A Browns spokesperson confirmed Hickman was assaulted in a statement, adding that he “was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital after the incident, was later released, and is home resting with his family.”
Hickman was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were fined $749,747 during the 2025–26 season — the second-highest total in the NFL, according to new data from The Action Network. Only the Washington Commanders ($1.49 millon) lost more money to league discipline.
The Steelers had 18 total infractions (second-most in the NFL). The Steelers’ $749,747in total fines accounted for nearly 9% of all league-wide fine money.
The Steelers were the third-most fined team in the NFL during the 2024 season. In the last three seasons, the Steelers have been in the top 3 among most-fined teams. The Steelers were the most-fined team in the NFL in 2023, with fines totaling $478,091.
At the player level, Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was responsible for a substantial share of Pittsburgh’s total, losing over $582,000 following a two-game suspension and multiple conduct-related fines — making him one of the most financially penalized repeat offenders in the league this season.
Eduardo Camavinga spoke to the press this Monday ahead of Benfica clash
Real Madrid: Eduardo Camavinga makes a confession
Before the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga addressed the media alongside Alvaro Arbeloa.
During Monday's press conference, Eduardo Camavinga made an honest admission about his performances at Real Madrid. The Frenchman has not lived up to expectations since his arrival in 2021 and he isn't hiding from it.
"I think I need to do much more. I'm aware of it and I know I'm capable. The fans haven't seen everything from Camavinga yet—I can give a lot more. My favorite position? As I've always said, I love playing as a number 6. Maybe I'm lacking a bit of consistency and focus on the pitch, because sometimes I make mistakes, I'm aware of that," he stated.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Jorge Masvidal is seen on stage during a Q&A session prior to the UFC 322 ceremonial weigh-in at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The former UFC welterweight title challenger has two shows planned for 2026, with a stop in Dominican Republic on April 10 followed by a second card on May 1 in Miami. The former will consist of a 16-man heavyweight tournament with 16 lightweights getting matched up for the latter.
Both tourneys come with $500,000 in prize money.
“I don’t mind taking the loss (from a smaller gate) for making a huge statement online,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio. “We’re giving as much money as we can to the fighters. Really, who’s doing anything right now? It’s just worked out perfectly. As I wasn’t able to pump so much GFC, the other shows were kind of dying off. And now, I don’t know about these other shows. I haven’t heard a date or anything. So we’re coming in strong these next few years. People are going to have to move aside, brother.”
Here is the current heavyweight lineup for April 10:
Anthony Smith vs. Chase Sherman Guto Inocente vs. Mohammed Usman Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko Bruno Cappelozza vs. Todd Duffee
“I never wanted to leave,” Masvidal continued. “The whole time I was working, in the shadows in the back. It’s what business owners do. I was just hustling, brother. Seeing what I could do, what networks I could get on, what sponsors I could bring on board. I did everything to keep the dream alive, just like fighting. I was able to secure some funds, so here we go.”
Expect more Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA matchup in the coming weeks.
Austria's Jan Hoerl won the men's super team large hill ski jump on Monday night alongside Stephan Embacher. (Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images)
TOBIAS SCHWARZ via Getty Images
Austria only needed two jumps on Monday night after all to claim a gold medal in Predazzo, Italy.
The Austrians claimed the men's super team large hill ski jump on Monday after the event was canceled early due to a large snowstorm that worked its way into the area. Conditions on the course got very bad out of nowhere during the third round of the competition, and officials ended up wiping the round altogether — as several teams had yet to make their third and final jumps.
So, since Austria was in the lead after the second round, they took the gold medal.
The Austrian duo of Jan Hoerl and Stephan Embacher finished with 558.7 points to win the event, just more than 20 points ahead of Poland. Norway then finished in third, less than half of a point ahead of Germany.
The American pair of Kevin Bickner and Tate Frantz ended up in eighth with a score of 520.2.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 21: UConn Huskies assistant wide receivers coach Kashif Moore during the college football game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and the UConn Huskies on September 21, 2024, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
11 days ago, Matt Campbell’s inaugural staff was dealt a blow with wide receivers coach Noah Pauley making the move to the NFL and the Green Bay Packers. Penn State now has its Pauley replacement in Colorado State wide receivers coach Kashif Moore, according to a report from Matt Zenitz.
Penn State is expected to hire Colorado State’s Kashif Moore as wide receivers coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
The ex-UConn star receiver was UConn’s WR coach the last three years before following to Jim Mora to CSU. Helped Skyler Bell become a Biletnikoff finalist in 2025. pic.twitter.com/5DV8ytNTtd
Moore spent the last three seasons at his alma mater, UConn, working under Jim Mora. While at UConn, Moore played a key part in developing Skyler Bell, who was a Biletnikoff finalist this past season after finishing his senior year with an impressive 101 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
Moore checks a lot of boxes of what you’re generally looking for from a wide receivers coach. He’s young, he’s from the area (New Jersey native), he’s coached around the Northeast (Albany and Cornell stops as well), and he has some real development chops as shown with Bell. I know Penn State fans feel a bit snakebitten when it comes to wide receiver coaching hires in recent times, but I think there’s good reason to be excited about Moore.
The NBA got creative with its All-Star game format on Sunday as the traditional East vs. West was moved to the side. The league has been tinkering with the mid-season game in an effort to bring more interest back as the All-Star game has lost some of its overall luster.
Therefore, the format of USA vs. World was brought to the forefront.
In a round-robin tournament style, with games being 12 minutes long, there were two USA teams compiled of American-born players and one World team consisting of international players. Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey was on Team Stars alongside the likes of Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Duren.
It brought out a lot of competition with the first three games going down to the wire. Team Stars knocked off Team World in overtime in the first contest before falling to Team Stripes on a De'Aaron Fox game-winning triple. Team Stripes then rallied to knock off Team World in a close contest before Team Stars earned the All-Star title with the win over Team Stripes.
"I think it was more just -- I don't know," Maxey told reporters after the game. "We wanted to play hard. It doesn't matter what the format was, I came in--I'm going to play some defense. I'll score when I can, but I want to play hard, bring energy, get some steals, and have fun."
Team Stars was filled with a lot of younger players featuring Maxey (26), Cunningham (24), Duren (22), and Holmgren (23). Booker (29) was the "old head" of the group while Team Stripes featured "the uncs" such as LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and others. It was a good win for the Stars group.
"Yeah, we one up on them right now," Maxey added. "We definitely one-up on the uncs right now."
Maxey and the Sixers will get back at it on Thursday when they play host to the Atlanta Hawks.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 17: Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills catches a 14 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the story lines that fans of the Buffalo Bills will be following this offseason is the decision the club needs to make on tight end Dalton Kincaid’s fifth-year option. The team has until May 1 to make a decision on Kincaid’s option, which would pay him close to $9 million for the 2027 season.
This past season, Kincaid again struggled with injuries — which included knee-injury carryover from the 2024 season. In total, Kincaid played in 12 regular-season games and caught 39 passes (49 targets) for 571 yards and five touchdowns. Kincaid played in both of Buffalo’s playoff games this past season, recording nine catches on 11 targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
In full disclose, picking up the fifth-year option on Kincaid seems like an obvious decision to me. With that being said, I wanted to get some feedback from Bills Mafia to see if they felt the same. Kincaid was the focal point of the discussion in my latest episode of “The Walkthrough” — an episode where I chatted at length about the affordability it would give the club for a reliable pass catcher through the 2027 season. I know that injuries are a concern for many fans, but a one-year extension for less than $9 million is relatively affordable by today’s standards.
In addition to the discussion on the podcast, I also took to social media to see if the decision seemed to be an obvious one for them as well. In a poll conducted over the weekend, over 91% of respondents replied that they wanted Buffalo to pick up the fifth-year option. Over 200 followers responded, so I felt like this was a valid sample size when considering the opinion of Bills fans.
Be sure to share your thoughts regarding Dalton Kincaid and a potential fifth-year option in the comments section below. Perhaps the injuries are too much for you at this point. Or, maybe you see the impact that Kincaid has on the offense when healthy. Is your decision either way an easy one?
If you’re the Bills, do you give Dalton Kincaid the 5th year option? It would be just under $9 million guaranteed.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads his team onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Leading into the 2025 season, Ohio State’s schedule featured multiple matchups in Big Ten play perceived as marquee games. Michigan, Penn State, and Illinois. All three of those games were viewed as major games on the schedule.
Those three games, though, turned out to be cakewalks for the Buckeyes. Overall, Big Ten play became a cake walk for the Buckeyes. It felt as if Ryan Day and the players were playing the long game in staying fresh for The Game and the Postseason. That was fine at the time, but it came back to be a negative for the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff.
Thankfully, that will probably not be the case in 2026. Penn State isn’t on the schedule, but Indiana, Oregon, Michigan, and Iowa are. Good. There needs to be stiffer competition in the Big Ten during the regular season. Make the games entertaining. This team needs to be battle-tested, and they will be in 2026.
Forget Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon. The Buckeyes play at Iowa in their second Big Ten game this season. That’s never an easy road trip. Indiana and Oregon both won at Iowa last year. It clearly benefited both of them. The same may be true for the Buckeyes this year if they can win on the road in a tough environment against a tenacious Iowa team.
Playing at USC. I don’t care if USC isn’t what it was in the mid-2000s. It’s still playing a prestigious program in Los Angeles at the Memorial Coliseum. Late October traveling to the West Coast, even off a bye week, is not going to be an advantage for the Buckeyes. That game is a trap game epitomized. It’s after the bye week and after the game at Indiana… and before the game against Oregon.
I’m very interested in seeing what the road game at Nebraska could look like. The weather could be brutal, and that is one of the last places you want to play before The Game the following week. Nebraska is an unknown going into the 2026 season, but they have a tough home environment. That game cannot be overlooked.
The Big Ten becoming what it became last season was out of the Buckeyes’ control. This season, though, I’m confident it will be a tougher schedule. There won’t be any cakewalking. Julian Sayin will be playing meaningful snaps in the fourth quarter, and the Buckeyes will be much more battle-tested going into The Game and the Postseason. It all should lead to a deeper Playoff run.
TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: After the heartbreaking defeat against South Africa, the Afghanistan team converged in the manager's room for dinner. The team sat down, just hours after going down in twin Super Overs, and talked positively about their effort.
There was very good reason to be downbeat after such a loss. They could have won in regulation time. They could have won in the first Super Over but for a last ball six by Tristan Stubbs. And then a hat-trick of sixes wasn't enough in the second Super Over.
Rashid Khan, a leader in the dressing room and one of the most experienced players in the format, stressed the need to keep their heads up or they would go "one or two years back."
The dinner helped as well. The squad devoured Peshawari food, including Dal Bukhara (Dal Makhani) and Tandoori Chicken, to "vent their anger." It is understandable that the Afghan squad misses home food as they travel from country to country and are stationed away from home.
Ever since becoming a Full Member of the ICC, Afghanistan have never played at home and have used different training facilities to prepare for major events such as the T20 World Cup. From Dehradun at start to Sharjah now, Afghanistan have never found a home footing.
"What we miss a lot is the home food, to be honest. We go around everywhere, we're not getting that Afghani home food, and that's something which we struggle with," said Rashid on the eve of their contest against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
"Other than that, I feel we have enough people around the team who give us the best company and we don't really miss home. And also, wherever we go, we get so much love from everyone, and that's something which doesn't even let us to feel like we are not home.
"But sometimes you do feel, you do miss your home. You want to be having your own crowd, people cheering for you, but unluckily we are not having that opportunity where we can play in front of that crowd. But still, it's harder.
"Professional cricket, you have to manage yourself with all these and not too much think about all those other stuff. I think what we're here for; we have to put that thing first. And there are people who don't go home for five, 10 years. We're lucky. We go after the tour to home, and we have a good time with the family," he continued.
Delhi, which hosted Afghanistan's most recent match in the ongoing T20 World Cup, has a sizeable Afghan population. There are pockets in the national capital - such as Lajpat Nagar and Bhogal - which the refugees have called home for many years now.
Some of them made the trip to the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday morning carrying flags and some wearing the traditional attire. Their presence, and noise, became even more important in the aftermath of the heartbreak that the team suffered less than a week ago.
As it transpired, the Afghan team needed every ounce of that positive energy to go past the UAE -- winning by 5 wickets with four balls remaining -- and keep their T20 World Cup Super Eight hopes alive. New Zealand are still favourites to seal the second spot from the group, alongside the already qualified South Africa, if they beat Canada on Tuesday. That would render Afghanistan's final contest against Canada as a dead rubber.
"Hoping for the best. Yes, (we) still have a little bit of hope, we can make it to the next stage and we just need to come up with a positive mindset (against Canada)," said Rashid after beating the UAE, once again stressing on the need to remain upbeat.
"Next game, you never know, it's a T20 game, we'll have to come up with a good brand of cricket. Even if we don't make it to the next round, we want to play with the same brand of cricket and make the country and our people proud and happy."
Having already faced heartbreak of gigantic proportions, as the ask got tougher in the 161-run chase vs UAE, the nerves started to climb.
Coach Jonathan Trott expressed pride in how the team turned things around, especially after the suffering in Ahmedabad.
"We were under pressure (and) that's the pleasing thing for me as coach. I would have liked it (if it was a) lot easier. But at the end of the day when you come out on the right side of pressure situations... like we were having the history of the last game, I've certainly seen a shift. We've lost tight games like that and then after that it's very much - been hard to pull it back, the confidence. So I see a bit of an improvement in the resilience, cricketing-wise, but also mentally," said Trott in the post-match press conference.
In the aftermath of a win, their first of the tournament, the mood in the team hotel would be a bit more upbeat. However, a trip to Lajpat Nagar for some home style food would be unfathomable, despite the suggestions of a reporter. For now, all the Afghans can do is stay positive and hope their stay in the Indian sub-continent gets longer.
If star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is not planning on returning this season, he is doing a very bad job of telegraphing that. The latest hint that the St. Louis native will be back on the court for Boston in the near-term future is word that Tatum will soon be releasing a new docuseries following the Duke alum through his (presumably that will end soon) rehab for the Achilles tendon injury he sustained vs. the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Posted to his official YouTube page, Tatum released a 90-second teaser for the series – to be known as "The Quiet Work" – which will have five installments.
Per the video, the series "follows Jayson through the most challenging stretch of his career as he fights to return to the NBA. From the locker room to the hospital room, through rehab and recovery, and ultimately back to the court."
The series is to air every Sunday night on NBC during their Sunday Night Basketball games, and there is growing speculation that the NBA moving the start time to Boston's March 1 tilt vs. the Philadelphia 76ers is a sign that Tatum could return to play for the first Sunday tilt of the month.
No official word to such an effect, but with Taco Jay having previously suggested he wants to return at home, the prognostication aligns with the limited data we have on when such a return might come.
We’ve almost reached the top 10 Montreal Canadiens prospects, as voted on by Habs fans.
Before we get there, we must discuss the prospects ranked 15-11, a list that includes several players with good size who were selected in the later rounds of the NHL Entry Draft.
15. Tyler Thorpe, Right Wing, Shoots Right, 20, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’5″, 220 lb. Picked 130th overall in 2024.
One of the clear mandates put in place when Ken Hughes took over as general manager of the Canadiens was finding players who have the rare combination of skill and size to bolster the prospect pool.
Of the 20 players drafted in 2024 and 2025, 19 of them happen to be 6’0″ or taller, ample evidence to suggest the size transformation is in full effect.
Standing at 6’5″, Thorpe is the tallest prospect in the system, and thanks to an excellent showing at development camp alongside players who were drafted well ahead of him, the 20-year-old forward already signed an entry-level contract with the Habs.
However, it must be said his introduction to professional hockey has been rather underwhelming from a production standpoint, as Thorpe has scored just two goals and seven assists in 47 games with the Laval Rocket. Of course, context is key, and it should be noted he’s mostly been used in a fourth-line role, which has mitigated his scoring opportunities.
It’s not a surprising result by any means, as Thorpe never produced the type of numbers in Junior hockey that would suggest he would be a reliable source of secondary offence in the AHL. In 167 games with the Vancouver Giants, Thorpe managed 54 goals and 48 assists, well below a point-per-game pace.
And yet, there’s no reason to panic when it comes to his potential. Thorpe was never expected to be a top-six player. Realistically, he has the potential to one day ascend to a fourth-line role in the NHL, but to do so, he’ll have to find a little more consistency in his offensive game.
He has an excellent shot, and fantastic hands for a player of his stature, but he will need to work on his edge work, as to improve his speed and agility.
Ideally, Thorpe would find his offensive rhythm in the AHL during his sophomore season, a lot like Jared Davidson did before him.
In the meantime, his job will consist of protecting some of his teammates when opposing players step over the line, as he did when he got involved in an old-school fight with Joe Arntsen in the clip embedded below.
Few players enjoy getting involved in physical play as much as Protz. That’s not to say he’s void of talent, as evidenced by his invitation to take part in Team Canada’s Junior Summer Showcase. Protz did not make the team, but the mere fact that he was invited despite not spending much time in any of Hockey Canada’s development programs goes to show that he’s more than just a violent defenceman.
His gap control and reach allow him to patrol the blueline with efficiency, and though his offensive potential is limited, he does not hesitate to join the rush when an opportunity arises.
That being said, Protz is clearly a harbinger of violence. From the very moment he jumps on the ice, he’s looking to land a big hit, doing so without pulling himself out of position. One of his favourite tactics is cutting off opposing players, driving them towards the boards, and then proceeding to remind them that it was a mistake to drive down his side of the ice after he lands a massive hit.
His limited offence reduces the odds he’ll ascend to a top-four role once he’s ready for professional hockey, par for the course when we consider he was drafted 102nd overall, but he does have a legitimate chance to one day ascend to the NHL in a third-pairing role.
Konyushkov suffered a downtick in production following his first two season in the KHL, which saw him produce 25 and 28 points, respectively. He managed just 17 points in 67 games last season, a considerable red flag when evaluating his overall progression.
The good news is that he’s back on track in 2025-26, and is on pace to finish the year with seven goals and 29 assists, which would set a new career high.
There are a few things we must keep in mind when discussing his North American potential, including his contract, which is set to expire in 2026-27. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect him to make his way to Canada next season, a situation that’s far from concerning when we consider he’s being given ample ice time in a professional league. He’s averaging 21:30 TOI with Torpedo this year, accumulating important experience while facing opponents who can bank on much more professional experience.
Konyushkov is a mobile defenceman with a heavy shot who does not hesitate to stretch his legs in the offensive zone, much like Adam Engstrom. However, he’s not quite as agile as his Swedish counterpart, while offering more in the defensive and physical department.
He projects as a player with top-four potential, though he will likely need a long runway once he makes the jump to North America, to allow him to acclimatize to his new surroundings.
12. Jared Davidson, Centre, Shoots Left, 23, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’0″, 183 lb. Picked 130th overall in 2022.
Admittedly, I try to take an unbiased approach to describing prospects, but there are exceptions to the rule, as some players are simply more entertaining than others.
Davidson is the perfect example.
Few shifts go by without Davidson making an impact, whether it be through his excellent one timer, or his affinity for big hits and fights. He may not be the most skilled player on the ice at all times, but he has a history of outworking his opponents, while providing an honest effort every shift.
He reminds me a lot of NHL players in the 80s, combing all the good aspects of old school hockey with a modern training regiment that allows him to offer secondary production in situations that are not conducive to scoring.
During his 10-game audition with the Montreal Canadiens, Davidson was quite clearly focused on providing a physical element to the team, and his 12.42 hits/60 still ranks fourth on the team, behind Samuel Blais, Arber Xhekaj, and Joe Veleno. He did not get many opportunities to feature his elite one-timer with the Habs, but a quick look at his AHL highlights will confirm that Davidson absolutely loves to connect on fast, hard passes in the offensive zone.
Davidson projects as a bottom-six player with above-average offensive upside who could earn a permanent role in the NHL in the next two seasons.
11. Joshua Roy, LW, Shoots Left, 22, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’0″, 190 lb. Picked 150th overall in 2021.
Roy is one of the few holdovers from the previous regime, having been drafted in 2021 during Marc Bergevin’s tenure. He was Montreal’s best forward prospect for many years, a situation that pushed the expectations beyond the realm of reasonable for a player who was drafted 150th overall.
In reality, Roy becoming the team’s top prospect was a sign of a weak prospect pool, rather than his elite potential.
But we should guard against dismissing him outright at this point in his development.
With 94 points in 123 career games in the AHL, Roy has clearly shown he can produce at the professional level, as long as he’s used in a situation that allows him to spend time in the offensive zone. In other words, there’s very little value in using Roy as a bottom-six player in the NHL, yet another situation that works to his disadvantage.
Of course, Roy is far from a perfect player. He’s excellent in the offensive zone, and his hockey sense is off the charts, but there’s still a concern when discussing his consistency from an effort standpoint.
And now that the Montreal Canadiens have added a myriad of talented players to their prospect pool, he’s no longer the lone shiny toy in a poorly built cabinet. Simply put, through a combination of factors, many of them out of his control, he’s at risk of becoming a classic hockey tweener.
All Montreal Canadiens prospect statistics via Elite Prospects.
Jude Bellingham, born and bred in Stourbridge, is one of the best footballers in the world.
Bellingham began his career at Birmingham City, rising through the ranks before transferring to Borussia Dortmund at the age of 16 on July 20, 2020.
After three successful seasons in Germany, Bellingham was attracting the interest of many major clubs in Europe, including Liverpool.
The English talent decided to swap Germany for Spain, joining Real Madrid for a British record fee of £86m.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Bellingham won the UEFA Champions League in his first season with the Spanish giants and has continued to be a major fixture in the Real Madrid side.
Recently, Bellingham revealed his favourite sporting moment from 2025, and it was not anything witnessed on a football pitch.
Jude Bellingham says the French Open Men’s Singles final was his favourite sporting moment from 2025
As reported by The Tennis Letter, Jude Bellingham has chosen Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open triumph as his favourite sporting moment of 2025.
Bellingham said: “I do think watching that Alcaraz Sinner final, actually, at the French Open.
“That was probably the most involved I’ve felt, being in a sports moment that I wasn’t in.
In what was one of the greatest sporting spectacles in history, Alcaraz fought back from two sets down against Sinner to win 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.
Remarkably, Alcaraz saved three consecutive championship points at 4-5 in the fourth set, before coming back to claim victory.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
The victory marked Alcaraz’s second French Open title and fifth major title. Since then, he has gone on to win two more Grand Slams at the US Open and Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev or Andrey Rublev are Alcaraz’s likely semi-final opponents in Doha, before a potential clash with Jannik Sinner in the final.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say after the French Open final?
“The match is not finished until he wins the last point,” Alcaraz said after clinching the title. “It’s just one point away from losing the match, yeah, but a lot of times people came back from match-point down in the final of a grand slam or even in other matches.
“So I just wanted to be one of those players who saved match point in the grand slam final and ended up winning.
“I just believe all the time. I have never doubted myself. Even though in those match points down, I thought just one point at a time.
“Just one point and then after one point and then try to save that game and keep believing. That’s what I thought.”
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
“Today there were few moments of the match that, I mean, the level was insane.”
Sinner said: “I prepared for the grand slam with one tournament, also on clay, making the final. Of course, difficult to accept now because I had lots of chances, but this is the good part of the sport.
“Also, today it got me the sad part, no? But if you watch only the sad part, you’re never going to come back, no? I believe I have improved as a player since last year, which is good. So we try to keep pushing.”
“Being Jannik on the other side of the net playing at such a great level, sometimes I thought: ‘What can I do? What can I do?’ He was moving unbelievable.
“He was hitting amazing shots. There were a few moments of the match that he couldn’t miss any ball. I mean, that level, it was really, really high.”
Wisconsin's Nick Boyd (2) celebrates during the Indiana versus Wisconsin men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
I feel the need for a caveat at the beginning of this piece: I’m well aware that the NCAA’s NET Rankings in mid-February will not determine what line the Wisconsin Badgers are on in March. But they are a good guidepost for what the Committee thinks about Wisconsin right now, and that’s relevant.
Greg Gard’s squad currently sits at No. 33 in the NET rankings, which, to be blunt, seems low for two main reasons.
Wisconsin has been objectively better than some teams above them
I’m not going into a comparative analysis for every head-to-head gripe I have here, but one team from the Big Ten is a good example that I’ll lean on.
We need look no further than Iowa who, relative to Wisconsin, has the same overall record, inferior conference record, worse performance in both Q1 and Q2 games, zero top 30 NET wins, and an easier strength of schedule, yet preposterously sits at No. 27 in the NET, a full six spots (and TWO seed lines, 7th vs 9th) ahead of the Badgers.
In addition, Iowa has two bad losses: one to NET No. 86 Minnesota and another to NET No. 151 Maryland (!). Wisconsin’s worst losses are to NET No. 48 USC and NET No. 45 TCU. Spot the difference yet?
The Badgers have a robust troika of massive wins that Iowa can’t come close to sniffing (more on this in a moment), and zero bad losses, so there is really no way to explain why Iowa is ahead of Wisconsin in the NET beyond some weird built-in bias.
No team has a better package of elite wins than Wisconsin
Layer on a wire-to-wire home bludgeoning of Tom Izzo’s Spartans (now No. 15 in the NET but then No. 12), and Wisconsin has a handful of massive wins that nobody else can match. Not just the teams around them in the NET, but nobody in NCAA Basketball.
Yet they still sit at No. 33, behind Iowa and a mere one slot ahead of Indiana, a team Wisconsin “lost” to, but who is 17-9, 2.5 games behind Wisconsin in the Big Ten, and just got blown out by the same Illinois unit Wisconsin beat just six days ago. This looks even sillier when you see that Wisconsin is 9-7 in Q1 + Q2 and Indiana is 4-9. A joke, really.
Hopefully, the Badgers will keep their foot on the gas and force the NET to keep elevating them in both an absolute sense and also relative to the teams they’ve objectively been better than. Wisconsin hosts Iowa this weekend with a chance to force the NET’s hand a bit on this.
McKennie: ‘We hope Galatasaray won’t boo Juventus because of Yildiz’
Weston McKennie has shared his thoughts ahead of Juventus’s upcoming Champions League play-off round tie against Galatasaray, has commented on his contract status and has joked that he hopes the passionate supporters in Turkey will go easy on the Bianconeri due to the presence of Kenan Yildiz.
The Bianconeri finished the league phase in 13th place, three points shy of a spot in the top eight and a guaranteed place in the round of 16. That means that they will have to beat Galatasaray over two legs if they are to make it into the hat for the round of 16.
McKennie: ‘We want to win because we are Juventus’
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“It’s a really important game for us, we want to win every game because we are Juventus,” McKennie told the media during his pre-match press conference.
There have been suggestions that McKennie could play as a false nine on Tuesday evening given that Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are all unavailable.
“I’m a player who is always available for my team. I play where the coach wants me to play, even in goal,” the American said.
And on his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, McKennie said: “We’ll think about it later because I’m here to win a game.
“That’s something that’s between Juventus and my agent. I just have to think about the work on the pitch and my agent will think about the renewal.”
Weston McKennie celebrates his goal for Juventus against Pafos in the Champions League (@juventusfc)
McKennie was also given an opportunity to share his thoughts after the controversial Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter in Serie A over the weekend, but preferred to keep his focus on the task at hand against Galatasaray.
“It’s a bit difficult when these things happen, We have to just focus on tomorrow and we’re only thinking about winning. We want to give our best.”
And on the atmosphere that awaits the Old Lady in Istanbul and whether Yildiz has told the squad how to deal with it, McKennie said: “He’s talked about that and I played here many years ago as well, so I know what the atmosphere and the fans are like. We hope they won’t boo us too much because of Kenan.”
PSG’s João Neves on Ousmane Dembélé’s explosive ‘individualistic’ comments: ‘When we have something to say to certain players, we say it to their face.’
Ousmane Dembélé’s (28) comments in the wake of Paris Saint-Germain’s defeat to Stade Rennais on Friday (3-1) have caused plenty of noise.
The defeat to Rennes would ultimately see PSG lose top spot in Ligue 1, with RC Lens beating Paris FC (5-0) the next day to usurp them. Dembélé, post-match, was critical of attitudes. “Above all, we have to play for Paris Saint-Germain to win matches because, if we play alone on the pitch, that won’t work. Last year, we put the club above everything else, before thinking about ourselves. We need to rediscover that. We have to play for the club first and foremost before thinking about ourselves,” said the Ballon d’Or winner in his post-match interview with Ligue 1 Plus.
Those comments elicited a strong response from PSG manager Luis Enrique. “I won’t allow any player to be above the club. That is clear. I won’t allow any player to think he is more important than the club,” said the Spaniard.
‘There is always noise around PSG’ – Luis Enrique
Understandably, on the eve of Les Parisiens’ UEFA Champions League encounter against AS Monaco, Dembélé’s comments were still a topic of discussion. It is a topic broached by João Neves. “The atmosphere is good in the dressing room. The players are confident, the mood is good and we are ready for tomorrow. I think Ousmane already spoke about it. But I think what he wanted to stress was what we did last year, playing as a team in a collective way. It is one of PSG’s main strengths and we are showing it in every match through how we play. I think that is what he wanted to highlight,” said the Portugal international.
He did, however, add, “When we have something to say to certain players, we say it to their face.” On Dembélé’s comments post-Rennes, Luis Enrique said, “There is always noise around PSG, and you have to accept it […] we are used to it.”
What a story Brandon Bussi has become, and what a great thing for the Carolina Hurricanes to be the paper on which that story is written. After an incredible start to his NHL career, the 27-year-old has struck a deal to stay in Carolina for years to come. …But how does it stack up to other goaltender contracts across the NHL?
Monday, the Hurricanes signed Bussi to a three-year extension worth $5.7M, with an average annual value of $1.9M, including a 10-team no-trade stipulation for the final year.
Alongside the contract, the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation also donated $10K to the Autism Society of North Carolina. Bussi, an advocate for autism in sports since before his professional career began, has notably worn goalie masks painted as an homage to his younger brother, Dylan, who has non-verbal autism. This season’s mask features puzzle pieces and rainbow butterflies, as well as Dylan’s initials.
Brandon Bussi vs. the World
Considering Bussi’s play, ranking second in high-danger save percentage (.869) and notching a 23-3-1 record this season, $1.9M per year is notably low.
To compare with Ilya Sorokin, the league’s top dog in high-danger save percentage this season – who had similar numbers to Bussi in his early years – signed a three-year contract in September 2021. The annual price tag came at $2M, a slightly higher cost. However, that was before the salary cap increases, which began in the 2022-23 season and took a steep climb in 2024-25. In 2023, the New York Islanders’ star goalie signed an eight-year extension worth $8.25M.
Meanwhile, the current price tags for both of Bussi’s Hurricanes teammates – Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen – are $2M and $2.75M annually, respectively.
Other notable comparisons are the San Jose Sharks’ tandem, whom Bussi faced in his NHL debut. Yaroslav Askarov, who signed his first extension in 2024 (before the cap increase), is on a two-year contract that nets an annual value of $2M. Additionally, Alex Nedeljkovic, who also signed a two-year deal in 2024, earns $2.5M per year.
While Bussi’s sample size remains rather small, having only played 27 games in his career, if he continues to manage similar results, it could go down as one of the greatest signings of the decade.
The Mets and Dodgers both pursued outfielder Kyle Tucker in free agency this offseason, with the Dodgers emerging as the winner on a four year, $240 million deal.
Jan 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) is introduced to the media during a news conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
That acquisition in particular rankled Cohen, he told SNY.
“I actually went to bed annoyed. ‘Oh, we didn’t get him,'” he said.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Mets, though, as Cohen and company quickly found another high-value free agent to add shortly after losing out on Tucker.
“The agent for Bo [Bichette] had called us right after and discussions started,” he said “You never know how they’re gonna go. They moved really quickly.”
By signing Bichette, the Mets are actually in a better position than they would’ve been with Tucker, Cohen argued.
“Frankly, once it was all done, and we got Bo to come to the Mets, (I) actually feel Bo might be a better fit for the team,” said Cohen, as reported by Tim Britton for The Athletic. “So I think things worked out for the best.”
Baseball Split on Big Spenders
The Dodgers’ big spending has led to criticism by some in baseball, and the MLB, the only major North American sports league without a salary cap, could make major changes after this season.
For now, though, prominent players are standing up for the Dodgers’ willingness to spend, arguing that it’s good for the sport.
“I f—ing love it,” San Diego Padre and former Dodger Manny Machado said of the Dodgers’ spending. “Every team should be doing it. … S— is f—ing great for the game. So I think every team has the ability to do it, so I hope all 30 teams can learn from that.”
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies echoed that sentiment.
“I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” Harper said. “They pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They understand how to run it. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into.”
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo López ended a bullpen session early on Monday over what manager Derek Shelton said was “a little bit of elbow soreness.”
López, who turns 30 next month, threw two-plus innings before shutting things down. He was considered ahead of schedule in preparations to join Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic.
López has been the opening day starter for the Twins the past three seasons. He was limited to 75 2/3 innings last year, with three stints on the injured list for hamstring, shoulder and forearm issues.
The 2023 All-Star had made 32 starts in each season from 2022-24, the first of those with Miami before a pair with Minnesota.
“We decided, out of an abundance of caution, let’s get him off, let’s get him off the field and make sure he’s OK,” Shelton told reporters at the club's spring training facility. “We’ll get some imaging on it, just because of how important it is and he is to us.”
Lopez was 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA last season. He won 10 games in each of the previous three seasons, capped by a career-best 15 in 2024.
The Georgia high school boys basketball 2025-26 campaign is shifting from the regular season to the postseason in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).
The eighth set of the latest Georgia Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings of the regular season sees the defending GHSA Class 6A state champion Wheeler retake the No. 1 spot from the Grayson Rams, which held it for three straight weeks previously. The Rams-Wildcats remain the consensus top two clubs, but who else should we watch for out of Georgia when it comes to the state’s top high school boys basketball squads?
The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
Here’s a look at the top 25 teams in the country according to the Massey Ratings, which ranks teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory, as of Feb. 16.
1. Wheeler Wildcats (21-5)
The WheelerWildcats (21-5), the defending Class 6A state champions, retake the top spot in our latest Georgia high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings. Featured on the Wildcats’ roster is UConn commitmentColben Landrewat point guard and Ole Miss pledge Jaron Saulsberryat small forward. 2027 guardKevin Savage is a four-star recruit and has offers already from schools like Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Sacramento State. The Wildcats will take on No. 17 ranked Walton tomorrow night.
2. Grayson Rams (22-2)
The GraysonRams (22-2) drops down from the No. 1 spot as they have been the state’s most consistent team so far. The Rams’ only loss of the season toDecatur, as they’re currently riding a 3-game winning streak. The Rams feature a roster that can matchup with just about anyone in the state, seeing this team make another deep run is certainly not out of the question. Grayson will be led by the talents of 2027 three-star shooting guardMarcus Curry, who was named a first-team preseason Class 6A all-state selection. The Rams have defeated Newton twice in the last three games.
3. Gainesville Red Elephants (24-0)
Checking in at No. 3 in our latest set of Georgia high school boys basketball rankings are the undefeated GainesvilleRed Elephants (24-0), which have raced out to a strong start to the 2025-26 season with 24 straight wins. Gainesville doesn’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon heading into the GHSA playoffs. Gainesville also recently knocked off Florida’s No. 28 rankedNSU University School, 57-46 and then went on to defeat No. 9Milton, 68-60. Gainesville is coming off a 59-35 thumping of No. 26 Johns Creek.
4. McEachern Indians (20-4)
The McEachernIndians (20-4) are winners of eight straight after a loss to Pebblebrook back on Jan. 16. There’s a lot of optimism surrounding the program as the Indians have one of the top rising combo guards in the state in 2027 four-star Chase Lumpkin. Lumpkin, who stands 6-foot-5, has been receiving plenty of interest from Power 4 schools. McEachern’s only four losses on the season have come against nationally ranked Wheeler, Link Academy (MO), Pebblebrook (Ga.) and Alexander (Ga.), respectively. The Indians closed out the regular season out with a 82-68 win over the No. 13 Pebblebrook.
5. Alexander Cougars (23-2)
Rounding out the Top 5 of our rankings is the AlexanderCougars (23-2), which are winners of 18 straight games which includes a victory over No. 4 McEachern. The Cougars have been pretty dominant all throughout the season, with Alexander defeating their last opponent, South Paulding, 72-64 in the most recent victory. Leading the way for the Cougars on the hardwood is the play of three-star point guardGregory Dunson, who is already committed to Colorado State.
Massey Ratings Georgia High School Boys Basketball Rankings Nos. 11-25
Texas A&M looked far more like the team many expected to see last season, outscoring Tennessee Tech 45–14 across a dominant three‑game sweep at Olsen Field. It’s only one opponent and only the first weekend, but for fans in Bryan‑College Station, it was a fun and encouraging start.
After launching eight home runs in the first two games, the Aggies had to manufacture offense differently on a windy Sunday. They responded exactly how a mature lineup should—by hitting balls hard into the gaps, stringing together quality at‑bats, and piling up 12 hits for seven runs. Through three games, the offense looks solid and, for now, appears more like a strength than a question mark. The early returns also suggest that head coach Michael Earley reclaiming hitting‑coach duties is already paying off, with nearly every hitter showing more confidence and clarity at the plate.
Fielding was another preseason concern, but outside of a few hiccups, A&M turned in a respectable defensive weekend. Considering the number of new faces—and two true freshmen starting in the infield—the Aggies handled themselves well, though there’s still plenty of room to tighten things up. One clear upgrade came on the basepaths, where A&M played far more aggressively, taking extra bases and capitalizing on Tennessee Tech’s mistakes.
Pitching remains the biggest unknown. All three starters were serviceable but not spectacular, and it feels likely the staff will continue to experiment with the rotation before SEC play arrives. Someone will need to seize the reins, but for now, the group did enough to keep the Aggies comfortably in control.
Overall, it was a strong opening weekend for Texas A&M, and they’ll carry that momentum into Tuesday night’s midweek matchup.
All major national polls kept the Aggies inside the Top 25 following the sweep, a fitting reflection of a team that handled its business from start to finish.
Texas A&M will host A&M-Corpus Christi in their first midweek game of the 2026 season on February 17 at Blue Bell Park in Bryan–College Station.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
MILAN — Aerin Frankel banged her stick on the ice, banged it some more. At the other end of the ice, her USA women's hockey teammates swarmed Sweden.
After a period that put Frankel on pace to see but a handful of shots, the Swedes gave their best push to start the second period of the early semifinal on Monday, Feb. 16 at Santagiulia Ice Arena. At stake was a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics gold-medal game. Frankel helped secure USA's spot there with a 21-save performance in a 5-0 victory. The women go into the final with a remarkable five-game shutout streak.
"The team is playing so well in front of me, defensively," Frankel said. "They're making my job easy, making the plays in front of me predictable, so I can do my job. I think we're all just playing together as a group, and that's our strength.
"This group is so good because of how we play together, so any time I can just focus on my job and let them do theirs, because that's why we're finding so much success, and that makes us a pretty hard team to score on."
It was Frankel's third shutout, setting a single-tournament Olympic record. She and Gwyneth Philips give their teammates an unshakeable sense of calm.
"I think our goaltending is everything," Laila Edwards said. "Even if other teams aren't getting too many shots, it's because we're allowed to play aggressive and confident, knowing who we have backing us up, so it makes a big difference."
The Swedes looked intimidated in the first period, running around their own zone trying to keep track of the puck. It was past the halfway point before they got the puck up ice, with Hilda Svensson getting a shot off a breakaway. The only other puck that came near Frankel (Boston Fleet) was near the end of the period, a bobbling shot that she easily handled.
"It's definitely hard sometimes to stay engaged," Frankel said, "but you've got to try, play the puck when you can, talk to your teammates, and get involved any way that you can."
The Swedes, desperate to get something going and take advantage of a score that was only 1-0, gave it their all when the second period began, outshooting the Americans, 6-2, and forcing multiple tricky saves from Frankel.
"I think staying engaged throughout that first period when it was a little bit quiet helped me to focus on the shots I got in the second period, and build off that for the rest of the game," Frankel said.
Frankel is USA's go-to in goal, and while the team has routed opponents en route to the final game, teams don't succeed without the steadiest of goaltenders.
"They're awesome," Joy Dunne said. "Knowing that we have the depth in the goaltending as well, you can trust them back there. You know, we all make mistakes. It's a game of transition. So to know that they have our back back there means a lot."
Reddick had not led at any point in the race before passing Chase Elliott on the final lap for his first Daytona 500 win. Reddick's win came after going winless in 2025 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Here's everything you need to know about 2026 Daytona 500 champion Tyler Reddick:
Tyler Reddick is married to Alexa DeLeon Reddick. They were married on July 25, 2024, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Alexa DeLeon Reddick, 30, is the daughter of late Major League Baseball pitcher Jose DeLeon.
Jose DeLeon was a right-handed pitcher who played 13 years in the Majors for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos.
Tyler and Alexa have two sons − Beau Reddick, 6, and Rookie George Reddick, 9 months.
Reddick, who was born in May, was diagnosed with a kidney tumor in his chest. Rookie underwent surgery, which was deemed successful, and he was present for the Daytona 500 victory celebration.
Who is Tyler Reddick's car owner?
Tyler Reddick drives the No. 45 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing. The team is co-owned by former NBA star Michael Jordan and current NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.
Reddick's 23XI teammates include Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst.
How old is Tyler Reddick?
Tyler Reddick is 30. He celebrated his birthday on Jan. 11.
How many NASCAR wins does Tyler Reddick have?
Including the 2026 Daytona 500, Tyler Reddick has nine NASCAR Cup Series wins.
He also won at Miami, Michigan, and Talladega in 2024; at Kansas and the Circuit of the Americas in 2023; and at Texas, Indianapolis (road course), and Road America in 2022.
Has Tyler Reddick won at Atlanta?
The next NASCAR Cup Series race is Feb. 22 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tyler Reddick has never won at Atlanta.
Reddick finished fourth at Atlanta in June 2025 and 19th in February.
In addition to his June 2025 finish, his other best finishes at Atlanta came in March and July 2023, when he was fifth in both races.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
The five-time All-Pro wide receiver suffered a season-ending injury just four weeks into the 2025 season, which ultimately marked the end of his time with the Dolphins.
With new head coach Jeff Hafley taking over, and the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa uncertain, the Dolphins are set for a complete overhaul this offseason.
Hill's release was a move to save money against the salary cap, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 10-year vet wasted no time updating his social media account following the news of his departure from Miami. The star receiver has already updated his Instagram bio to read "Unemployed."
‘He 100% leaves’ – Sky Sports pundit is sure that there’ll soon be a big-name exit from Liverpool
Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood is ‘100%’ convinced that there’ll be a big-name departure from Liverpool in the next three or four months.
Speculation has surrounded several members of Arne Slot’s squad throughout a turbulent season, including Mo Salah, who infamously declared in December that his relationship with the head coach had broken down and suggested that he’d been scapegoated for the team’s troubles.
Thankfully, the winger has been fully reintegrated into the squad since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations and has been in improved form for the Reds over the past month, with two goals and four assists in that time.
Sherwood: Salah will ‘100%’ leave Liverpool this year
Despite that minor resurgence and the fact that the 33-year-old’s contract runs to June 2027, Sherwood firmly believes that Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time is already in his final season at Anfield.
Speaking on Fan Club for Sky Sports News, the pundit declared: “We have to thank Mo Salah for the time he has given to the Premier League. In an era where there’s not a great deal of world-class players, he’s certainly been one.
“In my opinion, I think he 100% leaves that club and he gets a fantastic ovation at the end of the season, whether that’s with a bit of silverware or not. He deserves silverware, he certainly does, but whatever happens, he’s been a magnificent servant to the club.”
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Hopefully this isn’t Salah’s final season at Liverpool
It’s not unthinkable that, should Liverpool receive a big-money transfer offer for Salah in the coming months, they might opt for pragmatism over romanticism and accept a lucrative approach from overseas.
Objectively, there’s a logical argument for cashing in on a player who’ll turn 34 in June and who’s the highest earner in the squad on £400,000 per week (Capology). As we know, however, the emotional investment of football makes it an untypical industry from a business sense.
Even though the Egyptian is on course for by far his least productive season at Anfield, the thought of saying farewell to him in just three months’ time when no announcement to that effect has yet been made would be agonising to contemplate.
It might’ve felt like Salah was on borrowed time in December after his outburst at Elland Road, but his performances since returning from AFCON have been those of someone who remains fully committed to the cause and is very much playing for his head coach, his club and their supporters.
His work rate out of possession – an aspect for which he’s been criticised in the past – has been praised in recent games, and his display against Brighton on Saturday suggested that he could be increasingly influential in the final third of the campaign.
Let’s hope that Sherwood’s prediction turns out to be misguided!
Liverpool are ‘in the mix’ to sign midfielder in potential £25m move
Liverpool Considering Move for 20-year-old Midfield Wonderkid
Liverpool’s midfield planning continues to gather pace ahead of the summer window, with fresh discussion around emerging talent and possible outgoings. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister, recruitment staff appear to be widening their search, identifying profiles that suit Arne Slot’s evolving system.
Speaking on Anfield Index’s ‘Transfer Show’ podcast, Dave Davis shared insight into Liverpool’s interest in FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, a player who is rapidly climbing the club’s shortlist.
Rising Interest in Yirenkyi
Dave Davis explained: “Liverpool have watched him a few times now and he had a great game against Copenhagen this weekend.” The growing attention reflects Liverpool’s ongoing focus on younger midfield options who combine technical ability with athleticism. Recruitment sources suggest the club’s data driven model has flagged Yirenkyi as an intriguing option, especially as Slot looks to balance intensity with control in the centre of the pitch.
Davis added further context, saying: “They had a serious ask about Yirenkyi in January and they are still in the mix for a move in the summer.” That level of engagement hints at groundwork being laid well in advance, a strategy Liverpool have followed successfully in previous windows.
Midfield Targets and Competition
Liverpool’s recruitment team are rarely focused on a single name. As Davis noted: “We’ve mentioned before that Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is also being watched, but he has really struggled this season.” Monitoring multiple profiles allows flexibility, particularly with Champions League qualification still shaping the club’s financial planning.
From a tactical perspective, Yirenkyi’s mobility and positional discipline could align with Slot’s preference for midfielders who can transition quickly between defensive and attacking phases. Liverpool’s interest in players of this mould suggests a desire to maintain intensity while refreshing depth.
Data Driven Evaluation Behind Move
Perhaps the most telling detail from the podcast centred on analytics. Davis revealed: “We’re also told that because of how Yirenkyi is performing and the numbers behind his performances, he has jumped ahead of a lot of candidates.” Liverpool’s recruitment department has increasingly leaned on performance metrics, particularly when assessing younger players in smaller European leagues.
The reported valuation also appears to fit Liverpool’s risk profile. As Davis said: “His price tag, expected to be around £25-30m, makes it a fairly low-risk move. He would be the perfect Wataru Endo replacement.” That assessment highlights how the club may be planning for succession in key squad roles, ensuring continuity without significant disruption.
Photo: IMAGO
Champions League Factor in Transfer Decision
While interest is clear, the wider context remains important. Davis concluded: “Of course, nothing is guaranteed and a lot of it depends on Liverpool securing Champions League football. So we will see what develops from this one.” Qualification could influence both spending power and player appeal, shaping the direction of Liverpool’s summer strategy.
For now, Yirenkyi represents another example of Liverpool identifying emerging talent early. With Slot guiding a squad still adapting to his ideas, recruitment choices over the coming months will reveal how the club balances youth, experience and tactical flexibility.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed relief pitcher Alex Vesia struck out two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani during his first live batting practice of 2026 spring training.
Vesia let out a loud “YEAH” after striking out the superstar, followed by light applause from the onlooking fans. Following the end of his bullpen, the fans cheered much louder.
Vesia hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since the NLCS in 2025, as he missed out on the World Series after he and his wife, Kayla, tragically lost their daughter.
“The amount of support you’ve given Kay and I has been overwhelming in the best way,” Vesia said. “We’re beyond grateful to be a part of the organization and this family. So many of you have stepped up and been there for us in a big way over the past few months. It’s meant the world to Kay and I.”
Alex Vesia’s full comments on the matter:
I just want to start off by acknowledging my wife, Kayla, who is not only the strongest person that I know, but a support system for me every bit as much as I am for her. Part of what I am here to share is on behalf of the both of us.
I will start off by thanking the Dodgers: Andrew Friedman, Brandon Gomes, Doc, the whole coaching staff, and all of my teammates. The amount of support you have given Kay and I has been overwhelming in the best way. We are beyond grateful to be a part of this organization and this family. So many of you have stepped up and have been there for us in a big way over the past few months, and it has meant the world to both Kay and I.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Toronto Blue Jays—their front office, coaching staff, and their players—for showing us the support. They are a first-class organization, and I just want to say thank you to them.
When Kay and I were watching the World Series, we noticed there was 51 on Louie Varland’s hat. I immediately texted Gus Varland—it’s his brother—and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away and said, “The Varlands love you, dude. The whole Toronto bullpen has it too. It’s bigger than baseball. We love y’all.” Kay and I were very emotional. We were super overwhelmed with emotion, and the community, the relationships that you make along the way… it showed that it was much bigger than baseball.
The outpouring of love and support Kay and I have had over the past few months has been unmatched. We’re both grateful to not only Dodger Nation but the fans worldwide. My DMs are basically broken on Instagram from all the love and support that we’ve had. I’ve tried to read all the comments and everything, and it’s meant the world, really.
We even got a jersey from the L.A. Rams with all their signatures on it. That was a surprise and very cool as well. We’ll have that framed and put up in our house.
The lessons we have learned from this is that life can change in an instant for us. Ten minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her, and love her. Our time together was far too short. Kay and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves.
I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal and navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season. Stepping away from the team—the brothers that I go to war with every day—was difficult. But it was also an easy decision because my family needed me.
We still watched every pitch of the World Series. And for us, in so many ways, that was a light in our darkness. We got back to Arizona like the first or the second of November, and I immediately got back into the gym. I started my throwing program. Having something to look forward to has helped me. The gym has been my mental clarity.
Being around the guys again, preparing for Spring Training, it’s been really nice. I’ve gotten a lot of love so far in the clubhouse, and being able to laugh and joke around has been really nice for me.
Kay and I started therapy about six weeks ago. It hasn’t been easy, but talking to someone has made a difference. For those out there who have lost a child or are fighting through any struggle, if you can take anything from this, please seek help. Talk to somebody. It’s definitely helped Kay and I. Please don’t be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters.
I’ve learned that what has happened to us has also happened to so many families. Realizing that has deepened our empathy and our gratitude for this community. The baseball community is extremely strong.
I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home. But we’re carrying her with us every day. It’s been hard, but we’re doing okay. Thank you.
Oct 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) reacts in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during game four of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What Role Will Alex Vesia Play for the Dodgers in 2026?
Vesia has been with the Dodgers since 2021, and has played an important role in both of their World Series runs over the last two seasons.
He is one of several left-handed relievers currently on the Dodgers’ roster, and he will more than likely be one of the more important players out of the bullpen in the coming season.
The southpaw had a 3.02 ERA through 68 appearances last season, striking out 80 batters through 59.2 innings pitched. He also recorded a sub-1.000 WHIP for the second season in a row.
L.A. is looking to improve in their bullpen in 2026 after a late-season collapse in 2025, and will hope Vesia can get on the right track heading into the regular season. He has more than a month to get going, though, and if he’s already striking out the best player in MLB, there shouldn’t be much to worry about.
Are you looking forward to seeing Alex Vesia back in action?
For most of the league, the NBA All-Star break gives guys a chance to catch their breath. The week-long vacation is their last time to enjoy a mini-vacation before the final one-third of the 2025-26 regular season and beyond.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jared McCain were part of the All-Star weekend festivities, the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed some downtime back at their hometowns.
Cason Wallace also joined in on the trend of one of his former basketball homes honoring him. The 22-year-old had his No. 22 high school jersey retired at Richardson High School in Texas.
That's where Wallace became a five-star recruit. He eventually committed to Kentucky as a one-and-done college player. The Thunder selected him with the No. 10 pick of the 2023 NBA draft. He's helped OKC become an instant title contender in three seasons.
Wallace has been one of OKC's best defensive players. He's in the race to win the steals title this season. He's averaged 8.1 points on 42.4% shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He's shot 34.8% from 3 on 3.8 attempts. He's averaged two steals.
The Thunder won an NBA championship in 2025. Wallace played a key role in their run as a role player. Considering he'll be eligible for a contract extension this upcoming offseason, expect OKC to sign him to a new deal that'll keep him around for the rest of this contending window.
22’s in the rafters 🤝 @wallace_cason had his jersey retired at Richardson High School in Texas, stamping his legacy at his old stomping grounds 🦅 pic.twitter.com/GsZ3l3m3ho
Benfica vs Real Madrid: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news, and prediction
Benfica welcome Real Madrid to Estadio da Luz for the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg on Tuesday evening.
Benfica secured their play-off spot after beating Madrid 3-2 in their previous meeting, denying Los Blancos automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Match preview
Benfica struggled during the league phase, collecting just nine points from eight matches, but will take encouragement from their recent performance against Madrid.
While Madrid dominated possession, Benfica were the better attacking side, creating eight big chances to Madrid’s three.
However, Jose Mourinho’s side need to defend better to stand a chance of qualifying for the round of 16 ahead of the second leg.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side continue to rely on Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance. The Frenchman netted twice against Benfica last time out and is the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals.
Madrid are aiming to progress beyond the play-offs for the second consecutive season, after edging Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate last term.
Across four meetings with Benfica in the competition, the Spanish giants have won once and lost three.
Team news
Richard Rios, Fredrik Aursnes, and Alexander Bah are ruled out for the hosts. Joao Veloso and Samuel Soares are doubtful.
For the visitors, Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are unavailable, with the latter pair suspended.
Predicted line-ups
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Anatoliy Trubin, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea , Gianluca Prestianni, Georgiy Sudakov, Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis.
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Arder Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe.
Prediction
We predict a 3-1 victory for Madrid.
Stats from sofascore.com, whoscored.com, & uefa.com
Aston Villa And Chelsea Failed With Move For €55 million Star: Is It A Setback?
Lucas Bergvall is still the name on every scout’s lips. This follows his incredible start at Tottenham Hotspur. Recent reports from The Athletic highlight his progress. The young midfielder has settled into life in London with startling ease. He became a key part of the first team almost instantly. Aston Villa and Chelsea failed with approaches for the player in the January transfer window.
The Meteoric Rise of Lucas Bergvall: Tottenham’s Swedish Sensation
He played a huge part in winning the Europa League trophy for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou. This achievement made Bergvall an instant hit with the fans. Consequently, the club gave him the Player of the Year award during his first season. This was a massive milestone for a newcomer in the English top flight.
A Tug-of-War for North London’s Crown Jewel
Bergvall is now 20 years old. He is a regular for the Sweden national team. He has successfully carried his early form into the current 2025/26 campaign. As of 15 February 2026, he has already played over 1,300 minutes across all competitions.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham Hotspur walks off the pitch after an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Bergvall has chipped in with a vital goal and four assists. Meanwhile, he keeps his pass completion rate near 83%. On the pitch, he offers a combination of physical strength and technical skill. Lucas stands at 1.87 m but has the agility to glide past aggressive presses.
Observers often praise how he reads the game and finds open space. These traits allow him to pick out teammates with sharp passes before opponents can react. However, some analysts think he needs to be tougher in defence and better in the air. Bergvall occasionally avoids gritty physical battles. Despite these small areas to work on, his value has jumped to around €55 million. This has led to serious interest from rival clubs.
Regarding the winter window, Tottenham didn’t budge. They turned down official offers from Aston Villa and Chelsea. In my view, missing out on Bergvall is a big blow, especially for Villa. Unai Emery loves technically gifted “interiors” who can move the ball forward. Bergvall fits that style better than almost any other youngster in Europe.
Some might say Villa have enough players in that spot. However, the Swede offers something different. He would have been a perfect long-term replacement for their older midfielders. The Chelsea board continue to push hard for him. On top of that, other clubs with steady Champions League football are calling. So, the market will likely produce a massive summer bid. This will make it much harder for Spurs to hang onto their star man forever.
The New York Jets have some work to do this offseason. Both sides of the ball need improvement. But one of the more difficult decisions isn't about improving the roster.
Instead, the biggest question the Jets are facing this offseason is what to do about running back Breece Hall. He's going to be a free agent this offseason, and the Jets have a big decision to make.
The Jets face three choices, one which would be worth $14.5 million, another at $11.7 million, and the other, a more unpopular one, which wouldn't cost anything. ESPN's Rich Cimini highlighted all three choices the Jets could make this offseason with Hall.
Jets face tricky $14.5M, $11.7M Breece Hall decisions
"If he hits the open market, he will attract significant interest," Cimini writes. "... A franchise tag will be pricey (projected $14.5 million), but he and WR Garrett Wilson are the only two proven playmakers on offense. ...The transition tag at $11.7 million is a possibility, too."
The Jets could franchise tag Hall on a fully guaranteed $14.5 million contract, or they could let him walk and field significant interest, likely leaving in free agency.
Or they could put the transition tag on Hall, which would give Hall a chance to negotiate with other teams, while the Jets hold the ability to match whatever offer he gets and re-sign him at that figure.
There is one big downside to the transition tag: if the Jets don't match the offer sheet, then they won't get any draft pick compensation for losing Hall.
If the Jets simply let Hall walk in free agency, they would be able to land a compensatory draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
But, if they transition tag him, then the Jets would not land any compensation if they don't match the contract he returns to the Jets with.
Tagging Hall at $14.5 million would be a lot for a running back, but considering Hall is their best playmaker other than Wilson, the Jets, with plenty of cap space, can justify splurging a big deal to retain Hall this offseason.
This is the most interesting decision for the Jets this offseason. While the quarterback change will be fascinating to follow, how the Jets handle Hall will be one of the more interesting free agent decisions across the NFL this offseason.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missing the playoffs following a 5-1 start to the season was not on their bingo card, or the card of fans. As a result, folks will have some anger heading into 2026, and they want to see change, but instead, the team is looking to heal up and see how things go.
However, with so many questions on the defense as a whole and around the roster remaining, can the Bucs actually return to the playoffs? ESPN's Jeremy Fowler discussed every team that missed the playoffs, including the Bucs, and offered suggestions on why they will or won't make the playoffs in 2026.
For the argument that they can't return to the playoffs, it all starts with the aforementioned defense.
Fowler writes, "Tampa Bay falls somewhere between contention and the need for a mini rebuild. The Bucs need to address their defense this offseason. The group needs talent improvements at all three levels, most notably pass rusher. This would be as good an offseason as any to take some chances to acquire quality defensive players."
Depending on how aggressive they want to be, they have some highly talented options to consider to improve the unit. Via trade, the king's ransom they would pay to acquire Maxx Crosby would be worth it. Meanwhile, veterans like Trey Hendrickson and Bradley Chubb are on the market and could sign for cheap to improve their edge-rushing unit.
One way or another, there are options, and there are no excuses for general manager Jason Licht.
Wrexham won in the fourth round on Friday, 1-0 over Ipswich Town.
Josh Windass scored the lone goal of that matchup in the 34th minute, and Wrexham dominated the shooting numbers as they mostly controlled proceedings.
Before that, Wrexham had pulled off a wild win on penalties (4-3 on the spot kicks) over Nottingham Forest in the third round.
Chelsea cruised on Friday in their fourth round matchup against Hull City, 4-0. They had previously dispatched of Charlton, 5-1.
Now, it's the Hollywood lads of Wrexham against the high-powered side from West London.
It promises a lot of attention, to be sure. Chelsea will be heavy favorites, but Wrexham could write some serious headlines with an upset.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pablo López walked off the Hammond Stadium mound after delivering a pitch, cutting short his live batting practice session. López was in his third “up” or simulated inning when elbow soreness forced him to shut things down.
The news of López’s right elbow discomfort marred an otherwise positive day of camp for the Twins, who held their first full-squad workout of the spring on Monday at their complex in Southwest Florida.
The Twins plan to send López for imaging and will have more information after they do so.
“After he and (pitching coach) Pete (Maki) talked, we decided like ‘Hey, out of an abundance of caution, let’s get him off. Let’s get him off the field and make sure he’s okay,’” manager Derek Shelton said.
The starting pitcher is further ahead in his preparation for the season than some of his teammates because he was planning on participating in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela for the second time in his career. This news puts that in jeopardy for López.
For now, the Twins plan to move cautiously with López, one of their top arms. López was highly effective last year when he pitched, but he made just 14 starts as he dealt with a myriad of injuries — a hamstring strain, a shoulder injury and a forearm strain suffered while fielding his position all landed him on the injured list.
“I don’t live in a speculative world. It’s a terrible place to be in this game,” Shelton said. “Right now, I’m taking we had a really good day. He felt some soreness. We’ll get it looked at and kind of move on from there.”
The day started with a team meeting during which Shelton, who took over for Rocco Baldelli this offseason, gave a speech hitting on a number of topics including intent, accountability and the group sticking together.
New team executive chair Tom Pohlad also spoke, and Shelton said called his message “passionate,” and “from the heart.”
“When we walked out of that meeting this morning, there was a really good feeling about the messaging I think we wanted to get across,” Shelton said.
While pitchers and catchers have been in camp for days and all of the position players had already reported by Sunday, Monday’s workout saw an extra flurry of activity.
Like every year, hope springs eternal in the early days of a new season. Even if the expectations of the team aren’t high outside of the clubhouse — projections and betting lines have them as a sub-.500 team — there’s optimism within the clubhouse.
“It feels like everyone’s excited for the year. You can genuinely feel that,” third baseman Royce Lewis said. “I think we’re ready to shock people. We don’t even have to say anything about it. People just keep writing us off. Whatever. That’s fine. I’m ready for that.”
The North Carolina Tar Heels went 1-1 last week, losing at Miami before beating Pitt at home. The loss was a tough one, being on the road and against an underrated Hurricanes team. But the bounce-back win over the Panthers was impressive as they were without Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar.
Now, UNC enters another important week.
They are set to face off against NC State on the road Tuesday and then head to Syracuse for a Saturday afternoon game. When they do begin this week of play, they will do so as the No. 20 team in the country per the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
UNC fell seven spots after that loss at Miami a week ago, one of their biggest drops of the season. Below is the full poll released on Monday:
Teams generally don’t find impact players in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, so one wouldn’t blame the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if they didn’t think that about Tez Johnson.
But Johnson wasn’t like most late-round picks.
Anybody who watched the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game between Oregon and Penn State knew that Johnson was a college star.
In a game that featured (at least) four future first-round picks, Johnson was the best player on the field, torching Penn State for 181 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches to win the game’s MVP.
Johnson was hardly a one-game wonder.
He caught 10 touchdowns each in the 2023 and ‘24 seasons, going for nearly 1,200 yards in 2023.
Johnson did better than most rookie receivers in 2025, and his season was even more impressive considering he was one of the last players selected in the draft.
Bucs Roundtable will take a look at where each 2025 Bucs draft pick stands after their rookie season, starting with their seventh round pick.
Why Johnson Slipped
Johnson wasn’t supposed to fall to the seventh round. Coming into the draft, most projections had him going on the second day, with the possibility of slipping to early in the third day. But Johnson’s frame (5-foot-9, 154 pounds) and underwhelming combine performance (40-yard dash above 4.5) led to him being available for the Bucs at pick No. 235.
Great Value
Based solely on 2025, Johnson was Tampa Bay’s best value pick. He ended his rookie season with 322 yards and five touchdowns on 44 catches. Compared to Tampa’s past seventh round picks, such as 2024 pick Devin Culp, who had one reception in 13 games this season, and 2022 pick Andre Anthony, who the team waived before the start of the regular season, Johnson did quite well.
In fact, Johnson’s five touchdown receptions were tied for the third most of any seventh rounder ever, behind only Marcus Colston (2006) and Randy Vataha (1971).
Through Week 12, the only rookie who had more receiving touchdowns than Johnson was his teammate Emeka Egbuka, who was Tampa's first-round pick. Although Johnson tailed off in the last six weeks of the season, not catching a touchdown pass in that span, him being among the rookie TD leaders that late into the season is pretty good for the 27th receiver taken in his class.
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both in their 30s, the Bucs are going to have to look to the future of their receivers room eventually. Johnson might not have the upside of Egbuka or Jalen McMillan (third-round pick, 2024), but unlike a lot of seventh-rounders, he could well be a part of Tampa's future plans.
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The outfield will look different for the Chicago White Sox, especially in center field. For the first time since the 2021 season, Chicago does not know who will be taking the majority of the reps up the middle in the outfield.
It was Luis Robert Jr.'s job, but he was traded to the New York Mets during the offseason. In exchange, the White Sox received Luisangel Acuna, Ronald Acuna Jr's brother, and RHP Truman Pauley.
Acuna is one of the players who will be battling for the starting job in center field, but he is not the only one. There is a four-man race for the job coming into camp.
The White Sox face a competitive four-man race in center field
The corner outfield spots are already locked in. You can expect to see Andrew Benintendi out in left field, while newly signed Austin Hays will likely patrol right field for the club.
Center field is where fans will want to pay attention. Multiple guys can get the job, including Brooks Baldwin, Luisangel Acuna, Everson Pereira, and Jarred Keleneic, via Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter.
"With the Luis Robert Jr. era at an end, the White Sox have a hole to fill in center field. Former infielders Brooks Baldwin and Luisangel Acuna will get the first look, with Baldwin coming off an 11-homer, 93 OPS+ season and Acuna offering top prospect pedigree. The battle is wide open enough to believe out-of-options Everson Pereira or non-roster invitee Jarred Kelenic could crash the party as they fight for a spot on the roster."
Reuter believes the real battle will be between Baldwin and Acuna, but still mentions Pereira and Kelenic since they will come into camp with a chip on their shoulders.
You can never count out players who are fighting for their roster spot during the spring.
A two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher has just hit the open market, and the Carolina Panthers should be on his trail.
According to multiple reports from Monday morning, the Miami Dolphins are releasing outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. Chubb, along with several other veterans including wide receiver Tyreek Hill, will be shed off the books in Miami—where an organizational reset is well underway.
But where will Chubb look for a reset of his own?
Well, how about in some familiar territory?
The former North Carolina State University star may be a perfect fit for the Panthers, whose pass rush has not been near the standard of president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan.
"Our pass rush, obviously—to me, and everybody in the building will tell you—wasn't up to par," Morgan stated in an interview on WFNZ's Mac & Bone last month. "We had the second-lowest pressure rate in the league this year. Obviously, that's not acceptable. And if you're not protecting the quarterback and you're not affecting the quarterback, you're not gonna win many games in this league—especially at a consistent level."
As Morgan noted, the Panthers finished with the second-lowest pressure rate (16.5 percent)—as well as the third-fewest sacks (30)—in 2025. 2024 wasn't much different, as they amassed the the lowest pressure rate (16.2 percent) and the third-fewest sacks (32).
Chubb could come back to North Carolina and help. The 29-year-old is a consistent producer, having amassed at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five healthy campaigns.
This past season, Chubb tallied 8.5 sacks and 48 pressures—one year removed from a torn ACL. The season before his setback, 2023, saw him post 11.0 sacks and a league-leading six six forced fumbles.
He also has a bit of experience with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from 2022. Before being shipped to Miami in a midseason trade, Chubb played eight games under Evero in Denver—where he ripped off 5.5 sacks and 26 pressures.
Although Chubb may not be as splashy of an acquisition as Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson would be, he can still bring the Panthers some much-needed firepower off the edge.
“The Golden State Warriors are signing Nate Williams of the Long Island Nets to a two-way contract,” Fischer reported Monday.
It was unclear which direction the Warriors would go with one opening remaining. Lonzo Ball appeared to be the most popular option, since most of the franchise’s ideal buyout targets were no longer available.
Instead, Golden State elected to sign a player with significantly less NBA experience than Ball. Williams, who inked a deal with the Lakers last September before getting waived ahead of opening night, has only competed in 47 NBA games since joining the big leagues in 2022.
Williams is averaging 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7% from the field for his career. Ball, another former Laker, averages 10.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game for his career (322 total outings), shooting 39.2% from the field and 35.5% from three.
At the end of the day, the Warriors clearly saw something in Williams to sign him to a two-way deal this season. Perhaps, the Buffalo product will prove Golden State right and eventually earn a standard contract with the seven-time NBA champions.
Last time out, Club Brugge triumphed 1-2 against Cercle Brugge (Jupiler Pro League 2025/26). In their last fixture, Atlético de Madrid suffered a 3-0 reverse against Rayo Vallecano (La Liga 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 0-0 draw.
Ivan Leko faced Diego Simeone on two occasions, recording a draw and a defeat
Diego Simeone faced Club Brugge on four occasions, recording a victory, two draws, and a defeat
Ivan Leko faced Atlético de Madrid on two occasions, recording a draw and a defeat
TEAMS
Away, Atlético de Madrid currently has one defeat in the last nine games.
At home, Club Brugge currently has three defeats in the last 19 games.
At home, Club Brugge currently has a draw in the last 12 games.
At home, Club Brugge is coming off five consecutive games scoring goals.
At home, Club Brugge is coming off three consecutive games without losing.
At home, Club Brugge is coming off three consecutive victories.
Club Brugge currently has one defeat in the last six games.
Club Brugge currently has a draw in the last 27 games.
Club Brugge is coming off two consecutive games without losing.
Club Brugge is coming off two consecutive victories.
HEAD TO HEAD
Club Brugge and Atlético de Madrid have faced each other eight times, there is no advantage between Club Brugge and Atlético de Madrid: three wins each in eight games.
At the Jan Breydelstadion, Club Brugge has an advantage in the clashes against Atlético de Madrid: three wins in four games. Atlético de Madrid has never won at Club Brugge's ground, with one draw recorded.
In the Champions League, six matches were played between the two teams, with Club Brugge winning two, two draws, and two victories for Atlético de Madrid.
Champions League: Will Mbappé play against Benfica? Alvaro Arbeloa gives his verdict
Alvaro Arbeloa reassures fans about Kylian Mbappé ahead of the Benfica Champions League playoff
Champions League: Will Mbappé play against Benfica? Alvaro Arbeloa gives his verdict
In Monday's press conference, on the eve of the high-stakes clash between Benfica and Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs, Alvaro Arbeloa once again addressed the situation surrounding Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid face Benfica this Tuesday as part of the Champions League playoffs. This match is crucial for Los Merengues, who are looking to exorcise their demons following the humiliating defeat they suffered in Lisbon a few weeks ago. The showdown could also go ahead without Kylian Mbappé on the pitch.
Having missed the weekend's fixture against Real Sociedad, the Frenchman is included in the squad traveling to the Portuguese capital. "He’s here, he came with us. He’s going to train. And... tomorrow, you’ll see if he plays or not," Alvaro Arbeloa revealed during Monday’s press conference.
Seattle, known as The Emerald City, sometimes sees minor earthquakes generated from the raucous fans at Lumen Field. Most recently, the Seahawks’ aftershocks have been felt around the NFL due to winning the Super Bowl, a reality that has impacted the Vikings more than any team other than the Patriots.
Most obvious, of course, is that Sam Darnold has proven to be not just a viable QB1 but, rather, a QB1 who can lead a team to the Super Bowl. Working through injury, Darnold went 3-0 in the playoffs, completing roughly 61% of his passes for 672 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Standing alongside those QB numbers is a loaded roster with high-end homegrown talent alongside ample cap flexibility.
The Vikings, The Seahawks, & A Massive Competitive Chasm
In particular, there’s long-and-strong corner Tariq Woolen. Signing the 6’4″ corner would be a nice development in the Twin Cities. He could slide into that boundary corner job that was supposed to be held down by Jeff Okudah. Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers can then get the burden of beefy receivers taken off their shoulders.
Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass while defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.
Woolen leaving Seattle behind appears likely not because there isn’t money. Unlike the Vikings, the Seahawks have a ton of open cap space. Rather, it’s that Seattle boasts a ton of talent in the secondary even without the services of Mr. Woolen.
Indeed, Seattle has demonstrated the benefits of drafting well. Having a well-stocked cupboard of young, cost-controlled talent allows for spending elsewhere. No need to (potentially) overpay for Woolen when there’s already CB Devon Witherspoon (No. 5 in 2023) and S Nick Emmanwori (No. 35 in 2025) under contract.
Moreover, the front of the defense is being uplifted by Byron Murphy II (No. 16 in 2024) along the defensive line and Derick Hall (No. 38 in 2023) along the edge. Partner the young lads with excellent veteran adds in Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, and Ernest Jones. Combined, that’s a fearsome defensive front.
No wonder defensive wizard Mike Macdonald put together the NFL’s best defense in 2025 by allowing 17.2 points against per game.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On the other side the ball, the Seahawks got tremendous play out of WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 20 in 2023), RB Kenneth Walker III (No. 41 in 2022), RB Zach Charbonnet (No. 53 in 2023), TE AJ Barner (No. 121 in 2024), OT Charles Cross (No. 9 in 2022), and OT Abraham Lucas (No. 72 in 2022).
Goodness, Michael Dickson — perhaps the NFL’s best punter — got drafted by Seattle. He went to the Seahawks at No. 149 in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Seahawks, unlike the Vikings, are a team built out of the draft.
The success over in Seattle has created the conditions where Darnold can get plugged into the team, thriving early. A perfect storm awaited Mr. Darnold, someone who got all of the help he could possibly want in the form of an elite defense, a great running back, a high-end WR1, more pass catching talent beyond JSN, and an overall great franchise.
Things get even more wild upon considering that Seattle currently boasts more than $63 million in open cap space. The Vikings, in contrast, are worse than $40 million in debt, per the Over the Cap estimate. As of mid-February, Seattle is more than $100 million healthier while having the quarterback position settled and while coming off a Super Bowl.
Wild, right?
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) runs the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Standing back to assess where the Vikings are in relation to the Seahawks leaves one with a bleak assessment. Seattle has all of this:
A proven, 28-year-old QB1 to build around
North of $60M in open cap space
Talent in the trenches
An elite CB1
An elite WR1
A talented run game
A coaching staff that has proven itself capable of winning it all
The Vikings can match Seattle since Justin Jefferson is an elite WR1. The Vikings can surpass the Seahawks in draft ammunition leading into the 2026 NFL Draft. There isn’t too much else, though, for the Vikings to hang their hat (horned helmet?) on.
Indeed, the Vikings are in a world of hurt unless the drafting turns around in a hurry. Very little of the roster’s deficiencies can’t be at least partly attributed to what has been a horrendous stretch of drafting.
Again, the key takeaway: plucking fantastic, young, cost-controlled talent out of the draft is the single best thing a team can do to build a juggernaut.
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) react after the game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Seahawks are moving ahead with their QB position settled and cap in a very healthy spot due to being so excellent in the draft. Even better for Seattle is that they’re moving through 2026 as the reigning champions.
Meanwhile, the Vikings will be looking to capture some of that Seattle brilliance. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that the recent add to the front office was for Matt Thomas, the long-time Seattle executive.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: Interim offensive coordinator Parks Frazier of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during warmups before the start of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to name Parks Frazier as their new quarterbacks coach, according to a report from Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Frazier joined the Eagles’ coaching staff last offseason as their pass game coordinator. The Eagles’ passing game wasn’t strong in 2025; here’s how the team ranked in a number of key categories:
Passing yards per game: 23rd
Completion percentage: 17th
Dropback EPA: 16th
Dropback success rate: 23rd
Pass offense DVOA: 12th
Of course, it’s hard to know from the outside looking in how much Parker played a role in these struggles. The Eagles obviously held former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo responsible by effectively firing him from his play-calling position.
Speaking of Patullo, he used to hold the pass game coordinator title in Philly from 2021-2024. That title has since reportedly gone to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who was reportedly hired shortly after the Eagles announced Sean Mannion as their new OC. The addition of Grizzard left Frazier without his old title but he’s now the Eagles’ QB coach.
This development seems to indicate that Scot Loeffler will not return to Philly just one year after leaving his role as Bowling Green’s head coach. Jalen Hurts will now have his sixth different position coach during his time in the NFL.
2020 — Press Taylor 2021 — Brian Johnson 2022 — Brian Johnson 2023 — Alex Tanney 2024 — Doug Nussmeier 2025 — Scot Loeffler 2026 — Parks Frazier
Getting back to Frazier, here’s a snapshot of the 34-year-old’s coaching experience:
2015 — Samford defensive quality control
2015 — Middle Tennessee State defensive quality control
As you can see, he overlapped with Nick Sirianni in Indy from 2018-2020. He also has some experience calling plays since he did that in an interim role during the 2022 season after Frank Reich got fired by the Colts.
The Philadelphia Phillies proved to the MLB that they still want to contend when they re-signed Kyle Schwarber to a long-term deal. However, with the losses of Nick Castellanos and Harrison Bader, they need someone to anchor their outfield.
Fansided’s Mark Powell and Wynston Wilcox, believe that the move the Phillies need to make is trading for Minnesota Twins two-time All-Star and Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Byron Buxton. Buxton would anchor center field, and provide another All-Star bat to their lineup.
“What do the Minnesota Twins actually gain from keeping Byron Buxton at this point? That's the biggest reason the Twins would trade him…It makes sense for the Phillies to get aggressive in adding to their roster if they want to keep up with the Dodgers. The Phillies threw a massive extension as the Schwarber to make sure they can remain one of the top teams in the National League. Adding Buxton just gives them one more solid hitter to keep up with the juggernaut Dodgers,” Powell and Wilcox wrote.
This past season, Buxton slashed .264/.327/.551/.878 with 21 doubles, 35 home runs, and 83 RBI in 126 games played. He would replace Castellanos’ spot in the outfield, and honestly would be an upgrade both offensively, and definitely defensively.
Buxton’s only set to make around $45 million over the final three years of his contract, and for a Phillies team that just shelled out for Schwarber, that could be incredibly attractive.
The Phillies have already made multiple trades with the Twins recently, so they better pick up that phone and make one more before another contender grabs Buxton before they do.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 20: Zak Kent #61 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning of game two of a doubleheader at Target Field on September 20, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Righthanded pitcher Zak Kent has been claimed off of waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals, it was announced today. The Rangers had designated Kent for assignment a few days ago to clear a 40 man roster spot for the newly signed Jordan Montgomery.
This is the second time this offseason that the Cardinals have claimed Kent, who was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2019, and then traded to Cleveland for international bonus pool money at the end of spring training 2024 when the Rangers were opening 40 man roster spots for Jared Walsh, Wyatt Langford and Jose Urena.
Kent made his major league debut for Cleveland in 2025, but was placed on waivers in December, with St. Louis claiming him. The Cardinals then waived him in January, and Texas claimed him. Now he’s back with St. Louis, and I would wager he’ll be placed on waivers again towards the end of spring training when the Cards need a 40 man roster spot and teams are flooding the waiver wire with similar guys, making it more likely he goes unclaimed and can be outrighted.
Mar 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Eric Longenhagen, Brendan Gawlowski, and James Fegan wrote up the prospects, a list that was expanded from 100 to 110 to account for the prospects with a Future Value rating of 50 (on the 20-to-80 scouting scale) or higher.
Three outfielders lead the Dodgers contingent represented here, with Josue De Paula ranked 17th, Zyhir Hope 41st, and Eduardo Quintero 43rd.
De Paula is ranked between 14th and 24th on prospect lists at FanGraphs, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN, The Athletic, and MLB Pipeline, with an average ranking of 18.5. Says FanGraphs of his future: “De Paula’s combination of present raw power and long-term physical projection give him a great shot to develop 40-homer raw power at peak, though it’s debatable whether his hitting skills are the kind that will allow him to actualize all of that raw thump in games.”
Other Dodgers to show up on the list at FanGraphs are shortstop Emil Morales ranked 61st and pitcher River Ryan at 107th coming back from Tommy John surgery. De Paula (48th) and Ryan (101st) are the only Dodgers returning from last year’s preseason ranking at FanGraphs.
Switzerland's Loic Meillard celebrates his gold medal at the award ceremony after the alpine skiing Men's Slalom 2nd round at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Switzerland's Loic Meillard added Olympic slalom gold to his world title from last year on Monday and completed a full medal set at the Milan/Cortina Games with it.
Meillard won from second place after Norwegian first run leader Atle Lie McGrath straddled a gate early in the second run.
McGrath threw away his poles, took off his skis and walked to a wooded area on the edge of the piste where he fell to the ground in bitter disappointment over his race and apparent ongoing grief over the death of his grandfather on the night of the opening ceremony.
"A mix of shock and everything in between. It was a surreal feeling, I haven't really experienced anything like it before," he told journalists hours after the event.
"I'm normally a guy that's very good when it comes to perspective on things. If I don't ski well in a race, I can at least tell myself that I'm healthy and my family's healthy, and the people I love are here. So that's nice, but that's not been the case. I've lost someone I love so much, and that makes it really hard," he said.
Meillard could meanwhile celebrate as he added gold to team combined silver and giant slalom bronze. He won .35 of a second ahead of Austrian Fabio Gstrein and Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen got bronze as in 2014, 1.13 seconds beind the winner.
"It's amazing. It's been long days, a lot of expectations about what you want to achieve, a lot of pressure on yourself," Meillard said.
"So to make it again, I would say after last year, world champs, leave with all the medals, with a world title in slalom and an Olympic title this year, it's crazy."
Looking at the fate of slalom World Cup leader McGrath, he added: "Atle Lie would've deserved it as well, he was the best skier this season, but that's part of slalom, that's part of sport."
Meillard's success meant that Switzerland won four of the five men's races at the Games, with Franjo von Allmen responsible for the others in downhill, super-g and the team combined together with Tanguy Nef.
The other winner was Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in the giant slalom.
Pinheiro Braathen was among the casualties in difficult conditions on Monday, falling in the first run of a race where only 44 of 95 starters reached the second run and 38 eventually finished.
"Of course I'm conflicted. Oh man, this sport. It brings you up to the sky and it just slams you back into reality equally as fast. That's exactly what makes it the art it is," he said.
"I put myself out there when I was able to bring home the gold and that's exactly what I did today as well."
He was in good company as French twice season winner Paco Rassat, last month's Kitzbühel winner Manuel Feller of Austria, Italy's Alex Vinatzer and Finnish talent Eduard Hallberg did also not reach the finish line of the first run.
Frenchman Clement Noel straddled a gate in the second run which means that no man has ever managed to win back-to-back Olympic slalom golds.
Retirement bound veteran Dave Ryding, the first ever Briton to win a World Cup race 2022 in Kitzbühel, was 17th.
Former world championship silver medallist AJ Ginnis of Greece was unable to ski competitive due to injury but lined up for a ceremonial run in what was his last career race.
"Being able to end it, kicking out of the gate to become an Olympian, something I've never done before, is something magical," he said.
The Olympic alpine ski races end on Wednesday with the women's slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
(L-R) Austria's runner-up Fabio Gstrein, Switzerland's winner Loic Meillard and Norway's third-placed Henrik Kristoffersen celebrate at the medal ceremony after the alpine skiing Men's Slalom 2nd round at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa(L-R) Austria's runner-up Fabio Gstrein, Switzerland's winner Loic Meillard and Norway's third-placed Henrik Kristoffersen celebrate at the medal ceremony after the alpine skiing Men's Slalom 2nd round at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Atle Lie McGrath of Team Norway competes during run 1 in the Men's Slalom in alpine skiing at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Norway's Atle Lie McGrath spoke of the worst day of his career after missing out on an alpine skiing medal at the Milan/Cortina Olympics on Monday.
McGrath led after the first slalom run but straddled a gate early in the second run and didn't complete the competition.
"Sports-wise, it's the worst. It's not the worst moment of my life, but it's the worst moment of my career, and it's been one of the toughest moments of my life with everything that's been going on," he told journalists hours after the event.
"I was hoping I was going to be able to crown off this tough period with something good today. I had to really stand through so much tough stuff and stay really strong. That makes it an extra tough one."
McGrath threw away his poles, took off his skis and walked to a wooded area on the edge of the piste where he fell to the ground in bitter disappointment over his race and apparent ongoing grief over the death of his grandfather on the night of the opening ceremony.
"It was a surreal feeling, I haven't really experienced anything like it before," he said.
"I'm normally a guy that's very good when it comes to perspective on things. If I don't ski well in a race, I can at least tell myself that I'm healthy and my family's healthy, and the people I love are here. So that's nice, but that's not been the case. I've lost someone I love so much, and that makes it really hard," he said.
He explained that he ran off the course and into the woods because he "needed to get away from everything.
"I thought I would get some peace and quiet, which I didn't because photographers and police found me out in the woods. I just needed some time for myself," he said.
