athleticism.

He does have good overall arm talent that is adequate for the NFL. His throwing motion has a bit of a shotput-style finish, but his footwork and base are consistent and give him a strong drive on his passes.

That is probably more use of the word “adequate” than one would like when discussing a quarterback, so with Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, Ohio State tight end Max Klare, Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields, and Connecticut wide receiver Sklyer Bell still on the board in this mock, it would be surprising if Berry turned in the draft card with Payton’s name on it.

What do you think, Browns fans? Does this mock draft get you fired up, or would you have Cleveland go in a different direction? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring yet another former Denver Broncos assistant coach.

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported earlier this week that Las Vegas is expected to hire Rick Dennison, who just won a Super Bowl as a run game coordinator and senior offensive advisor with the Seattle Seahawks last season.

Dennison, 67, played linebacker for the Broncos from 1982-1990 before hanging up his cleats and transitioning to coaching. He worked in Denver from 1995-2009, winning two Super Bowls with the club. After stints with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, Dennison returned to the Broncos in 2015 and won a third Super Bowl. His various titles with the club included special teams, the offensive line and offensive coordinator.

Dennison spent time with five other teams since leaving the Broncos in 2017, and he will now reunite with Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who worked with him in Denver during the 2016 season.

Dennison is the third ex-Broncos coach Kubiak has hired, joining assistant head coach Mike McCoy and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Raiders hire another Super Bowl-winning ex-Broncos coach

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, has not competed in over nine years and hasn’t seen the win column in more than a decade. She’s still going to destroy Gina Carano, who’s been inactive since losing to Cris Cyborg under the Strikeforce banner back in summer 2009.

That’s according to the Rousey vs. Carano odds, which opened earlier today after MVP announced the May 16 super fight at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. “Rowdy” jumped out to a -700 betting favorite against +525 for “Conviction,” spurring an influx of early money for the underdog.

Carano has since managed to shrink that line to -400/+330, according to BetOnline.ag.

Despite her absence from the fight game, Rousey (12-2) is a former Olympian and lifelong judo specialist with a submission game that led to nine taps (and a few broken wings) in 12 victories. Carano (7-1) helped blaze the trail that Rousey later followed, but never faced elite competition outside of Cyborg.

Probably because there wasn’t any in the early days of women’s MMA.

Rousey vs. Carano is being promoted by Jake Paul’s MVP outfit and marks the first time MVP has staged an MMA card. Whether or not they can meet or exceed the metal-mania that came before them remains to be seen, but at least it’s free for current Netflix subscribers.

Alan Finfou can't understand the criticism surrounding Khamzat Chimaev's dominance.

Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) took Dricus Du Plessis down 12 times and controlled him for over 21 minutes in a lopsided decision win to claim the middleweight title at UFC 319. His performance was dubbed as boring by many.

Chimaev's recent win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, where he also leant heavily on his grappling, had it's asterisks in many's eyes. Chimaev's jiu-jitsu coach Finfou explained that while Usman's effort on short notice was impressive, "Borz" had to completely adjust his game plan.

"With the fight with Kamaru Usman, we were preparing for one kind of fighter – it was Paulo Costa," Finfou told MMA Today. "We were doing an entire camp for one type of fighter. A couple of days before the fight, they switch the opposite. We didn't prepare for this, the same way Kamaru wasn't training for (Chimaev) – he wasn't in a camp for a fight. And then people start to say, 'If it would be five rounds.' Bro, this is delusional. We all know this is three rounds – preparation for three rounds.

"OK, we won that way, five rounds, pure dominance (vs. Du Plessis), so now nobody talks about fighting five rounds anymore, but people say that the fight was boring. If Khamzat asked, 'Can I strike?' and then we say 'Yes, go,' we'd just become sloppy, unprofessional and cocky at the wrong moment because the fight wasn't finished. If he got knocked out, you know what everybody would say? 'What an idiot! Why did he change? He was dominating the guy! The coaches let him do this.'"

Usman gave Chimaev one of his toughest tests. The other fighter who was able to push Chimaev to the brink was Gilbert Burns, whom Chimaev predominantly stood and traded with, resulting in a back-and-forth war.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Coach: Calling Khamzat Chimaev's recent wins boring is 'delusional'

On Monday, Manchester United were linked with a sensational swoop for Mac Allister with the Red Devils looking to improve their midfield.

Several other players were also mentioned but the fact that United are throwing themselves into the ring for the transfer of the Argentinian is rather mental.

The central midfielder is one of Slot's most-trusted players and, even though Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, it doesn't feel likely that the midfielder will exit any time soon.

However, since these links emerged, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive with Fabrizio Romano now sharing an update on the midfielder's future.

"At the moment, I’m not aware of anything concrete of strong in terms of links between Manchester United and Mac Allister," he said via his YouTube channel.

"Man United will be busy in the summer. Man United will be really busy with that position, could be one, could be two midfielders.

"It could be really interesting, but before they decide who they want, there are two main points to clarify, whether they play in the Champions League next season, which will influence their budget, and who will be the manager, Michael Carrick or other candidates.

"Man United will not decide in February. Among the names, there’s Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, who was a top target under [Ruben] Amorim, Sandro Tonali, and others.

"At the moment with Alexis Mac Allister, there is nothing really advanced, concrete or starting in terms of conversations."

The only area among Liverpool's team which doesn't need upgrading is their midfield.

Now that Florian Wirtz has been added to the mix, the Anfield outfit have at least two different options for each position with players such as Curtis Jones often missing out despite the quality he bring to the table.

Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are Slot's usual defensive midfielders and, on the odd occasion that one of them is absent, Jones is the one who fills in.

Although this may seem rather unfair, if Liverpool want to become the best team in the world and if they want to continue competing against Europe's best teams, they need to have enough depth among their ranks.

This has been one of the main problems that their defence and attack have faced this term due to the number of injuries they've suffered.

Mac Allister or even Jones on during the 2026-27 season, then they could find themselves in massive trouble.

Juventus were leading 2-1 with a Teun Koopmeiners brace, but a disastrous performance from Juan Cabal with red card and Noa Lang double create a Champions League play-off mountain to climb.

The Bianconeri made the trip to Istanbul without Jonathan David, Emil Holm, Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik, but Khephren Thuram returned after missing the controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter. Weston McKennie was turned into a surprise False 9, flanked by Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao. The hosts had Mario Lemina suspended, but could count on former Serie A stars Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi, Noa Lang and Lucas Torreira. The second leg in Turin is on February 25.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.