"It's hard to think that the next time I'll be able to ski the Olympics, I will be 29 years old and not 25. I gave myself the absolute best opportunity you could today, and I skied so great and I still couldn't get it done, so that's what really hurts."
Asked whether his grandfather's death had negatively impacted his skiing, he admitted that it affected him "a tremendous amount," but not his focus.
"I honestly think he was the only reason why I was able to lead the first run today, and also lead by so much. It takes a lot of courage, and it's really tough to stand there and think of him and want to perform when everything feels so small."
Switzerland's Loic Meillard took gold, finishing .35 of a second ahead of Austrian Fabio Gstrein and Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen got bronze as in 2014.
Just two years after launching, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is set to go offline on April 17, 2026. The game was previously delisted from app stores in 2025, and there will be no refunds on unused COD points prior to shutdown.
Dive into an unforgettable adventure with Darwin the octopus! Darwin's Paradox!—a brand new story-driven adventure platformer developed in partnership with ZDT Studio—releases April 2. Pre-orders have started! Embark on a grand adventure worthy of a true animated movie with Darwin, an octopus as charming as he is clever, ripped from the ocean and trapped in a massive and mysterious industrial complex. With his extraordinary intelligence and incredible abilities—swimming, camouflage, and many other fascinating skills—help him overcome the most formidable traps and dangers in this captivating platformer, adventure, and puzzle game.
The time for tactical tentacle action has arrived
Play the Darwin's Paradox! Tactical Octopus Action Demo right now. Can you find all the Easter eggs? In the peaceful vastness of the ocean, Darwin, a young octopus, explores the deep sea… until a strange beam of light pierces the abyss and pulls him toward the surface. Thrust out of his aquatic world, he wakes up disoriented in the middle of a gigantic junkyard, backed by a foreboding factory. But something is wrong. Between the threatening machines, strange holding tanks, and the mysterious and dangerous creatures and characters that inhabit the place, Darwin realizes he is in danger.
MSI's "built to be perfect" GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z design was heavily showcased at CES 2026, with press material referring to an unusual 2500 W "Extreme Performance OC" (XOC) BIOS. At the time, it was rumored that an official file had been issued exclusively to professional overclockers. Weeks later, said XOC BIOS has seeped out onto the net—as of this afternoon, the TechPowerUp VGA BIOS collection contains this release (also leaked on the Overclock.net forum). As outlined during the January Las Vegas trade event (and since), experts surmised that LN2 (liquid nitron)-based cooling would be essential in tempering the card's supposed extreme modes of operation. TechPowerUp's resident graphics card reviewer, W1zzard, did not delve into world record-breaking activities when evaluating MSI's ultra flagship model. The card's "800 W out of the box" power limit should be sufficient for most mortals who can afford the audaciously official $5090 MSRP. Fresh news reports have tracked wild fluctuations in price; going as high as $14,000.
Jonathan Alva, an Indonesian extreme overclocker and YouTuber, has run several GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z experiments. A past weekend video upload mentions a consulting role as part of the MSI Lightning Z model's development. Unfortunately, a recent session—involving the aforementioned 2500 W XOC BIOS—has resulted in the cracking of the first sample's "Blackwell" GB202-300-A1 GPU die. Despite the leveraging of a custom LN2 solution, in collaboration with the ARX (arxidmedia) lab, a probable thermal shock incident ended the GPU's existence. It is suspected that an outdated version of the firmware caused too much voltage to be sent within a short frame of time. Thankfully, Alva can continue his "just an average overclocker" adventures with another prototype board, as well as three finalized retail units.
Giants in the gaming industry seem to be increasingly excited about the future of generative AI in gaming. Unity, who has previously toyed with AI for features like facial animations, just announced in a recent earnings call that it will be leaning further into the tech with what it calls "AI-driven authoring," a new tech that it is planning on introducing at the Game Developer Conference in March. Unity says that this new AI solution will allow developers to create entire casual games native to the Unity engine without ever needing to touch code. "At the Game Developer Conference in March, we'll be unveiling a beta of the new upgraded Unity AI, which will enable developers to prompt full casual games into existence with natural language only, native to our platform—so it's simple to move from prototype to finished product," said Unity CEO, Matthew Bromberg. It's telling that the CEO specifies that the model will be able to generate casual games, which are usually less demanding than a full-scale AAA game, for example, but it remains to be seen what level of complexity the AI will be capable of and what sort of human intervention will be required.
He explained that the natural language model will be "powered by our unique understanding of the project context and our runtime," and that this combination will "provide more efficient, more effective results to game developers than general-purpose models alone." Unity uses a mixture of first- and third-party AI models during different steps of the Unity AI pipeline, all of which is detailed in the Unity AI legal guidelines document. This announcement comes shortly after a State of the Game Industry Survey revealed that, while many game industry workers at large studios are using generative AI across multiple disciplines, most of those same workers agree that the widespread use of generative AI is a detriment to the industry. Workers at EA have previously noted that increased use of gen-AI tools has also come at the cost of time and efficiency. Despite this, EA's new owner will continue leaning into an AI pivot in the name of cost savings, which is a pattern we may see become increasingly common as game engines and other development tools continue to integrate AI tools.
Hello, in 2025, No Man's Sky Travellers were treated to one of our biggest years yet. Even we struggle to know how we pulled off so many large updates last year—Worlds Part II and Voyagers were both transformational and released in the same year, interspersed with smaller but significant updates in Relics, Beacon and Breach. We're pleased to announce that our first update of 2026, our 10th anniversary year, is already rolling out. It's called Remnant, and it introduces something that we and the community have been aching to introduce to No Man's Sky since the beginning… a fully operational gravity gun! Full patch notes are available here.
The Gravitino Coil is a powerful new anti-gravity module for your multi-tool. It turns No Man's Sky into a physics playground. Allowing you to grab large objects and fling, toss or carefully carry them around the world. Salvage and debris that could always be found on planets can now be collected and recycled for rare and highly prized resources. New trucks, tipping flatbeds and haulers can be constructed, to transport resources back to industrial yards for reclamation. You can work alone or join a salvage crew with friends. It creates this really fun and tactile new loop of searching for wrecks, loading trucks full of cargo and hauling across the alien landscape to industrial yards to gain new loot and rewards.
Western Digital has already sold out its entire HDD manufacturing capacity for the year, and it's only February. According to CEO Irving Tan, 2026 is effectively fully booked. AI companies are purchasing storage drives that have yet to be manufactured, and relief for traditional customers is unlikely anytime soon –...
iGrow helps you rehearse real moments—from job interviews to difficult conversations—and turns your answers into stronger, usable scripts. Pick a scenario, speak or type your response, then get targeted feedback and a refined version you can deliver with confidence. It learns your style as you practice, lets you retry until ready, and focuses on actionable guidance rather than generic tips. Pricing is credit-based with no subscriptions, and your data stays private with encrypted storage and easy deletion.
AIDA Cruises is making regional cruise tourism history with the announcement of their first call to Celebration Key on November 15th, 2027. This call will be in conjunction with AIDA’s repositioning cruise for AIDA’s New York City to Ravenna, Italy cruise. This call shows the dedication to expanding Caribbean travel options for central, south, and north America.
AIDAluna will be the first AIDA cruise ship to arrive at Celebration Key which is a new cruise destination on Grand Bahama Island. This new itinerary means a lot for cruise tourism in the Caribbean. Celebrations Key will be a new destination and will boost travel for the new air-sea travel options. This will lead to more travelers to the Caribbean including travelers to the Celebration Key location.
Expanding Cruise Tourism Impact and Regional Connectivity
The debut of AIDAluna at Celebration Key is part of a broader strategy to enhance regional cruise tourism in the Caribbean. By introducing direct cruise routes from key cities in the U.S. East Coast and expanding itineraries through Central and South America, AIDA Cruises aims to increase its competitive edge in the region. The availability of direct sailings to Celebration Key and other Caribbean destinations offers travelers a more seamless travel experience, providing greater access to previously underserved destinations and boosting tourism growth in the region.
This new route also reinforces the importance of private cruise destinations in the Caribbean, which serve as unique selling points for the cruise tourism market. Private islands like Celebration Key provide guests with exclusive experiences, contributing to the overall growth of the Caribbean’s tourism sector by attracting both cruise enthusiasts and travelers seeking less crowded, personalized vacation options. These destinations also support local economies by increasing spending on tourism-related services such as shore excursions, hospitality, and local artisan goods.
Supporting Caribbean and Global Tourism Growth
The launch of AIDA Cruises’ new Caribbean itineraries also highlights the continued growth of cruise tourism globally. The Caribbean remains one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, with an increasing number of travelers seeking more diverse and immersive cruise experiences. AIDA’s expansion into Celebration Key and the surrounding regions is expected to bolster the Caribbean cruise industry, bringing more tourists to Grand Bahama Island, Bermuda, and other key islands.
The addition of AIDAluna, along with AIDAbella and AIDAprima, to the region for the 2027-28 winter season underscores the growing importance of multi-ship deployment in expanding the reach of cruise tourism and diversifying travel options for guests. This growth in capacity will allow AIDA Cruises to meet the increasing demand for Caribbean vacations and become a major player in the cruise tourism market.
Cruise Tourism and Economic Impact in the Caribbean
The economic benefits of cruise tourism in the Caribbean cannot be overstated. Cruise lines like AIDA contribute significantly to the region’s economies by creating jobs, stimulating local business, and generating revenue for the tourism and hospitality industries. In particular, private destinations like Celebration Key bring a direct economic impact, creating a demand for local suppliers, artisans, and service providers, while providing tourists with exclusive, high-quality experiences.
Beyond the economic impact, carrying capacity is an important consideration for the growing number of passengers visiting the region. AIDA Cruises’ commitment to delivering exceptional experiences while managing tourism flows responsibly ensures that growth in the Caribbean cruise tourism sector remains sustainable in the long term. Tourism management practices, such as port efficiency and environmental sustainability, will be critical to supporting both the tourism growth and the protection of natural resources in the Caribbean.
Strengthening Global Cruise Tourism with Expanded Itineraries
The expansion of AIDA Cruises’ fleet into the Caribbean and beyond plays a key role in global cruise tourism growth. As international travelers seek more immersive, diverse cruise experiences, AIDA’s efforts to provide an array of itineraries across Central America, the Caribbean, and South America align with broader trends in experiential tourism. AIDA’s focus on creating itineraries that include cultural experiences, adventure activities, and family-friendly options is designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s cruise passengers.
The growth in demand for private island experiences, particularly those offered by Carnival Corporation brands such as AIDA, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line, speaks to the increasing importance of unique destinations in driving tourism growth. Celebration Key is set to play a prominent role in this growth trend, contributing to a more diverse and attractive offering for travelers looking for one-of-a-kind holiday experiences.
AIDA Cruises Expands Its Role in the Growing Cruise Tourism Market
The AIDAluna’s first visit to Celebration Key is another milestone for AIDA Cruises in developing their business in the Caribbean and supporting the expansion of cruise tourism in the region. The new itinerary will, besides offering new experiences for passengers, further extend the commercial tourism region and increase connectivity in the Caribbean.
The increase in demand for cruise travel sustains AIDA’s growth, further strengthened with new innovative travel routes and private islands. AIDA Cruises will remain in the front of the pack in the Caribbean cruise travel along with increased ships, new travel routes, and focus on sustainable tourism and cruise travel in developing the region’s tourism.
As the summer 2026 booking windows begin to open, an emerging trend in travel behaviour is taking shape, particularly in European beach destinations and bustling city hubs. More travellers are opting for extended 5–7 night stays rather than the traditional 3–4 night trips. This shift is primarily driven by the desire to unlock value through multi-night discounts, effectively lowering the cost-per-day of travel, especially during peak summer seasons. Amid ongoing economic awareness and rising inflation, European destinations are witnessing a structural change in trip lengths. As households remain budget-conscious, demand for longer stays has shown a steady rise, with multiple sources confirming that travellers are increasingly viewing extended stays as a cost-effective strategy.
The Growing Appeal of Longer Stays
The data from recent industry benchmarks indicate a clear rise in the average length of leisure trips globally. According to the Mastercard Economics Institute, the length of leisure trips worldwide increased by about one day, shifting from an average of four days between 2019 and 2020 to almost five days by March 2024. Furthermore, research from the European Travel Commission (ETC) highlights that long-haul travel to Europe is evolving, with longer vacations gaining momentum. The proportion of travellers taking holidays longer than two weeks has jumped from 13% in 2019 to 21% in 2024.
For the summer 2026 travel period, this shift is becoming more deliberate. Instead of extending stays only when schedules permit, many travellers are specifically choosing longer holidays based on discounts offered for multi-night bookings. The new approach not only makes travel more affordable but also provides better value for the extended stays that many tourists are now seeking.
How Extended-Stay Deals are Shaping Travel Behaviour
Booking platforms are rapidly adapting to this emerging trend by providing more attractive multi-night discounts, reinforcing the demand for longer stays. Services like Stayforlong are at the forefront of this shift, with their value-based booking models designed to make multi-night stays more financially appealing.
By positioning extended-stay deals as a means of getting more value for money, these platforms are helping travellers assess their total stay cost rather than just the nightly rate. For instance, a 5–7 night stay often unlocks a significant percentage reduction in overall pricing, especially during peak summer periods when nightly rates tend to be higher. This trend is likely to gain more traction in 2026, as consumers become increasingly price-conscious and seek ways to stretch their budgets further.
For travellers who prefer to plan their trips using mobile-first platforms, the Stayforlong: Long Stay Hotels app provides a dedicated space to explore these deals, offering a seamless booking experience with a clear financial advantage for those opting for longer stays.
Booking Patterns: The Two-Speed Market
As summer 2026 bookings begin to roll in, travel experts are noting a two-speed market developing within the tourism sector. On one side, some travellers are booking well in advance, taking advantage of discounts and special offers tied to length-of-stay (LOS) pricing. These travellers are often highly value-driven, planning their holidays with detailed precision. On the other hand, many consumers are opting for later bookings, reflecting cautious behaviour tied to macroeconomic uncertainties. These late converters tend to wait for more favourable conditions, such as price drops or greater flexibility, before finalising their travel plans. This creates a two-speed dynamic in the market, where hotel operators are seeing both early and late bookings at the same time. To accommodate these different groups, hoteliers are increasingly using LOS pricing strategies. By offering special deals for stays of 5+ or 7+ nights, hotels can capture early bookings while also ensuring flexibility for late planners. This strategy allows hotels to optimise their revenue while appealing to a broader range of consumer behaviours.
The Profitability of Longer Stays for Hotels
For hotels, the shift towards longer stays offers multiple financial advantages. Longer stays can enhance profitability beyond just the nightly rate, offering savings on operational costs. These include fewer room resets, improved forecasting, and a longer runway for generating ancillary revenue, such as food and beverage sales, parking, transfers, and experiences. With fewer check-ins and check-outs to manage, hotels can reduce operational complexity while maintaining high occupancy rates. As a result, many hotel brands are experimenting with various LOS-related pricing strategies. For instance, tiered LOS pricing, where discounts kick in for stays longer than 5 or 7 nights, is becoming a popular approach. These offers, coupled with arrival-day controls that protect peak weekends, allow hotels to balance high-demand periods with shoulder seasons. To make the longer stays even more appealing, hotels are bundling extra perks such as breakfast, late checkout, and exclusive access to on-site experiences, ensuring that guests feel they are getting more value without sacrificing the hotel’s average daily rate (ADR).
Anticipated Impact on the 2026 Summer Travel Season
With consumers already gravitating towards longer trips and booking platforms promoting extended stays, the summer 2026 travel season could mark a turning point in how the tourism industry operates. LOS-led offers, designed to incentivise longer stays, are likely to become one of the primary levers for hotels looking to capture the attention of budget-conscious, commitment-ready travellers.
The combination of price-consciousness, higher peak-season pricing, and the desire for more flexible travel options is reshaping the way people approach holiday planning. For European beach destinations, along with major city hubs, this shift towards longer stays presents an opportunity to not only meet evolving traveller preferences but also maximise revenue during the summer months, which traditionally see the highest travel demand. Hotels that adapt to these changing behaviours, particularly through targeted pricing strategies and value-added packages, will likely see greater success in the coming years, especially as the trend towards extended stays becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Conclusion: The Future of Travel in 2026
As the travel industry continues to navigate shifting consumer expectations, the trend towards longer stays is set to dominate the summer 2026 tourism landscape. With platforms actively promoting multi-night stays and hotels increasingly offering LOS discounts, this shift is likely to reshape the way travellers plan their holidays. Extended stays will no longer be a compromise but a deliberate strategy that benefits both consumers and businesses. European beach destinations, along with major city hubs, will play a central role in this transformation, as tourists seek out ways to maximise their travel experiences while maintaining budget control. By strategically embracing this new reality, the tourism and hospitality industries can position themselves for success in the evolving market of 2026 and beyond.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania, a cherished heritage rail experience, has long been an essential part of the state’s tourism offerings, attracting visitors from across Australia and beyond. The Tasmanian Government is now stepping up efforts to ensure the future of this iconic railway, seeking ideas from industry leaders and stakeholders to maintain its place as a top-tier tourist attraction.
The railway, renowned for offering scenic journeys through rugged landscapes, has seen a resurgence in popularity over the years, helping to drive tourism to the West Coast and its surrounding areas. Government officials have recognised the importance of preserving this unique experience while developing a sustainable future that meets the needs of both locals and visitors. As part of this effort, the government held a roundtable with tourism stakeholders and business leaders to discuss strategic directions for the future of the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
Tasmania’s West Coast Railway: A Vital Part of the State’s Tourism Landscape
For over a century, the West Coast Wilderness Railway has captured the hearts of travelers seeking to explore the dramatic beauty of Tasmania’s West Coast. With its unique blend of history, natural beauty, and adventure, the railway has become one of the state’s top travel experiences. The railway provides visitors with the chance to see the untamed wilderness of Tasmania, while offering a comfortable and exciting way to experience the stunning surroundings.
The importance of the railway extends beyond tourism—it also serves as a vital component of Tasmania’s economic landscape. The success of the railway supports local communities, providing jobs and helping to sustain local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and retail sectors. With international and domestic visitors flocking to the region, the West Coast Wilderness Railway plays a critical role in maintaining the economic vitality of the area.
Government and Industry Leaders Meet to Discuss the Future of West Coast Wilderness Railway
Recognising the significant cultural and economic impact of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, the Tasmanian Government has convened a strategic roundtable to discuss its long-term future. The meeting brought together key players from the tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors to identify opportunities for growth, as well as challenges that need to be addressed.
In a statement released after the meeting, Kerry Vincent, the Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister, highlighted the importance of maintaining the heritage and charm of the railway while adapting it to meet modern needs. Minister Vincent pointed out that preserving the history of the railway was crucial, but they also needed to ensure that it continued to provide a world-class experience for travelers and contributed to the local economy for generations to come.
The discussions focused on finding ways to boost the railway’s appeal, including upgrading facilities and exploring new routes and services. Officials are committed to developing a strategy that ensures the railway can thrive in a competitive and ever-evolving tourism market.
Strategic Efforts to Secure the Future of Tasmania’s Iconic Railway
A key element of the government’s approach is balancing the need for modernization with the preservation of the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s rich history. As part of these efforts, the government is also looking into sustainable tourism practices to ensure that the railway’s continued operation doesn’t negatively impact the environment. The railway, which operates through some of Tasmania’s most pristine and rugged landscapes, presents an ideal opportunity to promote eco-friendly tourism initiatives.
The government is also working to align its strategies with broader regional and national tourism goals, ensuring that the West Coast Wilderness Railway continues to draw travelers from across the globe while contributing to Tasmania’s overall tourism development. This includes working with Tourism Tasmania to market the railway internationally, as well as promoting its significance as a unique heritage attraction in Australia’s growing cultural tourism sector.
Tourism and Local Communities Benefit from a Well-Preserved West Coast Railway
The West Coast Wilderness Railway is more than just a tourist attraction—it is also a cornerstone of local communities in Tasmania’s West Coast region. The railway helps drive the economy by encouraging visitors to spend in local shops, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, the preservation of the railway helps maintain the cultural heritage of the area, allowing locals and visitors alike to engage with the rich history of the region.
Local businesses that rely on tourism will also benefit from the sustained operation of the West Coast Wilderness Railway. By providing jobs and attracting visitors, the railway supports the livelihood of many Tasmanians who depend on the tourism sector. The government’s commitment to preserving the railway’s future shows how tourism can be a driver for positive economic growth while fostering sustainable practices.
How the Tasmanian Government Plans to Balance Heritage with Modern Needs for the Railway
In the coming months, the Tasmanian Government will continue to refine its plans for the West Coast Wilderness Railway, with a focus on incorporating sustainable tourism practices while ensuring that the railway’s historic character remains intact. The government aims to create a sustainable model that will allow the railway to continue operating at its best, attracting more visitors each year while minimizing its environmental footprint.
The government is also exploring new ways to enhance the visitor experience, including offering new tour options, adding additional services, and improving accessibility. By doing so, the government hopes to ensure that the West Coast Wilderness Railway remains a top-tier travel experience for years to come, while also contributing to the long-term sustainability of Tasmania’s tourism industry.
ADRENA, a new and exciting adventure and entertainment district, is set to open in The Red Sea destination, Saudi Arabia, offering visitors a variety of thrilling activities. Located near Shura Island, this remarkable district promises an immersive coastal experience, combining adrenaline-pumping sports with a vibrant social hub. As part of Red Sea Global’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative tourism, ADRENA is built to provide both day and night entertainment, ensuring that every visitor can enjoy a variety of experiences in this stunning natural setting.
A Unique Coastal Adventure and Entertainment Hub
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of The Red Sea, ADRENA is designed to captivate both adventure enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxed coastal escape. The district will offer an array of exhilarating activities, including surfing, wakeboarding, cliff diving, skateboarding, and more. As the largest saltwater surf pool in Saudi Arabia, ADRENA will feature a 215-metre-long pool, with waves reaching heights of up to 2.1 metres, making it a prime destination for surfing enthusiasts.
In addition to water sports, ADRENA will also feature a wakeboarding lake, a 6-metre-deep diving pool, snorkel trails, and an inflatable obstacle course on water. The district has been thoughtfully designed to offer something for every visitor, from family-friendly attractions such as a children’s waterplay area to more extreme thrills like an overwater zip line and a 10-metre-high slip ‘n’ fly slide.
Sustainable Design and Regenerative Tourism Commitment
ADRENA’s development follows Red Sea Global’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. The district has been designed with sustainability at its core, utilizing a closed-loop water system that draws seawater in, filters it, and returns it clean and filtered. This innovative approach ensures minimal environmental impact while providing visitors with a unique and thrilling experience. Additionally, any freshwater used in the district is recycled for irrigation, further reducing its environmental footprint.
The district’s design is also highly accessible, featuring zero-depth entry in many of its pools, making it easier for visitors with mobility and accessibility needs to enjoy the attractions. With a wide range of water sports such as bodyboarding, paddleboarding, and snorkeling available, ADRENA ensures an inclusive experience for everyone.
A Social Hub by Day and Night
ADRENA is more than just an adventure park – it’s a dynamic social hub offering entertainment for every mood. During the day, visitors can enjoy the stunning natural surroundings, while after dark, the beach club transforms into a vibrant space for relaxation and socialising. With live music programming and a curated menu of South American cuisine and mocktails, the beach club offers a unique nightlife experience for those looking to unwind with friends or family.
The infinity pool at ADRENA provides unparalleled views of the Red Sea, making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset while sipping on a refreshing drink. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, ADRENA is designed to deliver an unforgettable coastal experience for all visitors.
Enhancing Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Landscape
ADRENA adds another exciting dimension to The Red Sea destination, which has already made a mark as a premier tourism hub in Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea destination, which opened its doors to guests in 2023, has rapidly become one of the country’s most sought-after locations. With nine hotels already operational, including the luxurious Thuwal Private Retreat off the coast of Jeddah, and a growing list of attractions, The Red Sea is poised to further enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a top global tourism destination.
Red Sea International Airport (RSI) serves as the gateway to The Red Sea destination, with regular domestic and international flights from cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha, and Milan, making it easily accessible to tourists from around the world. With the addition of ADRENA, The Red Sea continues to offer innovative and exciting experiences, further solidifying its status as a leading travel destination.
A Promising Future for Adventure Tourism in Saudi Arabia
With its focus on adventure, sustainability, and community, ADRENA is set to become a must-visit destination for travellers seeking a mix of thrilling sports and relaxation. Red Sea Global’s commitment to regenerative tourism and environmentally responsible design ensures that ADRENA will offer a one-of-a-kind experience that caters to visitors of all ages and interests. As the adventure and entertainment district opens its doors, it is clear that Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination will continue to lead the way in offering exceptional tourism experiences for years to come.
Southern New Mexico is bracing for a major weather event this week, as the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) issues an urgent travel advisory due to expected high winds and blowing dust that may significantly impact road safety across multiple highways. With gusts forecasted to reach up to 75 mph, travel disruptions are expected, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles, such as trucks and RVs. As travelers prepare to navigate the challenging conditions, authorities are emphasizing the importance of safety, urging caution, and providing key travel tips.
Severe Wind Forecast for Southern New Mexico
The National Weather Service has projected sustained wind speeds ranging between 30 and 45 miles per hour (mph), with gusts expected to soar between 60 to 75 mph throughout the southern New Mexico region. Areas heavily affected include major highways such as Interstate 10 (I-10), Interstate 25 (I-25), and routes connecting Las Cruces, Silver City, and Santa Teresa. These gusty winds, which will peak during the afternoon hours, pose serious risks to travelers, especially in the open desert terrain of southern New Mexico, where wind gusts can cause vehicles to swerve and lose control.
While these high winds are typical for the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that blowing dust will further deteriorate driving conditions. As the winds pick up, the dust can rapidly reduce visibility to near zero, increasing the chances of accidents, particularly on rural roads and desert highways where the infrastructure is less developed. The NMDOT has confirmed that blowing dust is expected to become particularly severe in open and rural areas, often without warning, making visibility a major concern for drivers.
Blowing Dust: A Silent Danger to Road Safety
The blowing dust hazard is one of the biggest concerns during this windstorm. High winds sweeping across the desert landscape will pick up fine dust particles and send them swirling into the air, creating dust storms that can cover miles of roadway in an instant. The NMDOT and NWS have noted that drivers may find themselves in near-blind conditions, with visibility dropping dramatically.
When driving through such storms, it’s crucial that drivers of all vehicles — especially those in high-profile cars — reduce speed and increase following distance. For those already on the road, it’s advisable to avoid abrupt stops and pull over to a safe, low-visibility area if conditions worsen. Pulling over completely off the highway and turning off all lights is strongly recommended, as other drivers might mistake a vehicle’s hazard lights for a moving car, creating a further hazard.
Road Conditions and Areas Affected
According to the NMDOT, the most affected highways will be in the southern, southwestern, and western parts of New Mexico. Areas such as I-10, which runs through Las Cruces and connects New Mexico with Arizona, are at particular risk for visibility issues due to the intense dust storms expected to form along these routes. Highways such as I-25 and US Route 54 are also expected to experience high wind gusts, especially in open country areas with little shelter from the wind.
I-10 will see strong crosswinds, and desert highways will be highly susceptible to blowing dust. Travelers may experience visibility drops that could make travel nearly impossible in some areas.
I-25 will experience similar conditions, with dust storms likely affecting the southernmost stretches of the highway, where vehicles are at the greatest risk of being blown off course.
US-54 is also flagged as a high-risk route, particularly the stretch through Tularosa and surrounding desert areas.
Travel Tips for Drivers in Southern New Mexico
With high winds and blowing dust expected to impact travel through southern New Mexico, the NMDOT has provided the following travel advisory tips:
Before Departure: Check road conditions and NMDOT updates on nmroads.com or dial 511 for the latest travel alerts. Consider postponing travel, particularly if you drive a high-profile vehicle.
While Driving:
Slow down when you feel your vehicle being affected by wind gusts.
Be especially cautious around semi-trucks and buses, as these vehicles are more susceptible to strong crosswinds.
Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, as sudden dust clouds can cause abrupt stops or accidents.
Pull off the road if conditions become hazardous, but do not stop under overpasses or on the side of bridges where winds may be more intense.
If Blowing Dust Hits:
Turn off your vehicle’s lights and stay in the car with your seatbelt fastened until the dust storm clears.
Do not drive into or through a dust storm. If you encounter a storm, immediately find a safe pull-off area.
Real-time Resources and Road Condition Updates
For the latest updates on road conditions, closures, and travel advisories, travelers should rely on official NMDOT sources:
NM Roads Website: The NMDOT’s official website, nmroads.com, provides real-time road condition reports, including current travel advisories, weather conditions, and live traffic cameras for major highways throughout the state.
511 System: The 511 travel information system is available to help drivers get the most up-to-date conditions, including closures and detours.
National Weather Service: For weather updates and high-wind warnings, travelers should monitor the National Weather Service’s alerts for southern New Mexico.
Conclusion: Stay Safe and Plan Ahead
In conclusion, the NMDOT’s travel advisory for southern New Mexico highlights the seriousness of the expected high winds and blowing dust in the coming days. Drivers must take immediate precautions to ensure their safety when traveling in the region. Given the dangerous combination of high winds and dust storms, the NMDOT urges travelers to exercise extreme caution, reduce speeds, and stay updated on conditions via official channels.
For those who must travel, be aware that visibility may fluctuate dramatically, and sudden gusts of wind could cause vehicles to lose control. By heeding the NMDOT’s advice, travelers can ensure that they remain as safe as possible under these challenging conditions.
As southern New Mexico braces for severe weather, travelers are reminded that safety is paramount, and those planning trips should be prepared to adjust their plans if conditions worsen.
In 2026 Curaçao impressed everyone with 79,387 visitors, an 8% increase from January 2025. January stayover arrivals in Curaçao increased 8% compared with January 2025 arrivals. January 2026 visitors to Curaçao are a great example of how much the island can be projected to increase international visitors. Making it even better, arrivals from Canada increased. Canadian market arrivals increased by 26% in January. Canada’s arrival rate to the island increased faster than Netherlands and United States.
The increase in Canadian arrivals resulted from a shift in the type of winter travel. Many Canadian long stay travelers to Curaçao of winter vacation travel to the Caribbean want more than a simple beach vacation. The Canadian market is evolving and is an important contributor to the expansion of the Caribbean’s revitalized travel.
A Boom in Canadian Tourism: Longer Stays and Increased Interest
In January 2026, Curaçao welcomed 7,582 visitors from Canada, up from 6,006 in January 2025, marking a substantial increase in Canadian arrivals. The 26% surge is especially notable as it outpaces the growth from other traditional markets, such as the United States and the Netherlands. Canadian travelers are not just visiting more frequently, but they are also staying longer. On average, Canadians stayed for 11 nights in January 2026, which is significantly longer than American visitors, who averaged 6.4 nights.
This longer length of stay indicates that Curaçao is becoming more than just a quick beach destination for Canadians. With an average stay of 11 nights, travelers are committing to extended vacations and opting for a mix of accommodations—half stayed in resort hotels, while the other half chose more independent lodging options such as villas, apartments, and boutique hotels. This reflects the island’s appeal to a broad range of travelers, from those seeking a classic luxury resort experience to those wanting a more authentic, immersive stay.
Tourism Growth Across Regions: A Broad-Based Surge
While Canada’s growth stands out, Curaçao saw positive tourism growth across several key regions in January 2026:
South America saw a 15% increase, with 21,053 visitors recorded.
North America increased by 8%, with 25,651 visitors in total.
Europe experienced a 6% rise, contributing 28,922 visitors.
Europe remains the largest source region for Curaçao tourism, with the Netherlands continuing to be the top market for the island, recording 24,443 visitors in January 2026—a 6% increase compared to last year. The Dutch market remains a stable pillar of the island’s tourism economy, with Dutch visitors often staying the longest, averaging 13.7 nights.
The Impact of Longer Stays and Evolving Tourist Preferences
The growing trend of longer stays reflects a shift in the way tourists are approaching Caribbean travel. With an average stay of 9.4 nights across all markets in January, Curaçao is attracting more visitors who want to immerse themselves in the island’s culture, nature, and local lifestyle. Visitors are increasingly opting for authentic travel experiences, including cultural workshops, historical site tours, and engagement with local communities, rather than simply visiting for a short beach vacation.
The increase in longer stays is not just an important statistic—it has a positive economic impact on Curaçao’s tourism industry. Extended stays mean higher spending on accommodation, local tours, restaurants, and souvenir shopping, contributing significantly to local businesses and supporting job creation in tourism-dependent sectors.
A Positive Shift in Tourism Dynamics: Expanding Markets and Future Growth
The increase in Canadian visitors, alongside steady growth in other regions, is transforming Curaçao’s tourism sector. The island is diversifying its tourism markets, reducing its reliance on a handful of traditional source countries. As Curaçao attracts more long-term visitors and new travelers, it becomes less vulnerable to fluctuations in specific tourism markets.
Furthermore, the growth of international tourism is benefiting local businesses by generating higher demand for services such as hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and transportation companies. The increase in overnight stays and longer-term visitors contributes to the sustainability of the island’s tourism economy, ensuring that tourism growth is not just seasonal but a year-round contributor to economic development.
A Strong Future for Curaçao’s Tourism Industry
A positive sign of growth in Curaçao’s tourism market is seen with an 8% increase in stayover visitors, with a notable rise in Canadian visitors during January 2026. With the continued growth of Canadian visitors, the Curaçao tourism market will be more sustainable with a diverse market. Visitors that stay longer will promote the continued growth of and will place Curacao among the top destinations in the Caribbean tourism market for high-end cultural travelers and affordable cultural travelers.
With the growing demand for tourism in the Caribbean, Curaçao will contribute to the growth of the tourism market economically and regionally. To accommodate the changing value of tourism in the Caribbean the island will continue to develop its tourism infrastructure. This will create a positive value to the local economy and the world’s economy.
The Lombardy capital now provides visitors with an additional reason to stay inside because Four Seasons Hotel Milano in Italy has finished its renovation of all 118 guest rooms and suites. The hotel unveils its new Presidential Suite and modern Designer Suite as the main attraction of its renovated facilities. The historic city center offers guests a luxurious residential experience which combines fashion and culture with peaceful relaxation at a location. The hotel provides access to both the Duomo and the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district.
The heritage property, housed in a 15th‑century former convent, has been refreshed under the eye of celebrated designer Pierre‑Yves Rochon, who has been said to have sought to honour Milan’s design DNA while bringing in a quietly modern, boutique aesthetic. For visitors, that means more natural light, tactile materials and artful details, without losing the sense of staying in a classic Milanese palazzo.
Presidential Suite: private residence in the fashion quarter
At 177 square metres, the new Presidential Suite is positioned by the hotel as its flagship urban residence, occupying its own wing overlooking a private courtyard for added privacy and calm. Leisure guests and high‑profile travellers can use the suite as a self‑contained home base, with a generous living area, bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and private kitchen laid out in a residential flow that suits longer stays or family visits.
Design‑wise, the suite blends avant‑garde touches with historic bones, pairing a traditional wooden ceiling and a black marble fireplace with contemporary furniture and curated Italian art. Materials including wool, bouclé, leather and richly worked wood are layered for a sensory experience that encourages guests to slow down between shopping trips and gallery visits.
The bathroom has been reimagined as a destination in its own right, showcasing Breccia Calacatta marble threaded with red and aubergine veins and a geometric floor that gives the room a strong architectural personality. For guests, this translates into a spa‑like setting for getting ready for an evening at La Scala or winding down after a business day in the nearby financial district.
For entertaining, the suite’s fully integrated cocktail bar, with its own counter, wine storage and professional equipment allows private aperitivi, intimate dinners or discreet meetings to unfold without leaving the room. Hotel insiders suggest that the space is already being eyed for fashion‑week gatherings, pre‑show warm‑ups and confidential deal‑making away from the public eye.
The 91‑square‑metre Designer Suite has been conceived as a luminous urban pied‑à‑terre for design‑savvy guests who want to feel embedded in Milanese daily life. Iconic oval windows draw in natural light across the bedroom, living area and work space, while views of the courtyard keep the atmosphere calm despite the central location near Via Montenapoleone.
Hardwood floors, custom‑loomed carpets and crisp Frette linens create a warm, tailored mood that nods to mid‑century Italian masters, from Gio Ponti to Fornasetti, while textiles by Rubelli and Dedar add colour and texture. This mix of references means design enthusiasts can spot subtle homages to Italian modernism while still enjoying the comforts expected of a contemporary five‑star stay.
A spacious Carrara marble bathroom with deep European soaking tub and separate walk‑in shower is geared towards guests seeking restorative downtime between museum visits or shopping appointments. A discreet guest powder room, accessed through a walk‑in closet, and a living room with fold‑down wall bed make the suite practical for small families, close friends travelling together or an assistant accompanying a business traveller.
Near the bedroom, a compact library inspired by Charlotte Perriand adds an architectural note and provides a quiet corner for reading trip guides, checking emails or planning the next day’s itinerary. The hotel team has indicated that the suite is designed to feel liveable, encouraging guests to unpack and treat the space as a temporary Milanese apartment rather than a traditional hotel room.
Benefits for leisure guests and business travellers
Beyond the two headline suites, all rooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel Milano have undergone a full refresh, retaining original marble in bathrooms while introducing redesigned sinks and custom woodwork crafted by local artisans. For guests, this ensures a coherent experience, whether they book an entry‑level room, a Renaissance Suite with historical stucco ceiling or one of the signature new spaces.
Key guest‑facing amenities remain in place, including complimentary premium Wi‑Fi, 24‑hour in‑room dining, twice‑daily housekeeping and access to the hotel’s intimate spa, making the property suitable for both short business trips and extended city breaks. Families benefit from flexible occupancy in suites such as the Designer Suite, which can host up to three adults or two adults and a child, and from services like rollaway beds, cots and connecting options in selected categories.
Its location, a short walk from the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the fashion district, positions the hotel as a convenient hub for sightseeing and shopping, while the refreshed interiors give returning guests a new reason to rediscover familiar surroundings. Hotel representatives have remarked that the redesign aims to let visitors experience the city’s fashion, design and culinary scenes in an atmosphere that mirrors Milan’s own blend of history and innovation.
Milan stays with a renewed sense of place
For travellers planning a future escape to Milan, Italy, the renewed Four Seasons Hotel Milano now offers a sharper sense of place, with suites that feel closely tuned to the city’s identity as a capital of fashion and design. Couples dreaming of a romantic weekend, families plotting a culture‑rich holiday and executives returning for repeated stays may find that the new Presidential and Designer Suites turn the hotel itself into one of the trip’s most memorable sights, alongside the Duomo and Brera’s galleries.
The creators of the project transformation state their intent to maintain the convent’s original architectural elements while providing modern amenities for visitors because they believe this approach will appeal to guests who value historical accuracy and contemporary comfort. The updated property in Milan currently supports international fashion trends while attracting modern visitors who seek hotels that complement the city’s sophisticated and assured atmosphere.
The Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival is one of the most exciting events you’ll find in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during the cold winter months. This festival is all about celebrating creativity, supporting local artisans, and enjoying a weekend filled with music, food, and family fun. Whether you’re a craft lover, music enthusiast, or simply looking for something to do in February, this festival has something for everyone.
The 2026 edition of this festival promises to be bigger, better, and more exciting than ever before. With local vendors, live performances, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, the Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival is the perfect way to spend your weekend in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
When and Where is the Festival?
This incredible festival will take place on February 21-22, 2026, at the 4291 Continental Drive, Harrisburg, PA. It’s the perfect event for those looking to escape the winter chill and dive into a world of handmade treasures and local music.
The festival is held in a spacious venue, providing plenty of room for vendors, visitors, and entertainment to flow freely. Visitors can explore various booths, enjoy great food, listen to amazing live music, and, of course, shop for unique and special handmade items. If you are a fan of art, music, and supporting local craftspeople, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
What Can You Expect at the Festival?
The Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival is a wonderful blend of creativity, community spirit, and fun. Here’s what you can expect when you step through the festival gates.
1. Unique Handcrafted Goods and Artisan Products
One of the main draws of this festival is the amazing array of handcrafted goods on offer. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a special gift, you’ll find an endless variety of handmade treasures. Local artisans bring their best creations to the festival, including:
Jewellery: Beautiful, one‑of‑a‑kind pieces that you won’t find anywhere else.
Home décor: Unique decorations to brighten up your living space.
Seasonal gifts and ornaments: Perfect for your upcoming celebrations or for gifting during the winter months.
Artwork: Stunning paintings, sculptures, and photography.
Winter accessories: Scarves, hats, and gloves designed and crafted by local artists.
These items are not just things you can buy at the mall. They have been carefully made by talented artists and craftspeople. When you shop at the Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival, you are supporting local businesses and helping the community thrive.
2. Live Music and Entertainment
This festival is not just about shopping. It’s about immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of live music and entertainment. The Mid Winter Music Festival has a lineup of local musicians who will fill the venue with great tunes throughout the weekend. Whether you’re a fan of rock, folk, blues, or acoustic music, there’s something for every taste.
The music adds an exciting layer to the festival, creating an atmosphere that encourages visitors to relax, shop, and enjoy the weekend. The live performances offer a chance to listen to up-and-coming artists, enjoy some local talent, and even discover your new favourite band.
3. Food Vendors with Delicious Seasonal Treats
No festival is complete without food, and the Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival has you covered with a range of tasty treats and refreshments. Food vendors serve up a variety of seasonal delights, including hot chocolate, winter snacks, and other comfort foods to keep you warm and satisfied throughout the day.
This is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious meal while exploring the festival. Whether you’re grabbing a quick snack between browsing the craft booths or sitting down to enjoy a hot drink while listening to the live music, the food vendors will make sure you’re well taken care of.
4. Interactive Craft Workshops and Demonstrations
If you’re feeling creative and want to learn something new, the festival offers a range of interactive craft workshops and live craft demonstrations. You can watch skilled artisans at work as they create their beautiful items right before your eyes. From macramé to painting to woodworking, there are plenty of opportunities to see art in action.
Additionally, you might be able to join a hands‑on workshop where you can try your hand at making something yourself. This is an excellent chance to learn new skills, discover your creative side, and take home your very own handcrafted masterpiece.
5. Family‑Friendly Fun
The Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival is a fantastic event for people of all ages. It’s a family-friendly festival where kids can enjoy the fun, too. There are usually activities that are geared towards younger visitors, including arts and crafts, face painting, and more. It’s the perfect way to introduce your children to the world of art, creativity, and handmade crafts in a fun and engaging way.
Even if you don’t have children, the family atmosphere will make you feel welcome and relaxed. This is an event where everyone can enjoy the weekend, no matter how old they are!
Why You Should Attend the Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival
The Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival is more than just a place to shop. It’s an event that celebrates creativity, community, and local talent. Here are some key reasons why you should consider attending:
1. Support Local Artisans and Small Businesses
By attending this festival, you are supporting local artisans and helping to boost the Harrisburg economy. Many of the vendors are small business owners who depend on events like these to showcase their work and connect with customers. When you shop at the festival, you’re not just buying a product—you’re helping someone’s dream come true.
2. Discover Unique Items
The items at this festival are one-of-a-kind. Whether you’re looking for something special for your home, a unique gift for a loved one, or a handmade accessory, you’ll find plenty of options that you won’t find in stores. This is your chance to own something truly unique and support local talent at the same time.
3. Enjoy Live Music and Entertainment
Live music adds an exciting and lively element to the festival. Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing afternoon or looking for some upbeat tunes to get your feet moving, the music will help make your experience even better.
4. Great for Families
This festival is the perfect way to spend time with your family. There are plenty of activities for kids, and the family-friendly atmosphere makes it an event that everyone can enjoy. It’s a chance to expose your children to new forms of art and creativity while having fun together.
5. An Opportunity to Learn
If you’re someone who enjoys learning new things, the workshops and craft demonstrations are an excellent opportunity. You can watch artists create their work or join in on a hands‑on craft session and create something of your own. This is an event that nurtures creativity and helps people connect with their artistic side.
The Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival is an event you don’t want to miss. With its combination of art, music, handmade crafts, and family-friendly activities, it’s a weekend that offers something for everyone. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the best of local craftsmanship, discover new artists, and support small businesses. So, mark your calendars for February 21-22, 2026, and get ready to be amazed by all the creativity and talent that Harrisburg has to offer!
Whether you’re attending to shop, learn, enjoy great music, or simply spend time with family, this festival will be one you’ll remember for years to come. Make sure to come early and stay for the entire weekend to fully experience everything the Harrisburg Mid Winter Music and Craft Festival has to offer.
A new chapter in Oadby’s tourism scene has been written with the recent opening of a Best Western hotel in the heart of the Leicestershire town. Located in Glen Rise, Oadby, the property previously housed a Premier Inn but has undergone significant refurbishments to breathe new life into the site. The hotel’s opening is expected to have a significant impact on the local tourism market, offering much-needed accommodation in this fast-developing area.
An Aspiring Destination: Oadby’s Growth in Leicestershire
Oadby, described as an aspirational town, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after locations in Leicestershire. Its proximity to Leicester and its appeal to both corporate visitors and leisure travellers has made it a key spot for businesses and tourists alike. The town’s rapid development, including the introduction of more amenities like Hickory’s Smokehouse, has heightened its attractiveness, prompting more investment into local hospitality.
Best Western’s decision to acquire the hotel was based on a strategic analysis of Oadby’s growing demand for accommodation. The acquisition follows the site’s closure after the former owners decided not to reinvest in the property due to profitability concerns. However, with almost 90% occupancy during its previous operation, the site presented an opportunity that Best Western seized to fulfil the area’s tourism needs.
Refurbishments to Enhance Visitor Experience
While the hotel retained its essential structure, several key elements underwent a complete redesign to improve the guest experience. Best Western placed a particular emphasis on creating a welcoming, functional space for visitors. The reception area, once purely functional, has now been transformed into a modern grab-and-go breakfast area, addressing the demand for on-site dining options for visitors. This change came after the closure of the adjacent pub, which was replaced by Hickory’s Smokehouse.
The refurbishment also extended to the rooms, which received fresh curtains and a new coat of paint. Although the hotel was in good condition overall, these changes reflect Best Western’s commitment to meeting the needs of today’s tourists. The hotel aims to provide both comfort and convenience for business travellers, leisure visitors, and anyone else exploring the South Leicester area.
Oadby’s Growing Appeal for Business and Leisure Tourism
The decision to revitalise the hotel comes at a time when Oadby’s appeal as a tourism and business hub is rapidly increasing. The area has long been popular among corporate travellers, with its easy access to Leicester and the wider Leicestershire region. The addition of a new, modern hotel with updated amenities is expected to further elevate Oadby as a key destination for business and leisure tourism.
Oadby’s positioning within Leicestershire, surrounded by natural beauty and close to the vibrant city of Leicester, makes it an attractive option for visitors looking to combine work with relaxation. The town’s amenities, such as the new Hickory’s Smokehouse, provide a high standard of dining and entertainment, contributing to Oadby’s appeal as a desirable place to stay.
Meeting Local Demand for Quality Accommodation
The hotel’s opening is not just about providing a place to stay; it’s about meeting a growing demand for quality accommodation. Oadby and its surrounding areas have seen a surge in visitors, both for business and leisure purposes, and the new Best Western hotel is well-placed to meet these needs. With the town becoming an increasingly popular destination, having a high-quality, well-located hotel will allow both tourists and business travellers to explore the area with greater ease.
Best Western’s investment in this site is part of the brand’s broader strategy to expand its presence in key tourist locations. With the Oadby location, the company aims to cater to both local demand and the increasing number of people visiting the region. The development also aligns with Oadby’s goal to raise the standard of hospitality in the area, ensuring the town remains an attractive proposition for tourists, whether for short stays or extended business trips.
A Bright Future for Tourism in Oadby
The opening of this new hotel marks a promising future for tourism in Oadby. With a perfect mix of modern amenities, strategic location, and a commitment to enhancing the local tourism offering, the hotel is set to become a favourite among visitors. The town’s continued growth as an aspirational destination ensures that more investments like this will follow, further boosting the local tourism economy and raising the profile of Oadby as a must-visit location in Leicestershire.
As the town continues to attract both businesses and tourists, the addition of a top-tier hotel ensures that Oadby will remain a key player in the region’s tourism landscape. The future of Oadby tourism looks bright, with this Best Western hotel being just one example of the exciting developments happening in this vibrant town.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has entered into a deal with Fincantieri for the design and construction of three new cruise ships, which will continue to develop the growing global cruise ship tourism market. These ships, which will be delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises between 2036 and 2037, will be pivotal to the expansion of NCLH’s premium and luxury offerings.
As sister vessels to ships such as Oceania Sonata and Seven Seas Prestige, these three ships will be the very first NHLC will be able to do to sustain the cruise line’s very first luxury cruise ship offerings. The order comes when global cruise tourism is rebounding, and more and more people are looking to travel sustainably.
Strengthening NCLH’s Global Presence and Luxury Cruise Market
The addition of three new ships aligns with NCLH’s commitment to providing diverse and luxurious cruise experiences, particularly as the luxury cruise market continues to expand globally. With the cruise industry seeing a steady recovery following the pandemic, the demand for luxury and experiential travel is rising. NCLH’s growth in this segment will help address this growing need, offering high-end cruises that provide guests with more immersive, unique travel experiences.
As luxury cruise tourism grows, NCLH’s diverse portfolio of brands, including Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is uniquely positioned to tap into the premium market. The new ships will cater to affluent travelers looking for customized itineraries, exclusive destinations, and unparalleled onboard amenities, contributing to the overall expansion of luxury cruise tourism worldwide.
Impact of Newbuilds on Cruise Tourism Growth
The newbuilds reflect a broader trend in global cruise tourism where demand for premium ships and luxury cruises continues to grow. NCLH’s strategic investments in its fleet are set to drive further tourism growth, particularly in the luxury sector, by attracting high-spending travelers who seek exceptional experiences. These ships will not only expand the company’s fleet but will also help attract new tourists to cruise markets across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Cruise tourism growth is directly influenced by the addition of innovative and luxurious vessels, which enable companies like NCLH to tap into new markets and reach more international travelers. As travelers’ preferences shift toward luxury, sustainability, and personalized travel experiences, the new ships from NCLH will cater to these evolving demands, ensuring the company maintains its competitive edge in the global cruise tourism industry.
Expanding Cruise Tourism Impact Beyond Traditional Destinations
In addition to the ships’ luxury offerings, the new vessels will also support NCLH’s expansion into emerging cruise markets. As the global cruise tourism industry expands, NCLH is increasing its presence in underexplored destinations, tapping into new regions that have high growth potential for premium cruises. These new ships will allow the company to expand its reach to new destinations, helping boost tourism and contribute to the economic growth of regions outside of traditional cruise hubs.
By offering cruises to untapped destinations and introducing innovative itineraries, NCLH is ensuring that cruise tourism not only flourishes in established markets but also opens up new opportunities for local economies and tourism operators. The growth of luxury cruises is bringing more visitors to ports that may not traditionally see large cruise traffic, thus contributing to regional tourism development.
A Stronger Focus on Sustainability in Cruise Tourism
The newbuilds also reflect NCLH’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly cruising, which is becoming an increasingly important aspect of luxury cruise tourism. As travelers become more eco-conscious, the demand for sustainable cruising experiences continues to rise. NCLH’s focus on sustainability, through the introduction of green technologies and low-emission ships, will contribute to the long-term growth of the cruise tourism market while minimizing the environmental impact of the industry.
Sustainability is not just a trend but a growing expectation from affluent travelers. By embracing eco-friendly practices, NCLH is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable cruise tourism, helping to shape the future of the industry and attract more environmentally conscious travelers.
Driving Long-Term Growth in Luxury Cruise Tourism
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has ordered three new ships which will help grow global cruise tourism. With the expansion of new travel experiences added to their growing number of luxury ships, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is able to strengthen their position in the luxury cruise market and help grow cruise tourism.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ emphasis on luxury, sustainability, and varied travel experiences, helps meet the current market demand while ensuring the cruise travel market continues to grow. With the upcoming new ships, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will continue to grow its influence on the world’s luxury cruise travel market and will create employment opportunities in important tourist destinations.
The relief rallies in Bitcoin and several major altcoins are stalling near their respective overhead resistance levels, signaling that the bears remain in control.
The addition is the first crypto company to be licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission since June 2025, when the regulator approved Hong Kong BGE.
Demand from Bitcoin accumulation addresses reached a new high, with analysts citing a futures market CME gap as a prediction point for their higher short-term price targets.
The management company behind the university’s $56.9 billion endowment opened a new position in BlackRock's spot Ether ETF, while reducing its Bitcoin ETF stake by 21%.
Tokenized real-world assets added 13.5% in 30 days, led by increasing activity on Ethereum, Arbitrum and Solana, even as the broader crypto market lost $1 trillion in value.
With the SamsungGalaxy S26 series launch just around the corner, new details about the phones have appeared online. Canadian accessory maker dbrand has listed cases, skins, and screen protectors for the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra on its website, which gives fans an early look at the design of these phones.
For the standard Galaxy S26, dbrand offers a customizable Grip Case, allowing users to change the grip to their liking. There are also several skin options. These skins are carefully cut by industrial-grade machines to fit the phone perfectly.
The Prism 2.0 Screen Protector is also available. For this, dbrand says it is easy to install, scratch-proof, dust-proof, fingerprint-proof, and very simple to use.
The Galaxy S26 Plus comes with the same accessories as the standard S26. It includes customizable Grip cases, skins, and the Prism 2.0 screen protector.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a few more options. In addition to the customizable Grip Case, dbrand offers a rugged Tank Case for extra protection. There’s also the Ghost Case 2.0, a transparent case that resists yellowing, fits the phone well, provides a good grip, and offers strong protection without hiding the phone’s look.
Like the other models, the Ultra also has skins in different designs and the Prism 2.0 screen protector for full protection.
These accessories not only give a first look at the phones’ camera designs but also show what kinds of customization and protection users can expect. Samsung has scheduled the Galaxy Unpacked event 2026 for February 25, 2026. Stay tuned.
Google is working on small design changes for Android Auto. These changes are mainly for the icons that show your phone’s network signal on your car’s screen. The new design looks similar to the style introduced in Android 16. It makes Android Auto look cleaner and more modern, just like Android phones.
In the latest Android Auto beta version (16.3.160744), new signal strength icons have been found by Assemble Debug. The current version shows signal strength as a filled triangle shape. The new design replaces this with separate vertical bars that clearly show how strong the signal is. The icons also look rounder and smoother than before.
Also, there is an updated text for network types like 4G or 5G. The font looks more modern and easier to read. However, the battery icon still looks the same, which means not all icons have been updated yet.
Image via Android Authority
Even though Android 16 already has new status bar icons on phones, Android Auto has continued using the old style. This happens because Android Auto stores its own icons inside the app. It does not directly copy the icons from your phone. That’s why most users still see the older design in their cars.
Some Samsung users may notice slightly different icons because Samsung uses its own design style. Notably, both gray and black versions of the new icons has been spotted. This suggests Google is preparing a light theme for Android Auto.
There is no official release date yet, but the update could arrive in a future version. Stay tuned for more information.
Crimson Desert will launch without microtransactions of any kind. Will Powers, one of the game’s developers, has just confirmed it in a recent interview.
The Ultimea Skywave X100 wireless home theater system is on the way. Launching via a crowdfunding campaign, backers will be able to choose between 9.2.6 channel and 9.1.6 channel systems. Features include 8K pass-through, minimal latency and powerful bass.
Oppo seems to have one upped Samsung in more departments than one. If the leak turns out to be accurate, the company will become the first major Chinese smartphone manufacturer to implement this feature in their phones.
A new Huawei smartwatch update is on the way to some models. Currently rolling out to users in phases, this HarmonyOS 6 release is said to bring a new voice-to-text messaging feature, as well as a heart disease risk assessment. Plus, the Watch GT 6 and Watch GT 6 Pro get enhanced notification settings.
The Poco X8 Pro has turned up on Geekbench before its release. Launching globally, the leak confirms that Xiaomi will replace the Poco X7 Pro with a Dimensity 8500-backed successor with 12 GB of RAM. The Poco X8 Pro will run Android 16 from launch, too.
Xiaomi’s HyperOS shows ads and collects data about user behavior, but turning both off isn’t difficult. We show how that works on the Xiaomi Poco M8 Pro 5G.
Amazfit’s new T-Rex Ultra 2 smartwatch has been spotted at a European retailer. This premium wearable has yet to be officially announced by the brand. Its listed features include a titanium casing, sapphire crystal, on-watch route planning and an integrated flashlight. However, its display technology is not what fans were hoping for.
Users who want to take good-looking photos with a smartphone don’t always have to buy the most expensive flagship models. With the Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus, we’re taking a look at the image quality of an affordable mid-range phone and comparing it with a current high-end smartphone, namely the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Pricing for Huawei's next fitness tracker has emerged online. Part of an extensive Band 11 Pro-related leak, affordable pricing has not prevented Huawei from equipping its new wearable with a 2,000-nit AMOLED display and built-in GPS.
Cybersecurity researchers disclosed they have detected a case of an information stealer infection successfully exfiltrating a victim's OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot and Moltbot) configuration environment.
"This finding marks a significant milestone in the evolution of infostealer behavior: the transition from stealing browser credentials to harvesting the 'souls' and identities of personal AI [
A new study has found that multiple cloud-based password managers, including Bitwarden, Dashlane, and LastPass, are susceptible to password recovery attacks under certain conditions.
"The attacks range in severity from integrity violations to the complete compromise of all vaults in an organization," researchers Matteo Scarlata, Giovanni Torrisi, Matilda Backendal, and Kenneth G. Paterson said.
Last month, Samsung teased that it will add “a new layer of privacy” to the Galaxy S26 Ultra with the new privacy screen feature. Now the company has shared a short video demonstrating how it works – it can make the whole screen or specific parts of it appear black when viewed from the side, without affecting legibility for you.
Here’s the video. In this case the whole screen gets blacked out for any unwanted onlookers when the Zero-peeking privacy toggle is enabled. What’s interesting is that the phone has per-pixel control over this feature and can only black out notifications with...
Although Álvaro Arbeloa continues to push for his continuity at Real Madrid, his position could be at risk. Thriving at Benfica, José Mourinho is once again attracting the attention of Los Blancos, who could pursue his return due to a reported clause in his current contract.
Following Xabi Alonso’s surprising departure, Álvaro Arbeloa became Real Madrid’s leader, aiming to compete for every title this season. However, his continuity at the club is far from guaranteed, which is why the board remains alert to a potential replacement. With this in mind, José Mourinho’s return is emerging as an increasingly strong possibility, as the Portuguese coach reportedly has a clause in his contract that could facilitate such a move.
According to Mundo Deportivo, José Mourinho has included a release clause in his contract upon joining Benfica. With this in mind, the Portuguese coach could activate it within the ten days following his final match of the current season with the club. Although the value of the clause has not been disclosed, the Real Madrid‘s return of the experienced manager has always been on the table, given the strong impact of his previous spell with the team.
José Mourinho has successfully reinvented himself after challenging tenures with Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, and Fenerbahçe. Back in Portugal, he has restored his influence, guiding the team to the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Although Real Madrid have shown increasing interest, no negotiations have started, leaving it as speculation that might solidify pending his team’s advancement in European competition.
Not only Real Madrid remain interested in José Mourinho. Like the Spanish side, Portugal are reportedly keeping an eye on the experienced coach, looking to pair him with Cristiano Ronaldo. Given this, he has decided to remain quite cautious about his future. When asked if he would be able to turn down Florentino Perez in the event of an offer from Los Blancos, he said: “Yes, you can. I can also do it.”With this, he makes it clear that his comeback would not be easy.
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica.
José Mourinho left an impressive legacy at Real Madrid
After shining impressively with Inter Milan, José Mourinho was chosen to lead Real Madrid. Coming off six years without reaching the Champions League Round of 16, the Portuguese coach broke that poor run by guiding the team to three consecutive semifinals. In addition, he imposed a strong winning mentality, significantly raising the team’s competitiveness. For this reason, the coach decided to speak about his legacy at the Spanish side.
“I am one of the few coaches who left Madrid without being sacked. I have no reproaches…The day I left, the president told me ‘you’ve done the difficult thing, now comes the easy’… I gave it everything I could in Madrid. I succeeded at some things, I failed at others, but I really did give it everything I could. And when you give it everything, you build a connection that lasts forever,” José Mourinho said at the press conference.
Despite securing only three titles during his tenure at Real Madrid, the Portuguese coach successfully reignited the team’s competitive spirit. He elevated the performance level of several players and left an indelible legacy, embedding a culture of hard work into the club’s DNA. For this reason, José Mourinho’s potential return is supposedly viewed as pivotal in unlocking the full potential of the team’s young talents.
Álvaro Arbeloa ,Head Coach of Real Madrid and SL Benfica Head Coach José Mourinho.
Netflix is ending support for its app on the PS3 and some older TVs and set-top boxes – but streaming sticks are cheap right now, if you want to keep your old set
This Anker portable charger, which is small enough for everyday carry, has become my go-to travel accessory for keeping phones and other devices powered on the move.
Fenerbahçe, Trabzonspor'u deplasmanda 3-2 mağlup etmişti. Ancak bazı taraftarların yediği 2 gol sebebiyle kaleci Ederson'un sosyal medya hesabına inanılmaz tepki mesajları gönderdiği ortaya çıktı.
Sosyal medyadaki linç kültürü bir türlü bitmek bilmiyor. Herkesin "ulaşılabilir" olduğu bir çağda, futbolcuların hesaplarına da çok sayıda linç mesajı gidiyor. Bunun son örneği, Fenerbahçe kalecisi Ederson'da yaşandı. Sarı-Lacivertliler, Trabzonspor'u 3-2 mağlup etse de Brezilyalı eldivene tepkiler vardı.
ORTAYA ÇIKTI
Bazı Fenerbahçe taraftarlarının, yedeği 2 gol sebebiyle 32 yaşındaki eldivene inanılmaz mesajlar attığı öğrenildi. Kötü yorum ve mesajların ardından Ederson'un moralinin çok bozulduğu konuşuluyor. Bu durum ortaya çıkınca, birçok Fenerbahçeli de oyuncuya destek çıktı.
KALP EMOJİLERİ
Şu anda 1.88 boyundaki kalecinin Instagram hesabındaki bütün gönderilerin altına destek mesajları yağıyor. En çok da Sarı-Lacivert kalp emojileri kullanılıyor. Bazı taraftarların moralini bozduğu oyuncuya bu şekilde destek veriliyor. Sosyal medyadaki linç kültürünün bitmesi ise pek mümkün gözükmüyor!
Fenerbahçe ara transferde Bayern Münih'te kiralık olarak oynayan Nicolas Jackson'la bir görüşme yaptı. Oyuncu ikna edilememişti. 2026 yazında tekrar temas kurulacağı öğrenildi.
Fenerbahçe'nin devre arasında temas kurduğu isimlerden biri Nicolas Jackson'dı... Chelsea'den Bayern Münih'e kiralanan Senegalli futbolcuyla yüz yüze görüşme de yapıldı. Ancak 24 yaşındaki futbolcu ikna edilemedi. Sarı-Lacivertliler'in 2026 yazında da düğmeye basacağı öğrenildi.
İKİ TAKIM DA İSTEMİYOR
Bayern Münih, oyuncunun bonservisiyle ilgili bir girişimde bulunmayacak. Chelsea'nin gelecek planlamasında da Nicolas Jackson yok. 1.87 boyundaki futbolcunun İngiliz ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2033 tarihine kadar mukavelesi var. Premier Lig temsilcisi onun için 2023 yazında Villarreal'e 37 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödemişti.
KİRALAMA FORMÜLÜ
Sarı-Lacivertliler, oyuncuyu kişisel şartlarda ikna edebilirse Chelsea'ye kiralama teklifi sunacak. Premier Lig temsilcisi ise birçok talibi olan Nicolas Jackson için gelecek tüm teklifleri görmek istiyor. Senegalli futbolcu bu sezon Bundesliga'da 15 maça çıktı. Sahada sadece 445 dakika kaldı. 3 golü bulunuyor.
Juventus Teknik Direktörü Luciano Spalletti ve takımın yıldız isimlerinden Weston McKennie, temsilsimiz Galatasaray ile karşılaşacakları maç öncesi basın toplantısında açıklamalarda bulundular.
Juventus Teknik Direktörü Luciano Spalletti, Galatasaray maçı öncesinde düzenlenen basın toplantısında önemli açıklamalarda bulundu.
Victor Osimhen ve Mauro Icardi'ye değinen Spalletti, "Osimhen ve Icardi çok güçlü futbolcular, özellikleri birbirinden farklı. Her ikisi birlikte oynadıklarında 9 numara ansiklopedisi yaratabilirler. Forvet olarak ikisi de nasıl davranacaklarını çok iyi biliyor. Bir tanesi kaos yaratıyor, diğeri de o kaostan yararlanmayı biliyor. İkisinin de olağanüstü yetenekleri var. Bunun çözümü; onları olabildiğince toptan uzak tutmak. Galatasaray'ın kalitesi bizim için güçlük oluşturur" dedi.
"MAÇA BİR KORKUYLA ÇIKAMAYIZ"
Galatasaray'a karşı oynayacakları plan hakkında konuşan başarılı teknik direktör, "Biz, Galatasaray'ın bütün oyun seçimlerine hazır olmalıyız. Bu seçimler karışıklık ve kaos yaratacak. Bu da onların avantajı olacak ama biz de kendi maçımızı oynamak durumundayız. Maça bir korkuyla çıkamayız. Biz mümkün olduğu kadar bu ilk baskıdan kurtulmak için hareket edeceğiz. Maçı, sizin yarı sahanızda sürdürmek istiyoruz. Belki yapamayacağız ama amacımız bu" ifadelerini kullandı.
"OKAN BURUK'U BİLİYORUZ"
Kazanmak için oynayacaklarını belirten İtalyan çalıştırıcı, "Bütün güçlüklerin farkındayız. Daha önceki maçları izledik. Okan Buruk'un nasıl iyi bir teknik direktör olduğunu biliyoruz. Çok büyük bir kişiliği var. Oyuncularının kalitesi çok önemli ama biz buraya bu maçı oynamaya geldik. Bu rakipler karşı karşıya kaldığımız için mutluyuz. Doğru bir biçimde bu maçı çıkarmak istiyoruz. Burada hangi düzeyde olduğumuzu göstermemiz gerekiyor. Bu stadyumun ışıkları, nasıl bir yüzün olduğunu ortaya çıkarıyor. Biz maçımızı kazanmak üzerine oynayacağız" sözlerini sarf etti.
Juventus oyuncusu Weston McKennie ise, "Kenan Yıldız, Galatasaray'ın atmosferinden bahsetti ama ben de yıllar önce burada oynadım. Daha önce oynanan maçların skorları üstümüzde baskı yaratmıyor. Biz Galatasaray'a karşı bu takımla oynamadık. Kazanmak istiyoruz" dedi.
Türkiye Milli Takımlarının resmi içecek sponsoru, Oğuz İçecek Gıda'nın değerli markası Sarıyer Kola oldu.
Sponsorluk anlaşması, Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu’nun Riva’da bulunan Hasan Doğan Milli Takımlar Kamp ve Eğitim Merkezi’nde düzenlenen törenle imzalandı. İmza törenine Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu Başkanı İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu ile Oğuz İçecek Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Hulusi Oğuz katıldı.
Törende konuşan Oğuz İçecek Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Hulusi Oğuz, Oğuz İçecek’in 1997 yılında yüzde yüz yerli sermaye ile kurulmuş bir aile şirketi olduğunu vurgulayarak, dürüstlük, kalite ve sürdürülebilirlik değerleri doğrultusunda istikrarlı bir büyüme sürdürdüklerini ifade etti. Türkiye Milli Takımları ile gerçekleştirilen iş birliğini yalnızca bir sponsorluk anlaşması olarak değil, ülke sporuna ve gençliğine yapılan stratejik bir yatırım olarak gördüklerini belirten Oğuz, yerli üretim gücü ve yenilikçi vizyonlarıyla Türk sporuna katkı sağlamaya devam edeceklerini söyledi ve anlaşmanın her iki taraf için de hayırlı olmasını temenni etti.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu Başkanı İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu ise açıklamasında, yerli sermaye ile büyüyen güçlü markaların milli takımlara destek vermesinin önemine dikkat çekerek, Sarıyer Kola ile hayata geçirilen bu iş birliğinden duydukları memnuniyeti dile getirdi.
Sponsorluk anlaşması, karşılıklı hediye takdimi ve günün anısına çekilen hatıra fotoğrafı ile sona erdi.
Galatasaray'ın 2024 yazında Westerlo'ya sattığı Emin Bayram konusunda Fenerbahçe tekrar harekete geçecek. Sezon sonunda Belçika ekibiyle masaya oturulacağı öğrenildi.
Fenerbahçe ara transferde bir ara Emin Bayram için de girişim yaptı. Ancak şartlarda anlaşma sağlanamadı. 22 yaşındaki stoper için 2026 yazında da temas kurulacağı öğrenildi. Galatasaray, 1.92 boyundaki savunmacıyı 2024 yazında 4 milyon euro karşılığında Westerlo'ya satmıştı.
YÜZDE 50'LİK PAY HAKKI
İki kulüp arasındaki anlaşmada Galatasaray'ın sonraki satıştan %50'lik pay hakkı var. Yani onun için ödenecek bonservis bedelinin yarısı Sarı-Kırmızılı ekibe gidecek. Ayrıca satın alma önceliği de Cim-Bom'da... Eğer Fenerbahçe'yle belirli bir bedel karşılığında anlaşılırsa bu durum Galatasaray'a bildirilmek zorunda...
GERİ DÖNMEYE SICAK DEĞİL
Eğer Cim-Bom da aynı miktarı Westerlo'ya önerir ve oyuncuyu da ikna ederse, transferi Sarı-Kırmızılılar bitirecek. Fakat Emin'in süre alamadığı için ayrıldığı Galatasaray'a tekrar dönmeyi düşünmediği konuşuluyor. Emin konusunda 2026 yazında çok sıcak gelişmeler yaşanabilir.
Temsilcimiz Galatasaray ile UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk maçında İstanbul'da karşılaşacak olan Juventus kafilesi bu kritik mücadele öncesi İstanbul'a geldi.
Temsilcimiz Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk maçında sahasında Juventus'u konuk edecek. Son olarak Torino ekibi Galatasaray ile oynanacak maç için İstanbul'a geldi.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 22. haftasında Kasımpaşa, Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük'ü 3-2 yendi. Kasımpaşa'nın gollerini Kerem Demirbay, İrfan Can Kahveci ve Cenk Tosun kaydetti. Fatih Karagümrük'ün 2 golünü ise Mladenovic ve Traore attı.
Kasımpaşa,Trendyol Süper Lig'in 22. haftasında Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük'ü 3-2 yendi
MAÇTAN DAKİKALAR
14. dakikada Kasımpaşa gole yaklaştı. Ceza sahası dışında topla buluşan Kerem Demirbay'ın uzaktan vuruşunda kaleci Grbic'in çeldiği top, Mortadha'nın önünde kaldı. Bu futbolcunun kayarak şutunda top üst direğe çarparak oyun alanına geri döndü.
19. dakikada Kasımpaşa öne geçti. İrfan Can Kahveci'nin pasında sağ kanatta topla buluşan Mortadha, ceza sahasın dışındaki Kerem Demirbay'a pasını aktardı. Bu futbolcunun bekletmeden sert plasesinde meşin yuvarlak kalecinin solundan ağlarla buluştu: 1-0.
Karşılaşmanın ilk yarısı Kasımpaşa'nın 1-0 üstünlüğüyle sonuçlandı.
51. dakikada savunmanın hatasında topu kapan Cenk Tosun, meşin yuvarlağı Benedyczak'a kazandırdı. Bu futbolcunun yerden ortasında ceza sahası içinde topla buluşan İrfan Can Kahveci'nin sert şutunda kaleci Grbic gole izin vermedi.
62. dakikada Kasımpaşa farkı 2'ye çıkardı. Kazanılar serbest vuruşta İrfan Can Kahveci, kale sahası önüne ortaladı. Bu noktada iyi yükselen Cenk Tosun'un kafa vuruşunda top filelerle buluştu: 2-0.
71. dakikada fark 3'e çıktı. Sol kanatta topla buluşan Benedyczak'ın pasında soldan ceza sahasına giren İrfan Can Kahveci, Biracshi'den sıyrılıp kaleciyle karşı karşıya kaldı. Bu futbolcu, yakın mesafeden plase vuruşla topu ağlara yolladı: 3-0.
80. dakikada Fatih Karagümrük farkı 2'ye indirdi. Sol kanatta topla buluşan Larsson'un pasında soldan ceza sahasına giren Mladenovic, çaprazdan düzgün bir vuruşla meşin yuvarlağı ağlara yolladı: 3-1.
90+2. dakikada Fatih Karagümrük golü buldu. Ceza sahası içi sağ çaprazında topla buluşan Verde'nin arka direğe ortasında meşin yuvarlağı kontrol eden Traore'nin çaprazdan sert şutunda top uzak köşeye gitti: 3-2.
Kasımpaşa, sahasında 3-2 galip gelerek teknik direktör Emre Belözoğlu yönetiminde ligdeki ilk galibiyetini aldı.
Stat: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Hakemler: Batuhan Kolak, Abdullah Bora Özkara, Bahtiyar Birinci
“Sabah”ın qapıçısı Stas Pokatilov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 20-ci turu çərçivəsində “Qəbələ”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Qəbələdə baş tutmuş oyunu paytaxt təmsilçisinin qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb – 1:0.
Stas Pokatilov matçdan sonra klubun mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Oyun həqiqətən də çox çətin keçdi. Son dəqiqələr xüsusilə gərgin alındı. Uzun müddətdir belə ağır və dramatik qarşılaşmamız olmamışdı. Əslində, daha rahat hesabla qalib gələ bilərdik. Amma çempionatın sonuna yaxınlaşdıqca bu cür çətin və gərgin oyunların sayının artacağını düşünürəm. Belə məqamda ən vacib olan nəticədir. Əsas məsələ qalib gəlməkdir.
Matçda bir neçə inanılmaz qurtarış oldu və bu, mövsümdə 12-ci “quru” oyunumuzdur. Statistik göstəriciləri daim izləməyə çalışmıram. Bəzən maraq xatirinə baxmaq olar, amma diqqətimi əsas məqsəddən yayındırmaq istəmirəm. Mənim üçün ən vacibi komandanın uğurudur və hər oyunda qələbə qazanmağımızdır. Şəxsi nailiyyətlər və digər məqamlar isə hər zaman ikinci plandadır”.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Türkiyə çempionatında (Super Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 23-cü turunun oyunlarına yekun vurulub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sonuncu oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Turun qapanış matçında “Kasımpaşa” doğma meydanda “Karagümrük”lə üz-üzə gəlib. Beş qolun qeydə alındığı oyunda meydan sahibləri qələbə qazanıblar.
Beləliklə, geridə qalmış 22 turdan sonra 55 xala malik “Qalatasaray” vahid liderdir. “Fənərbağça” 52 xalla ikinci, “Trabzonspor” 45 xalla üçüncü, “Göztəpə” 41 xalla dördüncü pillədə qərarlaşıb. “Beşiktaş”ın 40, “Başakşəhər”in 33 xalı var.
Cagliari have reshuffled their personnel to take on an unchanged Lecce side in Monday evening’s Serie A kick-off.
Cagliari are coming in off the back of a 2-0 defeat away against Roma last time out in Serie A, but had gone on a three-match win streak the weeks prior, including victories over Fiorentina and Juventus.
Fabio Pisacane’s side find themselves in 13th place in the Serie A table ahead of kick-off, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Lecce picked up their first win in nine matches with a 2-1 victory over Udinese last time out in the league.
Lecce are in 18th place ahead of kick-off with 21 points from 24 matches, but a draw on Monday evening will be enough for them to lift themselves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Fiorentina, who are level on points with Eusebio Di Francesco’s side as things stand.
Cagliari have made several changes to their starting line-up following last week’s defeat against Roma.
Yerry Mina and Adam Obert come back into the back three, while Gabriele Zappa comes back in at right wing-back. Marco Palestra is expected to play in a more advanced role on the right wing. There are also opportunities for Ibrahim Sulemana, Riyad Idrissi and Leandro Pavoletti.
Unsurprisingly, Lecce have stuck with the exact same starting XI that beat Udinese last time out in Serie A, with Santiago Pierotti, Walid Cheddira and Riccardo Sottil leading the attack.
Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Omri Gandelman (#16) of US Lecce scores his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Luciano Spalletti has criticised Inter head coach Cristian Chivu after his comments on Pierre Kalulu following the eventful Derby d’Italia in Serie A over the weekend, but has defended Alessandro Bastoni despite his role in getting the Juventus man sent off.
Inter beat Juventus 3-2 in a fiery Derby d’Italia in Serie A over the weekend in a game that was not without its controversies. Most notably, Juventus’s Kalulu was wrongly sent off for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute.
Newspapers in Italy described the first booking as harsh, and claimed that the second was ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
That is because Inter’s Bastoni was adjudged to have dived in order to get Kalulu sent off. However, as this was a second yellow card incident and not a straight red card, VAR was not able to intervene.
For a similar reason, Bastoni will not face retrospective punishment despite the fact that he was also carrying a yellow card at the time and would have been sent off had referee Federico La Penna shown him a second yellow card instead.
Spalletti comments on Inter 3-2 Juventus controversies
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Juventus camp were enraged at the decision to send Kalulu off. Spalletti along with Juventus CEO Damien Comolli were seen angrily confronting referee La Penna in the tunnel after full-time.
The Bianconeri sent Comolli and director Giorgio Chiellini to talk to the press after full-time over the weekend, which means that Spalletti did not have the opportunity to give his thoughts immediately after the Inter match.
Spalletti was finally able to share his opinions on the matter during his pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus’s Champions League play-off match against Galatasaray on Monday evening.
Spalletti was not best pleased about Chivu’s decision to criticise Kalulu during his post-match interview.
Chivu had said: “I think it is a light touch, but it’s still a touch. When I dealt with similar situations in the Champions League, I told my players not to put themselves in a situation where they force the referee to make the call.
“Even if it’s light, and we have to admit it is a light touch, my player still felt the touch and was running at full speed. Kalulu is an experienced player and he ought to know that in these situations, you keep your hands to yourself.”
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Giving his response on Monday evening, Spalletti replied: “I don’t want to speak over the words of Elkann and the directors. I can say that Pierre is a good guy, a decent person and the fact that he had to take a dig from an opposition coach is something I never expected.
“This would put me in a position to talk about Inter’s players and I don’t want to do that.
“Simulation is an offence to football and what I have to do is raise the team to a level where simulation does not allow others to determine games for us. What happens isn’t important, but what you do when something happens to you is. We needed to reverse the situation.
“We have to improve if we don’t want to concede that goal there, and we wanted to go and score again immediately afterwards. These are tests of maturity. Tomorrow will be a test of our maturity.”
There were some calls after the Inter vs. Juventus match that Bastoni should be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result of his unsportsmanlike behaviour.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
As the former head coach of the Italy national team, Spalletti was asked for his opinion on that thought.
He came out in defence of Bastoni, arguing that it would not be the right decision to drop him from the Italy squad: “Absolutely, Gattuso has to be free to call up whoever he wants. Unfortunately, I am no longer CT and I will leave that situation with him. We have a strong coach, we have to leave him to be free to do what he wants.”
Tottenham’s managerial pursuit of Mauricio Pochettino has hit a significant roadblock, as reports from Spain suggest the former Spurs boss is holding out for a dream move to Real Madrid.
According to Defensa Central, the Argentine is being eyed to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, potentially dealing a crushing blow to Tottenham’s hopes of a romantic North London reunion.
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Mauricio Pochettino lays out demand to Real Madrid
(Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
While Pochettino is currently leading the United States national team toward the 2026 World Cup, his desire for a return to elite European club football is no secret.
However, he isn’t willing to walk into the Bernabeu without assurances. The report states that Pochettino has made it clear to president Florentino Perez that the current squad requires a surgical overhaul to maximise its potential.
Specifically, Pochettino’s “ideal shopping list” consists of three marquee signings: two world-class center-backs and a dominant central midfielder.
This demand reportedly aligns with Real Madrid’s internal recruitment strategy, as the club looks to find long-term stability following the departure of Xabi Alonso earlier this year.
With current head coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s permanent job at Real Madrid contingent on how he does for the remainder of the season, Pochettino is waiting in the wings to see if a vacancy emerges.
Spurs still want Pochettino despite Igor Tudor appointment
The Argentine remains a beloved figure among the Spurs faithful, many of whom are desperate to see the man who led them to the 2019 Champions League final return to steady the ship.
However, if Real Madrid meets Pochettino’s transfer demands, Tottenham may find themselves losing out on a dream return of their fan favourite.
Apple has launched its next update cycle around 1 week early, with the first developer beta builds for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, HomePod Software 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 now beginning to roll out. Apple seeds the first developer beta builds for iOS 26.4 and more One of the biggest changes with the iOS 26.4 beta 1 is Apple's upcoming support for video-based podcasts in the Apple Podcasts app. Apple says the new "enhanced video podcast experience" will allow users to "seamlessly switch between viewing a video podcast and listening to the audio." The update […]
Generative AI (GenAI) has been one of the most controversial topics in the video game industry in recent years, and will likely continue to hold that spot for the foreseeable future. Whether you think GenAI has a place in game development or not, what's clear from game engine makers like Unity is that users who want to use it in the process of making their games will have that option. Spotted by GameDeveloper, in Unity's recent earnings call for its fourth quarter financial report, not only does Unity claim that "AI-driven authoring" is a "major area of focus" for the […]
There's been a lot of talk lately about Sony's formally unannounced (as of yet) PlayStation 6 console. The most recent report from earlier today revealed that Sony is even considering delaying the PS6's tentative 2027 launch window to 2028 or even 2029, largely due to the ongoing RAM and storage crisis that has driven component prices literally through the roof. The report came from MST Financial Senior Research Analyst David Gibson, who had already suggested last month that the PlayStation 6 could be delayed beyond previous estimates, thus also extending the lifecycle of the current PlayStation console, the PS5. But […]
Overclocking so intense that it literally broke the GPU. Here's how an enthusiast got his MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z dead in his quest for breaking world records. MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z GPU Core Cracks Due to Intense Overclocking; Delivers the Highest Geekbench 5 Compute Score Just Before Its Death The enthusiast overclocker Alva Jonathan uploaded a video on YouTube, showing how he "broke" his 100 Million Rupiah GPU. This is the all-new MSI RTX 5090 32G Lightning Z, which is the most powerful RTX 5090 ever made and is designed for enthusiasts who care about breaking records more […]
A new way to kill your GeForce RTX 5090 has arrived. Since 800W and 1000W limits weren't enough, a user just uploaded the 2500W BIOS file as well. Someone Leaked 2500W XOC BIOS for MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z; Users Start Flashing it on Non-MSI RTX 5090 GPUs Most NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPUs are rated at no more than 600W. This huge amount of power goes through a single 16-pin power connector, which has killed numerous GPUs due to an inherent design flaw that causes the connector to melt pretty easily. If you remove the 600W power limit using […]
Young adults who are happier in their romantic relationships are more likely to have positive views about marriage—and a flexible mindset that considers different perspectives may help explain why. This new research was published in BMC Psychology.
Romantic relationships formed during young adulthood often shape expectations about the future, including whether someone wants to marry. Previous research has shown that relationship quality affects mental well-being and life satisfaction, but less is known about how it influences beliefs about marriage itself.
Psychologists have also increasingly focused on “cognitive flexibility”—which is the ability to adjust one’s thinking, manage challenges, and see situations from multiple angles—as a key factor in maintaining healthy relationships.
Turkish authors Büşra Ekinci (Ministry of National Education, Türkiye) and Murat Canpolat (Inonu University) wanted to explore whether this mental flexibility might help explain how relationship satisfaction translates into positive attitudes toward marriage. They suspected that people who can adapt and communicate effectively may be better able to navigate relationship challenges, leading them to view marriage as more appealing and achievable.
To test this idea, the team surveyed a group of 436 young adults living in Türkiye aged 18 to 29 years old.
Participants completed questionnaires measuring how satisfied they were in their romantic relationships (Relationship Satisfaction Scale), how positively they viewed marriage (Inonu Marriage Attitude Scale), and how flexible they were in their thinking and problem-solving (Cognitive Flexibility Scale).
The researchers then analyzed the data using statistical models to examine how these factors were related.
The results showed a clear pattern. Participants who reported higher relationship satisfaction were significantly more likely to have positive attitudes toward marriage. Those with greater cognitive flexibility also tended to report both higher relationship satisfaction and more favorable views of marriage.
Importantly, cognitive flexibility partly explained the link between the two. In other words, being able to adapt one’s thinking and approach challenges constructively appeared to help transform positive relationship experiences into a more optimistic outlook on marriage.
Individuals with flexible thinking styles may be better equipped to handle disagreements, adjust expectations, solve problems, and maintain emotional balance, making the idea of marriage seem more stable and appealing.
Ekinci and Canpolat shared the potential applications of their findings: “To support young adults’ cognitive flexibility and positively develop their attitudes toward marriage, individual or group psychological counseling programs can be implemented where individuals can share the satisfaction they derive from their romantic relationship experiences, the positive and negative emotional processes they experience, and receive professional support.”
However, the researchers caution that the study cannot prove cause and effect. As the data were collected at one point in time, it is unclear whether relationship satisfaction leads to positive marriage attitudes, or whether people who already value marriage are more likely to report higher satisfaction.
A sharp shift in outlook from one of the world’s largest global banks has created doubts for the near-term trajectory of XRP. Analysts at Standard Chartered have reduced their 2026 year-end price target for XRP to $2.80, cutting the previous $8 forecast by roughly 65% after the recent crypto market downturn and persistent institutional outflows.
“We expect further declines near-term and we lower our forecasts across the asset class,” Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research said as reported by DL News.
Market Headwinds Prompt Major Forecast Reset
According to Kendrick, recent market conditions forced analysts to reassess expectations across the crypto sector. Continued selling pressure in spot Bitcoin ETFs and reduced institutional exposure have contributed to a cooling environment, dragging down major cryptocurrencies including XRP.
While XRP had started the year strongly with early gains supported by regulatory developments and ETF-related interest, the market reversal in February erased much of that momentum. The token remains lower than recent highs.
Standard Chartered also lowered price expectations for other major cryptocurrencies, trimming forecasts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana as part of a wider reassessment tied to macroeconomic risks and declining capital inflows.
XRP’s Long-Term Narrative Still Intact
Despite the reduced target, the bank’s analysts did not abandon their long-term constructive view on XRP’s role in the evolving digital asset ecosystem. The note shared to investors said that XRP could still benefit from the expansion of stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and blockchain-based settlement infrastructure, sectors expected to grow steadily over the next several years.
These developments, analysts say, could allow XRP to maintain growth in line with other major blockchain settlement assets, particularly as financial institutions experiment with blockchain-powered payment systems and cross-border liquidity solutions.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komandanın qapıçısı Manuel Noyer sıradan çıxıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Qolkiper Bundesliqada “Verder”lə matçda (3:0) zədələnib.
Noyerin bir neçə həftə yaşıl meydanlardan uzaq qalacağı bildirilir.
39 yaşlı qapıçı bu mövsüm 18 oyunda 17 qol buraxıb.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının XX turunda lider “Sabah” səfərdə “Qəbələ”ni məğlub edib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, Qəbələ şəhər stadionunda keçirilən turun […]
Will Jacks produced a blistering all-round display as England cricket team defeated Italy national cricket team by 24 runs to book their place in the Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, in their Group C fixture at Eden Gardens on Monday.
Asked to bat first, England surged past the 200-mark for the first time in this edition, finishing on 202 for 7. The charge was led by Jacks, whose explosive unbeaten 53 came off just 22 balls and included four sixes and three fours. His late assault rescued England after they had slipped to 105/5. Sam Curran added a valuable 25 from 19 balls as the pair combined for a rapid 54-run partnership off only 25 deliveries for the sixth wicket.
Earlier, Phil Salt had set the tempo with 28 off 15 balls, helping England cross 50 inside five overs. However, Jos Buttler’s lean run continued as he departed for three, dismissed by Grant Stewart. Salt later fell to Ali Hasan, while Jacob Bethell (23 off 20) and Harry Brook (14 off 9) also failed to convert starts. Tom Banton contributed a fluent 30 off 21 before holing out to Manenti.
Italy’s chase began in dramatic fashion. Jofra Archer’s searing opening over at 146kph reduced them to 1/2, soon becoming 22/3. Anthony Mosca fell first ball, while JJ Smuts edged to first slip. Harry Manenti followed, leaving Italy reeling.
Yet the debutants responded bravely. Ben Manenti launched a stunning counterattack, smashing 60 off 25 balls, including a 22-ball fifty — the joint-fifth fastest of the tournament and joint-second fastest by an Associate batter in its history. He hammered five sixes and four fours, taking 21 runs off one Jacks over. Justin Mosca supported well with 43 off 34 as the pair added 92 in 48 balls to revive hopes.
Jacks broke the stand by dismissing Ben, caught by Banton, before Adil Rashid removed Justin. Grant Stewart then reignited the contest with 45 off 23, striking two sixes off Archer and three against Rashid.
However, Curran halted the surge with two wickets in two balls on his way to 3/22, while Jamie Overton claimed 3/18. Italy were bowled out for 178 in 20 overs, and England advanced with their Super Eights spot secured.
NEW DELHI: India’s march in the T20 World Cup 2026 gathered further momentum in Colombo as they outclassed Pakistan by 61 runs, reinforcing their dominance in the tournament’s most intense rivalry. It was India’s eighth win in nine T20 World Cup meetings against their neighbours, and the comprehensive result ensured qualification for the Super Eight stage with room to spare.
Yet, while the scoreline reflected control and authority, the talking point after the final ball had little to do with numbers.
Moments after Pakistan were bowled out at the R. Premadasa Stadium, television cameras captured an animated exchange involving Hardik Pandya, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav. As players lined up for the customary handshakes, Hardik appeared visibly charged up, gesturing toward Kuldeep in what seemed like a heated discussion. Tilak Varma watched on with concern before Rinku Singh stepped in, seemingly attempting to cool tempers.
Speculation quickly swirled on social media, with fans debating whether frustration had spilled over despite the comfortable win.
Suryakumar, however, moved swiftly to diffuse the narrative.
The India skipper shared a light-hearted video on social media in which he is seen walking up to Kuldeep and hugging him warmly.
He captioned it: “Gussa chodh do bhai”. The post instantly went viral.
India had earlier set the tone through Ishan Kishan’s explosive 77 off 40 balls, an innings studded with boundaries that lifted the total to 176. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar ensured stability through the middle overs.
— surya_14kumar (@surya_14kumar)
The bowlers then dismantled Pakistan with clinical precision. Hardik struck in the opening over, while Jasprit Bumrah’s incisive spell derailed the chase.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep tightened the screws as Pakistan’s middle and lower order folded under pressure.
Report: Chelsea and Man City still keen on Brentford attacker
Man City Remain Alert in Igor Thiago Race Despite Brentford Contract Boost
Manchester City are not walking away from their interest in Igor Thiago, despite Brentford tying the Brazilian striker down to a new long term contract. TeamTalk report that Hugo Viana has already been conducting due diligence as City assess their future at No.9, and sources insist the Premier League champions remain attentive.
Photo IMAGO
Brentford, for their part, are celebrating. On February 13, the club confirmed Thiago has committed until 2031, with an option to extend by a further year. It is a statement of belief and reward after a campaign that has elevated the 24 year old into elite company.
Brentford Reward Form and Character
Thiago’s numbers command respect. Eighteen goals in 27 appearances this season, 17 of those in the Premier League, second only to Erling Haaland, and recognition as Player of the Month in November 2025. That production has altered perceptions across Europe.
A well placed source told TeamTalk: “The club are over the moon with the new deal.
“Thiago is a great footballer but also a great presence around the place.
“He and his people know about the interest, of course, but they are not pushing for a move in the short or medium-term.
“He is very happy at Brentford and believes he can achieve all his immediate goals with them.”
Brentford’s conviction is striking. Insiders believe Thiago has the potential to become the best striker in world football. That is bold territory, yet grounded in his growth since arriving from Club Brugge in 2024, when a serious knee injury disrupted his early months in England.
Photo: IMAGO
The Bees held their nerve. They felt he could surpass Ivan Toney, and this season has vindicated that faith.
Man City and Chelsea Monitor Developments
TeamTalk confirm Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have all been left hugely impressed. Every major club in Europe is said to have watched Thiago in the past six months. His trajectory has not gone unnoticed.
City’s interest is strategic. Viana’s involvement suggests long term planning around the No.9 role. Haaland remains central to Guardiola’s project, yet elite clubs prepare for every eventuality. Succession planning and squad depth remain permanent considerations.
Chelsea are also admirers, while Bayern Munich are assessing options as they contemplate life after Harry Kane. In that context, Thiago’s combination of physicality, intelligence and ruthless finishing fits modern demands.
Player and Manager Speak from Heart
Brentford manager Keith Andrews has spoken warmly since the announcement. He told the club’s official website: “It’s brilliant that Thiago has committed his long-term future to the club.
Photo IMAGO
“The connection that he has with his team-mates, the staff and the fans, as well as how much the club means to him and he means to us, is pretty evident for everybody to see.
“Again, it’s the person before the player. I love working with him and I’ve loved seeing his evolution as a player. How he plays is such a big part of how we play and what our season has been so far.
“He’s been a massive player for us, so it’s a contract he thoroughly deserves and I’m really happy that the club have been able to get it done.”
Thiago himself spoke with similar warmth. He said: “I love the club and the people in the club. It’s a true love, a real love.
“In the beginning, when I first came, I had the injury. The staff and the people around the training ground were helping me and supporting me.
“When the fans support me, and I see them singing my name and singing my song, it gives me more power. I’m really happy for all of the love they have given to me. It means so much.”
The striker added: “With Keith, it’s more of a relationship as a father and a son. I’m really happy with him as he trusts and believes in me.”
“I’m enjoying every single day and every single training session so much. It’s been a good journey and I’m happy to be here.”
Those words carry authenticity. Yet in modern football, new contracts do not extinguish interest. They redefine leverage.
Brentford have strengthened their position. The release price, if it exists, will be substantial. Clubs such as Man City and Chelsea can afford patience. Monitoring can turn to movement quickly if circumstances align.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Chelsea supporters have long craved a reliable focal point, someone capable of leading the line with authority and composure. Thiago’s 17 Premier League goals underline that he is more than a fleeting phenomenon. Fans would argue that if the club are serious about competing for titles, this is the calibre required.
There will be questions about cost and fit within the squad, yet the appetite for a proven striker remains strong at Stamford Bridge. Brentford’s new deal complicates matters, but it does not close doors.
Manchester City supporters may view this through a different lens. With Haaland entrenched, some would see Thiago as future proofing. Others might question whether resources are better allocated elsewhere. Yet City’s recruitment model prizes foresight. Monitoring emerging elite talent is part of that philosophy.
For both fanbases, the story reinforces a familiar truth. Premier League excellence attracts attention, and Brentford have nurtured a striker now coveted by the biggest clubs.
Florida basketball keeps moving on up as the 2025-26 regular-season schedule continues to wind down.
The latest edition of the AP Top 25 now has the Gators up to No. 12 in the nation after beating the Georgia Bulldogs, 86-66, and the Kentucky Wildcats, 92-83, this week to continue their late-season run. That puts the Orange and Blue between the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs and No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Compare that with the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, which put Todd Golden's team one spot ahead at No. 11 this week.
Six games remain on the schedule before the postseason begins and Florida holds the top spot in the SEC standings. Next up is a rematch with the South Carolina Gamecocks inside the O'Connell Center on Tuesday night.
SEC schools in AP Top 25 after Week 15
The Southeastern Conference still has four schools among the top 25 this week, with the Alabama Crimson Tide creeping back into the fold at No. 25, taking the spot from Kentucky, which earned 15 votes.
Florida maintains the highest ranking among SEC teams at No. 12, followed by the Vanderbilt Commodores and Arkansas Razorbacks at Nos. 19 and 20, respectively, to round out teams in the top 25. The Tennessee Volunteers also picked up 15 votes this time around.
AP Top 25 Men's Basketball rankings after Week 15
Michigan
Houston
Duke
Arizona
UConn
Iowa State
Purdue
Kansas
Nebraska
Illinois
Gonzaga
Florida
Texas Tech
Virginia
Michigan State
North Carolina
St. John's
St. Louis
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Louisville
Miami (OH)
BYU
Wisconsin
Alabama
Others receiving votes
Clemson 55, Utah St. 45, Tennessee 36, Villanova 29, Kentucky 15, Miami 10, Saint Mary's 3, VCU 1.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
✅ Cagliari v Lecce line-ups: Cheddira, Esposito, Kilicsoy choices
The 25th matchday of Serie A concludes with the late game between Cagliari and Lecce. This is a crucial clash in the relegation zone, with the Sardinians potentially able to pull away for good, while the Salentini, on the other hand, are in need of a win.
Lamine Yamal 2nd R of Barcelona shoots during the La Liga football match between Barcelona and Girona in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua via Getty Images)
WELCOME TO MONTILIVI!!! The tiny home of Girona in Catalonia is the site of a big Monday night derby between the hosts and Barcelona, who come into this one desperate for three points to bounce back from a painful defeat to Atlético Madrid and return to the top of the La Liga table. This should be fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
Date/Time: Monday, February 16, 2026, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Tuesday)
Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Referee: César Soto Grado
VAR: David Gálvez Rascón
HOW TO WATCH
On TV: ESPN2 (USA), Premier Sports 1 (UK), SuperSport (Nigeria), others
Online: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports Player (UK), FanCode (India), DAZN (Spain), others
Matchday Thread Rules
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
Villanova has been left out of the AP Top 25 once again but continues to receive votes as one of the top teams on the outside looking in.
This begs the question — will the Wildcats debut in the rankings at any point this season?
Villanova was one of eight teams to receive votes this week. The Wildcats received 29, which was behind Clemson, Utah State, and Tennessee.
The team improved to 20-5, and 11-3 in the Big East, with a road victory against Creighton on Saturday. Many might think that this is enough to get the team ranked in the middle of February.
If you are a conspiracy theorist, you might be thinking that there is a bit of a hangover from the Kyle-Neptune era. A 20-win team in the Big East seems like a legitimate candidate to be in the top 25, but this is also a team that has missed the tournament in each of the last three years.
Ultimately, this is not the actual reason. While it might have some truth to it, the overall body of work has lacked that one signature win that Villanova might need to take that next step.
The Wildcats are currently 2-4 against Quad 1 teams this season. The two victories came on the road against Seton Hall and in what is categorized as a neutral-site game against Wisconsin, despite the game being played in Milwaukee. An early-season loss to Creighton was recently dropped to a Quad 3 loss following the struggles of the Blue Jays.
There will be chances for Villanova to earn a signature win that could catapult the team into the rankings. The Wildcats will host No. 5 UConn on Saturday and have a trip to Madison Square Garden to take on No. 17 St. John’s on Feb. 28.
There are six games remaining on the schedule. Kevin Willard has this team firmly in the field to return to the NCAA Tournament but nonetheless, the Wildcats do not want to get tripped up against an inferior opponent. If Villanova can pull off an upset, it might be what it takes to receive enough votes to crack the AP Poll.
College Basketball AP Top 25 Poll
Michigan
Houston
Duke
Arizona
UConn
Iowa State
Purdue
Kansas
Nebraska
Illinois
Gonzaga
Florida
Texas Tech
Virginia
Michigan State
North Carolilna
St. John’s
Saint Louis
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Louisville
Miami (OH)
BYU
Wisconsin
Alabama
Receiving votes: Clemson 55, Utah State 45, Tennessee 36, Villanova 29, Kentucky 15, Miami 10, Saint Mary’s 3, VCU 1
It will be our fifth encounter with the Magpies this season following our 2-1 Premier League away defeat, two Carabao Cup semi-final triumphs and upcoming home league clash against Eddie Howe’s side this weekend.
The match will take place over the weekend of 7 and 8 March, with a specific date and time for our fixture to be confirmed in due course.
City’s cup campaign began with an outstanding 10-1 victory over Exeter City in January where new signing Antoine Semenyo and a handful of Academy graduates took centre stage in City’s first game to hit double figures in almost 40 years.
Then, in the fourth round, our clash at the Etihad with Salford provided a much more testing affair, with City able to see out a difficult 2-0 win last weekend, as we continue our fight for four major trophies.
Our opponents, Newcastle, confirmed their place in the latest round following a 3-1 comeback win over Aston Villa. Prior to that, the Magpies also knocked out fellow Premier League outfit Bournemouth on penalties following a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park.
Keep across mancity.com and the Official Man City App for updates on a confirmed date, kick-off time and ticket information for our FA Cup fifth round tie.
FULL DRAW DETAILS
Fulham v Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Leeds United v Norwich City
Mansfield Town v Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
Wrexham v Chelsea
West Ham United v Macclesfield or Brentford
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Arbeloa talks Mbappe, Valverde, Guler, Camavinga, Mourinho ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid
Having had a disappointing end to his last visit to Lisbon, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa will be hoping for a different outcome when his team face Benfica tomorrow in the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs.
Los Blancos fell to a 4-2 loss against Benfica last month, which cost them a top-eight finish in the league phase, forcing to play the playoffs, with the draw pairing up them against Jose Mourinho’s men again.
Ahead of the first leg, which Real Madrid enter high on confidence after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 at the weekend, Arbeloa addressed the media in his pre-match press conference.
“We know how difficult tomorrow will be, the atmosphere here, and the pressure it always puts on us. We must give our all to win, which is the goal,” said Arbeloa, highlighting what will be key for Real Madrid to win tomorrow.
“You know we’re good friends, we wish each other the best, and we have a great relationship.”
On whether he would like to see the Portuguese tactician back at the Santiago Bernabeu in the future, the current head coach said:
“As I just answered, I can only say that I always wish Jose the best. My goal is to eliminate Benfica, obviously, and then, for him to win everything. And from there, I wish him all the best.”
Real Madrid have strung together a positive streak in La Liga, where they have won eight in a row in the Spanish top-flight. On how much percentage of credit should go to him for that run, Arbeloa replied:
“I don’t know… I don’t think in terms of percentages. Since I arrived, I’ve seen a very positive attitude from all the players, and that’s been key.
“In football, it’s much easier to be a coach than a player because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to actually do it. So, a large part of the credit has to go to the players themselves, to their effort and hard work.
“The good results are thanks to the 20-25 players we have who prepare for every match as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that level of commitment, good results are coming. But we’re confident we can do even better.”
Regarding the level of trust he has managed to establish with the locker room since taking over last month, the Real Madrid boss said:
“They’ve welcomed me warmly from day one. The goal is the same: to work hard and win. Their willingness to receive me has been outstanding.
“Obviously, we haven’t been together very long, but I couldn’t ask for more than for them to maintain the same attitude.”
On what kind of Benfica he expects to see tomorrow, Arbeloa stated: “One team, obviously, has more individual talent. But their spirit will be very similar to what it was three weeks ago. They have a leader who sets the course, dictating how they play and compete.
“From there, there are minor differences. But it will be a very competitive, tough team. And we must be prepared.”
Looking forward to facing Mourinho again. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
On Mourinho’s comments about how they will see a ‘wounded’ Real Madrid coming for revenge, Arbeloa noted:
“No, no, no. We always think about winning. Our goal isn’t just to eliminate Benfica, but to win the Champions League. Getting through this round isn’t about revenge, it’s about achieving our objective.”
When asked about the lessons he had learnt from the previous game against Benfica, Arbeloa replied:
“For us, it’s a new game; we’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a new game… and we want to put on a great performance. There’s no other objective than to win.”
Regarding his recent switch to playing with a bank of four midfielders and whether he felt that it made the team more solid, Arbeloa explained:
“We came from Villarreal… and that day we played without that system. The goal is always to be solid. It’s very difficult these days to play good football if you’re not solid, compact, and don’t know how to press high up the pitch.
And to do all that, you need a lot of concentration; a lot of work and training. Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Güler are doing a fantastic job, and I don’t need to tell them anything new.
“They’re doing well, like everyone else. When a team is solid, it’s because of the work of ten players.”
Providing an update on the fitness of Kylian Mbappe, who did not play against Real Sociedad, Arbeloa said: “He’s here, he came with us. He’s going to train. And… tomorrow you’ll see if he plays or not.”
Concluding, Arbeloa was asked about how he would like the Santiago Bernabeu next week for the reverse fixture. In response, he said:
“He’s going to be greeted with a huge ovation, because Real Madrid fans are aware of everything Jose did for the club, which was giving his all and then some. So I’m sure he’ll be welcomed with a huge ovation.”
When the Los Angeles Rams signed Tyler Higbee and Rob Havenstein to their most recent contracts, they tacked on void years for salary cap purposes. That allowed the team to spread money out after the contracts expired, lowering each player’s cap hits at the cost of paying more after their deals end.
Well, the bill has come due because both contracts have officially voided. Havenstein, despite retiring, leaves behind a dead cap charge of $6.97 million on the Rams’ books. That was going to go on the Rams’ salary cap regardless of whether he left in free agency, retired or re-signed with Los Angeles.
Higbee’s expired contract carries a dead cap charge of $2.1 million. Like Havenstein, he’s a pending free agent and could either retire, re-sign with the Rams or sign with another team in March.
Combined, that’s a dead cap charge of $9.07 million, which is essentially cap room that the Rams can no longer use. By no means is this a surprise to the Rams or anyone else. They knew that when they signed Higbee and Havenstein to new deals, they would have dead cap charges for both players in 2026.
According to Over The Cap, the Rams’ total dead money now sits at $9.77 million, which is only the 19th-highest total in the NFL. They have an estimated $46.44 million in cap space right now, the eighth-most of any team.
They’re still in great shape financially, even having to pay $9 million in dead money.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Michael Jordan inherited the racing bug from his late father, who routinely packed everyone into the car and drove from North Carolina to a handful of tracks every year as attending NASCAR races became Jordan family vacations.
Decades later, Jordan is now a Daytona 500 winner.
He was an ecstatic team owner during the victory celebration, which he joined seconds before winner Tyler Reddick was presented the trophy.
Reddick paused the party and was enveloped in Jordan’s arms before the Basketball Hall of Famer gave high-fives to the No. 45 crew from 23XI Racing. A stream of well-wishers soon followed, including NASCAR chairman Jim France, who warmly congratulated Jordan with a smile and a handshake.
It was at least the second cordial public interaction the two have shared since December, when France and NASCAR settled the federal antitrust lawsuit that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports had lodged. The lawsuit consumed the sport for more than two years and ended on the ninth day of trial, when NASCAR relented and settled before the top motorsports series in the United States suffered any more humiliation.
The settlement was a huge win for Jordan, who forever will be viewed as the team owner bold enough to stand up to NASCAR’s dictatorship way of ruling the series. But that was already behind Jordan by the time he got to Daytona International Speedway, where he started Sunday by insisting the goal was to help grow NASCAR moving forward and focus on making 23XI a championship-contending race team.
“Both sides have been somewhat at a stalemate and we both needed to have conversations about change, how we can grow this sport,” Jordan told Fox Sports before the green flag. “Unfortunately, we had to go through what we had to go through. But I think coming out of that, you have a much better appreciation for each other and I think it opens up conversations amongst each other to continue to grow the game.”
Hours later, he was in victory lane celebrating as if he'd just won a seventh NBA championship. When France stopped by, it was clear all parties are moving forward.
Denny Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner who is partners with Jordan at 23XI, was the winning team owner representative in post-victory requirements and said there are no lingering bad feelings among the parties.
“I think December was a wake-up call. I think that the conversations since then have been a lot of self-reflection, in my opinion, from NASCAR. I think they would have done things differently had they had the opportunity to,” Hamlin said. "But we knew that we needed to stick up for what we believed was right. We have to now figure out how we can get the sport back where it was decades ago.
"In order to do that, the only way we can do it is we’re all going to have to pull the rope in the same direction. Even conversations that I’ve had with NASCAR executives as late as a couple days ago, sitting in a bus talking about what do we need to be five years from now, two years from now, 10 years from now. What does the sport need to look like?
“Those were all really good conversations, and they were very open to suggestions.”
Jordan didn't become a NASCAR participant until 2021, when he partnered with Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, to form 23XI. He attends races — sometimes he watches from pit road, other times a suite — and although others run the team, Jordan is involved and sounds committed to NASCAR.
The Reddick win was a win for NASCAR, Hamlin argued, because it got Jordan into the headlines.
“It’s big for the sport. He’s the most popular athlete in the world. I don’t think there’s any disputing that,” Hamlin said. “He loves the sport, and certainly he goes to a lot of races. Sometimes you don’t even see him and he’s there. He makes more races than people know. He loves this race team.”
Emirates FA Cup Draw: Leeds United will face Norwich City in Fifth Round
Leeds United have found out their opponents in the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round, following Monday night’s draw. The Whites will take on Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City, in a rare home tie.
So far this Cup campaign, United defeated Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park in the opener before beating Birmingham City on penalties last weekend, after Lukas Nmecha had scored in normal time.
The Canaries meanwhile overcame Walsall in the Third Round before beating West Bromwich Albion last time out.
Ties are due to take place over the weekend of Saturday 7th March 2026. Full fixture and ticket information will be released in due course.
Shawn Michaels at the Raw on Netflix premiere - Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
When a new stable emerges in WWE, AEW, TNA, or any other American wrestling company, it's a pretty safe bet that a bit of trademark news isn't that far behind. And that's exactly the case for a new "NXT" stable that seems ready for a big push. On February 11, WWE filed to trademark the name "Birthright." As per usual, the trademark sees WWE looking to secure the name for the usage of entertainment services, almost all of which are related to pro wrestling.
Though not confirmed, speculation has centered on "Birthright" being used for the name of a stable headed by "NXT" star Lexis King, who has been using the word "birthright" on "NXT" television over the last several weeks. So far, King has recruited Arianna Grace and her fiancée Stacks into the stable, while also making an effort to recruit Charlie Dempsey and Uriah Connors. Grace, Dempsey, Connors, and King are all second or third generation wrestlers, suggesting that Birthright could be a modern day version of legacy, the stable of second and third generation wrestlers created by Randy Orton in the late 2000s.
A former Spartan will be returning to the Breslin Center on Tuesday, and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is hoping the Spartans fanbase greets him with cheers.
UCLA forward Xavier Booker is making his first return to the Breslin Center on Tuesday since leaving via the transfer portal this past offseason. Booker -- who was a five-star prospect and one of the highest-rated players to ever sign with Izzo -- had a tough two seasons with the Spartans before electing to find a new home via the portal, and now comes back to Michigan State for Tuesday's matchup between the Spartans and Bruins.
On Monday, Izzo was asked about playing Booker for the first time since he left, and had only kind things to say about Booker.
"I hope our fans treat him with the respect he deserves," Izzo said during the media availability -- quote courtesy of Jim Comparoni of SpartanMag. "He was a great student. He never caused any problems. He always did his job. I hope our fans welcome him back.
"I really think a lot of him and wish I could have done a better job getting everything out of him. I pull for him every game but one."
In his first season with the Bruins, Booker has started 23 of 25 games played, averaging 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game --all three are career highs. He is also shooting above 40 percent from three-point range, which was something he had shown flashes of with the Spartans but never with this much consistency.
It was disappointing Booker never worked out with the Spartans, and like Izzo said, I hope things continue to go better for him with UCLA. Hopefully, Michigan State will be able to slow him down on Tuesday as the Spartans are in need of a victory badly right now.
Tom Izzo on Xavier Booker of UCLA returning to Breslin on Tuesday: "I hope our fans treat him with the respect he deserves. He was a great student. He never caused any problems. He always did his job. I hope our fans welcome him back. I really think a lot of him and wish I could…
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
The Sabres return to action the following Wednesday, Feb. 25, against the New Jersey Devils.
There's always a chance they choose to use both Thompson and Dahlin in that game, no matter what. But at least with one of them, there'll be less to think about.
Obviously, Buffalo would like all of its players to do as well as they can at the Olympics.
On the flip side, they'd like to get their stars back healthy and in good shape. The Sabres are in position to end their 14-year playoff drought.
To get that job done, Thompson and Dahlin will be crucial.
So getting one of them back a little earlier will be a good deal for NHL hopes.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid CF, talks during a press conference before the UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 27, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo Moreira/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke form the Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon on Monday evening to preview the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg clash with Benfica, reflecting on their recent meeting in the league stage by saying, “for us, it’s a new match, we’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a new match… and we want to put in a great performance. There’s no other objective than to win.
Arbeloa on the keys to the match
“We know how difficult tomorrow will be, what the atmosphere is like here and how demanding it always is for us. We must give our all to win, which is the objective.”
Are you planning to invite Mourinho to the ‘grey sofa’?
“No… well… if I invite him, it will be for lunch. He doesn’t need to sit there. You know that we’re good friends, that we wish each other well and that we have a great relationship.”
Arbeloa on a Mourinho return to Real Madrid one day
“As I just said, I can only say that I always wish Jose the best. My goal is to eliminate Benfica, obviously, and then for him to win everything. And from there, I wish him the best.”
Arbeloa on how much of the credit for this run goes to him
“I don’t know… I don’t think in terms of percentages. Since I arrived, I’ve seen a very good attitude from all the players and that has been key. In football, it’s much easier to be a manager than a player, because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to do it. So much of the credit must go to the players. To their effort and hard work. The good results come thanks to the 20-25 players we have who prepare for every game as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that demand, good results are coming. But we are confident that we can go even further.”
Arbeloa on his speech to players pre-match
“It will be about football, as always. To win, we will have to play very well, and to do that, we have to do a lot of things right. We will have to defend well and attack well. We will have to be focused on set pieces. And we will have to play a very complete game for 90 minutes.”
Arbeloa on Benfica
“We expect a team, obviously, with more individual possibilities. But their spirit will be very similar to three weeks ago. They have a leader who sets the tone, the way they play and compete. From there, there are small nuances. But it will be a very competitive, tough game. And we must be prepared.”
Arbeloa on Mourinho talking of a “wounded” Madrid
“No, no, no. We always think about winning. Our goal is not only to eliminate Benfica, but to win the Champions League. Getting through the tie is not revenge, but a goal.”
Arbeloa on confidence with the players
“They have welcomed me very well from day one. The goal is the same: to work and win. Their willingness to welcome me has been maximum. Obviously, we haven’t been here very long, but I can’t ask for more than for them to continue with the same attitude.”
Arbeloa on whether he was surprised by Mourinho
“No, I don’t think he can surprise me; I know exactly what he’s capable of. I said here that it didn’t matter if they fielded their Youth League team, because the intensity would be maximum. Tomorrow… more of the same. They are capable of playing even better and we must be prepared for that. We must all be clear about what we are up against.”
No.14 Rutgers Wrestling closed out its Big Ten dual season with a 29-9 win over Michigan State. The win elevated the Scarlet Knights to 5-3 in conference play, meaning that the program will finish with a positive Big Ten conference record for the second season in a row under head coach Scott Goodale. Friday night also marked the program’s fourth straight win over the Spartans and gave the Scarlet Knights their fifth winning conference record since joining the Big Ten in 2014. As of now, Rutgers sits at fifth in the conference standings
Rutgers’ biggest highlights of the match were No.29/nr 149-pounder Andrew Clark pinning Clayton Jones, No.19/24 165-pounder Andrew Barbosa winning by tech fall over Jack Conley, and No. 17/20 174-pounder Lenny Pinto recording a major decision over Connor O’Neill.
In total, Rutgers beat Michigan State by an 8-2 match split.
Ayden Smith faced Nick Corday to open the dual, forcing a stall in the opening minutes for a quick 1-0 lead. Smith followed with a takedown in the second, muscling a 4-0 decision to give Rutgers a 3-0 advantage.
Dylan Shawver followed with a 7-3 decision over Caleb Weiand. During Shawver’s bout, the Rutgers bench was deducted a team point after a clock malfunction, while a loss at 141 pounds made it 5-3 through three bouts.
That would be the closest Michigan State would get in the dual, as Clark pinned Clayton Jones in the second period for a six-point swing. No. 26 Anthony White (157) then secured an 8-4 decision over Darius Marines to give Rutgers a 14-3 lead at intermission.
Barbosa and Pinto registered back-to-back wins by bonus to put the dual all but out of reach. Barbosa landed six takedowns on Jack Conley for a third-period tech fall, while Pinto hit a clean double with 40 seconds remaining on former Scarlet Knight Connor O’Neill for a 10-2 major decision.
No. 20 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (184) muscled a 10-4 decision before Cotton faced Wisley in the lone ranked-vs.-ranked matchup of the night. Cotton finished a double in the first period, landed another takedown in the second, and collected more than two minutes of riding time for the 8-1 decision against his former team.
Brandon Toranzo (HWT) earned the start at heavyweight and lost to Josh Terrill, as RU left East Lansing with a 29-9 win.
Next, Rutgers closes out its dual season with a home match against Princeton Feb. 16 and a road match at Hofstra on Feb. 18. The Scarlet Knights’ dual with the Tigers is set for a 7 p.m. start at Jersey Mike’s Arena and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
No. 14 Rutgers 29, Michigan State 9
125: 24/22 Ayden Smith (RU) over Nick Corday (MSU) by dec., 4-0; RU leads, 3-0
133: 24/32 Dylan Shawver (RU) over NR/30 Caleb Weiand (MSU) by dec., 7-3; RU leads, 5-0*
141: Andy Hampton (MSU) over Mason Gibson (RU) by dec., 9-5; RU leads, 5-3
149: 29/NR Andrew Clark (RU) over Clayton Jones (MSU) by fall (3:46); RU leads, 11-3
157: 26/27 Anthony White (RU) over Darius Marines (MSU) by dec., 8-4; RU leads, 14-3
165: 19/24 Andrew Barbosa (RU) over Jack Conley (MSU) by TF, 19-4 (5:45); RU leads, 19-3
174: 17/20 Lenny Pinto (RU) over Connor O’Neill (MSU) by MD, 10-2; RU leads, 23-3
184: 20/18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (RU) over Ryan Boucher (MSU) by dec., 10-4; RU leads, 26-3
197: 16/16 Remy Cotton (RU) over 23/23 Kael Wisley (MSU) by dec., 8-1; RU leads, 29-3
HWT: Josh Terrill (MSU) over Brandon Toranzo (RU) by stall dsq. (6:09); RU wins, 29-9
You’ll be forgiven if you have a healthy amount of skepticism when it comes to me announcing alternate Texas A&M uniforms, but I promise this one is real. On Monday, Aggie Men’s Basketball unveiled a Corps of Cadets themed uniform. It is a cream-colored uniform that features the iconic corps patch logo on the shorts, and perhaps most visibly, mimics the look of a white Corps belt and gold buckles on the shorts. The Aggies will debut these uniforms on Wednesday night at Reed Arena when they host Ole Miss.
A&M has a bit of a checkered past when it comes to alternate uniforms (thanks to a terrible Adidas template from last year). But these look pretty darn clean. It’s also the second time in recent years an A&M sports team has donned Corps-inspired uniforms, with baseball doing so in 2023.
What once looked like a wild idea from President of the United States Donald Trump appears one step closer to materializing. UFC CEO Dana White provided a major update on the event held at the White House later this year.
During the Zuffa Boxing 3 post-fight news conference, White announced that the matchmaking process for the MMA event was complete.
“We have like two different options laid out and the matchmaking process has already started out,” White said (4:40 timestamp). “So yeah, we got the White House card done last week.”
The event is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. It will likely feature multiple title fights at some point in June.
“We laid out two different options – I didn’t say it was done, I said the card was built,” White said. “I’m not talking about the White House card. We’ve been kicking around a lot of ideas and me and (Craig) Borsari actually fly to D.C. this week and sit down with the President and his team and start walking them through not just the production, but the fight card. We have like three different options on all the different production stuff, and we will see what he likes and what he doesn’t like. But let me tell you this, this event is going to be so badass and so unique and so special, and so expensive.”
Former UFC fighter casts doubt on potential “biggest fights” in company history
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Former President Donald Trump talks with UFC President Dana during the fight between Cesar Almeida (red gloves) and Roman Kopylov (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Retired welterweight fighter Matt Brown shared his concerns about whether the UFC can book the biggest fights in history for the highly-anticipated White House event.
“It’s hard to imagine you’re not (setting yourself up for disappointment),” Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Because they don’t have the stars that they used to have and Conor’s not fighting on it. I don’t care what he says. I don’t care what Dana [White] says. They’re using him to promote it and using his name to get it out there. He’s not fighting on that s*t.”
Some big names, such as Justin Gaethje, floated the idea of unifying the lightweight champion against Ilia Topuria during that event. Fans will have to wait a little bit more to know more details.
Saint Louis, Miami (OH), Utah St. and Saint Mary’s remained 1-4 in this week’s Men’s Other Top 25. San Diego St. and VCU each moved up one spot as Santa Clara slid four places following its loss to Gonzaga.
New Mexico rejoined the top 10 and came in at No. 7. Belmont moved up one place to eighth. Liberty remained at No. 10.
Then came South Florida. The Bulls skyrocketed from No. 23 to No. 11. They have won four games in a row to surge into sole possession of first place in the American. USF is 10-3 in the conference and holds a two-game lead over Tulsa and Wichita St. It defeated both the Golden Hurricane and the Shockers within the last nine days. Bryan Hodgson’s team prevailed 83-81 in overtime at Florida Atlantic Sunday in its most recent game.
The Bulls are 18-8 overall this season. They are 57th in the NET, 60th in KenPom and 68th in BartTorvik. They are 18th in adjusted tempo, per KenPom.
A trio of teams joined the ranking this week: UNC Wilmington (T-18), Winthrop (T-22) and UC Irvine (24).
UNCW had a gigantic week with three wins. The Seahawks won 76-64 at Charleston in a battle of the top two teams in the CAA. They then defeated Elon and closed the week by picking up a 70-66 win over Hofstra in another matchup of top-four teams in the conference. Takayo Siddle’s group is 11-2 in the league and 22-4 overall.
Winthrop is one of the hottest teams in the country. The Eagles have won 11 straight to improve to 19-8 and 11-1 in the Big South. They play at High Point Saturday in a showdown of the top two teams in the conference.
UC Irvine gives the Big West two teams in the ranking by joining Hawaii, who came in tied for 17th this week. The Anteaters and Rainbow Warriors are tied atop the league standings at 10-4.
Here is the full ranking:
Ranking
Team (First-Place Votes)
Points
Last Week
1
Saint Louis (5)
125
1
2
Miami (OH)
120
2
3
Utah St.
114
3
4
Saint Mary’s
107
4
5
San Diego St.
101
6
6
VCU
97
7
7
New Mexico
86
11
8
Belmont
84
9
9
Santa Clara
74
5
10
Liberty
72
10
11
South Florida
60
23
12
Nevada
58
T-13
13
Yale
57
16
14
George Mason
56
8
15
Akron
52
15
16
Stephen F. Austin
51
12
17
High Point
38
T-18
T-18
UNC Wilmington
32
RV
T-18
McNeese St.
32
T-18
20
Tulsa
31
T-13
21
Grand Canyon
23
T-21
T-22
Hawaii
19
17
T-22
Winthrop
19
RV
24
UC Irvine
18
RV
25
Murray St.
12
20
Others Receiving Votes:
Northern Colorado 11; Austin Peay 11; North Dakota St. 9; Bradley 9; Montana St. 9; Harvard 8; UC Santa Barbara 6; Boise St. 5; Cal Baptist 4; Charleston 3; Merrimack 3; Sam Houston St. 3; Navy 2; Dayton 2; NJIT 2
Dropped from Rankings:
Cal Baptist – T-21; Utah Valley – 24; Boise St. – 25
A day after World Curling ramped up monitoring of the matches, it pulled the plug, saying umpires would retreat and be available on request but not by default.
The move came after a quick meeting between national curling federations and World Curling on Sunday in which curlers expressed dissatisfaction with the increased surveillance. Athletes wanted less monitoring, not more.
Why would Olympic curlers, playing a sport where mere centimeters can make the difference between a winning and losing stone, choose to send the umps away? The answer may have to do with the longstanding spirit of the game, which some athletes are clinging to even as it grows more popular — and professional.
“I think there’s a lot of pride in trying to be a sport that kind of officiates ourselves a little bit, so to speak,” said Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, whose teams have been at the heart of the uproar over the past several days. “I think it was just everybody taking a deep breath and going, OK, let’s just finish this Olympics the way we know our sport is to be played.”
World Curling rethinks officiating
The saga began Friday, when Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian Marc Kennedy of breaking the rules by touching the rock again after initially releasing it down the sheet of ice. Kennedy’s expletive-laden outburst drew widespread attention, as did the sport, which tends to fall off the radar outside the Olympics.
World Curling decided it needed to double down on game surveillance, even though it was already midway through the Olympic men’s and women’s round-robin competition.
From then on, the federation said, two umpires would step out from behind the courtside table and watch the “hog line” — the point at which curlers must release the granite stone down the sheet of ice — from close proximity. That way, they’d be able to more closely check for illegal double-touches.
In just a day, officials called two double-touch infractions, by Rachel Homan of Canada and Bobby Lammie of Britain, removing their stones from play.
It is rare for stones to be removed from competition so frequently.
By Sunday afternoon, players and coaches were fed up, and World Curling changed its policy after the meeting.
“When the players started complaining, it puts them in a tough position because they want to do their jobs and listen to the players that think that there’s a problem out there,” said Emma Miskew of Canada. “I’m happy with how the discussion went and what the ruling came to.”
Olympic curlers say the double-touch is not a big deal
Several Olympic curlers said that double-touching did not necessarily reveal a nefarious desire to cheat, and that penalizing a quick and accidental graze of the granite could be over the top.
“If you get a hog line violation, it’s not cheating,” Homan said Monday.
Miskew added that it was rare to hear the accusation, at least in women’s curling, while Alina Paetz of Switzerland agreed with Homan that it is a minor infraction.
“If you do it, it’s not allowed, but I think they blew it up a little bit, so it’s a bigger thing than it actually is,” Paetz said. “It’s the Olympics, there’s emotion in it. I don’t think it is actually that big of a deal.”
The Men’s Ice Hockey Qualification Play-Off begins Tuesday, February 17, and my top Sweden vs. Latvia predictions and free betting picks have you covered for the nightcap between the two nations.
Sweden vs Latvia prediction
Sweden vs Latvia Best bet: Under 6.5 (-125)
The Latvians have only scored seven times through three games, and have the personnel to play a defensive brand of hockey to stay competitive against the superior Swedes
Both teams also have experienced NHL goaltenders on the roster, and Sweden hasn’t been overly efficient with an 11th-ranked 7.5 team shooting percentage, so I think Latvia can hang around to do its part to keep this total Under the number.
Additionally, Sweden has been reasonably stingy with just eight goals allowed, and I think there is a statistical correction ahead of its eighth-ranked .885 team save percentage.
I’m expecting the Latvians to sacrifice offense for sound defensive play in an attempt to keep this a low-scoring game. Sweden hasn’t been running over opponents, either, so Latvia being handed a three-goal spot is cushy.
Sweden vs Latvia SGP
Latvia +3.5
Under 6.5
Sweden vs Latvia odds
Moneyline: Sweden -1100 | Latvia +625
Puck Line: Sweden -3.5 (+125) | Latvia +3.5 (-160)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-125)
How to watch Sweden vs Latvia
Location
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy
Date
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Puck drop
3:10 p.m. ET
TV
CBC, NBC
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
When AS Monaco faced a French club in the European Cup
As the Red and Whites gear up to face PSG in the Champions League play-offs, we look back at their two-legged tie against Olympique de Marseille in the 1998–1999 UEFA Cup - the only French team the club had faced in Europe up to that point.
An unprecedented clash on the horizon. Having once again qualified for the Champions League playoffs, AS Monaco have been drawn against PSG. Although they have never faced PSG in continental competition, the Red and Whites have previously taken on another French club in Europe – Olympique de Marseille. We take a look back at that two-legged tie, which took place during the 1998–1999 UEFA Cup. Flashback. 🔙
A tense first leg 🥊
Reaching the round-of-16 after progressing past Polish side LKS Łódź (3-1) and Austrian outfit Grazer AK (7-3), the Red and Whites were handed a meeting with OM. The first leg took place at the Stade Louis-II at the end of November that year, barely three weeks after a league meeting at the Vélodrome (a 1–0 defeat).
Photo Credit: Luttiau-Presse Sports
Trezeguet responds to Pirès opener
Keen to exact revenge, Jean Tigana’s men started brightly, with Philippe Léonard forcing Stéphane Porato into a fine save from a free kick (3′). Unfortunately, from their very first real opportunity, the visitors opened the scoring through Robert Pirès (0–1, 9′). The response came almost immediately, courtesy of David Trezeguet from the penalty spot after a foul on Victor Ikpeba (1-1, 18′). Monaco dominated, and the Nigerian striker saw an effort narrowly miss the post on the half hour mark (32′).
An open and feist first leg
However, the Phocéens regained the lead moments later through Aboubacar Camara (1–2, 39′). AS Monaco once again fought back, this time with Ludovic Giuly netting at the near post (2–2, 56′). No further goals were scored in this tense encounter, in which the referee handed out 12 cards, including reds for Florian Maurice (63′) and Franck Dumas (69′). Everything was still to play for in the return leg.
Match report:
UEFA Cup 1998-1999 – round-of-16
AS Monaco 2-2 Olympique Marseille
Half time: 1-1
Goals: Trezeguet (17′), Giuly (56′) for AS Monaco; Pirès (9′), Camara (39′) for Olympique Marseille
Yellow cards: Djetou (33′), Dumas (37′, 69′), Sagnol (45′), Giuly (87′) for AS Monaco; Maurice (6′, 63′), Blondeau (47′), Blanc (63′), Camara (69′), Colleter (90′), Bravo (95e) for L’OM
Red cards: Dumas (69′) for AS Monaco; Maurice (63′) for L’OM
Played at the Vélodrome, the second leg took place barely two weeks later, but the game did not go as planned. The Red and Whites were quickly reduced to 10 men following Muhamed Konjić’s sending off (38′). Despite being a man down, Victor Ikpeba’s teammates held firm and managed to keep the score at 0–0 at half time.
Photo Credit: De Martignac-Presse Sports
A narrow and frustrating defeat
Unfortunately, as the clash came to a head, Xavier Gravelaine picked out Aboubacar Camara in the box. Camara held off Christophe Pignol and beat the Monaco goalkeeper from close range (0–1, 71′). After that, AS Monaco pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find the goal, ultimately losing by the narrowest of margins. It was a result that meant elimination in the round-of-16 of the UEFA Cup (3–2 on aggregate).
Magpies handed home tie with City in FA Cup fifth round
Eddie Howe's side came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the fourth round on Saturday evening, with Sandro Tonali's brace and Nick Woltemade's clincher seeing off the hosts at Villa Park.
Their reward is a home game against Pep Guardiola's side, who were beaten in last year's final by Crystal Palace.
City beat United in this term's Carabao Cup semi-finals, and are the Magpies' Premier League opponents this coming Saturday. The fifth round meeting between the sides at St. James' Park will be the fifth game between the two teams this season.
The draw took place at the Leasing.com Stadium before Macclesfield's fourth round clash with Brentford, with ex-England internationals Joe Cole and Karen Carney conducting it.
FA Cup fifth round ticket details
For season ticket holders in the cup scheme, ticket information will be communicated soon.
Once the fixture is confirmed, we’ll release the dates for the Mags Member Ballot and open up hospitality packages.
How to secure your place
Become a Mags Member to access the ballot, the Mags Member GA sale and the Mags Member Ticket Exchange: https://book.newcastleunited.com/Memberships
Matchday hospitality: register your interest here and we’ll let you know as soon as packages go live
Ties will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 7th March.
The Cleveland Browns have two main needs this offseason: wide receiver and the entire offensive line. Other positions could use help; OL and WR are by far the two biggest needs.
While the Browns will likely end up using free agency and the NFL Draft to improve those two positions, they could also turn to the trade market to acquire veteran talent to bolster those rooms.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed one such trade the Browns could make, where they link up with the Jacksonville Jaguars once again, and trade for $40.5 million veteran offensive tackle, Walker Little, in a late-round pick-swap.
Browns trade proposal lands $40.5M Jaguars OT for pick swap
This trade isn't a 2026 NFL Draft swap, as the Browns wouldn't be landing a 2026 draft pick in return. But, they would still be getting a draft pick back, while also landing a much-needed veteran offensive tackle to bolster their offensive line.
Thanks to the Jaguars no longer needing Little, thanks to the emergence of a different tackle, the Browns can pounce and swing another trade with the Jaguars over the last year.
These teams have a strong link already, as they made the blockbuster draft-night trade to help the Jaguars land Travis Hunter while the Browns traded back, got an extra first-rounder, and still got Mason Graham.
With Cole Van Lanen emerging as a star for the Jaguars, Little becomes expendable, and the Browns can swoop in like Barnwell proposes and trade for the veteran OT.
Little is 26 years old and a former second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jaguars. He's started 39 games in his career, with the bulk of those starts coming in the last few seasons since 2023.
He's under contract for the next two seasons and has an out after 2026. If he works out in Cleveland, the Browns can keep him for an extra year. But if he doesn't, moving on from him is very doable.
Little is the exact kind of player the Browns should be looking to acquire, and this move, between two teams that have been involved in a few big trades in the last year, would make a lot of sense for both sides.
A University of Wisconsin signee, Van Laningham is the back-to-back Class 3A individual state champion, breaking the Kentucky Horse Park course record in each victory.
As a senior, he won seven races and set a personal best of 14:38.5 with a third-place finish at the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational. In the postseason, he finished in the top five at the Nike and Brooks regional meets, then placed ninth at Nike Cross Nationals and sixth at the Brooks XC Championships.
Van Laningham has four total state titles to his name, winning the 2025 indoor 1,600-meter run in 4:13.04 and the 2025 outdoor 1,600-meter run in a new overall state meet record of 4:08.25. He later ran a personal best of 4:06.48 at Nike Outdoor Nationals and could break the overall state record of 4:01.82, set on June 5, 2025, by former Covington Catholic standout Will Sheets.
Outside of sports, Van Laningham maintains a weighted 4.63 GPA, is a Freshman Mentor Program leader at Cooper, has gone on mission trips as a member of Antioch United Methodist Church and won best in show at the 2024 Kentucky Duck Stamp Competition.
After a 2025 season that was filled with a long list of setbacks for the Minnesota Twins' pitching rotation, this same momentum has converted into 2026.
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported that right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez discovered elbow soreness, which resulted in the 2023 All-Star leaving live batting practice on Monday.
Twins manager Derek Shelton said Lopez will undergo further MRI testing on the elbow.
Pablo Lopez gets dealt another injury scare before Spring Training
Lopez, 29, had an injury-plagued season in 2025, and this has continued to play out into 2026.
To begin 2025, he suffered a hamstring strain that resulted in him missing 14 games. This was followed up by a 60-day IL stint due to a right teres major strain in his throwing shoulder that led to him missing three months.
Now it appears that he's dealing with a new injury to a different part of his throwing arm. More details will come out, but Lopez could be on the verge of missing the start of the 2026 regular season.
Heading into his age-30 season, Lopez has two years remaining on the four-year, $73.5 million contract he signed with the Twins in 2023.
The 25-0 Miami University RedHawks are ranked No. 22 in the latest AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll released Feb. 16, up from 23rd one week earlier.
The RedHawks received 238 votes in the new poll. MU defeated Ohio, 90-74, on Feb. 13.
The RedHawks are 12-0 in Mid-American Conference play this season. They are scheduled to play next on the road at UMass on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
Miami is the only undefeated Div. I men's basketball team in the country.
RedHawks head coach Travis Steele said during an interview with Rece Davis on ESPN's "College GameDay" that he'll commit to wearing a Speedo and being hoisted in the air while making a swimming motion at the team's NCAA tournament Selection Sunday watch party, if MU finishes the regular season undefeated and wins the MAC tournament.
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay men's basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb took a shot at the RedHawks' schedule, and suggested that he would like his team's chances in a head-to-head meeting with Miami.
During the Jan. 30 broadcast of Akron's win against Kent State, CBS Sports college basketball analyst and former Xavier Musketeers head coach Pete Gillen said the RedHawks' NET strength of schedule "is gonna really hurt them."
The Cleveland Browns are hiring Atlanta Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as their defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. Rutenberg joined Atlanta's staff in 2025 after spending four seasons as the linebackers coach for the New York Jets (2021-2024).
The Browns have been looking for a replacement for long-time defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who stepped down after the team passed him over for the head coaching vacancy. Despite their poor record in recent seasons, the Browns have some talented pieces on defense.
Cleveland took home the Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards at the 2026 NFL Honors. Defensive end Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sacks record with 23 total, while linebacker Carson Schwesinger led all rookies with 146 total tackles.
Rutenberg spent seven seasons working for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-2019) in different roles. He joined the team as an assistant defensive backs coach in 2013 and later took over as the assistant linebackers coach from 2018 to 2019.
In 2020, Rutenberg took a one-year pit stop in San Francisco, serving as a defensive pass-game specialist before linking up with Ulbrich in New York. After Ulbrich was fired by the Jets in 2024, he took over as the Falcons defensive coordinator and brought Rutenberg along as his pass-game coordinator.
In other Falcons coaching news, the team has hired former Wisconsin wide receivers coach Jordan Reid as their new assistant quarterbacks coach.
Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images
Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game may have featured the best basketball players duking it out against one another, but it was former president Barack Obama who stole the show with an accidental intervention. Clips of the celebrated politician inadvertently intercepting a loose ball have since gone viral on the internet, with fans buzzing over Obama’s cameo in the star-studded match-up.
On February 15, the NBA All-Star round-robin clash between the USA Stars and the World Team featured a distinguished lineup of attendees, including Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle Obama, basketball legend Julius Erving, and more.
At one point during the game, a deflected loose ball ended up flying out of the court, only for the two-time president to catch it on his courtside seat. The incident incited laughter in the crowd, including Michelle Obama. In a video shared by the NBA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the former First Lady could be seen making animated gestures while her husband looked on.
Obama scored some more points with the public during an on-court interview with former Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller. Taking a jibe at the Hall of Famer, Obama, who famously supports the Chicago Bulls, noted, “I always enjoyed watching us beat Indiana. Although I will say that nobody terrified me more than Reggie Miller with a possible 3-point shot at the end of a game.”
The NBA All-Star Game, which had Barack and Michelle Obama in attendance, ended in favor of the USA Stars, who ran out 37-35 victors at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The Stars lost their remaining round-robin match-up against the USA Stripes, but still managed to qualify for the final, owing to the World Team’s winless run at the event. The Stars ultimately triumphed in the Championship game, beating the Stripes comfortably with a scoreline of 47-21.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on Mandatory.
Manchester City discover FA Cup fifth round opponents following Salford win and completed draw
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have now found out their opponents for the next stage of the FA Cup following progression into the fifth round of the tournament.
After a staggering 10-1 win in the third round of the competition against Exeter City, matters were made slightly more complex against Salford City in the next round, despite the Ammies playing their league football below Gary Caldwell’s now-former club.
Having taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes of the weekend’s affair through an own goal from Alfie Dorrington, many would have expected Manchester City to go on and put several more goals past Salford.
However, a resolute defensive showing from the Greater Manchester side and a couple of strong saves from James Trafford to deny an equaliser meant it took until the closing exchanges for City to confirm victory.
The second, and decisive, goal of the contest would come courtesy of an unlikely source as substitute Marc Guehi recorded his first goal for his new side after joining Manchester City from Crystal Palace in January.
Now, as City look to make it all the way to the FA Cup final once again under Pep Guardiola, it has been confirmed that the Catalan coach and his players will take on Newcastle United in the fifth round of the competition at St James’ Park.
Completed FA Cup Fifth Round draw
Fulham vs Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland
Newcastle vs Manchester City
Leeds United vs Norwich City
Mansfield Town vs Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Wrexham vs Chelsea
West Ham United vs Macclesfield or Brentford
The fifth round of the FA Cup will be played around the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March 2026.
For Manchester City, that will mean that their cup tie against TEAM will follow a midweek Premier League clash at home to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, 4 March with kick-off at 19:30 (UK).
Following the FA Cup meeting, Manchester City will then take on a UEFA Champions League Last-16 First-Leg tie during midweek, with their opponents for that clash yet to be confirmed amid the play-off round for the round of 16.
Wayne Rooney singles out Michael Carrick call that put Man United “on the back foot” vs. West Ham
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has highlighted a decision made by Michael Carrick, which slightly disadvantaged the team in the 1-1 draw with West Ham.
United held
Having won his first four games since being named as interim head coach, Carrick’s flawless run was brought to an end last week as United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
West Ham sat in a compact defensive block, restricting the space United had to operate in between the lines.
Things worsened for United shortly after the break when Tomas Soucek gave the hosts the lead after some pitiful defending from Carrick’s men.
With a lead to protect, West Ham retreated further into their own half, digging in to grind out a victory. It looked like they were set for all three points but Benjamin Sesko came on from the bench and scored a beautiful goal in the dying embers of the game to rescue a point for the Red Devils.
After the final whistle, Carrick hailed his players for giving it their all until the very end. Gary Lineker insisted that for United to become a true juggernaut, Carrick must first solve the puzzle of breaking down stubborn low blocks.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney noted that Carrick’s use of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha probably didn’t help United’s cause against West Ham.
Rooney highlights Carrick misstep
United’s record goalscorer said, “I think he made a big call, Michael, in Mbeumo and Cunha, changing them two around.”
“I think that may have affected the way they play because Mbeumo is one who is running behind and Cunha coming in off the side has been better or playing as a [No] 10 times.”
“So, I think that little change may have put United on the back foot a little bit, but [they] done well to come back in the end.”
Rooney was also asked whether he would be open to joining Carrick’s backroom staff if he were offered the opportunity.
He answered, “Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer. I’m not begging for a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would.”
“Appointing the manager is the most important thing.”
United are next in action on Monday, February 23, when they go away to Everton.
Mo Salah misconception is brutally unfair on legendary Liverpool star
There's a misconception about Mo Salah this season. And it's brutally unfair on the legend.
Mo Salah is not having a good season. We can get that out of the way early.
The Egyptian broke records galore last season as he won the PFA Player of the Year, the Premier League Golden Boot and the Premier League Playmaker award. It was a sensational campaign - unlike anything we've ever seen, really, even in a title-winning season.
That earned him an enormous two-year contract extension as Liverpool committed to their legendary no.11. Unfortunately, that deal hasn't worked out as Salah's output has dropped enormously this season.
He's got just four goals and six assists this season. Those numbers almost certainly comndemn him to his lowest numbers of his Liverpool career. Maybe even since his Chelsea days.
But there are some misconceptions about Salah and his season. They're very unfair, too.
Mo Salah's season so far
Salah has not scored anywhere near as many goals this season. That's led to analysis such as this from the Telegraph:
"Last season, Salah outperformed his expected goals [xG] by 3.6. This season he is underperforming his xG by 2. Other metrics related to creative moments on the pitch are also down, albeit by a smaller amount. He is still involved in games at the same level – he is simply not delivering the same outcomes at the scale he once did."
This is an unbelievably unfair way of judging Salah's efforts this season. The data is correct - no denial there - but the idea that he's involved in games 'at the same level' is plainly wrong.
Salah's xG last season was 27.71 (per Understat) and that worked out at around 0.74 per 90 minutes. It was the fourth-highest of his Liverpool career.
This season? 6.51 so far, working out to be 0.38 per 90 minutes. This is considerably lower than his previous lowest as a Red (0.59 in 2020/21).
Salah simply is not as involved. He's not a player who creates his own chances out of nothing consistently and instead gets on the end of moves.
Yes, of course, Salah has a fantastic collection of incredible goals he made happen out of nothing. His bread and butter, though? It's being in the right place to receive the ball.
That has not been happening this season. Now, maybe it's because he doesn't have the ability to get into those positions. It feels unlikely, though, given the overall play of the entire squad has dropped.
Salah is far from the only player to see a massive drop in form this season. The squad isn't functioning properly and it's meant far less creation for the Egyptian.
He literally has not been as involved as a goalscoring force. His finishing compared to xG has been a negative, certainly, but the lack of creation for him plays a much bigger role in his overall drop-off.
To miss that point is doing the Liverpool legend an enormous disservice.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets owner Steve Cohen likes the vibe in a revamped clubhouse, and says he'll never have a captain in charge of that scene.
“As long as I’m owning the team, there will never be a team captain,” Cohen said in his first meeting with reporters at spring training Monday. “That was my decision. My view is the locker room is unique. And let the locker room sort it out, year in, year out.”
New York said goodbye to popular slugger Pete Alonso, star closer Edwin Díaz and two other Mets stalwarts before Christmas, but added free agent Bo Bichette and traded for All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta.
The Mets are going into their third season with manager Carlos Mendoza after they missed the playoffs following a run to the 2024 NL championship series.
“I just was in that locker room and in the meeting and I sense an energy that really is exciting,” Cohen said on the day of the team's first full-squad workout. “These are new faces, fresh faces that I think our fans are really going to enjoy watch playing. It’s different. And I think we’ll play a different type of baseball, and I think that’s great.”
The rival Yankees had Derek Jeter, known simply as the “the captain,” for all 20 of the Hall of Famer's seasons. Becoming an owner in the same city won't sway Cohen, whose view might also keep the Mets from having a tricky choice between two of their biggest stars, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
“Just my own views on how I want a locker room to be,” Cohen said. “My view is every year the team’s different and let the team kind of figure it out in the locker room rather than having a designation. Having a captain in baseball doesn’t happen often. It’s actually unusual.”
40 years and counting
The Mets have alternated between making and missing the playoffs during Cohen's tenure. New York made the playoffs in 2022, then missed in 2023 with an underperforming group that led to the unloading of star pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the trade deadline.
Disappointment returned last season after the Mets lost in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 NLCS. New York's most recent World Series title came in 1986.
“About not winning? Yeah, I’m annoyed,” Cohen said. “I’m absolutely annoyed. Every year that goes by, I get frustrated. I’m really committed to this team. I know how much the fans care. I know we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1986, and that’s just too long.”
Looming labor situation
Asked about the big-spending Dodgers, Cohen said he had no problem with their approach, while drawing laughter from reporters by saying the billionaire hedge-fund manager could spend big, too.
Cohen also didn't sound opposed to a salary cap, which figures to be the primary point of contention during collective bargaining talks that could jeopardize the 2027 season.
“Obviously, I’m listening to all the arguments,” Cohen said. “But I’ve always been a league-first owner. So I’m listening to all the sides and I haven’t made up my mind yet. We’ll see where it goes. Sometimes I put the league’s interests above my own interests.”
Tuckered out
Although the Mets pivoted with the signing of Bichette and the trade for Peralta, they thought they were going to land the biggest prize in free agency before four-time All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker signed with those free-spending Dodgers.
“I’m competitive,” Cohen said. “When you’re actually making a bid and you decide you want that player, you don’t want to lose, like anything else. And then you get over it, and then you move on. It’s sort of like in my business. I have a bad trading day, all right, I move on to the next day, and then the next day's better.”
More investment
The Mets are set to break ground on a player development complex at their spring training home in Port St. Lucie. The 55,000-square-foot facility will include locker space, a training room, therapy pools and a dining facility.
Harbaugh will now be looking for another new assistant defensive line coach because Matt Robinson has changed his mind and opted to take the better position of safeties coach in Las Vegas. The team had even set up a page for Robinson on their website, but if you click it now, you just get an empty page.
Another change: Giants assistant defensive line coach Matt Robinson, who left his job as Baltimore’s outside linebackers coach this off-season to go to New York, is now going to the Raiders as their secondary coach, per source. The Giants gave their permission, and supported…
Harbaugh had Robinson on his staff in Baltimore for the past five seasons, the past two seaons as his outside linebackers coach. Making assistant defensive line coach kinda look like a demotion. So, a full position coach post looks better.
Coming to Las Vegas is also joining another familiar face for Robinson. He and Raiders new DC Rob Leonard coached together in Baltimore in 2022. Leonard was the outside linebacker coach that season while Robinson was a defensive quality control coach.
Hiring a linebacker/defensive line coach as a safeties coach may seem odd, but before Robinson played linebacker as a fifth-year senior at Maryland, he spent his first four seasons as a defensive back.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 27: New York Jets linebackers coach Mike Rutenberg before a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets on October 27, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has put in the time to find a replacement for the departed and petulant Jim Schwartz as the defensive coordinator of his first NFL staff.
Monken considered both internal options – Jason Tarver (linebackers coach) and Ephraim (safeties coach) – along with a healthy list of external candidates, including Jonathan Cooley (defensive pass game coordinator for the Carolina Panthers), Charlie Bullen (interim defensive coordinator for the New York Giants), Aubrey Pleasant (assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams), and Cory Undlin (pass game coordinator for the Houston Texans).
But there can be only one to fill the role, and that is reportedly going to be Mike Rutenberg, who spent last season as defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.
That is according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Browns are hiring Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator, per source.
Prior to his time in Atlanta, Rutenberg spent four seasons as the linebackers coach for the New York Jets. He also spent six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting as an assistant defensive backs coach (2013 to 2015), before moving up to a defensive assitant role (2016 to 2017) and then as an assistant linebackers coach (2018 to 2019).
The one part of Rutenberg’s resume that stands out is the year he spent with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive passing game specialist in 2020. That season, as well as the time he was with the Jets, Rutenberg worked with Robert Saleh, who is now head coach of the Tennessee Titans and was interested in Rutenberg as defensive coordinator before hiring Gus Bradley.
Saleh’s defensive principles share similarities to the system that Schwartz ran with the Browns, so that should hopefully make for a smooth transition with Rutenberg in charge.
The reported hiring of Rutenberg rounds out the coordinator positions, with Monken expected to Travis Switzer as offensive coordinator and Byron Storer as special teams coordinator. Those hirings have not been made official by the Browns, but all signs point to them being the ones that Monken wants to work with.
Justin Fields' days with the New York Jets are numbered.
Fields was signed to a two-year, $40 million deal in 2025 to serve as New York's starter, but that experiment failed spectacularly and he was ultimately benched.
Because of how poorly things went for Fields in New York last season, The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt pegs Fields as a cut candidate this offseason.
"Unless someone wants to trade for him (unlikely), the Jets will have one of two options for cutting him: do it outright, incur a $22 million dead cap hit and only $1 million in savings, or designate him a post-June 1 cut, spread that dead cap hit out over two years and save $10 million — savings which wouldn’t come onto the books until after June 1," he said. "Since the Jets don’t need the space, the first option feels likely."
We would agree that the Jets will look to trade Fields first, but the more likely outcome is a release.
A $22 million dead-cap charge isn't ideal, but if there's a year in which the Jets could easily absorb it, it's this one, as Gang Green sports a ton of cap space.
The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy, but the team needs a veteran insurance policy behind the young signal-caller.
Fields isn't guaranteed to answer the bell if called upon given his poor showing in the NFL thus far, but he would at least offer some competition and perhaps Kevin O'Connell can work his magic on the former first-round pick to help revive Fields' career just like he did with Sam Darnold.
The Niners have one of the better starter-backup situations in the NFL with Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, but Jones is a logical trade candidate after he revived his career with the Niners last season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said the Niners are intent on keeping Jones, and rumors suggest that's not just posturing on Shanahan's part. However, if a team comes calling with a big offer, the 49ers would be silly not to consider it.
And, if Jones gets shipped off, the Niners will have a need for a veteran backup and we could see Fields being Shanahan's next reclamation project.
The Dolphins look like they'll need a new starter in 2026, with the expectation that the team will trade or cut Tua Tagovailoa. Backup Zach Wilson is also a pending free agent and those two departures would leave Miami with just Quinn Ewers.
At the very least, the Dolphins need to add some veteran competition to the room. Fields would be a decent one-year option for Miami until it figures things out for the long haul.
We know the identities of the majority of the 2025-26 FA Cup's final 16 teams and now we know where they were drawn for the fifth round.
The fourth round draw guaranteed that the fifth round would include at least three teams from outside the Premier League, and Wrexham AFC have already claimed a place in the last 16.
Who will join them? Well, Mansfield Town have knocked off Burnley in a true upset and they are going to welcome a massive club.
And of course the weekend ends with the potential for the biggest upset, as sixth-tier Macclesfield host Brentford at Moss Rose on Monday. The winner will head to London to visit a Premier League club.
When is the FA Cup fifth round?
The FA Cup fifth round will be staged around the weekend of March 7-8, with games likely for Friday the 6th and Monday the 9th as well.
How to watch FA Cup quarterfinal draw live: Date, time, stream link
When: 1:30pm ET Monday (February 16) Stream: YouTube.com
FA Cup fifth round draw: Qualified teams
So far, the following teams have won their third-round ties:
Premier League: Chelsea, West Ham United, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Wolves, Fulham, Sunderland, Leeds, Arsenal Championship: Wrexham AFC, Norwich City, Southampton League One: Mansfield Town League Two: TBD National League: None National League North: TBD
FA Cup fifth round draw
Fulham vs Southampton Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland Newcastle United vs Manchester City Leeds United vs Norwich City Mansfield Town vs Arsenal Wolves vs Liverpool Wrexham vs Chelsea West Ham vs Macclesfield or Brentford
FA Cup fifth round draw: Ball numbers
1. Liverpool 2. Fulham 3. Sunderland 4. Southampton 5. Wrexham AFC 6. Arsenal 7. Chelsea 8. West Ham United 9. Mansfield Town 10. Norwich City 11. Port Vale or Bristol City 12. Wolverhampton Wanderers 13. Newcastle United 14. Manchester City 15. Macclesfield or Brentford 16. Leeds United
Hot favourite Ilia Malinin finished eighth in the Olympic men's figure skating final in Milan (WANG Zhao)
Ilia Malinin suggested Monday he has been the victim of online attacks and is "fighting invisible battles" in his first public statement since his shock eighth-place finish in the men's figure skating final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 21-year-old American star posted a message on Instagram with a video which switched between him celebrating victories and sitting with his head in his hands.
"On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside," Malinin wrote.
"Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure.
"It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash. This is that version of the story."
The two-time world champion also teased that something was "coming February 21", which is the day of the Olympic figure skating exhibition gala.
Malinin came into these Olympics as the hottest of favourites, but the skater who had not lost for more than two years suffered a nightmare on the ice.
Heading into the free skate section in the lead, Malinin capitulated, fluffing his signature quad axel jump and falling twice to the ice to plummet to eighth spot overall.
Stunned, he held his head in his hands after his disastrous performance and said afterwards his failure was "definitely mental".
"Maybe I was too confident it was going to go well. Honestly, it happened. I can't process what just happened," he told journalists.
Mikhail Shaidorov, the Kazakh skater who no-one had predicted would win gold, watched not just Malinin but his Japanese rivals make error after error and rode to an unlikely title.
Although Chris Kavanagh failed to award a penalty to Newcastle, the Magpies scored from the resulting free-kick [Getty Images]
Referee Chris Kavanagh and his assistant Nick Greenhalgh have not been selected for a Premier League game this weekend.
The pair were heavily criticised for their decisions in the fourth round FA Cup tie between Aston Villa and Newcastle United on Saturday, in which there was no video assistant referee.
VAR will not be brought in until the fifth round.
Referees' body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) bases its selections on factors including post-match performance assessments conducted by an independent Key Match Incidents panel, ensuring accountability for officials.
Among the errors, Kavanagh and Greenhalgh missed a clear offside against Tammy Abraham for Villa's opening goal.
A potential red card for Lucas Digne for a challenge on Jacob Murphy was also missed, along with a possible offside against Dan Burn on Newcastle's equaliser.
But it was the Digne non-penalty decision that really left most speechless.
The Villa full-back was two yards inside the penalty area when he was penalised for a handball, but Kavanagh and Greenhalgh decided the offence was a yard outside the area and awarded a free-kick - from which Newcastle's Sandro Tonali scored the 63rd-minute equaliser.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney said it was "one of the worst decisions I have ever seen".
However, despite the criticism Kavanagh is highly regarded and in December was promoted to Uefa's elite list of referees to join Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.
The other assistant at Villa Park, Gary Beswick, has been appointed to Nottingham Forest versus Liverpool on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Tyson Fury tickles Arslanbek Makhmudov in the face off during the Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov press conference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 16, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tyson Fury will return from retirement to battle Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, live on Netflix from inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. Both combatants were on hand today for their official kickoff press conference, which you can watch in the embedded video above.
“The Bible says tomorrow is not a gift,” Fury said. “Tomorrow ain’t promised. Tomorrow is a mystery. So we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I’m going to come back to boxing. Because it’s something that I love and I’m passionate about. And that I’ve always been in love with. And there is no tomorrow to put it off to. So that’s why I’m back today for this big fight.”
“I was on holiday with my family in Thailand for Christmas, just to get away from the rain. Sick of the rain, it was depressing me,” Fury said about hearing the news of Anthony Joshua. “And then I hear all that bad news that’s gone on. And I thought, you know what? Life is very, very short and very precious and very fragile. Anything could happen at any given moment. And you should never, never put things off until tomorrow or next year or next week.”
Being a Daytona 500 winner is a whole lot like being a Masters champion or an Oscar winner. No matter where you go for the rest of your life, no matter what you do in the rest of your career, you’ll always be known as a Daytona 500 winner.
Plus, you get a pretty sweet ring and a Rolex, too.
Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 Sunday night in one of the wildest, most chaotic final laps in recent memory. Probably a good dozen drivers had a shot at winning the race as it wound through its final turns, but in the end, 23XI’s Tyler Reddick was the last man driving. (Almost literally; the second through fifth cars crashed behind him, joining the dozens that had wrecked earlier in the race.)
Going on a couple hours’ sleep — “I’m used to that with an 8-month-old and a 6-year-old” — Reddick spoke to Yahoo Sports Monday morning to discuss that finish, his new jewelry, and what happens when Michael Jordan himself tells you you’re his driver.
“Something felt right from the beginning of the day, to go the way it did,” Reddick said. “It's surreal. You dream of having the opportunity to cross the finish line first in the Daytona 500. To be able to seize the opportunity was huge, because some drivers go their whole career with only getting one shot. Some drivers never get that opportunity to win that race. So it was super important for me to capitalize on the moment in front of me.”
In front, behind and around him. Reddick combined data, strategy and good old gut instinct in that final lap. “It took a little bit of everything,” he said. “The things we’ve learned, been working on on the Cup side, the strategy to get in that position, leaning on numbers and data decisions about the final laps. And then I leaned on and relied on instincts, the type of things that helped me get to where I am today from dirt racing.”
A self-professed late bloomer, Reddick first attended the Daytona 500 as a fan, sitting in the backstretch and watching Matt Kenseth’s rain-delayed win in 2012. Back then, he was a dirt track racer just trying to break through the dirt-to-asphalt barrier. He found a seat in Ken Schrader’s ARCA car in 2013, and then caught the attention of Brad Keselowski, who put him in a Camping World Truck in 2014. From there, he moved upward through the ranks of then-Xfinity and Cup series … until the day in 2022 when he received the proverbial summoning before the throne.
Two days after the now 30-year-old Reddick was born, Michael Jordan — then with only three championships to his name — dropped 48 points on the Philadelphia 76ers. So Reddick knows Jordan as a basketball player only from highlight films. Even so, the GOAT’s shadow was long enough to intimidate Reddick … right up to the moment that Jordan and Denny Hamlin — co-owners of 23XI Racing — made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“The first time I met him,” Reddick recalled, “he and Denny both told me, ‘Of all the drivers in the Cup garage, you’re the guy we want the most. You’re our first pick, and we’d love to have you drive our race cars.’”
That made an impression on Reddick, even if he can only remember Jordan on the Washington Wizards. “When you have someone like [Jordan] that believes in you and what you do, what you're about and how hard you work, and how much you care about racing,” Reddick says, “and then hearing how much he cares about racing too on top of that, it just helps really sell it that 23XI is where I need to be.”
Jordan and Hamlin’s faith paid off. Reddick has won six races since joining 23XI at the start of the 2023 season, and he’s made the playoffs every year. He won the 2024 regular-season championship and was one of the now-defunct Championship 4 that year. He and his family struggled through personal challenges last year — his infant son Rookie had to have surgery after doctors found a tumor in his chest — but wife Alexa, Rookie and Rookie’s older brother Beau were in victory lane Sunday night.
“We travel on the road together,” he said. “I feel it's important to share these moments with our children. To celebrate the biggest times together is important, especially coming off of some of the things we went through the last year.”
Reddick is in the midst of a media crush — his voice is already ragged, and he’s got a New York media car wash to go — and then he’ll need to get ready for the Atlanta race this coming weekend. But he’s already getting used to the fact that, yes, he’s a Daytona 500 champion.
“Looking at the ring, it helps,” he said, laughing. “Looking down at my Daytona Rolex watch, yeah. Every time I look at the time on this thing, I’ll think of this race and that day.”
In the most recent edition of Becoming the GM, we took a look at the running back room for the Minnesota Vikings. We naturally move outside to the wide receivers next. Headlined by the best receiver in football, Justin Jefferson, this room lacks quality depth, a major blemish we need to address. Let's not waste any more time.
We immediately start by shipping out Jordan Addison. He's entering his fourth year, which means a decision would have to be made regardless on his fifth-year option. I want no part of Addison or his off-field concerns, and I do not want to pay him the $17.5 million that option would carry. We are going to list him available for trade, and pray we can catch a day two pick for him. He isn't a cut candidate, but he will not be suiting up for the Vikings in 2026.
This leaves this room in shambles. We have Jalen Nailor and Rondale Moore, both free agents this offseason, but we will bring back Nailor at minimum. Nailor was a bright spot in this offense this season, and we want to continue his development here. So we really just have Jefferson and Nailor on the roster as viable options. There is a clear path for us to go down, so walk with me.
We have already established a plan to free up cap space, so let's go spend some of it. His ability to stay healthy is a concern, but landing someone like Mike Evans in free agency would be massive for J.J. McCarthy. Evans and Jefferson outside with Nailor in the slot is lethal. Another name that intrigues me is Alec Pierce, but he might be priced out of our range. His ability to take the top off a defense would free up Jefferson underneath and over the middle. Rashid Shaheed is also someone worth bringing in, as he is similar in playstyle to Pierce, but could take over return duties from Myles Price.
Even with landing one of these guys, I still want to spend a premium pick on a wide receiver. This class is rich in talent, and there are a number of guys who would fit seamlessly in this offense. In round two, someone like Germie Bernard (Alabama) or Antonio Williams (Clemson) would complement our guys. If we look later on, names like Bryce Lance (NDSU),Chase Roberts (BYU), Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), or Skyler Bell (UConn) are worth fliers on their upside. If someone like Zachariah Branch (Georgia) falls, we'd consider moving up for him.
Here is how the wide receiver depth chart would read:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Mike Evans/Alec Pierce/Rashid Shaheed
WR3: Germie Bernard/Antonio Williams/Bryce Lance/Chase Roberts/Skyler Bell/Zachariah Branch/Omar Cooper Jr.
WR4: Tai Felton/Myles Price
Any of these pairings looks significantly better than it did last year. There also isn't a rule that says we can't draft two of these names. The secondary needs help, and we could use another pass rusher, but spending two picks on two of the prospects listed seems worth it if J.J. McCarthy wins the job. We have to surround him with as many weapons as possible to make life easier, and our plan does just that.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho wants to see a fast start from his side when they travel to Charlton on Tuesday (19:45 GMT), after bemoaning a lack of goals in recent games.
"Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks I think we've controlled games, we've also created chances but we haven't put the ball in the back of the net," he told BBC Radio Solent.
"We've just got to add the goals at the top end of the pitch. Everything underpinning the performance [against Sheffield United] was good but we didn't put the ball in the back of the net at the crucial times."
Pompey are yet to score in February after back-to-back 1-0 defeats by the Blades and Preston North End, and have only scored more than one goal once in 2026, in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.
Mousinho's side travel to Charlton in the rearranged fixture that was abandoned in December when a Charlton fan had a medical emergency in the stands during the game and later died in hospital.
"A strong start is important. It's important away from home on a Tuesday night when Charlton haven't had a game at the weekend to maybe just try to dampen everything down and make sure that we control the game," Mousinho said.
The Charlton game marks the start of a run of three away games in eight days for Pompey as they also travel to Millwall and Wrexham in the Championship.
"We've got three away games in a very short space of time. [It's] really unfortunate considering the [Charlton] game was called off before Christmas and that's really added pressure on the fixtures this week. We have to make sure we try to do our best to deal with those three consecutive away games," Mousinho said.
"[There's] plenty of points to play for, we just have to try to pick up as many points as we can. That's the priority."
Portsmouth are looking to do the league double over Charlton after their 2-1 win at Fratton Park over Christmas, something that hasn't happened since the 1985-86 season.
"They're a very solid side as you'd expect a Nathan Jones side to be," added Mousinho.
"They create a lot of problems with the way that they play with the physicality they have on display, they're really effective, particularly at home recently."
IOWA CITY, IA - FEBRUARY 14: Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter as seen during a Big Ten Conference basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, on Feb. 14, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It was a successful week for the Boilermakers as they secured two victories away from Mackey Arena when they beat #7 Nebraska in Lincoln and Iowa in Iowa City. That success culminated in Purdue moving up 6 spots in the AP Poll on Monday, from 13th to 7th. They are ranked behind Michigan, Houston, Duke, Arizona, UConn, and Iowa State in that order.
This week, Purdue will take on newly top-ranked Michigan who surpassed Arizona this week. The matchup in Mackey Arena will start a stretch of 3 straight home games for Purdue as they will also take on Indiana and #15 Michigan State at home. Following the stretch, Purdue will play Northwestern and Ohio State on the road before taking on #24 Wisconsin at home to close the regular season.
Sports fans rely on X (formerly Twitter) for breaking news.
On Monday, that news came from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reported on the Miami Dolphins' decisions to cut both Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb.
Not long after those posts on the platform, X was down altogether.
It simply wasn't working. No, Hill and Chubb didn't "break Twitter."
But if there were more moves to come later on Monday, fans weren't finding out about them on X.
Is X down?
Yes, it appears X is down as of Monday midday.
The website Down Detector actually shows that X had issues Monday morning, before those Schefter breaking news posts, and that the issue has returned after 12 noon ET.
Other platforms have begun to gain some of the momentum that X/Twitter has lost in recent months, but nothing matches that app during a major sporting event.
The Olympics are going on. The NFL never stops. MLB spring training is just getting rolling.
And yet the app is a bit off-kilter on Monday anyway.
Fans will just have to use old-fashioned methods of gathering information, like websites or television, since apparently social media isn't coming through on Monday.
The site will surely be back up soon enough, with plenty more sports news to learn.
The stadium lights in Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena may glow in a smaller barn and on a shorter sheet, but they burn brighter as the elimination portion of the Men’s Ice Hockey tournament kicks into high gear tomorrow. Nathan MacKinnon is built for the heat—and he’ll be right at the center of any Team Canada Olympic glory.
2026 Olympic Men's Hockey Playoff Bracket Quarterfinals on Wed. Feb. 18: 1. CAN 🇨🇦 vs. Winner CZE 🇨🇿/ DEN 🇩🇰 2. USA 🇺🇸 vs. Winner SWE 🇸🇪 / LAT 🇱🇻 3. SVK 🇸🇰 vs. Winner GER 🇩🇪 / FRA 🇫🇷 4. FIN 🇫🇮 vs. Winner SUI 🇨🇭 / ITA 🇮🇹
Eyes may be wide from the Olympic scale, but that just lets MacKinnon see the game on a level few can match.
He may not be sleeping as soundly these nights, but between the whistles? He hasn’t shown a hint of it.
Managing Nerves
Ahead of Canada’s tournament opener against Czechia on Feb. 12, Nathan MacKinnon laid it bare: the Olympic weight was real. “The Olympics are huge, and I was nervous,” he said. “I can usually sleep before a game, and I could not sleep.”
Men's #Olympics preliminary round Power Rankings are here!🔥 #IIHF
Those nerves haven’t surfaced on the ice. Canada dominated the group stage—3-0, outscoring opponents 20-3, capped by a 10-2 rout of France on Feb. 15—and MacKinnon has been electric. He followed up with: “We are good at what we do, but we feel like kids at this tournament.”
That wide-eyed wonder is a superpower. Staying connected to the kid who fell in love with the game keeps the pressure from crushing you; it channels it. And make no mistake—for Team Canada, the pressure is immense as single-elimination begins tomorrow.
As Canadian captain Sidney Crosby framed it pre-tournament: “There’s expectations, there’s pressure that comes with that, but it’s about our group and trying to be the best team we can. It’s on all of us to help each other, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
So far, all that pressure has done is polish MacKinnon into a sharper diamond. The Avalanche star arrived feeling the magnitude; now he’s shining under it, ready for the knockout rounds.
Humble in Highlights
One clear sign of MacKinnon honoring that younger self is his humility amid Canada’s dominance in the group stage.
After burying a power-play goal on a feed from Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, he deflected credit: “Two of the best players in the world, and passing it to me was cool. I did not do a lot on that one. Anyone could put that in.”
He’s shown similar grace toward 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini, the youngest NHL player ever to suit up for Canada at the Olympics (with NHL players).
When asked if he could have matched Celebrini’s poise and production on this stage, MacKinnon told Arpon Basu of The Athletic: “I was an idiot. No, no. Not good enough, not mature enough, not anything enough.”
Some might push back—after all, an 18-year-old MacKinnon torched the NHL in his rookie year and shone in the playoffs—but this stage carries heavier stakes and deeper anxiety.
I think the same 18-year-old Nathan would be pretty proud of where he is today—on the cusp of adding the one piece of hardware he’s never had the chance to win: Olympic gold.
Business Time
One of the early narratives of this tournament tried (yet again) to paint Nathan MacKinnon as a no-fun, super-serious, emotionless robot—as headlines latched onto his claim that he wasn’t in Milan for fun, but to win gold.
Emotionless? Nothing could be further from the truth.
What we’re witnessing at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games is pure, unadulterated passion, pride, and purpose.
MacKinnon is in Milan for one thing: to win a gold medal and honor the young Nathan who watched Sidney Crosby score the golden goal in 2010 and surely thought, “That’s gonna be me one day.”
National pride and historical dominance often dictate the narrative of the Olympic Games, but the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan have reinforced a cold, hard truth: on the snow and ice, the world is chasing the shadow of Northern Europe. While the summer cycle is frequently a battle for supremacy between global superpowers, the winter season belongs to the specialists — nations that turn rugged landscapes into gold-medal factories.
In 2026, the gold medal itself is a masterpiece of that very spirit. For nations like Norway, which has already collected a dozen of these treasures, the gold is more than just an award; it is a confirmation of a cultural obsession with winter sport. Even as host nation Italy celebrates its most successful Winter Games ever, already surpassing its all-time record for total medals, the gold standard remains set by the relentless efficiency of the Nordic and Alpine powers.
Here is the updated gold medal tracker for all competing nations at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
AI demand is hitting the world’s HDD supply, and Western Digital has already sold out its 2026 supply Western Digital has confirmed that the company has already sold out its 2026 HDD supply. This means that every drive the company manufactures this year already has a buyer, raising concerns that high demand will fuel a […]
Presidents' Day has given Best Buy a chance to sell off a couple of vital discounted PC gaming accessories for players looking to conquer World of Warcraft's upcoming Midnight expansion.
Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 3X is heavily discounted for President's Day and if you're shopping on a budget, this is definitely the laptop deal you should grab.
Over a month ago, ASRock fully presented its brand-new Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi White OC 16 GB graphics card model. To some surprise, the Taiwanese PC hardware manufacturer has not released a simple pale redecoration of this generation's (RDNA 4) standard gray metallic Taichi SKU. Last week, a sponsored review was published by GDM Japan. So far, only Japanese PC enthusiasts have enjoyed public hands-on experience with the new flagship model. Despite claims of ASRock exhibiting a preview sample at CES 2026, TechPowerUp's ground team did not spot any demo units at the firm's Las Vegas graphics card showcase. The opening section of GDM's write-up mentions several recent domestic promo events, including one held in Tokyo's Akihabara Electric Town. The new model's unique selling point is an integrated 2-inch color LCD screen—officially dubbed "LCD Information Center." As expected, GDM dives deep into this fun feature. They managed to upload custom images and animated content (GIFs) via ASRock's Polychrome SYNC suite. Under normal modes, the small screen can inform users about GPU clocks, fan speeds, and operating temperatures.
The Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi White OC candidate was hooked up to a test build based on Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K processor and ASRock's "ultra-high-end" Z890 Taichi AQUA motherboard. Performance-wise, the white variant seems to do just as well as its metallic gray sibling. GDM concludes that the latest model only distinguishes itself in terms of aesthetics; mainly through its "striking" white design and integrated screen gimmick. In their analysis of the Taichi White OC's debut review, VideoCardz has highlighted the test subject boosting well beyond the factory-set 3.1 GHz boost clock rating. Months into RDNA 4's lifecycle, only a handful of Team Red board partners had released custom designs overclocked to this level, with only ASRock and Sapphire choosing to implement the controversial 12V-2×6 power connector. Under load, GDM reported the "Navi 48 XTX" GPU boosting up to a maximum of 3296 MHz. Last March, TechPowerUp's W1zzard got his gray Taichi evaluation unit overclocked up to an average of 3213 MHz. We hope that upcoming non-sponsored reviews will provide a clearer picture of the Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi White OC SKU's capabilities.
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition has launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC via the Ubisoft Store and Steam, and with a Ubisoft+ subscription. Rediscover the magical world of Rayman as you rescue Electoons and save the world from Mr. Dark by punching and hair-coptering your way through memorable areas like the Dream Forest and the musical chaos of the Band Lands.
Rayman is back again!
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the initial release, Ubisoft partnered with Atari and Digital Eclipse to bring this timeless classic to current-gen consoles and PC. Many of you may have enjoyed a magical journey to the Glade of Dreams a while back, but this time all of us have worked hard to let you play the experience you might remember.
Since the introduction of Intel's brand-new "Panther Lake-H" mobile processor series, the flagship Arc B390 integrated graphics solution has received the lion's share of media attention. The impressive 12 Xe3-core iGPU is reserved for Core Ultra 300 series X9 and X7 models—likely a sore point for budget-conscious prospective buyers. When considering Team Blue's (roughly) "20% upcharge for a generational leap," customers seek current-gen solace elsewhere (AMD Radeon 890M). Fortunately, the step-down Arc B370 model seems to be relatively performant. The (presumably) much cheaper in-house alternative has been test driven by Notebookcheck. A preview report, published on February 13, provides an initial look at the 10 Xe3-core contender, that was onboard a Core Ultra 5 338H engineering sample. The German publication noted that the 12-core (4P + 8E) processor test subject ran with a "steady power limit of 35 watts." When comparing the Arc B370 to its more capable sibling, Notebookcheck outlined key points of interest: "the maximum GPU clock is also slightly lower at 2.4 vs. 2.5 GHz. Just like models (armed with) the Arc B390 GPU, the Core Ultra 5 338H is only available with soldered RAM (up to 8533 MHz)."
A disappointing Furmark score leaked out late last year, but it is reassuring to see the B370 performing admirably a few months later. Notebookcheck's tester observed this model being: "beaten by the Arc B390 in the synthetic benchmarks, but the power limits also play a role here...The results of the Arc B370 are very promising in general and there is a big advantage over previous iGPUs from Intel (Arc Graphics 140V/140T) as well as AMD (Radeon 890M)." Their 3DMark/Time Spy graphics chart shows the Core Ultra 5 338H engineering sample's Arc B370 iGPU scoring 5933 points. The B390 managed 6679 points, when evaluated on an ASUS ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA test platform. When analyzing performance at lower TDP values, Notebookcheck noticed that the Arc B370's performance being "virtually identical to the Arc B390 at 20 Watts, while the deficit is just 6 % at 35 Watts." Further comprehensive tests are expected in the coming weeks, as Intel's Core Ultra 5 338H heads to retail in finalized form.
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Canada’s winter travel season is entering a period of quiet transformation. A recent shift in route planning by Air Transat has caught the attention of snowbirds, tour operators, and international destinations alike. While the airline’s decision directly affects flights between Canada and the United States, its wider impact stretches far beyond a single market. From a travel and tourism industry perspective, this development reflects changing traveller behaviour and opens new opportunities for global winter tourism.
A Turning Point for Traditional Snowbird Travel
For decades, Canadian snowbirds have followed a familiar pattern. As temperatures drop, thousands head south to warmer regions, particularly the southern United States. Florida, in particular, has long been a winter refuge for retirees and long-stay visitors seeking sun, simplicity, and routine.
The recent adjustment to Air Transat’s winter flying programme marks a clear departure from this tradition. By stepping back from US routes during key travel periods, the airline is responding to evolving demand rather than abandoning winter travel altogether. This shift signals a broader change in how Canadians view seasonal travel, especially among older travellers who are now reconsidering where, and how, they spend the winter months.
Why Airlines Are Rethinking Winter Routes
From an industry standpoint, airlines adjust routes based on multiple factors. Demand patterns, operating costs, regulatory conditions, and traveller preferences all play a role. In recent years, winter travel habits have diversified. Travellers are no longer focused on a single destination or country.
Long-haul travel has become more attractive, particularly to destinations offering cultural depth, affordability, and extended-stay appeal. At the same time, short-haul winter routes face increasing competition from other airlines and alternative transport options. Air Transat’s route realignment reflects this changing balance, where flexibility and global reach matter more than tradition.
New Winter Opportunities Beyond the United States
While some snowbirds may see these changes as disruptive, the travel industry views them as an opening. With fewer direct options to the US, travellers are exploring new winter sun alternatives. Southern Europe, parts of Latin America, and select destinations in Africa are gaining attention.
These regions offer mild winter climates, strong tourism infrastructure, and a slower pace that suits long-stay visitors. Countries with established hospitality sectors are actively promoting winter tourism, positioning themselves as ideal alternatives to traditional snowbird destinations. For travellers, this means greater choice and the chance to experience winter travel in a new way.
What This Means for Tour Operators and Destinations
Airline route decisions influence far more than flight schedules. Tour operators, accommodation providers, and local tourism boards closely monitor such changes. When routes shift, destination marketing strategies often follow.
Destinations that benefit from increased international connectivity tend to see longer visitor stays and higher local spending. This is particularly important during winter months, which are considered low or shoulder seasons in many regions. For global tourism markets, attracting snowbirds can stabilise seasonal revenue and support local employment.
Planning Smarter Winter Journeys
For travellers, these developments highlight the importance of careful planning. Winter travel now requires a more informed approach. Entry requirements, length-of-stay rules, healthcare access, and insurance considerations vary widely between destinations.
Travel authorities continue to encourage travellers to rely on official government guidance when planning extended stays abroad. Understanding visa limits, customs allowances, and re-entry procedures helps avoid unnecessary stress and unexpected costs. As winter travel becomes more international, preparation plays a bigger role in ensuring a smooth experience.
A Sign of Long-Term Change in Winter Tourism
From a long-term perspective, Air Transat’s decision reflects a broader evolution in global travel. Winter tourism is no longer defined by a small set of predictable routes. Instead, it is shaped by flexibility, personal choice, and global connectivity.
Snowbirds are becoming winter explorers rather than routine travellers. They are willing to try new destinations, stay longer, and seek experiences beyond beaches and familiar neighbourhoods. Airlines and tourism stakeholders are responding by adapting networks and promoting diverse winter offerings.
Looking Ahead: A More Global Winter Travel Market
Rather than signalling a decline in winter travel, these changes point towards growth in new directions. The future of snowbird tourism looks more global, more varied, and more experience-driven. For travellers willing to adapt, winter now offers the chance to discover destinations that were once overlooked.
As airlines continue to refine their strategies, winter travel will keep evolving. What remains constant is the desire to escape the cold and enjoy meaningful journeys. In that sense, the spirit of snowbird travel is very much alive — it is simply spreading its wings further than before.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a globally renowned hospitality giant, is witnessing a significant leadership shift as Tom Pritzker, the Executive Chairman of Hyatt, announces his retirement after 22 years of dedicated service. The 75-year-old business magnate, who has been integral to the company’s growth and strategic transformation, will not stand for re-election at the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting. This transition marks the end of an era for the hotel chain and raises important questions about the future of Hyatt’s influence on global tourism.
Pritzker’s leadership has spanned a transformative period for Hyatt, during which the company has shifted its business model, enhanced its brand reputation, and expanded its global footprint. His decision to retire comes as Hyatt reaches a strong position in the hospitality industry, prepared for long-term sustainability. The transition is expected to influence not only the company’s strategy but also the broader tourism sector, particularly in terms of leadership in global hotel management.
A Legacy of Growth and Innovation in Global Hospitality
Under Pritzker’s stewardship, Hyatt Hotels has undergone a dramatic transformation. The company’s evolution from a family-owned enterprise to a publicly traded corporation has been marked by strategic shifts designed to maximise profitability while maintaining a strong brand identity. Hyatt’s expansion into an asset-light business model, focusing on franchising and management rather than owning properties, has helped the company navigate challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pritzker’s leadership also contributed significantly to Hyatt’s global diversification. The acquisition of Apple Leisure Group (ALG) in 2021, for example, was a key move that expanded Hyatt’s reach into the all-inclusive resort segment, further strengthening its position in the global tourism industry. As the company continues to grow in markets worldwide, Pritzker’s legacy will be remembered for his focus on cultivating a resilient and adaptive corporate structure in the face of shifting market dynamics.
Focus on Succession and Ensuring Hyatt’s Future in Tourism
Hyatt’s future seems secure, with a robust management team in place and a strong Board ready to navigate the next chapter. The company has made strides in diversifying its portfolio to appeal to various types of travellers, including the luxury, mid-range, and all-inclusive sectors. Hyatt’s strategic direction has been clear: focus on growth, agility, and maintaining a strong brand identity in a competitive global tourism landscape.
Pritzker’s decision to retire, however, highlights the importance of leadership succession in large corporations, especially those with a deep-rooted family history in the hospitality industry. Hyatt’s success will depend on how effectively the company manages this transition, ensuring that the corporate culture, which has been central to Hyatt’s success, remains intact.
With Pritzker’s retirement, there is an opportunity for a new generation of leaders to step in and continue his legacy of strategic thinking and focus on innovation. Hyatt’s next phase will likely involve deeper digital transformations, sustainability efforts, and more focus on catering to the evolving needs of the modern traveller.
Global Tourism Impact of Pritzker’s Leadership
Pritzker’s departure from Hyatt also underscores the broader shifts within the global tourism and hospitality industries. Hyatt’s leadership in the hotel sector has had far-reaching implications for tourism, as the company has played a pivotal role in shaping global travel trends. Under Pritzker, Hyatt embraced purpose-driven business strategies, including sustainability initiatives and a more flexible approach to customer service. These decisions have allowed Hyatt to stay competitive in an increasingly globalised and ever-evolving industry.
The company’s focus on adapting to modern traveller preferences has been critical. Hyatt has embraced digital innovation, enhancing customer experience with technology-driven solutions like the World of Hyatt loyalty program and mobile check-in capabilities. As Hyatt continues to lead in these areas, it will undoubtedly influence other global hospitality brands and the broader tourism industry.
Looking Ahead: Hyatt’s Future in Tourism
As Hyatt moves forward without Pritzker at the helm, the company remains committed to building on its foundations of growth, adaptability, and customer-first values. With a leadership transition underway, Hyatt is poised to continue its legacy in the global tourism industry. While Pritzker’s retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Hyatt’s history, it also sets the stage for the next phase of the company’s development. Hyatt’s future direction will focus on continued global expansion, a renewed focus on sustainability, and maintaining its position as a leader in luxury and leisure travel.
airBaltic strengthens its fleet with a new Airbus A220-300, enhancing its network capacity and passenger comfort, while continuing to lead in efficiency and connectivity.
On 15 February 2026, airBaltic took delivery of its latest Airbus A220-300, registered YL-BTD, marking another milestone in the airline’s expansion and fleet modernization. This new addition brings airBaltic’s fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft to a total of 54, solidifying the carrier’s commitment to providing passengers with a superior flying experience while enhancing the airline’s operational efficiency across a growing network of routes.
The newly delivered Airbus A220-300 strengthens airBaltic’s capacity to serve both existing routes and new destinations, improving connectivity to major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. This versatile aircraft plays a crucial role in airBaltic’s operations, not only by directly serving the airline’s route network but also by supporting the carrier’s ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) partnerships across European markets. The ACMI model allows airBaltic to offer flexible capacity, adjusting to varying seasonal demand and maximizing the operational use of its fleet.
Since the airline first introduced the Airbus A220-300 into its fleet in 2016, airBaltic has carried over 24 million passengers on these aircraft, completed approximately 250,000 flights, and logged more than 551,000 flight hours. These statistics demonstrate the aircraft’s remarkable ability to serve a variety of routes efficiently, both short and long haul, while maintaining operational reliability and flexibility. The Airbus A220-300 has become a cornerstone of airBaltic’s growth strategy, enabling the airline to meet increasing passenger demand and expand its international presence.
The latest A220-300 aircraft enhances the passenger experience with its modern design and comfort features. The aircraft boasts wider seats, larger windows, and increased overhead storage space, ensuring a more comfortable journey. These features, combined with a quieter cabin environment, contribute to a superior in-flight experience. Additionally, the Airbus A220-300 is known for its environmentally friendly performance, significantly reducing noise levels and CO₂ and NOx emissions compared to older aircraft, helping airBaltic reduce its environmental footprint while providing efficient service to its customers.
In a continued effort to enhance passenger connectivity, airBaltic has made headlines with its introduction of free high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet onboard. In 2025, airBaltic became the first European airline to offer this advanced internet technology, ensuring that passengers can stay connected from the moment they board until they land. With over 20 aircraft currently equipped with Starlink, and more installations underway, the airline is committed to providing seamless connectivity for travelers, allowing them to remain online throughout their entire journey.
airBaltic’s growth over the past three decades is a testament to its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity. The airline now connects the Baltic States to over 80 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus, playing a vital role in supporting regional tourism, business, and international travel. With the addition of the newest Airbus A220-300, airBaltic continues to strengthen its position as a leading carrier in the region, offering world-class service, expanding its network, and remaining dedicated to providing passengers with the best possible travel experience.
airBaltic, the leading airline in the Baltics and one of Europe’s fastest-growing carriers, was founded in 1995. As a hybrid airline, it combines the benefits of both traditional network and low-cost carriers. Today, airBaltic operates one of Europe’s youngest fleets, with 54 Airbus A220-300 aircraft and a workforce of nearly 3,000 employees. In 2025, the airline made history by becoming the first European carrier to offer free high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet on board.
The Caribbean is witnessing a major surge in travel demand as the region’s stunning beaches, world-class resorts, and rich cultural experiences continue to captivate international tourists. According to the latest data, the trend shows no signs of slowing down as we head into 2026. A key factor fueling this growth is the publication of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hotels for 2026,” which highlights some of the Caribbean’s top luxury resorts, sparking even more interest in the region. As Caribbean travel thrives, the region is proving that it’s more than just a vacation destination — it’s a top choice for discerning travelers looking for luxury, authenticity, and unforgettable experiences.
Caribbean Tourism Thrives in Early 2026
The Caribbean has seen a marked resurgence in travel demand as international visitors flock to its beaches, islands, and luxury resorts. Early 2026 trends point to a solid year ahead for Caribbean tourism, with increased bookings, particularly for summer vacations. According to research from Caribbean tourism bodies, the region’s recovery from the pandemic has not only been sustained but accelerated, with new developments and improved travel services enhancing its appeal. Travel industry experts note that the Caribbean is one of the fastest-growing tourism regions globally.
One of the key contributing factors to this boom is the heightened interest in Caribbean beach holidays, with the region offering an array of options that cater to diverse traveler preferences, whether it’s exclusive private villas, all-inclusive resorts, or boutique hotels. A combination of lower airfares and improved amenities has further fuelled the Caribbean’s popularity. For example, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Bahamas continue to lead in terms of arrivals, with these countries consistently ranking among the top destinations for U.S. travelers.
U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Rankings Fuel the Caribbean’s Rise
U.S. News & World Report has also played a key role in increasing the Caribbean’s prominence in the global travel landscape. The prestigious travel guide recently released its annual “Best Hotels” rankings for 2026, which spotlighted some of the Caribbean’s most luxurious properties. The list, based on a comprehensive evaluation of guest satisfaction, industry reputation, and expert reviews, has proven to be a trusted resource for travelers seeking the highest-quality hotel experiences. Caribbean hotels featured prominently in the rankings, reflecting the region’s rising reputation as a luxury travel destination.
Among the top Caribbean hotels named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings are Jade Mountain in St. Lucia, Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel in Anguilla, and Cheval Blanc St‑Barth in the French Caribbean. These properties are known for their exceptional service, exquisite design, and stunning views, earning them a spot among the world’s elite hotels. Visitors to these properties can expect unparalleled luxury, with offerings that include private infinity pools, bespoke culinary experiences, and personalized excursions.
Increased International Interest in Caribbean Travel
The Caribbean is not only popular with North American visitors but is also increasingly drawing international travelers. As global tourism resumes, Caribbean destinations are seeing significant growth from European markets as well. According to recent reports, destinations like St. Lucia, Anguilla, and Barbados are attracting more European tourists seeking an exotic getaway. Moreover, travelers from Europe are increasingly prioritizing the Caribbean due to its proximity, affordability, and the region’s stunning natural beauty.
Government tourism bodies in the Caribbean have capitalized on this momentum by promoting direct air connectivity with key European cities, along with the introduction of digital infrastructure like e-visas. These initiatives have further simplified travel and enhanced the Caribbean’s appeal as a long-haul destination for international tourists. In fact, several Caribbean islands have reported a steady uptick in European bookings, underscoring the region’s international allure.
Travel Industry Response to Growing Caribbean Demand
The surge in Caribbean travel has prompted many travel companies to adjust their offerings to better align with this growing demand. Airlines are increasing flight frequencies, especially from major hubs in the U.S. and Europe, while tour operators are introducing new packages tailored to the Caribbean’s diverse destinations. From all-inclusive resorts to eco-luxury retreats, the region is preparing to cater to the diverse tastes of the 2026 traveler.
As part of the ongoing strategy to keep the Caribbean at the forefront of global travel, tourism authorities are focusing on enhancing customer service, improving infrastructure, and ensuring sustainability. For instance, efforts to improve the environmental sustainability of resorts and protect the region’s natural resources are key focuses for many Caribbean nations.
Notable Caribbean Destinations Leading the Charge
The Dominican Republic continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. In 2026, the country saw record-breaking numbers in tourist arrivals, with a particularly strong performance in the Punta Cana region. Known for its white sand beaches and top-tier resorts, Punta Cana has become a must-visit destination for travelers looking for both relaxation and adventure.
Similarly, Jamaica has once again secured its position as a leading Caribbean destination. The island’s diverse offerings, including its all-inclusive resorts and vibrant culture, have attracted a loyal following from international travelers. In addition to its popular beach resorts, Jamaica’s inland attractions, including rainforests, waterfalls, and rich history, make it a unique choice for those seeking a more immersive travel experience.
Meanwhile, the Bahamas continues to charm visitors with its over 700 islands and cays. Its idyllic waters, abundant marine life, and range of activities, from scuba diving to boating, keep travelers returning year after year.
The Future of Caribbean Travel
As we look ahead to the future of Caribbean tourism in 2026, it’s clear that the region’s tourism industry is poised for continued growth. With global travelers returning to the Caribbean in droves, aided by an ever-expanding roster of luxury hotels and attractions, the Caribbean is positioning itself to become one of the world’s top destinations for both leisure and luxury travel.
Increased air travel connectivity, favorable pricing trends, and strong government support will further bolster the region’s appeal. As Caribbean destinations continue to develop their tourism infrastructure and refine their hospitality offerings, they are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers. And with prominent recognitions such as the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hotels for 2026,” the Caribbean’s reputation for luxury and world-class service is sure to grow even further.
Tanzania, Africa’s premier wildlife destination, announces 2026 departures for the nine-day Classic Tanzania Safari exploring Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. This itinerary promises immersive tourism encounters with the Great Migration and Big Five, significantly enhancing visitor numbers and conservation efforts.
Overview of Classic Tanzania Safari
The nine-day journey begins in Arusha, gateway to Tanzania tourism, with transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Travelers proceed to Tarangire National Park for elephant herds amid baobab landscapes. Structured for optimal wildlife viewing, the safari maximizes tourism impact by highlighting biodiversity hotspots, drawing global adventurers.
Serengeti National Park forms the core, renowned for endless plains and predator-prey dynamics. Participants witness zebras, wildebeests, and lions in their habitats. Such experiences elevate Tanzania tourism, promoting sustainable practices that protect ecosystems while boosting local economies.
Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO site, offers dense wildlife concentrations in its caldera. Flamingos, rhinos, and big cats thrive here, captivating visitors. Integrating this into 2026 schedules strengthens tourism infrastructure, encouraging year-round bookings.
Key Destinations and Wildlife Highlights
Tarangire National Park boasts massive elephant populations and bird species diversity. Game drives reveal ancient migration paths under acacia trees. Early 2026 slots ensure lush scenery, enhancing tourism appeal during green seasons.
In Serengeti National Park, the itinerary targets migration zones for calving spectacles. Lions, cheetahs, and giraffes populate golden plains. Tanzania tourism benefits as these views inspire repeat visits and conservation advocacy.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area provides picnic lunches amid zebras and hyenas. The crater’s enclosed ecosystem guarantees sightings, differentiating it from open savannas. This exclusivity drives premium tourism segments, funding habitat preservation.
Optional extensions include Lake Manyara National Park for tree-climbing lions. Arusha National Park offers walking safaris near Mount Kilimanjaro. These additions diversify Tanzania tourism, catering to varied interests.
Impact on Tanzania Tourism Growth
Launching 2026 departures aligns with Tanzania National Parks promotions, emphasizing bird migration and green seasons. Increased safari traffic generates revenue for communities around Serengeti. Tourism surges support ranger training and anti-poaching, ensuring long-term viability.
Arusha thrives as the hub, with hotels and markets benefiting from arrivals. Tanzania tourism authorities highlight cultural interactions with Maasai, enriching journeys. Economic multipliers extend to crafts and guiding services.
Sustainable tourism practices feature prominently, with low-impact lodges and guided experiences. Parks enforce fees funding infrastructure, mitigating overcrowding. 2026 expansions promise balanced growth, preserving Serengeti tourism allure.
Detailed Itinerary Structure
Day one features Arusha relaxation post-arrival. Day two dives into Tarangire with full-day drives. Subsequent days transition to Serengeti via flights or roads for migration tracking. Tourism efficiency shines through 4×4 vehicles and expert guides.
Mid-itinerary focuses on Serengeti full days, optimizing predator sightings. Ngorongoro follows with crater descents. Final days return via optional parks to Arusha for departures. This pacing sustains energy, boosting satisfaction in Tanzania tourism.
Inclusions cover park fees, accommodations, meals, and water. Domestic flights expedite transfers, enhancing accessibility. Such packages lower barriers, expanding tourism demographics.
Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
Tanzania National Parks prioritizes eco-tourism, with conservancies protecting habitats. Safaris adhere to guidelines minimizing animal stress. 2026 launches reinforce these, attracting responsible travelers to Serengeti tourism.
Community involvement includes revenue sharing for education and health. Ngorongoro Maasai benefit from cultural tourism. This model sustains biodiversity, vital for ongoing Tanzania tourism.
Events like Serengeti Awards underscore excellence in hospitality. Tourism operators align with these, elevating standards across parks.
Economic and Conservation Benefits
Safari tourism employs thousands in Tarangire and beyond. 2026 departures forecast higher occupancy, stimulating Arusha investments. Conservation funding combats threats, preserving the Great Migration spectacle.
Tanzania tourism boards promote off-peak visits, balancing loads. January calving draws birdwatchers, diversifying revenue. Serengeti tourism evolves inclusively.
Zanzibar beach extensions follow safaris, blending wildlife with relaxation. Tanzania tourism gains from multi-destination appeal.
Future Outlook for Safari Tourism
2026 signals robust Tanzania tourism recovery, with enhanced itineraries. Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire prepare for influxes via infrastructure upgrades. Global marketing targets emerging markets, sustaining growth.
Stakeholders anticipate awards recognizing tourism excellence. Sustainable scaling ensures enduring appeal for Classic Tanzania Safari. Tanzania tourism flourishes, safeguarding icons for generations.
In a major shift, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all U.S. airlines to confirm that their pilot hiring practices are based solely on merit, warning of potential federal investigations if they fail to comply. This directive, issued on February 13, 2026, follows growing concerns over the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the aviation industry. The move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce the influence of DEI initiatives in private sector hiring.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explained that the FAA’s action was in response to allegations that some airlines might have been hiring pilots based on race or gender, rather than merit and qualifications. Under the new mandate, airlines must assure that any practices that could undermine fairness or safety in hiring have been eliminated. The FAA emphasized that the hiring process must be fully merit-based, prioritizing safety and ensuring the highest standards in the aviation industry.
Trump’s Executive Orders and the Push for Merit-Based Practices
Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has issued a series of executive orders targeting DEI programs across the U.S. government and the private sector. These actions, part of a broader effort to dismantle policies he views as preferential or divisive, include measures specifically aimed at enforcing merit-based hiring in all sectors, including aviation.
Although no evidence has been presented to suggest that U.S. airlines have employed unqualified pilots, the FAA’s directive emphasizes that all carriers must maintain strict merit-based hiring policies in order to fulfill their safety obligations. The requirement for airlines to certify compliance with this new standard is seen as a response to growing concerns about the inclusion of diversity factors in hiring practices, which some critics argue could undermine public trust in the safety of the aviation industry.
Industry Reactions to the FAA’s Directive
Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), quickly issued a response rejecting the suggestion that factors such as race, gender, or background could influence pilot qualifications. In a statement, Ambrosi stated that all ALPA pilots are trained and evaluated to the same rigorous standard, regardless of their race, gender, or background. He emphasized that a pilot’s identity does not affect their ability to operate an aircraft safely. What truly matters, according to him, is the pilot’s training, experience, and qualifications, and in those areas, there are no shortcuts or compromises.
This statement underscores the widespread belief within the aviation industry that pilot competency should be the sole criterion for hiring, with training and experience being paramount in ensuring flight safety.
The Role of Airlines in Upholding Safety Standards
The airline industry’s top trade group, Airlines for America (A4A), which represents major U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, issued a supportive statement affirming its commitment to aviation safety. A4A highlighted that safety is and will always remain the top priority for U.S. airlines. They also reiterated that their member airlines fully comply with all federal regulations, including those related to pilot qualifications, training, and licensing.
However, A4A also acknowledged the diversity challenges facing the aviation industry. For instance, United Airlines, in 2021, set an ambitious goal to train 5,000 new pilots by 2030, with at least half being women or people of color. At that time, United’s pilot roster included just 7% women and 13% people of color among its 12,000 pilots. Although the airline declined to comment on the FAA’s new directive, it highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing diversity with merit-based hiring in the aviation sector.
Diversity and Inclusion in Aviation: A Broader Challenge
While U.S. airlines have made strides in diversifying their workforce, the aviation industry remains overwhelmingly white and male. According to data from the FAA, the majority of U.S. airline pilots historically come from these demographic groups. This has prompted calls for greater inclusion in recruitment, with initiatives aimed at encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue aviation careers.
Despite the push for diversity, critics of DEI policies in hiring argue that such initiatives could lead to a perception of lowered standards or unfair advantages for certain groups. They argue that merit-based hiring should be the cornerstone of all professional fields, especially those where safety is paramount, such as aviation.
The FAA’s recent directive is seen as a continuation of broader societal debates about diversity in the workplace and the balance between equal opportunity and merit. The pushback against DEI initiatives under the Trump administration is part of a larger national conversation about how to best integrate inclusion efforts while preserving excellence and fairness in hiring practices.
Aviation Safety: Ensuring Competence and Trust
The FAA has made it clear that the new directive is focused on upholding the highest standards of aviation safety. Airlines will be required to ensure that their hiring practices do not compromise the quality of training or the qualifications necessary to operate aircraft safely.
This order is expected to have significant implications for how airlines approach pilot recruitment in the coming years. As U.S. airlines work to meet the FAA’s new certification requirements, they will likely face increased scrutiny over their hiring practices, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about diversity in the workforce.
The Future of Diversity and Safety in U.S. Aviation
The conversation surrounding merit-based hiring versus diversity initiatives is far from over. As the aviation industry moves forward with this new FAA directive, the question remains how to balance diversity with the imperative to maintain safety and operational excellence. U.S. airlines must now navigate this delicate balance, ensuring that their pilot recruitment strategies meet federal safety requirements while also addressing diversity and inclusion concerns.
In conclusion, the FAA’s mandate to enforce merit-based hiring for pilots, alongside the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on DEI policies, reflects an ongoing tension between diversity efforts and the desire to maintain high safety standards in aviation. While safety will undoubtedly remain the top priority, the role of diversity in shaping the future of U.S. aviation remains a key issue that will continue to evolve.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a leader in the global hospitality industry, has made significant changes to its leadership structure, marking the end of an era with the retirement of Executive Chairman, Thomas J Pritzker. Hyatt’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark S. Hoplamazian, will now assume the role of Chairman of the Board in addition to his responsibilities as CEO. This announcement, effective immediately, is set to shape the future trajectory of the hotel brand and influence the wider tourism and hospitality landscape.
The Impact of Leadership Transition at Hyatt
Thomas J Pritzker, who has served as Executive Chairman since 2004, will not seek re-election to Hyatt’s Board of Directors at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders. His retirement follows over four decades of contributions to Hyatt’s growth and international expansion, significantly bolstering the company’s influence within the tourism and hospitality sector. Pritzker has been instrumental in establishing Hyatt’s asset-light business model, which allowed the company to expand globally and strengthen its brand presence, positioning Hyatt as a dominant player in the hospitality industry.
The leadership change also highlights Hyatt’s ongoing commitment to continuity, with Mark S Hoplamazian, who has been the company’s CEO for nearly two decades, stepping into the combined role of Chairman and CEO. Hoplamazian’s deep understanding of Hyatt’s business operations, his relationships with stakeholders, and his proven track record as CEO position him well to navigate the company through its next phase of growth.
Hyatt’s Global Growth and Strategic Stewardship
Under the leadership of Thomas Pritzker, Hyatt Hotels Corporation saw transformative growth and strategic shifts, including the company’s expansion into new international markets, the refinement of its portfolio of hotel brands, and the enhancement of its technology-driven solutions. Pritzker’s leadership also saw Hyatt’s transition towards an asset-light business model, allowing the company to focus on brand management and franchise operations rather than property ownership. This shift has been crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, increasing profitability, and driving shareholder value.
The move to an asset-light model also contributed to Hyatt’s ability to maintain its competitive edge in the ever-evolving hospitality sector. By focusing on management and franchising rather than directly owning properties, Hyatt was able to expand its brand presence at a rapid pace across emerging markets, solidifying its position as one of the top hotel chains globally.
The Future of Hyatt Under New Leadership
Mark S Hoplamazian’s appointment as Chairman of the Board signals a smooth transition in leadership at Hyatt. His extensive experience with the company and his familiarity with Hyatt’s corporate values will ensure that the company continues its upward trajectory. Hyatt has long been committed to innovation in the hospitality industry, and with Hoplamazian at the helm, it is expected that the company will continue to innovate, expanding its global presence, improving guest experiences, and solidifying its role in the international tourism industry.
Hoplamazian’s dual role will allow him to have a more comprehensive oversight of both the operational and strategic aspects of the company, enabling him to align Hyatt’s vision with the dynamic trends and challenges facing the global tourism and hospitality sectors. Hyatt’s focus on sustainable practices and providing exceptional customer experiences remains a key factor in its long-term growth strategy, and under Hoplamazian’s leadership, the company is well-positioned to further drive its influence in the tourism industry.
Strategic Positioning for Continued Success
Hyatt’s focus on enhancing shareholder value and delivering consistent long-term growth remains a key priority. As global tourism continues to recover from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyatt’s ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and shifting consumer preferences will be essential. The hospitality industry has seen an uptick in demand as international travel resumes, and Hyatt is well-positioned to capitalise on this growth.
Hoplamazian’s leadership will likely prioritise expanding Hyatt’s global footprint and enhancing its existing properties through investments in technology, sustainability, and operational excellence. With an increasing number of tourists seeking high-quality, luxury experiences, Hyatt’s focus on elevating customer service and its commitment to operational efficiency will likely continue to set it apart from competitors.
Overview
The retirement of Thomas J Pritzker marks a significant milestone in Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s history, but it also opens the door for new opportunities under Mark S Hoplamazian’s leadership. As Hyatt continues to expand its influence in global tourism, the company’s strategic decisions under Hoplamazian’s guidance will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the broader hospitality industry. Hyatt’s unwavering commitment to quality, customer service, and sustainability remains at the core of its business model, ensuring its continued relevance and success in an increasingly competitive global market.
The taxi services in Athens and the rest of the Attica region will be suspended from February 17-19, 2026, due to a strike initiated by the Attica Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) in response to new transport policies and a draft bill that the union feels will negatively affect taxi drivers. This strike will also affect the country as a whole on February 17 and 18, 2026, as taxi drivers from all over Greece participate in the strike, which could lead to significant tourist transport disruptions in Athens.
Although the strike will not take place during the peak tourist season, it is still likely to have a significant effect on tourist traffic, especially for foreign visitors arriving in Athens. Taxi services are an essential mode of transport for tourists who want rapid access to airports, hotels, historical sites, and other tourist attractions, and the suspension of this important transport service may cause inconveniences to tourists during their visit.
Tourism Disruptions: Challenges for Visitors and Local Travel
Tourists traveling to Athens will likely face disruptions in transportation, which could affect airport transfers, city tours, and visits to key tourism destinations like the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Plaka. As taxis play a central role in Athens’ tourism infrastructure, the strike may leave visitors with limited options for convenient travel around the city. This could also impact hotel bookings and local tours, as tourists who rely on taxi services for door-to-door convenience may struggle to find alternative modes of transportation.
Additionally, the strike may discourage potential visitors who rely on affordable and accessible transport to navigate the city. As tourism continues to be a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, transportation disruptions like this could affect the overall experience for international travelers, highlighting the need for a more resilient transportation network in major tourist destinations.
Sustainable Tourism and Transportation: Striking a Balance
The taxi strike highlights a growing tension between transportation modernization and the needs of workers within the tourism industry. The union’s demands include clearer regulations governing taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs), the creation of a more inclusive transition to electromobility, and revisions to taxation rules. These concerns reflect the broader challenge of balancing sustainable transport solutions with the realities of daily workers’ livelihoods and operational costs, especially in a tourism-driven economy like Greece’s.
Greece’s long-term tourism strategy has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, including the transition to electric vehicles and green tourism practices. However, the strike underscores the need for careful implementation of these policies, ensuring that both workers and tourism stakeholders can adapt to changes without disrupting the visitor experience. Striking the right balance between environmental goals and economic stability will be essential for the future of tourism mobility in Greece.
Tourism’s Role in Supporting Local Communities and Economic Growth
The tourism industry has become a significant part of Greece’s economy, and transportation plays a key role in supporting this sector. The strike’s economic impact extends beyond just the inconvenience caused to tourists—it also directly affects local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to tour operators and cultural institutions. As the backbone of Greece’s tourism economy, the transportation sector’s performance is critical to maintaining economic stability and sustaining local livelihoods in the hospitality and tourism industries.
If the strike leads to a prolonged disruption or is followed by more widespread protests, it could dampen Greece’s reputation as a stable tourism destination and influence visitor confidence. For Greece’s tourism sector to continue thriving, transportation must remain reliable and accessible to both tourists and residents alike.
A Call for Collaboration to Strengthen Greece’s Tourism Infrastructure
The taxi strike in Athens illustrates how sensitive issues can impact tourist reception and how important integrated transport systems are for developing and managing tourism. For Greece to develop tourism sustainably, adapting to market needs while offering support to the workforce and enabling easy passage to tourists is essential.
The construction of new transport systems should involve dialogue between the public sector, industry, and labor so that the tourism economy is sustainable and accessible. As tourism becomes increasingly important, Greece should invest in solutions that ensure a good tourism experience. It is essential that the growing hospitality industry benefits both tourists and local workers.
Oceania Cruises has revealed plans to expand its fleet with the order of a fifth Sonata Class ship from Fincantieri, scheduled for delivery in 2037. The decision follows the overwhelming demand for the line’s debut Sonata Class vessel, Oceania Sonata, which broke booking records when it became available for reservations earlier this year. The new ship will bolster Oceania Cruises’ next-generation fleet, providing guests with even more luxury, dining choices, and expansive accommodations. Scheduled for launch in 2027, Oceania Sonata will be the first of the class to set sail, introducing an array of upgraded features and design elements that are poised to redefine luxury cruising. The fifth Sonata Class ship will enhance Oceania Cruises’ offering, accommodating the growing demand for ultra-luxurious travel experiences, blending world-class service with state-of-the-art amenities.
A New Era of Luxury Cruising
The Sonata Class ships will be approximately one-third larger than previous vessels in the Oceania fleet, promising guests greater space and more diverse options. These next-generation ships will showcase redesigned upper deck accommodations and entirely new suite categories, providing passengers with an even more lavish experience at sea. A hallmark of the Sonata Class is its commitment to elevated comfort and artistry, ensuring that each guest enjoys an environment that is both luxurious and inviting. The ships are designed to meet the increasing desire for authentic, immersive travel experiences, offering an unparalleled level of service and the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most captivating destinations in style.
Expanded Dining Venues and New Culinary Experiences
Oceania Cruises will introduce exciting new dining venues aboard the Sonata Class ships, continuing to set new standards in culinary excellence. The Oceania Sonata will debut two new restaurants that will elevate the onboard dining experience. The first of these is La Table by Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, a collaboration with the prestigious French Culinary Association. This restaurant will offer a fine dining experience inspired by the rich culinary traditions of France, providing guests with a unique taste of French gastronomy. The second addition, Nikkei Kitchen, will blend the best of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, offering a fusion of flavors that is both innovative and delicious. This dining venue will further solidify Oceania Cruises’ reputation for providing world-class, diverse culinary options, ensuring every meal is an unforgettable experience.
Inaugural Season and Itinerary Highlights
The inaugural season of Oceania Sonata will begin in August 2027 with voyages across the Mediterranean. Passengers can look forward to sailings from iconic cities like Rome and Barcelona, exploring a wide range of European destinations. From the ancient ruins of Athens to the serene beauty of Paros and the coastal charm of Koper, Oceania Sonata will bring travelers to some of the most desirable ports in the region.
As the season progresses, the ship will reposition to the Caribbean and Latin America, allowing guests to experience the rich cultures and pristine beaches of destinations such as Bermuda, Tortola, and Manzanillo. A notable highlight of the Oceania Sonata’s itinerary will include a daytime transit of the Panama Canal, offering an unforgettable experience of this engineering marvel.
Some of the highlighted sailings for the inaugural season include:
Mediterranean Collage (Maiden Voyage):Rome to Trieste, departing on August 7, 2027, for 14 days of exploration through the Mediterranean.
Halcyon Holidays:Miami to Los Angeles, departing December 19, 2027, on a 16-day voyage across the stunning landscapes of North America.
Continuing the Sonata Legacy
The first sister ship to Oceania Sonata will be Oceania Arietta, which will be available for sale starting in 2027. Like its predecessor, Oceania Arietta will share a similar design and amenities, continuing the tradition of luxury and excellence that the Sonata Class is known for. With the addition of a fifth Sonata Class ship, Oceania Cruises is poised to offer even more guests the opportunity to enjoy these world-class, highly sought-after vessels, each offering exclusive experiences that define the future of luxury cruising. The tremendous success of the Sonata Class lineup underscores a significant shift in travelers’ desires for more choice, connection, and authentic travel experiences. By expanding its fleet with a fifth Sonata Class ship, Oceania Cruises is making a bold commitment to providing enriched and experiential travel opportunities, meeting the growing demand for more luxurious cruising options.
Conclusion: A Vision for the Future of Cruising
The decision to add a fifth Sonata Class ship to the Oceania Cruises fleet reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, luxury, and guest satisfaction. With a focus on more space, diverse dining options, and bespoke experiences, the Sonata Class is redefining the way travelers experience the world’s most sought-after destinations. As the world of luxury cruising continues to evolve, Oceania Cruises’ new ships are setting the stage for a new era of cruising excellence that will shape the future of the industry for years to come.
Cruise holidays are changing fast, and so are the expectations onboard. One of the world’s leading cruise brands has introduced a refined approach to evening attire. The Norwegian Cruise Line dress code update for 2026 is already drawing attention across the global travel industry. For travellers, this is not just about clothing. It is about how cruise experiences are evolving to balance comfort, style, and atmosphere.
Norwegian Cruise Line has long been associated with relaxed, flexible cruising. Its famous “freestyle” concept allowed guests to dine when they wished and wear what they felt comfortable in. The new update does not remove that freedom. Instead, it adds gentle structure in selected dining venues, especially those offering premium culinary experiences.
Why the Dress Code Update Matters to Cruise Travellers
For many holidaymakers, dining is a highlight of any cruise journey. It is where travellers slow down, enjoy global cuisine, and socialise. The updated dress code aims to enhance that experience. Certain specialty restaurants now encourage smart casual attire during evening hours. This change reflects a wider trend in travel, where casual luxury is becoming the norm.
Travellers should understand that this is not a return to strict formal nights. There is no requirement for tuxedos or evening gowns. The focus is on neat, respectful clothing that matches the refined setting of these restaurants. This helps create a pleasant dining atmosphere for everyone onboard.
What Smart Casual Means for Cruise Holidays
Smart casual can sound confusing, especially for first-time cruisers. In simple terms, it means looking polished without being formal. For men, this could include trousers or chinos with a collared shirt. For women, dresses, skirts, or smart trousers paired with a top work well. Comfortable shoes are fine, but flip-flops and poolwear are best kept for daytime areas.
This approach allows travellers to pack efficiently. One or two smart outfits are enough for the entire cruise. The rest of the wardrobe can remain relaxed and practical for shore excursions, pool decks, and casual dining spaces.
How This Change Fits Into Global Travel Trends
Across the travel and tourism industry, guests are asking for experiences that feel special without feeling restrictive. Hotels, resorts, and cruise lines are responding by setting light guidelines rather than strict rules. The Norwegian Cruise Line dress code update follows this global shift.
From European cities to tropical islands, travellers are already used to dressing slightly smarter for evening dining. Cruise ships are simply aligning onboard culture with what guests experience on land. This creates consistency and makes travellers feel more comfortable and confident.
What Has Not Changed Onboard
It is important for travellers to know that most areas on Norwegian Cruise Line ships remain casual. Buffets, main dining rooms, outdoor venues, and daytime activities still welcome relaxed clothing. Swimwear is perfectly acceptable by the pool, and casual outfits remain the norm during the day.
The update applies mainly to select specialty restaurants during dinner hours. Guests who prefer casual dining options will still have plenty of choices without any change to their usual cruise routine.
Packing Tips for Cruise Travellers in 2026
The updated dress code offers a great opportunity for smarter packing. Travellers are encouraged to choose versatile clothing that works in different settings. Lightweight fabrics, neutral colours, and comfortable footwear are ideal. A single smart outfit can often be worn more than once, helping reduce luggage weight.
Travellers should also consider destination weather. Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean sailings, and Northern European routes all have different climate needs. Planning outfits that suit both the destination and onboard dining ensures a smooth travel experience.
How This Enhances the Overall Cruise Experience
From a travel industry perspective, the update supports better guest satisfaction. When dining spaces feel cohesive and comfortable, guests tend to enjoy their meals more. This improves onboard reviews, dining experiences, and overall holiday memories.
For travellers celebrating special occasions such as anniversaries or birthdays, the refined dress environment adds a sense of occasion without pressure. It allows guests to feel part of something special while still being relaxed.
Final Thoughts for Global Cruise Travellers
The Norwegian Cruise Line dress code update for 2026 reflects how cruising is maturing. It respects the modern traveller’s desire for comfort while recognising the value of atmosphere in premium experiences. For tourists planning a cruise holiday, this change is easy to adapt to and brings more benefits than restrictions.
By packing thoughtfully and understanding the new guidelines, travellers can enjoy the best of both worlds. Relaxed days, elegant evenings, and unforgettable journeys at sea. As cruise travel continues to evolve, small updates like this show how the industry listens to its guests while shaping the future of holiday experiences.
SamsungGalaxy S26 series is going to launch on 25 February 2026. The company has already started sharing teaser videos to create excitement about the new phones. Now, the company has shared another teaser that reveals a new and exciting feature – a low-light video recording option.
A few days ago, Samsung showed a teaser about the Privacy Display feature of the Galaxy S26 series. Now, here is the teaser for the Low Light Video option.
Samsung Mobile US posted a new teaser video on X. In the post, Samsung wrote:
“Brighten your after-hours. Can your phone do that? Get ready for the next level of photography with #GalaxyAI to capture your shot even in the lowest lighting.”
The teaser video highlights the phone’s ability to record bright and clear videos even at night or in very dark places. In the video, the words “Sun down. Moon up.” appear on the screen, showing that the feature is designed for nighttime recording.
Image via Samsung (X)
The video also shows how the Galaxy S26 series can improve brightness in dark scenes. Even when there is very little light, the phone makes the video look clearer and more detailed. This means users can capture better memories at night without worrying about poor lighting.
Brighten your after hours. Can your phone do that? Get ready for the next level of photography with #GalaxyAI to capture your shot even in the lowest lighting.
Samsung is using Galaxy AI technology to power this feature, which helps users take better photos and videos in low light. Users can also register for the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event to receive special benefits and updates about the new Galaxy S26 series. Stay tuned.
A prominent tipster has detailed what Apple may have in store for the upcoming sub-$800 MacBook. Likely to be aimed at students and those strictly on a budget, the mystery MacBook is expected to sport an A-series SoC.
A fresh leak has claimed that the upcoming iPhone 18 family will drop physical SIM support altogether, opting for dual eSIMs globally. This will free up some much-needed internal space, allowing for larger batteries across the lineup.
MagicX has shared renders that reveal the colors of its upcoming handhelds, the Dream Two Light and Dream Two Pro. The images show similarities between the models, but also noticeable differences, too.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is set to be unveiled on February 25, 2026. Right ahead of the launch, a benchmark comparison between the Exynos 2600-powered S26 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-equipped S26 Ultra has emerged.
Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, could be the result of a violent collision between two other moons according to a recent study. This event would then have allowed the formation of Saturn’s rings a few hundred million years ago.
The vivo X300 FE was certified for sale in Europe back in October, and in the meantime it's been given the go-ahead in India by BIS as well. Now, IMDA in Singapore has certified it too, along with TÜV in Germany. The phone has the model number V2537.
The TÜV certification reveals that the phone has support for 90W wired charging. The X300 FE has also run Geekbench, revealing that it's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, paired with 12GB of RAM in the prototype that ran the benchmark. Of course, vivo could offer other RAM amounts too.
The device will run Android 16 with...
Honor is actively preparing the teaser campaign for its next flagship foldable - the Magic V6. The device was spotted in the hands of actor Nicholas Tse, giving us our first live look at its design ahead of its debut at MWC Barcelona.
The V6 is shown in its red colorway and it resembles its predecessor with an octagon-shaped camera island with red and gold accents. The V6 will feature the flat sides and will retain the fingerprint scanner embedded inside the power button.
Honor Magic V6 design
The Chinese version of the Magic V6 is expected to bring a 7,150mAh battery with...
If you're shopping for a budget-friendly and high-quality gaming laptop in the Presidents' Day sales, then it's going to be hard to beat this Alienware 16X Aurora for $999.99.
High On Life 2 is an inventive FPS campaign that improves on its predecessor in every way, but a litany of technical faults has it feeling like it could've stayed in the oven for a bit longer.
Despite Kylian Mbappé’s outstanding level, Álvaro Arbeloa’s work continues to raise serious doubts, as the team is still dealing with several issues. In light of this, Real Madrid have reportedly set clear conditions for the coach’s continuity in the 2026–27 season.
Led by Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid have managed to remain highly competitive. With 38 goals to his name, the Frenchman has driven the team in the race for the top spot in LaLiga while also pushing for success in the UEFA Champions League. Despite this,Álvaro Arbeloa’s work has not been entirely convincing, raising doubts about his continuity. For this reason, Los Blancos have reportedly set clear conditions for the coach to remain in charge for the 2026–27 season.
According to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, people close to Álvaro Arbeloa claim that he has a contract with the club until the end of next season. However, Real Madrid have declined to comment on the Spaniard’s contractual situation. In fact, his continuity as head coach has reportedly been tied to results: winning LaLiga would earn him credit, but lifting the Champions League would be the definitive benchmark to secure his future.
Despite Álvaro Arbeloa leading Real Madrid to a solid run of results, he continues to raise serious doubts within the team. With an unconvincing midfield, the coach still struggles to find balance in the lineup. In addition, defensive stability has been nonexistent, leaving Dean Huijsen performing at a noticeably lower level compared to the start of the season. As a result, questions emerge over whether keeping Álvaro is truly the definitive solution.
Far from everything being negative, Álvaro Arbeloa appears to be identifying Trent Alexander-Arnold as a key piece in stabilizing the midfield. Although the Englishman naturally starts as a right-back, the coach pushes for him to move into midfield, where he can organize game in a brilliant manner. After shining against Real Sociedad, he is expected to start again against Benfica in the Champions League, where a defeat could ultimately decide the coach’s future.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, congratulates Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid for scoring.
Real Madrid are reportedly targeting four blockbuster signings
While Álvaro Arbeloa’s future remains uncertain, Real Madrid are already strategizing for the 2026–27 season. With this proactive approach, they supposedly plan to facilitate the departures of players like David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dani Carvajal. Furthermore, another player may also leave, creating opportunities to incorporate fresh talent. Consequently, Los Blancos reportedly aim to make four new signings.
According to Christian Blasco of Diario Sport, Los Blancos have decided to target two center-backs. Although names such as Ibrahima Konaté, Castello Lukeba, and Jacobo Ramos have been mentioned, no final decisions have been made yet regarding the definitive targets. At the same time, the club has also decided to strengthen the right-back position, with the continuity of David Jiménez from Real Madrid Castilla emerging as a strong possibility.
Far from limiting their plans to those positions, Real Madrid are also reportedly determined to sign a playmaking midfielder. Given the difficulty of signing world-class players due to their contracts, the club has chosen to look for a less high-profile option with differential potential, with Kees Smit emerging as the favored choice, Diario Sport reveals. With this in mind, Los Blancos are aiming for a rebuild next season.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach.
Now in charge of the USMNT, Mauricio Pochettino broke the silence over the hurdles he faced when he had the task to coach Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé were expected to form one of the most lethal attacking trios in soccer after the Argentine star arrived in Paris in 2021. But despite flashes of brilliance, the group never fully clicked en route to European glory. Years after his stint with the Parisian side, U.S. men’s national team boss Mauricio Pochettino has opened up about the challenges of managing all three superstars.
Appointed in early 2021, Pochettino was tasked with finally delivering a UEFA Champions League title to PSG, which already featured Neymar and Mbappé and would add Messi six months later. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, the coach said he felt fortunate to lead such a star-studded roster, but noted that “only 11 can play,” a reality that made squad management complicated.
The Argentine manager then addressed the pressure that comes with overseeing so many elite players, including the star-studded front line: “The problem is when people start to say, ‘Ah, come on, you need to win four–nil from the bus.’ But it’s not like that, because you receive Messi with no preseason after the Copa América, big stress and trauma after leaving Barcelona—he needed time to adapt. Neymar had some problems. Mbappé too. But these three guys need a team behind them to play for them.”
Beyond tactics, Pochettino also discussed the difficulty of assigning roles among the three global icons. “They need to share space. Who’s the penalty taker? It’s not easy to say, because Messi, Neymar, Mbappé… it’s a really complex situation as it goes on. What we did was be ourselves and try to do things the way we felt was right, knowing we were going to suffer and that it was going to be difficult,” he added.
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain.
After transforming Tottenham Hotspur into one of England’s top sides and nearly winning the Champions League in 2019, PSG’s hierarchy expected a similar evolution. But Pochettino acknowledged that the same tactical blueprint could not simply be replicated with a squad that, despite its talent, already had an established identity from previous seasons.
“If we were in Tottenham a team that was so high line, press high, recover balls in the opposite half… You cannot expect that Messi is going to press people. When he was in his peak at Barcelona with Guardiola, he never pressed and that is the situation where people can be confused. That was the (most) difficult challenge,” Pochettino added.
Pochettino and the Messi moment
At Tottenham, Pochettino built stars such as Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Dele Alli before they became global standouts. In Paris, man-management required a different approach, though he emphasized that despite individualized treatment, he never had discipline issues with the attacking trio and said the squad remained respectful toward the coaching staff.
One controversial moment came during Messi’s third PSG appearance, against Olympique Lyonnais. With the score 1-1 in the 76th minute, Pochettino substituted him: “I remember when I took Messi off against Lyon. He was a little disappointed, but that was my decision because it was to protect him. He had a problem with his knee.”
At the time, Messi had already missed several matches due to fitness concerns, and Pochettino said his decision was meant to avoid a setback. “He said to me, ‘Coach, you need to ask me.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but I cannot ask because all my feedback from the doctors says you are at big risk of injury in your knee.’ He said, ‘Yeah, but Guardiola always asked me before taking me off.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but I am not Guardiola,’” the USMNT boss recalled.
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain scores against Manchester City.
Far from seeing it as a show of authority, Pochettino said the call was purely protective with a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City looming: “Two weeks later we had that game, and he had been out for two weeks. He started training Monday, played Wednesday, scored a beautiful goal to make it 2-1 when we beat Manchester City. Afterward he came into the dressing room and hugged me. He just hugged me. He said nothing.”
Pedri's absence, as a key figure in Barcelona’s midfield, proved decisive in the team’s recent defeat against Atlético Madrid. However, the Spaniard could return sooner than expected, with a reportedly clear target date for his comeback to the pitch.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Barcelona have established themselves as one of the most solid teams in the world. With an outstanding high press, Hansi Flick has managed to impose a consistently strong level of performance. Despite this, Pedri’s absence has been keenly felt, as the defeat against Atlético Madrid exposed the shortcomings of this approach without the Spaniard. Nevertheless, the coach could recover the 23-year-old star sooner than expected.
After the match against Slavia Praha, Pedri suffered a right hamstring injury that was expected to sideline him for around a month. In his absence, Hansi Flick chose to rely on Dani Olmo and even Marc Bernal at the base of the play. While this approach worked in some matches, the absence of the 23-year-old star proved crucial against Atlético Madrid, as he is key to the team’s high pressing. Nevertheless, the coach could have him back sooner than anticipated.
According to Didac Peyret of Diario Sport, Barcelona have scheduled Pedri’s return for February 22, ahead of the match against Levante. After enduring his third injury of the season, coach Hansi Flick might choose a gradual reintroduction, which means he may not start immediately. Nonetheless, the Spaniard’s comeback promises a significant boost to the team’s overall consistency.
Despite Pedri’s return, Hansi Flick could make adjustments to the starting lineup. After the defeat against Atlético Madrid, the team’s players decided to talk to the coach, as they believe they should be more flexible with their tactical approach since they cannot play with a high line with all players and against all opponents, reports The Athletic. For this reason, Marc Bernal could start to play a more prominent role, as he has shown a potential to make a difference.
Pedri of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports.
Hansi Flick could also soon welcome back another key midfielder
Unlike his first season, Hansi Flick has had to deal with several key injury absences, complicating the team’s development. At the start of the 2025–26 season, the absences of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski significantly weakened the side. Once both players returned, they suffered the losses of Andreas Christensen, Pablo Gavi, and Pedri, complicating matters. Nevertheless, the coach is expected to recover one of these players in the near future.
According to Hansi Flick, Pablo Gavi has surprised him with his performances in training, as he returned to ball work just seven days ago. After accelerating his recovery timeline, the Spanish midfielder is expected to return to the pitch in March, the coach announced. With his comeback, Barcelona gain much greater depth and consistency in the creative side of midfield. However, the 21-year-old could be reintroduced gradually to the team in order to avoid any setbacks.
Pedri of FC Barcelona looks on from the bench during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
Though Tyson Fury’s press conference with Arslanbek Makhmudov was cordial, there was unnecessary drama beforehand courtesy of his father, John. Fury will return to the ring on April 11 to face Russia’s Makhmudov, the main event topping a bill at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and streamed live on Netflix. The pair came face to face […]
has revealed a shock trainer decision ahead of his upcoming fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov. Fury will return from his latest retirement when he faces Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on April 11, with the event broadcast live on Netflix. ‘The Gypsy King’ was last in action in December 2024, when he suffered […]
“İnter”in italiyalı sol cinah müdafiəçisi Federiko Dimarko İtaliya A Seriyasında yanvar ayının ən yaxşı futbolçusu seçilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə A Seriyasının rəsmi saytı məlumat yayıb.
28 yaşlı futbolçu azarkeşlər arasında keçirilmiş səsvermədə Lorentso Kolombo (“Cenoa”), Conatan David (“Yuventus”), Anastasios Duvikas (“Komo”), Nikola Krstoviç (“Atalanta”) və Adrien Rabyo (“Milan”) kimi oyunçuları qabaqlayıb.
Dimarko ötən ay komandasının heyətində A Seriyasında çıxdığı 6 matçda 3 qol vurub, 3 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Xatırladaq ki, A Seriyasında avqust ayının ən yaxşısı “Yuventus”un türkiyəli hücumçusu Kenan Yıldız seçilmişdi. Sentyabrda “Milan”ın amerikalı legioneri Kristian Pulişiç ən yaxşı elan edilmişdisə, oktyabrda “Napoli”nin kamerunlu mərkəz yarımmüdafiəçisi Frank Anqissa, noyabrda “Kremoneze”nin forvardı Ceymi Vardi, dekabrda isə “İnter”in hücumçusu Lautaro Martines fərqlənmişdi.
Federiko Dimarko “İnter”in yetirməsidir. Federiko 2016-cı ildən müxtəlif illərdə “Askoli”, “Empoli”, “Syon”, “Parma”, “Verona”da icarədə və ya geri satınalma şərtləri əsasında çıxış edib. İtalyan müdafiəçi bu illər ərzində xeyli tərəqqi edərək, nəhayət 2021-ci ilin iyununda “Verona”dan icarədən qayıdıb və “neradzurri”nin heyətində yerini möhkəmlədib. Dimarkonun “neradzurri” ilə müqaviləsinin müddəti 2027-ci ilin iyun ayının sonuna qədər qüvvədədir.
Cari mövsümdə Dimarko “İnter”in heyətində bütün yarışlarda 32 oyuna çıxıb, 6 qol vurub, 14 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
Dimarkonun “neradzurri”nin heyətində çıxışının ümumi mənzərəsi isə belədir: 222 oyun, 24 qol, 48 məhsuldar ötürmə.
Dimarko “İnter”lə İtaliya A Seriyasının, İtaliya Kubokunun (2 dəfə) və İtaliya Super Kubokunun (3 dəfə) qalibi olub.
Federiko Dimarko 2022-ci ilin iyununda dübüt etdiyi İtaliya yığmasının heyətində 36 oyuna 3 qol və 10 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə fərqlənib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 28 yaşlı italyan sol cinah müdafiəçisinin transfer dəyərini 50 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
“Qəbələ”nin məşqçisi Georgi Çixradze Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 20-ci turu çərçivəsində “Sabah”a qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Qəbələdə baş tutmuş oyunu meydan sahiblərinin 0:1 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə yekunlaşıb.
Çixradze matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Sabah”la biz fərqli məqsədlər uğrunda mübarizə aparan komandalarıq. Onlar çempionluq uğrunda, biz isə Premyer Liqada qalmaq uğrunda mübarizə aparırıq. Oyunu iki fərqli hissəyə bölərdim. İlk yarıda bir az passiv oynadıq. İkinci hissədə daha yaxşı oyun nümayiş etdirdik. İkinci yarının əvvəlində adi vəziyyətdə qol buraxdıq. Qol buraxılmamalı epizod idi. Hesabda geriyə düşəndən sonra daha aqressiv oynamağa başladıq. Matçın sonlarında qol vurduq. Mübahisəli epizoddur. Bizim fikrimizcə, qol təmiz idi. Kimlərsə də baxıb, dəyərləndirə bilər. Fikrimcə, qol qaydalar çərçivəsində vurulmuşdu.
Turan Manafov yeni gəlib, hələ ideal formada deyil. Yavaş-yavaş formaya düşməyə başlayır. Sağ cinahda Nicat və Eşqin var. Bəzən biri, bəzən digəri oynayır. Arada Nuğayı da o mövqedə oynadırıq. Həmin cinahdakı resurslarımızdan maksimum istifadə etməyə çalışırıq”.
Çixradze Rüfət Əhmədova şans verilməməsinə də aydınlıq gətirib:
“Onu transfer edəndə düşünürdük ki, cinahda bizə kömək edəcək. Rüfət əvvəllər burada oynayıb, onu tanıyırdıq. Əvəzedici heyətlə məşq edirdi. Ona dedik ki, təklif varsa, gedə bilər. Situasiya elə alındı ki, komandada qaldı”.
“Sabah”ın baş məşqçisi Valdas Dambrauskas Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 20-ci turu çərçivəsində “Qəbələ”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Qəbələdə baş tutmuş görüşü paytaxt təmsilçisinin 1:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.
Dambrauskas qarşılaşmadan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Oyuna görə hər iki komandaya təşəkkür edirəm. “Qəbələ” çox yaxşı komandadır. Onların oyununda həqiqətən də məşqçi işi görünür. “Qəbələ” turnir cədvəlinin daha yuxarı pillələrində olmağa layiqdir. İstədiklərimizi həyata keçirmək üçün 20-25 dəqiqə vaxt lazım oldu. Rəqibin oturuşmuş müdafiəsini yarmaq çox çətin idi. Birinci hissədə bir qol fürsətimiz oldu. İkinci yarıda müəyyən düzəlişlər etdik. Xüsusən də ikinci hissənin əvvəlində yaxşı çıxış etdik. Qol da vurduq. İkinci qolu da vura bilərdik. Matçın son dəqiqələri bizim üçün çətin keçdi. Son 10 dəqiqədə “Qəbələ” tam heyətlə irəli atıldı. Onlar xoş sözlərə layiqdirlər. Bəlkə də “Qəbələ” bu gün 1 xala layiq idi. Qapıçımız möhtəşəm qurtarış etdi. Nəticədə 3 xal qazanan tərəf biz olduq. Futbolçularımı təbrik edirəm. Artıq “Kəpəz”lə oyuna hazırlaşmalıyıq.
Hakim qərarları mənim səlahiyyətimdə olan məsələ deyil. Son dəqiqələrdə qapıçımızın möhtəşəm qurtarışı var idi. Rəqib oyunçunun əllə oynadığı görünürdü. VAR-da daha yaxşı görürlər. Bəzən VAR lehinə, bəzən əleyhinə işləyir. “Sumqayıt”la matçda bizim əleyhimizə işlədi. İki qolumuzu ləğv etdilər. Mən özüm VAR sisteminin çox da tərəfdarı deyiləm. Son 10 dəqiqədə rəqib üstün oynadı. Hakim 5-6 dəqiqə artırsaydı, yəqin ki, fərqlənən tərəf “Qəbələ” olacaqdı. Səhvlərimizi təhlil edib nəticə çıxaracağıq.
Biz sadəcə növbəti məşqə və qarşıdakı oyuna köklənirik. Heç vaxt liderlik barədə danışmırıq, turnir cədvəlinə baxmırıq. Öz inkişafımıza fokuslanmışıq. Səhvlərimizi təhlil edirik. Hələ qarşıda 13 oyun var. Çempionluq yarışında olsaq da, biz daha çox özümüz özümüzlə yarış içindəyik, mübarizə aparırıq. Daha çox öz oyunumuza köklənirik, səhvlərimizin üzərində işləyirik. Nələrin baş verəcəyini mayın sonunda biləcəyik”.
“Qarabağ”ı başa düşmək olar”
Dambrauskas “Qarabağ”ın “Neftçi” ilə oyununun təxirə salınmasına da toxunub:
“Bu, bizim səlahiyyətimizdə olan bir şey deyil. Əsas məqsədimiz komandanı öz oyunlarımıza kökləməkdir. Litvada da bəzən belə hallar baş verir. Sentyabra qədər avrokubokların təsnifat mərhələsinin oyunları olur. Belə hallarda bizim ölkədə də çempionat matçları təxirə salınır. Amma bilmirəm bu, belə olmalıdır, ya yox. Təqvimə nəzarət edən qurumlar olmalıdır. “Neftçi” və “Qarabağ” köklü klublardır. Biz daha çox özümüzə köklənirik. “Qarabağ”ı başa düşmək olar. Tarixi uğur əldə ediblər. Amma belə olan halda daxili çempionatı da unutmaq olmaz. Qərar verən şəxs mən deyiləm. Bunun üçün qurumlar var və mən onlara hörmət edirəm”.
Dambrauaskas UEFA Millətlər Liqasında Azərbaycan və Litva yığmalarının eyni qrupa düşməsinə də toxunub:
“Hansı ölkədə işləyirəmsə, maraqlı və qəribə təsadüflə qarşılaşıram. Bolqarıstanda çalışanda Litva yığması onların millisi ilə eyni qrupa düşdü. Kiprdə də həmçinin. İndi də Azərbaycanda belə hal oldu. Hər iki milli komanda haqda xoş sözlər deyə bilərəm. Əsas mübarizə Azərbaycanla Litva arasında olacaq. Bu sözləri Lixtenşteyn yığmasına hörmətlə yanaşaraq deyirəm. Hansı futbolçuların oynayacağı çox önəmlidir. Litva millisində çoxlu keyfiyyətli oyunçular var. Amma onlardan biri zədələnsə, komandaya çox böyük təsir göstərə bilər. Bizim “Çelye”də çıxış edən güclü hücumçumuz var. O, ağır zədə alıb. Xırda detallar oyunun taleyini həll edəcək. Azərbaycan yığmasında “Qarabağ”da çıxış edən təcrübəli futbolçular var. Litvanı da unutmayaq. Gənc və uğura ac komandadır. Yaxşı məşqçilər heyəti var. Onu da deyim ki, Litva millisi oyunlara hazırlaşarkən mənim köməyimə ehtiyacları olmayacaq. Müasir dövrdə bütün oyunları izləmək olur. İki gərgin oyun bizi gözləyir”.
Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti was seen enjoying himself during carnival celebrations in Rio De Janeiro over the weekend, and was spotted drinking a few beers with his former Milan striker Ronaldo: ‘I’m sure he’s loving the experience’.
Brazil have already qualified for the World Cup and will next be in action against France and Croatia in a pair of international friendlies on March 26 and April 1 respectively.
epa12137464 Italian Carlo Ancelotti (L) and the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Samir Xaud, attend a press conference where Ancelotti was presented as new head coach of men’s Brazilian national soccer team, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 26 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANDRE COELHO
Before then, Ancelotti has been able to take in some of the local culture and traditions at a series of carnival celebrations across the country. He was most recently in Rio along with a number of former Brazil stars including Ronaldo and Denilson.
As per local outlet ge.globo, Ancelotti and Ronaldo were based in boxes next to each other, and at one stage, Ronaldo passed the former Milan and Real Madrid coach on a float during a parade. They were filmed sipping on beers and waving at each other amidst the vast crowds.
What Ronaldo said about Ancelotti during Rio carnival
epa12137404 Italian Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference where he was presented as new head coach of men’s Brazilian national soccer team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 26 May 2025. EPA-EFE/Antonio Lacerda
Ronaldo was later stopped for a brief interview with ge.globo, discussing his relationship with Ancelotti and the prospects for the Italy national team/
“We were trying to select the World Cup squad, I included myself in there,” Ronaldo joked.
“I know him well and from the conversations we’ve had, I’m sure he’s loving the experience of being here and getting to know our people, working in Brazilian football, the most successful winner of World Cups.
“I’m sure he’s enjoying this energy of the Brazilian people rooting for him, because he’ll need it during the World Cup.”
It wasn’t a good look for Alessandro Bastoni during Inter-Juventus when he caused and celebrated Pierre Kalulu’s red card, but it would be wrong to omit him from the Italy national team for this, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Why Bastoni should not face punishment with Italy national team
Some Italian fans and journalists called for Bastoni to be dropped from the Italy national team because of his behaviour in Inter-Juventus on Saturday. The Italy international not only deceived the referee with a dive that led to Kalulu’s second yellow card, but also wildly celebrated when the official showed the red.
Bastoni’s actions “didn’t align with the principles of fair play,” as Inter President Beppe Marotta has admitted, but this doesn’t mean the defender should be excluded from the Italy squad.
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Several sources have already reassured that Gattuso will not take action, meaning that Bastoni will be part of the Italy squad next month when the Azzurri meet Northern Ireland in a vital World Cup play-off semi-final. Rightly so, I would say.
Again, what Bastoni did wasn’t nice to see, especially because we are talking about one of the best Italian players and one of the supposed leaders in the Azzurri dressing room, who should set the example rather than trying to cause even more confusion to the referee.
Sadly, Bastoni is not alone in this. Over the last few months, the quality of refereeing in Serie A has hit new lows one week after another, but match officials have not been helped by footballers in any way.
Every time, in every game, we see players going down in pain for the slightest touches, hoping that a VAR check would spot a step-on-foot and a resulting penalty. Too many times, footballers, especially in Serie A, overreact whenever an opponent goes for a challenge, hoping to cause whatever punishment.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale disputes with Referee Felix Zwayer during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
VAR has surely caused more problems than those it has solved this term. It’s been overused far too much for minor incidents, but, ironically, the protocol didn’t allow it to intervene to save Kalulu from being sent off on Saturday, given that his foul was a second-yellow card offence.
The Bastoni incident has been blown out of proportion because of the scale of the game, but it should also be a turning point from which footballers have to show a different attitude towards referees by sticking to the principles of the game without unnecessary drama that only makes the game more toxic.
Bastoni should not be punished by Gattuso for something that everybody, wrongly, does. And this is even more true ahead of the most important Italy game in the last four years.
On March 26, the Azzurri will be hosting Northern Ireland in Bergamo in the World Cup play-off semi-final. If they progress, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final, and if the Azzurri are to qualify for the World Cup, they need their best players and unity.
Hopefully, Bastoni won’t get the tough reception that Gigio Donnarumma has sometimes experienced during Italy games in the past, especially in his first years at PSG. Club-related matters must be set aside during the next international break as Gennaro Gattuso will need unity on and off the pitch to avoid another World Cup fiasco.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Referee, Alejandro Hernandez, shows a yellow card to Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Many Juventus fans won’t agree with this, but not even Juventus would want or need Bastoni to be dropped from the Italy squad. The Bianconeri didn’t hold back criticism towards Italian referees on Saturday, calling for immediate “change” but didn’t mention Bastoni directly during post-match interviews.
They know this sort of attitude is sadly part of the game sometimes, but referees should now have the tools to avoid affecting games so heavily.
Surely, Bastoni won’t be proud watching the replays of his dive and celebration, but he has a lesson to learn from this. Italian legends like Franco Baresi, Beppe Bergomi and Paolo Maldini earned the respect of their opponents, especially for the way they behaved on the pitch, and those who are now expected to lead the national team, such as Bastoni, must lead by example.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Moreover, there’s a lesson that all Serie A players should learn. The less that referee gets involved, the better it is for the game. Inter’s 2-2 draw against Napoli in January was one of the best games in Serie A this season, also because the match official, Daniele Doveri, rarely blew the whistle; only five times in the first half.
Too often, when an Italian team faces a Premier League side in Europe, we are shocked by the difference in the pace and intensity, which is also a consequence of how fragmented Serie A games are.
VAR has to change, players and referees must change too, but this doesn’t mean the Azzurri must go to a massive game without one of their best players.
Manchester United are plotting a surprise raid on Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister, as per the latest reports from The Mirror.
In what would be one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history, Old Trafford bosses have reportedly added the World Cup winner to their summer shortlist as they look to overhaul a midfield set to lose veteran Casemiro.
Alexis Mac Allister linked with Anfield exit as Man United eye shock raid
Transfer to Manchester United unlikely due to Liverpool rivalry
Despite the reported interest from Manchester United, a direct transfer remains highly improbable.
The rivalry is so fierce that the two clubs almost never do direct business with one another.
Historically, Liverpool and Man United have preferred to sell abroad rather than strengthen their greatest rival.
There has not been a direct transfer between the two clubs since 1964, when Phil Chisnall moved from United to Liverpool.
There have been players who have played for both the clubs like Michael Owen and Paul Ince, however, both played for a third club before eventually crossing enemy lines.
Players who have played for both Liverpool and Manchester United
While direct moves are extinct, several high-profile names have represented both badges throughout their careers:
Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has hinted that he could already be heading for a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium.
The 23-year-old only joined Man City from Burnley in the summer, having previously impressed a great deal during his time with the Clarets.
Trafford must have thought he was joining to become Pep Guardiola’s number one, but it hasn’t worked out that way.
Fans on the lookout for how to buy Manchester City vs Newcastle tickets will likely be aware that they’ll see Gianluigi Donnarumma lining up for their team in this Premier League clash, with Trafford limited to cup games so far ever since Donnarumma also joined in the summer.
James Trafford speaks out after difficult season at Manchester City
Trafford played in the FA Cup win over Salford City at the weekend and spoke afterwards about this difficult period he’s had at City.
James Trafford in action for Man City (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
The England Under-21 international must have been hoping for more playing time this season as it would likely have seen him in contention for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England 2026 World Cup squad.
Now, however, that looks in serious about due to the presence of Donnarumma, and this has led to Trafford hinting it’s quite clearly made him unhappy.
“I didn’t expect the situation [with Donnarumma] to happen but it happened, so just get on with it. So it’s happened so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot,” he said, as quoted by the Guardian.
“So it is what it is. It’s football, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can. This is just another experience to add to my career and it has been a good learning experience.”
When asked if he could stay at MCFC this summer, he responded: “Who knows, it’s football. Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens.
“I’ve obviously got a contract, so don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”
On his World Cup hopes, he added: “No, obviously everyone knows what’s going on with me. So I’ve just got to, whenever I play, play as well as I can. I haven’t spoken to them about if that’s enough, but I play as well as I can and train every day very hard and it’s just down to me.”
Trafford’s situation has seen him linked with the likes of Tottenham, Leeds United, and Newcastle recently.
It's well known that user reviews on Steam are a mixed bag, to say the least. You'll get everything from actually thoughtful reviews to snap reactions based on less than an hour spent with the game, and often see a slew of negative reviews that are clearly part of a review-bombing campaign of players complaining about a singular issue, regardless of that issue factoring in on the game's quality. A new report from The Guardian delves into another aspect of Steam's user reviews and forums, with developers and even some content creators speaking out about the abuse and bigotry that […]
SoftBank's latest initiative focuses on making the AMD Instinct AI chip much more powerful with AI workloads, through a "GPU partitioning" mechanism that sounds really interesting. SoftBank Has Deployed a Self-Built Orchestrator For AMD's Instinct GPUs, Dividing Hardware & Memory Pools AMD's AI infrastructure hasn't been the go-to option for hyperscalers in recent times, given all the attention towards NVIDIA, especially after the debut of the Blackwell series. When we talk about AMD's core customers, SoftBank is a name that pops up on several occasions, and this time, their technological wing has pushed out something pretty interesting. According SoftBank's recent […]
NVIDIA's Blackwell Ultra is the modern-day computing option for hyperscalers, and in newer benchmarks, the GB300 NVL72 shows immense performance in low-latency and long context workloads. NVIDIA's Blackwell Ultra AI Racks Now Feature Top-Tier Agentic Performance, Driven By NVLink Upgrades The AI industry has evolved across multiple layers since its original boom back in 2022, and right now, we are seeing a major shift towards agentic computing, driven by applications/wrappers built on frontier models. At the same time, for infrastructure providers like NVIDIA, it has become increasingly important to have ample memory bandwidth and performance onboard to meet the latency […]
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been dethroned, and with the arrival of the new 8-core/16-thread Ryzen 7 9850X3D on the shelves, enthusiasts can now push gaming performance even further. Based on the same Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is quite identical to the 9800X3D, but brings a higher boost clock out of the box, making it a bit faster in games and applications. These 8 cores still need a robust platform to push them to their full potential; otherwise, you won't necessarily see a noticeable improvement in performance over the 9800X3D. While the GPU remains a primary […]
Multiple Windows Insider users and one of Rufus' developers reveal that they can't download any of Microsoft's latest Insider Preview ISOs. Users who try to are met with an IP block.
If you've been looking for a high-end gaming keyboard but didn't want to overspend, Best Buy has discounted the ROG Azoth X by $100. You can grab this 75% mechanical keyboard with a hot swap PCB, five-layer sound dampening, tri-mode connectivity, multi-function knob, and customizable OLED display for just $200!
SoftBank swung back to profitability in its fiscal third quarter, reporting net income of 248.6 billion yuan — roughly $1.6 billion — for the three months ending December.
If you've been looking for a way to access your Blu-ray collection on PC without breaking the bank, TROPRO's external disc drive has got you covered. With up to 6X Blu-ray, 8X DVD, and 24X CD read/write speeds, it can play essentially any disc on your computer thanks to its USB 3.0 connection with both Type-A and Type-C plugs.
A study of mice fed a high-fat/high-fructose diet (designed to induce obesity) found that 12 weeks of treatment with low-dose psilocybin reduced weight gain, symptoms of fatty liver, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. It did not produce observable effects on the central nervous system. The paper was published in Pharmacological Research.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, often referred to as “magic mushrooms.” In the body, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which affects brain function by acting primarily on serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors. These effects can alter perception, mood, cognition, and sense of self. Subjective experiences may include changes in visual perception, intensified emotions, and altered patterns of thought.
Historically, psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used in ritual and spiritual practices in several cultures. In contemporary science, psilocybin has gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects. Clinical research suggests it may reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and existential distress, particularly in controlled, supportive settings.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy typically combines the drug with psychological preparation and integration sessions. The compound is generally considered to have low addiction potential, though its effects can be psychologically intense. Legal status varies widely across countries, with some allowing medical or research use and others maintaining strict prohibitions.
Study author Martina Colognesi and her colleagues wanted to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of low, non-psychedelic doses of psilocybin in mice. They were interested in the potential of psilocybin to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and liver steatosis. Liver steatosis, or fatty liver, is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat within liver cells, often associated with metabolic disorders, alcohol use, or insulin resistance.
The study was conducted on C57BL/6J mice, a widely used inbred strain of laboratory mice. The genetic background of these mice is well defined, making them one of the strains used regularly in genetic, behavior, and neuroscience research. Study authors used male mice because males do not experience the cyclic hormonal fluctuations of estrous cycles seen in female mice.
The mice were fed a diet rich in both fats and fructose. This was done by adding 30% fructose to the drinking water for 17 weeks. In this diet, 60% of the energy intake of these mice came from fat. This type of treatment is known to induce obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as liver steatosis in mice.
After the first 5 weeks, the mice were divided into two groups. One group received 0.05 mg per kilogram of body weight of psilocybin via oral gavage (direct administration into a mouse’s stomach using a feeding tube) for the remaining 12 weeks. The other group was a control group that received water during the same period in the same way. After this period, mice underwent a series of behavioral tests, and study authors performed a series of biochemical analyses on them and analyzed their tissues.
Results showed that, compared to the control group, mice that received psilocybin had reduced body-weight gain, liver steatosis, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Interestingly, the psilocybin treatment did not elicit effects on the central nervous system of these mice.
Further analyses revealed that lipid pathways in the liver and carbohydrate metabolism were almost completely normalized in the group of mice receiving psilocybin. Additionally, study authors report that psilocybin treatment improved muscle strength and function in these mice, potentially by restoring their leptin sensitivity. Leptin is a hormone that regulates energy balance by signaling the brain to reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure.
“Overall, chronic low-dose psilocybin exerts broad metabolic benefits via a hepatic 5-HT2B-dependent mechanism [a mechanism in the liver involving the 5-HT2B serotonin receptor], distinct from its psychedelic effects, supporting its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for liver steatosis, obesity, T2DM [type 2 diabetes mellitus], and sarcopenia,” the study authors concluded.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin. However, it should be noted that the study was conducted on mice, not on humans. While mice and humans share many physiological similarities, they are still very different species. Results in humans might not be identical.
The paper, “Low, non-psychedelic doses of psilocybin as a novel treatment for MASLD, obesity and Type 2 Diabetes via 5-HT2B receptor-dependent mechanisms,” was authored by Martina Colognesi, Daniela Gabbia, Anna Signor, Miles Sarill, Lucia Centofanti, Andrea Rinaldi, Luciano Cascione, Sara Nunziata, Marco Banzato, Andrea Mattarei, Giovanna Finzi, Sonia Sonda, Diana Pendin, Ilaria Zanotto, Stefano Comai, Gianfranco Pasut, Abdullah Alajati, Miriam Saponaro, Loredana Bucciarelli, Maria Elena Lunati, Giulia Guarato, Ilaria Goggi, Stefano La Rosa, Camillo Morano, Rita Clara Paroni, Michele Dei Cas, Giuseppe Daniele, Marco Gentilucci, Marco Pappagallo, Andrea Alimonti, Paolo L. Manfredi, Franco Folli, and Sara De Martin.
Bittensor (TAO) price is attempting a recovery after a sharp pullback, but the rally is running into a familiar obstacle near the $200 zone. Despite a strong bounce from recent lows and a noticeable pickup in volume, price action remains capped below a key horizontal resistance area that previously acted as breakdown support. Is this consolidation below $200 a sign of strength and accumulation before a breakout? Or are bulls running into heavy supply that could trigger another rejection?
The recent upside push in Bittensor (TAO) also comes amid a fresh exchange listing, which has injected new liquidity and expanded market access. Following the announcement, daily trading volume climbed to around 367K TAO, aligning with the visible spike on the chart as price rebounded from the $150–$160 region toward $188–$190. This surge in activity reflects renewed demand and narrative rotation back into AI-focused tokens.
However, despite the volume expansion, TAO remains capped below the key $200–$220 resistance zone, suggesting that while interest has returned, bulls still need stronger follow-through to confirm a sustained breakout.
TAO is currently compressing just below the $200–$220 supply zone, which previously acted as breakdown support and is now flipping into resistance. Structurally, the trend remains bearish with lower highs intact, but price is attempting to form a short-term higher low above the $160 swing base.
The key development is the bullish divergence on OBV, showing accumulation despite muted price expansion, suggesting stronger hands are absorbing supply. However, CMF continues to remain consolidated below zero, signaling that sustained capital inflow has not yet confirmed the move. If it closes decisively above $205–$210, momentum could accelerate toward $240 and $260. Failure here likely sends the price back to $170, with $150 as structural support.
In short, the accumulation is building, but a sustained close above $200 may only strengthen the bulls, who may further push the Bittensor (TAO) price towards higher targets.
Dünyada teknik direktörlük görevinin yapılmasının en zor olduğu takımlar açıklandı. Farklı branşlardaki yazarların katkısıyla hazırlanan analizde ülkemizden bir Süper Lig devi de bulunuyor. İşte o liste...Devamı için tıklayınız
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Temsilcimiz Galatasaray ile UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk maçında İstanbul'da karşılaşacak olan Juventus kafilesi bu kritik mücadele öncesi İstanbul'a geldi.Devamı için tıklayınız
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının XX turunun “Qəbələ” – “Sabah” oyunundan (0:1) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Valdas Dambrauskas jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb…
– “Qəbələ” çox yaxşı komandadır. Yaxşı məşqçi işi görünür. Turnir cədvəlində belə aşağıda olmalı deyillər. Daha yuxarılarda olmağa layiqdirlər. İlk hissədə istədiklərimizi həyata keçirə bilmək üçün 20-25 dəqiqə vaxt lazım oldu. İkinci hissədə müəyyən düzəlişlər etdik. Fasilədən sonra daha yaxşı başladıq, qol vurduq, fərqi artırmaq üçün imkan yaratdıq. Lakin oyunun sonları bizim üçün çox çətin keçdi. “Qəbələ” bütün gücü ilə irəli atılmışdı. Onlar xoş sözlərə layiqdirlir. Qapıçımız Stas Pokatilov möhtəşəm qurtarış etdi. “Qəbələ” bəlkə də, bir xala layiq idi.
– Komandanın birinci sırada olması əlavə təzyiq yaratmır?
– Bu haqda düşünmürük. Bütün diqqətimiz növbəti matçdadır. Heç vaxt turnir cədvəlinə baxmırıq. İşimizə fokuslanmışıq və nəyi harda düzəldə bilərik deyə düşünürük. Sadəcə bunlara köklənirik.
– Litvada çempionluğa oynayan komandanın əsas rəqibi ilə oyunu avrokuboklara görə təxirə salınsa, idman camiəsinin reaksiyası necə olardı?
– Öz oyunlarımıza köklənirik. Litvada da bəzən belə hallar baş verir. Bəzən matçlar təxirə salına bilir. Amma bilmirəm, belə olmalıdır, ya yox. Təqvimə nəzarət edən qurumlar baxmalıdır bu məsələyə. İndiki məqamda təxirəsalma bizi düşündürmür. Biz özümüzə fokuslanmışıq. “Qarabağ” Avropada yaxşı nəticələr əldə edib, amma çempionatı da unutmaq olmaz. Məsələ qərar verən qurumlarla bağlıdır. Qərar verən şəxs mən deyiləm. Bunun üçün qurumlar var və mən onlara hörmət edirəm.
– İngiltərədə məşqçiliyi oxumusunuz. “Qarabağ”ın “Nyukasl”la oyunda şanslarını necə dəyərləndirirsiniz?
– Bu suala cavab verməyəcəyəm.
– “Qarabağ”ın təcrübəsi var, “Sabah” isə uğura acdır. Çempionluq üçün hansına daha çox ehtiyac var?
– Biz özümüzlə mübarizə aparırıq. Hər dəfə özümüzə köklənir, səhvlərimiz üzərində çalışırıq. Gələcəkdə nə olacağını mayın sonunda biləcəyik.
– Azərbaycan yığması Millətlər Liqasında Litva ilə bir qrupa düşüb. Şansları necə dəyərləndirirsiniz?
– Harada işləyirəmsə, maraqlı və qəribə təsadüflə qarşılaşıram. Bolqarıstanda çalışanda Litva onlarda eyni qrupa düşdü. Kiprdə də həmçinin. İndi də Azərbaycanda belə hal oldu. Hər iki milli komanda haqda xoş sözlər deyə bilərəm. Əsas mübarizə Azərbaycanla Litva arasında olacaq. Bu sözləri Lixtenşteyn yığmasına hörmətlə yanaşaraq deyirəm. Hansı futbolçuların oynayacağı çox önəmlidir. Çünki Litva millisində çoxlu keyfiyyətli oyunçular var. Amma onlardan biri zədələnsə, komandaya çox böyük təsir göstərə bilər. Məsələn, bizim “Çelye”də çıxış edən çox güclü hücumçumuz var. O, ağır zədə alıb. Konfrans Liqasında çoxlu qollar vurmuşdu. Xırda detallar oyunun taleyini həll edəcək. Azərbaycan yığmasında “Qarabağ”da çıxış edən təcrübəli futbolçular var. Litvanı da unutmayaq. Gənc və uğura ac komandadır. Yaxşı məşqçilər heyəti var. Onu da deyim ki, Litva millisi oyunlara hazırlaşarkən mənim köməyimə ehtiyacları olmayacaq. Müasir dövrdə bütün oyunları izləmək olur. İki gərgin oyun bizi gözləyir.
– “Qəbələ”nin son dəqiqələrdə ləğv olunan qolu haqda nə düşünürsünüz?
– Bizim kameramızdan baxanda əllə oyun görünürdü. Lakin VAR da var. Onlar daha dəqiq qərar verə bilərlər. “Sumqayıt”la oyunda iki qolumuzu ləğv etmişdilər. Bu gün də bizim kameradan görünürdü ki, top ələ dəyib. Özüm VAR-ın azarkeşi deyiləm. Düzdür, bu oyun çox çətin idi. Son 10 dəqiqə rəqib daha üstün oynayırdı. Düşünürəm ki, əlavə 5-6 dəqiqə olsaydı, “Qəbələ” fərqlənə biləcəkdi. Ona görə bu səhvlərimizi təhlil edib, nəticə çıxarmalıyıq.
The Miami Dolphins are making a lot of roster moves this offseason already, with the release of four veterans on Monday, February 16th. Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, James Daniels, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are all now free agents.
This string of roster moves is just the beginning, as the Tua Tagovailoa decision is a massive one on the horizon for the Dolphins. But, with the moves they've made thus far, the Dolphins are saving a lot of cap space.
But, how much are they actually saving? According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins are reportedly set to save over $50 million in cap space and over $60 million in total money this offseason.
Dolphins already saving over $50M in cap after Hill, Chubb cuts
"Releasing Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, James Daniels, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine clears $66.98 million and over $56 million in 2026 cap space," Pelissero reports. "One or more could be held until March 11 for additional cap savings. Roster reset underway in Miami."
The release of these four veterans, including two multi-time Pro Bowlers in Hill and Chubb, will save the Dolphins $56 million in cap space for the upcoming 2026 season.
Not only are the Dolphins now cap compliant with these roster moves, but they will be capable of cutting Tagovailoa now without being significantly in the red.
Pelissero does mention the Dolphins can hold onto one of these players to save some extra cap space down the road, which could involve a post-June 1st designation.
Such a move would spread out the dead cap hit over two seasons, which would allow the Dolphins to save more money in the short term by borrowing from the future.
But, even without doing that, they're already saving $56 million in cap space for the 2026 season with these roster moves.
Jon-Eric Sullivan's roster transformation is underway, and he's not holding back from making tough decisions. Tagovailoa is next in line for his future to be decided, and based on these four cuts, Tagovailoa is not likely to return to the Dolphins in 2026.
More moves are coming for the Dolphins, and more cap savings might be on the horizon as well. It's going to be a busy offseason for Miami's front office, and they've already done four huge moves, saving $56 million in cap space for the 2026 NFL season.
Dan Barefoot’s first Olympic Games are officially in the books. While the Pennsylvania native’s racing time in Italy might be over, the memories are far from finished.
Even though Barefoot talked about the mental and physical toll the Olympics takes out of an individual, being an Olympian is still so surreal for him.
“It takes so much to just accept what’s going on,” he said. “I think that’s a lot of it. You just have to accept that you are at the Olympics. Everything that you’ve been dreaming about is here.”
For those unfamiliar with skeleton, it‘s easy to underestimate how long it takes to prepare equipment and how long athletes train every week. Additionally, most athletes have full-time jobs outside of training to be an Olympian.
The sled is one of the keys to success, and so are the mental reps.
“We only go down the track for one minute, but to get good at that, it takes hours and hours and hours of mentally doing it,” Barefoot said. “Like closing your eyes and pretending you’re doing it -- lying on a sled and watching YouTube videos from past races. Working on your equipment is way more time than a lot of people prefer, but I’m a hands-on kind of guy, and I like that kind of stuff.”
Barefoot was only expected to compete in the skeleton men’s singles competition, where he finished 20th in the world with a 3:49.86. But to his surprise, the day before the mixed skeleton competition, he found out he would be racing again.
On Sunday, he raced with Team USA teammate Kelly Curtis in the mixed doubles. Each athlete had one run, and both of their times were combined for an overall time for the mixed competition. The pair finished 10th out of 15 teams, with Curtis notching a 1:01.30 and Barefoot finishing with a 1:00.13.
Meeting Flavor Flav and other celebrities he’d grown up watching will always stick with Barefoot.
“We’re talking to celebrities, people that you watch growing up on TV and now they’re like dapping you up every time you see them,” he said. “And you’re like, ‘please no, I’m not worthy.’”
Even though it still sometimes feels like an out-of-body experience for Barefoot to be an Olympian living in the Olympic village, wearing Team USA special Olympic athlete gear, and walking in the Olympic Opening Ceremony, these will be moments he will never forget.
The Washington Commanders are in dire need of help at edge rusher this offseason. On Monday, another viable option became available when the Miami Dolphins released veteran Bradley Chubb.
Chubb, 29, turns 30 in June and is a former No. 5 overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent the first five seasons of his NFL career in Denver before he was traded to Miami in 2022. A two-time Pro Bowler, Chubb started all 17 games for the Dolphins in 2025, recording 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 20 quarterback hits. In the Week 11 game vs. Washington, Chubb was held without a sack matched up against Laremy Tunsil.
The Dolphins, who have a new GM and head coach, cut Chubb and other veterans as part of cost-cutting. Chubb is immediately eligible to sign with a new team now, weeks before free agency officially opens.
The Commanders will bring Dorance Armstrong and Javontae Jean-Baptiste back next season. Armstrong was having a career season before tearing his ACL in Week 7. Jean-Baptiste, more of a rotational piece, missed most of the season after tearing his pec in Week 4. Von Miller, who led Washington in sacks last season, is a free agent, as is Jacob Martin. Washington will likely target an edge rusher in free agency and in April's 2026 NFL Draft.
Sources: The #Dolphins and two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb are parting ways, making the 29-year-old a free agent.
In his two full seasons with the Dolphins (2023 & 2025), Chubb has 20 sacks, 8 FF, and 117 tackles. He should have a nice market. pic.twitter.com/u19NEaBZV9
In 2023, Chubb started 16 games for Miami, recording 73 tackles, including 11 for loss, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and 22 quarterback hits. He missed the 2024 season with a torn ACL.
In eight NFL seasons, Chubb has 48 sacks, 53 tackles for loss and 15 forced fumbles. He should have a strong market by being available before free agency begins.
Feb. 16—Lake Mills hosted the district wrestling tournament Saturday and continued their incredible season.
The Bulldogs won the team title with 211.5 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Central Springs who had 127.5.
Another exciting achievement for the team was tying a school record by qualifying seven individuals for state. Four wrestlers advanced by winning their respective weight class. Seniors Steve Brandenburg and Josiah Kjeldahl both pinned their way through their brackets. It will be Brandenburg's fourth trip to Des Moines and Kjeldahl's first.
Brandenburg also broke the school record for pins in a season. He started the day tied with Wyatt Hanna (2025) at 40 pins and had three on the day to push the new mark to 43.
Junior Caleb Skogen punched his first ticket to state with two wins that came down to the end. Mason Helgeson, a freshman, was the final champion.
Three Bulldogs advanced to state by placing second. Freshmen Micah Skogen and Carter Ham wrestled well to get in, and senior Royce Peterson claimed his second trip to state.
"What a tremendous day for our kids," said coach Alex Brandenburg. "In my 22 years as a head coach, I have not had a team wrestle as well at districts as today."
Seven state qualifiers ties a school record with squads from 1989 and 1998.
"I can't say enough good things about the kids on this team, as they have improved so much throughout the season," Brandenburg said. "To tie the school record and likely break the record if we didn't have a season ending injury, is an amazing accomplishment after losing nine seniors last year."
Team scores: Lake Mills 211.5, Central Springs 143.5, Emmetsburg 127.5, Sumner-Fredericksburg 123.5, Saint Ansgar 116, North Union 58.5, Northwood-Kensett 50, West Bend-Mallard 46.5, Newman 32, West Fork 22.
Other Lake Mills finishes: 3rd: Case Casperson (132), Luke Fjeld (175), Mason Gaetzke (190), Chis Bloedel (285); 4th: Lane Sprecher (165); Dnp: John Fjeld (144)
Major League Baseball was forever changed 50 years ago this month. That was when arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled in favor of pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally against the league. The two had played 1975 after refusing to sign contracts for their respective teams and the opportunity had finally arrived in full for the MLB Players Association to take down the reserve clause in full following years of pioneering efforts from the likes of Marvin Miller and Curt Flood.
The Seitz Decision killed that infamous clause and opened up new avenues for players to hit the open market after six or seven years of service time, depending on the circumstance. While the majority of owners griped and bemoaned the end of the spirit of the game (clearly just that and not their outright feudal control of the market), the avenue was open for teams to make big improvements by simply forking over some cold, hard cash. And no one was more prepared to do that than the New York Yankees and still-new owner George Steinbrenner.
Upon purchasing the Yankees from CBS for $8.7 million with his group of partners in 1973, Steinbrenner had told the press, “We plan absentee ownership as far as running the Yankees is concerned … We’re not going to pretend we’re something we’re not. I’ll stick to building ships.”
That promise hardly lasted through the first week of spring training. Indeed, it was soon obvious that Steinbrenner was willing to do just about anything to win, and as free agency became integrated within the sport, he proved to be quite ready to open up the checkbook. The Yankees often had well-paid stars, going back to the days of Babe Ruth making more more money than President Herbert Hoover and Joe DiMaggio becoming MLB’s first $100,000 player. But Steinbrenner’s near-relentless pursuit of top free agents—both the best players and ones who simply happened to be among the best available at the time—inextricably tied the Yankees to the whole process. Even in relative down years, they were always lurking like a tiger, seemingly ready to pounce at whichever opportunity most appealed to them at the time.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of free agency as we know it, we’re telling 50 different stories of notable Yankees free agent signings in chronological order, from those that were smash hits to ones that blew up in their faces. They are all parts of Yankees history, for better or for worse, and free agent busts can be more famous than most signings.
As a disclaimer, please know from the jump that we are not necessarily just looking at the smartest moves, the best bargains, or all of the richest contracts. Those are all separate categories. The screening process aimed to capture the Yankees free-agent signings that generated the most buzz at the time. So, for example, while the resurrection of 2011 Bartolo Colón was a smashing success on what was initially a minor-league deal, that will not qualify.
Extensions were also ineligible because those negotiations are naturally different than when the open market is a legitimate presence. If players became free agents and re-signed, however, then that entry would be under consideration. Trading for a big contract isn’t the same as a free-agent signing, so you won’t find the deal for Giancarlo Stanton here, nor the acqusition of Randy Johnson, who was quickly extended. The negotiations are just an entirely separate affair than free agency. Lastly, some players might have had multiple free-agent signings qualify, but to ensure variety, we only have major contract per player.
Enough with the methodology! It’s time to explore the actual stories. Beginning today, we’ll have a historic free agent signing to discuss almost every day until spring training begins, primarily posting on weekdays and skipping holidays. This intro will remain pinned to the front page and update with links to the new articles as they go up.
The Tyreek Hill era is over. In south Florida, at least.
The Miami Dolphins will reportedly release their WR1 after a tumultuous and often thrilling four years. He was a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs. Hill racked up more than 3,500 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023 to make Tua Tagavailoa a fantasy football hero and get the Dolphins back to the postseason. However, his efficiency dipped significantly in 2024. A modest bounce-back in 2025 was cut short by multiple torn ligaments in his left knee.
Hill is soon to be 32 years old, which isn't a great age to be as a speedster wideout. He also brings off-field baggage stemming from investigations into assaults and domestic violence across his college and professional careers. He'll undoubtedly draw interest in the free agent market -- Stefon Diggs just played a significant role for the AFC champions after a torn ACL suffered in his age 31 season after all -- but he won't be the prized playmaker he once was in Miami and Kansas City.
His yards before catch and average target distance in four healthy games last season paint him as a Pro Bowl-caliber deep threat depending on how he recovers from a catastrophic knee injury. Who could be interested in an accomplished veteran and potential Hall of Famer staving off diminishing returns on the field and legal drama off it?
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas will almost certainly make Fernando Mendoza the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. He'll have Brock Bowers at tight end and Ashton Jeanty at tailback, which is great. His top returning wideouts are Tre Tucker, Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech, which is not. Hill's downfield playmaking could create space for Bowers to keep thriving. Or he could merely be the recipient of Mendoza's absolute dots to the sideline on out routes. Either way, the Raiders need playmaking talent and partial team owner Tom Brady is plenty familiar with Hill's game.
2. New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook finished 2025 winging passes to Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III. Garrett Wilson's return from injury will help, but the league's third-worst passing offense badly needs reinforcements. Hill won't be at the top of embattled head coach Aaron Glenn's priority list -- he's got to figure out who'll be throwing the ball in northern New Jersey first -- but Hill's veteran presence and steady route-running could lessen the double-teams Wilson is certain to face and help unclog a stagnant offense.
3. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans traded away its deep flier at last fall's deadline when Rashid Shaheed earned a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks. While Chris Olave and Tyler Shough performed admirably without him, there's a need for receiving talent in head coach Kellen Moore's offense. Ideally that will come via young, inexpensive talent in the draft.
But general manager Mickey Loomis enjoys a big-name new arrival every spring despite limited cap space. In recent years that's brought Chase Young, Justin Reed, Brandin Cooks, Derek Carr and Tyrann Mathieu to varying degrees of success. A 32-year-old Hill fits in that group.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan has never been big on the deep ball, instead creating space for one of the NFL's most devastating run-after-catch offenses. But things may have to change in 2026 with George Kittle 32 years old (and coming off an Achilles tear), Jauan Jennings unlikely to return to the team in free agency and Brandon Aiyuk exiled from Santa Clara. The Niners have two quarterbacks who failed to crack the top 22 in deep ball rate last season, so bringing in a field-stretching presence like Hill, even as his yards after catch numbers are dropping, could make sense for a team in need of receiving depth.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce may have priced himself out of Indiana after a stellar 2025; the Colts have middle-of-the-road salary cap space and much of that will be tied up in re-signing Daniel Jones after his revelatory comeback campaign. Hill could be a cheaper option and, thanks to Indianapolis' receiving depth, one whose waning effectiveness could be well camouflaged thanks to the presence of Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren. Hill lacks the size and effectiveness of Pierce, but his ability to consume safeties' attention would continue to make Jones' life easy in his new home.
CENTERVILLE — The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont wrestling team allowed themselves a little time to enjoy the accomplishment of winning the Class 2A state dual championship.
"We were riding high for a couple of days," EBF junior Gage Spurgeon said. "As soon as it was time to lock in for districts, we got down off that high pretty quickly and started to work towards the next big thing."
It was anything but an emotional letdown for the Rockets on Saturday in the Class 2A, District 3. EBF qualified 11 of their 14 wrestlers for the Iowa High School Boys State Wrestling Tournament, walking out of Lakeview Gymnasium with the district championship banner racking up 254.5 points nearly doubling the 132-point total of district runner-up Fort Madison.
"It's hard to get off that high of winning a state championship together," EBF sophomore Slater Thomas said. "It was a really big accomplishment that we've been working for ever since we lost in the regional duals last year. We got off that high and got focused. We know our job's still not finished. We still have some unfinished business at state."
Thomas, Simon Bettis and Landen Davis will all return to compete at state after falling in state championship matches last year. Davis, who has not lost since last year's state final, improved to 37-0 on his senior season pinning PCM freshman Jared Sutton in the opening period of the 140-pound final while Thomas improved to 41-4 on his sophomore season shutting out fellow state qualifier Matt Genobana of Centerville for a 10-0 majority decision in the 126-pound district title match.
"I felt like wrestled really good and stayed really composed," Thomas said. "The biggest thing I learned from last season is that there is always someone that's willing to work just as hard as you. You need to remember that to push yourself past your limit every time you can."
Bettis, who like Thomas competed for a state title last year as a freshman, was nearly derailed at winning a district title on Saturday with a knee injury that cost the EBF sophomore time on the mat this season. Bettis went down early holding his knee early in the 120-pound district final with Fort Madison sophomore James Fuller and appeared in danger of having to forfeit the match.
"I was pretty scared in that moment," Bettis said. "Luckily, the pain started to ease up and the adrenaline of it getting a little rough made me want to get back into it."
Bettis not only got back up and on the mat, but dominated Fuller to secure the third of EBF's seven straight wins in district finals. Two takedowns and a nearly fall in the final 77 seconds of the opening period gave Bettis a 10-2 lead before three more takedowns over the next two periods clinched a 19-4 tech fall over Fuller secured with 23 seconds left in the match.
"I was out for blood. (Fuller) was clearly pulling on my knees when he knew I was out earlier this season," Bettis said. "I was pretty fired up. It's been doing a lot better as of late. I know I'm going to be good for state, but anytime I get in those positions, I've just got to be safe and got to be careful."
Spurgeon, a state champion as a freshman two years ago and a third-place medalist last year as a sophomore, improved to 51-0 on his junior season by rolling to the 132-pound title. The Most Valuable Wrestler of last week's state duals pinned his way into the finals before winning a 17-4 major decision over PCM state qualifer Kaliber Fry.
"I like to move up in weight every year that I wrestle, so that's been my goal all along to go after the 120-pound state title this year," Spurgeon said. "It feels good to get back to state, but it will feel even better if I can help us bring home another state championship banner."
Keller Little earned his first district title in his first district tournament, improving to 37-5 by pinning Clarke senior Angel Gomez-Perez in the opening period of the 106-pound final. Garrett Pumphrey earned a 113-pound district title for EBF, returning to state with an 11-9 win over Fairfield senior Cael McCabe scoring a takedown with 23 seconds left after McCabe scored a pair of nearfalls in the final minute to erase a 9-0 deficit.
"I was chasing it. I was feeling good and I just wanted a little more," Pumphrey said. "I was happy overall with how I wrestled. I just went for too much late in the match and almost got caught. I just tried to fight hard to get out of bounds and got out of that pinning combination."
Kaden Kirkpatrick (138) and Corbyn Padgett (285) also picked up district championships for the Rockets while Zane Mullenix (157), Tatian Freeman (175) and Logan Gardner (190) wrestled their way back from earlier losses to secure state berths. With 11 wrestlers representing the team next week, EBF has the depth to go after the program's second traditional state tournament title as a team after finishing second to Burlington-Notre Dame in the championship race last season.
"I sent out a photo to all of our wrestlers of last year's second-place trophy as a little extra motivation going into districts," EBF head wrestling coach Dimitri Boyer said. "I'm not sure we've ever had this many boys competing in one state tournament. It's pretty big for us and something I'm really proud of. Everyone's ready for the next step."
Who was the Milwaukee area's top prep athlete last week? You tell us.
You can vote for the Piggly Wiggly Milwaukee Journal Sentinel high school athlete of the week until 3 p.m. Feb. 21. You don't have to be a subscriber to vote. Votes are limited to one per hour per device.
Here are this week's nominees. If the poll does not display, refresh your browser.
Declan Foy, Marquette boys swimming and diving
The junior won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events while contributing to winning 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams at the Muskego Sectional on Feb. 14, earning WIAA state qualifications in all four events.
Casen Piotrowski, Germantown boys swimming and diving
The freshman earned a WIAA state qualification with his dive event score of 393.10 at the Waukesha South Sectional, good for second in the event.
Alijah Thames-Martin, Brown Deer/Messmer/Shorewood boys wrestling
The boys co-op will send seven grapplers to the WIAA individual state wrestling tournament in Madison, including senior Alijah Thames-Martin for the first time in his career. Thames-Martin captured his first sectional title at 165 pounds on Feb. 14 with a fall victory and two majority decision wins, including in the final with a 14-2 victory over Nicolet's Cameron Berry-Stricklen.
Riley Ward, Whitnall girls basketball
The senior was excellent in both of Whitnall's dominant victories over Shorewood and Cudahy this past week. On Feb. 10 against Shorewood, Ward almost outscored the Greyhounds on her own with a 29-point, five-assist outing in a 74-29 victory for the Falcons. Two nights later against Cudahy, Ward scored 32 points on 10-of-13 shooting and six 3-pointers.
Jackson Zolper, New Berlin West/Eisenhower boys wrestling
The junior pinned all three of his opponents at the Greenfield Sectional on Feb. 14 to win the 285-pound weight class and earn his first WIAA state individual wrestling qualification.
With the fresh fantasy baseball season approaching, it’s time to get you some tiered rankings from my Shuffle Up series. Use these for auction drafts, straight drafts, keeper decisions or merely a view of how the position ebbs and flows. We started last week with infield spots, and today we complete them with the shortstop position. The outfield and the pitching spots will follow later this week.
The numbers are unscientific in nature and meant to reflect where talent clusters and drops off. Assume a 5x5 scoring system, as usual.
In what can fairly be termed an off year, Witt still led the majors in hits and doubles and was the seventh-most valuable hitter for 5x5 leagues. The Kansas City lineup has an upgraded feel to it, with eight of its primary starters expected to be league average or better. Witt likely hasn’t peaked yet, about to enter his age-26 season.
De La Cruz has trimmed his strikeouts significantly the last two seasons and he’s no longer a batting average risk. And when you combine his speed with his average exit velocity, we can confidently project him to have a high BABIP yearly. De La Cruz had a strange powerless stretch last year, going 74 games with just one homer, and it’s possible he might eventually move off shortstop. But I still want to be proactive to his case, knowing we haven’t seen his peak yet.
Neto won’t be a screaming bargain, but he’s likely undervalued simply because he missed 36 games last year and it slightly muted his counting stats. Neto has improved his average every season and already has the category juice you demand in the early rounds. Even with a pedestrian Anaheim lineup supporting him, I’ll consider Neto in the second round and pounce on him in the third. You want players on the escalator, and Neto steps into his age-25 season.
I had to regretfully move Lindor down after we learned he needed hamate bone surgery. I’m not going to play the injury optimism game, especially for someone reading for his age-32 season.
Legitimate Building Blocks
$25 Geraldo Perdomo
$24 Corey Seager
$23 Jeremy Peña
$22 Bo Bichette
$22 Maikel Garcia
$20 CJ Abrams
Peña grew into a star last year but he’s still underpriced, perhaps because a month on the injured list muted his final counting stats. Take advantage of the price this one last time. He’s expected to bat leadoff in Houston, which is good for the volume. And he’s right in the middle of his peak years.
It hurt me to fade Seager, one of the best hitters in baseball. Seager’s plate discipline is so perfect that there’s a popular zone-judgment metric that’s named after him. But the reality is that Seager has played just one full season out of the last seven (ignoring the 2020 truncated year) and that’s not a trend to swim against as he turns 32. Seager’s average has dropped into the .270s the last two years and he’s never been interested in stealing bases. I’ll stay open-minded if his price slips in my rooms, but I can’t consider him at current ADP.
Perdomo was the No. 11 player in 5x5 value last year but his ADP is nowhere near that for the fresh season. This presents an attractive “regress and win” opportunity where Perdomo can actually give back a significant amount of last year’s stats and still be a fantasy profit. Perdomo is a high-percentage base-stealer and entering his age-26 season, so I’m not worried about that column. And he’s the rare player who had more walks than strikeouts last year, and those players are always attractive targets. Maybe the 20 homers won’t come back, but there’s enough broad profile here to make Perdomo a cornerstone player.
Talk Them Up, Talk Them Down
$19 Willy Adames
$18 Trevor Story
$16 Dansby Swanson
$15 Xavier Edwards
$14 Jacob Wilson
$13 Masyn Winn
$13 Colson Montgomery
$12 Brendan Donovan
Adames was a screaming fade last year after changing teams on a big contract and heading to a roomy park, but that angle only worked for the first half. He conked 18 homers and slugged .494 in the second half, and he even picked up his running. He might be a shade past his peak into an age-30 season, but so long as you’ve assembled batting average elsewhere, I could sign off on Adames around his Yahoo ADP of 106.3.
Wilson’s profile is filled with some interesting contradictions. He’s the hardest player to strike out in the AL but he actually has a poor chase rate and a low walk rate, too. His contact metrics were also low, which is why his Savant page suggests a .277 average last year, not the .311 number he finished with. But if you pick Wilson you’re betting on the Sacramento park (great for offense) and Wilson’s pedigree (he was the sixth overall pick in 2023 and zoomed through the minors). He’s capable of stealing 10-12 bases, too, like any front-9 ballplayer is.
Some Plausible Upside
$11 Ezequiel Tovar
$11 Bryson Stott
$11 JJ Wetherholt
$10 Otto Lopez
$8 José Caballero
$8 Xander Bogaerts
$7 Jackson Holliday
$7 Jake Cronenworth
$6 Ernie Clement
$6 Carlos Correa
$5 Konnor Griffin
Holliday gave us category juice and a trimmed strikeout rate last year, but he needed hand surgery in mid-February and should open the year on the injured list. This is the type of news that could wreck a season, because we can’t expect Holliday to be sharp — and ready to run — the moment he comes off the injured list. Ultimately, the conclusion is the same as with Lindor — don’t be the injury optimist in your pool.
The Red Sox take a lot of heat for money not spent, but they were lucky when Bogaerts walked after the 2022 season. The X-Man hasn’t even been a league-average hitter the last two years. It’s a good thing he’s running, because he’s below code in every other column we use for scoring. The Padres are on the hook for eight more years.
BLOOMFIELD — For a team that has overcome a 24-point halftime deficit this season, three points with four minutes left seemed pretty simple.
The Davis County girls basketball team simply believes that things will turn out well in the end. That belief has carried the Mustangs to the most single-season wins in over two decades.
On Saturday, it helped carry Davis County to a 46-38 win over South Central Conference rival Centerville in the Class 3A, Region 6 quarterfinals. The Mustangs scored 11 unanswered points late in the game, holding the Redettes scoreless for over four minutes after a five-point possession had given Centerville a 36-33 fourth-quarter lead showcasing the same resiliency that rallied Davis County to an overtime road win at Albia in a game the Mustangs trailed 27-3 after two quarters.
"It was just a matter of playing our game and playing with the same confidence that we always do," Husted said. "Coming out in that fourth quarter, we had to come out strong. We were able to execute that and play with confidence."
Husted led Davis County with a double-double, scoring a team-high 16 points including 10 in the first half while hauling in a game-high 10 rebounds. The Redettes held the Mustang senior to just two field goals in the second half, including a 3-point play with under five minutes left that put Davis County on top 33-31.
Centerville, just eight days removed from pulling off a 53-41 win over the Mustangs in Bloomfield as part of a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season, answered back as Erin Shinn connected on a go-ahead 3-pointer on the next possession for the Redettes while Payley Poe was whistled for fouling Addison Drew, leading to a pair of free throws with 4:24 left that gave Centerville their late lead.
"We played hard and gave a good effort," Centerville head girls basketball coach Nic Belloma said. "Once we got the lead, that led to the defining stretch of the game."
That stretch began with a clutch 3-pointer by Hayden Humphrey on just the second shot attempt of the game for the Mustang senior, tying that game at 36-36 with just over four minutes to go. Davis County's defense ultimately made the plays that provided the Mustangs with the postseason win, including consecutive steals by Paylin Lawson and Culee Smith that led to the next four points that put Davis County on top for good.
"We just had a few too many turnovers that were kind of uncharacteristic for us," Belloma said. "They weren't really forced turnovers. We just couldn't completely prepare for their length. When they got into that 1-2-2 defense. We knew they played 2-3 a couple of other times, but that 1-2-2 is their base defense. You get Husted and (Nadia) Zmolek down there with their long arms, it causes problems."
Davis County's defense forced Centerville into 22 turnovers, including 12 steals from six different players led by Lawson's three steals. Zmolek and Husted, meanwhile, combined to swat away five shots when the Redettes tried to take the ball to the basket.
"We flustered them enough to keep them from getting a few extra points here or there," Davis County head girls basketball coach Matt Zeitler said. "We took away their two players in the post (Payden Hoffman and Kelsie Taylor) and forced their girls at the top of the triangle to shoot. Our game plan was to stop Addison Tuttle after she scored 25 points against us last week."
Tuttle finished with 16 points to lead Centerville, scoring seven on two plays alone connecting a 3-pointer from the corner while being fouled cutting an 18-10 Davis County lead in half late in the first half before driving in for a basket on a fastbreak while being fouled in the third quarter to help rally the Redettes from a 10-point deficit.
"Our kids fought hard to win 15 games this season," Belloma said. "It's just the leadership of our kids. They've learned how to take on those roles and how to spread the ball around. We won 15 games and could have had a few more, plus we have everyone back next season."
Ultimately, Davis County's experience came through frustrating Centerville in the final four minutes to secure the rubber match with the Redettes after winning the first of the three meetings between the teams at Centerville last month. Smith finished with nine points, seven rebounds and three steals scoring five of Davis County's final eight points in the contest as five Mustang seniors combined to score 32 of Davis County's 46 points.
"Basketball is a game of momentum, so you just have to ride it out when things aren't going your way," Smith said. "Our team has been really good about working our way through those rough patches. We're good at wiping the slate clean. We've done that in several scenarios just like we did in this game when Centerville made that comeback."
While Centerville ends the season with a record of 15-7, Davis County (16-5) will face a stiff road test in Wednesday's 3A regional semifinal. The Mustangs travel to eighth-ranked Mediapolis, who improved to 22-0 on the season with a 70-40 win over Central Lee on Saturday.
"We've just got to leave all out there on the court on Wednesday night," Smith said. "We're all on the same page there."
The U.S. women’s hockey team is officially one period away from a gold-medal showdown in Milan. While their run has been anchored by a historic defense that has allowed only one goal all tournament, the second period of Monday's semifinal proved the Americans have plenty of offensive firepower to spare.
After a tight first period, the U.S. blew the game open with four goals in the second frame, chasing Swedish goaltender Ebba Svensson Traff and taking a 5-0 lead into the final intermission.
The U.S. has outscored opponents 31-1 so far this tournament and is 20 minutes away from its fifth consecutive shutout. Goals from Abbey Murphy, Hayley Scamurra and Laila Edwards in rapid pace made the game a blowout in the middle frame.
Here's a full look at the box score from Monday's semifinal game between the United States and Sweden.
Woking Gymnastics Club has been named Community Club of the Year [Getty Images]
Woking Gymnastics Club has won a national prize at the British Gymnastics Awards.
The 2026 Community Club of the Year award recognises not only gymnastics but the way the club uses sport to create a long-term impact for the wider community.
Chief executive Andrew Challis said most of the club's more than 1,000 members were in its recreational programme.
Challis told BBC Radio Surrey young members want to come along, have some fun and see if they like gymnastics probably making the club "the largest youth organisation in the Woking area".
Challis said the award was open to every club in the UK, describing Woking's win as a "huge testament to the work and everything we try to do at the club".
Many children join from preschool age and remain for years. He said the club's leading gymnast, Jamie Lewis, "joined us at four" and is now the senior British men's champion.
The award also highlights the club's growth, rising from 482 members in 2021 to 840 in 2025.
Challis said inclusivity was central to the club, noting one coach won the National Inclusion Award for working with children with special educational needs last year.
The club said its additional needs classes were not a bolt-on programme but were central to who they are.
Challis said Woking Gymnastic is "a fairly large local employer...we have about 50 55 staff. A lot of them are young people" providing a first introduction to the workplace."
With demand continuing to rise and a waiting list of more than 100 gymnasts, the club is considering expanding its facilities.
While his pop-event for his 741 brand did not go as planned thanks to the intervention of the Beverley Hills Police Department, star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown played well in his two mini-tilts played for Team Stripes in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
In the first of the two tilts, Brown's 11 points, 3 rebounds, and a block helped to power his squad to a 42-40 victory over Team Stars. In the second of the three mini-games, Brown may not have scored, but his assist, steal, and 2 blocks helped to put Team Stripes over Team World with a 48-45 victory.
The folks behind the official "Boston Celtics" YouTube channel put together a clip of the best of Brown's play in both games. Check it out below!
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The world of curling has spent decades trying to figure out a way to raise its profile beyond the “once-every-four-years” curiosity it becomes during the Winter Olympics.
Turns out, all it took was a graze of a finger on a 40ish-pound piece of granite, an allegation caught on camera followed by an impassioned expletive-laden response.
Social media and the white-hot spotlight that only the Games provide did the rest.
The animated back-and-forth between Sweden's Oskar Eriksson and Canada’s Marc Kennedy during a match Saturday night — when Eriksson accused Kennedy of an illegal “double touch” — managed to do in a handful of seconds what years of promotion by those within the sport that looks like a combination of shuffleboard, chess and vacuuming the living room could not: cut through the noise to push it to the front of the line, ahead of the skiers and skaters and snowboarders that typically dominate the conversation whenever the Games roll around.
Alina Paetz watched the proof unfold in real time. The longtime Swiss curler was scrolling on her phone over the weekend when she ran across a headline about it from celebrity-focused “People" magazine, not exactly considered a go-to for all things curling.
“That's pretty new,” Paetz said.
A lot of this kind of is.
There is no such thing as bad publicity
Here is the delicate part for those within a sport that dates back centuries and is steadily cultivating a larger fanbase. Does it matter that the gateway for many into curling is two guys snapping at each other and not an exquisite takeout or a dramatic hammer that decides a match?
“I think that for curling, to grow the sport, publicity is good,” said Canadian Emma Miskew, a three-time world champion whose own skip — Rachel Homan — was accused of the same “double touch” violation as Kennedy. “But in this situation, it just was a little blown up. It was a little too far.”
On that, Mishew is right. The conversation grew so intense online that Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, told The Associated Press there have been “disgusting” emails directed toward family members of the Canadian team.
“That’s where it’s going to stop, right? We keep it on the ice,” Thiessen said. “If you want to hate our teams, that’s your right as a sports fan.”
Thiessen, however, also recognizes the opportunity all this has provided. The pushback by self-appointed curling experts — many of whom likely didn't know the hog line even existed until a few days ago — is tough to stomach. At the same time, curling has never been such a prominent part of the Olympic conversation.
“It's both sides of it, right?” he said. “You get the people reaching out that are really upset about the rules infraction. And then you get the people that are reaching out about the drama between the two teams.”
That second part is not nothing. There are many paths to fandom. Almost all of them have the same starting point: exposure. This time, the exposure seems to be wrapped up in what could best be described as Olympic catnip.
The fact that the teams at the Cortina Curling Center compete under the flag of the country they represent means there are built-in allegiances. Throw in a sport whose nuances are largely a mystery, mic up the athletes to provide an intimate glimpse, put national pride on the line in the form of Olympic medals and you've got all the ingredients necessary to get a foot in the door.
“I think that there’s value in creating people watching curling, people getting interested in curling,” said Kristian Heldin Lindstrom, manager of Sweden's women's Olympic team. “And if you start watching it, maybe you’re going to keep watching it because it is a very interesting sport, there is a lot of complexity to it.”
Eyeing the future
Nic Sulsky is kind of banking on it. The CEO of The Curling Group acquired the rights to the Grand Slam of Curling in 2024 in hopes of creating a sustainable professional league.
The organization pointed to the spring of 2026 as a potential launch date from the second it took over the Grand Slam. The Rock League will kick off with a one-week event in Toronto in April, when six teams of 10 curlers (five men and five women) will face off.
The calculus was easy. Sulsky, a Montreal native whose background is in gambling ventures, knew there would be a spike in interest in curling once the Olympics began, just like there always is.
The sport's ubiquity during the Games — the competition actually began two days before the opening ceremony and will wrap up with the women's gold-medal match just hours before the closing ceremony starts — combined with its relatability as one of the few Winter Olympic disciplines where danger isn't imminent, makes it a fun hang.
Sulsky felt April would be a chance to strike while the rock is hot. He just didn't envision it being quite this hot or being talked about in quite this way.
“Would we have all preferred if the world fell in love with curling because of an incredible curling shot? Sure," Sulsky told The AP. “But what do fans love more than anything else? They love personality, they love stars.”
And there was a realness in the exchange between Ericksson and Kennedy that wouldn't have been out of place on a soccer pitch or a hockey rink.
“All this has done is just shine a light on how competitive, how emotional and how interesting these athletes are,” he said.
The reality is, Ericksson and Kennedy's spat isn't that uncommon, particularly when it comes to double-touching.
The rule that bars those curling the stone from touching it with their fingers once they release it can be difficult to police. There's typically an honors system involved. There is no official video replay available to sort it out, leaving it up to the officials or the competitors themselves. It can lead to messily authentic moments like the one that went viral on Saturday night.
Given the massive stir it has created, maybe Kennedy and Ericksson were on to something.
Asked if this means curling could one day borrow a page from professional wrestling and give competitors microphones where they can cut promos before and after matches to create storylines in hopes of keeping a foothold in the public consciousness, Paetz laughed.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Who knows how it looks in five years? I think maybe it just stays the way it is right now."
And that might be more than enough.
___
Associated Press writer Julia Frankel contributed to this report.
Real Madrid youngster has an outside chance of playing for Spain in World Cup
Gonzalo Garcia has been quite the find for Real Madrid this season, especially after his breakthrough at the FIFA Club World Cup.
While the Spaniard’s first half of the season was far from ideal, under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa has worked wonders for the player.
While Kylian Mbappe still remains the undisputed number nine for Real Madrid, Garcia has emerged as an intriguing alternative, who has been racking up the minutes since the turn of the year, even earning praise for his qualities.
An outside chance at the World Cup?
As reported by Diario AS, there is still an outside chance for Garcia to be selected into the Spanish team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lacks a definitive candidate for the centre-forward role, as current options like Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres are not natural strikers.
Can Garcia sneak into the Spain team for the upcoming World Cup? (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The leading candidate, Samu Omorodion, has been ruled out of the tournament following a devastating cruciate ligament tear.
This injury has left the search for a traditional number nine more open than ever, giving Gonzalo a genuine outside chance if his clinical form continues.
The numbers behind Gonzalo’s rise are increasingly difficult for both club and country to ignore. He has already been involved in eight goals – six goals and two assists – across 950 minutes of action this season.
This equates to a goal involvement every 119 minutes, proving he can deliver significant output with limited opportunities.
This is a quality that often becomes useful at a stage like the World Cup, as evidenced by the success of a certain Mirsolav Klose.
Puyol, Pique and Liverpool superstar: Barcelona defender names his role models
In about a year and a half, Pau Cubarsi has established himself as one of Barcelona’s defensive gems.
At the age of just 19, the Spaniard is now a key component in Hansi Flick’s defensive setup, having already racked up over 100 competitive appearances for the club. He now ranks among one of the most valued defenders in the world.
The youngster has impressed onlookers with his calmness and ability to operate in a high defensive backline, which is why it came as no surprise when the player revealed his role models in a recent interaction.
Who are Cubarsi’s role models?
Indeed, Cubarsi, in a recent interview with L’Equipe (h/t AS), has revealed that he has long followed the gameplay of two of Barcelona’s most prominent defenders in the 21st century in the form of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.
“My references have always been Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. With Puyol, I mostly watched highlights. I tried to draw inspiration from his character and the way he led the team,” he said.
With a combined total of more than 1,200 appearances for Barcelona, Puyol and Pique, have indeed been critical to Barcelona’s success since the dawn of the new century.
Pique is one of Cubarsi’s biggest role models. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Cubarsi added that Pique, in particular, has helped him learn more about ball progression and positioning.
“From Pique, who I had the chance to watch play, I tried to learn his ball progression and positioning. That really helped me become the player I am today,” he said.
In addition to Puyol and Piqué, though, Cubarsi revealed that Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk is also one of his role models.
The Barcelona defender added that he admires van Dijk because of his composure, leadership and ability to circulate the possession from the back.
“I really like Van Dijk, a benchmark for his composure, leadership, and the way he builds from the back,” he concluded.
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl confirmed interest in signing Jérémy Jacquet
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed the German club’s interest in signing Stade Rennais player Jérémy Jacquet (20) during the winter transfer window.
“Jérémy Jacquet, from Stade Rennais, would have been an excellent player for us. But when you see that he is going to Liverpool at the age of 20 for €70 million, you have to think about what is best for Bayern Munich,” explained the 52-year-old executive in an interview with Sport1.
So, while unable to secure the services of the promising French centre-back, who will join the reigning English champions at the end of the season, the Rekordmeister have finally managed to extend the contract of his compatriot Dayot Upamecano (27). A real victory for Eberl.
“He knows the club, he’s in top form and he’s one of the best centre-backs in the world,” he summarised. “From a sporting and financial point of view, it’s the right decision. That’s why I’m talking about an ‘internal transfer’.”
Previously contracted to Bayern Munich until June 2026, Upamecano has signed a new deal extending his stay until 2030.
F1 testing wrapped up its first week in Bahrain on Thursday with a whole lot of data and very few answers. The good news? Week 2 kicks off on Wednesday, and this time you can actually watch it.
Unlike the first F1 test — where only the final hour of each day was broadcast — the second session, running February 18-20, will be shown live in full on F1 TV in the United States. For fans in the Eastern time zone, sessions run from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET. Early alarms, yes. But worth it.
If you thought three days of running at the Bahrain International Circuit would sort out who has the fastest car, think again. Teams spent the week pointing fingers at each other, and no team was willing to claim it had the edge.
Ask Mercedes who’s quickest, and they’ll tell you it’s Red Bull. Ask Red Bull, and they say they’re fourth. Ferrari points to Red Bull and Mercedes. And McLaren — the defending constructors’ champions — insists all three of those teams are ahead of them.
Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen put it bluntly. The competitive picture has shifted almost daily. “If you’d asked me that in Barcelona, I would’ve probably said Mercedes is head and shoulders above the rest,” he said. “If you’d asked me on Wednesday, I would probably have said Red Bull is the benchmark. If you’d asked me yesterday, I would’ve said, ‘Wow, you want to see Ferrari’s long run.'”
That kind of volatility is rare. And it comes down to the single biggest storyline of 2026 testing so far: energy management.
What Is Energy Management and Why Should You Care?
The new 2026 power units produce three times as much electrical power as their predecessors. Sounds great. But there’s a catch: the batteries drain fast. Really fast.
Williams team principal James Vowles offered the simplest explanation anyone has heard heading into the second incarnation of F1 testing in Bahrain.
“Think about it this way,” Vowles said. “In one braking zone, you can nearly fill the battery up, but in half a straight, you can deplete the entire battery.”
That tradeoff is rewriting how drivers approach every corner. Sometimes it makes more sense to lift off the throttle in a fast turn, save the energy, and blast it down the next straight. Teams that figure out the best balance between harvesting energy in corners and deploying it on straights are going to have a massive advantage. Nobody’s cracked the code yet. That’s what Week 2 is for.
Fernando Alonso believes the requirement for extensive energy management in F1 2026 could take “some of the joy” away from driving.https://t.co/MVIAGQ0XYF
George Russell said the Red Bull Ford power unit’s deployment advantage over its rivals could be worth half a second to a full second per lap, calling the gap “pretty scary to see.”
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache disagreed.
“We are not the benchmark, for sure,” he said, placing Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren all ahead of Red Bull in his own team’s internal analysis.
Somebody’s sandbagging. Probably everybody.
Verstappen vs. Norris: The Driver Debate
The new regs haven’t just confused the competitive picture. They’ve split the drivers right down the middle.
Max Verstappen didn’t mince words after his first week with the new units during the F1 testing. “A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things,” he said. “For me, that’s just not Formula 1.”
He compared the experience unfavorably to Formula E, the all-electric racing series, calling the 2026 cars something like a juiced-up version of that format. The driving demands have changed dramatically; some drivers are reaching for first gear through corners that used to be taken in third, just to keep the turbo spooling and the battery charging.
Fernando Alonso, who has raced at this track since 2004, noted that Bahrain’s famous high-speed Turn 12 has been fundamentally altered. Speeds have dropped to roughly 38 miles per hour because it simply doesn’t pay to push through it anymore. “Even our chef can drive the car in Turn 12 at that speed,” he joked.
Lando Norris took a different view entirely.
“It’s a challenge but it’s a good fun challenge for the engineers, for the drivers,” Norris said. “You still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun. So, no, nothing to complain about.”
Safety Questions Loom Large
Credit: F1
Beyond the driver complaints, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella raised issues that could demand rule changes before the March 6 season opener in Australia.
Race starts have become a serious concern during F1 testing in 2026. The new power units lack a component called the MGU-H, which previously helped spool the turbocharger for clean getaways. Now drivers need to rev the engine hard for more than 10 seconds before the start, and there’s a real worry that cars at the back of the grid won’t have enough time under the current start procedure to get their turbos ready.
“We need to make sure that the race start procedure allows all cars to have the power unit ready to go,” Stella said, “because the grid is not the place in which you want to have cars slow in taking off.”
Stella also flagged potential dangers from cars lifting and coasting along straights to harvest energy, which could create closing-speed differentials and lead to collisions. The F1 Commission is expected to discuss these issues at its meeting on Wednesday during Week 2 of F1 testing.
Who Needs a Big Week at F1 Testing?
Aston Martin enters the second test in rough shape. They managed just 206 laps during Week 1 — the lowest of any team — after being plagued by reliability problems. Lance Stroll publicly admitted the car was four and a half seconds off the pace of the frontrunners, and Fernando Alonso acknowledged the team must “walk before we run.” For Week 2, Aston Martin is the only squad skipping the harder C1 and C2 tyre compounds entirely, loading up on 20 sets of the softer C3 as they scramble for data and development mileage.
Kimi Antonelli needs a rebound too. The young Mercedes driver managed just 94 laps across the three days — fewest of any driver — due to reliability headaches. “It is much better to have these issues now,” he said, “rather than them happening during race weekends.”
On the flip side, Cadillac — the newest team on the grid and the first American constructor in decades — had an encouraging debut. They banked over 1,700 km across the three days, completed race simulations with both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, and showed the kind of operational smoothness you wouldn’t expect from a brand-new outfit.
The Bottom Line
Week 2 is when testing gets real. Teams will push harder, reveal more, and start to show their actual pace ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on March 6. The politics around Mercedes’ engine compression ratio controversy, the safety concerns about starts and overtaking, the massive unknowns around energy management: it all comes to a head this week.
Volunteers and students waved the Trinidad and Tobago and Yorkshire flag side by side [BBC]
At a North Yorkshire garden centre, volunteers and students huddled around a television to offer their unlikely backing to a bobsleigh team as the competitors took their place in the Winter Olympics.
Rather the the red, white and blue of the Team GB's Union flag, these fans proudly waved the black, red and white of Caribbean nation Trinidad and Tobago.
The pilot of the sled in question, rushing 1,745m around the Cortina D'Ampezzo track, was Axel Brown, a local athlete who supports the Harrogate-based charity Horticap
Brown, who races for his mother's home country, had previously said his plan for the Olympics was "Operation Don't Come Last".
Horticap, which organised the watch party, teaches disabled adults outdoor skills and horticulture at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries.
Brown's mother volunteers at the garden centre and the athlete has always got stuck in to support the cause - including walking through the town dressed as an elf.
At the front, Axel Brown, from Harrogate, competes in the two-man bobsleigh event for Trinidad and Tobago [Getty Images]
Operations manager Phil Airey said: "He's done crazy things for us, he loves coming up, he loves our students.
"Trinidad is a long way away and Italy is a long way away, but this guy from Yorkshire, from Harrogate, is our friend and having somebody that they know in the Olympics, it's just very exciting for them."
Ahead of the run, the Airey said the group hoped for a good result and for Brown's wish not to come last to come true - but that they would be proud of him, no matter what happened..
"I couldn't care less where he comes, it would be just great to see him there and then hopefully when he comes back he's going to be bringing the bobsleigh up here for our students to see," he added.
Phil Airey organised the watch party to cheer on friend and supporter Axel Brown [BBC]
Instructor Erica Ward said the team had been following Brown's journey for a while and the students were "inspired and excited" by his story.
"The lead up to any event like this is such a great thing for the students, it has such an impact on them," she said.
"They can see that people can do all these amazingly different things, it's a great opportunity for them to see what's going on."
Ward added the athlete was part of the family and they were fully behind him and the Trinidad and Tobago team as well as Team GB.
"We've got both camps and we're happy to support them both!" she laughed.
Students cheered after hearing the results of Brown's bobsleigh run [BBC]
Joe Burrow’s future with the Cincinnati Bengals became a popular topic during the 2025 NFL season. The star quarterback. Back in December, he sounded like somebody tired of losing and seeing his team’s front office not do anything to change the situation.
Ever since that moment, his future has been subject to speculation. The former No. 1 overall pick would be a sought-after player if he asked out of Cincinnati, but that might not be happening right now.
However, TV personality and Bengals superfan Nick Lackey joined the “Fitz and Whit” podcast, where he said the team must do something big if it wants to keep Burrow on the roster.
“Unless something changes, and changes in a big way, I don’t think it’s a strong chance, ’cause I think he’s the kind of guy who is the ultimate competitor,” Lachey said. “And Whit, you told me this about him before. He wants to win. Period. I think he would love to win there. I think he would love to finish what he started there. We saw the cracks in the foundation a little bit this year, and he did a good job backpedaling out of it.
“The guy wants to win, and if he doesn’t think it can happen there, then at some point he’s gonna get frustrated to the point of having to throw down an ultimatum.”
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces between plays in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
Joe Burrow didn’t have the best 2025 season, despite a promising 2-0 start. A toe injury limited him to eight games. He went 173 of 259 for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns. Once he returned, the Bengals were in a complex position and couldn’t challenge for a playoff spot.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Back in December, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Burrow and the Bengals weren’t precisely on the best of terms.
“Does that mean he’s thrilled with everything inside the Bengals’ building? No. People close to him have made it clear that certain parts of the Bengals’ operation, with the smallest coaching and scouting staffs in the league, have previously frustrated him,” Russini wrote.
Ja’Marr Chase explained the front office knows what the team needs to be competitive again. Time will tell if they do what they need to make a splash in the AFC.
Guard depth has been an issue for the Philadelphia 76ers all season really, but especially since the trade deadline when they moved both Jared McCain and Eric Gordon and didn't bring any bodies back.
Well, now the team has addressed the issue.
76ers signing Cam Payne for remainder of season
The Sixer are signing veteran guard Cam Payne for the remainder of the season, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Payne previously played with the Sixers in 2024.
Payne is currently playing with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, and will secure a buyout in order to return to the NBA.
During his first stint with the Sixers in '24, Payne played in 31 games and averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per performance.
Now back in Philly, Payne will join a guard rotation that also features Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and Kyle Lowry. Given the team's lack of depth at the position, Payne is likely to see some legitimate playing time, at least during the regular season.
The Golden State Warriors added a 7-foot-2 unicorn and former New York Knicks All-Star to their roster before the Feb. 5 deadline to assist Stephen Curry.
While the 30-year-old big man is expected to make a significant impact with the Dubs down the stretch of the 2025-26 season, the San Francisco Standard’s Danny Emerman believes there's a chance he won't compete with the organization next year.
“The Warriors could look to sign-and-trade him (Kristaps Porzingis) in the offseason as part of a bigger deal," Emerman wrote on Feb. 7. "Without (Jonathan) Kuminga, they lack the type of meaty, mid-sized salaries required for matching salaries to complete big trades.”
“In this route, the Warriors would be able to aggregate his sign-and-trade salary, too. The other option would be for the Warriors to let Porzingis walk, shaving $30 million off their books. That wouldn’t make them a cap space team, but it would likely get them out of the luxury tax.”
If the Warriors are presented with an opportunity to include Porzingis in a deal for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, don’t expect the seven-time NBA champions to look the other way.
Antetokounmpo is the asset the Warriors were hoping to strike gold with during the trade season. Despite growing rumors that the Dubs were in good shape to land the two-time MVP, Golden State was unable to complete a blockbuster deal.
That said, the Warriors are set to give it another try in the summer, which could be bad news for Porzingis.
Letting Porzingis walk seems like an unlikely option. However, if the Warriors don’t feel comfortable moving forward with an injury-prone center, they could consider the possibility during free agency.
It’ll be interesting to see how Golden State manages the Porzingis situation this upcoming offseason.
High school football schedules for the 2026 season are coming out one-by-one out of every state around the country and one that is a breeding ground for college prospects is Maryland, with a number of squads finalizing their fall slates.
When it comes to well known high school football programs out of the state of Maryland, you can’t go too far without mentioning the Good Counsel Falcons. Good Counsel is slated to bring back a plethora of talent to its roster this upcoming fall, with 2027 four-star EDGE Anthony Sweeney and three-star interior offensive lineman Jaiden Lindsay returning.
Looking deeper into the Falcons’ fall schedule, Good Counsel is looking to remain in the national spotlight as they have lined up half a dozen out of state opponents, with the opener being on the road against Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) on Aug. 28.
Iron sharpens iron.
This seasons schedule isn’t for the comfortable. It’s for the committed and that’s exactly how we like it.
Good Counsel finished 6-5 this past 2025 Maryland high school football season playing up against some of the best teams in the DMV region. The Falcons during the season defeated Miami Columbus (Fla.) to start the season and then faced teams like DePaul Catholic (N.J.), St. Joseph’s Prep School (Pa.), The St. James Academy (Va.) and nationally ranked DeMatha Catholic (Md.).
Good Counsel finished as the No. 4 team in the state, according to the final Maryland 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Good Counsel High School
Good Counsel High School, located in Olney, Maryland, is a prestigious private Catholic institution known for its rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and dedication to spiritual growth. The school offers a variety of AP and honors courses, preparing students for higher education and future success. Good Counsel’s athletic teams are highly competitive, often achieving state championships. Emphasizing leadership, faith, and community service, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.
How to Follow Maryland High School Football
For Maryland 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 Terrapin 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 Maryland.
Australia's hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup are all but over after Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka hit a brilliant unbeaten 100 to condemn them to an eight-wicket defeat in Pallekele.
Stunned by Zimbabwe in their second outing on Friday, Australia needed a win to keep their qualification fate in their own hands but it is Sri Lanka who march into the next round.
For Australia to sneak through as the second-placed team from their group, they now need Zimbabwe to lose both of their remaining matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka and then to defeat Oman themselves which would bring net run-rate into play.
Australia's predicament came from their inability to convert a good start from their openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh as they set the home side a target of 182 after a collapse in the second half of their innings.
Despite the feeling Sri Lanka could have a complicated chase on their hands because of a pitch which was slowing down, they eased to victory with the Australian bowling attack lacking any bite in the absence of injured Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
And the Sri Lanka duo of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took full advantage.
With wicketkeeper Mendis providing perfect support with a composed 51 from 38 balls, Nissanka brought up his century in 52 balls to take his side past the finish line with an innings that blended brute power and finesse.
Australia had Marsh return after recovering from a groin injury that forced him out of the first two matches and the returning skipper gave his side a solid platform batting alongside Head, who hit a long-overdue half-century off 27 balls.
They powered Australia to 104-0 in 8.2 overs before Head departed for 59 and it marked the beginning of dramatic downturn.
Marsh followed him shortly with a brisk 54 as they unravelled alarmingly to be bundled out for 181, losing their final five wickets in the space of just seven runs and 14 balls.
With Sri Lanka chasing down the target with ease, the Australians are left clinging to only the slimmest mathematical hope and will watch nervously as Zimbabwe face Ireland on Tuesday.
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 10, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re quickly nearing the final stretch of the season, and that means every team is making its final push to improve its seeding for the Big Ten Tournament as they hope to make it to the big dance. Other than the top two projected teams in the bracket dominating, upsets up and down the standings stole the show in a very eventful week of games in the conference.
Michigan – No. 1 Seed (No. 1 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 1 Seed (No. 2 overall)
At first glance, it looks like the Wolverines had two comfortable victories against two unranked teams, but in reality, both games were a tale of two halves. Michigan trailed Northwestern 44-35 at the half, but outscored the ‘Cats 45-17 to claim an 87-75 victory. The Wolverines followed up that massive comeback at home with a much more dominant performance on Saturday. Although Michigan only led UCLA 40-38 at halftime, the Wolverines outscored the Bruins 46-18 in the second half to finish with an 86-56 victory. Michigan enters its toughest week of the season next week, as the Wolverines will take on Purdue on the road and Duke in Washington, D.C., in a battle of two projected No. 1 seeds.
Purdue – No. 2 Seed (No. 7 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 3 Seed (No. 9 overall)
The Boilermakers had a tough assignment, as they attempted to win two straight road games against NCAA Tournament-caliber teams, but they rose to the task. Purdue started out the week with an 80-77 victory in overtime against Nebraska, grabbing arguably its best win of the season in the process. The Boilermakers kept it rolling on the road, dominating Iowa 78-57 in Iowa City to grab their second Quad 1 road win of the week. Purdue’s seeding was in flux after losing a few games and playing close against Oregon, but the two great wins this week gave the Boilermakers some much-needed cushion within the top-ten overall seeds, and put them back on the inside track to a No. 2 seed.
The Fighting Illini suffered a surprising loss this week to Wisconsin at home to open the week. Illinois led by as many as 12 points, but ultimately fell 92-90 in overtime. The Illini played that game without Andrej Stojaković and Kylan Boswell, though, and Boswell became a valuable reinforcement to Illinois over the weekend. The Illini were able to utilize a much more normal rotation against Indiana in a 71-51 win. Overall, the overtime loss barely affected Illinois’ positioning within the projected field, as many other teams around it also lost games this week.
Nebraska – No. 3 Seed (No. 10 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 2 Seed (No. 8 overall)
The Cornhuskers had two home games this week and went 1-1 in those games. Nebraska started the week by playing in one of the more entertaining games of the season in conference play, as it trailed by 16 at the half and by as many as 22 points against Purdue at home, but mounted a comeback to send the game to overtime. The Boilermakers eventually defeated the Cornhuskers 80-77, but Nebraska fought hard to keep that game close. The ‘Huskers bounced back from that loss at home with a comfortable 68-49 home victory against Northwestern, but fell to the three-seed line as a result of Purdue’s great week.
Michigan State – No. 4 Seed (No. 15 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 3 Seed (No. 10 overall)
The Spartans had one game this week, and it was a rough one. Michigan State traveled to Madison to take on Wisconsin and lost 92-71. The Spartans’ defense was shredded by the Badgers’ outside shooting as Wisconsin hit 15 threes in the game. Nick Boyd (29 points) was the individual performer who especially hurt Michigan State in the loss. The Spartans will now return home for two games against UCLA and Ohio State, which are absolute must-win games to stay in the conference title race.
Wisconsin – No. 8 Seed (No. 29 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 38 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Badgers arguably had the best week any team in the conference has put up this entire season. Wisconsin was an underdog against two top-ten teams in the AP poll, but found a way to get it done in both games. First, the Badgers took the show on the road, knocking down 16 threes and beating Illinois 92-90 in overtime. But Wisconsin wasn’t done just yet. The Badgers returned home and knocked down 15 more threes against Michigan State in a 92-71 beatdown against the Spartans. All of a sudden, Wisconsin goes from on the bubble with a resume anchored by a massive road win against Michigan to a team with three extremely high-quality victories. The Badgers now loom as an incredibly high-potential No. 7 or 8 seed in the big dance.
WHAT A WEEK FOR WISCONSIN‼️
The Badgers are now the ONLY TEAM with three top-10 wins this season, taking down No. 10 Michigan State and No. 8 Illinois earlier this week 😤 pic.twitter.com/Mtvqd2WLLe
Last week, I said that the Hawkeyes could finally make some positive movement in the bracket if they could get a signature win against Purdue, but Iowa did just the opposite. In fact, the Hawkeyes couldn’t even beat Maryland on the road, falling 77-70 and snapping a six-game winning streak. That loss already sent Iowa much closer to the bubble than it has been throughout most of the season, and that was before the weekend. The Hawkeyes couldn’t even keep it close against Purdue at home, falling 78-57. Iowa is now just 2-5 in Quad 1 games (check this), and with a Quad 3 loss also on its resume, the Hawkeyes are getting dangerously close to being a true bubble team.
Indiana – No. 10 Seed (No. 38 overall, Last Four Byes)
Previous seeding: No. 9 Seed (No. 34 overall)
The Hoosiers played two games that were polar opposites of each other this week. Indiana defeated Oregon 92-74 at home to start the week, but fell 71-51 on the road against Illinois over the weekend. The Hoosiers are still in a good position to make the big dance, but have a golden opportunity to lock up a bid this week by completing the season sweep against Purdue. For now, Indiana sits just above the true bubble teams.
UCLA – No. 10 Seed (No. 41 overall, Last Four Byes)
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 40 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Bruins’ only game this week was either going to be a prime opportunity to shock the world and move off the bubble or a loss that probably wouldn’t affect their resume if the game was close. The caveat on that statement turned into the story of the game, as UCLA kept it close with Michigan at the half, but eventually fell 86-56. The Bruins are still in the tournament field as things stand, but need to take care of business down the stretch to keep it that way.
USC – No. 11 Seed (No. 42 overall, Last Four In)
Previous seeding: No. 11 Seed (No. 41 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Trojans only played one game this week, and it was another game without Chad Baker-Mazara. USC lost 89-82 against Ohio State on the road, but all things considered, there’s a lot to feel good about for the Trojans. Alijah Arenas wasn’t exactly efficient (he went 6-for-19 from the field), but he scored 25 points against the Buckeyes, which marked his third straight game with 24 points or more. If Arenas and Baker-Mazara can build up more chemistry, USC might have a lethal scoring duo in March Madness.
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 44 overall, Last Four In)
The Buckeyes performed right at their expected level this week. Ohio State beat USC 89-82 at home on Wednesday, but fell 70-66 to Virginia in a rare late-season non-conference matchup. The lack of quality victories has always been a sticking point for why the Buckeyes’ resume potentially isn’t good enough to be on the right side of the bubble, and as more teams around the country have picked up quality victories, Ohio State has lagged behind. Three of the Buckeyes’ next four games are Quad 1 games, with their next game (against NET No. 33 Wisconsin) just on the wrong side of the threshold necessary for a Quad 1 game. If Ohio State can’t get at least two wins in that span, the Buckeyes won’t be hearing their name called on Selection Sunday.
Washington – Out
Previous seeding: In Consideration
The Huskies have finally turned the corner on their schedule, with multiple games in a row against the bottom teams in the conference, but Washington couldn’t take care of business. The Huskies fell 63-60 to Penn State in a game that turned into, in all likelihood, the final nail in the coffin for an already weak NCAA Tournament resume. Washington bounced back by defeating Minnesota 69-57, but the Huskies don’t really have many opportunities left to claim resume-defining wins until conference tournament play, leaving almost no room for error for the rest of the season.
Minnesota – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Golden Gophers started their trip to the Pacific Northwest this week, taking on Washington on the road. Minnesota fell 69-57 on the road while allowing Washington to shoot 63% from the field. Next up for the Golden Gophers is the second leg of the road trip against Oregon, before returning home to face Rutgers.
Northwestern – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Wildcats’ relatively young rotation continued to flash moments of potential, but still hasn’t been able to play at a consistently high level for 40 minutes. Northwestern led Michigan by nine at the half, but collapsed in the second half and fell 87-75. The Wildcats had another late lead against a conference championship contender, as they led Nebraska 39-38 with 12:32 left in the game on the road. But the Cornhuskers woke up, outscoring Northwestern 30-10 to secure a 68-49 victory.
Oregon – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Ducks finished off their road trip to the state of Indiana with a 92-74 loss to the Hoosiers. Oregon returned home over the weekend and defeated Penn State 83-72 behind 22 points each from Nate Bittle and Takai Simpkins. The Ducks came very close to winning a few games in the last month or so, but this week they finally got back in the win column, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
Penn State – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Nittany Lions were able to squeeze out a split on the Pacific Northwest road trip. Penn State shockingly upset Washington 63-60 to claim its first Quad 1 win of the season, but couldn’t finish the road trip 2-0 as it fell 82-73 to Oregon. The Nittany Lions return home to face Rutgers in the middle of the week before a road trip to Nebraska over the weekend.
Maryland – Out
Previous seeding: Out
Maryland was a win away from being the team of the week, as the first game it played this week was a big story. The ‘Terps knocked off Iowa 77-70 at home in a big upset victory. Maryland looked for a three-game winning streak following its 1-10 start in conference play, but unfortunately, the Terrapins didn’t have what it took to beat Rutgers on the road, falling 68-57 in that game. Maryland will play Northwestern to finish off its road trip before playing Washington at home this weekend.
The Scarlet Knights had an entire week to prepare for Maryland, and the extra rest definitely paid off. Rutgers beat Maryland 68-57 in a game that won’t have any NCAA Tournament implications, but was important for Big Ten Tournament seeding. The Scarlet Knights will now go on the road to take on Penn State and Minnesota.
Pakistan’s crushing 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup has largely been framed around their shortcomings, especially after they were bowled out for just 114. Much of the discussion has centred on Pakistan’s lack of intensity and inability to match the defending champions, particularly with the bat.
However, former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes that narrative has unfairly overshadowed India’s own excellence on the night. While acknowledging that Pakistan fell well short of the required standard, Kaif argued that India’s quality and composure under pressure deserved far greater recognition.
Speaking on ABP News, Kaif expressed frustration at the way the debate was shaped, singling out Shoaib Akhtar for focusing heavily on Pakistan’s struggles rather than India’s performance.
“Ever since we started the show I’m not happy, because you have been saying the Pakistan team is anyway weak, is an unenergetic team. If that team had won today, then 100% Shoaib Akhtar would be saying right now that BCCI is prideful, that the players had too much ego,” argued Kaif.
“I want to say that by showing Pakistan as weak, you are taking away India’s excellence. You have just been showing that Pakistan is in trouble, that there’s no system, but what does that matter for India?” he continued.
Kaif pointed to Ishan Kishan’s match-winning 77 off 40 balls as an example of India thriving under extreme pressure. The opener, playing his first game against Pakistan, delivered one of the standout knocks in India-Pakistan T20 World Cup history despite the challenging surface.
“We are talking about India, the Indian captain, Ishan Kishan who has played against Pakistan for the first time – how much pressure he must have on him, we aren’t talking about that. Give India’s players the credit because they are playing in a circumstance where imagine if they lost, then it would have been an outcry,” Kaif pointed out.
He also underlined the intense scrutiny Indian players face in such high-stakes clashes, recalling how criticism can spiral after defeats like the 2021 World Cup loss.
“You would say Suryakumar Yadav isn’t shaking hands and now the team has lost, they think they are so brave. Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, all would have been on trial if they lost this match today,” stated Kaif.
With India now through to the Super 8 stage, Kaif’s remarks serve as a reminder that victories in contests of this magnitude are built not only on opposition errors but on skill, temperament and the ability to withstand enormous pressure.
But since the 2022 Games in Beijing, the Team USA figure skating star has traveled quite the career journey.
After that competition, in which Liu finished seventh, she retired. She had to find herself.
Now, she's back, and she's part of a high-powered U.S. trio.
"Liu this month will be part of a three-woman American figure skating team that offers the US its best Olympic hopes in decades," writes Dana O'Neil for CNN. "Except this time when Liu steps on the Milano Ice Skating Arena for her short program, it won’t be from inside the confines of a cage. Alysa Liu will skate free."
Liu and her teammates will skate Tuesday in the short program portion of the women's figure skating competition.
After that, the top performers will return to the ice later in the week for the free skate. Combined scores will determine who medals.
Liu is grateful that she's traveled this particular path back to the Olympics.
“I thought the only way for me to try other things was to leave this because I really felt trapped and stuck, and the only way in my brain to break out was to leave the sport,’’ Liu told CNN. “And it worked.’’
She already has gotten to skate around the Olympic ice with a gold medal from Team USA's team event.
But she will seek more this week as an individual.
Liu is a fun competitor, with intriguing hair and teeth adding to her exciting energy.
Her retirement was temporary. This is Liu's redemption tour.
We are just a few weeks away from the start of NFL free agency and the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams with some money to spend. One the dust settles on that, we will have a much clearer picture of who the Steelers will target in the 2026 NFL draft. But for now, here is how our top five roster needs for the upcoming draft shake out for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1 - Quarterback
The Steelers have suffered through mediocre quarterback play for years since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers have tried and failed to fill that void with veterans and rookies but nothing has helped. This doesn't mean the Steelers will use their first-round pick on a quarterback but it remains the top roster need.
2 - Wide receiver
The Steelers staff rolled the dice on their wide receiver depth chart last season and failed. DK Metcalf proved he cannot carry a passing offense and his old team won the Super Bowl without him. This is the position we see as most likely to be the team's first-round pick with a very talented wide receiver class.
3 - Safety
Pittsburgh could lose three of their four top safeties in free agency this offseason which would make this a much more significant draft need. The 2026 NFL draft has three big names at the top and if Pittsburgh could land on in the top two rounds, it would fill a huge need.
4 - Offensive guard
This is a pick if the Steelers don't keep veteran Isaac Seumalo. The Steelers' offensive line held up well despite lots of injuries last season, and we view offensive tackle as more secure than guard this offseason in terms of the draft.
5 - Defensive line
Last season, rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was tremendous and the lone bright spot on the defensive line. Cam Heyward cannot play forever and the jury is still out on Keeanu Benton so we'd have no issue with this need being pushed up ahead of offensive guard.
LAS VEGAS – The UFC's White House event is one step closer to materializing.
Dana White was asked about the June event, which is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., and feature multiple title fights. It is unknown how many fights will take place on the card, but the UFC CEO says the matchmaking process is complete.
"We have like two different options laid out and the matchmaking process has already started out," White said during the Zuffa Boxing 3 post-fight news conference. "So yeah, we got the White House card done last week."
White clarified that while the fights are set, logistics aren't just yet. He refused to divulge into any further details, but did reveal that he's meeting U.S. President Donald Trump to further discuss plans.
"We laid out two different options – I didn't say it was done, I said the card was built," White said. "I'm not talking about the White House card. We've been kicking around a lot of ideas and me and (Craig) Borsari actually fly to D.C. this week and sit down with the President and his team and start walking them through not just the production, but the fight card. We have like three different options on all the different production stuff, and we will see what he likes and what he doesn't like. But let me tell you this, this event is going to be so badass and so unique and so special, and so expensive."
The Tyreek Hill era is officially over in Miami Gardens.
The Miami Dolphins released Hill, 31, on Monday, Feb. 16 in the highest-profile move from a wave of player transactions.
Hill was one of the NFL's top receivers in four seasons with the Dolphins, leading the league in receiving in 2023. His Dolphins' career was most dynamic in his first two seasons as he totaled 238 catches for 3,509 yards and 20 touchdowns.
His performance slowed with Miami's struggles the last two years: He had just 102 catches for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns in that span before suffering a season-ending leg injury against the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 2025.
Hill was noncommittal about his NFL future in the weeks after his season-ending injury and surgeries. He told The Palm Beach Post in October that he was happy "being with my kids" for the short term.
"I'm happy with the career that I've had and I love playing football. I love it. But it, man, but it takes a lot, man, to be the best and to stay at the top," Hill said.
"And I'm at the point now where I need to have a conversation with Mom, family, everybody. Like I said, wherever my mind is at the time, the decision to be made, but I just know right now I feel like I haven't had time to just live in the moment, and just be in the moment with my family."
Tyreek Hill landing spots
There are a number of NFL teams facing questions at the wide receiver position during the 2026 offseason.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are contenders facing questions of depth and talent at the wide receiver position.
Hill, of course, has history with the Chiefs. He played six seasons with Kansas City and won Super Bowl LIV in 2020.
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
Felix Nmecha: Man United plot raid on Dortmund to replace key star
Manchester United are preparing to open talks to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as the club ramps up their hunt to replace Casemiro, according to the latest report from Germany.
Midfield is the priority
The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of the midfield this summer, with two new recruits expected to arrive at Old Trafford. Despite Casemiro‘s resurgence in form, the club have chosen not to renew the Brazil international’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season.
Furthermore, the disappointing form of Manuel Ugarte means the 24-year-old Uruguayan is also facing an uncertain future amid continued links to Turkish champions Galatasaray.
United’s first-choice target is Elliot Anderson, but competition is expected to be fierce for the Nottingham Forest and England maestro. Similarly, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are also frontrunners as INEOS continue to prefer players with Premier League pedigree.
However, all three options are expected to cost up to £100 million, making the prospect of signing two a remote one. Consequently, INEOS will be forced to consider cheaper options on the continent, with Felix emerging as a frontrunner.
Dortmund’s Dynamo
United are long-term admirers of the Germany international, who offers a well-rounded skillset as a box-to-box midfielder.
Having just turned 25 this season, Nmecha is still approaching his prime and possesses an outstanding selection of physical attributes. He stands at an imposing 6’3″ frame but retains excellent mobility, while offering underrated ability in possession, ranking highly for ball-progression metrics.
Fussball Daten reports United are targeting a “powerful midfielder” to take Casemiro’s place at the Theatre of Dreams, with Nmecha high on the club’s radar.
The move would constitute a return to Manchester for the Dortmund dynamo, having come through City’s academy. This means he would count as a homegrown player – a further bonus for an English suitor.
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to also have strong interest, with a “potential bidding war” set to erupt between the three Premier League heavyweights.
The German outlet reveals that while there have been no official offers yet, Nmecha’s representatives are “expected to begin talks in England shortly.” A dramatic salary jump – from “€5 million to nearly €9 million” – will be required to secure his signature, the report concludes.
Final Thoughts
Nmecha is a sensible option for the Red Devils, if he is a supplement towards a high-profile defensive midfielder. His profile lends itself perfectly to the Premier League, while his transfer fee should be far more affordable than the club’s other targets.
The German’s wage demands are on the pricier side, given he may likely be fulfilling more of a squad role at Old Trafford. However, United are almost certain to return to Europe next season – be it the Champions or Europa League – and more high-quality depth will be essential.
The fact that INEOS could strike a decisive blow to one of their rivals at the same time would just be the cherry on top.
A tribute meant to celebrate a legend… but now fueling online debate.
This Falcao statue sparks controversy in Colombia
The city of Santa Marta sought to pay a heartfelt tribute to its prodigal son, Radamel Falcao, by unveiling a statue in his likeness. It’s a symbolic recognition for the man who has left an indelible mark on Colombian football history.
Having played for River Plate, Porto FC, Atlético Madrid, AS Monaco, and Galatasaray, the striker has scored 36 goals in 104 appearances for Colombia. He currently continues his career at Millonarios FC. However, despite the noble intention, the result has sparked debate.
On social media, many users have criticized the statue’s lack of resemblance, with some going so far as to compare it to the widely mocked Cristiano Ronaldo statue in Portugal.
Finalissima 2026: Argentina vs Spain preview, date, venue & betting odds
Lusail Stadium in Qatar will host the second edition of the Finalissima since the fixture’s relaunch in 2022, as Argentina and Spain fight for the trophy in the desert.
The 2026 Finalissima takes place on Friday, March 27, 2026. Kick-off time is 21:00 local time, which is 19:00 CET.
What is the Finalissima?
The Finalissima is an intercontinental football match organised by CONMEBOL and UEFA. It pits the winners of the Copa America against the champions of the UEFA European Championship.
Argentina featured in the last showpiece four years ago, dismantling Italy 3-0 at Wembley Stadium and setting the stage for their iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph later that year.
Lionel Messi, who captained his country to both victories, is likely to wear the armband when La Albiceleste take on defending Euro champions Spain on Friday, March 27.
However, Argentina go into the match as 13/5 outsiders, while Spain are slight 11/10 favourites to claim victory.
Where is the 2026 Finalissima?
The game will take place at Lusail Stadium, where Argentina hoisted the World Cup trophy in 2022.
Lionel Scaloni’s side played four matches at this stadium, including a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their curtain-raising World Cup fixture.
However, the South American giants bounced back to win their next three matches in Lusail, overcoming Mexico and Croatia before defeating France in the grand final.
Spain will make their debut appearance at the largest stadium in Qatar and the Middle East by capacity.
How does the Finalissima work?
The Finalissima is a single 90-minute match with no extra time. If the scores are level at the end of regulation, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
The referee is jointly appointed by CONMEBOL and UEFA, and the showdown will feature VAR, goalline technology and semi-automated offside technology.
In addition to their dominant Euro 2024 run, Luis de la Fuente’s side produced a strong 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, dropping points just once in six Group E outings.
La Furia Roja will be looking to win their second World Cup title in the summer, and beating Argentina in this clash of titans would be a statement win for Lamine Yamal and his teammates.
Whether the apprentice can outshine the master himself remains one of the key subplots of the match, as the Barcelona prodigy prepares to face Messi for the first time.
Lionel Scaloni’s side booked their place at next summer’s World Cup, finishing top of the CONMEBOL qualifying group despite losing four games.
Clash of the titans
Spain closed out the last calendar year with a frustrating 2-2 draw against Turkey, ending a five-game winning streak in which they had scored 16 goals without reply.
Despite that setback, De la Fuente’s charges will take the field in high spirits, seeking another piece of silverware after snapping a decade-long drought two years ago.
La Furia Roja hammered Argentina 6-1 in a friendly in 2018, which evened the score after a 4-1 rout in their previous encounter.
Scaloni’s side will be out to get revenge and extend their three-game winning sequence, bookended by a 2-0 friendly win over Angola in November.
With each of the last four clashes between Spain and Argentina featuring at least three goals and both sides finding the net, fans can expect another high-octane, end-to-end showdown in Lusail.
Hopes were high for a young Northwestern softball squad after it took three games in Tempe, Ari. to start the year to start above .500.
Just as quickly as it started high, NU was dragged back down to earth.
Clearwater, Fla. did not treat the ‘Cats kindly by any means, yielding them only one win over their long four day weekend. After going down quietly to NiJaree Canady and No. 1 Texas Tech, Northwestern dropped its next matchup against UCF on Friday morning. It bounced back on Saturday with a shutout of Missouri, but ended the weekend with another five-run loss to No. 17 Georgia and an agonizing defeat to No. 8 Texas A&M.
NU’s top two hitters led the way in the Panhandle State. Kelsey Nader’s .412 average across the five games was a team-best, while Grace Nieto followed up, batting .333. Emma Raye reached safely in all five games and upped her slugging to a .640, another Wildcat high. As a team, Northwestern hit .257 in 132 total at-bats while pitching to a 3.85 ERA.
It was an up-and-down weekend for Marina Mason in the circle, with her complete-game shutout against Mizzou being sandwiched between rough outings against UCF and Texas A&M. Signe Dohse appeared the strongest of any Wildcat in the circle, not allowing an earned run in any of her four appearances, which totaled to 8.1 scoreless frames. Riley Grudzielanek saw tougher luck against Georgia, and so did Renae Cunningham against UCF.
Fri., Feb 13 vs. UCF
The Knights of Central Florida (9-3, 0-0 Big 12) didn’t waste any time landing the first punch on Northwestern’s jaw.
Freshman Hildie Dempsey made her first collegiate start for UCF and got through inning one unscathed, getting Nieto to ground out on a full-count pitch before giving up a single to Nader on the very next one. One fielder’s choice and some assistance from Beth Damon behind the plate, throwing out baserunner Kaylie Avvisato on an attempted steal, got her out the circle.
In came Mason, and unlike her freshman counterpart, she didn’t see nearly as much success as Dempsey in her first inning. Aubrey Evans roped a one-out double, and Izzy Mertes drove her in with one of her own to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead.
Tru Medina’s team-leading fourth error of the season opened the floodgates for Sienna Humphreys to connect on an 0-2 pitch and take it over the center field fence, quadrupling UCF’s lead in the first. For the UCF second baseman, it was her third consecutive game with a bomb.
A walk later in the inning forced Kate Drohan out the dugout to pull Mason, putting an abrupt end to the shortest outing of her young career. Cunningham’s number was called to finish the inning.
NU started to chip away in the top of the second, getting its first run on the board via the fielder’s choice. Kansas Robinson was credited with the RBI, driving in Raye, who doubled to lead off the inning.
Northwestern could’ve come away with much more, loading the bases with two outs, but a Nieto ground out stifled the potential rally in its early simmering stages.
Another double from the Knights courtesy of Evans and a walk drawn by Mertes led to their fifth and sixth runs of the contest. Ashleigh Griffin’s single to right drove in Evans, and Humphreys’ sac fly allowed Mertes to cross the plate.
The ‘Cats battled back in the bottom of the second to begin cutting into the five run deficit. With two outs, Raye notched her second hit of the game. Third base struggles continued to be a major problem, as Sammantha Rey’s blunder allowed Medina to reach and advanced both runners a base. Isabel Cunnea knocked them both in to make the score 6-3.
Cunningham went back out to get three outs in four batters, giving Northwestern a prime opportunity to chomp at the lead a bit more. It did so with another fielder’s choice, making it a two run game.
With one out and a runner just 60 feet away, the ‘Cats were sitting pretty with the dangerous bat of Avvisato representing the tying run.
Reliever Isabella Vega had other plans, striking out the sophomore and then punching out Raye to deflate Northwestern in the fourth.
That was all the scoring for the contest. Dohse was stellar in the circle, but so was Vega for UCF. Drohan did all she could to provide a spark for her squad, even pinch-hitting Abby Harvey for Robinson in the fifth.
There wasn’t much she could do. Fate fell on the side of the neighboring school, as the Knights took a 6-4 victory on their Friday trek from Orlando to Clearwater.
Sat., Feb 14 vs. Missouri
Northwestern football offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s most famous quote reads as such: “I don’t think anybody has a ceiling. Everybody can constantly improve.”
Marina Mason’s start to the season could only be characterized as consistent improvement, continuing to refine her arsenal in the circle. Saturday morning’s performance against a strong Mizzou (4-7, 0-0 SEC) squad, who received two votes in the preseason USA Softball Top 25 polls, was the culmination of said consistent improvement.
Just 24 hours after a demoralizing start against UCF, Mason tossed a two-hit shutout against the Tigers, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning.
It took NU three innings to get around to Cierra Harrison, but once it did, it had the senior in a world of trouble. Bridget Donahey, Na
der and Raye all singled while Avvisato sandwiched a single between Nader and Raye’s hits to rake in two runs and force Harrison out of the circle.
Courtney Donahue got Cunnea to foul out and end the inning, but eventually the ‘Cats got their pound of flesh against the Tigers’ reliever as well. A struggling Kansas Robinson found a bloop single to center to bring home pinch runner Grace Minarovic in the sixth.
Mason’s no-hit bid came to an end with two outs in the fifth, as Madison Uptegrove got to her with a single in the inning previous. That did little, if anything, to stop her on Saturday morning. The first-year chugged along, no problem, finishing her career-day for her first collegiate win.
The success Mason saw earlier in the day didn’t find the arm of Grudzielanek later in the day, as she started her day with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings against the ranked Georgia Bulldogs (9-2, 0-0 SEC).
Off and running with game two! ✌️
1-2-3 inning with a strikeout for Riley Grudzielanek.
She’d work her way out of trouble in the third as well to avoid damage and keep the Bulldogs scoreless.
It was in the fourth, however, where Northwestern’s house of cards came crashing down. After stranding two in the top half of the frame, the. ‘Cats defense wasn’t able to hold firm for any longer. Delani Sullivan led off with a single and advanced to third on a Grudzielanek fielding error against the next batter. Sarah Gordon slugged a three run homer for the ‘Dogs, breaking the game open.
The long ball would strike again with two outs in the inning. Marisa Miller and Emily Digby both found base knocks, Bailey Lindermuth loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice, and Kierstin Roose cleared them with a rocket out to center.
7-0 Georgia in an instant.
The Bulldogs tacked on another in the top of the sixth, thanks to a Gabi Novickas RBI double, to put a bow on a dominant Valentine’s Day victory.
NU did get on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a Medina sac fly and a Robinson two-run single, but that wasn’t nearly enough to topple the large deficit. Georgia shut down Northwestern to end it, 8-3.
Sun., Feb 15 vs. No. 8 Texas A&M
Texas A&M (7-3, 0-0 SEC) was on upset alert Sunday afternoon, when NU found itself up five on the Aggies at the end of the third.
It was smooth sailing for Kate Munnerlyn to start, retiring the first seven Wildcats she faced.
Then, a Donahey walk changed the mood of the entire game. It was the tip of the iceberg that started the biggest rally of the game.
Teagan McCue got the ball rolling for Northwestern in her second career start, beating out a grounder to third for an infield hit. Nieto recorded the first RBI for the ‘Cats with a single of her down to drive in Donahey, and Nader followed suit for NU’s second score.
Munnerlyn was replaced by Sidne Peters in Trisha Ford’s attempt to halt the momentum, but all Texas A&M’s head coach did was add fuel to the fire. Avvisato launched a homer on Peters’ third pitch in relief to cap off the five-run inning.
The Aggies didn’t take long to fight back. Ariel Kowalewski poked a single to right to score Frankie Vrazel, ending Emma Blea’s short but effective start. They got another off reliever Dohse and threatened to tie things up with the tying run at the plate. However, Nieto’s softball IQ came in handy for Northwestern, as her intuition helped her spot a runner trying to take home on an infield hit. She gunned her down.
Northwestern’s offense went quiet the rest of the way, which meant that the result of the contest hinged on its bullpen.
The Aggies once again got at Dohse in the bottom of the fourth on a Kennedy Powell base hit. Drohan turned to Cunningham to help the ‘Cats tighten their grip on their 5-3 lead, and she escaped the fourth unharmed.
The same cannot be said for her in the fifth, as Texas A&M pulled within one on the very first pitch of the fifth, as Micaela Wark sent it over the right field wall. KK Dement’s double forced Northwestern to use its fourth arm of the contest: Marina Mason. The first-year built on the success she saw in her previous appearance by K-ing up the potential tying run twice to wiggle out of treachery.
That didn’t mean that the Aggies were done — by any means. Back-to-back singles set the table for Mya Perez to surge Texas A&M ahead, driving in two on a base hit that’d eventually go down as the game-winner. Northwestern stranded Nader on first in the seventh, capping the brutal collapse that ended its weekend trip to Florida.
Coming up: Razorback Invitational
Northwestern’s next weekend trip brings it to Fayetville, Ark. to take on No. 11 Arkansas and Southeast Missouri State this coming weekend. The ‘Cats take on the ranked Razorbacks three times over the weekend and face the Redhawks twice, with their first game coming against the ladder on Friday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. CT.
With the World Cup now just four months away, the United States men's national team's striker position looks to be in flux.
While Folarin Balogun struggles through an extended slump and Ricardo Pepi aims to return from injury, three other contenders are experiencing contrasting fortunes.
Patrick Agyemang is soaring for Derby, putting himself in a strong position to earn a call-up for March friendlies despite little involvement in the fall.
But two other Championship strikers, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright, are trending in the opposite direction.
The USMNT's fluctuating striker picture leads this week's Five.
Patrick Agyemang red hot for Derby
Patrick Agyemang is picking the right time to have his most prolific period yet in England.
The Derby County striker scored again Saturday, netting an insurance goal with a towering header in his side's 2-0 win over Swansea.
Agyemang has reached 10 league goals on the season, four of which have come in his last six games.
The striker's individual success has lifted the Rams to four wins in their past six, with the club now sitting in sixth place – the final playoff position in the Championship.
Agyemang is pushing toward a spot on the USMNT's March roster, which would be massive for his World Cup chances after he didn't appear in any of the team's six fall friendlies.
Make it 10 Championship goals for Patrick Agyemang this season 🇺🇸
Josh Sargent's transfer stand-off at Norwich City is not going as he may have planned.
The USMNT striker has been demoted to Norwich's reserve side amid a saga that has gotten ugly. Sargent wants a move to Toronto FC and looks like he's completely done with the Canaries after a heated meeting with club management last month.
But while a move to MLS hasn't yet materialized, Norwich has completely turned its season around with its top scorer on the sidelines. The Canaries have won five of six league matches with Sargent out, moving away from the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Coventry city striker Haji Wright has gone three consecutive matches without a goal after breaking a three-month scoring drought last month.
In the battle for a World Cup roster spot, it's advantage Agyemang right now.
Folarin Balogun hits the skids
Folarin Balogun has been a streaky scorer through much of his club career, and the Monaco man has hit a low ebb in recent weeks.
Balogun failed to score in Friday's 3-1 win over Nantes, making it 11 of 12 games without a goal. Balogun's only strike in 2026 came in the Coupe de France against third-tier Orléans.
The 24-year-old still has eight total goals this season, with six of those coming between October and early December.
His spot atop the USMNT depth chart doesn't appear to be in jeopardy for now – three goals in the team's fall friendlies have put him in good stead – but Balogun needs to rediscover his scoring touch to maintain his starting role at Monaco.
Tim Weah sees Marseille crumble around him
It's been a positive campaign for Tim Weah at Marseille, but the winger's progress will be challenged by his club's complete collapse around him.
Amid a fan protest over the state of affairs, Weah took his usual place in the lineup on Saturday as Marseille suffered a damaging 2-2 draw against Strasbourg.
The result left Marseille in fourth place, with Champions League qualification now the hope for a season that started out with more ambitious goals.
🚨🇫🇷 Marseille fans protested against their team before the match against Strasbourg. 😡
No team across Europe is in better form than Lyon, which won its 13th consecutive game across all competitions on Sunday by defeating Nice 2-0.
Tanner Tessmann has been one of Lyon's pillars during the streak, starting seven of the club's past nine after recovering from a minor injury.
Tessmann has taken a major leap in his second year with the Ligue 1 club, which is now five points clear of fourth-place Marseille and seven points off first-place Lens.
The midfielder's spot on the World Cup roster is looking more secure by the week, with a starting role not out of the question.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 19: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) on the field during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns on October 19, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The day after the regular season ends in the NFL is known as “Black Monday” because that is the day teams start making coaching changes. Monday, February 16, has become a pseudo-Black Monday for veteran Miami Dolphins players. The team, in need of resetting their salary cap after several years of big spending, made several roster moves Monday morning, releasing veteran players for salary cap savings heading into 2026.
The first reported release was linebacker Bradley Chubb, who likely provides around $7 million in salary cap savings. For a team who was projected to be around $17 million over the cap, that is a huge move to get back to within the league’s standards.
That move was quickly followed by news the team was releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The eight-time Pro Bowl receiver missed most of the 2025 season after a knee dislocation and ligament tear sustained during the Dolphins Week 4 Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets. Hill could provide the Dolphins around $22.9 million in cap space.
Miami could designate players as post-June 1 cuts, which would increase the cap savings for this season, but would not create space against the cap until June 2 and would push additional dead money into 2027. No indication of the team using that designation has been reported.
The Dolphins’ salary cap moves did not stop with those two. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Miami also released guard James Daniels. The veteran offensive lineman had signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2025 after spending four years with the Chicago Bears and three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A second-round pick by Chicago in 2018, Daniels only played in one game for Miami during the season after sustaining a pectoral injury in Week 1.
Miami then released wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, according to Pelissero. The Dolphins signed Westbrook-Ikhine to a two-year contract last offseason, bringing him to Miami after five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He caught just 11 passes for 89 yards with the Dolphins in 15 games played, including three starts.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 6: Stuart Fairchild #17 of the Atlanta Braves catches a fly ball to end the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Truist Park on July 6, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a new snippet of information, it’s time to examine what we might be able to infer about the Guardians’ outfield plans for 2026.
This weekend, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland dot com shared a quote from Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt in which Vogt clarifies that David Fry is working exclusively as a catcher right now and will begin working at first base later in the spring, but that it wouldn’t be fair to expect him to play third base or right field, yet. Perhaps Fry works on getting back into playing shape for those positions during the season, but Vogt gave no indication whether or not this was the plan.
I had been assuming that part of David Fry’s presence on the roster was a return of his ability to play right field, so this is causing me to re-evaluate some roster projections. I don’t think there is really any chance the team will use one of Fry’s remaining options to send him to Columbus – he’s making the roster one way or another, if healthy. So, what does this mean for the remaining open spots?
The Established Spots: Catcher: Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges. First Base: Kyle Manzardo Second Base: Gabriel Arias or Brayan Rocchio Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio or Gabriel Arias Third Base: Jose Ramirez Left Field: Steven Kwan Designated Hitter, First Base and Third Catcher: David Fry
First, please stop imagining the team will play Kwan in center. They will not. We don’t have to understand it. We just have to accept it. Second, join me in accepting that barring an act of God, we will see Rocchio and Arias up the middle to start the season. I’m optimistic that either Juan Brito or Travis Bazzana or both will see time at second base this season, but, barring injury, it won’t be until May at the earliest. Accept it, get mad, grieve it, move on.
There are five roster spots remaining, then. One spot WILL go to a utility infielder who can play shortstop. That player is Daniel Schneemann, as Angel Martinez and Juan Brito are NOT shortstops. A breakout camp for Carter Kieboom could make him an option here, but that’s unlikely for a variety of reasons. Expect it to be Schneemann, who does bring some value here in that he can also play competently in any outfield position.
So, that means there are four roster spots remaining, including two empty spots at center field and right field currently. Let’s look at our primary candidates:
Left-Handers: Nolan Jones, Chase DeLauter, George Valera, CJ Kayfus, Petey Halpin, and Khalil Watson. Right-Handers: Stuart Fairchild and Johnathan Rodriguez. Switch-Hitters: Angel Martinez and potentially Juan Brito.
I think all indications are that Chase DeLauter will break camp with the team, if healthy. The big question is whether it will be as a center fielder or a right fielder. If the team is truly fine with the idea of playing DeLauter in center field, than I (perhaps delusionally) expect them to DFA Nolan Jones and pass him through waivers to get an extra “option” on him and stash him in Columbus in case of injury. Far more likely, however, is that the team plans for Jones as the primary centerfielder and DeLauter as the primary right fielder. So, let’s pencil that in: Jones for center field, DeLauter for right.
The team will have a right-handed bat on the bench who can play center field. It will either be Fairchild or Martinez. Given that Martinez has remaining options, I expect that Fairchild gets first crack at sticking on the roster since he is the only outfielder the team has added (thus far) this offseason. Now, the team DID add Jones late in spring training last season; maybe they have a plan to do something similar to add a right-handed hitting outfielder this spring training. I am open to the idea, Antonetti. Make it happen, cap’n. But, for now, Fairchild secures that fourth outfielder spot.
We are now at the most interesting battle of the spring, in my opinion. Assuming that Halpin and Watson continue to get seasoning in Columbus given their ages and option situations, we will have Kayfus, Rodriguez, Martinez and Brito competing for that 13th roster spot. I am curious how much we will see Brito in right field in Spring Training, given Fry cannot play there. Brito has hit left-handed pitching extremely well in the minors and I found him to look passable in right field (he has a decent arm). Currently, I think that choice would be the best option for a roster above that lacks punch against left-handed pitching. Brito also looks competent at first base, and can clearly play second base in a pinch. If Brito isn’t ready for that fielding work yet, I wonder if Martinez will get first crack given his lefty mashing so far.
It is undeniably a struggle to leave either Kayfus or Valera off this roster, let alone both. To be clear, if the team is willing to play DeLauter in center, then both Kayfus AND Valera can make the roster. Kayfus looked passable in right field, and Valera and he could get time there and at DH (with Kayfus also perhaps being a late-inning-replacement-with-a-lead at first base). However, there’s no doubt that this thirteenth roster spot SHOULD be a right-handed bat if possible, given the construction of the rest of the roster.
It’s also a possibility that the team deludes themselves into thinking Johnathan Rodriguez can play right field. I refuse to accept that will happen for the sake of my mental health. Rodriguez, then, is just David Fry insurance. He can bat at DH if Fry is hurt or ineffective. Until then, he hangs out with the Clippers.
So, my current projection for Guardians hitters on Opening Day (given health): C: Naylor and Hedges 1B: Manzardo and Fry MIF: Rocchio, Arias, and Schneemann 3B: Jose LF: Kwan CF: Jones and Fairchild RF: DeLauter and Martinez (or HOPEFULLY Brito)
But, what I WANT the Guardians to do is this: C: Naylor and Hedges 1B: Manzardo and Fry 2B; Bazzana (rip the band-aid off and let him do his thing!) SS: Rocchio UIF: Schneemann 3B: Jose LF: Kwan CF: DeLauter and Fairchild RF: Valera and Brito
Let us know your predictions and ponderings in the comments below!
The offseason wide receiver market just got a bit more interesting thanks to the Miami Dolphins.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are cutting wide receiver Tyreek Hill after four seasons with the team. There had been rumors this would be Miami's approach and that has now come to fruition.
The Steelers have failed miserably at filling out their wide receivers room in recent years, especially when it comes to adding a No. 2 target.
Buffalo appears to have struck out on Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer was a huge free-agent bust in 2025, leaving the Bills with an uninspiring situation at receiver.
One of New England's top priorities this offseason is adding more weapons for Drake Maye, and preferably a veteran who can add some experience opposite Stefon Diggs in what is a young wide receivers room overall.
The problem with Hill is that Hill is turning 32 and he's coming off a season in which he suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn ligaments, including his ACL.
That leaves his status for the start of the 2026 campaign up in the air and, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero notes, there's no guarantee he plays at all next season.
Another concern with Hill is the domestic violence allegations he has against him from his estranged wife, which the league is currently investigating.
Regardless, we would expect all three teams and many more to monitor Hill, who could provide a cost-effective upgrade at some point in 2026.
Dec 17, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Merrimack Warriors head coach Joe Gallo reacts to a call against his team during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
HAMDEN, Conn. — Joe Gallo lives for games like this. The MAAC lives for games like this. Twenty minutes into a matchup at the top of the conference standings, Merrimack and Quinnipiac were knotted at 21. It’s par for the course for a program that has made a living off of winning games by scores like 53-49, 58-46, 49-47, and yes, 48-37, but not for a group of players that has by far the best offense of any Merrimack team in Division I.
In the bowels of M&T Bank Arena, while walking from the bench to the locker room, Gallo and Warriors’ assistant Chris Mohr exchanged words.
“Hey, let’s go,” said Mohr, who was on staff with Bill Herrion before coming to Merrimack. “Our type of game.”
“In my head, I was like our type of game, but maybe not the players’ type of game,” Gallo said.
Merrimack was 350th in points per game last year, winning games by doing just enough offensively and going 14-6 in its first season in the MAAC. It took an old-school Merrimack win for a team averaging over 72 points per game in conference play to match that number. Now at 14-2 and in the driver’s seat for a MAAC Championship with four games until Atlantic City, the Warriors got there by taking down the Bobcats 56-49 on the road.
While Lawler Arena has turned into one of the more impressive home-court advantages in the MAAC, with Merrimack students serenading the 10th year coach with chants of his name, the Warriors are also road warriors. Merrimack has road wins over Marist, Siena, Mount St. Mary’s and now Quinnipiac.
Late in the second half, with possessions at a premium, the Bobcats didn’t value their trips the way they needed to. Tom Pecora drew up an alley-oop to Keith McKnight above the zone, but it wasn’t there. Tai Turnage threw the ball off the backboard with 22 on the shot clock and turned it over.
Turnage played a strong game, coming off the bench for Asim Jones, who dealt with early foul trouble, but as a freshman, he still needs seasoning in moments like this. Perhaps it’s something that is good to get out of his system before Atlantic City hits.
But it wasn’t just Turnage. Jaden Zimmerman threw a lob on the very next trip that wasn’t there with 19 on the shot clock, resulting in a turnover.
Two possessions later, Turnage, not a great 3-point shooter, took a 28-foot three with 23 on the shot clock. Three wasted possessions in three minutes in a game where you may only get three possessions in three minutes.
“You’ve gotta be disciplined enough not to throw it,” Pecora said of the lobs. “And I was surprised by Tai’s shot. Tai’s a good little player, but we need Asim Jones on the floor, and he was unplayable tonight.”
Gallo’s team was more picky, and intentionally kept the game slow.
“We stayed out of our three-quarter court pressure because we didn’t want them to attack us out of that,” Gallo said. “We’re comfortable in it. We preach, if you’re a high-possession team, you might be okay throwing one or two of those away. We’re used to defending for long stretches of time, I think teams with the firepower that some of these teams have, they’re not used to playing 30 seconds of offense.”
And they’re not used to playing 30 seconds of defense either.
Kevair Kennedy, Gallo’s star point guard, couldn’t get his first or second move to go by Quinnipiac’s defenders for most of the night, but he shined late in the shot clock. Quinnipiac threw all kinds of bodies at him, primarily Amarri Monroe, but also switching McKnight and Zimmerman to give him length. He was patient and found the creases eventually, scoring a game-high 24 points and attempting 14 free throws.
Even if he didn’t touch the paint until there was four or five seconds left on the shot clock, he’d still get there eventually, and it was a strong possession.
“Someone told me there’s never been a rookie win player of the year in the MAAC,” Pecora said. “(Kennedy’s) got my vote.”
With a two-game lead in the MAAC, Gallo knows that any slip up can cede ground, and more importantly, momentum heading into the MAAC Tournament, which is just over two weeks away.
Home wins over Siena and Iona next week can lock up at least a share of the MAAC regular-season title, and if that combines with a Saint Peter’s loss, then Merrimack clinches it outright.
Gallo compared it to jumping out to big leads and taking the foot off of the gas and letting the game get close late, which is something the Warriors have done. But they can’t do it in the standings.
“It’s the same thing with being in a championship hunt,” Gallo said. “Is it great that a couple teams lost that we needed to lose? Yes. But then that can’t make us complacent just because they dropped a game or two. You’ve gotta keep chasing the greatness and the chips will fall where they do.”
Other MAAC Notes
Siena 67, Marist 63
Despite trailing by 19 with under 10 minutes to play, Marist gave itself a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but couldn’t connect on the three. Alarm bells are now blaring in Poughkeepsie, as the Red Foxes haven’t won since Elijah Lewis’ injury, now three losses in a row. Yes, it was a difficult schedule, but Marist was 157th at KenPom on the morning of Feb. 7, and is now 194.
Regardless, I think Siena is a bad matchup for the Foxes on the surface, because the drop coverage allows and invites the Saints to score in the mid-range with Justice Shoats and Gavin Doty, and if the drop defender steps up, they can both make the quick pass, and so can Francis Folefac as the screener, to hit a cutting Antonio Chandler. Chandler had a season-high 19 points, while Shoats and Doty combined for 32 without making a single three.
It was a much-needed bounce-back for Siena, which had lose two in a row to good teams prior. A huge weekend awaits for the Saints, facing Merrimack and Saint Peter’s.
Saint Peter’s 83, Fairfield 74
The score here is closer than the game was. Saint Peter’s zone flustered Fairfield into tons of early turnovers as they struggled to get the ball to the high post bigs. Eventually, the Stags began to wear down that middle of the zone, and they scored 34 points in the final 10 minutes, but it was too little, too late. Saint Peter’s made nine threes and shot 28-of-33 from the foul line.
The win puts Saint Peter’s at 9–0 at home in MAAC play, but at just 3-4 on the road, with three of the final four games being away from Jersey City, there’s a lot to keep an eye on. Fairfield has mostly taken care of business against the bottom of its MAAC schedule to get to 8-8, but it’s just 1-6 against the teams higher than it in the standings at the moment. The one win coming against Marist at home after the Red Foxes lost Lewis during that contest.
Manhattan 69, Canisius 65
This was a doozy of a game to eliminate Canisius from the MAAC Tournament picture (even if it ties for 10th at 7-13 with Iona and Niagara, the Griffs were swept by both teams). Manhattan led by as many as 17 in this game, and then trailed by as much as six in the second half, but came through to grab the win. These days, that’s all that matters. A wild roller coaster ride of a season continues for Manhattan, which has now won three in a row heading into the final three games of the season.
Niagara 70, Iona 68
Justin Hawkins’ game-winning goaltended layup robbed us of having the 10 teams locked into Atlantic City two weeks in advance, but the Purple Eagles are still alive. Iona has now lost four of its last five games, including two at home. Brian Griffith was in-and-out of the Purple Eagle rotation for most of conference play, but he’s scored in double figures in each of the last two games, a huge boon off the bench for a team that has needed some scoring in any form. Niagara has just a 0.7% chance of making the MAAC Tournament, even after this win, per CBB Analytics. And they’ll have to win at least one, probably two, games on the road, which will be tough as the Purple Eagles haven’t won a game outside of Western New York since beating Binghamton on Nov. 8. And even the last two home games are tough, with Quinnipiac and Merrimack coming to town.
Sacred Heart 86, Rider 75
How about that weekend for Sacred Heart? No Mekhi Conner in either game, but the Pioneers still bounced back from a few of the worst offensive performances of league play with back-to-back home wins scoring 1.2 points per possession. The Pios have all but locked up a spot in Atlantic City with this one, as Rider has officially been eliminated from contention.
The Broncs failed to build any sort of momentum from the miraculous win over Saint Peter’s a few weeks back and have lost four in a row by double digits. This one probably could’ve been even more than just 11. Last year, Rider finished the season on a three-game winning streak to secure the eight seed in Atlantic City. Two years ago, the Broncs earned the four seed with a miraculous seven-game winning streak to end the season. This year, the hole that Kevin Baggett’s team dug was just way too deep, and they kept digging.
The Minnesota Vikings are in a tough spot as it relates to their roster. The team has several holes that need to be filled, with some positions lacking top-end talent and others having a surplus. One of those positions with extra talent is the wide receiver spot, and one player specifically is making it hard for the front office to decide what to do.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 2023. He immediately made an impact on the field, but off of it, he has been a distraction and then some. As a result, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine discussed trade pieces for the Vikings and listed Addison as one.
Ballentine writes, "Addison was less productive this season. The Vikings' pass game took a step back as a whole, though. There's also Addison's multiple arrests since being drafted. The Vikings already have Justin Jefferson under a huge contract. If they aren't willing to pay Addison what he could command after a strong season, then they may want to trade him."
Addison could be had for a second-round pick to a wide receiver-needy team. A team like the New England Patriots or Buffalo Bills could use his services as they look for a true WR1, which Addison has the potential to be. But getting the right trade compensation will be key to any move.
Time will tell, but fans should not be shocked if a move or discussion of one heats up after the NFL Scouting Combine next week.
Selection Sunday is less than a month away, which means that March Madness awaits just over the horizon for college basketball fans. The rising excitement in the air is truly palpable.
The defending national champion Florida Gators are heating up during the home stretch, but there are plenty of other teams in play for the title. Familiar faces like the Duke Blue Devils, UConn Huskies and Houston Cougars — among many others — are also battling their way to the postseason.
Here's an early look at everything you need to know, including key Big Dance dates and conference tournament schedules, for this year's edition of March Madness.
When is Selection Sunday 2026?
The 68-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be unveiled on Sunday, March 15, at 6 p.m. ET.
The 2026 NCAA tournament selection show will air on CBS, its traditional broadcast home. Streaming options include Paramount+, CBS's streaming site, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
March Madness 2026 schedule
The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will transpire over the next three weeks, which will end with the Final Four and the national championship game in Indianapolis.
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
First Four: March 17-18
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
National championship game: April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
Men's college basketball conference tournament dates, schedule
ASUN: March 4-8 (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Big South: March 4-8 (Johnson City, Tenn.)
Summit: March 4-8 (Sioux Falls, SD)
MVC: March 5-8 (St. Louis)
OVC: March 4-7 (Evansville, Ind.)
Sun Belt: March 3-9 (Pensacola, Fla.)
SoCon: March 6-9 (Asheville, NC)
Horizon: March 2-10 (Indianapolis)
NEC: March 4-10 (on campus)
MAAC: March 5-10 (Atlantic City, NJ)
WCC: March 5-10 (Las Vegas)
CAA: March 6-10 (Washington DC)
Patriot: March 3-11 (on campus)
Big Sky: March 7-11 (Boise)
Southland: March 8-12 (Lake Charles, La.)
America East: March 7-14 (on campus)
Mountain West: March 7-14 (Las Vegas)
SWAC: March 9-14 (Atlanta)
ACC: March 10-14 (Charlotte)
Big 12: March 10-14 (Kansas City)
Conference USA: March 10-14 (Huntsville, Ala.)
Big East: March 11-14 (New York City)
Big West: March 11-14 (Henderson, NV)
MAC: March 11-14 (Cleveland)
MEAC: March 11-14 (Norfolk, Va.)
WAC: March 11-14 (Las Vegas)
Big Ten: March 10-15 (Chicago)
American: March 11-15 (Birmingham)
Atlantic 10: March 11-15 (Pittsburgh)
SEC: March 11-15 (Nashville)
Ivy: March 14-15 (Ithaca, NY)
Where is the 2026 Final Four?
This year's men's basketball Final Four and championship games will be at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 & 6.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Maxim Naumov shared a message for his teammate Ilia Malinin with PEOPLE
Naumov's message comes after Malinin failed to make the podium in an event where he was expected to win it all
Naumov also opened up about what's next for him after the 2026 Winter Olympics
Figure skater Maxim Naumov knows what it means to be resilient in the face of challenging circumstances — and has some advice for his teammate Ilia Malinin.
Naumov, 24, shared a few words of wisdom he’d like to relay to Malinin, 21, with PEOPLE, words that come after the star skater failed to make the podium in a men’s figure skating final where he was expected to win it all.
“This message is for Ilia specifically. I just want him to know that it’s sports. It’s hard,” Naumov told PEOPLE at Team USA’s Winter House. “And the fact of what happened is a reality and it shows just how real and raw it all is.”
Naumov went on to say he and his Team USA teammates’ support for Malinin has not, and will not, waver, no matter what happens on the ice.
Ilia Malinin and Maxim Naumov at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January 2026.
Jamie Squire/Getty
“A lot of times we as athletes tie so much of our performance and the points [to] our own self-worth, and I just want Ilia to know that we love him and we support him and it doesn’t matter,” said Naumov. “None of the skating stuff is ever going to affect that.”
Naumov — who lost his parents in the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash over Washington, D.C. last year — added that in moments such as this, when things didn’t go the way you’d hoped, the most important thing is how you bounce back. And he has no doubt Malinin will do so with grace.
“Knowing him, he’s definitely going to respond big and I’m just praying for him. I want to support him as best I can,” said Naumov. “As a teammate, as a friend and just as a human. It’s tough. But that’s sports. Things like that are gonna happen, and like I said, it’s how you bounce back that’s the most important.”
While Malinin came in eighth place in the men’s final, Naumov ended up in 20th. As for what’s next, the athlete says he’s looking forward to going home and geting some good shut-eye. But after, he’s focused on the future, which he hopes includes more coaching via Tomorrow’s Champions, a training program founded by his late parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, at The Skating Club of Boston.
A disappointed Ilia Malinin at the men's finals on Feb. 13 at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty
“I definitely need a little bit of a reset, a little bit of a moment to myself and a chance to look back and reminisce, but also have some space to think about what the future holds for me,” he said. “I’m definitely interested in putting more time and dedication into coaching and helping support the youth coming up… I’m young. I’m 24, so the future is very bright in whatever direction that I go and if it’s in the cards, it’s in the cards. I just need some space to figure that out.”
Naumov added that he’s really been enjoying bonding with other athletes in the Olympic Village, particularly the speedskaters, with whom he’s swapped stories and learned about the way they operate.
“There's mutual respect for everybody and every one of these athletes that’s at this Games, we know what we sacrifice and what we did to get to this point,” he said. “Going to the dining hall and seeing just like, what seems like hundreds of athletes all hanging out and mingling and talking and laughing and that experience is something I'll remember forever.”
In an Instagram post shared on Monday, Feb. 16, Malinin wrote he was working through “the darkness” in the days after his disappointing event, and had to deal with “vile online hatred” and “insurmountable pressure.”
Maxim Naumov competes at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 13, 2026.
Sarah Stier/Getty
"On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside," Malinin began his post. "Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure."
He went on to tease a date of Feb. 21, which coincides with the date of the Olympics figure skating exhibition gala, a special performance at the end of each Olympic Games that typically features the sport’s medalists.
Though Malinin did not medal in the men's individual event, finishing eighth overall, he did win gold along with Team USA in the team competition and plans to perform in the gala, USA Today's Christine Brennan reported Sunday.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
The “Holy Grail” of Pokémon has officially dethroned the kings of the hardcourt.
In a historic auction closing Sunday night (2/15/26) at Goldin, Logan Paul’s PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16,492,000, shattering the world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold.
Source: Goldin
The sale surpasses the short-lived record held by the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant card, which sold for $12.932 million in August 2025.
The “Mona Lisa” of Pokémon
The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the most valuable and exclusive Pokémon card in existence. Originally distributed in 1998 as a prize for a CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan, only 39 official copies were awarded. Of those, this specific card is the only known copy to achieve a perfect GEM MT 10 grade from PSA.
“To be one of the Holy Grails of the collectibles industry, a card needs to embody certain indelible qualities,” said Goldin in a statement regarding the auction. “This incomparable Pikachu Illustrator fits this description to a ‘t’.”
Ken Goldin and Logan Paul receiving a new Guinness World Record for most expensive card ever sold at auction.
From Dubai to WrestleMania: A Card with a Resume
The card’s journey to this record-breaking night is as colorful as the holographic foil on its surface.
Logan Paul originally acquired the card in a private transaction in Dubai in July 2021. To seal the deal, Paul traded a PSA 9 version of the same card (valued at $1.275 million) plus $4 million in cash, bringing the total acquisition cost to $5.275 million. That purchase earned him a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale.
But Paul didn’t just lock it in a vault. He turned the card into an icon, wearing it in a custom diamond-encrusted pendant during his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. The card made another ringside appearance in December 2025 at the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight in Miami.
Logan Paul personally handed the card to the new owner upon completion of the auction. The lot also included the “wearable” PSA slab casing, a custom pendant crafted from gold and set with approximately 35 carats of diamonds, appraised at $75,000.
Source: Goldin
The Buyer: A “Planetary Treasure Hunt”
The man behind the record-breaking $16.49 million bid is A.J. Scaramucci, a venture capitalist and the son of financier and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.
Scaramucci, the founder of Solari Capital, revealed that the Pikachu Illustrator is merely the opening move in a much larger strategy. He is launching a new company, Treasure Trove, dedicated to acquiring the world’s most significant cultural artifacts.
“My ambition for the card is just a small story. The real story is that I’m on a planetary treasure hunt,” Scaramucci said following the sale. “I’m planning to buy a T-Rex dinosaur fossil, the Declaration of Independence, and I’m not stopping there. This is only the beginning.”
Scaramucci’s entry into the market highlights a growing trend among ultra-high-net-worth individuals and investment groups who view rare collectibles not just as hobbies, but as alternative, non-correlated assets. By targeting “blue-chip” items, from fine art and luxury watches to Pokémon cards, these investors are hedging against inflation and market volatility, betting that the scarcity of “cultural property” will drive returns that traditional markets cannot match.
A New Era for Collectibles
For decades, the “mountaintop” of the hobby was reserved for names like Mantle, Jordan, and Wagner. Tonight’s sale could signal a changing of the guard.
The Pikachu Illustrator’s ascent to the top spot proves that the “kids’ game” of the late 90s has matured into a blue-chip asset class capable of outperforming the most legendary sports artifacts in history. Now, a yellow electric mouse stands alone at the top.
“No card in the hobby can boast the same prestige and elite place at the very pinnacle of the Pokémon hobby like this unimaginable Holy Grail piece,” Goldin noted in the auction description.
As the final timer ended tonight, one thing became clear: The future of high-end collecting isn’t just about batting averages or championships anymore, it’s about IP, global brands, and the nostalgia of a generation that is finally flexing its spending power.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 28: David Festa #58 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Target Field on August 28, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Full Spring Training is officially underway with all pitchers, catchers, and position players in Fort Myers to get the Twins season started. This team, as always, is full of potential and hope for a strong 2026, but there remain a few distinct roles to be filled. Let’s break down the projected Opening Day roster at the start of Spring Training.
(Note: anyone in italics is a non-roster invitee that would need to be added to the 40-man roster before Opening Day)
Starting Pitchers
Locks (4): Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson
In contention (4): Taj Bradley, Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Mick Abel
Out (9): Andrew Morris, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Marco Raya, John Klein, Cory Lewis, Trent Baker, Christian MacLeod
The top 3 in the rotation are as locked as possible. SWR probably should be a “near lock” but I think it’s his spot to lose with so many questions behind him. The splitter he added in the second half last year was quietly his best pitch and could help him take things up a level.
The final rotation spot will come down largely to health. Festa and Zebby have flashed frontline ability over the past two seasons, but both have durability questions and Festa missed the end of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He’ll be built up as a starter, but I think is bullpen bound due to health concerns. Zebby and Abel have the best stuff, but have been hit very hard in their limited MLB time. As such, Bradley probably has a leg up here.
Zebby, Abel, and Morris are likely the next men up for the rotation. Top pitching prospect Prielipp will see MLB time too, but likely out of them ‘pen after already having two UCL reconstructions in his young career.
Relief Pitchers
Locks (6): Taylor Rogers, Justin Topa, Cole Sands, Anthony Banda, Kody Funderburk, Eric Orze
In contention (13): Travis Adams, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Marco Raya, David Festa, Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin, Julian Merryweather, Matt Bowman, Dan Altavilla, Cody Laweryson, Grant Hartwig, Andrew Bash, Raul Brito
Out (1): Matt Canterino (IL)
Almost no one is out of contention here because there are two WIDE open bullpen slots for whoever can take them. Left-handers Prielipp and Rojas’ chance of making the team straight out of camp took a hit with the additions of Rogers, Banda, and Chafin over the past few weeks. Combined with Funderburk, they need righty arms more than anything.
The only reason Hendriks isn’t a lock is because of his health. He only threw 14 innings last season with the Red Sox after barely pitching in 2023-2024 due to a cancer scare and Tommy John surgery, but flashed his strong breaking balls as usual. If he’s healthy, he will likely close games for the Twins.
Your other choices for the final bullpen spot come down to pitchers who have good stuff with bad results (Festa, Merryweather, Brito) or bad stuff with better results (Chafin, Bowman, Altavilla, Laweryson, Hartwig). Given the lack of raw stuff in the bullpen as it stands, I think they take a gamble on the first group.
Catchers
Locks (2): Ryan Jeffers, Victor Caratini
In contention: none
Out (6): Alex Jackson, David Bañuelos, Ricardo Olivar, Noah Cardenas, Patrick Winkel, Andrew Cossetti
Put it in pen. Even if there’s an injury, just sub in Jackson for whoever is out to start the season. This is the easiest group to project by far.
Infielders
Locks (5): Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Kody Clemens
In contention (4): Ryan Kreidler, Austin Martin, Tristan Gray, Orlando Arcia
Out (5): Eric Wagaman, Aaron Sabato, Gio Urshela, Tanner Schobel, Kalen Culpepper
Wagaman doesn’t have a role in the infield, maybe in the outfield. Same could be said for Martin, but I wonder if Shelton gives him one last try at second base with their needs here. Clemens can’t play shortstop, unfortunately, but he should get plenty of time at 2B and 3B throughout the season.
The only real question here is who can provide any semblance of life as a utility man behind Brooks Lee. Ryan Kreidler, Tristan Gray, and Orlando Arcia will battle for the honor throughout Spring Training, but don’t be surprised if the Twins make an outside addition still.
Outfielders
Locks (3): Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach (for now)
Near locks (3): Alan Roden, Austin Martin, James Outman
In contention (2): Eric Wagaman, Kyler Fedko
Out (5): Emmanuel Rodriguez, Gabriel Gonzalez, Hendry Mendez, Walker Jenkins, Kala’i Rosario
I expect to see plenty of Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez with the Twins this year, but they all need some more seasoning in AAA first. Fedko had a breakout 2025 in St. Paul, but sits behind Wagaman as a right-handed platoon partner for OF/1B.
Larnach is a lock for now because I still think he’ll get dealt to an outfield-needy contender before Opening Day. If he’s with the Twins, he’s obviously a lock. Roden’s fate is tied to Larnach’s as another lefty corner outfielder. In any other scenario he would be the Opening Day left fielder, but that is now Larnach’s spot with the acquisitions of Josh Bell and Victor Caratini taking up most of the 1B/DH reps.
Martin finished 2025 as one of the Twins’ most consistent position players. There’s no place for him to start, but he will start in an outfield corner against every lefty and plenty of righties as players need days off. Outman likely is a lock as well as the only other player who can play a good CF behind Buxton. Both of them could be pushed out due to roster needs elsewhere, though Outman is out of minor league options.
Final Roster Projection 1.0
Bold = camp battles
SP (5): Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, Taj Bradley
RP (8): Rogers, Topa, Sands, Banda, Funderburk, Orze, Liam Hendriks, David Festa
C (2): Jeffers, Caratini
IF (6): Bell, Keaschall, Lee, Lewis, Clemens, Tristan Gray
OF (5): Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, Austin Martin, James Outman
Martin and Outman get Opening Day spots thanks to their versatility and ability to provide late game value off the bench with defense and baserunning. Bradley beats out Zebby for the final rotation spot. Hendriks is healthy and Festa shines in short spurts to give the Twins some electricity at the end of games.
Most controversially, I have Gray as the final position player. Kreidler is a marginal defender at shortstop while Gray shines there. He also has the potential to be a much better hitter than Kreidler and have a mid-career offensive breakout like the Twins helped Willi Castro discover. I think Arcia is completely washed. If you can’t hit in Denver in August, you can’t do it in Minneapolis in April. Thanks for reminding me of Twins legend/your brother Oswaldo Arcia, though.
Who do you see making the Twins out of Spring Training? Any surprises you think will come out of nowhere like Castro in 2023 or Jhoan Duran in 2022?
Tommy Setford and Christian Norgaard have reacted to the player’s first appearance at the Emirates Stadium, with the goalkeeper coming on as a substitute against Wigan Athletic.
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 first-half performance against Wigan Athletic in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie made for a comfortable second 45 minutes, with Mikel Arteta taking the opportunity to introduce a couple of the club’s young players.
16-year-old academy product Marli Salmon came on in the 61st minute, before Tommy Setford was introduced in goal in the 87th minute. Both were making their first-ever appearances for the senior side at the Emirates Stadium, having only previously appeared in away games.
Midfielder Christian Norgaard was pleased with what he saw from both players, but he made a point to praise Setford in particular for his first senior minutes of the 2025/26 campaign.
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
“I thought they did really well, both of them,” Norgaard told TNT Sports. “You know, we see them every day in training, how they compete at the same level as us.
“Marli [Salmon] has been having a little bit more games than Tommy [Setford], so I think I need to highlight Tommy today.
“I know it’s only five or six minutes, but it’s that one action from a free-kick where he’s just ready, and he catches the ball and makes everything easier for us. So well done to him, and hopefully many more games for him in the future for Arsenal.”
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Setford shared his own opinion of the appearance on Instagram, writing: “Worth every minute! Thank you, Arsenal ❤️”
Norgaard knows what it’s like to have to wait for chances, as we’re now in mid-February without the 31-year-old making a single Premier League start for Arsenal.
But the former Brentford man has been getting semi-regular opportunities in the other competitions, and he told ESPN: “There has been no frustrations on my side. It’s a privilege to be at Arsenal.”
Sunday was a night for Norgaard and Setford to enjoy the rewards for all their hard work behind the scenes, and they both took advantage.
The 19-year-old currently plays for RB Leipzig with the Bundesliga outfit demanding around £86 million to allow him to leave.
He's been in fine form this term but, even for a club of the Reds' stature, it's still a lot of money to spend on a 19-year-old.
Despite the hefty price tag, this hasn't stopped the Anfield outfit from exploring a deal with Christian Falk now confirming that Liverpool have a better chance of acquiring his services than Bayern Munich do.
“It is TRUE: Yan Diomande is going to cost a lot of money to sign this summer. The €100m [£87.1m] asking price was established by RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff," he said to the CF Bayern Insider website.
"We saw him playing against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal. He’s good, he’s really good.
"However, he’s still got some developmental work to do, and so €100m will be too much for Bayern this summer.
“That said, it’s a price that Premier League clubs can of course afford to pay.”
Yan Diomande would be a perfect acquisition for Liverpool
Until Liverpool get the transfer of an attacker over the line, the rumour mill will be constantly turning.
It's clear that the Reds need some reinforcement within their attacking ranks even though over £300 million was spent trying to improve it in the summer.
Salah is a fraction of his former self and, without anyone competing with Cody Gakpo to be Slot's starting left-winger, the Dutchman has been poor.
Federico Chiesa is another one of Liverpool's attackers who has some questions surrounding his future with several Serie A clubs interested in signing him.
Of course, spending around £86 million on a 19-year-old would be a massive risk but the fact that he's already been dubbed an "outstanding" player proves how good he actually is.
He's contributed to 15 goals in 24 games across all competitions and, even though he might not be as versatile as some of the other players linked with a Liverpool switch, he'd be the perfect replacement for Salah and he's even offer some competition for Gakpo.
These are all just ifs, buts and maybes at the moment but, if his impressive run of form continues, there's no reason why Liverpool shouldn't at least explore making a move for the Ivorian, especially now that they have an advantage over Bayern.
The Miami Dolphins are cutting Tyreek Hill after a successful stint following a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
He was a two-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, and put up 4,733 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns on 340 receptions in his four-year, 54-game Dolphins career.
Now a free agent, Hill can sign with a new team. But, when can he sign as a free agent this offseason? According to ESPN's Field Yates, NFL rules stipulate that Hill can sign whenever he wants, as he's now already a free agent.
When can Tyreek Hill sign with a new team? Dolphins WR can sign ASAP if he wants
"Because he was released from his contract, Tyreek Hill becomes a free agent and is immediately eligible to sign with another team," Yates reports. "While it's unclear when Hill intends to find a new home, he does not have to wait until March 13th like free agents to be on expiring deals."
While players with expiring contracts will have to wait until March 13th to sign with new teams in free agency, the former Dolphins wide receiver doesn't have to wait.
He can sign right away if he finds the right landing spot. Since he was cut, and it's hitting free agency on an expiring deal, Hill is able to sign with a new team right away.
The only question would be whether Hill wants to sign somewhere right now or if he wants to wait until later in the offseason to get a better idea of which team would be the best possible landing spot.
His injury recovery, a dislocated knee and torn ACL, won't be easy. He has a long road to recovery, and could be out for a while over the offseason and into 2026 as well.
Thanks to that injury, Hill's free agency is a bit more complicated, which could make him last in free agency past the free agency of players on expiring deals.
But if a team is willing to bring him in as soon as possible, and Hill is willing to go to said team, then Hill can sign as soon as he wants to this offseason.
As Yates put it, Hill is "immediately" eligible to sign a new contract with any team this offseason. There are a lot of wide receiver-needy teams around the NFL, and the former Dolphins wide receiver is sure to draw interest.
Over the last couple of years, it is no surprise that Scottie Scheffler has been drawing comparisons to Tiger Woods.
Whether people want to admit it or not, what he has been doing is the closest thing we have seen to peak Tiger, and the stats do not lie.
After his Open Championship win in July, plenty of players on the PGA Tour started mentioning his name in the same breath as Tiger’s.
The 29-year-old world number one has now racked up 20 PGA Tour wins, including four majors.
This significantly trails Woods’ impressive count of 82 PGA Tour wins, including 15 majors.
Still, when you look at how quickly he has won them – all coming since February 2022 – he is on track to be right up there by age 41 if this run continues. And with a few more majors than the Hall of Famer as well.
The Dallas native currently boasts 18 consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, a streak that surpasses Woods’ best-ever run. His longest streak of consecutive top-10 finishes was 11.
Now Scheffler has achieved a feat only Woods has matched in the modern era.
Scottie Scheffler equals Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour record after shooting 63 at Pebble Beach
Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Scheffler got off to a rough start at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, opening with a 72 and finding himself 10 shots behind the leaders.
But as he often does, he bounced back with rounds of 66, 67, and a final-round 63 to climb into a tie for fourth place.
The 29-year-old was in contention on Sunday but could not quite catch Collin Morikawa, who held on to win the title.
Even without adding another trophy to his collection, Scheffler still matched an impressive record during the event.
The world number one has now notched eight consecutive top-four finishes on the PGA Tour.
This feat has only been accomplished twice before in the modern era (since 1986), both times by Tiger Woods.
Scheffler will have the chance to surpass that mark as the tour moves on to Riviera for The Genesis Invitational this week.
His game looks sharp following that final round of 63 at Pebble Beach, and he will likely be one of the favourites heading into Riviera.
NBA All-Star Weekend has come and gone, and the Association will tip off for the final quarter of the season on Thursday. As we move into “silly season,” some teams will start looking to the future and developing their young players rather than worrying about wins.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for the second half of Week 17.
Priority Adds
1. Day’Ron Sharpe
2. Nique Clifford
3. Ty Jerome
4. Nolan Traoré
5. Kyle Filipowski
6. Devin Carter
7. Tristan Vukčević
8. Gui Santos
9. Scoot Henderson
10. Brice Sensabaugh
Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies (35 percent rostered)
Jerome continues to offer monster production in limited minutes, and due to his excellent play, this will surely be the last week I can mention him in this column before he’s no longer widely available. In just 20.2 minutes per game, Jerome has averaged 19.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.0 dimes, 1.2 swipes and 2.3 triples. He’s started all six of his appearances and should be locked into a starting gig for the rebuilding Grizzlies the rest of the way.
Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz (28 percent rostered)
With Jaren Jackson Jr. done for the season and Utah actively tanking, Filipowski should see a ton of playing time for the remainder of the season. Jusuf Nurkić and Kevin Love don’t figure into Utah’s long-term plans, but Filipowski is the future. He’s averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocked and 1.1 triples across 19 starts this season.
Sacramento extended its losing streak to 14 before the All-Star break, and the Kings will be one of the teams anxiously waiting for ping pong balls to determine their fate in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. Zach LaVine (hand) is out for the season, and the Kings recently traded guard depth to Cleveland for De’Andre Hunter. Expect Clifford to see big run down the stretch. In two games since his 30/4/4/2/2 eruption, he’s struggled tremendously from the field, shooting 5-of-31, including 1-of-11 from beyond the arc. Shooting woes aside, Clifford managed 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals in that pair of contests while seeing 37.5 minutes per game. The Kings have every reason to incentivize development after the break, which is a huge positive for Clifford’s fantasy value.
Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz (18 percent rostered)
Sensabaugh isn’t going to offer much in the way of peripheral stats of defense, but if you need scoring and triples, he’s your man. Over his last 15 outings, Sensabaugh has averaged 18.7 points and 2.5 triples to go with 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals. His 48.7/83.3 shooting splits should be quite attractive to fantasy managers, too.
Like Ty Jerome, Scoot has only appeared in a handful of games this season, but he’s been great with his limited playing time. Unlike Jerome, Henderson has come off the bench in all four of his games, but his playing time could ramp up after the All-Star break. He’s averaging 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 triples while shooting career-best marks from the floor (51.7%) and the charity stripe (82.6%).
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors (16 percent rostered)
Santos has been the most consistent option for the struggling Warriors, and he seems to have a meaningful role locked down for the foreseeable future. He’s started six of the Dubs’ last eight games, averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.9 blocked shots and 1.6 triples across 27.6 minutes in that span. Santos is a poor free-throw shooter, but he’s knocked down 59% of his shots across his last eight.
Sharpe has lottery ticket value, but he’s been steady enough as of late that adding him isn’t a major gamble. Grabbing him off the waiver wire early could prove highly beneficial down the final stretch of the season. Over his last 12 games, Sharpe has averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals across 20.4 minutes. Sharpe is behind Nic Claxton on the Nets’ depth chart, but he’s done well in his allotted time and made the most of expanded opportunities. In four starts, Sharpe has averaged 13.8 points, 8.5 boards, 4.3 dimes, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks across 30.8 minutes. Claxton (hip) sat out the Nets’ final game before the All-Star break, and Sharpe produced a monster 19/12/5/2/2 line across 31 minutes. Brooklyn isn’t playoff bound, and the team may finally decide to give Sharpe some additional run after the break. With career per-36 averages of 16.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 swats, Sharpe has tremendous upside. Add now, and hope that an expanded role materializes.
Traoré has started eight straight games, but he’s turned up the production as of late. Across his last four games, he’s averaged 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 triples in 31.5 minutes. In that span, Traoré has shot 59.1% from the floor and 71.4% from the charity stripe. The rookie could see north of 30 minutes for the remainder of the season as Brooklyn prioritizes development before heading to another draft lottery.
Carter could join Nique Clifford as a permanent starter in Sacramento’s backcourt sooner rather than later. The last-place Kings have no reason to play Russell Westbrook or Malik Monk meaningful minutes, and the second-year man out of Providence should get a long look to close out the 2025-26 campaign. He’s averaged 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 26.6 minutes over his last five games.
Tristan Vukčević, Washington Wizards (4 percent rostered)
Alex Sarr will be back no earlier than February 26 while dealing with a right hamstring strain, which gives Vukčević ample runway until he returns. Washington is looking ahead to next season when Trae Young and Anthony Davis are healthy, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Wizards take a cautious approach with Sarr. Vukčević has logged 20+ minutes in nine games this season, averaging 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers in those contests.
Other options:Jaden Ivey (26%), Dylan Cardwell (20%), GG Jackson (19%), Dylan Harper (17%), Ryan Kalkbrenner (14%), Jeremiah Fears (14%), Paul Reed (10%), Ousmane Dieng (6%), Jose Alvarado (4%)
Solana price has invalidated its recent breakout attempt after failing to hold above key resistance, confirming a bull trap and shifting the short-term market structure back into bearish.
Ethereum price was stuck below the important support of $2,000 today, February 16, as it erased the gains made during the weekend. Ethereum (ETH) token was trading at $1,980, down substantially from its all-time high of $4,960. Technical analysis suggests…
We spoke to Maria Hamilton, Design Director and Jay Hwang, Principal Artist on World of Warcraft's bigger emphasis on player housing, customization, and what we could see next from the game.
Acer and Asus have temporarily stopped selling certain PCs in Germany after a court granted Nokia an injunction over alleged HEVC patent infringement. Retailers can sell existing stock, but new imports are blocked while the dispute continues.
We have gathered up the Best Buy's greatest discounts on productivity laptops to help fellow Americans blaze through workloads in honor of Presidents' Day.
Mewgenics, the new indie roguelike from Edmund McMillen, is set to receive a console release. The creator confirmed development is underway, following over 900,000 estimated Steam sales and strong early momentum. Paid DLC is also planned.
Upgrade the standard 9.5 mm Ultra-Slim ODD bay into a removable U.2/U.3 NVMe SSD bay that delivers enterprise-class speed and reliability in limited space. Ideal for Dell, HP, and Lenovo business desktops, compact workstations, and industrial or government systems, the MB411V4PO-2B enables quick drive maintenance, secure data access, and flexible storage expansion for environments where uptime and serviceability matter. This conversion adapter enables quick drive maintenance, secure data access, and flexible storage expansion where uptime and serviceability are essential.
OCuLink 4i PCIe Gen 4 x4 - Native U.2/U.3 NVMe Performance
Equipped with a native OCuLink 4i (SFF-8612) interface, the MB411V4PO-2B connects directly to NVMe hosts for PCIe Gen 4 x4 performance, delivering up to 64 Gbps transfer bandwidth - over 10× faster than traditional SATA ODD interfaces (6 Gbps). This dramatic increase in throughput enables faster data migration, real-time backups, and improved workflow efficiency for business and industrial applications.
Razer, the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers, proudly announces the launch of the Razer NiKo Collection, an exclusive line created in partnership with Counter-Strike (CS) icon Nikola "NiKo" Kovač. Built for competitive dominance and inspired by NiKo's relentless pursuit of victory, this collection brings pro-level performance and bold design to gamers worldwide.
A year into his tenure with Team Razer, this collection marks a long-awaited milestone for NiKo and his community. Crafted through an extensive development process, this collaboration was guided by authenticity and intention - built to meet the standards of one of the greatest players in CS history.
I am thrilled to finally be able to deliver updates on Silent Hill: Townfall, following our announcement back in 2022. Screen Burn may be a small development team, but they have taken their time to craft a game that we can now present with confidence. In the recent State of Play, we (Konami) revealed a new trailer that gives you a glimpse into the world that awaits. Please enjoy. To explain more, I will hand it over to Jon McKellan, Writer and Director at Screen Burn Interactive on Silent Hill: Townfall.
A new chapter
With Silent Hill: Townfall, we at Screen Burn Interactive wanted to both evolve the unique narrative design that we had experimented with in our past games while pushing into ambitious territory, with a new town to explore, horrific enemies to fight and evade, and story-driven puzzles that help deliver a new but distinctly Silent Hill tale of mystery, tragedy and loss. With our first full trailer release, we have shown a slice of what to expect, answered some long lingering questions, and likely raised some new ones too…
In mid-February, Acer is facing multiple challenges in Europe and Asia. This past weekend, news reports outlined a court-ordered cease and desist ruling that prevents PC and laptop sales in Germany. Last Friday (February 13), the company's Japanese office informed the local customer base about forthcoming price tag changes. Since November 2025, tech companies have wrestled with an extremely constrained supply of vital components. The regional branch's social media account described inevitable hikes: "due to rising prices of major components such as memory and SSDs, Acer will revise the prices of PC products on its official online store starting from February 20, 2026. Purchases at the current prices will be available until February 19. We will continue striving to improve our product value. We appreciate your understanding." The same notification was issued by the firm's gaming brand (Acer Predator/PlayMaster) to local customers. The Taiwanese multinational PC hardware manufacturer's Japanese division did hint about current circumstances not affecting a handful of items; their statement alluded to a non-specific selection of products remaining "unchanged" in terms of asking prices. At the time writing, Acer's other regional operations have not released similar warnings.
TSMC is reportedly planning to announce the addition of four new fabs at its Phoenix, Arizona site, known as TSMC Arizona. According to the Financial Times, TSMC will add four additional fab buildings at its Arizona campus, worth about $100 billion, with an official confirmation expected as early as April, just two months from the time of writing. In January, TSMC reportedly purchased additional 900-acres of land directly across the highway from the existing site north of Phoenix, preparing to expand its campus across. That extra production capacity will be supported by an estimated $100 billion of additional funding that TSMC is willing to spend on U.S. soil, despite making additional simultaneous investments back home in Taiwan.
However, many of the deal's specifics are still uncertain. According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, about $100 billion of those pledges are firm, which means that the total value of TSMC's investment in Arizona will amount to $265 billion. About $165 billion has already been invested in Arizona, and another $100 billion will make this one of the highest ever external investments on U.S. soil. Interestingly, TSMC is not alone in this investment round, as its supply chain partners are expected to contribute about $30 billion of the $100 billion figure, meaning that many more players are gathering funds to form the new supply chain independence.
UK-based seating specialist, Boulies, a leader in high-performance ergonomic seating, today announces the launch of the EP500 ergonomic chair, designed to provide all-day comfort for work, rest or gaming with adjustable features and a wide 51 cm seat to suit users of all different heights and body shapes.
Designed for larger body types and personalized comfort, the Boulies EP500 has a wide 51 cm seat and is built for people from 165 cm to 190 cm, ensuring that it can support people of all body types and a wide range of users. Combined with the adjustable backrest height and seat depth adjustment, it allows users to personalize their seating position, ensuring ergonomic support for people of different heights and body shapes.
Of all the action-RPG franchises to make you work for an epic moment, Monster Hunter is up there among the ones that push you hardest, and the Monster Hunter Stories series is no exception to the rule. You take on the lowest rank Monsters, you get pummelled into the dirt until you learn how to beat them, and then you excitedly hurry back home to build a new weapon and a cool set of armor from the creature you've just murked, ready to go through the entire process again with a slightly harder monster. It's a rewarding battle, but a tough one, and Monster Hunter's greatest secrets are often reserved for those that take the time to fully embrace its many systems.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection shows you right from the start that things are going to be a little different around here. In the first minute of my hands-on session with the game, my Rider (not a Hunter, but we'll get into that later) is sprinting down a cliff at warp speed before leaping right off the edge, only to be caught mid-air by her pet Rathalos and, together, they soar across a glittering lake, in what may be the most breath-taking introduction to a Monster Hunter game I've seen yet, inviting you, the player, to immediately take the reigns of this majestic creature - who, for once, isn't a foe to be conquered, but a friend. It's a stark contrast to the opening of Monster Hunter Stories 2, in which you carry a Rathalos egg around for hours before it hatches. This introduction feels like the culmination of a spin-off that's ready to step out of the shadow of its mainline series, and show us exactly what it can do.
Nickle LaMoreaux, IBM's chief human resources officer, gave hope to entry-level hires who are often the most at risk of losing out to AI when it comes to getting – and holding onto – a job.
Google has pushed an emergency update for Chrome to close a high-severity zero-day vulnerability that's already being exploited in the wild. The flaw stems from a use-after-free bug in Chrome's CSS font handling and can lead to crashes, rendering issues, or worse.
The aviation industry continues to witness remarkable strides in pilot training, with the latest achievement being the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Level D qualification for TRU Simulation + Training Inc.’s Full Flight Simulator (FFS) dedicated to the Cessna Citation Ascend. This major milestone not only strengthens the aviation sector but also positively impacts the tourism industry by enhancing the efficiency of flight operations and broadening the appeal of private jet services to tourists.
Revolutionising Pilot Training for Midsize Jets
TRU Simulation, an affiliate of Textron Aviation, has long been at the forefront of innovative flight simulation technology. The achievement of FAA Level D qualification for the Cessna Citation Ascend FFS is significant because it enhances the quality of pilot training on one of the latest and most advanced midsize jets in the market. The simulator provides a realistic and immersive training environment for pilots, with advanced features designed to simulate a range of in-flight conditions. This qualification marks a pivotal moment for both aviation training and tourism, as it ensures the safe and efficient operation of the Citation Ascend for both private jet travel and commercial aviation.
The Cessna Citation Ascend, known for its remarkable comfort and performance, is a highly sought-after aircraft in the private jet industry. The introduction of the FAA-qualified simulator allows pilots to train in a state-of-the-art environment, reinforcing safety and enhancing operational precision. This directly benefits tourists using private jet services, as the advanced training will result in safer, more reliable flight experiences.
Boosting Aviation Tourism Through Enhanced Pilot Training
Aviation tourism, particularly private jet travel, continues to grow in popularity, with increasing numbers of affluent travellers seeking efficient and luxurious ways to explore destinations. The availability of qualified flight simulators plays an important role in bolstering the aviation sector’s ability to meet this demand. With the FAA Level D qualification, pilots will be better equipped to navigate the increasingly complex flight routes of the Cessna Citation Ascend, ensuring passengers enjoy a smoother and more reliable travel experience.
Private jet services offer a unique way to explore a wide range of luxury destinations, and as pilot training improves, tourism opportunities expand. More tourists are opting for private charter flights to visit destinations around the world, especially those requiring shorter runways or remote locations not easily accessible by commercial airlines. With a growing demand for seamless travel experiences, the improvement of flight training for midsize jets like the Citation Ascend ensures the aviation sector continues to thrive and cater to the ever-evolving needs of luxury tourism.
The Role of TRU Simulation’s Full Flight Simulator in Advancing Tourism
The Cessna Citation Ascend FFS by TRU Simulation features cutting-edge technology to provide an unmatched training experience. The simulator is equipped with TRU Simulation’s REALCue motion system, which utilises Six Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) with high-performance actuators. This ensures pilots experience lifelike motion feedback, enhancing their training and overall operational skills.
For tourists, this means more competent pilots capable of navigating a range of flight conditions, resulting in a more comfortable and secure journey. As private jet tourism becomes increasingly accessible to high-net-worth individuals, the aviation industry’s focus on improving pilot training will have a direct impact on tourism growth, particularly in destinations known for their exclusivity and luxurious appeal.
EASA Qualification and the Global Impact of Cessna Citation Ascend Training
In addition to the FAA qualification, the simulator is set to achieve European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in 2026. This expansion in training capabilities will further enhance the reach of the simulator, providing additional opportunities for pilots in the European market to receive top-tier training. For the tourism industry, this represents a crucial step in the globalisation of private jet services and the expansion of tourism into regions previously inaccessible by smaller jets.
The Cessna Citation Ascend, with its expanded flight training options, will increase the availability of private jet flights to both new and established tourist destinations, including luxury hubs in Europe, North America, and Asia. This growth will ultimately contribute to more international travellers enjoying an elevated experience, with enhanced safety and operational consistency throughout their journey.
The Future of Private Jet Tourism
The development of advanced flight simulators, such as the Cessna Citation Ascend FFS, demonstrates a commitment to improving the standards of the aviation industry, particularly in private jet tourism. As aviation tourism continues to rise, the growing investment in pilot training will have lasting benefits for both the aviation industry and global tourism. By enabling more efficient, safe, and reliable private jet services, the industry will be better positioned to serve the needs of high-end travellers seeking seamless, luxury experiences.
This FAA qualification, along with the anticipated EASA certification, represents a new era in aviation and tourism. It underscores the continuous efforts to enhance the safety, reliability, and appeal of private jet travel. As these advancements shape the future of aviation, more destinations will become accessible, further enriching the global tourism landscape.
Arctic Frontiers, Asia’s Flight Gridlock, America’s Hospitality Battle, and the Death of Long-Haul European Trips: Latest Travel News in Brief
Arctic Frontiers, Asia’s Flight Gridlock, America’s Hospitality Battle, and the Death of Long-Haul European Trips – 2026 has already proved to be a seismic year in global travel. Arctic frontiers have opened up like never before, with explorers rushing to conquer the frosty wilderness, signaling a new era of extreme adventure. Meanwhile, Asia’s flight gridlock has disrupted the travel flow, with chaos gripping airports across China, Indonesia, and Thailand, leaving millions of passengers frustrated. If you thought America’s hospitality scene was already at its peak, think again!
The battle for America’s most hospitable state has taken a shocking turn, as Texas has surged ahead of California and New Jersey, setting new standards in southern charm and service. However, amid these seismic shifts, the death of long-haul European trips looms large. With rising costs and increasingly complicated security, travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia are now turning away from the once-popular European destinations.
The changing tides are transforming how—and where—we travel. Travel And Tour World urges readers to read the entire story as we dive deep into these powerful trends, analyzing their impact on the tourism industry and beyond.
Welcome to the ultimate briefing on the state of global travel in 2026. This year has already become a landmark era of shifting borders, unprecedented Arctic exploration, and a radical realignment of how—and where—the world moves. While some regions face logistical nightmares, others are emerging as the new titans of hospitality.
Below is an in-depth analysis of the trends, triumphs, and turbulence defining the travel industry today.
The Great Asian Flight Gridlock
The aviation sector in Asia is currently grappling with a logistical crisis. China, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines have seen a staggering volume of flight cancellations and delays, sending shockwaves through the regional economy. Major carriers including Batik Air, Citilink, Cathay Pacific, and Thai Airways are working around the clock to manage passenger frustration as technical hurdles and operational bottlenecks stall the Asian travel recovery.
The Rise of the New Tourism Titans
This is the year of the “Alternative Destination.” Brazil has joined an elite group of nations including Egypt, Bhutan, Seychelles, and Japan in leading a global tourism frenzy. These countries are rewriting the travel rules by emphasizing sustainability and cultural immersion, successfully drawing millions of travelers away from traditional European hubs.
The Battle for America’s Most Hospitable City
In a shocking shift in domestic sentiment, Texas has officially outshone California, New Jersey, and Oklahoma in the race for the title of America’s most hospitable state. As the “Battle for Hospitality” heats up, the Lone Star State’s unique blend of southern charm and modernized infrastructure is setting a new gold standard for the American travel experience.
Conquering the Frozen Frontier: Arctic Expeditions
For the thrill-seekers, Adventure Canada has unveiled its Arctic Expedition program, offering unprecedented access to Greenland, Nunavut, and the legendary Northwest Passage. This move signals a massive growth in “extreme adventure tourism,” catering to high-net-worth travelers looking to witness the raw beauty of the North before it changes forever.
The “Bad Bunny” Effect: Latin American Surge
Pop culture is proving to be a primary driver for tourism. Following an electrifying Super Bowl halftime show by Bad Bunny, travel bookings to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil have skyrocketed. This “musical migration” highlights how entertainment icons are now more influential than traditional travel agencies in shaping global destination trends.
Armenia’s Visa Revolution
In a strategic move to boost its economy, Armenia has implemented a groundbreaking visa waiver, benefiting citizens from the US, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and more. This open-door policy positions Armenia as a vital bridge between East and West, making it a new hotspot for both business and leisure.
Europe’s Summer of Discontent
While other regions thrive, Europe is struggling. Major countries like Ireland, Denmark, Germany, and France are facing massive travel hurdles. Airport backlogs, long wait times, and internal freezes are causing massive frustration, prompting many to rethink their European summer plans.
Japan’s Luxury Dominance
Japan continues to flex its tourism muscles, with the Japan National Tourism Organization set to lead a luxury travel showcase at ILTM North America in Nassau. By focusing on the high-end market, Japan is ensuring its status as a premium global destination remains unchallenged.
US Domestic Chaos: Passengers Stranded
Domestic travel within the United States has hit a rough patch. Thousands of passengers have been left stranded as hundreds of flights were scrapped or suffered major delays. Carriers like Spirit, JetBlue, and WestJet are under fire as travelers demand better protection against systematic failures.
The Death of the Long-Haul European Trip?
In a historic shift, travelers from the US, Canada, Brazil, and Australia are abandoning long-haul travel to Europe. Rising costs, complex new security systems, and the appeal of regional alternatives are causing a sharp decline in transatlantic tourism, signaling a new era of localized exploration.
Alaska is a dream destination for travellers from around the world. Towering glaciers, vast wilderness, and spectacular wildlife make it a truly unforgettable experience. A cruise through this majestic region offers comfort, adventure, and a chance to witness nature at its most pristine. Princess Cruises has long been a leading operator in Alaska, providing well-crafted itineraries and modern ships designed for all types of travellers. This Alaska cruise guide is tailored for globetrotters seeking both adventure and relaxation on the Great Land seas.
Choosing the Right Princess Cruise Ship for Your Journey
Princess Cruises operates a fleet of ships specially deployed to Alaska, each offering unique experiences. Among them, Coral Princess provides a more intimate setting with numerous balcony cabins perfect for glacier and wildlife viewing. Crown Princess combines spacious public areas with refreshed dining options, making it ideal for those who enjoy comfort and variety on board. Discovery Princess, one of the newest additions, offers state-of-the-art amenities and modern cabins, appealing to travellers who prefer contemporary luxury. For those seeking expansive decks and panoramic views, Emerald Princess and Grand Princess offer excellent vantage points for observing the stunning Alaskan scenery. Every ship balances comfort, entertainment, and accessibility, ensuring each guest enjoys their ideal cruise experience.
Alaska Cruise Itineraries and Departure Ports
Princess Cruises sails from multiple ports to cover the diverse landscapes of Alaska. Key departure points include Vancouver in Canada, Seattle and San Francisco in the US, and smaller Alaskan ports such as Whittier and Anchorage. Cruises range from four to 17 nights, giving travellers options for both short scenic trips and longer, more immersive journeys. Popular ports of call include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay National Park, renowned for its massive glaciers and breathtaking fjords. Longer itineraries often feature stops near Denali National Park, allowing travellers to explore Alaska’s interior while combining shipboard luxury with land-based adventure.
Land-Based Adventures Enhance the Cruise Experience
Beyond the ship, land-based excursions elevate the journey. Denali National Park and surrounding wilderness areas offer guided hikes, wildlife spotting, and cultural experiences. Helicopter tours and scenic train rides provide an unforgettable bird’s-eye perspective of mountains, glaciers, and fjords. Shore excursions also allow visitors to explore local culture and cuisine, such as Alaskan salmon and halibut. Planning these activities in advance is essential, as they are highly sought after during peak cruise season from May to September. Combining cruise and land experiences ensures travellers see the best of Alaska’s natural and cultural treasures.
Travel Tips for a Comfortable and Enjoyable Cruise
Alaska cruises require careful preparation. Weather conditions can change quickly, so layering clothing and carrying waterproof outerwear is crucial. Booking cabins early ensures access to preferred stateroom types, especially those with balcony views for optimal glacier watching. Planning excursions ahead of time helps secure spots for popular activities like whale-watching tours, dog sledding, and glacier landings. Sea days can be spent enjoying onboard entertainment, wellness programmes, and dining experiences. Staying informed about local weather, tides, and seasonal wildlife patterns improves safety and maximises the enjoyment of scenic highlights.
Glaciers, Wildlife, and Scenic Highlights
Alaska’s appeal lies in its untouched landscapes. Glacier Bay National Park and the surrounding fjords showcase enormous glaciers and dramatic ice formations. From ship decks, travellers can spot humpback whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and occasionally bears along the shoreline. For photography enthusiasts and nature lovers, this is an unmatched opportunity to capture the natural beauty of Alaska. Guided tours offer closer encounters with the landscape, providing a more immersive experience. Adventure seekers can opt for kayaking near glaciers, helicopter excursions, or dog sledding experiences, each offering a unique perspective of the wilderness.
Why Choose an Alaska Cruise
An Alaska cruise is not just a voyage; it’s a journey through one of the world’s most pristine environments. Princess Cruises combines the comfort of modern ships with expertly planned itineraries that include scenic highlights and cultural experiences. Travellers can enjoy panoramic views from deck, relax in luxury cabins, and participate in excursions that explore the state’s unique wildlife and landscapes. Whether it’s a first-time visit or a repeat trip, Alaska’s dramatic scenery, diverse wildlife, and immersive adventures make it an unparalleled destination for global travellers.
Final Thoughts
For those seeking a blend of relaxation, adventure, and awe-inspiring scenery, Alaska cruises with Princess Cruises offer the ultimate travel experience. From towering glaciers to vibrant ports and engaging excursions, every moment on board and ashore is designed to create lasting memories. This Alaska cruise guide equips travellers with the knowledge to choose the right ship, plan excursions, and fully enjoy one of the most scenic cruise destinations on Earth. Embark on a journey where nature’s grandeur and world-class cruising converge for the perfect Alaskan adventure.
Visit Qatar has officially concluded the 2026 edition of Brouq, its premier desert activation, marking another successful year for one of the country’s most cherished winter events. Running for 77 days, from December 2025 until 10 February 2026, Brouq attracted a remarkable 61,121 attendees, solidifying its position as a must-visit destination for both residents and visitors alike. This year’s event was a blend of adventure, cultural experiences, and live entertainment, providing a dynamic showcase of Qatar’s desert landscape.
A Richly Diverse Programme
Set against the backdrop of Qatar’s stunning desert, Brouq offered an eclectic mix of experiences, making it an irresistible draw for visitors of all ages. The Desert Escape Zone became one of the event’s most iconic attractions, with the addition of several exciting new features. Among these was the towering 25-meter Adventure Tower, designed to thrill those with a sense of adventure. This area also included a zipline experience, offering visitors an adrenaline rush as they soared over the desert, taking in the sprawling vistas below. Alongside these high-energy experiences, the zone featured open-air dining areas where guests could savor local delicacies while enjoying the entertainment.
For those looking to relax and immerse themselves in the culture, the Film City zone provided an unforgettable experience. Here, attendees had the opportunity to engage in a variety of cultural activities, such as falcon photo opportunities, henna art, and traditional musical performances. The storytelling sessions, held at various points throughout the site, captivated audiences, weaving tales of Qatar’s rich history and traditions.
Family-Friendly Activities Galore
Brouq 2026 placed a strong emphasis on family engagement, ensuring that younger visitors had just as much fun as the adults. Across the activation, a total of 539 activities and workshops were organized, with many specifically designed for children. The lineup included puppet shows, face painting, caricature classes, and much more, making Brouq a family-friendly destination that encouraged repeat visitation. The event’s appeal to families is expected to strengthen Qatar’s reputation as a destination for year-round tourism, offering both adventure and cultural immersion in a single package.
New Features and Expansions
The 2026 edition of Brouq introduced several fresh activation areas, enhancing the overall visitor experience and providing even more ways to engage with the desert landscape. Among these new areas was the Sunset Lounge, which offered a peaceful retreat where guests could unwind as the sun set over the desert horizon. The Brouq Wildlife Reserve, another exciting addition, gave visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the desert environment, with an emphasis on local wildlife.
Additionally, the Mini Safari Cars provided a fun and interactive way for families to explore the vast desert. These small vehicles offered a safe and exciting adventure through the dunes, perfect for young explorers looking to experience the desert in a new way. The Family Majlis was another welcomed feature, where families could gather and relax in a traditional setting, enjoying the camaraderie and comfort of a local cultural space.
Food, Shopping, and Entertainment
No outdoor event is complete without a diverse range of food, shopping, and entertainment options, and Brouq delivered on all fronts. With 24 food and beverage vendors, alongside retail outlets offering a selection of local crafts and goods, visitors were able to enjoy a full desert experience. Whether indulging in traditional Qatari dishes or browsing local handicrafts, Brouq ensured that attendees could enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Qatar.
The activation was also supported by continuous live performances, keeping the atmosphere vibrant throughout the event. Music, dance, and theatrical acts were a constant presence, with performances designed to reflect Qatar’s diverse cultural heritage while providing entertainment for visitors of all ages.
Strong Focus on Domestic Tourism
Visit Qatar’s commitment to fostering domestic tourism was evident throughout the Brouq event. By offering an array of experiences that cater to both local residents and international visitors, Brouq has become an integral part of Qatar’s year-round events calendar. As one of the country’s most popular outdoor attractions during the winter months, Brouq continues to play a pivotal role in encouraging repeat visitation to Qatar’s diverse destinations.
With each passing year, Brouq evolves to meet the needs and expectations of its audience, ensuring that visitors are consistently offered new and exciting experiences. As Qatar continues to invest in and develop high-quality tourism activations, Brouq stands as a shining example of how the country is making its mark as a top-tier destination for cultural and adventure tourism.
Conclusion
Brouq 2026 has set a new benchmark for outdoor events in Qatar, with record attendance, engaging activities, and cultural richness that appealed to visitors of all ages. By blending adventure, cultural heritage, and family-friendly entertainment, Brouq remains one of Qatar’s most beloved winter activations, offering a unique and unforgettable desert experience for all who attend.
Air India’s Northern Summer 2026 schedule introduces a completely new experience to visitors who want to explore London and Melbourne and Toronto and Tokyo next year. The airline plans to deliver an upgraded experience through its new aircraft operations which will include refurbished widebody planes and upcoming generation jet aircraft on its most traveled international routes.
Big step in global network strategy
Air India has announced a significant product and network enhancement for Summer 2026, centred on upgraded cabins and added capacity on long‑haul routes. Key destinations benefiting from the move include Tokyo (Haneda), Toronto, Seoul, Shanghai, London and Melbourne, all of which will see aircraft with new or retrofitted interiors, plus more seats on select routes.
From Delhi, flights to Tokyo Haneda will use Boeing 787‑9 aircraft in a three‑class layout, adding Premium Economy and increasing monthly seat capacity on the route. Delhi–Toronto will rise from 7 to 10 weekly services, while flights to Seoul Incheon and Shanghai will also see frequency bumps, strengthening connectivity between India and key East Asian and North American hubs.
New cabins and more premium choice
At the heart of the plan is a rapid rollout of new or thoroughly refurbished cabins across Air India’s widebody fleet. The airline is deploying new Boeing 787‑9s and retrofitted 787‑8s with updated interiors on more international routes, while continuing a retrofit programme for 26 legacy 787‑8s, each receiving redesigned cabins and the carrier’s new livery.
Premium Economy will appear on more city pairs, including Delhi–Tokyo and Bengaluru–London Heathrow, giving travellers an option between traditional Economy and Business on long sectors. First Class, which has been gradually re‑introduced as part of the broader transformation, will feature on select Boeing 777‑300ER routes such as Delhi–Melbourne and flights to Birmingham and London Gatwick, offering eight suites alongside business‑class flatbeds and a large economy cabin.
Industry observers noted that airline executives described these upgrades as part of a deliberate push to create a more consistent new Air India experience, rather than a patchwork of old and new cabins.
Strengthening aviation networks
These aircraft and product changes are designed not only to improve comfort on board, but also to deepen Air India’s role in international aviation networks linking India with Europe, North America and Asia–Pacific. Additional frequencies to Toronto, Seoul and Shanghai, together with upgraded capacity to London and Melbourne, increase the number of connection options via Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru for passengers travelling onward across India or beyond.
On the Delhi–Melbourne route alone, the introduction of upgraded 777‑300ERs with First Class will add nearly 4,000 extra seats per month, creating more room for both leisure and corporate demand between India and Australia. On the India–UK corridor, the use of new 787‑9s and refreshed 787‑8s on Mumbai–London and Bengaluru–London, together with improvements on Delhi–London, further consolidates Air India’s position as a key non‑stop player between the two countries.
Commentary around the airline’s transformation programme has indicated that 2026 is being viewed internally as the year when passengers will most clearly notice the change, as more upgraded widebodies join the long‑haul network.
What it means for travellers
For passengers, the immediate impact of the Summer 2026 plan will be felt in the cabin rather than on a route map. Many flights that once alternated between older and newer interiors will, under the revised schedule, be consistently operated by aircraft with upgraded seating, refreshed décor and updated inflight entertainment.
Premium Economy should be particularly attractive to long‑haul travellers from India who want extra space and comfort without the cost of Business Class, especially on overnight flights to London, Tokyo and Toronto. Families heading for summer holidays, students travelling abroad and members of the Indian diaspora visiting home are likely to benefit from the additional frequencies and seat capacity, which can help ease pressure on fares and improve availability at peak times.
Observers also pointed out that the integration of more A350 and 787‑9 aircraft, with their modern cabin pressurisation and quieter interiors, was expected to make long‑haul journeys feel less tiring, something frequent flyers have been keen to see on India–Europe and India–Australia routes.
A traveller‑focused chapter in Air India’s reinvention
London, Melbourne, Toronto and Tokyo may just be waypoints on a global map, but for the travellers who will pass through their airports next summer, Air India’s 2026 upgrades could shape how they feel about flying from India for years to come. For many, the prospect of boarding a quieter aircraft, settling into a more thoughtfully designed seat and enjoying smoother connections will make the idea of long‑haul travel a little less stressful and a lot more enticing.
The airline operates its new cabin configurations and additional flight schedules through its entire network system which results in enhanced international travel connections and provides passengers with improved options to travel between continents. The combination of enhanced aviation connections and superior onboard service which Air India will introduce in 2026 will provide international travelers from India with their next flight selection decision support.
Scotland has long been a favourite among U.S. travellers, and 2026 promises to be no different. The United States functions as Scotland’s primary international visitor source, which will lead to an increase in American tourists who will arrive in Scotland, thus creating substantial growth in the tourism sector. According to VisitScotland, U.S. visitors accounted for 22 percent of all international trips to Scotland in 2024 and contributed to 36 percent of the country’s overseas tourism spend. Americans will continue to visit Scotland because they want to experience special travel opportunities which Scotland provides as its unique strength.
Increased flight routes and air connectivity, coupled with tailored travel packages and easy access to Scotland’s iconic cities and remote landscapes, ensure a seamless travel experience for U.S. visitors. From the bustling streets of Edinburgh to the scenic beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the country provides a diverse range of experiences that attract travellers from across the Atlantic.
New Attractions and Experiences Await U.S. Visitors
Scotland is continuing to invest in tourism infrastructure to keep visitors engaged and entertained. New experiences and attractions are being unveiled across the country, making it even more attractive to U.S. visitors seeking fresh adventures. Among the new offerings are enhanced cultural experiences such as the Paisley Museum redevelopment, which promises to deepen visitors’ understanding of Scottish design and heritage. Additionally, Scotland’s Inverness Castle Experience is set to become a must-visit for history enthusiasts, providing immersive insights into the region’s past.
In the Highlands, the Cinematic Kasbahs of Ouarzazate and the Sahara Desert Experience are examples of iconic locations that U.S. travellers will have the chance to explore in a more intimate and tailored way, thanks to Scotland’s increasing emphasis on custom travel packages. By incorporating local culture, storytelling, and regional history into these experiences, Scotland is tapping into the demand for deeper, more meaningful travel that appeals to the U.S. market.
Enhanced Air Connectivity Driving More U.S. Visitors to Scotland
The U.S. is benefiting from expanded air services that make it easier to travel to Scotland. New flight routes and increased frequencies from major U.S. cities to key Scottish hubs like Edinburgh and Glasgow are encouraging more visitors to make the journey. United Airlines’ resumption of services between New York and Glasgow in 2026 is one example of how air connectivity is expanding, providing more convenient access for U.S. travellers. Such developments ensure that American tourists are never far from Scotland’s welcoming cities, landscapes, and cultural offerings.
The partnership between airlines and Scotland’s tourism sector is pivotal in attracting U.S. visitors. The expansion of direct routes to Scottish cities from airports like New York’s JFK and Chicago O’Hare is a key factor in making Scotland an accessible destination for U.S. tourists. This growth in airlift not only makes Scotland more reachable but also enhances the appeal of Scotland as a destination for longer vacations and multi-destination trips.
Scotland’s Target Audience and Travel Trends
For U.S. travel advisors, understanding the diverse demographics of U.S. tourists visiting Scotland is crucial in tailoring their offers. According to VisitScotland, the majority of American visitors are holidaymakers (73 percent) who value both relaxation and adventure. These travellers seek a variety of experiences, from outdoor activities in the Scottish Highlands to cultural explorations of cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Moreover, couples, retirees, and first-time visitors represent a significant portion of U.S. visitors to Scotland. Advisors can target these groups with packages that focus on romantic getaways, heritage tours, and scenic experiences in the Highlands and islands. These travellers are drawn to Scotland’s rich history, vibrant cities, and breathtaking natural scenery, making it an ideal destination for a wide range of vacation styles.
A Growing Focus on Sustainable and Cultural Travel
In recent years, sustainability and cultural immersion have become central to travel preferences, particularly among American tourists. Scotland’s focus on responsible tourism is aligned with U.S. travel trends, where many visitors are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact and seek authentic, locally-rooted experiences. Scotland’s ongoing efforts to develop sustainable tourism infrastructure, from eco-friendly accommodations to cultural tours that respect local traditions, ensure that U.S. travellers can enjoy the country’s beauty responsibly.
Scotland is embracing this shift by offering a range of experiences that allow visitors to connect with the destination in meaningful ways. For example, visitors can explore Scotland’s cultural offerings by touring its medieval castles, vibrant arts scene, and authentic food and drink experiences, including whisky tours and tastings that highlight the country’s rich culinary heritage.
A Bright Future for US Tourism in Scotland
Scotland is poised for another record year of tourism from the United States, with more travellers eager to experience the country’s natural beauty, cultural treasures, and unique experiences. Enhanced air connectivity, a growing number of attractions, and a commitment to sustainable tourism are all contributing to the destination’s appeal. For U.S. visitors, Scotland offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation, ensuring that 2026 will be a year of continued growth for Scotland’s tourism sector.
Scotland’s development of its tourism attractions through new experiences and EUSC travel advisors will benefit from this market which shows increasing demand for their services. Scotland currently possesses all necessary components to achieve its best ever tourism potential.
A routine holiday flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom was dramatically disrupted when violence broke out at 35,000 feet, prompting an unscheduled landing in Belgium. The incident, involving a Jet2 service bound for Manchester, underscored growing concerns across Europe about inflight misconduct and passenger safety. What began as a disagreement between travelers on board quickly escalated into a physical altercation that left fellow passengers shaken and forced decisive action from the flight crew.
The aircraft, which had departed from Antalya Airport in Turkey, was diverted to Brussels Airport after tensions spiraled beyond the control of cabin staff. Authorities in Belgium later removed the individuals involved, and Jet2 confirmed that lifetime travel bans would be imposed. The episode not only disrupted travel plans for dozens of passengers en route to the United Kingdom but also reignited debate about alcohol consumption, aggressive conduct, and zero-tolerance enforcement on European carriers. In a separate development, another Jet2 flight in Spain drew attention after a British passenger died shortly after arrival, adding to a week of difficult headlines for the airline.
Midair Disruption on Flight LS896
Flight LS896 had been operating between Antalya, Turkey, and Manchester, United Kingdom, when a disturbance erupted in the cabin. The journey, typically completed without incident by thousands of holidaymakers each year, was interrupted when a dispute between passengers intensified into violence.
It was reported by fellow travelers that an intoxicated passenger had allegedly made racist remarks that were audible to nearby passengers. Although alcohol consumption had been observed, it was suggested that awareness of the behavior had not been impaired. Cabin crew members were said to have intervened promptly in an effort to de-escalate the situation and restore order.
However, the conflict was further aggravated after the same individual was reportedly denied cigarettes onboard. As tensions mounted, another passenger became involved, and the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation. Shouting was heard across the cabin, and a scene of disorder unfolded. Witnesses later described visible blood on seats and debris scattered along the aisle, contributing to an atmosphere of distress, particularly among families traveling with children.
In light of the escalating risk to passenger safety, the flight crew elected to divert the aircraft. Aviation safety procedures require such action when onboard threats compromise operational security. The aircraft was rerouted to Brussels Airport in Belgium, where local authorities boarded the plane upon landing.
Swift Action in Belgium
After the aircraft touched down in Brussels, law enforcement officials entered the cabin and removed the two individuals involved in the altercation. The diversion, while necessary, resulted in considerable delays for all passengers traveling onward to Manchester.
Jet2 later confirmed that lifetime travel bans would be imposed on both passengers. The airline emphasized that disruptive behavior would not be tolerated and that the safety of passengers and crew remained paramount. The seriousness of the incident was further underscored when the pilot reportedly informed passengers that no comparable event had been experienced in three decades of flying.
The decisive response aligned with broader European aviation policies, where airlines in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Turkey have increasingly reinforced zero-tolerance stances against unruly conduct. Industry observers have noted that alcohol-related disturbances have been rising in recent years, placing additional strain on cabin crews tasked with maintaining order in confined spaces.
Impact on Passengers and Operations
For travelers onboard, what had begun as a routine return flight from Turkey turned into a deeply unsettling experience. The diversion extended travel times and disrupted arrival schedules in Manchester. Passengers were required to remain onboard during the unexpected stop in Belgium until authorities completed their intervention.
The emotional toll was said to have been significant. Families reportedly attempted to reassure children amid the commotion, while others expressed frustration over delays and concerns about safety. Such incidents have been recognized as not only operational challenges but also reputational risks for airlines operating in competitive markets across Europe.
From an operational standpoint, diversions incur substantial logistical and financial implications. Fuel calculations, crew duty time limits, and ground handling arrangements must all be adjusted in real time. Nevertheless, aviation experts maintain that diversions are an essential safeguard when security threats arise.
Growing Scrutiny of Unruly Passenger Behavior
Across the United Kingdom and other European nations, airlines have been increasingly vocal about the consequences of disruptive conduct. Enhanced enforcement measures, including fines, criminal prosecution, and travel bans, have been implemented in response to a global uptick in incidents.
In many reported cases, excessive alcohol consumption has been identified as a contributing factor. Airlines have therefore reviewed onboard service policies and airport bar practices, particularly during peak holiday seasons when flights between destinations such as Turkey and the United Kingdom operate at high capacity.
Jet2 reaffirmed its commitment to passenger welfare following the Brussels diversion. The airline reiterated that crew members are trained extensively to manage conflicts but will not hesitate to involve authorities when safety is compromised.
Separate Incident in Spain Draws Attention
In an unrelated development, a British tourist died shortly after arriving on a Jet2 flight at Lanzarote Airport in Spain. The aircraft had landed at 2:26 pm local time, and the passenger reportedly collapsed approximately 22 minutes later near passport control in Terminal 1 at César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport.
Emergency services were alerted at 2:48 pm and responded promptly. Despite their efforts, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities identified the passenger as a British national, and officials confirmed that no suspicious circumstances were being considered. Preliminary indications pointed to natural causes, with local reports suggesting a heart attack.
Details regarding the individual’s age and travel companions were not disclosed. Airport operations in Spain continued without disruption, and routine procedures were initiated by Civil Guard officials.
Concerns About Airport Conditions in Spain
The collapse occurred in an area where passengers typically queue before reaching passport control desks staffed by police officers. Local media in Spain had previously highlighted concerns about limited seating, lack of restroom access, and high temperatures during peak periods.
Although no official link was established between queue conditions and the medical emergency, the incident reignited discussion within Lanzarote’s tourism sector. Representatives reportedly expressed apprehension that overcrowding could undermine the island’s standing as a premium holiday destination favored by travelers from the United Kingdom and across Europe.
Authorities emphasized that the case was being handled as a natural death pending standard medical confirmation. Privacy for the deceased’s family was requested.
Broader Context of Passenger Emergencies
The recent developments involving British passengers follow another aviation-related incident in December, when an elderly woman reportedly died before departure on an easyJet flight from Malaga to London Gatwick. In that case, the aircraft was turned back prior to takeoff, and passengers experienced extended delays.
While the events were unrelated, they collectively highlight the diverse challenges faced by airlines operating between Spain and the United Kingdom. From inflight disturbances to medical emergencies, carriers must be prepared to respond swiftly and in accordance with established safety protocols.
The diversion of Jet2 flight LS896 from Turkey to Belgium served as a stark reminder of the consequences of disruptive behavior in the confined environment of an aircraft cabin. Through the imposition of lifetime bans, a firm stance was reinforced by the airline in defense of passenger and crew safety.
At the same time, the separate medical emergency in Spain underscored the unpredictable nature of air travel. Across the United Kingdom, Belgium, Turkey, and Spain, aviation authorities and airlines continue to prioritize security, preparedness, and respect for passengers as international travel demand remains strong.
The Rixos Murjana resort in King Abdullah Economic City which exists on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast operates as the largest all‑inclusive resort in the country while serving as a new tourist attraction for families. The beach area welcomes travelers with its extensive white sand beach and sparkling swimming pools and vista of overwater villas which extend into the Red Sea. The coastal escape style which the beach area offers has become a popular destination for both local residents and international tourists who previously traveled abroad to find similar experiences.
A flagship for Saudi’s Red Sea tourism drive
Rixos Murjana has opened in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), north of Jeddah, as Saudi Arabia’s largest ultra all‑inclusive resort, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a leading global beach destination under Vision 2030. The resort is described as the first fully integrated, all‑inclusive property in the kingdom, combining accommodation, dining, entertainment and waterpark access in a single stay, which aims to keep visitor spending within Saudi Arabia and extend average trip length.
The project has been enabled by the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), which financed and invested in the resort in partnership with Emaar Economic City as investor and FTG Company as developer, reflecting a model of public–private collaboration to accelerate tourism infrastructure. Officials highlighted that the development is expected to generate around 250 jobs for Saudis, supporting local employment and skills in hospitality and resort operations.
Tourism minister Ahmed Al‑Khateeb was cited as saying that the opening marks an important milestone in the roll‑out of high‑quality destinations, demonstrating that major projects are ready to move into full operations and welcome visitors from within the kingdom and abroad while expanding family travel choices and contributing to Vision 2030 goals.
Scale, design and accommodation
Spread across a large coastal site in KAEC, Rixos Murjana offers 488 rooms and suites alongside 33 villas, many with direct or panoramic views of the Red Sea. Accommodation ranges from premium sea‑view rooms and suites to expansive Royal Suites of around 686 square metres, with private jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and dedicated living and dining spaces designed for extended family stays and high‑end travellers.
Club Privé by Rixos introduces an ultra‑exclusive enclave featuring private villas, maid’s rooms and tranquil pools, with guests receiving butler service and access to a dedicated Club House and Beach Club. The resort also offers Maldivian‑style overwater villas, giving the Red Sea shoreline a distinctive profile and offering an alternative for guests who might otherwise opt for long‑haul Indian Ocean retreats.
Architecturally, the interiors draw inspiration from Hijazi coastal design, integrating regional motifs with contemporary, sustainable finishes to create a sense of place while meeting international luxury standards. This aesthetic is echoed throughout public spaces, reinforcing Saudi cultural identity for both domestic and overseas guests.
Middle East’s longest pool and an integrated waterpark
Among the headline features is what is reported to be the Middle East’s longest swimming pool at 111 metres, which runs alongside landscaped gardens and provides a focal point for daytime relaxation. The resort also fronts a private white‑sand beach with access to clear Red Sea waters and nearby coral reefs, catering to sun‑seekers and water‑sports enthusiasts.
Murjana Waterpark, described as Saudi Arabia’s first fully integrated hotel waterpark, spans tens of thousands of square metres and features 11 slides and rides, wave and snorkel pools, splash zones for younger children and multiple food and beverage outlets. The park’s design is said to be inspired by Hijazi architecture and local stories, blending cultural elements with high‑energy attractions for families and thrill‑seekers.
For families, the resort also houses what is promoted as the largest kids’ club in Saudi Arabia, Rixy Kids Club, alongside a dedicated Teens Club, both offering supervised activities, workshops and entertainment tailored to different age groups. Adults can access extensive fitness facilities and an Exclusive Sports Club with expert‑led classes including CrossFit, yoga and TRX, positioning the property as a wellness‑oriented escape as well as an entertainment hub.
Dining, spa and all‑inclusive lifestyle
Rixos Murjana follows the brand’s all‑inclusive, all‑exclusive concept, with guests benefiting from unlimited access to multiple restaurants, cafés and beach bars as part of their stay. Signature venues include Terra Mare for international buffets, Alâ Aksam steakhouse, Piazzetta Italiana, MykOrini for Greek tastes, People’s Restaurant and Godiva Café, collectively designed to keep guests on‑site and engaged across different cuisines.
The award‑winning Anjana Spa features 12 treatment rooms, steam and sauna facilities and couple suites, supporting longer wellness‑focused itineraries for couples and multi‑generational groups. Combined with the destination’s beach clubs, cabanas and adults‑only pool zones, the offering is tailored to both high‑spend leisure travellers and regional weekend visitors looking for short, intensive breaks.
Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s hospitality ecosystem
Industry leaders have framed Rixos Murjana as a qualitative leap in KAEC’s evolution from industrial city to lifestyle and tourism destination, helping to attract foreign direct investment and international brands to the Red Sea corridor. Tourism Development Fund chief Qusai Al‑Fakhri was quoted as saying that the project embodies the fund’s strategy to empower the private sector and deepen partnerships that elevate hospitality standards and enrich guest experiences, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for all‑inclusive stays.
For the wider hospitality sector, the resort is expected to stimulate demand for supporting services such as transport, excursions and events, while its gateway to holy cities positioning leverages KAEC’s accessibility to Mecca and Medina for visitors combining pilgrimage with coastal holidays. By setting a benchmark for large‑scale all‑inclusive operations and integrated waterparks, Rixos Murjana is also likely to spur competitive upgrades at existing properties and influence the design of future Red Sea developments.
Rixos Hotels chairman Fettah Tamince was reported as observing that the opening is a defining milestone for the brand in Saudi Arabia, expressing confidence in the country’s tourism vision and describing the property as bringing together scale, innovation and elevated guest experiences that set a new standard for ultra all‑inclusive hospitality in KAEC.
A new Red Sea ritual for Saudi and global travellers
A new ceremonial practice which involves the Red Sea will be available for both Saudi citizens and international visitors to experience. The Rixos Murjana resort in King Abdullah Economic City will enable Jeddah and Riyadh families and families from other locations to create Red Sea vacation traditions which require no international travel but provide resort amenities including water slides and spa services and oceanfront dining which people used to think were exclusive to Antalya and Maldives. The all-inclusive resort will demonstrate how Saudi Arabia can combine its heritage with continuous entertainment and high-end service to develop a unique coastal vacation experience.
London’s renowned Spitalfields Market is about to gain an exciting new addition to its vibrant food scene. The acclaimed plant-based restaurant, Holy Carrot, is set to open its second location in the historic area in March 2026. Known for its ingredient-driven, plant-based cuisine, this new venue will feature a cutting-edge fermentation vault that transforms vegetable by-products into unique and flavorful offerings, including carrot molasses cocktails and smoked carrot XO sauce. This development represents a significant step for Holy Carrot and adds to London’s growing reputation as a must-visit destination for food tourism.
The Vision Behind Holy Carrot’s Expansion
Founded in 2020 as a pop-up and initially making its mark in Notting Hill, Holy Carrot quickly earned a reputation for its innovative plant-based dishes, focusing heavily on fermentation and fire. Its growing fan base, coupled with the demand for more accessible plant-based options, has now led to its expansion into Spitalfields, one of London’s most iconic and historical food markets. The restaurant’s new location will continue its mission to bring delicious, sustainable, and vegetable-focused dining to the heart of London. This new site will be strategically located within Spitalfields Market, a place known for its rich food heritage and dynamic market culture, making it an ideal setting for Holy Carrot’s plant-based offerings. The introduction of a fermentation vault to the kitchen space is an exciting new venture for the brand. Vegetable by-products, such as focaccia trims and vegetable peelings, will be creatively repurposed into ferments, pickles, miso, soy sauce, and even garums, pushing the boundaries of plant-based cooking and reducing food waste. These innovative processes are set to inspire food tourists seeking new, sustainable, and immersive culinary experiences.
The Art of Fermentation and Fire in Plant-Based Cooking
Fermentation and fire are central to Holy Carrot’s cooking philosophy, forming the backbone of its flavourful and unique offerings. At the Spitalfields location, the fermentation room will be an integral part of the menu development process. This dedicated space allows for the creation of complex flavours and textures, elevating vegetables to new heights of sophistication. Dishes will include fire-grilled koji flatbreads, a rotating pie du jour, and seasonal vegetable-driven plates that embrace both traditional and modern techniques.
The integration of a custom-made grill and a newly designed pizza oven into the kitchen will further enhance the dining experience, allowing for a fusion of fire-cooked dishes with fermented components. One of the star dishes includes a miso-marmite pizzetta, finished with grated pecorino, alongside fire-grilled leeks, served with a house-made smoked hot sauce and hazelnuts. These combinations provide a creative twist on familiar comfort food, drawing in tourists looking for both innovation and nostalgia in their dining experiences.
A Design to Reflect Connection with Nature
Holy Carrot’sSpitalfields location will not only be a culinary destination but also an artistic and immersive experience. The space, designed in collaboration with Studio Toogood, will feature a striking, site-specific mural by Faye Toogood. The mural depicts human figures connecting with towering vegetables, symbolising the deep-rooted connection between people, food, and the earth. This artistic touch highlights the philosophy of Holy Carrot, which celebrates vegetables and sustainable ingredients as the centrepiece of the dining experience. The mural’s theme of human connection with nature adds an extra layer of intrigue for tourists seeking to experience food culture in an enriched, sensory-driven way.
Regenerative Sourcing and Sustainable Practices for the Conscious Traveler
Sustainability is key to Holy Carrot’s ethos. The restaurant sources its ingredients from regenerative producers such as Natoora and Shrub London, focusing on food systems that support environmental restoration and sustainable agriculture. This conscious sourcing appeals to food tourists and travelers who are increasingly seeking eco-friendly and ethically produced food options. By supporting local and sustainable producers, Holy Carrot contributes to London’s growing reputation as a hub for sustainable dining. This aligns with the increasing trend of eco-conscious travel, where visitors look for experiences that reflect their values, particularly in food choices.
Impact on London’s Food Tourism Scene
Holy Carrot’s move into Spitalfields is part of a larger movement in London’s food tourism scene that has seen a rise in interest for plant-based and sustainable dining options. London has long been at the forefront of culinary innovation, and as more travelers become interested in sustainability, health-conscious eating, and plant-based alternatives, the city is positioning itself as a leading destination for such experiences. Spitalfields, with its storied food history and bustling market atmosphere, serves as the perfect backdrop for this new chapter in Holy Carrot’s story. Visitors to this iconic market are already familiar with the diverse food offerings available, and the addition of a restaurant like Holy Carrot further diversifies the landscape, appealing to tourists seeking both innovative cuisine and cultural immersion.
The restaurant’s focus on fermentation and fire techniques offers an engaging way to connect with food culture that goes beyond traditional dining. This is an example of how modern restaurants are reshaping the travel experience by offering unique, memorable moments tied to sustainable and experiential cooking methods. For travelers, the chance to watch fermentation in action and to taste a dish that has been crafted through fire and fermentation will be an unforgettable aspect of their journey.
What This Means for Plant-Based Dining and the Tourism Industry
The expansion of Holy Carrot into Spitalfields marks an important step for the plant-based dining sector in London and beyond. As travel and tourism continue to evolve, food has become a powerful tool for enriching cultural exchanges. The rise of plant-based dining experiences speaks to the growing awareness of sustainability and health-conscious eating among travelers. Holy Carrot’s approach to fermentation and fire-driven dishes positions it as a culinary destination that caters to these changing consumer preferences. In a city like London, known for its diverse food offerings, Holy Carrot is setting a new standard for what plant-based dining can look like. For travelers seeking to immerse themselves in London’s rich culinary culture, a visit to Holy Carrot will provide a unique glimpse into the future of food – one that is rooted in sustainability, creativity, and flavour innovation. With the restaurant’s expansion to Spitalfields, it is clear that London will continue to lead the charge in the global food tourism scene, setting the stage for other destinations to follow suit.
Conclusion: A New Era for Plant-Based Food Tourism in London
As the culinary world continues to evolve, Holy Carrot’s new Spitalfields location marks a transformative moment in London’s food tourism scene. By combining fermentation, fire, and sustainable sourcing, the restaurant is creating an experience that is both innovative and deeply connected to nature. Food tourists seeking new, plant-based experiences will find Holy Carrot at Spitalfields an exciting destination that not only elevates vegetables but also showcases the power of sustainable cooking methods. With this new location, Holy Carrot is poised to contribute to London’s legacy as a world-leading food tourism hub.
In 2026, an unmistakable shift in American travel choices is unfolding. Once‑magnet destinations — the UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, Israel, and Venezuela — are being increasingly sidelined by US tourists. This change isn’t random. A combination of rising travel costs that put pressure on holiday budgets, heightened safety concerns backed by official travel advisories, and growing political tensions around the globe is reshaping where Americans choose to spend their overseas vacations. Against a backdrop of more expensive flights and accommodation, warnings about conflict or instability, and complex diplomatic relationships, far fewer Americans are booking long‑haul trips to these iconic destinations in 2026. Instead, many are looking for safer, more affordable, and logistically simpler alternatives closer to home or in regions with fewer travel obstacles — a trend that marks a clear departure from previous years when overseas bucket‑list spots dominated travel plans.
As 2026 unfolds, a shift is taking place in the travel habits of American tourists. While the world has become more interconnected, the travel choices of many Americans reflect a significant change in priorities. Rising costs, safety concerns, and changing perceptions of value are pushing travelers to reconsider their plans. Once-popular destinations are now seeing a noticeable dip in American visitors. Here’s a look at where Americans are opting out and why.
Economic Strain and Changing Priorities
Data reveals that more than two in five Americans have reduced their international travel in the past year. Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, in particular, are making fewer trips abroad, with many opting to stay closer to home or choose less expensive alternatives. This change is being driven by the combination of rising travel costs and a reassessment of what constitutes good value. As vacations become more expensive, American travelers are becoming more discerning in how they allocate their hard-earned money.
1. United Kingdom: A Costly and Less Appealing Option
The United Kingdom, historically a top destination for American tourists, is experiencing a decline in visits. The strength of the British pound against the US dollar means that American tourists are spending much more for everyday expenses like meals, accommodations, and entertainment. Along with this, ongoing travel advisories highlighting the risk of terrorism and civil unrest in some areas have made the UK a less attractive option. London, in particular, has become a notably expensive destination, causing many travelers to turn to other European cities that offer better value.
2. France: Iconic, Yet Pricey and Overcrowded
France, particularly Paris, has long been a dream destination for Americans. However, the financial demands of visiting are pushing many to reconsider. The escalating costs of visiting France, coupled with the high prices for food, lodging, and attractions, are making it less appealing to many American tourists. Additionally, a noticeable decline in French travelers visiting the United States between 2024 and 2025 suggests a reciprocal trend, with fewer Americans making the trip to France. French cities outside Paris also require more advanced language skills and a higher level of planning, further deterring American visitors.
3. Germany: Perceived Lack of Value and Complex Travel Logistics
Germany, once a staple in European travel itineraries, has seen a significant reduction in American visitors. With a 28% drop in visitors, it’s clear that the country is no longer viewed as an easy and affordable destination. Germany’s intricate travel logistics, including the complexity of train systems and varying regional regulations, have become more burdensome for American tourists. While cities like Berlin and Munich remain culturally rich, the hassle involved in planning a trip has led many to opt for destinations that require less effort and offer more straightforward experiences.
4. China: Travel Uncertainty Amid Tensions
Despite some signs of increased interest in China, many American travelers are hesitant to visit. The political tensions between the US and China, along with strict visa requirements and travel restrictions, make China a complex destination. The country’s restrictive internet access, surveillance concerns, and constantly changing travel regulations have made it less appealing. With so many logistical barriers and a tense political climate, China’s allure is fading for many Americans, who are seeking easier and more accessible destinations.
5. Russia: A No-Go Destination
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has become a virtually inaccessible destination for American travelers. The US State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for the country, and travel routes are extremely limited. The conflict has made Russia unsafe for tourism, with practical barriers like flight restrictions and sanctions making travel even more complicated. While cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow once attracted American visitors with their rich history and culture, they are now seen as too risky, with few American tourists willing to brave the safety concerns.
6. Israel and the Palestinian Territories: Conflict and Security Risks
The situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories has escalated in recent years, leading many Americans to reconsider travel to the region. Ongoing conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest have prompted the US government to issue travel warnings for the area. Flight disruptions, closed borders, and a heightened security situation make it difficult for American tourists to enjoy the region’s historical and religious sites. With the safety risks outweighing the allure, many travelers are choosing destinations with fewer security concerns.
7. Lebanon: Instability and Uncertainty
Once known for its vibrant culture and rich history, Lebanon is now facing a deep economic crisis and political instability. The US government has issued a Level 4 travel advisory due to risks such as terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The country’s infrastructure is in decline, and the ability of the US to provide emergency assistance is severely limited. These factors make Lebanon an impractical and dangerous destination for American tourists, further driving them away from the region.
8. Haiti: Increasing Violence and Collapsing Infrastructure
Haiti has become one of the most dangerous countries for American tourists, with a dramatic rise in gang violence, kidnappings, and the collapse of public security. The US State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, and even those traveling through the border with the Dominican Republic are advised to avoid the area. Despite Haiti’s rich cultural heritage, the current security situation has made it a no-go for most American travelers.
9. Venezuela: Economic Collapse and Safety Concerns
Venezuela is facing an economic and political crisis that has rendered it unsafe for American tourists. With hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and a lack of infrastructure, traveling to Venezuela is becoming increasingly risky. While the country boasts natural wonders like Angel Falls, the dangers of crime, civil unrest, and a lack of basic services make it an untenable destination for American tourists. The US State Department’s “Do Not Travel” advisory further discourages visits.
Conclusion: The Changing Face of Travel
The travel habits of Americans in 2026 reflect a shift towards more affordable, safer, and accessible destinations. Rising costs, safety concerns, and geopolitical issues have caused many once-popular destinations to fall out of favor. As travelers become more selective with their vacation dollars, countries offering better value and fewer complications are seeing more attention. The landscape of global travel is changing, and American tourists are prioritizing destinations that offer a better experience without the risks and costs associated with many traditional hotspots.
Already demanding a significant investment, the ROG Xbox Ally X has suffered a price increase in Japan. Several retailers have raised the price of the Windows gaming handheld by more than 20%. An earlier leaked Asus communication predicted higher costs due to rising storage and memory prices.
Deal | The Alienware AW3423DWF 34-inch OLED gaming monitor is currently available with a 28% discount on Amazon, dropping its price down to an all-time low yet again. With excellent color reproduction, inky blacks and near-instant response times, the AW3423DWF is a well-equipped product.
Anker has unveiled the eufy Glass Break Sensor E10 in Europe. Also set for release in the US, this smart home security device can detect the sound of glass breaking. The sensor can then alert the homeowner to the possible break-in, and play a loud noise to deter a potential intruder.
ByteDance says it will strengthen safeguards for its Seedance 2.0 AI video generator after the MPA and SAG-AFTRA condemned the tool and reports said Disney and Paramount sent cease-and-desist letters.
Apple has finally revealed when it will be hosting its next launch event. Scheduled before the start of spring, the 'Special Apple Experience' is expected to serve as a showcase for over half a dozen new devices, including a Studio Display 2, more powerful MacBook Air and MacBook Pro machines and even a cheaper MacBook too.
The Casio G-Shock Smoke Dial watches have been released in more European countries. Already available in the US and the UK, these three hybrid products have semi-transparent casing and straps. Plus, these GA-2100 series watches have a piano black dial with contrasting neon accents.
Vampire’s Fall 2 is aimed primarily at fans of classic role-playing games. It combines turn-based combat from an isometric perspective with a dark, atmospheric fantasy setting. The title launched on February 13 and is free to play on Steam.
Samsung is set to replace the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro next week during its next Galaxy Unpacked event. In the meantime, a new leak has provided extensive looks at both the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro ahead of their full global debuts.
Apple is holding its first event of the year on March 4. Cupertino will host a “special Apple experience” across New York, London and Shanghai, with the event scheduled to start at 9AM ET/ 2PM GMT/10PM CST time. It remains to be seen if the event will be livestreamed or if Apple will simply launch the products via press releases.
Apple event invite
We’re expecting several products, with the iPhone 17e being the most often rumored device in the last few weeks. The successor to last year’s iPhone 16e is rumored to get upgraded to the Apple A19 chipset alongside a 6.1-inch screen with...
YouTube is having trouble with loading the comment section under its videos – some think that this is an anti-adblock measure. Multiple users on Reddit are reporting encountering the issue. For some, the video description also fails to load, not just the comments.
People have tried multiple workarounds, e.g. refreshing the page seems to work occasionally, which suggests that this is a regular site issue. However, the most reliable “workaround” discovered so far is turning off the ad blocker.
Comments and video descriptions are failing to load for some users
What’s curious is that...
PrivadoVPN has rolled out PhantomMode to iOS users, a feature that blocks hidden trackers and ads on your device. Previously an Android exclusive, it offers privacy protection that doesn't stop when you disconnect your VPN.
LG’s UltraWide 34-inch monitor is down to $210 at Best Buy, making it one of the cheapest ways to grab a big-screen IPS display from a well-known brand.
All the ways to watch Pairs Figure Skating finale 2026 live streams for FREE, with Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi facing an uphill battle in the Free Skate.
Any young girl in the 2000s could tell the truth about America's Next Top Model better than anybody, and it feels like the new Netflix documentary gets the airbrush treatment.
Look no further: Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale has the best prices that I'd found on TVs, Apple devices, appliances, laptops, smartwatches, and more.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing a long break due to FIFA calendar until his next game with Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 40 years old, remains a central figure for both his club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. Still drawing global attention, the key question now is when the legendary striker will take the field again.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, when Al Nassr will be hosting FK Arkadag for the second leg of the Round of 16 in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League 2 at Al Awwal Park. The forward made his return after his boycott to the SPL on Friday, scoring one goal in the 2-0 win over Al Fateh SC.
Regarding the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return during the March international break. After having his suspension lifted ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the veteran forward will be available for selection for Portugal’s two friendlies, one of which is reportedly set to be against the USMNT.
So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 19 goals and provided 3 assists in 23 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal. With the World Cup set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico at the end of the campaign, Ronaldo will be determined to arrive at what will likely be his final major tournament in top form.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC scoring a bicycle kick.
Ronaldo and a long break due to FIFA schedule
After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star will endure a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.
From December 1 through 18, Qatar will host the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final set for Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final. With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, will be unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.
With nearly a month separating matches until the December 21 showdown against Al Najma SC, local reports say Al Nassr’s players will receive nine days of rest. Afterward, Ronaldo and his teammates will begin training at the club’s new first-team facility, developed in partnership with King Saud University.
Girona take on Barcelona in a pivotal Matchday 24 clash during the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Below is all the essential information, including kickoff times and how to watch the matchup live on TV and via streaming platforms.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Girona vs Barcelona on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Girona vs Barcelona
WHAT
Spanish LaLiga
WHEN
3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT • Monday, February 16, 2026
With the La Liga race tightening, Barcelona enter a must-win clash against Girona FC after Real Madrid jumped to 60 points atop the table with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad. Barcelonatrail by two with a game in hand and can’t afford a slip.
Facing this Cules in need of victory will be Girona, who have collected 26 points in this campaign, and are fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone. Undoubtedly, this promises to be a high-stakes battle at both ends of the standings you won’t want to miss.
More details on how to watch
With ESPN+, you can watch Girona vs Barcelona and tons more soccer games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, Apple, Android, and Amazon Fire devices, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Oculus Go.
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There’s also the daily ESPN FC show, 30 For 30 documentaries, exclusive access to studio programs and more.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full ESPN+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Although Weston McKennie did not begin as an undisputed starter at Juventus, he has managed to become one of Luciano Spalletti’s key players. Despite this, the USMNT star does not have his continuity secured, as a reported new demand has complicated the negotiations.
Luciano Spalletti’s arrival has completely transformed Juventus, imposing a clearly defined style of play. Kenan Yıldız has established himself as the undisputed leader of the team, while Weston McKennie has emerged as one of its most important players. However, the USMNT star has not fully secured his future with the Vecchia Signora, as negotiations have reportedly stalled due to a specific player’s agent demand.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have made Weston McKennie’s continuity a top priority, but contract renewal talks have stalled. Given his impressive form, the agents of the USMNT star are demanding that his current salary—around €2.5–3 million per season—be doubled. While the Italian side are willing to offer a pay raise, they are not prepared to meet the latest request, which has put negotiations under strain.
Even though McKennie does not have his future at the Vecchia Signora fully secured, he has made it clear that extending his deal is an absolute priority. However, Weston has established himself as one of the team’s best players and wants that status to be reflected in his new contract. In addition, coach Luciano Spalletti has made it clear that the USMNT star is one of the most important players in the squad.
Following the emergence of Khéphren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, Weston has had to adapt by playing as a mezzala, an attacking midfielder, or a right winger in order to gain prominence. Far from slowing his progression, this adjustment allowed the USMNT star to become the fourth-most-used player in the squad, playing a key role in Juventus’ system. In addition, he is the team’s second-highest scorer, making his continuity crucial for Spalletti.
Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates after scoring a goal.
Report: McKennie attracts attention from several European teams
After struggling in previous seasons, Juventus chose not to prioritize Weston McKennie’s contract renewal, as he seemed likely to leave the club. However, coach Luciano Spalletti has significantly transformed his career, turning him into one of the most complete players in the world. With his contract set to expire in June 2026, the USMNT star has become a primary target for major clubs, which opens the door to a potential departure.
According to Ben Jacobs on X, previously known as Twitter, Atlético Madrid have prioritized acquiring Weston McKennie to bolster their midfield. With Conor Gallagher’s departure, the Spanish club feels the absence of a genuine box-to-box midfielder, a role that the USMNT star can ideally fill. However, Premier League clubs, along with Inter Milan, AC Milan, and AS Roma, reportedly also have an interest in signing him, making his future a tough fight.
Weston McKennie of Juventus in action during the Serie A match.
‘s hopes of facing for his WBC heavyweight title look to be over. Over the past few months, Wilder has been linked to a showdown with Usyk, who along with the WBC title, also holds the WBA and IBF belts. Wilder was once the long-term WBC champion, making 10 defences of the strap between 2015 […]
Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk maçında yarın İtalya'nın Juventus ekibini konuk edecek.
UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 play-off turu ilk maçında Galatasaray,yarın İtalya'nın Juventus ekibini konuk edecek.
Sarı-kırmızılı takım, Avrupa'nın kulüpler düzeyindeki en büyük futbol turnuvasının 36 takımlı lig aşamasına bu sezon doğrudan katıldı.
Şampiyonlar Ligi'ne istediği gibi başlayamayan Galatasaray, ilk maçında Almanya temsilcisi Eintracht Frankfurt'a deplasmanda 5-1 kaybetti. Sarı-kırmızılı ekip, ikinci haftada konuk ettiği İngiliz devi Liverpool'u 1-0, üçüncü maçta sahasında Norveç temsilcisi Bodo/Glimt'i 3-1 ve dördüncü maçta da Hollanda'dan Ajax'ı deplasmanda 3-0 yendi.
Sarı-kırmızılılar sonrasında iç sahada Belçika'nın Union Saint-Gilloise takımına 1-0 yenilenerek 3 maçlık galibiyet serisi sonlandı. Altıncı maçında Fransa temsilcisi Monaco'ya 1-0 kaybeden sarı-kırmızılı ekip, 7. haftada da konuk ettiği İspanya ekibi Atletico Madrid ile 1-1 berabere kaldı. Son maçında İngiliz devi Manchester City'ye konuk olan Galatasaray, sahadan 2-0 mağlup ayrıldı.
Organizasyonun lig aşamasını 10 puanla 20. sırada tamamlayan Galatasaray, son 16 play-off turunda İtalya'nın Juventus ekibiyle eşleşti.
Juventus ise sezonun ilk maçında konuk ettiği Almanya ekibi Borussia Dortmund ile 4-4, ikinci karşılaşmada da İspanya temsilcisi Villarreal ile dış sahada 2-2 berabere kaldı. Üçüncü maçta İspanyol devi Real Madrid'e deplasmanda 1-0 yenilen Juventus, dördüncü haftada da konuk olduğu Portekiz ekibi Sporting'in sahasından 1-1'lik beraberlikle ayrıldı.
İlk 4 haftada galibiyet alamayan Juventus, ilk 3 puanını Norveç ekibi Bodo/Glimt'i deplasmanda 3-2 yenerek aldı. Sonrasında sırasıyla konuk ettiği Kıbrıs Rum Kesimi temsilcisi Pafos'u ve Portekiz ekibi Benfica'yı 2-0 yenen Juventus, son haftada da Fransa'dan Monaco ile 0-0 berabere kaldı.
İtalya temsilcisi, "Devler Ligi"nde yaşadığı 3 galibiyet, 4 beraberlik ve 1 mağlubiyetle lig aşamasını 13 puanla 13. sırada tamamladı.
GALATASARAY-JUVENTUS MAÇI SAAT KAÇTA, HANGİ KANALDA?
RAMS Park'taki müsabaka saat 20.45'te başlayacak. Mücadeleyi Hollanda Futbol Federasyonundan hakem Danny Makkelie yönetecek. Karşılaşma, TRT 1'den canlı yayımlanacak.
Galatasaray'da eksikler
Sarı-kırmızılı takımda yarın oynanacak maç öncesi 4 eksik bulunuyor.
Sarı kart cezası bulunan Gabonlu Mario Lemina, yarın eski takımı Juventus karşısında forma giyemeyecek.
Ayrıca UEFA'ya bildirilen kadroda yer almayan Arda Ünyay, Renato Nhaga ve Can Armando Güner de statü gereği maçta oynayamayacak.
İki oyuncu sınırda
Galatasaray'da iki futbolcu sarı kart ceza sınırında bulunuyor.
Senegalli Ismail Jakobs ile Kolombiyalı Davinson Sanchez, yarın sarı kart görmeleri halinde Juventus maçının rövanşında forma giyemeyecek.
8 maçtır evinde kaybetmiyor
Galatasaray, iç sahada çıktığı son 8 maçta mağlubiyet görmedi.
Son olarak "Devler Ligi"nin 5. haftasında konuk ettiği Union Saint-Gilloise'a 1-0 yenilen sarı-kırmızılı ekip, sonrasında sahasında 5 Trendyol Süper Lig, 2 Ziraat Türkiye Kupası ve 1 Şampiyonlar Ligi maçına çıktı.
"Cimbom", bu maçlarda 6 galibiyet ile 2 beraberlik yaşadı.
Son maçlarda golcü kimliğiyle öne çıkıyor
Galatasaray, kazandığı son 4 resmi maçın hepsinde 3'ten fazla gol kaydetti.
Söz konusu dönemde ilk olarak 1 Şubat tarihinde Zecorner Kayserispor'u 4-0 mağlup eden sarı-kırmızılılar, sonrasında sırasıyla İstanbulspor'u 3-1, Çaykur Rizespor'u 3-0 ve ikas Eyüpspor'u 5-1 yendi.
Son 4 resmi maçında 15 kez ağları sarsan Galatasaray, sadece 2 golü kalesinde gördü.
Gollerin çoğunu Osimhen attı
Galatasaray'ın bu sezon Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde attığı gollerin büyük bölümü Victor Osimhen'den geldi.
Nijeryalı yıldız, "Devler Ligi"nde atılan 9 golün 6'sını kaydetti. Diğer 3 golün 2'sini Yunus Akgün, 1'ini ise Atletico Madridli Marcos Llorente kendi kalesine attı.
Victor Osimhen, gol krallığı yarışında ise Newcastle Unitedlı Anthony Gordon ve Arsenalli Gabriel Martinelli ile 4. sırayı paylaşıyor. Zirvede ise 13 kez fileleri havalandıran Real Madrid'in Fransız yıldızı Kylian Mbappe bulunurken, bu oyuncuyu 8 golle Bayern Münihli Harry Kane ve 7 gollü Manchester Cityli Erling Haaland takip ediyor.
Osimhen'in hedefi Burak Yılmaz'ı geçmek
Bu sezon UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde 6 kez ağları sarsan Victor Osimhen, Türk futbolunun unutulmaz santrforlarından Burak Yılmaz'ın rekorunu kırmak istiyor.
"Devler Ligi"nin 2012-2013 sezonunda 8 kez rakip fileleri havalandıran Burak Yılmaz, kulüp tarihinde sarı-kırmızılı formayla bir sezonda en fazla Şampiyonlar Ligi golü atan oyuncu konumunda bulunuyor.
Osimhen, 3 gol daha atması halinde bu alanda Burak Yılmaz'ı geçerek bir Şampiyonlar Ligi sezonunda en fazla gol atan Galatasaraylı oyuncu ünvanını elde edecek.
Icardi, Juventus'a karşı 8 gol attı
Galatasaray'ın Arjantinli yıldızı Mauro Icardi, İtalya'da forma giydiği dönemde Juventus'a karşı 8 gol kaydetti.
Kariyerinde İtalya ekiplerinden Sampdoria ve Inter formalarını terleten Icardi, bu takımlarla Juventus'a karşı 13 Serie A ve 1 İtalya Kupası müsabakasına çıktı.
Arjantinli yıldız, Torino ekibine karşı çıktığı 14 maçta 8 kez ağları sarstı.
Okan Buruk, İtalyan futboluna yabancı değil
Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, futbolculuk kariyerinde İtalya'nın en büyük takımlarından Inter'de 3 sezon forma giydi.
2001-2002 sezonunun başında Inter'in kadrosuna katılan Buruk, 2004-2005 sezonunda Beşiktaş'a transfer olana kadar İtalyan ekibinde oynadı.
Okan Buruk, Inter'de tüm kulvarlarda 42 maçta 2 kez gol sevinci yaşadı.
Juventus'ta Inter mağlubiyeti moralleri bozdu
Juventus, İtalya 1. Futbol Ligi'ndeki (Serie A) son maçında Inter'e 3-2 yenildi.
Torino temsilcisi, Serie A'nın 25. haftasında Inter'e konuk oldu. Bu karşılaşmayı 90. dakikada Piotr Zielinski'nin attığı golle kaybeden Juventus, Galatasaray maçı öncesinde ligde önemli bir mağlubiyet yaşadı.
Juventus, Serie A'da 46 puanla 5. sırada yer alıyor.
İtalya ekibi, Kenan Yıldız'ı kadrosunda bulunduruyor
Juventus'un kadrosunda A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın önemli oyuncularından Kenan Yıldız yer alıyor.
Siyah-beyazlılar, 2022 yazında milli futbolcuyu bedelsiz bir şekilde Almanya ekibi Bayern Münih'in altyapısından transfer etti.
Bu sezon Juventus formasıyla 33 maça çıkan Kenan Yıldız, 9 kez rakip fileleri havalandırdı.
İtalya ekibi, çıktığı son 5 resmi maçın 4'ünü kazanamadı
Juventus, tüm kulvarlarda çıktığı son 5 maçın sadece 1 tanesini kazanabildi.
Torino ekibi, söz konusu dönemde ilk olarak Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Monaco ile deplasmanda 0-0 berabere kaldı. Sonrasında ligde konuk ettiği Parma'yı 4-1 yenen Juventus, İtalya Kupası'nda da dış sahada Atalanta'ya 3-0 yenildi. Serie A'da iç sahada Lazio ile 2-2 berabere kalan Juventus, son haftada da Inter'e deplasmanda 3-2 yenildi.
Juventus, Spaletti göreve geldiğinden beri Avrupa'da yenilmedi
Juventus Teknik Direktörü Luciano Spaletti, takımın başına geçtiğinden beri Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde hiç mağlubiyet yaşamadı.
Sezon ortasında Igor Tudor yerine göreve gelen Spaletti, takımın başında çıktığı ilk Şampiyonlar Ligi maçında konuk olduğu Sporting ile 1-1 berabere kaldı. Sonrasında sırasıyla Norveç temsilcisi Bodo/Glimt'i deplasmanda 3-2 yenen Spaletti'nin öğrencileri, iç sahada da Pafos ve Benfica'yı 2-0 yendi.
Spaletti'nin yönetiminde son haftada Monaco ile deplasmanda 0-0 berabere kalan Juventus, bu dönemde 5 Şampiyonlar Ligi karşılaşmasında 3 galibiyet ve 2 beraberlik yaşadı.
Juventus'ta eksikler
İtalya ekibinde Galatasaray maçı öncesi kritik eksikler bulunuyor.
Juventus'ta sakatlıkları bulunan Dusan Vlahovic, Arkadiusz Milik ve Emil Holm, yarın forma giyemeyecek.
Ayrıca yaşadığı sakatlık nedeniyle Inter maçı kadrosunda yer alamayan Khephren Thuram'ın durumu da müsabaka saatinde belli olacak.
Thomas Reis ile yollarını ayıran Samsunspor, Thorsten Fink ile 1,5 yıllık sözleşme imzalandığını açıkladı.
Samsunspor'un 58 yaşındaki Alman çalıştırıcı Thorsten Fink ile 1,5 yıl sözleşme imzalandığını açıkladı.
Kırmızı-beyazlı kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, "Kulübümüz, teknik direktörlük görevi için Thorsten Fink ile 1,5 sezonluk sözleşme imzalamıştır. Thorsten Fink'e kulübümüze hoş geldin diyor, yeni görevinde başarılar diliyoruz." ifadelerine yer verildi.
FİNK AÇIKLAMALARDA BULUNDU
İmza töreninde açıklamlaarda bulunan Fink ise “Bu güzel kulübün, bu güzel takımın ve bu şehrin bir parçası olmaktan büyük mutluluk duyuyorum. Kulüp hakkında çok güzel şeyler duydum. Yaklaşık 1,5–2 yıldır iletişim halindeydik; futbol ve oyun felsefesi üzerine kapsamlı görüşmeler gerçekleştirdik. Bu süreçte kulübü yakından takip ettim. Bugün burada teknik direktör olarak bulunmak benim için gurur verici. Ekibim Sebastian ve Goran ile birlikte burada olmaktan dolayı mutluyum. Benim için felsefe yalnızca futboldan ibaret değildir. Son yıllarda kulüp olarak ortaya koyduğunuz istikrarlı yapıyı sürdürmek istiyoruz. Genç oyunculara verdiğiniz değeri ve önceki teknik direktörlere gösterilen saygıyı çok önemsiyorum. Hayatta en önemli değerin saygı olduğunu ailemden öğrendim. Bu anlayış benim için çok kıymetli. Amacımız çok çalışmak, kulübün kararları doğrultusunda hareket etmek ve her zaman en iyisini ortaya koymaktır. Futbolcu olarak yaklaşık 600, teknik direktör olarak ise 400 maça yakın bir tecrübeye sahibim. Bu birikimi kulübümüze aktarmak için buradayım." açıklamasını yaptı.
Karadeniz ekibi daha önce Fink ile prensip anlaşmasına vardığını duyurmuştu.
Antrenörlük kariyerine 2009 yılında İsviçre ekibi Basel'de başlayan Fink, burada 2 Süper Lig ve 1 İsviçre Kupası sevinci yaşadı.
Daha sonra kariyerinde sırasıyla Hamburg, APOEL, Austria Wien, Grasshoppers, Vissel Kobe, Riga, Al Nasr Dubai, St. Truidense'de teknik direktörlük yapan deneyimli çalıştırıcı, son olarak 2024-2025 yılları arasında Genk'te görev aldı.
A Milli Erkek Basketbol Takımı'nın, FIBA 2027 Basketbol Dünya Kupası Elemeleri C Grubu'nda Sırbistan'la oynayacağı maçların aday kadrosu belli oldu.
Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonunun internet sitesinden yapılan açıklamaya göre Türk vatandaşlığına geçen Bahçeşehir Koleji oyuncularından Malachi Flynn, ilk kez aday kadroya davet edildi.
Başantrenör Ergin Ataman yönetimindeki milli takımın aday kadrosunda şu isimler yer aldı:
Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yılmaz, Şehmus Hazer (Anadolu Efes), Furkan Haltalı, Malachi Emmanuel Flynn (Bahçeşehir Koleji), Yiğit Arslan, Berk İbrahim Uğurlu, Sertaç Şanlı (Beşiktaş GAİN), Onuralp Bitim, James Metecan Birsen, Tarık Biberovic (Fenerbahçe Beko), Can Korkmaz (Galatasaray MCT Technic), Yiğit Onan (Glint Manisa Basket), Furkan Korkmaz, Yiğitcan Saybir (TOFAŞ), İsmail Cem Ulusoy (Trabzonspor), Cedi Osman, Ömer Faruk Yurtseven (Panathinaikos)
Ay-yıldızlılar, 27 Şubat Cuma günü TSİ 21.00'de deplasmanda Sırbistan ile karşılaşacak. Milliler, 2 Mart Pazartesi günü saat 21.00'de ise Sırbistan'ı Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi’nde ağırlayacak.
WLFI price is holding firm above the $0.10 support level as oversold indicators begin to unwind, increasing the probability of a relief bounce toward $0.13.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 20-ci turunun “Qəbələ” – “Sabah” matçı meydan sahiblərinin 0:1 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə başa çatdı.
Arena.az Qəbələdə baş tutmuş bu matçın yekun protokolunu və icmalını təqdim edir.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası 20-ci tur 16 fevral
“Qəbələ” – “Sabah” 0:1 Qol: Xəyal Əliyev, 54. Sarı vərəqələr: Sambu Sissoko, 82 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti) – Jesse Sekidika, 90+5 (oyunun bərpasının ləngidilməsi). Rəsmi şəxsə göstərilən sarı vərəqə: George Çixradze, 90+3 (hakimin qərarına etiraz). Artırılan vaxt: Birinci hissədə yoxdur, ikinci hissədə 5 dəq. Saat 17:00. Qəbələ şəhər stadionu, 1000 tamaşaçı.
Baş hakim: Rauf Cabbarov. Baş hakimin köməkçiləri: Eyyub İbrahimov, Şirmamed Mamedov. Dördüncü hakim: Rəşad Əhmədov. VAR: Kamranbəy Rəhimov. AVAR: Elvin Bayramov. Hakim-inspektor: Babək Quliyev. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elçin Mehtiyev.
Mehriban Əliyeva növbəti beş il müddətinə yenidən Azərbaycan Gimnastika Federasiyasının (AGF) prezidenti (İcra Komitəsinin sədri) seçilib.
Arena.az bu barədə sözügedən qurumun mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir.
Belə ki, bu gün Azərbaycan Gimnastika Federasiyasının hesabat-seçki xarakterli 16-cı ümumi yığıncağı keçirilib.
Rəsmi açılışdan sonra federasiyanın vitse-prezidenti Altay Həsənov 2021–2025-ci illər ərzində federasiyanın fəaliyyəti, keçirilən yarışlar və əldə olunan nəticələr barədə video-hesabatla çıxış edib. O bildirib ki, son beş ildə Azərbaycan gimnastikası dinamik inkişaf edib və gimnastlarımız beynəlxalq arenalarda ölkəmizi layiqincə təmsil ediblər.
AGF-nin maliyyə direktoru Viktoriya Abuşova isə 2021–2025-ci illər üzrə maliyyə hesabatını təqdim edib. Ümumi yığıncaqda federasiyanın Nizamnaməsinə müvafiq dəyişikliklər edilib və yeni redaksiyada təsdiqlənib. Federasiyanın Nəzarət-Təftiş və İntizam Komissiyalarının strukturunda dəyişikliklər aparılıb, Atletlər və Apellyasiya Komissiyalarının formalaşdırılması Nizamnamədə öz əksini tapıb.
Daha sonra İcra Komitəsinə seçkilər keçirilib. Səsvermənin nəticələrinə əsasən, Mehriban xanım Əliyeva növbəti beş il müddətinə yenidən AGF-nin prezidenti (İcra Komitəsinin sədri) seçilib. Altay Həsənov federasiyanın vitse-prezidenti (İcra Komitəsinin sədr müavini), Rauf Əliyev, Rafiq Beybutov və Vəfa Bəkərova isə növbəti beş il müddətinə İcra Komitəsinin üzvləri kimi təsdiq ediliblər.
İclasda “İntizam Qaydaları”, “Etika Qaydaları”, habelə “Gimnastikada təhlükəsiz mühitin təminatı və iştirakçıların şəxsiyyətinin qorunması Qaydaları” müzakirə olunaraq qəbul edilib. Belə ki, Mahir Rəfiyev, Elşad Nərimanov və Ruslan Mirzəzadə Nəzarət-Təftiş Komissiyasının üzvləri; Nazim Rəcəbov, Aytac Qasımova, Elmar Cəlilov, Namiq Əliyev və Jalə Əhmədova İntizam Komissiyasının üzvləri; Xaqani Məmmədov, Elçin Usub və Rəşad Axundov isə Apellyasiya Komissiyasının üzvləri seçiliblər.
Sonda 2025-ci ildə mötəbər yarışlarda yüksək nəticələr əldə etmiş idmançılar xatirə medalları ilə təltif olunublar.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 20-ci turuna yekun vurulub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, turun qapanış matçında “Qəbələ” “Sabah”ı qəbul edib.
Qəbələ şəhər stadionunda baş tutmuş oyunun baş hakimi Rauf Cabbarov olub. Görüşün taleyini bir qol həll edib. Paytaxt təmsilçisi səfərdən 3 xalla qayıdıbı.
Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi has had his say on the controversial decision to send off Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday evening, suggesting that the Frenchman fell victim to ‘the stupidest VAR rule’.
Inter claimed a 3-2 victory over their arch rivals Juventus on Saturday evening, but the game was not without its controversial talking points. In the 42nd minute, Juve defender Kalulu was sent off for his second bookable offence. Newspapers in Italy described Kalulu’s first booking as harsh, and claimed that the second was ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bastoni, who was on a yellow card himself at the time, was seen passionately celebrating the decision to send off Kalulu, which caused further anger among the Bianconeri management and fanbase.
De Rossi weighs in on Inter 3-2 Juventus and refereeing standards
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 30: Genoa CGC head coach Daniele De Rossi gestures during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on January 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
De Rossi has not hid his frustrations with referees in recent weeks. Last weekend, his Genoa side were beaten 3-2 by Napoli, largely due to a 95th-minute penalty being awarded in favour of the Partenopei after a VAR review.
“I already talked last week about penalties. None of us know what a clear and obvious error is anymore. We no longer know if we have to step on a foot or just glance over it,” De Rossi said after the Napoli game.
“The football that I played in no longer exists. I must tell my players to keep their arms behind their backs and not go into tackles. I don’t know what sport I am coaching.”
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli (left) scores a goal on a penalty kick during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
De Rossi has since had his chance to comment on the controversial refereeing from the Derby d’Italia.
He believes that it is a positive that this incident happened in such a high-profile game, given the attention it brings outside Italy, and claims that it would take ‘two days’ to amend the necessary VAR rules
“I was one of the first to celebrate the introduction of VAR and perhaps one of the first to realise that we will always be chasing each other on certain things,” De Rossi said (via Corriere dello Sport).
“The only positive thing about what happened is that it was a match between Juve and Inter, which makes the whole world talk about it. It’s a game that the whole world watches and is massively important in Italy.
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 4: Federico La Penna referee reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and US Cremonese at Artemio Franchi on January 4, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“The stupidest VAR rule, and I have been saying it for three years, is that a second yellow is not as serious as a straight red. It would be easy to change that in two days. Every second yellow, from tomorrow, should be reviewed.
“I think it would be difficult to find anyone who disagrees that a second yellow is not as serious as a red card after Saturday night, nowadays it changes a game even more than a goal or a penalty.”
Roma can breathe a sigh of relief, as neither Wesley França nor Paulo Dybala are expected to be sidelined for significant periods after recent injury concerns.
When will Dybala and Wesley return for Roma?
Dybala was ruled out of Sunday evening’s 2-2 draw between Napoli and Roma at the Stadio Maradona, and with Matias Soule only fit enough for a spot on the bench, Gian Piero Gasperini named Lorenzo Pellegrini and January signing Bryan Zaragoza as the supporting attackers behind centre-forward Donyell Malen.
Dybala has been struggling with a recurring pain in his knee, and according to reports from Corriere dello Sport, the most recent issue was due to a small inflammation in his leg rather than a strain or a tear.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
This means that he could be in contention to feature against Cremonese in Serie A next weekend, but there is a chance that the Giallorossi decide to rest him in order to have him at full fitness in time for an enormous clash against Juventus on March 1.
Wesley was named as a starter against Napoli on Sunday evening, but his evening was cut short after being brought down by Amir Rrahmani in the penalty area, the incident which led to Malen putting the Giallorosi 2-1 ahead from the spot.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Amir Rrahmani causes a penalty for AS Roma committing a foul on Wesley during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
According to Corriere dello Sport, medical tests have shown that there is no fracture or break to the ankle in question. It was an impact injury and there is heavy bruising, but like Dybala, Wesley could be declared fit enough to play against Cremonese next weekend, if not against Juventus the following week if Roma decide to be extra cautious.
Former Serie A coach Serse Cosmi responds to Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini, who complained about the officiating in the Bianconeri’s 3-2 loss against Inter: ‘I experienced what wasn’t football.’
Kalulu’s red card infuriates Chiellini and Juventus
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The French defender received a second yellow card for a foul on Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni, who appeared to go down too easily and then celebrated when his opponent was sent off.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu said the Juventus defender should not have put his hands on Bastoni, while Chiellini angrily confronted the referee inside the tunnel and then voiced his frustration to the media, arguing that it was “impossible to talk about football” after such a mistake.
“I didn’t like any of the words,” Cosmi told Sport Mediaset via Corriere dello Sport.
Cosmi tells Chiellini: ‘I experienced what wasn’t football’
“Not those Cristian Chivu, from whom I expected something different considering his intelligence, but I also didn’t like Giorgio Chiellini’s, who came to tell us this isn’t football. With all due respect, I experienced what wasn’t football.”
Cosmi’s reference was to the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, which saw Juventus being stripped of two titles and relegated to Serie B.
Cosmi was the Udinese coach in 2005-06, but remained in charge of the Bianconeri for just 24 games as he was sacked in February 2006.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the officiating in Inter-Juventus did not infuriate the Bianconeri only, but Milan are also upset, especially because the Rossoneri previously complained about other referee decisions this season.
Juventus are not the only Serie A side unhappy with the officiating in their latest Serie A match against Inter, which saw their defender Pierre Kalulu sent off with two yellow cards in the first half.
Milan unhappy with referee decisions in Inter vs. Juventus
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
As reported by Corriere dello Sport (via Calciomercato.com), there is also discontent within Milan about how such an important game was officiated, especially because the Rossoneri are challenging Inter in the race for the Scudetto.
Milan sit second in the standings, eight points below their city rivals, but Massimiliano Allegri’s men have a game in hand to be played this coming Wednesday at home against Como.
Previous Milan referee controversies
Milan have already voiced concerns over refereeing decisions they believe have had an impact on their season so far.
The latest incident was on Friday, when Adrien Rabiot was sent off for dissent in an away 2-1 win at Pisa.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Armand Lauriente of US Sassuolo Calcio celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with his teammates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Frenchman received two yellow cards, so he’ll miss tomorrow’s match against Como.
Back in December, the Rossoneri were held to a 2-2 home draw by Sassuolo, but had a Christian Pulisic goal disallowed for a foul from Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the build-up.
Last month, developers RocketWerkz and GRIP Studios announced that the popular survival game, ICARUS, would be making its console debut on February 26, 2026. Now, less than three weeks after that announcement, the studio has confirmed that ICARUS: Console Edition has been delayed by one month and will now arrive on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles on March 26, 2026. In a statement sent to Wccftech, the studio says that while the game is "in a strong and stable state," the delay will add enough time for the team to add further polish, "rather than launch with known issues." […]
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The situation in the memory industry has become mainstream, to the point that companies are now reconsidering their product strategies to minimize the impact of supply constraints. Memory Shortages Are Forcing 'Consumer-Focused' Big Tech to Either Slash Production or Raise Prices Aggressively The DRAM shortage has been discussed on this website for several months now, and if you want to see the timeline of events leading to the current situation, I suggest you check out our post here. Interestingly, Bloomberg pushed out a report on supply issues in the memory segment, and the discussion centered on how Big Tech is […]
We already know that Apple has de-prioritized its Vision Pro headsets to accelerate the launch of AI-enabled and AR-based smart glasses. And now, a new report from Omdia has shed some much-needed light on the evolving competition dynamics in this new arena, which is fast becoming crowded as OEMs jostle for market share. Asus, RayNeo, Meta, and Apple are all racing to bring OLEDoS AR glasses to the market While ROG and RayNeo plan to launch their OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) AR smart glasses this year, Meta plans to bring its first proper AR smart glasses to the market in […]
Last week, after a long period of silence following the release of the final piece of DLC for God of War Ragnarok, during Sony's first State of Play of 2026, we finally got a small update as to what Sony Santa Monica has been working on. Along with a remake of the original trilogy, we learned that the studio had teamed up with Mega Cat Studios to deliver a 2.5D game featuring Kratos titled God of War: Sons of Sparta. There have been a lot of rumours circulating for years about an upcoming 2.5D God of War game, so its […]
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A myriad of reports surrounding Apple’s products only kept hyping the suspense that readers and we had to endure, but today, the company has broken its silence because it has announced its March 4 product launch event. As for what is expected to be unveiled during the event, we have made our predictions and discussed below as to why the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models and the low-cost MacBook would go official. iPhone 17e could launch in February, followed by the first wave of Macs in March On X, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has presented a screenshot of Apple’s […]
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Psychologists and the public alike have frequently debated whether exceptional cognitive ability comes with a cost to emotional well-being. A new analysis suggests that we may not be able to answer this question because the standard tools used to diagnose depression and distress may become inaccurate when applied to highly intelligent people.
The researchers found that as intelligence scores rise, the questions on common mental health surveys lose their ability to consistently measure the underlying psychological condition. These results were published in the journal Intelligence.
The concept of the “tortured genius” is a cultural staple. It suggests that high intelligence is accompanied by social isolation, existential anxiety, or other psychological difficulties. Previous research on this topic has produced conflicting results. Many large-scale studies indicate that intelligence generally correlates with better health and happiness.
However, other researchers argue that this relationship might not be a simple straight line. They propose a “nonlinear” relationship. This means intelligence could be protective up to a certain point, but extremely high levels might eventually lead to negative outcomes. This phenomenon is sometimes called the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” effect.
Stanisław K. Czerwiński, Roman Konarski, and Paweł A. Atroszko from the University of Gdańsk in Poland conducted this investigation. They sought to clarify these contradictions by using advanced statistical modeling. They wanted to see if the link between intelligence and mental health changes shape at the high end of the IQ spectrum. They also aimed to investigate whether this dynamic differs between men and women.
Social environments often react differently to high intelligence depending on a person’s gender. The authors hypothesized that highly intelligent women might face unique stressors. These could include feeling alienated due to being in the minority in certain professional fields or facing social disapproval for prioritizing a career. If true, the “curvilinear” drop in mental health might be steeper for women than for men.
To test these ideas, the team analyzed data from two massive American datasets. These were the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). These government-funded studies have tracked thousands of individuals over several decades.
The researchers used a cognitive test called the Armed Forces Qualification Test to estimate intelligence. To measure mental health, they looked at responses to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Mental Health Inventory-5. These are standard questionnaires asking people how often they feel sad, nervous, or downhearted.
The team first used a method called polynomial regression. This statistical approach allows for curved lines rather than just straight ones. Initially, the data seemed to support the “tortured genius” hypothesis. The models showed a U-shaped pattern.
In this initial pattern, mental health appeared to improve as intelligence increased, but only up to a certain threshold. After that point, higher intelligence scores were associated with worse mental health. This inflection point appeared at the upper end of the intelligence distribution. The researchers also used a technique called piecewise regression to confirm this breakpoint.
However, the researchers did not stop with the initial finding. They chose to investigate the validity of the mental health tests themselves. They applied a sophisticated technique known as local structural equation modeling. This method allowed them to check if the survey questions functioned the same way for people of all intelligence levels.
This step is designed to test for “measurement invariance.” Measurement invariance is a assumption in psychological testing. It implies that a test measures the same construct in the same way for everyone, regardless of their background or ability. If a test lacks invariance, it is like using a rubber ruler that stretches or shrinks depending on what is being measured.
The investigation revealed a fundamental problem with the data. The researchers found a lack of measurement invariance across intelligence levels. This was true for both the depression scale used in the 1979 cohort and the mental health inventory used in the 1997 cohort.
Specifically, the “factor loadings” for the test items decreased as intelligence increased. A factor loading is a number that indicates how well a specific question correlates with the overall concept it is supposed to measure. For example, answering “yes” to “I felt sad” should strongly indicate the presence of depression.
For participants with average intelligence, the questions were strong indicators of their mental health state. But for participants with high intelligence, the link between the specific questions and the general psychological condition became weaker. The items lost their diagnostic power at the high end of the spectrum.
This phenomenon occurred for both men and women. The researchers observed that the model fit—a statistic showing how well the data matches the theory—deteriorated significantly at high intelligence levels. This suggests that the standard questions might not mean the same thing to a highly intelligent person as they do to others.
There are several reasons why this might happen. Highly intelligent individuals might interpret the wording of questions differently. They might engage in overthinking or semantic analysis of simple phrases like “trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.”
It is also possible that behaviors labeled as symptoms of pathology in the general population are merely characteristic traits of giftedness. For instance, intense focus or “hyperfixation” could be mistaken for obsessive behavior or attention deficits. Alternatively, gifted individuals might be better at masking symptoms, or their symptoms might manifest in ways these specific tests do not catch.
Because of this lack of invariance, the researchers could not rely on the initial U-shaped curves they found. The apparent drop in mental health among the highly intelligent might be a statistical artifact. It could be a mirage caused by the failure of the measurement tool rather than a real psychological trend.
The study implies that comparing mental health scores across different levels of intelligence is scientifically unsound with these current instruments. If the “ruler” changes length for smart people, researchers cannot say with certainty whether they are happier or sadder than average. This casts doubt on previous studies that claimed to find linear or nonlinear relationships without checking for invariance.
The authors note several limitations to their work. The study relied solely on samples from the United States. Cultural factors heavily influence gender roles and the social experience of intelligence. The results might differ in other countries or cultures.
Additionally, the study examined only two specific mental health scales. It is possible that other diagnostic tools might remain valid across intelligence levels. The researchers also pointed out that the intelligence test was taken under “low-stakes” conditions, which might affect effort and scoring for some participants.
Future research needs to address the measurement problem before drawing conclusions about the “mad genius.” Scientists may need to develop new mental health assessments specifically designed or validated for the gifted population. These tools would need to account for the unique cognitive processing styles of highly intelligent people.
Furthermore, future studies should investigate whether this measurement issue applies to other psychological traits. If intelligence changes how people answer questions about depression, it might also change how they answer questions about personality, anxiety, or social attitudes. Understanding this could lead to a substantial reassessment of how psychological research is conducted across the ability spectrum.
The cryptocurrency market is facing another day of losses, with major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP moving lower as overall market confidence weakens. The total crypto market value has dropped to around $2.32 trillion, showing continued pressure across digital assets.
Institutional Selling Continues
One of the main reasons behind the decline is continued outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Large funds have reduced exposure over the past few weeks, creating steady selling pressure. When institutional investors sell Bitcoin, the effect usually spreads to the rest of the market, pulling down Ethereum, XRP, and other altcoins as well.
Bitcoin is currently trading near $67,500, Ethereum around $1,950, and XRP close to $1.47, all showing daily losses as selling activity remains elevated.
Market Sentiment Falls to “Extreme Fear”
Another major factor is weak market sentiment. The crypto Fear and Greed Index has fallen to 12, which signals “extreme fear.” When investors become cautious, many prefer to hold cash instead of buying crypto assets, reducing demand and pushing prices lower. Negative discussions on social media and rumors about large liquidations have also added to the cautious mood, even though many of these claims remain unverified.
Oversold Technical Conditions
Technical indicators show that the market has entered oversold territory, meaning prices have dropped quickly in a short period. While oversold conditions can sometimes lead to short-term rebounds, they also reflect weak buying activity in the current environment. Lower trading leverage and reduced open interest in derivatives markets suggest that speculative demand has also declined.
What Could Happen Next
In the near term, market direction will depend on whether Bitcoin can hold its support area around $67,000–$68,000. If this level breaks, prices could test lower support zones. At the same time, upcoming macroeconomic developments, including central-bank policy updates and future ETF flow data, may influence the next major move.
For now, falling institutional demand, cautious sentiment, and reduced speculative activity are combining to push Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP prices lower across the broader crypto market.
Bitcoin price is once again trading at a critical juncture as derivatives data begins flashing early signs of pressure building beneath the surface. While price action remains relatively stable within a tight consolidation range, liquidation metrics tell a more dynamic story. Rising short liquidations across exchanges suggest that bearish traders are getting squeezed as BTC holds key support levels.
At the same time, liquidation heatmaps reveal a dense cluster of leveraged positions sitting above the current price, particularly near the $70,000 zone. With leverage stacking and volatility compressing, Bitcoin appears to be approaching a decisive move that could define its short-term trajectory.
BTC Short Liquidations Suggest Growing Squeeze Pressure
The latest CryptoQuant data on Bitcoin short liquidations shows a noticeable uptick in forced closures as BTC consolidates near key resistance. Historically, sharp spikes in short liquidations have coincided with strong upward price expansions, especially when Bitcoin holds above important support levels.
The current pattern suggests that bearish traders are increasingly positioned against the move, creating potential fuel for a short squeeze. If Bitcoin breaks above nearby resistance, these trapped short positions could unwind rapidly, pushing the price toward the $70,000 mark. However, without a confirmed breakout, liquidation pressure may cool off, keeping BTC locked in consolidation.
Liquidation Heatmap Shows Heavy Liquidity Cluster Above $70K
The Coinglass liquidation heatmap reveals dense liquidity bands stacked between $70,000 and $72,000, signaling a concentration of leveraged positions above current price levels. In crypto markets, liquidity often acts as a magnet, drawing price toward zones where the most leverage sits.
Compared to the upside cluster, downside liquidity pockets near $65,000 appear relatively lighter. This imbalance slightly favors an upward move, provided Bitcoin continues defending the $67,000–$68,000 support range. A decisive push higher could trigger cascading liquidations, accelerating momentum. But if support fails, BTC may first sweep lower liquidity before attempting any sustained recovery.
Will BTC Price Defend the $65K Support or Rise Above $72K?
The weekly chart is testing a major decision zone after a sharp pullback from its recent highs near $120K. Price has now dropped back into a key horizontal support area around $68,000. A deeper support zone sits near $59,600, marked as the next strong demand region if current levels fail.
Momentum indicators show weakness: RSI is trending near oversold territory around 28, suggesting bearish pressure, while CMF remains negative. signaling capital outflows. Volume has increased on the decline, reinforcing the selling bias. If $68K holds, a relief bounce is possible. However, a confirmed breakdown could open the door toward the $60K region.
Bitcoin Price Levels to Watch This Week
Across the three charts, weekly structure, short liquidations, and the liquidation heatmap, Bitcoin is clearly at a high-probability decision zone, not a random consolidation. The weekly chart shows BTC pulling back into the $67,000–$68,000 support region, with the next major demand zone around $59,600–$60,000. Momentum remains weak (RSI near oversold, CMF negative), suggesting sellers still have short-term control.
However, liquidation data shows heavy liquidity stacked above $70,000–$72,000. That creates upside fuel if bulls defend the current support.
If $67K holds:
Short squeeze toward $70K
Extension toward $72K
If momentum builds, $75K becomes possible
If $67K breaks on weekly close:
$63K liquidity pocket
$60K major support test
Right now, the Bitcoin (BTC) price is compressing between structural support and upside liquidity. The next weekly close will likely define the direction.
After several years of volatility, two long-standing blockchain networks, Hedera (HBAR) and Cardano (ADA), are once again being evaluated as the crypto market looks toward the next growth cycle. Both projects remain more than 80% below their all-time highs, reflecting the broad decline across altcoins since the 2021 peak, yet each is pursuing a different strategy for long-term adoption.
Different Architectures, Different Institutional Narratives
Hedera operates on a hashgraph-based distributed ledger, rather than a traditional blockchain. The network promotes faster transaction speeds, predictable fees, and enterprise-focused infrastructure, features designed for organizations that require cost stability and operational reliability. Its governing council includes major global technology and industrial firms, reinforcing the project’s enterprise-centric positioning.
This structure has helped Hedera develop a reputation as a network aligned with real-world asset tokenization and corporate integrations, themes expected to expand as financial institutions explore blockchain settlement and digital asset infrastructure. If tokenized assets grow into a major financial trend, Hedera’s enterprise partnerships could translate into stronger institutional usage.
Cardano, by contrast, has built its identity around research-driven development and community-led ecosystem growth. The network has often faced criticism for slow upgrades, yet its methodical approach has created a loyal developer and user base. Recent data showing large holders accumulating significant amounts of ADA has fueled speculation that long-term participants may be positioning ahead of future network developments.
Cardano has also seen broader institutional exposure through the launch of regulated derivatives products and increased representation in digital-asset investment funds, developments that could expand access for professional market participants.
Market Potential and Growth Scenarios
From a valuation perspective, Hedera’s smaller market capitalization gives it a theoretical advantage in percentage upside if capital flows return to mid-cap altcoins. A return to its previous cycle high would represent several-fold gains, though such outcomes depend heavily on broader market conditions and measurable network usage growth.
Cardano, already larger by market value, would require significantly more capital inflows to revisit previous peak levels. However, its global community, brand recognition, and expanding ecosystem continue to provide structural support, particularly during cycles when retail participation rises.
Institutional vs. Community Strength
The contrast between the two projects reflects a broader divide in crypto markets:
Hedera is positioning itself around institutional adoption, enterprise partnerships, and tokenized financial infrastructure.
Cardano continues to rely on ecosystem expansion, developer adoption, and a strong global community.
Both strategies have historically driven different types of market performance. Enterprise-focused adoption tends to develop gradually but can support long-term stability, while community-driven ecosystems often experience faster sentiment-driven price cycles.
Outlook for 2026
Neither network has a guaranteed path to dominance, and both remain sensitive to overall market liquidity, regulatory developments, and Bitcoin’s broader trend. The next cycle may reward projects that show real usage growth rather than purely speculative interest, placing both Hedera’s enterprise integrations and Cardano’s ecosystem expansion under close observation.
A growing discussion in the crypto market is challenging a common assumption that higher token prices make transactions more expensive. Some analysts and investors now argue that, for settlement-focused digital assets like XRP, a higher unit price could actually improve payment efficiency and reduce costs, particularly for large institutional transfers.
XRP Built for Settlement, Not Retail Competition
Experts increasingly point out that XRP was designed primarily as a bridge asset for institutional settlement, rather than as a retail-focused smart-contract platform competing with traditional Layer-1 networks. Over more than a decade, Ripple has focused on building regulatory approvals, custody integrations, treasury connections, and institutional payment infrastructure aimed at cross-border settlement markets.
This institutional positioning means the asset’s usefulness is often tied less to retail trading activity and more to how efficiently it can route liquidity between financial systems, payment rails, and regulated counterparties.
The Liquidity Math Behind Higher Prices
The core argument gaining attention centers on simple liquidity mechanics. When the value of a token is very low, a larger number of units must move through order books to complete a payment, consuming more liquidity and potentially increasing slippage. When the unit price is higher, fewer tokens are required to settle the same value, reducing pressure on order-book depth and improving capital efficiency.
For example:
If XRP trades at $1, sending $1,000 requires 1,000 XRP, using more liquidity.
If XRP trades at $1,000, sending $1,000 requires only 1 XRP, significantly reducing the number of tokens that must move through the market.
Because XRP is divisible into 1,000,000 drops, it can support very high valuations while still allowing extremely precise payment amounts. This divisibility enables efficient settlement even if the token price rises substantially.
Institutional Liquidity and Treasury Integration
Another factor driving this debate is Ripple’s expanding institutional integration strategy. Over recent years, the company has pursued regulatory licenses across multiple jurisdictions, treasury-management integrations, prime brokerage connectivity, and stablecoin infrastructure designed to operate within regulated financial systems. These developments aim to position XRP as operational liquidity used inside institutional balance sheets rather than purely speculative holdings.
Treasury and banking integrations, in particular, are seen by some analysts as a structural advantage because they connect blockchain settlement directly to existing global financial workflows. If institutions begin holding XRP as routing liquidity for cross-border settlements, the token’s price could increasingly reflect operational demand rather than retail speculation.
Complementary Infrastructure Rather Than Direct Competition
There is also an argument that emerging payment networks and settlement chains do not necessarily compete directly with XRP but may instead complement it. High-throughput execution networks can process transactions at scale, while XRP can function as the neutral settlement asset bridging liquidity between systems. In this framework, settlement efficiency improves as routing volumes grow, and token valuation becomes a functional component of the system’s efficiency.
The Ethereum price is hovering near $2,050 while compressing inside a bearish pennant on the 3-day chart. After retreating from levels above $3,000 in previous months, ETH/USD is now consolidating within converging trendlines and the pattern suggests potential continuation to the downside, with a projected breakdown target near $1,136.
That’s the technical setup. But the underlying volume dynamics add another layer to the story.
Bearish Pennant Takes Shape On Ethereum Price Chart
On the higher timeframe, the Ethereum price chart shows a classic post-drop consolidation. A sharp initial move lower was followed by tightening price action between descending resistance and rising support.
Typically, a bearish pennant forms after a strong downward impulse and resolves in the direction of the prior trend. In this case, that would imply further weakness if support gives way. The cited breakdown target stands at $1,136.
Still, patterns are conditional. The structure remains intact only as long as price respects the converging boundaries. A confirmed break below support would validate the formation. Until then, it’s compression.
Volume Z-Score Turns Negative
Meanwhile, Binance data shows daily trading volume around 486,000 ETH, with Ethereum price still trading near around $2,050. The Volume Z-Score sits at approximately -0.39.
In simple terms, that’s below the 30-day moving average. When the Z-Score drops below zero, it indicates current activity is lighter than usual. Historically, that tends to reflect calmer liquidity conditions, to be precise, consolidation or repositioning rather than aggressive trend expansion.
Cooling Market, Unclear Direction
ETH/USD isn’t flashing explosive momentum in either direction. Instead, it’s compressing. Liquidity is cooling. Participation is below average. And Ethereum price remains trapped within a narrowing range. Whether this resolves into a sharp breakdown toward $1,136 or a broader consolidation phase depends on which side of the structure gives way first. For now, the Ethereum price analysis reflects more like compression, and has no clear confirmation.
Avalanche (AVAX) continues to struggle as bullish momentum fades following repeated rejections near key resistance levels formed after the 2024 highs. The altcoin has failed to reclaim critical supply zones, keeping the broader market structure tilted in favor of the bears. AVAX price has already declined nearly 80% in 2025 and is down over 38% year-to-date, reflecting sustained selling pressure and thinning liquidity across the market.
After plunging more than 90% from its all-time high near $146 in 2021, traders are now questioning whether AVAX has finally approached a long-term bottom—or if further downside remains on the table. Can the price establish a base and initiate a sustainable rebound, or will the consolidation phase resolve into another bearish leg lower?
As reflected on the weekly chart, AVAX remains entrenched in a strong bearish structure across both short- and long-term timeframes. The ongoing pullback since the start of the month has dragged the price back to levels last seen in 2024, reinforcing the broader downtrend. While these levels could attract dip-buying interest and trigger a relief bounce toward $17 or even $20, the prevailing technical setup continues to favor the bears.
Bollinger Bands are now tightening sharply, signaling a contraction in volatility and hinting that a decisive move may be approaching. However, the direction of this move remains uncertain and is likely to be dictated by volume expansion. Adding to the bearish outlook, the On-Balance Volume has been trending lower, highlighting persistent distribution. Notably, OBV had climbed steadily from early 2024 until the October 2025 highs, even as price stayed weak, making the current decline in OBV a strong warning sign.
If selling pressure persists, AVAX may retest the lower band support near $6, with a deeper decline toward $2 possible if bulls fail to defend. Any rebound is likely corrective unless the price reclaims and holds above the $28–$30 range.
Temsilcimiz Galatasaray, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde son 16 turu play-off ilk maçında sahasında Juventus'u konuk edecek. Bu zorlu karşılaşma öncesi yapay zekadan flaş tahmin geldi. İşte yapay zekaya göre...Devamı için tıklayınız
Süper Lig ekiplerinden Samsunspor'da sıcak gelişmeler yaşanıyor. Karadeniz ekibinda Thomas Reis'in ardından yeni hocanın kim olacağı büyük merak konusuydu. Samsunspor son olarak Thorsten Fink'i resmen...Devamı için tıklayınız
A Milli Erkek Basketbol Takımı'nın, FIBA 2027 Basketbol Dünya Kupası Elemeleri C Grubu'nda Sırbistan'la oynayacağı maçların aday kadrosu belli oldu.Devamı için tıklayınız
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının XX turunun “Qəbələ” – “Sabah” oyunundan (0:1) sonra meydan sahibi komandanın məşqçisi George Çixradze jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb…
– “Sabah”la biz fərqli məqsədlər uğrunda mübarizə aparırıq. Onlar çempinoluğa, biz liqada qalmağa oynayırıq. İlk hissədə passiv oynadıq. Əsas odur, qol buraxmadıq, təhlükəli epizodlar yaratdıq. İkinci hissədə daha yaxşı oynadıq. Adi vəziyyətdən qol buraxdıq. Qol buraxılmamalı epizod idi. Qoldan sonra aktiv, aqressiv oynamağa başladıq. Oyunun sonlarında qol da vurduq, ləğv olundu. Mübahisəli epizoddur. Yekunda məğlub olmuşuq.
– Mübahisəli epizod idi, yoxsa “Qəbələ”nin haqqına girildi?
– Məğlub olmuşuq, fikrimcə, qol təmiz idi. Kimlərsə də baxıb, dəyərləndirə bilər. Düşünürəm ki, qol qaydalar çərçivəsində vurulmuşdu.
– Start heyətdəki cinah müdafiəçilərini dəyişməyi düşünmürsünüz?
– Turan Manafov yeni gəlib, tam formada deyil. Yavaş-yavaş formaya düşməyə başlayır. Sağ cinahda Nicat və Eşqin var. Bəzən biri, bəzən digəri oynayır. Arada Nuğayı da o mövqedə oynadırıq. Həmin cinahdakı resurslarımızdan maksimum istifadə etməyə çalışırıq.
– Rüfət Əhmədovla bağlı planınız nədir?
– Onu transfer edəndə düşünürdük ki, cinahda bizə kömək edəcək. Rüfət daha əvvəl də burda oynamışdı və tanıyırdıq. Həmin mövqeni gücləndirmək üçün onu düşünürdük. Amma alınmadı.
– Getmək istəmir?
– Əvəzedici heyətlə məşq edirdi. Təklifi varsa, gedə bilər. Sadəcə situasiya elə oldu ki, komandada qaldı.
Mehriban Əliyeva növbəti beş il müddətinə yenidən Azərbaycan Gimnastika Federasiyasının (AGF) prezidenti (İcra Komitəsinin sədri) seçilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə federasiyanın mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Azərbaycan Gimnastika Federasiyasının hesabat-seçki xarakterli 16-cı ümumi yığıncağı keçirilib.
Rəsmi açılışdan sonra federasiyanın vitse-prezidenti Altay Həsənov 2021–2025-ci illər ərzində federasiyanın fəaliyyəti, keçirilən yarışlar və əldə olunan nəticələr barədə video-hesabatla çıxış edib. O bildirib ki, son beş ildə Azərbaycan gimnastikası dinamik inkişaf edib və gimnastlarımız beynəlxalq arenalarda ölkəmizi layiqincə təmsil ediblər.
AGF-nin maliyyə direktoru Viktoriya Abuşova isə 2021–2025-ci illər üzrə maliyyə hesabatını təqdim edib. Ümumi yığıncaqda federasiyanın Nizamnaməsinə müvafiq dəyişikliklər edilib və yeni redaksiyada təsdiqlənib. Federasiyanın Nəzarət-Təftiş və İntizam Komissiyalarının strukturunda dəyişikliklər aparılıb, Atletlər və Apellyasiya Komissiyalarının formalaşdırılması Nizamnamədə öz əksini tapıb.
Daha sonra İcra Komitəsinə seçkilər keçirilib. Səsvermənin nəticələrinə əsasən, Mehriban Əliyeva növbəti beş il müddətinə yenidən AGF-nin prezidenti (İcra Komitəsinin sədri) seçilib. Altay Həsənov federasiyanın vitse-prezidenti (İcra Komitəsinin sədr müavini), Rauf Əliyev, Rafiq Beybutov və Vəfa Bəkərova isə növbəti beş il müddətinə İcra Komitəsinin üzvləri kimi təsdiq ediliblər.
İclasda “İntizam Qaydaları”, “Etika Qaydaları”, habelə “Gimnastikada təhlükəsiz mühitin təminatı və iştirakçıların şəxsiyyətinin qorunması Qaydaları” müzakirə olunaraq qəbul edilib. Belə ki, Mahir Rəfiyev, Elşad Nərimanov və Ruslan Mirzəzadə Nəzarət-Təftiş Komissiyasının üzvləri; Nazim Rəcəbov, Aytac Qasımova, Elmar Cəlilov, Namiq Əliyev və Jalə Əhmədova İntizam Komissiyasının üzvləri; Xaqani Məmmədov, Elçin Usub və Rəşad Axundov isə Apellyasiya Komissiyasının üzvləri seçiliblər.
Sonda 2025-ci ildə mötəbər yarışlarda yüksək nəticələr əldə etmiş idmançılar xatirə medalları ilə təltif olunublar.
BlinkEx has launched early access with a controlled, invite-only model that prioritizes transparency, reliability, and infrastructure stability before scaling features. #partnercontent
CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid has published a case study detailing how Estonia-based proprietary trading firm PropShopTrader expanded globally by integrating crypto payments. The collaboration highlights how digital asset payments can reduce costs, lower chargeback risks, and improve conversion rates for online…
Niko Kovac called on Borussia Dortmund 'to carry the momentum we have in the Bundesliga at the moment' into the Champions League (Tobias SCHWARZ)
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac called on his side to recreate their domestic form on the Champions League stage when they take on Atalanta in the knock-out play-offs on Tuesday.
Dortmund's six-match winning run has brought them right back into contention for the Bundesliga title but, if they have been flying in Germany recently, their results in Europe have left something to be desired.
Winless in their last three league-phase outings, Dortmund finished 17th in the standings and were as a result unseeded in the draw for the play-offs.
"We want to carry the momentum we have in the Bundesliga at the moment," Kovac told his press conference on Monday. "We want to take this momentum with our fans."
To reach the last 16 of the Champions League, Dortmund must navigate their way past 2024 Europa League winners Atalanta.
Dortmund welcome the Serie A side this week, before facing a return trip to Italy on February 25.
"In the knockout stages, it's all about advancing to the next round," the former Croatian international added.
"But we can't do that by talking a lot now, we have to work hard on the pitch.
"That gives us hope and also the belief that we can be successful in these two games against Atalanta."
Atalanta currently occupy sixth place in the Serie A standings but have enjoyed an uptick in results on the domestic front since the turn of the year, even if their European form has also been disappointing.
"Atalanta have a really great team that has grown over the years, won the Europa League two years ago and are very high up in Italy," Kovac said.
"It's going to be very intense. I currently see the chances as 50-50 for both teams. Hopefully we can travel to Italy with a good result."
The national high school girls basketball 2025-26 regular season is in the postseason and now eyes are shifting towards the playoffs as elite programs look to make a deep run.
Ontario Christian (Calif.) remains the top team in the country with a 28-1 record as now new teams enter this week’s Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings. Who else joins the Knights in the latest set of high school girls basketball Top 25?
Here’s a look at the latest set of top 25 high school girls basketball teams in the country according to the Massey Ratings, which ranks teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory, as of Feb. 16.
1. Ontario Christian Knights (Calif.) (28-1)
The Ontario Christian Knights (28-1) are among one of the California’s top high school girls basketball programs and bounced back from their lone loss of the season with a seven-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. Ontario Christian is scoring points at a rapid pace as the Knights are averaging a staggering 92.1 points per game. Junior point guard Kaleena Smith, who is currently leading the team with an impressive 32.5 points, 6.9 assists, 4.6 steals and 3.5 rebounds per contest, has been one of the nation’s best. Arguably Ontario Christian’s most impressive win of the season when they defeated Archbishop Mitty, 96-87, the second best team out of the state of California. The Knights will have their hands full on Wednesday night when they take on JSerra Catholic, the state’s No. 20 ranked team.
2. Johnston Dragons (IA) (23-0)
The Johnston Dragons (23-0) look very much in line to win a third straight Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) Class 5A state championship after finishing with a 26-0 record in 2024-25. The Dragons are currently on a 74-game winning streak dating back to 2023, which has seen the program notch back-to-back state titles. Senior point guard Jenica Lewis, who scored 12 points in last year’s state title game, is back in the fold after a strong junior campaign. Lewis has offers from Iowa, UNC, Notre Dame, Oregon and TCU. Dragons have extended their longstanding winning streak now to 74 straight contests as they head into the Iowa high school girls basketball postseason.
3. Hopkins Royals (Minn.) (19-2)
Last year’s Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) AAAA state champion Hopkins Royals (19-2), which finished 27-5 and defeated Maple Grove at the end for the title, has remained firmly in the No. 3 spot. Hopkins wasn’t a team full of star power last season en route to winning another state title, but brings back plenty of talent to begin the fall campaign on everyone’s radar. Junior point-forward Erma Walker was crucial for the Royals in beating Maple Grove a year ago, with 28 points and eight rebounds. The only losses for Hopkins this 2025-26 season is a 46-43 decision to Iowa’s Dowling Catholic, the No. 8 team in our rankings, and No. 4 Wayzata.
4. Wayzata Trojans (Minn.) (20-3)
Staying pat in the latest update of the national high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings are the Wayzata Trojans (20-3), which have been red hot as of late. Having knocked off Hopkins (see above) recently along with several blowout victories along the way, it’s easy to see why this Trojans squad is one of the best in the Midwest. Wayzata defeated No. 22 Eden Prairie, 78-52, and have major matchups this week against No. 3 Hopkins and Minnetonka, respectively.
5. Bishop McNamara Mustangs (Md.) (24-2)
Bishop McNamara (24-2), which has been among one of the country’s top high school girls basketball programs all season long this year, checks in for the second straight week at No. 5. The Mustangs only two losses on the season have come to St. Frances Academy (Md.) and Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.). Other than that, the Mustangs have been perfect, boasting a 21-2 record playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Mustangs notched two solid victories last week over St. Mary’s Ryken and Bishop Ireton.
Massey Ratings National High School Girls Basketball Rankings Nos. 11-25
A.J. Preller is sticking with the Padres for years to come. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
After a couple rough years early in his tenure, A.J. Preller has built the San Diego Padres into a consistent contender. Preller was rewarded for those efforts Monday, agreeing to a long-term extension with the franchise, the team announced.
The finances and length of Preller's contract were not disclosed. Unlike player contracts, front-office deals aren't always made public.
Preller called San Diego a special place, and said he was excited to bring a championship to the city in a statement.
"San Diego is a special place, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last decade while knowing there’s still more work to be done. I’m excited for the Padres’ future and fully committed to bringing a championship to our fans and this city.”
Prior to the extension, Preller was set to enter 2026 with only one year left on his contract. When asked about Preller's status Sunday, multiple Padres players showed support for the team's general manager. Both Manny Machado and Michael King went to bat for Preller, with King saying he re-signed with the Padres due to Preller.
The Padres were always expected to work out a new deal with Preller, who was hired in 2014. In October, team CEO Erik Greupner said he was optimistic Preller would be the teams' general manager beyond the 2026 MLB season. It may have taken a few months for both sides to work out the particulars, but Greupner's comments turned out to be accurate.
Preller engaged in a pretty lengthy rebuild upon taking over as the team's general manager. The Padres failed to make the playoffs in Preller's first five seasons with the team. But the team made strides during that period, trading for Fernando Tatis Jr. and signing Machado to a massive 11-year, $350 million contract.
Both moves helped the Padres hop back into contention. Since 2020, the team has made the playoffs in four of the past six seasons. Making deep postseason runs in October, however, has proven difficult. The Padres advanced to the NLCS just once in those four chances, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in 2022.
During his tenure with the Padres, Preller has emerged as a general manager who is willing to make bold moves. In addition to signing Machado, Preller also spent $280 million on shortstop Xander Bogaerts. He's also traded for Blake Snell and Juan Soto during the team's recent run. Preller later traded Soto to the New York Yankees once it became clear the Padres wouldn't be able to re-sign the outfielder.
Compared to those moves, it was a relatively uneventful offseason for Preller and the Padres. The team's biggest move was bringing King back, though recent additions like German Marquez and Nick Castellanos could also help.
The Padres could certainly use one more addition or two, as the team is projected to win 80.7 games this season, per Baseball Prospectus. That would put the Padres right on the cusp of the postseason, but not firmly in a playoff spot. Based on how Preller has approached previous seasons, the Padres can rest easy knowing he won't sit idly by if the playoffs are still within grasp as the season progresses. Over the years, Preller has shown he'll make the big move if it will give the Padres a shot at a title.
Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven insisted his side will keep pushing for the top six until it is "mathematically impossible" after their 2-0 loss to Motherwell.
The Dons are now 11 points outside the top six in the Scottish Premiership table, albeit with two games in hand.
Leven's side had more possession than Motherwell in the battle at Fir Park - not something that usually happens to the Steelmen under Jens Berthel Askou.
"I'm disappointed, the chances we created, we have to take them," Leven reflected.
"The first goal was a handball for me, I don't know why the referee's not given it straight away.
"It's frustrating, but I did see signs that were positive. There's not many teams come to Motherwell and have more possession.
"We'll keep battling until it's mathematically impossible, we'll keep going and see where it takes us."
Their push for the top half might not be helped with the upcoming fixture congestion, a run of games caused by a flurry of call-offs in the North East.
Up first is a Scottish Cup fifth round tie against Motherwell, in a repeat of Sunday afternoon's game. This time, it's at Pittodrie.
"It has to be a win on Wednesday evening, we're the holders," Leven said. "We need a big performance at home to try and progress."
Tony Docherty was in the away dugout at Fir Park after the former Dundee boss returned to Pittodrie in a move that Leven believes brings extra experience to his backroom team.
Leven added: "He's added experience, knowledge of the league and another person to bounce ideas off — he's been brilliant since he came in."
After pulling off its first series win of the season, Maryland baseball is headed back to College Park for its first midweek match up, facing DMV rival Georgetown for its home opener.
The Terps will host the Hoyas on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will stream on Big Ten Plus.
Georgetown Hoyas (1-2, 0-0 Big East)
2025 season: 16-40, 3-18 Big East
Georgetown struggled last season, losing five weekend series in three straight games. The Hoyas did find some success last season against Maryland, though, winning two of their three midweek contests.
Georgetown played against Winthrop to open its season, dropping two of three games. After two losses by at least 10 runs, the Hoyas rounded out the weekend with a 8-3 victory.
For head coach Edwin Thompson, travelling to College Park is somewhat of a homecoming. Thompson played at Maryland for one season alongside Terps’ head coach Matt Swope in 2002, batting .250 and recording 12 RBIs in 34 appearances.
Hitters to watch
Jeremy Sheffield, senior first baseman, No. 36 — After missing two seasons of play, Sheffield has quickly climbed to the top of the Hoyas’ leaderboard. The senior infielder is 6 for 11 with a team-high four RBIs over the past three games, and was 3 for 4 in Georgetown’s recent win
Connor Peek, graduate shortstop, No. 15 — Peek made his debut as a Hoya this season after spending three seasons with Holy Cross, currently sitting at 5 for 10 with two RBIs for the season. The graduate shortstop posted one of Georgetown’s three runs in the first game of the doubleheader, and posted two runs in Georgetown’s evening win.
Dylan Larkins, sophomore center fielder, No. 16 — Larkins’ helped the Hoyas gain their only win of the season by scoring two runs on Saturday night. The sophomore was also one of three Hoyas to steal a base against Winthrop.
Pitchers to watch
Spencer Seid, left-handed graduate pitcher, No. 5 — Before transferring to Georgetown before the 2026 season, Seid averaged about 1.27 strikeouts per inning at UC San Diego in 2025. In Saturday’s second game, the graduate student threw six strikeouts in five scoreless innings.
Andrew Moy, right-handed graduate pitcher, No. 30 — Moy missed the 2025 season due to injury while playing for Swarthmore College. The right-hander took the mound for the first time in two years on Saturday, throwing an inning of scoreless relief.
Strength
Roster experience. Almost two thirds of Georgetown’s roster is at least a junior, and 13 players have transferred in. The Hoyas bring a lot of experience in collegiate baseball to the field.
Weakness
Defensive consistency. In only three games, 16 different Hoyas have taken the pitching mound. Georgetown allowed 29 runs across that season-opening series. Maryland has the chance to capitalize on those inconsistencies.
Three things to know
1. From navy blue to black and gold. Maryland assistant coach Brock Keener worked as a volunteer, then as an assistant coach at Georgetown for three years before becoming a Terp in 2024. Keener was part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021 while at Georgetown.
2. History in the DMV. Maryland’s matchup on Tuesday marks the 92nd game between the Terps and Hoyas. Maryland leads the series all time, 65-26.
3. Weekday winners. Maryland has won seven of their last 10 mid-week openers. Their most recent Tuesday win came against Mount St. Marys, where the Terps dominated the Mountaineers 14-3. However, Maryland fell to Delaware in its first Tuesday game of 2025, 13-10.
There are sure to be at least a few players shuffled around to new teams this offseason in the NFL, and the quarterback position is unlikely to be an exception. Expect to see at least a couple signal callers traded before the 2026 season gets underway – and here are some names to watch.
The Cardinals are reportedly interested in parting ways with Murray, who allegedly is interested in the Minnesota Vikings as a potential destination. Murray was the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has started for the Cardinals for the past seven seasons.
He suffered a foot injury in Week 5 last season, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Over his career, he has recorded 20,460 passing yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions through the air, as well as 3,192 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns with his legs.
The Dolphins are interested in trading Tagovailoa to another franchise, but this one might not be the one that gets pulled off. Mainly, it's because other teams just aren't interested in Tagovailoa. According to reports, even if the Dolphins take on a large chunk of Tagovailoa's salary, many teams in the market for a quarterback have no desire to make a trade for the former one-time NFL passing yards leader and one-time NFL completion percentage leader.
As a result, there is skepticism around the league that the Dolphins will move Tagovailoa. He has passed for 2,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions during his six-season NFL career.
Things just haven't worked out for Levis with the Titans, as he went 5-16 as a starter over his first two seasons before spending 2025 as a backup. He passed for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions during his stint with the franchise.
The organization is interested in trading Levis, and the Jaguars are considered a potential landing spot because head coach Liam Coen worked with him at Kentucky. The hope is that a reunion could help him develop as a backup to Trevor Lawrence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have arguably the strongest starting rotation heading into the 2026 season. But one of the rotation’s biggest issues last season was injuries.
Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki all spent multiple months of the regular season on the injured list. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani did not make his pitching debut with the Dodgers until June 16 as he recovered from left shoulder surgery he underwent in November 2024.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, their starting rotation is deep. And the Dodgers will be getting back two young starting pitchers that could make a big impact in the rotation when the superstars are inevitably out with injuries in 2026.
Starting pitchers River Ryan and Gavin Stone missed all of the 2025 season with injuries. Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2024, then Stone underwent shoulder surgery in October 2024.
Now, both pitchers are back with the Dodgers at spring training this offseason and are looking to return to the mound in 2026.
Ryan and Stone Made Insane Physical Transformations While Rehabbing in 2025
While Ryan and Stone were rehabbing their injuries in 2025, the pair made major physical transformations to their bodies in the process.
Ryan showed up to spring training 30 pounds stronger than he was in his rookie season in 2024.
Feb 14, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher River Ryan throws bullpen during spring training camp. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Stone added about 15 pounds to his frame during his rehab process.
Stone faced hitters in a live batting practice session during spring training on Saturday. He only pitched one inning but struck out the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, Ohtani.
Aug 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone (35) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to Stone and Ryan, the Dodgers are expecting another strong season from Emmett Sheehan in 2026. All three of these young pitchers will be solid replacements for the rotation when the other starters are unable to pitch.
If there’s one thing Ozzie Albies loves more than playing baseball, it’s caring for animals, especially fish.
The Atlanta Braves second baseman has become especially known for his extensive knowledge of aquatic life.
So when elementary students at Lockheed Elementary decided they wanted a fish for a class pet, they knew Albies was the right guy to ask.
“The kids wrote me letters asking for which fish to recommend. But I said, you know what, I’d feel better if I’d set up a fish tank myself,” Albies said.
And so he did. Albies surprised the class before he left for Braves spring training in Florida. He brought goldfish, a tank and other supplies for the students to take care of their new class pet.
The Oklahoma Sooners went 5-0 in the southwest, outscoring their opponents 91-9. Oklahoma won all five games by run-rule, giving them six run-rule wins on the season. Oklahoma's offense is off to a stellar start in 2026 and the lineup is proving to be incredibly deep so far.
There will be tougher challenges along the way, but OU is looking like one of the best teams in the nation once again. So, who stood out this weekend in Las Cruces and El Paso? Here are this week's three stars of the weekend.
1. Gabbie Garcia, SS
Gabbie Garcia continued her hot start to the season with three more home runs in the desert and drove in 11 RBIs. She went 8 for 14 in the five games and had a pair of games with six RBIs. Garcia also had a double and two walks. She's making an early case for national player of the year with seven home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .483 batting average through the first two weeks of the season.
Garcia is currently on pace to hit 43 home runs in the regular season alone, which would break the single-season home run record of 37 set in 1995.
2. Kasidi Pickering, OF
Oklahoma's table setter, Kasidi Pickering leads the Oklahoma Sooners with a batting average of .577 and an on-base percentage of .676. Over the weekend, she was fantastic again, going 10-for-12 and reaching base 16 times in the five-game stretch in the southwest. Pickering had three home runs and 11 RBIs to go along with six walks from her lead-off spot.
3. Kai Minor, OF
Oklahoma's true freshmen have shown up to the ballpark ready to contribute in 2026, and they've contributed in a big way. In week one, it was Kendall Wells earning a spot in our three stars, and this week, it's Kai Minor's turn. Minor started three games for Oklahoma over the weekend but saw time in all five of the Sooners' wins. And she made the most of it, going 9 for 14 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. She also recorded three doubles and a triple, showing off her elite speed and penchant for extra bases. Minor recorded a hit and an RBI in all five games and is proving to be ready every time she's called upon.
Honorable Mention
The Oklahoma Sooners have scored 125 runs through nine games in the 2026 season. In nine games in 2025, Oklahoma only scored 78 runs. Certainly, a 34-spot against UTEP bolsters those numbers, but the most they scored in a single game during their first nine games was 13 runs. Oklahoma's already surpassed 13 runs four times this season.
Every Oklahoma Sooners position player has hit a home run this season. They have seven players with at least three home runs and nine players with at least two home runs on the season.
The season is still young, and Oklahoma will face tougher challenges than the ones they saw in Las Cruces and El Paso. But this team can hit, and they're going to score a lot of runs this season.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Nate Diaz is gearing up for his long-awaited UFC return.
Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) amicably parted ways with the UFC after submitting Tony Ferguson in September 2022. He has since laced up the gloves against Jake Paul and fellow ex-UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, but is now finally ready to step back into the octagon.
The Stockton superstar is not short of options for big fights, but three particular names pique his interest.
"I'm ready to get back in real action," Diaz told TMZ Sports. "I want to fight either (Conor) McGregor 3, I want to fight maybe Dustin Poirier if he stops being such a p*ssy, and then maybe Mike Perry. Let's see what happens in the future though."
"The Notorious" set his sights on the UFC's White House event in June, and so has Diaz.
"Yeah, that would be dope, too," Diaz said of the White House event. "America gang, baby. You already know we're popping."
The other two names Diaz wants may not be as easy to materialize with neither currently on the UFC roster. Dustin Poirier hung up his gloves at UFC 318, but did hint that he could be lured out of retirement for the right fight. Diaz could just be that as they were once scheduled to meet at UFC 230, but the fight fell through when Poirier injured his hip.
World Cup-winning cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025.
Mandhana, 29, was India's vice-captain as they won the 2025 ICC Women's World Cup, scoring 434 runs across the tournament.
Also nominated for the award were India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess champion Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji.
Accepting the award, Mandhana reflected on a "special year" for women's cricket
"Thank you BBC for giving me the award for Best Sportswoman of the Year," she said.
"I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches."
Mandhana was chosen by a distinguished grand jury comprising Grand Slam tennis champion Leander Paes, Paralympic medallist Deepa Malik and World Championship long-jump medallist Anju Bobby George.
The other nominees were cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess champion Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji.
Mandhana made her debut for India aged 16 and has scored 17 international centuries across the three formats of the game - a record she shares with Australia's Meg Lanning.
She has also won two Women's Premier League titles with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Deshmukh, Pal and Bhagwat pick up ISWOTY awards
Three other trailblazing female athletes were also honoured at the ISWOTY awards ceremony at the Taj Palace hotel in Delhi.
Chess champion Divya Deshmukh was named BBC Emerging Player of the Year after winning the Women's World Cup at the age of 20.
Divya is just the fourth Indian woman to become a chess grandmaster.
Preethi Pal was named BBC Para Sportswoman of the Year after winning two medals at the 2025 World Championships in New Delhi.
The 25-year-old from Uttar Pradesh had previously won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Shooter Anjali Bhagwat was given the BBC ISWOTY Lifetime Achievement award.
At Sydney 2000, she became the first female Indian shooter to reach an Olympic final. She also won four Commonwealth Games gold medals, including two individual titles at the 2002 Games in Manchester.
Praising the athletes' achievements and reaffirming the BBC's commitment to spotlighting Indian women's sport, CEO of BBC News Jonathan Munro said: "Congratulations to this year's winners, who showcase the very best in sporting excellence.
"The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world."
The ceremony also celebrated 'Star Performers' and 'Changemakers' whose contributions continue to redefine the landscape of Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025
India women's cricket team - for their historic World Cup victory.
Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal - for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
India women's cricket team for the blind - for their inspiring World Cup victory.
India women's kabaddi team - for their comprehensive victory in the World Cup
BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025
India women's ice hockey team - for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport
Rajbir Kaur - India field hockey player and former captain of the women's national team
Savita Punia - India field hockey player and current member of the national team
Paani Devi - recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport
BBC ISWOTY is managed and produced by Collective Newsroom.
Rupa Jha, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Collective Newsroom said: "Sport belongs to everyone, and its true power lies not only in victories but in the opportunities it creates.
"ISWOTY 2026 is a celebration of every woman who has stepped forward to break barriers and claim her rightful place on the field."
Anjali Bhagwat became the first Indian female shooter to win a World Cup title and be number one in the air rifle world rankings [BBC]
Mourinho talks Vinicius, Arbeloa, Florentino Perez, return rumours ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid have arrived in Lisbon as they get set to take on SL Benfica for the second time within a month, hoping for a different result this time around.
Having faced the Portuguese giants, managed by Jose Mourinho, in the final matchday of the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, Los Blancos ended up suffering a shock 4-2 defeat.
Not only it allowed Benfica to qualify for the Round of 16 playoffs, it also cost Real Madrid a place in the top-eight, meaning they now have to go through an additional round to make it through to the knockouts, with Mourinho & co. standing in their way again.
Ahead of the first leg of the playoff encounter on Tuesday night, Mourinho addressed the media, where he spoke fondly about his time at Real Madrid as well as the challenges that lie ahead for his team.
On Real Madrid manager and players
Kicking things off, Mourinho touched on the evolution of this Real Madrid team under Alvaro Arbeloa, comparing where they are now to where they were last month when Benfica beat them.
“Everything is new. Let’s forget about the match we played at a few weeks ago. It’s a completely different Real Madrid, both because of some of the players who have returned and, because of their approach to the game, the way they organise themselves.
“I give all the credit to the manager because he understood what happened here. They have undergone an evolution in the solidity of the team.”
Talking about the importance of the returns of key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger for Los Blancos, the opposition manager remarked:
“They are two important players, but more than their individual qualities, it’s the way they structure themselves.
“They defend with two very compact lines of four, leaving Vinicius and Mbappe up front for transitions and depth. It’s a very effective way they’ve found to be more solid and, with these players up front, more dangerous.”
On whether facing a wounded Real Madrid was going to be dangerous for his team, Mourinho acknowledged:
“They are dangerous because of their individual quality, but they have improved a lot collectively. And I dare to state the obvious: they are a wounded team. They conceded four goals…
“I imagine Benfica conceding four and, two or three weeks later, with the possibility of facing the team that crushed them again. We would have something more. That’s what I expect from Real Madrid.”
Talking about how Benfica can stop Vinicius Jr., who scored twice in Madrid’s last game against Real Sociedad, he explained:
“There’s no need to be pessimistic. We have two options. We have to work as a team to stop him.
“Players coming back from injury don’t have any minutes under their belts and it would have been better if they had played this weekend. Playing against Madrid is motivation enough.”
When asked what it would mean for his Benfica players to beat Real Madrid once again, Mourinho elaborated:
“If beating Real Madrid once is very difficult, beating them twice is even more so. Winning three times, or even in a knockout tie, is even more difficult. Even more important is their motivation to win the Champions League, not to eliminate Benfica.
“That is their goal. And that is their greatest strength for this match. For our part, we won and we know why. But, on the other hand, we know that the match will not be a carbon copy and they have evolved significantly as a team in a short space of time.”
Mourinho’s Benfica beat Real Madrid in January. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Continuing, he added: “What I asked the players was to play with the joy of those who deserve to be here. Perhaps it is better to be here against the great Real Madrid than against a lesser team.
“We will enjoy tomorrow’s match; we hope for a result that leaves us feeling good. We are going to Madrid to compete for qualification and we are going with joy.”
On what kind of a game he is expecting next week at the Bernabeu when he returns, Mourinho said:
“The reception. I hope they forget about me and focus on helping Real Madrid qualify. That’s the goal of the team and the fans: to eliminate Benfica and win the Champions League. I’ll be there and they’ll forget it’s me.”
When asked if it would take a miracle for Benfica to eliminate Real Madrid, he replied: “I don’t think it will take a miracle for Benfica to knock Real Madrid out. I think Benfica needs to be at its best.
“I don’t even mean good, I mean the best, almost perfect, which doesn’t exist. But not a miracle. Obviously, Real Madrid is Real Madrid: the history, the knowledge, the ambition… But football has this power and we can win.”
On his time at Real Madrid
Mourinho spent three years at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, and while the spell was not laden with trophies, the Portuguese manager is still remembered fondly in the Spanish capital for the team he helped build.
So, when asked if he felt that Los Blancos’La Decima success, a year after he left, was also his own, Mourinho replied:
“I must be one of the few Real Madrid coaches to leave without being sacked. When you leave on your own terms, you have nothing to envy. I left with a clear conscience.
“I’ll never forget what the president said to me when I left: ‘Now comes the easy part, the hard part is already done.’ My family is the most important thing to me and that was the best thing. It was also the best thing for Madrid.
“After difficult, intense and violent years. Everything Madrid has done since then has only brought me joy. I don’t feel like I’m part of anything; the credit goes to those who were there.
“Estadio Da Luz stadium is a happy place for Madrid. They lost, but they weren’t eliminated; they won a Champions League here.”
Mourinho remains a well-loved figure among Real Madrid fans. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
On what he took away from his three years at the Santiago Bernabeu, Mourinho elaborated: “I wouldn’t change anything because I can’t change anything now. I’ll take away the fact that I gave it my all.
“It doesn’t matter if you make mistakes, because you gave it your all. That’s what I tell my players. If you fail, it’s okay, you tried your best. I’m at peace with myself.”
Talking about how he feels when he hears fans in Madrid speak so highly of him and his time at the club, Mourinho stated:
“I gave everything I had to Madrid. I did some things well and some things badly, but I gave it my all. When a professional gives everything, there is a connection that lasts forever.
“My feeling after these 12 years with the Madrid fans is the same as theirs: they respect me and hold me in high esteem. It’s fantastic for me.”
However, he made it clear that he is happy at Benfica and does not want to fuel any rumours of a possible move to Real Madrid, saying:
“I don’t want to fuel stories that don’t exist. I have one more year on my contract with Benfica; it’s special because it’s an election period and we wanted to protect a new president. It has an easy-to-break clause. I have nothing against Madrid.”
Wishing luck to Arbeloa and Madrid, he added: “I would very much like to eliminate Madrid, but I would very much like Arbeloa to win La Liga and stay there for many years, because he has a lot of ability. He is a Madridista and has a lot of personality.”
Touching on his relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Mourinho said:
“The last time we spoke was when I signed with Benfica. He told me he was very happy because I had signed for a great club. He didn’t come to the last match; I hope he’ll be here tomorrow so I can talk to him. We’re great friends.”
Your Oregon Ducks traveled north on Sunday evening to take on their hated rival, the #25 Washington Huskies. And y’all, this one did NOT start out great for our girls. Washington came out fast, and jumped out to an early 15-1 lead halfway through the first quarter. The Ducks would start to fight back a bit, but the Huskies would wind up taking a 22-9 lead after one. The second quarter would start slow for both sides, with the Ducks cutting into the lead slightly, trailing 27-13 with 8:29 remaining in the half. But that, my friends, is where things started to take a turn. Oregon would close the half on a 15-0 run, and somehow take a 1 point lead into the break, 28-27.
The third quarter was… well, honestly there’s no other way to say it: it was UGLY for both sides, offensively. Just a physical, tough, defense-heavy quarter for both teams. A total of 16 points were scored in the quarter, 10 by UW and 6 by Oregon, giving the Huskies a 37-34 lead after three quarters. Unfortunately, though, the 4th quarter wasn’t much better for the Ducks. They just couldn’t seem to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, shooting just 3-14 from the floor, and letting UW escape with a 51-43 win.
Oof. What a frustrating game to watch. Not because they struggled to score, Washington’s defense played (begrudgingly) very well. But because we’ve all seen what these ladies can do when they’re on. And unfortunately for the Ducks, nobody was really on their game Sunday, as they shot an abysmal 17-55 from the floor (30.9%) and didn’t make their first three pointer until there was 6:36 remaining in the 4th quarter (1-10 from deep on the night). Just a bad time for the offense to go completely frigid. But I’ll be surprised if they play that poorly on offense again the rest of the season.
Jurgen Klopp, German football coach and "Global Head of Soccer" at Red Bull, is pictured during an AFP interview at RB Leipzig's headquarters in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on January 17, 2026. Despite leaving Liverpool as one of the most highly regarded coaches in football in 2024, Jurgen Klopp said he never considered himself among the game's best. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Former Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool FC boss Jürgen Klopp will go down as one of Germany’s all-time great managers, but he never spent a day coach at Bayern Munich.
However, it seems like he almost did.
Per Transfermarkt (as captured by Tz), Klopp came very close to joining the Bavarians twice — once in 2009 and once in 2019:
Rumors surrounding Jürgen Klopp and FC Bayern Munich have been swirling for years. There has been constant speculation about whether the charismatic coach would one day stand on the sidelines of the German record champions. Now, Klopp’s long-time advisor, Mark Kosicke, has revealed new details to Transfermarkt.de about FC Bayern’s attempts to sign him. According to Kosicke, the club came “very close” on two separate occasions.
The first opportunity likely arose in 2008, when FC Bayern faced a crucial decision: Who should lead the team into a new era? Uli Hoeneß advocated for Jürgen Klopp, while Karl-Heinz Rummenigge favored Jürgen Klinsmann. Ultimately, Klinsmann was chosen, but his tenure was short-lived. Klopp, meanwhile, took over as head coach of Borussia Dortmund.
The second attempt at a move took place in 2019 after the departure of Niko Kovač. However, by that time Klopp was firmly under contract with Liverpool and had led the club to great successes such as winning the Champions League and their first Premier League title in thirty years.
Bayern Munich’s history would be significantly different had Hoeneß won that front office battle instead of Rummenigge, who was behind the ill-fated Klinsmann move. Similarly, Kovač‘s sacking opened the door for Hansi Flick to take over and eventually win a sextuple. Getting Klopp from Liverpool at that stage would have been near-impossible anyway given his status after winning the Champions League during the 2018/19 season.
As for Klopp and if it would have worked out in Bavaria, Kosicke thinks it would have been a good fit between his client the Bayern Munich.
“I don’t see why it shouldn’t have been. Jürgen likes pretzels and had a wheat beer partner in Erdinger. He’s always worked with strong personalities. I wouldn’t have seen any problem there,” Kosicke said.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Dana White says his early experience in professional boxing has been so dominant that he likened the competition to “beating up babies.”
The UFC president made the comment during the post-fight press conference for Zuffa Boxing 03 while reflecting on his promotion’s entry into the sport.
White explained that he anticipated stronger resistance from established figures within boxing but claims that has not materialized.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
White claims boxing establishment offered little resistance
Following three Zuffa Boxing events, Dana White was asked whether the traditional boxing hierarchy had responded to his company’s arrival. He admitted he expected a more competitive reaction.
Instead, he described the opening phase as unexpectedly lopsided. White suggested that meaningful opposition has yet to emerge.
“There hasn’t been any pushback. This is like beating up babies. I feel like I came in and I’m beating up babies. I expected more. I expected some pushback. I expected them to be more game.”
He reinforced that view moments later, expressing surprise at how smoothly things have unfolded. White said he did not foresee such an easy transition into the space.
“They’re all way out of their league. Like absolutely, positively out of their league. I’m actually a little shocked.”
White questions rival promoters’ vision
White also took aim at prominent boxing promoters, casting doubt on their ability to compete with what he views as a stronger strategic plan. He argued that some established figures lack the vision necessary to evolve the sport.
Referencing the broader competitive landscape, White suggested that his rivals are struggling to keep up.
“They can’t compete cause they don’t know how to compete. There’s no vision there.”
White has repeatedly stated that Zuffa Boxing intends to reshape the sport’s promotional model rather than follow its traditional framework. He believes the early results support that ambition.
While the long-term impact of his venture remains uncertain, White’s confidence in its trajectory is clear. At this stage, he believes Zuffa Boxing holds the upper hand.
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 22: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the University of Notre Dame runs with the ball during a game between Syracuse University and University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on November 22, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints left the 2025 NFL draft satisfied. They solidified their tackles for the next 10 years and found good depth and starters down the board. Oh, they also found a pretty good quarterback.
With the Saints set up to start building a roster that can compete in the next few years, they’ll be looking to grab more big impact players.
1.8 RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
If you know anything about me, this pick will come as a shocker. I find it hard for bad teams to use early picks on running backs, but in recent years, I’ve changed my mind. The breakouts of running backs Bijan Robinson, Jahmy Gibbs, and De’Von Achane represent a new class of running backs entering the league and finding success.
The NFL is always evolving, and the run game has made a comeback. Gone are the days of the 5,000-yard passers. Defenses now run two high shells more often than they did just 10 years ago, forcing offenses to either run the ball or risk throwing interceptions.
So in this, I have the Saints grabbing a top-three player in the draft at eight. New Orleans has had a lackluster run game for years now, and Jeremiyah Love makes an immediate impact. Getting Kellen Moore a high-end draft pick at running back could open the offense up and make life easier for Tyler Shough. Love offers the best superstar ability for New Orleans at eight, and makes the perfect successor to Alvin Kamara.
2.42 OL Chase Bistontis (Texas A&M)
I never like to say a team is forced to draft a player at a certain range, but it feels like a must for the Saints to add to their interior offensive line in the first three rounds. Guard Cesar Ruiz has struggled over the last two seasons, and the Dillon Radunz signing felt like a Band-Aid over a bigger problem.
Luckily for the Saints, Texas A&M offensive lineman Chase Bisontis is available for them early in the second round. Bisontis has plenty of the athleticism you’re looking for at the interior, and his strong performances in SEC play make him better prepared for the NFL.
But, along with most rookie offensive linemen, Bisontis will have to improve his technique. His footwork could get sloppy, and his shorter arms cause him to get out of position if he doesn’t win off the press. Despite the learning curve, the three-year starter will fit well into the Saints’ young offensive line.
3.73 WR Elija Sarratt (Indiana)
The Saints have proved season after season that their lack of concern about adding a wide receiver is costly. While New Orleans did make trades for wideouts Devaughn Vele and Jalynn Polk in 2025, both have injury concerns and played little to no during the season. And after the trade of Rashid Shaheed, the Saints need to add wide receiver help more than ever.
Here, we have the Saints catching Indiana Elijah Sarratt, who fell in this mock. Originally projected as a second-rounder, Sarratt offers the Saints reliable hands and physicality at receiver. At 6-foot-2, he is a very physical pass catcher and can win on his contested catches consistently.
Sarratt is a good pairing next to Chris Olave and gives New Orleans, at worst, great depth at a position they’ve lacked for years.
Chelsea defender responds to incredible praise which compares him to the world’s best
Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr has had some pretty incredible comparisons made in his young career so far, he responds to them here.
The Sun have today done a really good piece talking about Mamadou Sarr, who made his Chelsea full debut on Friday. It had some really flattering comparisons to the best players in the world.
“I came from Morocco, but Sarr was already being talked about when I arrived at Lyon,” former teammate Achraf Laziri said.
“They said he was very composed for his age and played the game at his own pace. You just knew he was one of the players who wouldn’t stay there for long.”
His teammates, including Laziri, started calling the elegant defender “Van Dijk” as a nickname.
How Chelsea new signing responded to impressive nickname
Mamadou Sarr in action in against Hull City. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
That comparison has even reached the defender, who responded thus:
“I want to be like Virgil van Dijk. I love Van Dijk. They called me that when I was younger. But some people also tell me I play like Ibrahima Konate. It’s very similar.
“He’s a leader. For a defender, it’s very important to be a leader. Off and on the pitch, I talk a lot. It’s an important job. I think I anticipate well. With the ball, I can pick a good pass. When I was a kid, I had a dream. It was to be the best centre-back in the world.”
Well, it’s always good to aim high. We’re really excited about what he can bring to Chelsea.
In other news…
Chelsea are looking better and better under Liam Rosenoir, and a big part of that is Cole Palmer’s return to form. Stevie G is very worried about what that means for Liverpool.
Yan Diomande is a player in a lot of demand, and Chelsea could have bought him years ago – but he says he’s happy he never joined them.
NASCAR champ Tyler Reddick poses with his Daytona 500 trophy alongside wife Alexa DeLeon Reddick and sons Beau and Rookie
Chris Graythen/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
NASCAR champ Tyler Reddick’s 8-month-old son Rookie started crawling months after life-saving surgery to remove a chest tumor, and days later on Sunday, Feb. 15, Reddick won the Daytona 500
Rookie’s tumor had caused heart failure, but his wife Alexa’s persistence led to a diagnosis and successful treatment
Reddick credits his wife and the NASCAR community for their support during his son’s health battle
Tyler Reddick was surrounded with cheers on Sunday, Feb. 15, as he won the 68th Daytona 500 in a surprising last-lap victory.
But there was another milestone that the athlete was celebrating in his personal life. Days earlier, his 8-month-old son Rookie George started crawling.
That's something that seemed unlikely back in October, when Rookie underwent surgery to remove one of his kidneys that were no longer functioning after doctors found a tumor in his chest. The mass, Reddick's wife Alexa DeLeon explained on social media at the time, was affecting his heart, "choking’ the renal vein and renal artery" and "telling the heart, ‘Hey I’m not getting enough blood … pump harder.' "
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Alexa — with whom Reddick also shares 5-year-old son, Beau — was first to notice that something was wrong with Rookie.
"As he started to grow and things were going on with him, he just started going the wrong way," Reddick, 30, recalled during an appearance on Good Morning America on Monday, Feb. 16. "My wife trusted her mom gut and just over time said, ‘The direction he’s going is not great.’ "
Pediatricians at first chalked symptoms up to colic or possible allergies, but Reddick pressed on. It wasn't until Alexa took Rookie to Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, in late September that doctors were able to "quickly identify" what was "causing the heart failure and piece it all together."
"I’m really proud of my wife," said Reddick. "She had to go to a lot during the entire process but she really was the centerpiece that held everyone together throughout the whole thing. It was tough."
"Michael and everybody at 23XI basically told me, ‘Look, if you need to step away and not run another race, do whatever you need to do,' " Reddick remembered.
Tyler Reddick celebrates his Daytona 500 win on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Fellow racer Joey Logano, a competitor of Reddick's, even made sure Reddick's elder son Beau spent time with his kids while the Reddicks were in the hospital.
"The amount of support we had from the NASCAR community throughout all of that was just incredible," said Reddick.
Rookie, who was born May 25, is now "happy and healthy," Reddick told GMA, the stress on his heart alleviated with the removal of the tumor.
He was by his father's side at the finish line on Sunday, alongside mom Alexa and brother Beau.
“I just remember getting out of the car, and typically I’ve just been able to focus on Beau and my wife, and it’s like Rookie is getting to experience this for the first time, too,” Reddick said to the Associated Press. “Rookie is a trooper, whether it’s been the Thunderbirds blasting over the track, just super loud, stuff I love.”
And it seems like he already takes after his dad. "He's been like a speedster,” Reddick added. "We have to keep up with that. Keep away from the stairs and the bus!"
The college basketball world watched a respected basketball program make a big decision this weekend. With March Madness nearing, Kansas State University decided to make a surprising early decision.
On Sunday night, the school made the decision to let go of the men’s head basketball coach, Jerome Tang. Tang was in his fourth season as the lead man of the men’s basketball program.
In the 2022-2023 season, Tang led the Wildcats to a 26-10 record. They made the big tournament and surged all the way to the Elite Eight.
They lost to Florida Atlantic University by a thin margin of 79-76. The expectations were as high as ever. There were even chatters on whether they were ready to challenge in-state rival Kansas long-term.
Tang and the Wildcats never made it back to the tournament. They followed their incredible season with a 19-15 record, getting bounced out of the NIT, and then a losing season in the 2024-2025 season.
Feb 1, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang looks on during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
They had an opportunity to get back on track this year under Tang. However, they currently sit at 10-15. What might be most damning is their 1-11 conference record.
What once started as a promising tenure comes to an early end.
Rrahmani renewal, Ambrosini v Parisi, Totti latest: today’s news 🔥
Another European week with Italian teams engaged in the Champions League playoffs, while others are left watching and waiting for the next Serie A matchday.
Below, as usual, are the most important news stories of the day.
Juventus, who will replace David?
Juventus will have to do without Jonathan David against Galatasaray, and Luciano Spalletti is considering solutions to make up for the Canadian's absence.
The most logical choice points to Openda, who is looking for minutes and redemption. However, keep an eye on creative solutions with Yildiz or McKennie as a false nine. At the moment, Openda is the favorite.
Milan, Allegri and Galliani dine together. Was the future discussed?
On the night of Inter-Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri and Adriano Galliani had dinner together, in an evening reconstructed by Tuttosport. The two worked together in the past at Milan and have remained friends.
Besides reminiscing about the past, did they also talk about the future? Last summer, Galliani's return to Milan was very close, but in the end, nothing materialized.
Inter, Gala's coach: "We're waiting for Calha with open arms"
Okan Buruk, coach of Galatasaray, spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Juventus and also commented on Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter's midfielder.
"I've known Hakan for fifteen years, he's a Gala fan and our supporters would like him to come here. Let's just say... we're waiting for him with open arms.”
Napoli, Rrahmani close to renewal. The figures
Napoli is working on the renewal of Amir Rrahmani. The Kosovan center-back is the pillar of the Neapolitan defense and, according to Tuttosport, the club is close to reaching an agreement for the extension.
The former Verona player will sign a contract until 2028 with an option for 2029 at €3.8 million per season.
Roma, news on Totti's return
Francesco Totti's return to Roma is becoming more and more of a reality, and the man himself confirmed it in a comment to Sky.
“Yes, we're talkingand I even had dinner with Gasperini.”
Lazio, Basic close to returning
Lazio can smile as good news comes from the infirmary ahead of the match against Cagliari next weekend.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Basic is on track for recovery since his problem wasn't actually serious, but the midfielder just needed a bit of rest.
Fiorentina, Ambrosini criticizes Parisi
Massimo Ambrosini, former footballer and now commentator for DAZN, spoke about Fabiano Parisi and the exaggeration after the contact with Addai.
“What Parisi did was try to cheat. You can't do that, it's unacceptable for someone to try to deceive everyone so blatantly, thinking then to get away with it. If the referee had fallen for it and sent off the poor Como player, he'd be laughing now. He must be punished, because punishment acts as a deterrent for anyone who wants to try the same thing in the future.”
Auburn baseball began the season on a high note by sweeping Youngstown State at Plainsman Park. However, the team did receive an unfortunate injury update regarding one of its young stars.
Auburn second baseman Chris Rembert injured his ankle during last weekend's series and could be out for a couple of weeks, according to Auburn baseball head coach Butch Thompson. Thompson says that the initial report was "really good." However, Rembert could miss this weekend's tournament in Arlington, Texas, where Auburn will face a pair of top 25 teams in Louisville and Florida State in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers.
"Feels like we could be playing next week without him," Thompson said Saturday. "Which I hate that for college baseball, there's so many eyes on that tournament. We love that tournament, and you want your guy there."
Rembert went 2-for-6 in Auburn baseball's opening series with an RBI and a walk. He was also unsuccessful in his only stolen base attempt.
Rembert burst onto the scene as a freshman last season, becoming one of Auburn's most reliable tools at the plate and in the field. Rembert hit .344 in 2025 with 72 hits, 14 doubles, 10 home runs, 46 RBI, and six stolen bases. He was awarded many accolades for his stellar season, including second team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman, and three Freshman All-American nods.
Redshirt freshman Brandon McCraine went 3-for-4 in Rembert's place in the lineup in game three of Auburn's season-opening series with Youngstown State. Will McCraine fill the role while Rembert nurses his ankle? It will be interesting to see how Auburn head coach Butch Thompson plays the lineup in Rembert's absence, starting Tuesday when the Tigers face Cincinnati at Plainsman Park in its first midweek game of the season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
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Chubb, 29, has 22 sacks in three seasons with Miami.
The previous Dolphins regime acquired Chubb in November of 2022 in a deal that included a first-round pick sent to the Broncos.
Chubb missed the 2024 season due to a torn ACL.
Chubb is an excellent team leader and was Miami Dolphins Good Guy of the year, as voted on by the local media, in 2025.
Chubb was also named the team's 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his service in the community.
Miami Dolphins releasing Bradley Chubb in salary cap move
This is a salary cap-related decision. The Dolphins are widely expected to also release Tyreek Hill and release Tua Tagovailoa, assuming they can't trade him.
Chubb will represent a cap savings of $20.2 million if he's designated a post-June 1 release.
Chubb would also become a $23.8 million salary cap hit spread over two years.
The entire hit would bein 2026 if he's not designed a post-June 1 release.
The thin Dolphins edge rush group includes Chop Robinson and Derrick McLendon.
Miami traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles at the trade deadline last season.
Miami certainly will look to address outside linebacker/edge rusher in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
Five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou has named his top 10 schools, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Fakatou is a talented lineman that has drawn interest from various programs across the country. The rising star currently has Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma, Penn State, Miami, and Georgia listed as his top 10 programs. At 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, Fakatou is widely regarded as a top defensive lineman from the 2027 class, as the defensive playmaker would more than likely play a key role on the Bulldogs’ defensive line should he commit to Georgia.
Fakatou is ranked as the No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 35 overall player from the class of 2027, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is also ranked as the No. 3 overall player from California. A five-star recruit, Fakatou has thrived during his time at Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, California) and finds himself ranked as one of the top prospects in the country.
The talented lineman would quickly prove to be a major addition to the Georgia defense should he land in Athens. The big man will continue narrowing down his options in the near future as recruiting heats up for the class of 2027. Fakatou has received recent recruiting visits from coaches of several of his top schools including Ohio State, Michigan and Miami.
Georgia has drawn interest from a multitude of top players from the 2027 class, including 4-star OL Jordan Agbanoma and DL Brayden Parks.
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A view of the Union’s Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images
Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner continues to be under investigation by Major League Soccer and remains on administrative leave with no resolution expected to come soon, multiple sources told the Guardian last week.
Tanner was the subject of wide-ranging allegations of misconduct raised by a Guardian investigation late last year, including a complaint made by the MLS Players Association to the league alleging multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior. After the Guardian published its story, the Union placed Tanner on administrative leave and MLS reopened an investigation into his behavior that had been closed early in 2025 due to lack of corroboration. Tanner has denied the allegations throughout, saying he will cooperate fully with the league as he “[works] to clear my good name and reputation”.
MLS’s initial investigation was done using in-house counsel, but the league has retained labor law firm Littler Mendelson to handle the new investigation, said multiple sources with direct knowledge of it, who like all sources in this report spoke to the Guardian under the condition of anonymity. Littler Mendelson is a global law firm specializing in labor and employment law. Among other notable clients, the firm has represented Starbucks, Amazon and Delta Air Lines in their anti-unionization efforts.
However, the investigation has not reached any conclusion in the three months since it was reopened. The Guardian understands that part of the reason for the delay is that investigators had reached an impasse regarding non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that remain in effect between some potential sources and the Union.
It is somewhat common for MLS clubs to have departing employees sign NDAs, which generally prohibit them from speaking about their experiences at their previous employer. Multiple sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into Tanner have said that, because of these types of agreements, some potential interviewees have not received adequate assurances from investigators that they won’t be subject to legal action if they participate.
The Guardian understands that MLS had hoped a new investigation would work around any existing NDAs, with the league previously offering assurances to potential sources in its initial effort. Two sources familiar with the ongoing investigation told the Guardian last week that multiple potential sources in the investigation do not feel that they’ve received adequate assurance that they’d be released from the conditions of those agreements.
“Any individual under an NDA with the Philadelphia Union has been granted, or would be granted upon request, a release to fully participate in the investigation,” A Union spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Guardian. MLS deferred comment to Littler Mendelson.
“We have engaged – and continue to engage – with individuals subject to nondisclosure agreements, and are taking appropriate steps to facilitate their participation in this investigative process,” Littler shareholder Kris Derewicz wrote in a statement to the Guardian. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not at liberty to provide any additional details.”
Tanner was put on leave on 19 November and has since largely spent his time in his native Germany, sources familiar with the Union’s front office operations said last week. The Union’s front office has been active in recent weeks, adding players from Colombia and Denmark while unloading others within and outside MLS. A league source with direct knowledge of one of those transfers told the Guardian that Tanner was not involved in negotiations surrounding that player, with talks handled instead by Union owner Jay Sugarman alongside assistant sporting director Matt Ratajczak.
Since his arrival in MLS in 2018, Tanner has been widely considered among the league’s most successful sporting directors, having helped craft a series of perennially competitive Union sides on a barebones budget. Unlike other global leagues, MLS has a soft salary cap and complex system of roster rules and regulations designed to allow even the league’s smallest teams to be competitive. Tanner had proved a good match for Philadelphia, who have often been among the league’s thriftiest teams.
Prior to his arrival, the Union had qualified for the MLS playoffs only twice in their eight-year history. Under Tanner, Philadelphia have made the postseason every year except 2024 and reached the 2022 MLS Cup final, a performance that earned Tanner the league’s executive of the year award.
Sporting directors at MLS clubs have varying degrees of power; at the Union, Tanner oversees nearly every facet of the club’s sporting operations at a granular level, working closely with the club’s youth academy. That youth setup has produced multiple US national team members and has frequently provided the Union with a valuable income stream via outgoing transfers, with Philadelphia raking in about $43m in player sales under Tanner’s watch.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will kickoff the 2026 campaign against East Carolina on Sept. 5, 2026.
The Tide will have a multitude of new faces on both sides of the football next season. Alabama lost a majority of the offensive line to both the transfer portal and NFL draft, as well as numerous skill players on offense.
As a result, the likes of star wide receiver Ryan Williams could quickly begin to thrive when the 2026 season kicks off, as Alabama has a number of skill players who could emerge with names such as Germie Bernard no longer in Tuscaloosa.
Here are three early breakout candidates for the Alabama Crimson Tide next season, along with a potential stat line prediction for each.
Cederian Morgan, Wide Receiver, Freshman
Morgan is a talented wide receiver that could quickly begin to thrive during his first season in Tuscaloosa. A former four-star recruit, Morgan was ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver and the No. 43 overall player from the class of 2026, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. The route runner had a multitude of offers prior to his commitment, as I predict Morgan to record 800+ yards and 7+ touchdowns during an elite freshman campaign.
Keelon Russell, Quarterback, Redshirt Freshman
Russell was widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects from the 2025 class. The playmaker served as the Tide's third string option last season, but Russell could quickly begin to thrive in 2026, should he earn the starting job over redshirt sophomore Austin Mack. The rising star has elite speed and accuracy, as Russell could be in prime position to record 3,300+ passing yards and 25+ touchdowns through the air with the starting job.
Ezavier “EJ” Crowell, Running Back, Freshman
Crowell is an elite running back that could easily break out early on next season. The star playmaker was a highly sought after prospect prior to committing to Alabama, as Crowell had offers from a multitude of programs around the country. A five-star recruit from the class of 2026, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Crowell won the coveted “Mr. Football” Award for his efforts at Jackson High School last season, as I believe the playmaker could record a surplus of 1,200 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during his first season in the Tide's backfield.
Alabama has numerous playmakers who could easily break out early next season, as the Tide will look to secure national championship No. 19 during the 2026 campaign.
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Michigan State's 142-year-old baseball program is known more for producing individual talents like Steve Garvey, Kirk Gibson and Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts than for winning a lot of games. So the Spartans had reason to celebrate the opening weekend of the season, even though it didn't end the way they would have liked.
They won two of three on the road against a Louisville team ranked as high as No. 8 in the preseason, making it the highest-ranked series win under 18th-year coach Jake Boss Jr.
The Spartans opened with a 4-3 win Friday on Randy Seymour's tie-breaking homer in the eighth inning. Parker Picot hit a grand slam and three-run homer in a 14-3 victory Saturday. Louisville won Sunday's finale 9-1.
The Spartans' big weekend came against one of the winningest programs over the past two decades. The Cardinals went 2-2 in the College World Series last year.
MSU was 28-27 last season and finished 12th in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans haven't been above .500 in conference play since 2016, and the most recent of their five NCAA Tournament appearances was in 2012.
Their challenging start to the season continues Friday with the first of three games at a top-10 Texas.
In the polls
The top three teams in the D1Baseball.com and Baseball America polls remained the same Monday.
UCLA (2-1) and LSU (3-0) are the top two in both polls, with Texas (3-0) third by D1Baseball and Mississippi State (3-0) third by Baseball America.
Slam man
Things quieted down considerably for Baylor's Tyce Armstrong after he became the second player in NCAA history, and first in 50 years, to hit three grand slams in a game, doing so Friday.
The Bears completed a three-game sweep of New Mexico State with wins of 5-2 Saturday and 7-3 Sunday. Armstrong was a combined 0 for 6 with two RBIs in those games.
Armstrong was the story of opening day, launching all three of his slams to left field in a 15-2 victory. His 12 RBIs were a school record.
The only other player to hit three grand slams in a game was Louisville’s Jim LaFountain, who did it against Western Kentucky on March 24, 1976.
Tigers off and running
Defending national champion LSU opened with a three-game sweep of Milwaukee. Jake Brown highlighted Sunday's 21-7 win with a grand slam, solo homer and a career-best six RBIs. Brown was 6 of 12 with eight RBIs in the series.
“Jake is the leader of this team, there’s no question about that,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “I’m very thankful that he is a Tiger, and I think he’s got a chance to be one of the best players in the country this year.”
Cleanup spot
Aidan King, who pitched six shutout innings, and Hawaii transfer Cooper Walls, who allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, turned in strong starts in Florida's 11-0, 6-1 sweep of UAB on Saturday. Gators pitchers allowed one run, walked one and struck out 13 across 16 innings. ... Florida Gulf Coast's Evan Dempsey, Preston Rogers and Ashton Pocol combined to strike out a program record-tying 19 in a 2-1, 10-inning victory over North Dakota State on Friday. ... Coastal Carolina, the 2025 national runner-up, swept three games from Fairfield. Chanticleers pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts in a 5-0 win in the finale, the most in a nonconference game in five years. ... Southern California's Grant Govel and Cameron Fausset combined to hold Pepperdine hitless in a seven-inning 11-0 run-rule win Saturday. Govel went a career-long six innings, walked one, hit a batter and struck out 10.
Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk on Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu: “We are waiting for him”
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has provided a significant update on the club’s long-standing interest in Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of their Champions League clash against Juventus.
The Turkish midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Istanbul last summer, but a deal ultimately failed to materialize. Despite that setback, the door remains firmly open for the Inter star to join his boyhood club in the future.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Buruk addressed the potential transfer with direct praise for his compatriot. He stated: “I know Hakan Çalhanoğlu well; he is a Galatasaray fan. The fans would love for him to come here. Let’s say, we are waiting for him with open arms.”
In addition to the transfer talk, Buruk discussed the upcoming match against Juventus and the recent controversy surrounding Pierre Kalulu’s red card in the Derby d’Italia. He remarked: “I have watched all of Juventus’ games. They play well even when they don’t win; I liked them against Atalanta as well. Of course, against Inter, they paid a heavy price for Kalulu’s expulsion. I really don’t know how a yellow card can be given in that situation…”
In case you were unaware, there is drama with a capital "D" happening at the Milano Cortina games. On Friday, Canada and Sweden got into an argument after Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson alleged that Canada's Marc Kennedy illegally double-touched his rock.
Double-touching is a huge no-no in curling, and Canada was very offended about such allegations. Of course, the scandal reached the internet, and the memes started rolling in. Please look at this masterpiece that some human being created. My eyes are sweating from laughing so much.
It did not stop here. There also might allegedly be a Canadian women's curling scandal, and this is, obviously, too much because the internet has absolutely zero chill when it comes to these kinds of things.
Now, animals (and ET!) are involved, and I'm down a rabbit hole. (See what I did there?)
Last night in Dallas, Taylor Fritz pushed Ben Shelton all the way but came up short, unable to take his chances in the final of the Dallas Open.
The 28-year-old fell to his fellow American in a tight three-set match, missing three championship points along the way.
It was a tough defeat for Fritz, but it also showed just how close he came to lifting the trophy despite dealing with several physical issues.
Always looking to improve, the world number eight felt there were areas of his game he could have managed better to avoid getting pulled into such a battle.
Taylor Fritz points to serve struggles after narrow Dallas Open loss
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Speaking after the match, Fritz talked through where things went wrong, even as reporters acknowledged how well he had played given the circumstances.
He told them: “Return wise, no. But serving-wise, I could have done better.
“I think for a set and a half, I was playing great and serving great, and then I don’t know why, but the serve rhythm was just lost a little bit.
“I was not hitting my spots as good, my first serve percentage was nowhere near as good as it has been all week, and it’s tough to start having to grind out these points behind the serve when I have not had to do that all week long. It is a lot of added pressure.
“He did a great job playing defence and making me hit a ton of balls to win the points on my serve. He did a really good job of just making a lot of balls when he was returning, and I was not getting free points on my serve.
“The breaks could have been avoided if I served a little bit better.”
Ben Shelton edges closer to matching Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
In tennis, progress is often judged by results rather than intent.
Shelton has a growing list of them, and his latest title is a direct result of the work he has put in over recent months.
Shelton had mentioned before the tournament that he had been working on one shot in particular, one that has given Jannik Sinner trouble before.
The American star appears to be finding a good balance between fine-tuning his game and delivering results on court.
The Dallas title will not change where Shelton stands compared to Alcaraz or Sinner just yet, but it does give him more confidence moving forward.
Formula 1 has announced a six-year “rotational” contract for a grand prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in the next phase of the sport’s expansion strategy.
F1 announced last year that the famous Spa-Francorchamps will host a grand prix once every two years from 2027 to 2031, and now the Belgian Grand Prix’s rotational partner has been confirmed.
Barcelona’s future as a host venue had been in doubt, given F1 will host an annual street race in Madrid from this September. However, after major renovation to the site, the newly titled Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will take place in 2028, 2030 and 2032 in rotation with Spa.
Spa-Francorchamps will host a race in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031 (Getty)
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said: “Barcelona is an incredible city, and the Formula 1 fans there always welcome us with such passion, so I am delighted that we will continue to race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for years to come.
“The team have invested heavily in the circuit and hosted fantastic fan festivals in recent years, so we look forward to seeing how they continue to develop the experience, both for attendees at the race and for the city as a whole.”
The circuit has worked to improve the fan experience in recent years. A new hospitality space above the third sector has been built, solar panels are now positioned throughout the site and a fan festival has been hosted alongside the race weekend in the iconic Placa de Catalunya.
Another factor which aided Barcelona’s cause was its hosting of the five-day ‘shakedown’ test last month, in which most details were kept under wraps. It has regularly been the European venue for testing in previous years.
With Portugal being added to the 2027 calendar in a two-year deal, Formula 1 now has contracts for 24 races – a number Domenicali has insisted he won’t go over – for next year’s schedule. This year’s Dutch Grand Prix will be the last race at Zandvoort.
It also puts to bed speculation of a 2027 race in South Africa, with the likes of Rwanda, Morocco, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand and Argentina among the other interested parties.
The 2026 season starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March. The final pre-season takes place this week (18-20 February) in Bahrain.
Scotland scrum-half Ben White admitted he and his teammates are aware of the noise around head coach Gregor Townsend, but called him an "amazing coach to play for" after the victory over England.
Plenty were unhappy with Townsend's position following the opening Six Nations loss to Italy but Scotland roared back to secure a fifth Calcutta Cup victory in six years.
Like Townsend, White has a superb record in these fixtures and scored another try against the Auld Enemy - who he played for at Under-20 level.
"Obviously we're aware of everything that goes on outside of the environment," White said. "People are passionate and when you're playing for your country, people just want wins and success, and that's what we want as well.
"It's nothing personal, it's part of the privilege of playing for your country. With how tough the week had been, I think to put on that performance it made it extra sweet.
"I just love it, that's why I play rugby, to see the crowd, the atmosphere, people smiling and cheering and staying after the game and enjoying it with their kids.
"Gregor is proud of the performance that we put in, the way we played, the charisma we showed. He's awesome, he's an amazing coach to play for because he gives us so much confidence in what we do.
"Obviously he has a lot of detailed stuff in how we play, but he gives us courage and belief in the style of rugby that we play, so that's awesome to be a part of."
Incredibly after that dismal loss to Italy in the first week, Scotland now sit second behind France in the standings. They face Wales next Saturday in Cardiff, looking to make it two wins from three.
"The championship's tough, there's no rest, there's no bye [fallow] week this year like there has been in the past," said White. "We need to recover well, train hard and not take the foot off the gas.
"Getting five points at home was huge for us and also just the momentum that can give us going forward. We go to Wales and it's an opportunity for us but we know we're going to have to play really well.
"We go there with confidence but if we don't play to the best of our abilities and we're not clinical and accurate, they're a side that can punish us."
BBC Sport and Getty Images bring you a selection of the most striking images from each day of the Winter Olympics.
Day nine: Sunday, 15 February
Team GB's Tabitha Stoecker and Matt Weston acknowledge fans after winning gold in the skeleton mixed team event at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Al Bello [BBC]Georgia's Anastasiia Metelkina and partner Luka Berulava compete in the pair's skating short program at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Matthew Stockman [BBC]South Korea's Sohui Gim in action during the women's giant slalom at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo by Julian Finney [BBC]Latvia's Estere Volfa competes in the women's biathlon 10km pursuit at Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein [BBC]
Day eight: Saturday, 14 February
Men's giant slalom champion Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, from Brazil, jumps for joy on the podium alongside Swiss silver medallist Marco Odermatt and compatriot Loic Meillard, who won bronze, at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo by Dustin Satloff [BBC]Poland's Kacper Tomasiak jumps during the men's large hill individual trial round at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. Photo by Ryan Pierse [BBC]Switzerland's Noe Roth participates in freestyle skiing aerials training at Livigno Air Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud competes in the third run of the women's freeski big air qualification at Livigno Air Park. Photo by Hannah Peters [BBC]
Day seven: Friday, 13 February
Japan's Yuto Totsuka competes in the men's snowboard halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov reacts after winning men figure skating gold at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Jared C. Tilton [BBC]Matt Weston in skeleton action at Cortina Sliding Centre on his way to Team GB's first medal of the Games. Photo by Ezra Shaw [BBC]South Korea's Chaeun Lee competes in the men's snowboard halfpipe at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hannah Peters [BBC]Matt Weston celebrates winning gold for Team GB in the men's skeleton at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Julian Finney [BBC]
Day six: Thursday, 12 February
France's Jonas Chollet, United States' Nick Baumgartner, Italy's Lorenzo Sommariva and France's Loan Bozzolo compete during the men's snowboard cross small final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hannah Peters [BBC]US snowboarder Chloe Kim celebrates winning silver by holding the national flag during the medal ceremony for the women's halfpipe. Photo by Cameron Spencer [BBC]Germany's Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina [out of shot] are congratulated by Julia Taubitz after winning the women's doubles in the luge team relay in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Carmen Mandato [BBC]Sophia Kirkby shows the personal messages on her gloves after competing in the luge team mixed relay at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Franck Fife [BBC]Snoop Dogg - rapper and honorary coach of Team USA - watches the women's snowboard halfpipe final while wearing a jacket in support of US star Chloe Kim at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Michael Reaves [BBC]A flyover performed by the Frecce Tricolori is pictured prior to the men's downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein [BBC]A digital composite of the women's snowboard halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]
Day five: Wednesday 11 February
Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych participates in a men's skeleton training session at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]A group of skiers on the course during the women's 15km individual biathlon at Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Photo by Ryan Pierse [BBC]Italy's Marion Oberhofer and Andrea Voetter compete in the women's doubles luge event at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Mattia Ozbot [BBC]Canada's Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert warms up prior to the women's moguls final, with a drone (top left) following her progress. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]The three medal-winning teams (France, USA and Canada) in the figure skating ice dance event take a selfie during the medal ceremony at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Luo Yunfei [BBC]
Day four: Tuesday, 10 February
China's Qiwu Song competes in the mixed team trial round at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. Photo by Alex Slitz [BBC]Canada's Courtney Sarault skates past United States athlete Corinne Stoddard and South Korea's Kim Gil-li as they crash in the short track mixed team relay semi-final at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Julie De Rosa [BBC]Norway's Birk Ruud competes in the men's freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Air Park. An infrared camera in combination with on-camera filter was used to create this image. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]Norway's Sebastian Schjerve warms up prior to the men's freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Air Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]United States' ice hockey team huddle before their group-stage match against Canada at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena. Photo by Jared C. Tilton [BBC]
Day three: Monday, 9 February
Megan Oldham warms up before the women's slopestyle final. Photo by Patrick Smith [BBC]Switzerland's Briar Schwaller-Huerlimann in action during the mixed-doubles curling match against Canada. Photo by Carmen Mandato [BBC]Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych in action during skeleton men's singles training at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud celebrates victory in the women's freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Ian MacNicol [BBC]United States' River Radamus is followed by a drone during the men's team combined slalom at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo by Christian Petersen [BBC]
Day two: Sunday 8 February
The USA's Ilia Malinin performs a somersault during his routine in the figure skating team event. Photo by Tim Clayton [BBC]The drama of the women's parallel giant slalom is captured through a combination of images taken from a fixed camera at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]Austria's Riccardo Martin Schoepf and Juri Thomas Gatt practise on the luge track in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]American Lindsey Vonn is airlifted off the piste after crashing out of the women's downhill skiing. Photo by Luo Yunfei [BBC]Biathletes prepare to shoot during the 4x6km mixed relay in Antholz-Anterselva. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein [BBC]
Day one: Saturday 7 February
Australia's Jakara Anthony performs a flip during the freestyle skiing moguls at Livigno Air Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]Germany's Felix Loch competes in the men's luge. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]Czech ski jumper Klara Ulrichova in action at Val di Fiemme. Photo by Maddie Meyer [BBC]Slovenian Nika Prevc jumps over the Olympic rings at Val di Fiemme. Photo by Tom Weller [BBC]
Opening ceremony: Friday 6 February
Fireworks burst out of the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony at the San Siro. Photo by Matthias Hangst [BBC]Two aerial actors are suspended in the San Siro during the opening ceremony. Photo by Matthias Hangst [BBC]Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony. Photo by Elsa [BBC]Models wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani are pictured during the opening ceremony. Photo by Jared C Tilton [BBC]Performers form the Milky Way during the opening ceremony. Photo by Matthias Hangst [BBC]
All photographs licensed by Getty Images and subject to copyright.
A two-time Pro Bowl defensive end is now on the free agent market. Could this be of interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars?
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Miami Dolphins are releasing veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Ian Rapoport added that after Miami restructured Chubb's deal last year, which resulted in a $31 million cap hit for 2026, releasing him was "always the plan."
Chubb was the fifth overall pick by Denver in the 2018 NFL draft. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2022.
After his restructure last year, Bradley Chubb had a cap number of more than $31M for 2026. Release was always the plan. https://t.co/KqDWLhIuYc
He has spent the last three-plus seasons with the Dolphins after being traded to Miami in 2022.
Chubb missed the 2024 season due to an ACL injury, but this past year, he played nearly 800 defensive snaps, logging 48 pressures and eight sacks, according to PFF. Those 48 pressures were tied for 28th among his position group.
His most productive season came in 2023, when Chubb recorded 70 quarterback pressures.
Could the Jaguars pursue Bradley Chubb in free agency?
The defensive end position for the Jaguars does have to be added to this offseason. Bolstering the depth behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen to foster consistent pass rush production should be on GM James Gladstone's to-do list.
But will the Jaguars check that box by pursuing Chubb?
I tend to lean towards no. Not that Chubb couldn't provide that boost, but the Jaguars' salary cap situation is a bit tight at the moment, and between Hines-Allen and Walker, Jacksonville has invested quite a bit into this position.
Now, there is always the opportunity to create more cap space, but in doing so, there are other positions on this roster that could garner more attention.
Addressing the defensive end position with a low-cost veteran signing -- like Dawuane Smoot a year ago -- or spending a Day 2 pick on the position, where there is supposed to be a lot of talent, feels like the more likely path when it comes to tackling this need.
Much of this conversation is centered around what Chubb's next contract ends up looking like.
Richard Hammond’s Daughter Izzy Walks Away From Scary Formula E Crash — And the Moment Hit Harder Than Most Realized
When Izzy Hammond climbed into a Formula E GEN3 Evo car in Jeddah this weekend, it wasn’t just another influencer activation. It was a Hammond back in a race machine, and for a few tense seconds on Sunday, that history came rushing back.
The 25-year-old journalist and YouTuber was participating in Formula E’s Evo Sessions event, a program designed to put high-profile digital creators behind the wheel of the all-electric GEN3 Evo to generate broader interest in the series. The format gives participants structured training and supervised track time in one of the most advanced electric race cars in the world. It’s serious machinery, not a publicity prop.
At Turn 13 of the modified Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the experience turned abruptly real. Izzy lost control and hit the concrete barrier on the right-hand side of the circuit, causing significant damage to the car. The impact brought her session to an immediate end.
She later described the crash as “scary,” but medical evaluations confirmed she avoided serious injury. A health update reassured fans that she was okay, even if the car didn’t come out as lucky.
For longtime motorsport fans, the surname Hammond carries emotional weight. Richard Hammond’s 2006 jet-powered dragster crash remains one of the most dramatic and widely remembered incidents in automotive television history. Seeing his daughter in a single-seater at speed inevitably triggers that memory, even if the contexts are very different.
These Evo Sessions are conducted with full safety protocols. Participants undergo simulator preparation and on-site instruction before taking to the track, and the GEN3 Evo chassis is engineered with modern impact protection designed specifically for incidents like this. But racing, even in controlled environments, does not eliminate risk. High-performance cars demand precision, and when grip is lost at speed, barriers arrive quickly.
Izzy reportedly joked in the aftermath that her dad was probably watching and “going to cry,” a line that humanized the moment instantly. For Richard Hammond, who has lived through the harshest version of motorsport consequence, watching from the sidelines likely felt very different than being in the driver’s seat.
For Formula E, the crash underscores something important: these sessions are authentic. The cars are real race machines. The speeds are real. The consequences, even in safe conditions, are real.
For fans, it was something else entirely — a reminder that passion for speed and curiosity about racing often runs through families. The Hammond name has long been tied to automotive adventure. On Sunday, that legacy stepped into a new generation, hit a wall, and walked away.
And sometimes in racing, walking away is the only headline that truly matters.
Durban was where it all truly ignited. When India met Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, the contest felt like the beginning of a new chapter. India tied one thriller and then edged a nerve-shredding final in Johannesburg to lift the trophy. At that point, India already held a 4-0 advantage over Pakistan in 50-over World Cups, yet that dramatic T20 finale suggested a rivalry that might finally find balance.
Nearly two decades on, that promise has faded. Nineteen years later, the pattern remains painfully familiar for Pakistan. India continue to dominate them at World Cups, irrespective of format. Sunday’s result marked India’s eighth win over Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, further extending a streak that has stripped the contest of its once-feared unpredictability.
What was once celebrated as the ‘Mother of all Battles’ has become distressingly one-sided. Through the 1980s, 1990s and even the early 2000s, an India-Pakistan clash guaranteed drama and high tension. Today, anticipation is often replaced by resignation. Each tournament brings renewed hope from Pakistan’s media and former players, only for India to assert control yet again.
Pakistan’s lone T20 World Cup triumph over India came in 2021 in Dubai, a crushing 10-wicket win. But since then, they have not beaten India in any format or tournament. India’s victories in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024 and 2026 underline the widening gap in quality.
The emotional toll was evident when former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis reacted on air. As Pommie Mbangwa remarked, “The domination of this fixture by India would undoubtedly be annoying for Pakistan. 11th consecutive win in Men’s ICC T20 World Cups,” Waqar interjected: “Alright! Enough. Leave it there. We’ve had enough of that. India have been too good in the last 15-20 years, I would say.”
Waqar has endured this narrative personally. He was head coach when Virat Kohli crafted a sublime half-century at Eden Gardens in 2016 to steer India home. As a player, he also featured in Pakistan’s 50-over World Cup defeats to India in 1996 in Bengaluru and in 2003 at Centurion. Few have witnessed the rivalry’s painful tilt as closely as he has.
Well, Vikings fans, it's time for another Mock Draft Monday. We are back on track to go over the NFL Draft with us fast approaching the NFL Scouting Combine that starts next week.
The best way to go over and process changes to the NFL Draft, of course, is to conduct another Mock Draft Monday. The Vikings now have the 18th pick in the draft, which is finalized, so we will now be able to properly gauge what players could be there for him.
So with that, let's go over the latest mock draft of the offseason for the Vikings.
This weekend, the USC baseball team played its first home games on campus in nearly three years. After two seasons of construction and playing off campus, the Trojans finally opened the new Dedeaux Field with a three-game series against Pepperdine.
It was certainly a successful weekend, with USC sweeping the series. Friday and Sunday featured relatively routine 3-1 and 8-5 victories, respectfully. Saturday night’s contest, however, was one of the more unique results in recent memory.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Andrew Lamb hit a two-run home run to put the Trojans up 11-0. Due to a mercy rule, that ended the game, giving USC an extremely rare seventh-inning walk-off.
But it gets even better! At the time of the home run, USC pitching had not yet allowed a hit. Hence the Trojans pulled off something even more rare: a seven-inning, mercy rule, walk-off no-hitter.
So does this officially count as a no-hitter? In MLB, a no-hitter has to be nine innings to be officially recognized. After a bit of research, however, I was not able to definitively determine whether that same rule applies at the NCAA level or not.
Regardless, this was a massively successful weekend for the Trojans. They opened up their new stadium and started the season 3-0. In addition, head coach Andy Stankiewicz got to coach against his son Dane, who is an assistant on Pepperdine’s staff.
USC has four more home games this upcoming week. the Trojans will host LMU on Tuesday night, before welcoming Rice to Los Angeles for a three-game series next weekend.
Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders in the fourth quarter during the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The start of NFL free agency is still about a month away; the new league year officially begins on March 11. But any players released before then are free to sign immediately after their contract is terminated.
On this topic, the Miami Dolphins are cutting veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Dolphins are installing a new defense under new head coach Jeff Hafley and moving on from Chubb, who turns 30 in June, clears some cap space.
The natural question is: should the Philadelphia Eagles have interest in signing him?
Chubb obviously has familiarity with the Eagles’ defensive coordinator; Vic Fangio was his head coach on the Denver Broncos from 2019-2021 before the two reunited in Fangio’s sole season as the Dolphins’ DC in 2023. Eagles senior personnel director/advisor to the general manager Matt Russell was also the Broncos’ director of player personnel when Chubb was selected in the 2018 NFL Draft. Unless those relationships didn’t go well, Chubb and the Eagles should be on each other’s radars.
Can Chubb still play? The two-time Pro Bowler did have 8.5 sacks and eight TFLs last year. He missed all of 2024 due to an ACL injury but he had 11 sacks (second-highest mark of his career) while suiting up for Fangio in 2023.
The Eagles will be very thin at edge rusher if they don’t re-sign Jaelan Phillips, who could conceivably earn a big-time contract in free agency. Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, and Jose Ramirez (who?) are currently the only Eagles players at their position under contract for 2025.
Chubb isn’t the type of player that the Eagles must immediately go out and sign. The Dolphins are cutting him for a reason and he’s had durability issues in the past. But if the price is right and he’s willing to be part of Philly’s pass rush rotation, maybe it’s a good fit for both sides.
Portsmouth's Terry Devlin has said interest from other clubs during the winter transfer window could act as a confidence boost.
The Northern Ireland international, 22, was linked with a move away from the club this season, prompting boss John Mousinho to announce the defender was not for sale.
And with Pompey finding themselves in the midst of a relegation battle, Devlin has insisted that his mind is solely on his current club.
"It shows that I'm doing something right so hopefully it should give me a bit of confidence," Devlin told BBC Radio Solent.
"My only focus is on Portsmouth right now and finishing the season strong."
Portsmouth are currently in 21st place in the Championship table, just one point above Leicester City but with two games in hand.
One of those is on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) when Pompey make the trip to Charlton Athletic, who have taken seven points across their past three games to put them six points ahead of their visitors.
Devlin added: "It's even bigger now [the Charlton game] after losing [to Sheffield United].
"We need to go there and get a good result and bring them closer to us."
It's not a surprising move given Chubb was due to count $31.2 and $31.5 million against the Dolphins' 2026 and 2027 salary caps, respectively. What isn't clear for now is if Miami will use a post-June 1 designation on the release.
Using such a designation would mean the team doesn't get any salary cap relief from the move until the summer, well after the 2026 league year begins. It would also spread the remaining dead money over multiple seasons. But an immediate release would net the Dolphins only $7.3 million in cap savings this year, while a post-June 1 release would clear $20.2 million from the team's salary cap.
Chubb, who turns 30 in June, was acquired by the Dolphins in a 2022 midseason trade with the Denver Broncos. In 2023, he recorded 11 sacks with a league-leading six forced fumbles. But that season ended with a knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2024 season. In his return to action, Chubb was a team captain in 2025 and recorded a team-leading 8.5 sacks. He was also the Dolphins' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
The Dolphins also parted with pass rusher Jaelan Phillips during a trade deadline deal that sent the former first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami's pass rushing group is now led by Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell, and Cameron Goode.
Nearly four years after acquiring him in a trade with the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins are now releasing veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb, according to multiple reports.
Denver traded Chubb (6-4, 268 pounds) and a fifth-round draft pick to Miami in exchange for a first-round selection, a fourth-round selection and running back Chase Edmonds midway through the 2022 NFL season. The following offseason, the Broncostraded that first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for coach Sean Payton.
Chubb spent three and a half years with the Dolphins, but he missed the 2024 campaign with a torn ACL. He totaled 22 sacks, 54 quarterback hits and nine forced fumbles in 41 games in Miami. He'll now become a free agent.
Denver selected Chubb with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of NC State. Former general manager John Elway later admitted that passing on Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at that pick was his worst mistake as a GM.
Chubb totaled 26 sacks, 58 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles in four and a half seasons (49 games) with the Broncos. The team has a crowded outside linebacker room, so a reunion with Chubb seems unlikely in 2026.
As Arsenal chase what would be a famous Premier League title, Mikel Arteta will be keenly aware of how crowded the fixture schedule has become.
The Premier League is arguably the most important of the trophies they are in the hunt for, but far from the only one.
The Gunners are also giving chase for all three other trophies available to them as February begins, advancing to the Champions League Round of 16 while also reaching the Carabao Cup final and through to the FA Cup fourth round.
One of those other competitions presents Arsenal with a complication to their league schedule, forcing some reshuffling in the calendar as February rolls along. The Sporting News explains where this movement has occurred, and how it shakes out in the wider picture.
The Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolves, originally scheduled for the weekend of March 21, has been rearranged to be played on Wednesday, February 18.
This is due to Arsenal's participation in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, March 22.
The rearranged fixture adds a layer of complication to Arsenal's road visit to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, which will take place just four days after the rescheduled trip to Wolves.
Arsenal upcoming fixtures
Following the 3-0 victory over Sunderland on February 7, Arsenal have three more Premier League games to navigate the rest of the month, plus one FA Cup game as well.
The Gunners will conclude February play with the North London derby against Tottenham, which could be a major determining factor in their title chase.
The schedule will get some relief in late February as the Gunners secured a bye through to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, which will give them some much-needed rest while other teams navigate the two-legged playoffs.
Bodo/Glimt Vs Inter Milan – Turkey & Italy Megastars Set To Start After Injury
Inter Milan stars Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu will reportedly regain starting spots in the upcoming clash against Bodo/Glimt.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the latter is likely to return to the starting lineup following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Hakan Calhanoglu came off the bench during Saturday’s Derby d’Italia clash against Juventus, replacing Barella early in the second half.
However, the Turkish playmaker received a disqualifying yellow card toward the end of the game.
Therefore, he will not be at Cristian Chivu’s disposal for Inter’s next Serie A match against Lecce.
Barella & Calhanoglu to Start in Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan Clash
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Just like Calhanoglu, Barella picked up a booking at the start of the second half and will now have to serve a one-game ban in Serie A.
Since they’ll both have to serve suspensions in the league, Chivu is considering fielding them both from the first minute on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Piotr Zielinski could finally get some rest after shouldering a heavy workload in recent weeks.
As such, Henrikh Mkhitaryan could make only his third UEFA Champions League appearance this season.
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